1.    ROLL CALL: Chair Balen called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Chair Balen and Commissioners Milligan, Meatzie, Hauser and Cvar answered the roll. Commissioners Cutter and Uhl were absent. A quorum was present.
2.    CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3.    COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
4.    MINUTES: The Commission considered the minutes from the February 19, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Meatzie moved to approve the minutes as presented, Commissioner Milligan seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5.    CORRESPONDENCE: The Commission considered the letter of concern from the Alsea Highlands Homeowners Association regarding the renting of residential property as a vacation rental. Discussion ensued regarding the Transient Room Tax ordinance and its applicability to this situation. Chair Balen noted that the Development Code was silent in regards to the issue of vacation rentals in a residential zone, which was why the Homeowners Association was asking that the Planning Commission consider clarification of the language in the Code. Pat Tryon addressed the commission in regards to the request, noting that she did sit on the board and was also a property owner in the area. Her position was that there were several areas in the City which would benefit from the clarification in the Code, such as Yaquina John Point, Old Town, and Alsea Highlands. She felt that the City needed some guidelines to allow interested persons to pursue the possibility of renting their properties, and providing opportunity for surrounding properties to support or object the proposal. She also noted that this could be an additional revenue source for the City as well. Susan Kelly, co-owner of Bayshore Rentals, indicated that they did manage the home in question, and noted that they do collect and pay room tax to the City for all of their vacation rentals in the City limits. She suggested that the City consider upgrading its system to emulate Yachats, which tracks each home individually and sends an itemized statement quarterly. Yachats also has an ordinance requiring a management service to maintain vacation rentals. Discussion ensued regarding the issue of CC & R's for Alsea Highlands, which were currently under review by their board, and the issue of amending the City's code. Consensus of the Commission was to schedule a worksession at the April meeting to look at how other communities such as Depoe Bay, Newport and Yachats handle the issue. Staff will provide an estimate of the amount of room tax currently being paid, and an estimate of the number of vacation rentals currently being handled by the various management services. Commissioner Milligan also suggested that the Kellys write a letter to the Alsea Highlands Board, requesting that they be notified of any problems with their rental property.
6.    PUBLIC HEARING: None.
7.    OLD BUSINESS: None.
8.    NEW BUSINESS:
    A.    Findings and Conclusions for Jack Peterson: Chair Balen read the Order, which stated that the conditions were not sufficient to support the granting of the variance. Commissioner Hauser moved to approve the Findings as presented, Commissioner Cvar seconded. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    B.    Planning Report: Mr. Thompson reviewed his written report. He notified the Commission of recent correspondence from the engineer at Ocean Hills, and indicated that he was requesting further clarification on the application before he would deem it complete. The 120 days did not begin until there was a complete application. Chair Balen asked that the draft letter regarding the requirements which needed to be met be brought to the Commission before he sends it off to Mr. Martenson. The letter regarding the incompleteness of the application could be sent off without review of the Commission. Commissioner Cvar asked for background material on the previous request, Mr. Thompson indicated that he could provide the staff report and minutes from the meeting.
9.    ADJOURNMENT: At 7:33 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Hauser moved to adjourn. Commissioner Cvar seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

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