Planning Commission Regular Meeting Meeting

Detailed briefing

Planning Commission Regular Meeting — September 21, 2023 ATTENDEES: Rick Tarchinski, Vanessa Warren, Bob Thoma, Nancy Rondel, and Emily Dubay were present in person. Bill Mulder and Mark Buday participated remotely but could not count toward quorum or vote. • The commission elected Vanessa Warren as temporary chair and approved the August 17 meeting minutes. Members said five in-person attendees established a quorum, but six votes were required for a special land-use decision. Because another member did not arrive, an unidentified special-land-use public hearing was tabled to the October 19 regular meeting. • The Claridge Court condominium lot split was tabled to October 19. The applicant said its plan had been revised from a cul-de-sac to a T intersection, added floodplain-ravine debris language, and included opinions that Lot 6 could support a home. But the planning consultant said Lot 6 was unbuildable in that office’s opinion because of steep grades, and said Lot 5 also had concerns. The commission requested additional review of the slopes and buildability of Lots 5 and 6. • Commissioners also questioned the proposed water system for Claridge Court, including an 8-inch main and whether it should be looped instead of dead-ending. Staff agreed to investigate whether the design is acceptable or needs modification. Members discussed future responsibility for ravine and floodplain maintenance, with a preference expressed for the condominium association to be responsible rather than individual owners. • The commission found the proposed Harbormaster Building renovation and addition consistent with the city master plan. The project would reconfigure existing bathroom space into laundry and mechanical areas, add public restrooms, and update siding, windows, and doors. A request was made for better-finished concrete flatwork, and the architect agreed to coordinate it. • The commission approved the Little Harbor Club site plan at 130 State Street. The work includes replacing pools and tennis courts, adding two bathhouses, and adding storage beneath the pool area. The applicant said construction access, parking, dumpsters, and material staging would stay on club-owned property and not obstruct public streets or rights-of-way. • Staff said it received correspondence seeking controls on vegetation clearing along the bluff, including on private property. The commission agreed the subject should return on a future agenda for public discussion, with members noting it may belong in the city code rather than the zoning code. Worth watching: • Whether further engineering review supports building on Claridge Court Lots 5 and 6. • Whether the Claridge Court water-main design will be looped or otherwise modified. • Follow-through on a city discussion of private-property bluff vegetation management. Upcoming: Claridge Court and the tabled special-land-use public hearing are scheduled to return October 19; staff said planning-related public open houses are planned in October, with details to be posted by the city. Why it matters: The meeting centered on whether development plans adequately address steep slopes, floodplain impacts, water service, construction effects, and long-term neighborhood protections.

Agenda items

• 1A · Election of Temporary Chairdiscussed
• 5A · Lot Split - Claridge Court Condominiumsdiscussed
• 5B · Special Land Use Request - 693 E Lake St. - Two Dwelling Units on Same Lotdiscussed
• 5C · Site Plan Review - 250 E Bay St. - Harbor Master Buildingdiscussed
• 5D · Site Plan Review - 130 Traverse St. - Little Harbor Clubdiscussed

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.

Related issues

• Marina / Harbormaster Building Renovation and Waterfront Fund Recoverydiscussed