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6-2-10 BICC staff session, planning notes
Bob Pederson began by praising Brandon Sweezea for his discovery about how to save money. It seems that the Century Gothic font uses far less ink than many others, and therefore with every page printed in this font, a certain amount of ink is saved, requiring fewer cartridges. Given the size of the county ‘s operations, this could amount to hundreds of $/month.
(I must say, it is not very legible)
1. ZAA 213/08, a rezone of 18.5 acres from CA (Commercial Ag) to RA (Rural Ag), theoretically to “correct a mapping error.” Staff recommends denial, and a hearing will be scheduled.
2. Oak Harbor UGA (Urban Growth Area). There is no record that the Planning Commission ever transmitted their recommendation to the commissioners. Bob Pederson proposes formal transmission, with a staff report. The commissioners will then hold a pubic meeting to decide on a future public hearing. This will make the matter procedurally correct.
Angie asks that Island County be very involved in all 3 ciy comp plan amendment processes.
Bob Pederson responds that Anthony and Troy are reviewwing, attending, and meeting. The legislature has extended the deadline from 2012 to 2015. He needs to check with the cities as to whether they will take advantage of this extension.
Angie points out that OFM (the office of financial management) is more than willing to hear from Island county about such issues as ferries, concurrency, and other island limitations.
3. Hearing Examiner contract. There are several finalists to be interviewed, so they need to extend the current contract for 1 month.
4. SMP (Shoreline Master Plan) update. This is a 3 year effort. There is precursor work, mainly writing up the DOE (Dept of Ecology) grant application. The amount is $450k, and the application is due this month. It is a very prescriptive format. Pubilc participation and outreach are mandated, via paid contractors. John Dean has formatted an ad to be inserted into property assessment notices. This saves some general fund money. The grant will pay for outreach consultants, BAS (Best Available Science) (research, compile, and synthesize), peer review, permit performance review. He is currently developing the RFP (Request For Proposals) for this work. It includes a 100% grant funded position for a dedicated SMP staff person.
Angie asks if the SMP person could be an existing staff member.
Bob Pederson says no. He then read from the grant document. Among the very specific tasks are a Cumulative Impacts Analysis, and an assurance of No Net Loss of ecosystem functions. He proposed restoration plans for impaired areas. He says Barry Linder liked the first draft and that they have been working iteratively on the document.
I asked whether this included incorporated shorelines. It does not.
I asked where FWHCAs (Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas) come in. I’m not sure I got much of an answer, except that DOE is touting Island County’s piggybacking as a good thing. He seems to be treading lightly in this regard.
note to self: GET COPY OF GRANT DOCUMENT
5. recent appeal. Keeva, Mutiny Bay Shores v Island County in superior court, Judge Hancock. Island County approved a DNS (Determination of environmental Non Significance) for soft shore armoring. The underlying application was a type 1 (no public notice) decision, but the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) portion of the proposal was a type 2 (includes public notice and right to appeal).
Keeva argued that Mutiny Bay Shores had no standing to appeal a type 1 decision. Mutiny Bay Shores argued that Island County should have denied the type 1 decision. Judge Hancock ruled that Island County Code was inconsistent and had to be made consistent. The proposal is to make all type 1 decisions involving SEPA type 2 decisions.
Helen was concerned that this would slow issuance of type 1 permits.
Bob Pederson hastened to assure her that it would actually speed the process.
6. zoning code interpretation. Wineries and distilleries are popping up all over. Current code allows wineries on parcels 10 acres & larger in the RA and CA zones. It does not allow them in the R (Rural) zone or on smaller parcels in any zone. Brandon has been working on this. The proposal is to allow vinyards in R zone, including production. The difference is in the tasting rooms, which are retail/ commercial/ food service and need to be regulated more carefully. The proposal is to allow tasting rooms on parcels 10+ acres, and to regulate parking. Wineries on properties smaller than 10 acres would be a type 2 decision, which would allow for review and public comment. On parcels 5 acres and smaller it would be a type 3 decision - maybe.
Angie expressed concerns about importing grapes and creating a large commercial/ industrial activity.
Helen asked about distilleries.
Bob Pederson said that federal regulations came into play. They can’t sell retail but they can have a tasting room.
John thought it was all a matter of scale.
Angie wants to promote economic activity, but is mindful of the concerns of neighbors.
Bob Pederson felt they could condition permits to protect the neighbors.
Helen asked about a timeline.
Bob Pederson said there was no rush, but he did want to move it along.
John Dean thought this was very similar to home glass blowing and other art studios.
Brandon said these are often stand alone businesses, while studios are home occupations.
7. a report on permit numbers and revenues. Bob Pederson had the permit numbers for May, but not the revenue. Planning dept revenue is up 141% from this period in 2009. Building revenue is up (but I didn’t catch the number). SFR (Single Family Residence) starts are up, which is ‘good news.’
Permit processing is still slow, but they’re gaining. Brad has been there 1+ month and is doing well. There are 132 current open apps in the system. 61 of those are awaiting action by staff. Of those, 35 are overdue. They are making major progress, and the permit tracking software will help.
As to permit tracking, there have been 13 proposals submitted. Those have been narrowed down to 5, and this week 3 will be chosen to do demonstrations. The bids were below the projected cost.
The current program is to do weekly triage meetings. First they review new applications to assure that they are the correct type, then they determine their responses to commenters. Their intent is to eliminate one review letter from the process. He has asked staff for a group review of the 61 old apps, with focus on how to move them forward.
Helen asks if there is any ETA on the 2009 permit backlog.
Bob Pederson says they’re looking at ‘a couple of months’, doing both old and new applications simultaneously.
Helen asks if the new revenue can be used to pay for overtime.
Bob Pederson says that’s a very delicate subject right now, given that staff’s hours have been cut. That said, he thinks its a good idea.
Angie asks if complex projects are blocking simpler ones.
Bob Pederson says yes.
And that’s where my notes end.
