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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-01 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - August 1, 2022 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of August 1,2022 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Ryan Walters,Anthony Young,Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, and Bruce McDougall were present. Councilmember Amanda Hubik was absent. Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr. Young,to excuse the absence of Ms. Hubik. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Pledge of Allegiance The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Miller announced that Island Health received the highest Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicine Services award. He continued with a construction project update, saying that the 32nd Street and M Avenue roundabout would open on Friday. He concluded with the reminder that election ballots can be dropped off at the Library and Skyline ballot boxes by 8:00 pm on August 2nd. Public Works Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included sidewalk and street design standardization,the old Water Treatment Plant demolition project to be completed by the end of 2023, and the potential public dedication of Skyline Way. Public Comment Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Andrew Drager of Anacortes commented on the presence of homeless individuals on T Avenue and other areas. He wondered why individuals are allowed to live there and noted that he witnessed a fire being started on Cap Sante while he was taking a sailing class,which he attributed to homeless individuals living in that area. He noted that other municipalities are less tolerant of homeless individuals living on the streets,and that allowing their presence was unfair to homeless individuals and the community. Consent Agenda Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Young,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of July 25,2022 b. Approval of claims in the amount of$368,139.78 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 103843 through 103870,total$228,656.06 Check numbers: 103842 through 103890,total $137,351.23 Wire transfer numbers: 307639 through 307936,total$2,132.49 c. Contract Modification: 2022 Waterline Replacements#22-040-WTR-001 Other Business Planning,Community and Economic Development Department Update Planning, Community and Economic Development Director,Don Measamer provided a departmental update. The complete materials were included in the packet materials for the meeting. Anacortes City Council Minutes-August 1, 2022 1 2021 and 2022 Code Enforcement Cases Ms. Moulton asked what constitutes an overgrown yard and if that is something that neighbors report or City staff notice. Mr. Measamer responded that all code enforcement cases are generated from complaints. Ms. Moulton followed up by wondering that if grass was allowed to grow over a foot long then someone from the City would come out to force compliance. Mr. Measamer responded that a conversation with the affected owner is the initial step to determine if yard care assistance is needed, followed by a referral to Community Action. Mr.Young added that, as a result of several constituent calls, conversations are the most effective path to solving neighbor complaints. Mr. Walters offered that 23 annual code enforcement cases for a city the size of Anacortes is not unreasonable. He mentioned that calling the Planning Department is the proper step to get a situation resolved, especially when it is deemed a public safety issue or deleterious to neighboring property values or the neighborhood's quality of life. Mayor Miller added that many issues are resolved prior to being assigned a formal case number, and that the neighborly action is to approach the property owner and ask them to resolve the issue, followed by a call to code enforcement. Mr. Measamer mentioned that with SmartGov implementation there will be an online fillable complaint form. Potential Code Items to Review and update Mr. Walters suggested that the block frontage requirements from Commercial to O and Commercial to Q should be combined with the height limit discussion. Mr. Walters commented on tote sizes related to certain businesses and that some have encountered being forced to use many smaller totes instead of fewer larger totes appropriate to the size and purpose of the business. Mr. Walters mentioned that all private utility provision requirements in the development code should be revisited. MJB - Q& 17th Mr. Young asked about connectivity of the pedestrian walkway along the waterfront to ensure public access to the area. Mr. Measamer responded that there will be a minimum of 12-foot wide paved access all along the waterfront area of the development, including public amenities such as benches and picnic areas. Permit Issued for or in Review Ms. Moulton asked Mr. Measamer to talk about how the Islands Inn conversion project is going to be managed and if it is going to be low-income or income-qualified housing. Mr. Measamer replied he did not have any specific information yet and would anticipate obtaining it through the permit review process. Economic Development Mr. Walters commented that the City marketed Sharpes Corner approximately 8 years ago. He suggested that a policy level discussion be undertaken prior to deciding what the zoning laws should be related to housing needs, potential commercial uses, and a gas pipeline impact analysis. He asserted that developing a marketing strategy at this point prior to having the policy level discussion would be premature. Mayor Miller responded that the marketing strategy does not mean that those issues will not be considered, and countered that a marketing strategy is not an inappropriate term, as it can be construed in multiple ways. Mr. Young added that the Economic Development Committee was formed to address the needs of individuals related to housing and the availability of jobs that pay an adequate wage for residents to afford living in the community. He continued that these issues will be considered at the upcoming committee meeting on August 9th. Ms. Cleland-McGrath spoke about the challenge that Anacortes faces related to developable land, and that a careful analysis of its potential uses would be of benefit to the community as a whole. Mayor Miller reminded Council that the area was re- zoned to R4 mixed use,and that it was not previously marketed in that way. He was amenable to the Council having future zoning discussions. Ms. Cleland-McGrath wondered if the area would qualify for the R4 bonus height incentive. Mr.Measamer responded that follow-up review of the regulations would be required. Ms. Cleland-McGrath followed up with a question related to allowing a bonus height incentive if daycare or child early learning services are located on the first floor. Mr. Measamer replied that as the owner of the property,the City has a great deal of leeway on what can be done with the property. Mayor Miller agreed that city ownership Anacortes City Council Minutes-August 1,2022 2 of the property is very important. Ms. Cleland-McGrath pointed out that the Housing Action Plan is an important tool in assessing potential uses and that assisted living could be a potential beneficial use for the area. Mr. Young asserted that at this moment the focus for policymakers should be placed on how to best leverage the land for the greatest benefit of our City. Ms. Moulton underscored that a clear vision of what is desired for use of the area is needed prior to making zoning decisions and that child care and housing are primary concerns. She concluded, saying that this would be a great location for height and density. Mr. Walters pointed out that zoning is less important than who owns the land,that economic development strategies are often not reality based, and that the highest and best use for the land is housing subject to all applicable local constraints. He suggested that marketing might not be the best term and that it might be better to consider soliciting ideas and concepts, as the City is not ready to entertain proposals. Mayor Miller mentioned that a previous study was performed on the highest and best use of the area and that the study needed to be considered in order to honor the expenditure of public money,but that the Council was free to commission a further study. Concluding Questions and Comments Mr. McDougall commented on the numbers of permits issued,pointing out that revised development regulations have effectively flipped the ratio of single family to multi-family unit numbers. Mr. Measamer agreed with that assessment. Mr. McDougall expressed a sense of encouragement that the revised development regulations appear to be addressing the shortage of available housing. Ms. Cleland-McGrath wondered if the height moratorium has put multi-family development on hold. Mr. Measamer responded that developers are waiting to see what happens with development regulations. Ms. Cleland-McGrath suggested that acting now might be beneficial while the economy is relatively strong. Mr. Measamer replied that the current development, particularly multi-family housing, is attributable to the Council's actions,the Comprehensive Plan, and updated development regulations.Ms. Cleland-McGrath said that the Planning Commission has had a direct impact on the quality of life and the results of their hard work are paying off.Mayor Miller reminded the public that the current development is intentional and a result of the Council's efforts to get ahead of the problem. Mr. Walters pointed out that only the area west of Commercial Avenue is affected by the R4 moratorium, and that COVID- 19 played a significant role in slowing development. He concurred that Anacortes needs more housing and to end the moratorium,but that new development needs to be integrated into neighborhoods instead of being forced upon them. Mr.Young agreed that housing is the prime focus,but that the key consideration is whether individuals and families can afford to live in Anacortes. Public Comment Mr. Drager of Anacortes commented that the city is a small town and retirement community with fishing, petroleum, and military as its only industries and that there is no need for affordable housing. He expressed concern that the Council's actions would change the small town character of the city. Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:09 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of August 1, 2022 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes -August 1,2022 3