·        Call to Order/Roll Call – The regular meeting of the Chewelah Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Tom Bristol on March 16, 2006 at 7:15   P.M.  The following planning commission members were present:  Chairman Tom Bristol, Vice Chairman Daniel Voltz, Bill Davies, Alice Crowley, and Doug Sassman.  Excused absences: Kadya Hugus and Kevin Herda. Irv Schick was present before the meeting was called to order, but had to leave due to a fire call. City Staff present:  Chaz Bates, Planner, Studio Cascade, and Gaylea Nolander, Executive Secretary.

·        Agenda Additions, Deletions, and/or Changes – None.

·        Minutes – Doug Sassman moved with a second from Bill Davies to approve the February 16, 2006 minutes.  All in favor.  Minutes approved.

·        Public Comments – None.

·        Communications and Announcements – Chairman Bristol announced there will be a workshop with Planning Commission and City Council to discuss visions and goals on Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. to Noon.  

·        Reports from Members and Committees – None.    

·        Reports from City Administrator and Staff

Chaz Bates reported as follows:

Meadow Creek Preliminary Plat - The Meadow Creek Preliminary Plat was adopted by City Council with an additional condition reserving the right to require access from the project to North Street.  One person testified at the City Council meeting. City Council Members had received a copy of the Planning Commission minutes in regard to this matter. 

Temporary Sign Ordinance – City Council continues to review the Temporary Sign Ordinance.

Conditional Use Permit for St. Joseph’s Hospital approved by the Planning Commission in February, 2006.  The applicant will be required to obtain a Change of Use Permit from the Building Official as part of the condition for the approval. 

OLD BUSINESS

Shoreline Master Plan – Staff Report dated March 16, 2006 entitled Ecology’s Draft SMP Comments attached hereto as attachment 1 and made a part of these minutes as though fully set forth.  Planning Commission and Chaz Bates reviewed and discussed the staff report encompassing comments from Doug Pineo, Department of Ecology.  In general, Ecology’s comments were minor corrections and small clarifications.  One comment regarding riparian buffers and structure setbacks is still being deliberated with Department of Ecology.

During discussion on permits and variances Chaz Bates stated that prevailing public opinion is not necessarily something that Planning Commission should use to determine granting or denying a permit.  Planning Commission should use the laws and findings of fact to make that determination, because if that guideline is not used you could find yourself in violation of the law, denying somebody’s private property rights.  For the public, public comment should focus on how the project doesn’t meet the findings of fact to be effective, rather than, this is something I don’t like.

Tentative Timeline – Tentatively, Planning Commission will review the final draft in April and conduct a public hearing in May. 

Chaz Bates invited planning commission to walk along the creek with Doug Pineo, Department of Ecology, the week after next.  The following planning commission members expressed interest:  Daniel Voltz, Tom Bristol and Alice Crowley. 

·        Planning Commission Purpose, Development of Mission Statements, and Planning Commission Evaluation – Chairman Bristol stated this was discussed at the earlier workshop and discussion on this matter will continue at the April Workshop.  Chairman Bristol asked that this item be placed on the April Planning Commission Agenda.   Chaz Bates was a speaker at a Short Course in Local Planning in Airway Heights and he used Chewelah Planning Commission’s Mission Statement as an example. 

NEW BUSINESS

·        Stevens County - Daniel Voltz asked if the outcome of the Stevens County Growth Management meeting in Colville earlier this week will affect us in any way.   Chaz Bates did not attend the meeting, however, he commented that it may affect the City as to subdivisions; because it is not going to get any better in Stevens County for subdivisions…it may funnel some growth into the City that would have happened in Stevens County.  He stated there are things in the plan that will impact the City, but no regulations that we need to pay attention to unless you own property in the County. 

·        Public Comments

Janet Tetro commented on the sign ordinance.  She suggested enforcing ordinances that are currently on the books, and in the future…go back and see if there is anything already on the books that can take care of this or can we amend something that is already there to make it work for the circumstances now.  The Temporary Sign Ordinance will impact the whole City, not just Main Street… 

(8:03 P.M. - Irv Schick arrived back at the meeting)

·        Adjournment – Doug Sassman moved with a second from Daniel Voltz to adjourn the meeting.  All in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

_______________________________          _________________________________ 

Gaylea Nolander, Executive Secretary  Thomas Bristol, Chairman

Attachment available for review at City Hall, Room 107