City of Chewelah

Planning Commission Workshop

October 4, 2007

A workshop for the purpose of identifying and developing policies in regards to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan update was held.  Planning Commission Chairperson, Tom Bristol, called the workshop to order at 7:05 P.M.  Planning Commissioners in attendance were Daniel Voltz, Alice Crowley, Tom Bristol, Doug Sassman, Bill Davies, Kevin Herda and Irv Schick.   Staff members in attendance were Curt Kelling, City Administrator; Tracy Ferrell, Executive Secretary; and Chaz Bates, consultant from Studio Cascade.  Citizens participating were Rick LeHew, Krisan LeHew, Susanne Griepp, Veronica RedFox and daughters and Jim Flower.

Mr. Bates did a presentation to begin the workshop.   He pointed out some information boards throughout the room that compiled data from previous workshops.  He noted that there had been three “technical” workshops prior to this workshop, as well as a couple of extended Planning Commission meetings where the Comprehensive Plan was discussed.  In addition there was an Open Mike Night for Transportation held.   Mr. Bates presented Chewelah’s Vision Statement and revisited the outcomes from a recent Land Use Alternative Workshop.   He gave a brief explanation of Goals and Policies, what they are and how they effect where we want to be in the future. 

Following the presentation, the audience and Commissioners formed groups to discuss a Draft Policy Recommendations Worksheet.   Each group went over five goals and accompanying policies for approximately 45 minutes.   A representative from each group spoke on the outcomes of the conversations.   This included discussions on a potential truck route and the current traffic situation on Flowery Trail.  There was also discussion on the definition of low-market-rate housing and how a policy in favor of this could be enforced.  

Mr. Bates explained that the next step following this workshop would be to take the information from all workshops, including this one, and create a draft set of goals and policies.  An Open House will be scheduled at a later date to discuss this document.  

The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be on October 19, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.  

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________     ____________________________

Tracy Ferrell, Executive Secretary                              Tom Bristol, Chairperson