January 7, 2009
OMAK PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
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Call To Order
Chairman Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioners & Staff Present
Barry Hansen, ChairCraig Raymond, Building Official
Mary Henrie-absentKurt Danison, Contract Planner
Jane LynchConnie Thomas, Deputy Clerk
Del Shove-absentRick Staton, Citizen
Bob Sandefur
Anne Potter
Election of Chairman for 2009
Commissioner Lynch moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandefur, to nominate Commissioner Potter as Chairman and Commissioner Sandefur as Vice-Chair for 2009. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Hansen moved, seconded by Commissioner Lynch, to approve the December 3, 2008 minutes as written. Motion carried.
OkanoganCounty Regional Shoreline Master Program
The Planning Commission will be looking at the Shoreline Master Plan with regard to changes in language specific to Omak. Within the City of Omak shoreline there are a total of 323 parcels. Currently 244 of these parcels have structures and 2 over water structures. The Commission will be designating the west side of the river and the east side will be designated by the Colville Tribe. Commissioner Sandefur asked why we defer to the Colville Tribe for this designation when the property is in Omak. Commissioner Hansen proposed the Commission designate the eastside of the shoreline and present it to the tribe. Mr. Raymond said our current relationship with Tribal Planning has been positive and beneficial. Kurt said there would be two designations on the east side, Shoreline Residential and Shoreline Recreation.
Kurt reviewed the ecological function scores for Omak. The assessment reflects theCity of Omakscoredthree and fours, with four being the highest with a good functioning shoreline. Given the density of the shoreline, Omak does not have any serious impacts on the shoreline. This is due to the levy system, the inability to develop close to the water and limited access and use on the shorelines.
Kurt explained the Shoreline Management Act is not intended to override the Omak Comprehensive Plan. The SMP protects the function. Prior to the February meeting, he suggested the review of chapter 8 specifically looking at vegetation conservation, use specific regulations and designation specific regulations. Both aquatic and natural uses willbe dealt with in Omak. The Commission will focus on the use chart in February. Kurt reviewed the types of permits associated with the use chart. If the use chart indicates allowed, that does not mean it’s exempt. Regulations in some areas will defer to the current zoning or sign ordinance and other existing regulations the City currently has.
Other Business:
Mayor Gagné will ask City Council to approve the appointment of Rick Staton to the Planning Commission. Mr. Staton will be replacing Kathy Fry who resigned in October 2008. Mayor Gagné is also working on replacing Commissioner Henrie. Commissioner Henrie asked that her position on the Planning Commission be filled.
Kurt said the City of Omak included money in the 2009 budget to pay for a traffic study of the east leg of Highway 97. The traffic study will be done by USKH, the City engineers. Kurt will also meet again with the owners and residents of the OmacheShopping Center. The hope is to eliminate the left hand turns onto Riverside Drive. Burger King has rerouted traffic and signs have been placed to direct traffic toward Highway 97 by way of Koala Street.
Kurt will also be meeting with the Omak Park Board in February. They will be revising the Eastside Park Master Plan. To apply for grants, the City must have a current master plan.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
SIGNED:
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Ann Potter, ChairmanConnie Thomas, Secretary