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Page 4 <br />Public Hearing Minutes <br />March 28, 2019 <br />Commissioners Mann and Stark were strongly opposed to requiring private property owners to allow <br />the public access to the shoreline via their property. <br />Misty Blair, with the Department of Ecology said that public access is one of the main goals of the <br />Shoreline Management Act. She said it is not required on private residential property, but it is a <br />requirement on public land and commercial or industrial property that, 1) is not water dependent, and <br />2) can provide access safely. She also stated that public access is a policy required for the whole State <br />of Washington. <br />Commissioner Mann asked staff how they determine a project has satisfactorily met the public access <br />requirements when they approve projects. <br />Ms. Gierloff directed the Commissioners to page 55 of the Zoning Code,section 18.44.080, that <br />addresses public access to the shoreline and provided explanation. Mr. Nickel also commented on this <br />issue. Commissioner Mann also expressed concerns with safety liabilities and responsibility <br />maintaining the public access. Ms. Blair responded to comments on why the language is not more <br />prescriptive regarding where public access is provided on private property. Commissioner Watters said <br />she is in support of the amount of flexibility that the City has expressed they use to address the public <br />access areas. She said being too prescriptive could have unintended consequencesfor some projects. <br />There was additional discussion and examples raisedregarding public trail access on property within <br />1,000 ft. Staff are proposing a code change that will address the public access concern for the <br />Vietnamese Martyrs Church. <br />Commissioner Hansen said from a policystand point he thinks .i it is important to have public access <br />for such things like accessing the river to enjoy such uses as kayaking. <br />Based on Mr. Toon's comments staff provided some clarification on Shoreline residential buffers. <br />Commissioner Stark asked several clarifying questions. <br />NEXT STEPS: <br />- The public comment period will remain open until April 12th. <br />- A comment matrix with recommendations to review will be provided at the next meeting. <br />- Staff will make requested PC revisionsand take the PC recommendation to the City <br />Council. <br />DIRECTOR'S REPORT: <br />- Staff reminded the PC that they will have a special meeting on April 11th on critical areas. <br />- The regular PC meeting is on April 25th, on SMP. <br />Adjourned: 8:40 PM <br />Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens <br />Planning Commission Secretary <br />4 <br />