MCC Minutes October 24, 2006 6:30 p.m.

Ron Robinson opened the meeting by asking for community reports.

Phil Paquette reported the MCC has the Halloween event and Veteran’s Memorial Day event.

Ron Rada reported on the Historical Society on behalf of Mary Cathern Edwards. The Society’s meetings are “on hold” while a new meeting day/night is selected since the current meeting time is in conflict with Mary Cathern’s symphony practice times.

Ron Rada reported on the status of the foundation. The 501(c)(3) should be finalized in November.

Bud Larsen gave a brief report on the Crime Prevention/Public Safety Group, reporting that their new meeting day is Tuesday, at 6:45AM at the Inn. They are still discussing many of the same important issues such as law enforcement, neighborhood watch, the Port Resolution (which Bud reports will be going to the County Commissioners for approval soon), traffic problems, storm-water outfall, and other traffic issues in the downtown Manchester core. Maria Trohimovich-Pollard from the Dept. of Community Development will be speaking at the next meeting about traffic issues. Bud reminded everyone that their minutes are posted on the Manchester web-site, and urged all to read them as there are important items posted.

Ron Robinson convened the MCC regular business meeting by reading the MCC mission statement. He then asked for the treasurer’s report. Debby Trudeau reported that there had been no treasurer’s business during the month of October and the checking account balance remained at $717.05. She then reported on her findings regarding a computer program to use for the MCC treasury report. She gave a report about both Quicken and Microsoft programs found at Office Depot and some programs she found on line. It was discussed that Debby should contact Joe McGuire (the account who audited the MCC books) and ask for his input. Debby said she would do that and report back to the group.

Committee Reports:

Ron Rada reported on ULIDs 8 and 9. ULID 8 is almost completed. ULID 9 has 40% of the residents approving of the petition to go forward with the project. They need a 51% approval of the petition before being presented to the County.

No report from Partnering with Agencies

No report from Historical Village Character

No report from Downtown Design

No report from Village Commons

The Recreation Venues Committee reported that they had three people take their boating class. They do plan to hold another boating class in April. They also report that 15 people attend the art class. It was very successful and the instructor plans to continue those classes at her house. The Committee is currently looking at right-of-ways for development of walkways along some of our Manchester area streets.

Old Business

Ron Robinson reminded everyone that officer elections are in November, with the new positions effective in January. Ron says that he is the nomination committee and urgently asked for anyone to help him on the committee. He explained that there are 9 people on the executive board and per the bylaws, three members serve a three year term, three are to serve a two year term and three are to serve a one year term. Based on his calculations, we have three positions to fill. We have two nominations: Phil Paquette and Mark Rebelowski, both as Members at Large. Ron reports that Arlene Rebelowski and Mary Cathern Edwards will not be running for re-election as Members at Large. John Winslow is currently the Secretary, but would like to take a break from that position and run for Member at Large. Ron is looking for nominations or volunteers to serve on the MCC executive board. Please contact Ron if you would like to serve.

Ron Robinson read a letter from the MCC Executive Board to the County Commissioners about the issue of the 35’, three-story mixed-used building in the commercial zone of Manchester. The Executive Board wanted to bring to the County Commissioners’ attention that the community plan states “two-story mixed use development”. The County is considering the applications of several developers for three-story mixed use developments in the commercial zone area. During the discussion, Carole Leininger presented a copy of a letter from the County to Hearing Examiner Causseau dated October 1, 2006, regarding the Colchester Commons/Palmer project. The letter stated that the County staff was recommending denial of the project because it violated IBC codes and the fire marshal assessment, and because it conflicted with the community plan. Carole also reported that the Hopkins project (Anchors at Manchester) had a pending appeal. Ron Rada mentioned the Tweten project, which he thought had just passed the pre-application process. A discussion ensued about the boundary of the commercial zone and how the east side of Spring Street was commercial, while the west side of Spring remained residential. It was pointed out that those on Spring would lose their view if a 35’, three-story mixed use development were erected in that commercial area. A community member spoke and said that he was gathering signatures from neighbors who were afraid of losing their views. There was further discussion about the design standards and how the Hearing Examiner recently applied the Kingston design standards to Manchester. It was decided that the MCC needed a “point of clarification” about the community plan on the issue of the 35’ height and 2-story mixed use development.

Ron then asked if any members were regularly attending Hearing Examiners hearings. He asked if anyone would be willing to volunteer to monitor permits issued from the County. Carrilu Thompson and Ron Rada explained why the request to monitor the permits and how easy it is to do so via your home computer and the County’s website. Ron explained that they are only interested in monitoring the permits issued for the Manchester commercial zone area.

New Business

Carrilu Thompson spoke on the Green Forum that she, Phil Paquette and Carole Leininger attended the previous Wednesday at South Kitsap High School. This was a cross-section of local groups (Beaver Creek, Wilson Creek, SEED Program, etc.) who put a presentation together for interested community members The Beaver Creek group would like an opportunity to speak to the MCC. Beaver Creek believes they should be part of the Manchester Community Plan. Ron told Carrilu to invite them to our November meeting.

Ron then concluded our business meetings so we could begin working on the five main areas of the community plan (zoning and development, natural systems, transportation, public infrastructures, public facilities and parks) in preparation for the plan’s review in 2007. We broke into groups, however, most people gathered in the zoning and development group where a letter was drafted for MCC Executive Board review before sending to the County Commissioners. The point of the letter is clarification on the 35’, 2-story mixed use development.

Respectfully submitted,

Debby Trudeau, Treasurer