Planning Commission Meeting

Page 1 CITY OF CARLTON PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, 2025, 6:00 P.M. VIA ZOOM AND 191 EAST MAIN STREET The Mission of the City of Carlton is to sustain and enhance the viability of the community by providing essential services with professionalism and integrity. 1. Call to Order – Roll Call Pages A) Changes to the Agenda 2. Minutes Approval - February 10, 2025 2 3. Citizen Comments (Topics not on Agenda) 4. Discussion topics A. Potential amendments to Chapter 17.96, Accessory Structures; 3 Carlton Development Code (CDC)- Continued 5. Adjournment Zoom Access Details To attend or participate in the meeting virtually, you can log in with a computer using the link below, or the phone option below. Public comment is available at specific times during the meeting. Thank you. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81254176355?pwd=ZTPKvIzgR6N9mlBfcNcqwlMadSsrfb.1 Or you can call 1-253-215-8782, and enter the Meeting ID: 812 5417 6355 and Passcode: 355071 This facility is ADA accessible. If you need special accommodations, please contact City Recorder Aimee Amerson at 503.852.7575 or aamerson@ci.carlton.or.us at least 48 hours prior to this meeting.  Page 2 Planning Commission Regular Session Minutes Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:00 PM Via Zoom and at 191 East Main Street 1. CALL TO MEETING TO ORDER & ROLL CALL 6:02 PM Members Present: Jose Chavez Ashley Rhoads Jennifer Nordstrom Anthony Stuart Brian Rake Annette Fernandez Madrid (7:09 PM) Members Absent: None (one vacancy) Staff Present: Scott Whyte, City Planner City Attorney Tyler Yeoman-Millette Shannon Beaucaire, City Manager Hanna Amerson, Utility Billing Clerk Morgan Shelton, Finance Specialist Others: Susan Turrell Steve Pedretti Cathy Dorner John Dorner Barbara Buettner 2. MINUTES APPROVAL- November 18, 2025 6:03 PM Commissioner Rhoads requested an edit to the November 18 minutes to reflect correct spelling of her last th name. MOTION: Rhoads/Chavez: to approve the Planning Commission minutes from November 18, 2025, with mentioned correction. Motion carried. (5 Yes [Stuart, Chavez, Nordstrom, Rake, Rhoads] / 0 No / 1 Absent [Madrid] / 0 Abstain). 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS 6:05 PM Items not on Agenda: None Items on agenda: None • Steven Pedretti at 290 S Carr Street expressed concern for possible fire danger associated with certain building materials for accessory structures. 4. ACTION / DISCUSSION ITEMS 6:07 PM A) Potential amendments to Chapter 17.96, Accessory Structures; Carlton Development Code City Planner Scott Whyte presented the staff recommendation to amend Chapter 17.96. Commissioners asked staff questions about how the amendments would affect citizens and reasons behind specific regulations. Whyte answered questions and gave clarification on staff recommendations. Commissioners requested holding an additional work session to include staff comments about specific sections of the code. 5. Adjournment 7:23 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM. ATTEST: _____________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Hanna Amerson, Utility Billing Clerk Anthony Stuart, Planning Commissioner Chair City of Carlton – Planning Commission Regular Session Minutes – February 10, 2025 Page 1  Page 3 To: Members of the Carlton Planning Commission From: Scott Whyte, Contract City Planner, MWVCOG Subject: Work Session #2 for potential amendments to Chapter 17.96, Accessory Structures, Carlton Development Code (CDC) Date: March 3, 2025, for the March 10, 2025, Commission meeting Background On February 10, 2025, the Planning Commission held a work session to discuss staff-proposed changes to CDC Chapter 17.96, Accessory Structures. At the same meeting, staff explained how existing code provisions in Chapter 17.96 are burdensome and unclear. The Commission provided feedback and directed staff to return for another work session on March 10. Exhibits for Work Session #2 discussion Six exhibits were included with the February 10 agenda packet. One of these exhibits, Exhibit 5, provided the initial staff-proposed changes to Chapter 17.96. For the March 10 work session, Exhibit 5 returns but is relabeled “Exhibit 1” to this memorandum. Based on feedback received from February 10, staff made the following key/primary changes (in summary): 1. Location & Number (17.96.020. A – Residential zones) – Strike second sentence of provision in A (describing a ratio for # of structures allowed based on lot area). Reference / rely on maximum total lot coverage percentages instead - as described for each R zone. 2. Height (17.96.020. B – Residential zones) – Set at maximum of 15 feet, consistent with current threshold for when a building permit is required. 3. Exterior Finish (17.96.020. F – Residential zones) – Restructure to prohibit certain materials and use of shipping / sea containers as accessory structures. Exhibit 2 of this memo (attached) provides photographs for more context as requested from the Commission (specific to building height and exterior materials). On March 10, Carlton staff will convey additional information about past problems encountered with accessory structures (via administrative review) and be available for questions. Procedure / next steps On March 10, additional Commission feedback is welcomed and appreciated. Also on March 10, if the Commission decides this item is ready for public hearing consideration, the next regularly scheduled meeting date of April 14, 2025, is currently open. Exhibit 1 would return (either as-is or as modified based on Commission feedback received on March 10).  Page 4 Staff Proposed Changes to Chap 17.96 Accessory Structures – PC work session 3-10-2025 - Exhibit 1 Based on feedback received from the Commission on February 10, staff proposes certain changes to Chap. 17.12 (Definitions) and Chap. 17.96 (Accessory Structures). “*****” (where shown) indicates a skip (i.e., existing code between that is not shown and not proposed for change). Yellow highlighted indicates proposed for new and blue strike-through indicates proposed strike. Division I. GENERAL PROVISIONS ***** Chapter 17.12 DEFINITIONS ***** 17.12.020 Definitions. The following words and phrases, when used in this title, shall have the meanings set forth in this section, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. ***** "Accessory structure" means a detached, subordinate building or portion of a main primary structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the main primary structure or to the use of the land. ***** “Building Footprint” means the plan view of a building or structure, measured from the outside edge of all exterior walls and supporting columns. The building footprint does not include patios; areas of porch, deck, and balcony less than 30 inches from finished grade; cantilevered covers, porches or projections; or ramps and stairways required for access. The footprint of each detached building or structure on a site is calculated separately. ***** "Portable accessory structure" means a structure intended for the shelter or storage of self- propelled vehicles, which is comprised of a self-supporting assemblage of material and is not permanently attached to a footing and foundation in compliance with the Uniform Building Code. ***** Division III. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS ***** Chapter 17.96 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES 17.96.010 Generally. Accessory structures shall comply with the requirements of this chapter. Exhibit 1 – PC work session of 3-10-2025 Page 1 of 3  Page 5 Staff Proposed Changes to Chap 17.96 Accessory Structures – PC work session 3-10-2025 - Exhibit 1 17.96.020 Standards applicable to all properties in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and MX districts. A. Location and Number. Except as provided in Section 17.96.040, a Accessory structures shall not be located within a setback as described by the zone for a front or street side yard. A maximum of one accessory structure providing enclosed or partially enclosed space (e.g., garage, carport, shed, workshop, or similar structure) is permitted for every three thousand seven hundred fifty (3,750) square feet of lot area. B. Height. The maximum allowable height is twenty (20) fifteen (15) feet, except that no accessory structure shall exceed the height of the primary building. measured according to building height as defined and is limited to one story. C. Property Setbacks. For structures ten (10) feet or less in height there shall be a minimum five-foot setback from the nearest property line. For buildings greater than ten (10) feet in height there shall be a setback of five (5) feet along each side property line and ten (10) feet along the rear property line. Reduced Rear Yard Setback. Accessory structures may occupy a portion of the minimum rear yard setback of the applicable zone if shown to meet all specifications as follows: a. The structure footprint is 480 square feet or less, according to the definition of building footprint in Chapter 17.12. b. The structure does not exceed one-story in height and is no higher than 10 feet, according to the definition of building height. c. The outer edges of any roof eave are located at least three feet from the nearest property line. d. The structure footprint does not occupy more than twenty (20) percent of the minimum rear yard setback of the zone. D. Building Separation. Accessory structure shall be separated from the primary buildings by a minimum of six (6) feet. distances as described in State of Oregon Specialty Codes for compliance with structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and fire standards. E. Building Size. The accessory structure(s) shall be limited to the greater of the following: on a lot that is less than one-quarter (0.25) acre, twenty (20) percent of the floor area (excluding any attached garage) of the primary building or four hundred eighty (480) square feet, whichever is greater; and on a lot that is one-quarter (0.25) acre in size or larger, forty (40) percent of the floor area (excluding any attached garage) of the primary building or nine hundred sixty (960) square feet, whichever is greater. Building Size and Lot Coverage. The combine footprints of primary and accessory structures on any lot shall not exceed the maximum lot coverage standard of the applicable zone. F. Rear Yard Limitation. In no case shall the accessory structure(s) occupy more than twenty (20) percent of the rear yard. The building size limitation shall be considered the maximum allowable area permitted for all accessory structures. G.F Prohibited Exterior Finish Materials. The accessory structure shall have an exterior finish that is similar in appearance to the primary structure. Plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and other flexible membrane materials are prohibited. Shipping containers are prohibited under this Chapter. G. Accessory structures shall not be constructed prior to construction of a primary structure on the same property and shall not be constructed over public utility and access easements. Exhibit 1 – PC work session of 3-10-2025 Page 2 of 3  Page 6 Staff Proposed Changes to Chap 17.96 Accessory Structures – PC work session 3-10-2025 - Exhibit 1 17.96.030 Standards applicable to all properties in the AH, MH, R-2, R-3, CB, DD, CI, PF and GI districts. A. Location and Number. Except as provided in Section 17.96.040, a Accessory structures may be located anywhere the primary structure may be placed. There is no limit to the number of permitted accessory structures. B. Height. Accessory structures shall comply with the height provisions in the underlying zone for the primary structure. C. Setbacks. Accessory structures shall comply with the setback provisions in the underlying zone for the primary structure. D. Building Size. There is no limitation. If applicable, accessory structures shall not exceed building size and lot coverage provisions of the underlying zone. E. Design Standards. Design standards may apply, subject to Chapter 17.156 Site Design Review and provisions of the underlying zone. F. Accessory structures shall not be constructed prior to construction of a primary structure on the same property and shall not be constructed over public utility and access easements. 17.96.040 Portable accessory structures. A. Portable accessory structures, as defined by this title, shall be structurally sound and shall be anchored. Such structures shall be maintained in good condition using only original manufacturer's coverings. No plastic sheeting, tarpaulins, or other materials shall be used as a covering. Such structures shall meet all applicable Uniform Building Code requirements. B. In residential zones, one portable accessory structure, used as a private garage, as defined by this title, may be located within the side portion of a front yard, but must maintain the required front and side yard setbacks, including clear vision setbacks for corner lots. C. If located within a rear yard the following setbacks apply: for structures ten (10) feet or less in height there shall be a minimum five-foot setback along the side and rear property lines. For structures greater than ten (10) feet in height there shall be a setback of five (5) feet along each side property line and ten (10) feet along the rear property line. D. In commercial and industrial zones, portable accessory structures may be located on any portion of the lot or parcel, subject to applicable setback and Building Code requirements. ________________________________________________________________ Exhibit 1 – PC work session of 3-10-2025 Page 3 of 3  Page 7 Carlton Planning Commission work session 3-10-25- photos & graphics - height / materials - Exhibit 2 Building Height Below are photographs to help illustrate building height. On February 10, 2025, the Commission requested clarification on building height. Photo to the left is a partially enclosed metal structure, under 15-feet, able to accommodate most boats and RVs. Standard industry minimum clear height for boat and RV storage is 14 feet. Photo to the right is a fully enclosed wood structure with two standard garage doors, also under 15 feet. Below is a graphic from the City of Woodburn’s guide to accessory structures. Staff observe several city codes to set a height limit of 15 feet for accessory structures. Height is measured from the mid-point of the highest structure point (peak) to the eve / gutter line - for pitched roof as graphic shows. Carlton’s code definition of “Building Height” (for pitched or hip roof) is the same. 1 Exhibit 2 of staff memorandum dated March 3, 2025  Page 8 Carlton Planning Commission work session 3-10-25- photos & graphics - height / materials - Exhibit 2 Exterior Materials On February 10, 2025, the Commission requested more information about exterior materials. Photo above (left) is a rusted-abandoned shipping container; photo above / right is a modified habitable shipping container. Carlton code, CDC Section 17.96.020 (currently applicable to residential R-1) requires accessory structures to have “an exterior finish that is similar in appearance to the primary structure.” Below are photos of accessory structures where flexible membrane material (gerally plastic) is utillized. Flexible ployethylene membrane fabric (for structure cover) is widely availble on the market place. Under current Carlton code, CDC Section 17.96.040 prohibits plastic sheeting and tarpaulins. 2 Exhibit 2 of staff memorandum dated March 3, 2025