Planning Commission Work Session: December 7, 2016 2016-17 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

2016-17 OFFICIAL DOCKET OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS

ITEM A-10: “Personal Social Events”

Planning Commission

Work Session: December 7, 2016

Presenter: Kraig Chalem, Associate Planner

The terms ‘personal’, ‘social’, or ‘event’ are not defined by the Thurston County Code (TCC); but, “personal social event” is described in the “Temporary Use” section, as: “Properties rented or used for personal social events, such as, wedding receptions, private parties, or similar activities”.

• Several complaints involving parking, noise, and duration of “personal social

events” have been reported.

• The standard is perceived as overly inclusive and inadequate to protect nearby

residences.

TCC 20.54.070(41.5) TCC 21.66.020(G)(f) TCC 22.56.290(B)(6)

**Standards for Olympia’s UGA are not affected by this review.

Better define, “personal events” by requiring properties “rented” for social

• ccasions to obtain a ‘Special Use Permit’.

Pros:

• Intended to preserve private gatherings for “personal” use; and
• Clearly states when property used for generating income should obtain a

permit; and Cons:

• Difficult to enforce.
• Would require visual inspection during irregular hours.

Move all “personal social events…” from “exempt” to requiring a ‘Special Use Permit’. Pros:

• Would enable the county to better track the impacts of events.

Cons:

• Difficult to enforce, would require visual inspection during irregular hours.
• Does not provide relief for properties adjacent to those who may frequently

host events.

Better control “personal”, “social”, and “events” by developing standards that affect: duration (hours/days of operation), definition (event=one day), and/or verbiage (Personal events not rented or advertised to the general public; or, properties used for personal events no more than…) Pros:

• More regulation better defines activities potentially subject to code

enforcement actions. Cons:

• Would take time to educate public of changes to the rules.
• Some property owners may feel that they are being treated unfairly.
• Difficult to enforce, would require visual inspection during irregular hours.

Following this evenings work session the Planning Commissioners may:

• A. Direct staff to schedule a public hearing to receive public testimony;
• B. Request that staff provide additional information based of direction from

the Commission, and schedule another work session; or

• C. Direct staff to make specific changes, and schedule either a public

hearing, or additional work session.

Staff recommends Option-A as the preferred option, and to set a public hearing for, January 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. (or soon thereafter) to receive public testimony on proposed amendments regulating ‘Temporary-Personal and Social Events’.

QUESTIONS?

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 Contact Staff via email: chalemk@co.Thurston.wa.us ; or,

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Thank You