Planning Commission Work Session: December 7, 2016 2016-17 OFFICIAL DOCKET OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS ITEM A-10: “Personal Social Events” 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 TCC TCC **Standards for 22.56.290(B)(6) Olympia’s UGA 21.66.020(G)(f) 20.54.070(41.5) are not affected by this review.
Better define, “personal events” by requiring properties “rented” for social occasions 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?
Stay Informed and Participate Visit the webpage at: www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/docket/docket_home.htm Sign-up for email notifications at: www.thurstonplanning.org Contact Staff via email: chalemk@co.Thurston.wa.us ; or, phone: 360.867.2087 View all news releases at: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/news_releases/index.asp Thank You
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