PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council has taken another step in its efforts to streamline the building process.
The council approved a resolution Tuesday night to adopt the procedures for accepting donated permit-ready plans.
Before getting to that business, however, the council returned to the unresolved issue of who the next mayor would be. With the full council in attendance, Mayor Kate Dexter was voted to continue in the leadership role with Deputy Mayor Navarra Carr remaining in that position.
During the meeting, Community and Economic Development Manager Shannen Cartmel presented the procedures for accepting donated permit-ready plans.
The city’s permit-ready plan program originated from a housing action plan implementation grant the city received from the state Department of Commerce in 2022.
“The overarching purpose of the permit-ready plan is to reduce barriers to housing development,” Cartmel said. “It does this by lowering up-front design costs and shortening permit review timelines for builders and homeowners. Since the program began, these plans have been actively used.”
The program is now expanding to allow the donation of engineered plan sets into the city’s permit-ready plan program.
“To ensure quality and consistency, the donation program includes specific eligibility criteria,” Cartmel said. “Any donated plan must apply with all applicable building fire, electrical and energy codes as well as relevant provisions of the Port Angeles municipal code.”
These plans will contribute to community housing needs by providing plans for multi-family housing, middle housing, modular or pre-fabricated construction, sustainable materials or innovative design techniques.
To submit donated plans, there must be a general building permit application, construction plans and other supporting documents required for review.
“From a procedural standpoint, applicants would submit a permit-ready plan donation application along with the required materials, and the city would review the plan using the same process as a type one building permit, ensuring consistency and predictability,” Cartmel said.
Four permit-ready plan units have been fully constructed within the city, including accessory dwelling units and primary residences. Seven permit-ready plans have received building permits and are currently under construction or awaiting completion. Two larger developments also are using permit-ready plans.
Senior center update
During the meeting, the council also heard from Carmen Geyer, the manager of the Port Angeles Senior Center.
“The mission of the center is to develop and manage programs to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being for citizens 45 years and older in a safe and open environment,” Geyer said.
The cost to join the center as an associate member between the ages of 45 and 54 is $18 for city residents and $27 for those who live outside of the city. Member costs for those 55 and older are $16 for city residents or $25 for non-city residents. Community scholarships are available for those who need them. The center has 1,127 members.
In 2025, the center had 148 volunteers who gave 9,804 volunteers hours, or roughly the time of 4.7 full-time employees.
The center budgeted to have an income of $15,000 last year and came in at $19,000.
“The center helps reduce isolation, support stability and helps bridge connection to community partners,” Geyer said.
Through partnerships with the Clallam Resilience Project, Port Angeles food banks and mobile, and the Olympic Connect program at Peninsula Behavioral Health, the center welcomes community members from all over the city, she said.
“Another thing to note is last year’s staff and volunteers were trained in de-escalation tactics and how to handle situations compassionately when someone is distressed,” Geyer said. “We provide quiet spaces or calming activities for members who may be feeling overwhelmed.”
One project the center completed in 2025 was having an HVAC system installed as well as solar panels and a solar battery.
“We are officially connected to the grid,” Geyer said.
In 2025, the city also contracted with Jedo Rogers to conduct a comprehensive review of the center’s programs, activities, policies, roles and responsibilities.
“This work prioritized inclusivity and outcomes that benefit all center members and users,” Geyer said. “So from this, the progress to date with this work includes we drafted a robust memorandum of understanding with input from all user groups, the nonprofit board of directors and city staff. And then this work also includes a drafted comprehensive senior center manual. We’ve never had that before.”
The manual will be a living document which addresses policies, decision making, conflict resolution and stakeholder feedback, she said.
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Reporter Emily Hanson can be reached by email at emily.hanson@peninsuladailynews.com.
