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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-20 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes City Hall Council Chambers January 8, 2020 Call to Order Commissioner Liddicoat called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m. Roll Call YPC Members Present: Jacob Liddicoat, Al Rose, Robert McCormick, Leanne Hughes - Mickel, Bill Cook, Philip Ostriem YPC Members Absent: Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician Others: Sign -in sheet in file Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun made the following announcements: • City Council adopted text amendments to Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) Title 14 Subdivisions and YMC Ch. 6.88 Environmental Policy which are now effective; changes to YMC Title 15 Urban Area Zoning Ordinance will be effective at the beginning of February. • The contract is being finalized for the grant awarded to the City for the purpose of developing a Housing Action Plan. • The YPC has a public hearing scheduled for February 12th regarding the preliminary plat of Rainier Court (Phases 2 — 4). • In February, a resolution will be presented to City Council to open the annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment process. If Council decides to open the process, the YPC will hold a public meeting to formally open the process. • Commissioner Cook and Commissioner Liddicoat have terms expiring on June 30th; it is Commissioner Cook's last term. • The seat held by Patricia Byers is now vacant. Election of Chair and Vice -Chair of the Yakima Planning Commission — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner Cook to nominate Commissioner Liddicoat as Chair; the motion carried unanimously. It was motioned by Commissioner Cook and seconded by Commissioner McCormick to nominate Commissioner Hughes -Mickel as Vice -Chair; the motion carried unanimously. Audience Participation — None noted. Approval of Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner Cook to approve the meeting minutes of October 23, 2019 and December 11, 2019; the motion carried unanimously. Discussion on Development of a Permitting Process for Tem ora Homeless Encampments Pursuant to RCW 35.21.915 — Senior Assistant City Attorney Sara Watkins explained that City Council held a study session on November 12, 2019, which resulted in them directing the YPC to consider development and implementation a permitting process in the zoning code for temporary homeless encampments hosted by religious organizations per RCW 35.21.915. Watkins provided examples of code sections and applications from other jurisdictions on this matter. Discussion took place between staff and the Commission on the health and safety issues the City could regulate, what submittals the City could require for such applications, and consideration of an application process for temporary homeless encampments hosted by non- religious organizations. It was motioned by Commissioner Cook and seconded by Commissioner Rose that the YPC make a recommendation to City Council that regulations for temporary homeless encampments not be located in YMC Title 15, but rather in Title 8 or another title that is appropriate in keeping with the temporary nature of this use; the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Hughes -Mickel moved that the YPC make a recommendation to City Council that the City consider non -religious organizations in the development of a temporary homeless encampment ordinance. Watkins explained that the legislators crafted the language for RCW 35.21.915 based on situations that were happening at the time. On the west side of Washington State, concerns were raised over religious organizations hosting temporary homeless encampments while there were no statutes in place to regulate this. Lawsuits occurred and case law dictated that the State could not impede on the first amendment rights of religious organizations to carry out their mission of caring for the homeless in this capacity as part of their belief system. After further discussion, Commissioner Hughes -Mickel withdrew her motion and the Commission had consensus that the City should revisit this issue if non -religious organizations approach the City with the intent of hosting a temporary homeless encampment. Other Business — None noted. Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to January 22, 2020 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting adjourned at approximately 3:51 p.m. I /22/,20 air Liddicoat Date This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician. -2-