HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-20 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
January 22, 2020
Call to Order
Chair Liddicoat called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Al Rose, Robert McCormick, Bill Cook
YPC Members Absent: Vice -Chair Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Philip Ostriem (both excused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Sara Watkins, Senior
Assistant City Attorney; Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician
Council Liaison: Kay Funk, District 4 (absent)
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun made the following
announcements: 1) The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a preliminary long plat
on February 12th; 2) The 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendments opening is tentatively
scheduled for the Planning Commission meeting on February 26th, pending Council's decision on
February 4th to open the process; and 3) The City is finalizing a contact with their consultant for
the development of a Housing Action Plan using the grant money the City was awarded with.
Audience Participation — None noted.
A roval of Meetin Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by
Commissioner Cook to approve the meeting minutes of January 8, 2020; the motion carried
unanimously.
Yakima Coun!y Flood Control Zone District. FCZD Discussion — Calhoun provided a brief
introduction about the county -wide Flood Control Zone District which impacts Comprehensive
Plan Amendments and Rezones the Planning Commission reviews (when located in the
floodplain). Terry Keenhan, Yakima County Water Resources Manager, presented a PowerPoint
that showed past flooding incidents in Yakima County and spoke on measures that can help
prevent or reduce the impact of flooding events. Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management
Plans (CFHMP) have been created for several flood -prone areas which contain recommendations
on flood management. Two current projects to help alleviate flooding include the "Naches-
Cowiche Flood Risk Reduction and Floodplain Restoration Project" and the "Shaw Creek Flood
Mitigation Project." Keenhan pointed out several large subdivisions that are partially located in
the floodplain and noted that much of Yakima's urban growth area is in the floodplain which may
complicate future annexation and development.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Commission on the County's process of commenting
on City proposals. Their comments may entail suggestions to limit density and look at alternative
grading and designs for new subdivisions in the floodplain to reduce damages in future flooding
events. The Commission suggested that the County work with the Central Washington Home
Builders Association when it comes to developing property in the floodplain so that density
concerns can be explained. Keenhan noted that the City could include flood preventative
regulations in the zoning code and research how other jurisdictions have done this. The
contribution of vegetation in creeks, particularly those of invasive species, to flooding and the
difficulty of removing them was also discussed.
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The Commission requested copies of the PowerPoint which was displayed at the meeting, as well
as any other materials the County can provide related to today's discussion.
Other Business — None noted.
Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to February 12, 2020 was passed with unanimous vote. This
meeting adjourned at approximately 4:07 p.m.
air Liddicoat Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician,
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