HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-20 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
February 12, 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, Vice -Chair Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Al
Rose, Robert McCormick, Bill Cook
YPC Members Absent: Philip Ostriem (excused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Colleda Monick, Community
Development Specialist; Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City
Attorney; Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician
Council Liaison: Kay Funk, District 4
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced that the formal opening
of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendments process is scheduled for the next Planning
Commission meeting on February 261n
He also informed the Commission that the public participation plan for the Housing Action Plan is
being finalized by the City's consultants. There is a kick-off meeting tentatively scheduled for the
beginning of March.
Audience Participation — None noted.
roval of Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by
Commissioner Cook to approve the meeting minutes of January 22, 2020; the motion carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING — "Rainier Court — Phases 2 3 & 4.. PLP#003-19 & SEPA#041-19 —
Colleda Monick, Community Development Specialist, summarized staff's findings of fact,
conclusions, and recommendation pertaining to a preliminary long plat in the vicinity of N 92nd Ave
and Summitview Ave proposed by Columbia Ridge Homes LLC.
Tom Durant, PLSA Engineering & Surveying Inc. (applicant's representative/surveyor), explained
that based on staff's suggestions and the public comments received, the applicant has revised
the proposed plat. Copies of the memo outlining the changes and copies of the revised plat were
provided to the Commission and staff and offered to audience members.
Public Testimony
John Andring, 215 N 93rd Ave, asked when soil testing would be done since an orchard used to
occupy the land. He explained that the height of the new housing would disrupt his and his
neighbors' view.
Michele Hauff, 420 N 92nd Ave, also shared concerns about soil testing and disagreed with the
City recommending soil testing but not requiring it. Hauff spoke on the mitigation that was done
at the nearby Apple Valley Elementary school in response to results from soil testing. She voiced
her concern that dust mitigation would not be handled during hours that the Department of
Ecology (DOE) is closed. Lastly, Hauff spoke on the danger of traveling up and down the hill on
N 92nd Ave in icy conditions and that the new sharp turn onto Lincoln Ave will create more of a
hazard.
-1-
Candie Turner, 206 N 93,d Ave, spoke on the 14 -foot -tall height restriction for the Reed's Addition
subdivision and her desire for the new houses to be built to preserve the neighbors' views. Turner
said that she will speak to the developer to further address her and her neighbors' concerns.
Jamie Evans of Evans & Son Inc. Earthmoving (2206 Terrace Heights Dr.), spoke in favor of the
proposal, countered some of the concerns expressed by the neighbors, and emphasized the need
for more housing in Yakima.
Chair Liddicoat closed the public testimony portion of the hearing. Calhoun clarified that staff's
request is for the public testimony to be left open and for the hearing to be continued to February
26th, at which time the Commission can make their decision after having sufficient time to review
the revised plat and consider the public testimony.
Per the Commission's request, staff indicated they will look into whether the City can make it a
requirement for the developer to have the soil tested and notify potential homeowners of
contaminants.
Chair Liddicoat re -opened the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Brian Mauch, 216 N 901n Ave, mentioned that the orchard has been pulled up so there is already
open soil. Mauch asked what dust control measures will be in place in the meantime, to which the
Commission advised that neighbors can contact DOE or the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency.
Councilmember Funk discussed that lead exposure is measured through blood tests and that the
Apple Valley Elementary report does not specify the levels that were found. She would like the
Health District to share this data.
Chair Liddicoat stated that the public testimony will remain open and the public hearing is
continued to February 261n
Monick shared that the City is working closely with DOE to support the creation of a regional
workgroup that will address protocol and criteria for the sampling, documentation, and potential
mitigation of lead and arsenic in new residential developments. She added that DOE provides soil
testing for free, and that it has been the City's practice to take the exact language from DOE's
comments and put it in staff's recommendation.
Other Business — None noted.,
Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to February 26,
meeting adjourned at approximately 4:26 p.m.
air Liddicoat
2020 was passed with unanimous vote. This
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician,
SM