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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/1997 Special Business Meeting 270: CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JANUARY 14, 1997 SPECIAL BUS INESS MEETING 1. ROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m., in the Masonic Center, 510 North Naches Avenue, Yakima, Washington, Mayor Lynn Buchanan, presiding (absent after 4:20 p.m.) Council Members Clarence Barnett, Ernie Berger, John Klingele, John Puccinelli (absent after 4:20 p.m.), and Bernard Sims (present after 2:05 p.m.) present on roll call. Council Member Henry Beauchamp absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Assistant City Attorney Peterson, City Clerk Roberts, and Deputy City Clerk Skovald also present. 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE There was none given. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE) There were no proclamations. 4. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE RELATING TO LICENSES REQUIRED TO DRIVE TAXICABS AND VEHICLES FOR HIRE AND AMENDING SUBSECTION 5.78.190(4) OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA MUNICIPAL CODE Assistant City Attorney Peterson briefly summarized the circumstances of the appeal which the Council considered at the January 7, 1997 Business Meeting. Ronald G. Marshall applied for a license to operate a taxi cab because he hopes to acquire a taxi business in the near future. The Police Department had to deny the application because there was no provision in the Municipal. Code to disregard minor violations on an applicant's motor vehicle traffic record. Mr. Peterson directed attention to the proposed ordinance amendment which includes a provision that would enable the Council, upon recommendation by the Chief of Police, to waive the five year -three violation criterion in specific situations. Ordinance No. 97 -7 having been read by title only, it was MOVED BY BERGER, SECONDED BY PUCCINELLI, TO PASS THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; Beauchamp absent. It was MOVED BY PUCCINELLI, SECONDED BY KLINGELE, TO ACCEPT THE POLICE CHIEF'S RECOMMENDATION TO ALLOW THE APPLICANT TO GET HIS TAXI LICENSE. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Beauchamp absent. ORDINANCE NO. 97 -7, AN ORDINANCE relating to licenses required to drive taxicabs and vehicles for hire and amending Subsection 5.78.190(4) of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 14, 1997 271 5. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH YAKIMA COUNTY TO CONSIDER YAKIMA URBAN AREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Yakima County Commissioners Jim Lewis, Bettie Ingham, and Charles Flower were present during this portion of the meeting, as well as Dick Anderwald and Terry Austin, County staff members. This being the time set for the Joint Public Hearing, the City Council and the Yakima County Commissioners were available to receive public comment about recommended changes to the Draft Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan document. Commissioner Flower reminded the audience that the Commission is not empowered to act on any landuse or zoning issues within the City Limits of Yakima. They are present to hear public testimony about recommendations from the Regional Planning Commission. Glenn Valenzuela, Director of Community & Economic Development, provided a brief history about the development of the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) which began with a visioning document a number of years ago. In a combined effort with Yakima County staff, City planners spent considerable time preparing the plan. Mr. Valenzuela commended the Council, the Planning Commission members, and staff for their substantial investment of time, energy, and City resources. Ideas from all segments of the community have been gathered as part of the open public participation process and incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Valenzuela outlined proposed changes to the Landuse and Transportation Elements to reflect public testimony from those people most directly affected including neighborhood groups, the construction industry, as well as other segments of the community. Mr. Valenzuela also reported that future development standards and regulations for affordable housing will not only be based on Council policy, but will also reflect ideas from those people most directly affected by landuse decisions. Affordable housing and a choice of building stock will be accomplished by planned unit development with smaller lot sizes and mixed uses, private sector partnerships for housing construction, and perhaps some type of incentive program. Mr. Valenzuela directed attention to proposed text changes to the Transportation Element and pointed out the staff recommendation is to approve the Transportation Plan, with the proviso to City staff to review and modify several major factors, which were either not apparent when the Transportation Plan was first drafted, or to reflect citizen preferences -- specifically the impact of increased train traffic coming through the City and the very strong citizen objection to widening 32nd and 16th Avenues. Mr. Valenzuela asked that the Transportation Level of Service (LOS) be revisited to better understand the issues of concern and to incorporate changes based on public testimony. Mr. Valenzuela then introduced several members of the City Planning staff and members from the Regional Planning Commission who were available to respond to questions. 2 2 :7 2 SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 14, 1997 For clarification purposes Council Member Barnett explained that after the last Public Hearing on the Comp Plan,: it became obvious that the consultant's recommendations on street improvements (the widening of 16th and 32nd Avenues) were not satisfactory and did not meet the citizens' desires. Also, since that time the railroad has increased the number of trains coming through Yakima, and that impact must be addressed also. Council Member Barnett then read a proposed amendment to the Comp Plan providing for a revised Transportation Impact Analysis to be submitted during the annual update of the Comp Plan. Also included in the annual Comp Plan review process will be the impact of the railroad. He explained the new paragraph was added in order to alleviate the concerns of residents against the widening of 32nd and 16th Avenues. He reported the entire issue of the transportation impact will be reviewed. Council Member , Berger explained there are no plans to widen any streets; he reiterated the staff recommendation to adopt the Transportation Plan without any recommendations to widen any streets. Mayor Buchanan opened the public hearing and asked each speaker to provide their name and address and limit their comments to five minutes. There were a lot of people who presented their point of view , about an array of topics, expressing concern or summarizing specific circumstances, both pro and con, or identified - specific changes for Council to consider. There were eight Exhibits submitted to the City Clerk. The following is a brief synopsis of testimony received during the public - hearing. Several citizens commended the Council for already making positive changes to the Comp Plan which will be beneficial to the community. Speaking in support of those changes were Betty Gaudette, 701 North 6th Street; Verna Beggs, 1204 East Spruce Street; Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 4th Street; Connie Little, 2002 Simpson Lane; and Maud Scott, 309 Union. Shannon Hughes, 808 South 28th Avenue; Denny Grandstand, 901 South 32nd Avenue; Clara Fisher, 2801 West Yakima Avenue; Ted Parnell, 3202 West Viola; Dave Thompson, 620 N. 32nd Avenue; Derek LaFramboise, 606 South 32nd Avenue; Robert Henderson, 314 North 32nd Avenue; Walt Ranta, 5 South 32nd Avenue; Bill Hambelton, 615 South 32nd Avenue (Exhibit No. 3); Carolyn Jump, 1818 - 32nd Avenue; Robert Harcum, 315 North 32nd Avenue; Karen Hollenback, 1205 South 32nd Avenue (submitted Exhibit No. 6); Brad Englund, 505 North 32nd Avenue; Mark Shuman, 308 North 32nd Avenue; and Debra Gould, 401 South 32nd Avenue spoke in opposition to widening 32nd Avenue. In addition to comments opposing improvements to 32nd Avenue, Denny Granstand urged the Council to consider installing better bike paths throughout the City, to implement a 20 mph speed limit on 32nd Avenue and Bonnie Doone. Derek LaFramboise also expressed concern about wildlife; he feels an environmental impact statement would need to be done at 3 273 SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 14, 1997 Wide Hollow Creek and also requested property values be reassessed if 32nd Avenue is unproved. Walt Ranta urged the Council to consider speed humps on 32nd Avenue. Bill Hambelton read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Hassan against widening 32nd Avenue. They also suggested public hearings be scheduled in the evening. Robert Harcum, 315 North 32nd 1/ Avenue, and Judy Kendall, 809 North 32nd Avenue, reported they had not been notified personally about the public hearing. Mr. Harcum asked that sidewalks be installed and a 20 or 25 mph speed zone be imposed in the commercial area of 32nd Avenue. There were also citizens who spoke in opposition to widening 16th Avenue. Citing their objections were Herschel McDonald, 4 North 16th Avenue, and John Shockley, 707 South 34th Avenue. Several citizens urged the Council to not adopt the Comp Plan at all. Delmar Pearson, 2101 St. Helens Street, and Susy Armstrong, 1813 McNair, expressed concern about adopting the plan. She feels the growth management process should be stopped because it is unconstitutional because it takes away private property rights. J. B. Meyer urged the Council to vote no because it discourages jobs and growth and business. Lee Clark, Conestoga Boulevard, spoke against adopting the Comp Plan and asked that a better attempt be made to notify citizens about proposed changes to the Comp Plan by notifying each person individually in the community. Jerry Sturgill, 2112 West Nob Hill Boulevard, felt there is not a lack of affordable housing. He felt that there would be a detrimental effect on the planning of the community if the Comp Plan is adopted. He requested a committee be formed to plan development recommendations if the plan is adopted. Affordable housing was an issue many citizens expressed concern about. Higher density designations and non - restrictive development standards .and regulations were requested to avoid raising housing costs above the affordability level. Those speakers identifying issues of concern with the Landuse and Housing Elements were Marty Miller, 1400 Summitview Avenue, 4203, Bruce Hughes, 808 South 28th Avenue, who also read a letter from Brien Thane, Executive Director of the Office of Rural & Farmworker Housing (see Exhibit No. 1), Rox Anne Lewis, 2902 Castlevale Suite A, and Joe Walsh, 5709 Walla Walla Lane, who also provided an informational handout to the Council. He feels the affordable housing element has not been met for all I/ economic segments of the community. He also felt sufficient land needs to be available for affordable housing. Steven Fuhriman, representing the Central Washington Home Builders Association, read a petition (Exhibit No. 4) from his Association, which is also endorsed by the Yakima Association of Realtors, to not adopt the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. Their recommendation to not adopt the Comp Plan is based on their opinion that adoption at this time would be detrimental to the Urban Growth Area because the Plan fails to sufficiently provide for affordable housing 4 274 SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 14, 1997 in the future for all economic segments of the community. Mr. Fuhriman quoted portions of State Law and the Comp Plan to support this objection that the Landuse Element and the Housing Element fail to meet GMA requirements. He requested more medium and high density development be accommodated and shown on the Future Landuse Map. The petitioners also maintain that the Future Landuse Map and the Zoning Map are inconsistent. (See Page 1II -6, 3rd paragraph of the left column.) These inconsistencies should be addressed now instead of later during the Amendment Process when a Comp Plan Amendment fee can be charged for modifications to the Future Landuse Map. Since the Zoning Map is the basis for Landuse permit decisions, the Future Landuse Map should be consistent because it directs development. Council Member Barnett pointed out that he understood the concerns of this organization; however, the consistent verbiage has already been written to address this concern. There was a brief discussion about implementation of new development regulations. Bob Mason, 612 North 2nd Street, referred to a proposed Landuse Element change on page 5, Multi- Family Section III. He urged the Council to add a Maintenance Code to keep residences painted and in good repair. Gordon Patten, 116 South llth Avenue, referred to a written proposal he submitted to the Planning Commission. He described the plan which would develop 10th Avenue as a north /south arterial. Bruce Buchanan, 90 Twin Peaks Road, Selah, disagreed with the - words "encourage" as it is used in the Comp Plan. specifically referring to encouraging the individual and /or business to create growth. He feels there should be a balance between private property rights and management of growth because the individual develops the land and creates the economic growth of the area. Mark Teske, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, reported that discrepancies in the FEMA 100 -year flood plan for the area in which significant flooding recently occurred has to be indicated on the map. Lynne Kittelson supported the planning process and commended the Council and the Commissioners for working with the GMA process. She directed attention to the issue of historic preservation on Page 19 of the Blue Book Action Plan Changes, and suggested the Urban Area plan statement, P.II -15, Policy L2.3, should be more like the Yakima County plan statement. Council Member Barnett felt this would be an important point and directed staff to include that. Ms. Kittelson also feels neighborhood groups should organize to work on common problems and solutions. 5 275 SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 14, 1997 Gordon Wonder, 509 Follow Thru,Drive, reported his property at 10 West Yakima Avenue, at the southeast corner of 1st Avenue and Yakima Avenue, should be CBDS instead of Light Industrial as it currently is designated. Dick Anderwald, Yakima County, identified three areas for requested changes to the growth area in the Terrace Heights area. He presented three map changes for Council consideration. (Bettie Ingham, Jim Lewis, and Bill Flower left at 4:30 p.m.) Mr. Anderwald urged staff to determine whether the language is consistent in the Comp Plan. . Jeff Lima,' 1310 Willow Street, presented a map for clarification of medium density designation for property on Willow Street. There being no one else wishing to comment, Mayor Pro Tem Puccinelli closed the Public Hearing. It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY BARNETT, THAT THE YAKIMA URBAN AREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BE REFERRED TO THE JOINT BOARD FOR URBAN PLANNING AND CONSIDERATION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. 6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION There was no one wishing to comment. 7. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. Information Items: Items of information provided to Council were: Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda for January 13, 1997 Regular Monthly Meeting. 1/10/97; Memorandum from YVCOG concerning General Membership Meeting Legislative Discussion. 1/09/97; Press Release from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority Concerning Potential Asbestos Exposure. 1/8/97; Damage Claims Filed During the Month of December, 1996. 1/6/97; Letter to Emergency Management concerning Statement of Documentation for DSR projects. 1/7/97; Yakima Fire Department Monthly Activity Report. 11/96; Code Administration Monthly Division Report 1/6/97; Assignments Pending in the Planning Division. 1/14/97; and Articles from Metro /State Star Tribune newspaper and Urban Land I/ magazine. 12/22/96. 6 2 7 SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 14, 1997 8. ADJOURNMENT It was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY BERGER, TO ADJOURN AT 4:37 P.M. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Beauchamp, Buchanan, and Puccinelli absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: 2 1 ( - 1 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ___4dgg/ 4 e- it -cie ____07 z: ‘ COUNCIL M B R DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK LYNN BUCHANAN, MAYO Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office • III 7