The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09/15/1998 Study Session 241 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 a.m". , in the 2nd Floor Training Room, at the Police Station /Legal Center, 200 South 3 Street, Yakima, Washington. Mayor John Puccinelli, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, John .Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. Council Member Lynn Buchanan absent and excused. City Manager Zais; Assistant City Manager Rice; City Attorney Paolella; Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works; Bill Cook, Director of Community & Economic Development; Don Skone, Planning Manager; Shelley Willson, Acting Streets & Traffic Operations Manager; Joan Davenport, Supervising Associate Planner; Larry Peterson, Assistant City Attorney; Marketa George Oliver, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager; City Clerk Roberts; and Deputy City Clerk Skovald also present. • Status Report on Growth Management This item was considered .first after Mayor Puccinelli called the meeting to order. P Council Member Barnett referred to a point within the Critical Areas Ordinance that he feels has merit. It is language that requires using the best available science and under another situation using best management practices, and then later in the ordinance it says these are only minimal requirements. He explained his reasoning that if we have the best available science, and we have the best management practices, then it is ridiculous to say these are only minimum requirements. He requested that the paragraph on minimum requirements be deleted from the draft ordinance. He noted that he will present this issue to the Joint Board for further consideration. Another issue he feels strongly about is there are certain exceptions for government agencies that are not available to the private individual. He feels this creates a double standard, and ought to be reviewed. Don Skone, Planning Manager, provided a brief status report on Growth Management and highlighted some of the key points within the RPC's official transmittal to the City Council of all the City's Growth Management documents. He reported that there is a revised Zoning Map and recommended amendments to the Future Land Use Map. He explained that now the two maps are almost identical, with the exception of differences in future land uses for the Congdon Orchard property. Mr. Skone noted that the City Council will have the opportunity to correct any changes that they feel should be changed as the process continues. 242 SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 - STUDY SESSION There are a number of amendments to the Airport Overlay Zone. Those have been done and they seem to be quite satisfactory. There are Mobile /Manufactured Home Park regulations included in the packet. It does not address foundations, but does include other concerns. It basically requires mobile home parks to follow the same standards as Single- Family stick built construction in terms of lot size and density and other typical development standards. There are some provisions for reduction of the lot size from conventional construction if amenities are going' to be provided. The non - conforming uses section reflects those changes requested by the Council, even though the Planning Commission did not agree entirely. Also, Planned Development provisions are now provided. For the first time since 1985, provisions for Planned Development are available in the City of Yakima. Those will help to provide affordable housing and allow some mixed -use development. Mr. Skone explained that the Development Standards are actually an addition to Chapter 12 of the Yakima Municipal Code. The administrative portions were done several years ago and now the standards are actually being placed. Previously, many of the basic standards, such as paved streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, etc., were included in the Subdivision Ordinance, but now are included in Chapter 12. Other than that there are no really significant additions. Council Member Barnett referred to the Development Standards section, particularly a new schematic chart entitled "Lane Configuration Options." He noted a minor point that should be revised. The wording still refers to Figures 1 -4 in 12.06.030 Design Standards, Adjustment of Standards and in 12.06.040 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities. It should say Figure 1. Regulatory Reform 1724 Mr. Skone indicated that provisions are included for Regulatory Reform HB1724 as well as in the Critical Areas Ordinance. In the back of the notebook there are proposed amendments to Chapter 6, SEPA Environmental Code, regarding SEPA appeals. The existing code essentially eliminates administrative appeals to the Council on Environmental Impact Statements until after City Council action. There is also a calendar of events, which includes a Joint Board meeting on September 16. This function is included in the Regional Planning Agreement. Its purpose is to refer documents to the legislative bodies, the City Council and the County Commissioners. Then in October, a Joint Meeting is proposed with the City Council and the Yakima County Commissioners, to hold a public hearing to gather comments and incorporate them into the final adoption. Later, another study session may be necessary to debate the issues prior to adopting the document. 2 243 SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 - STUDY SESSION There was an extensive discussion about the necessity of having common standards with Yakima County that apply to the Urban Area. City Manager Zais explained that changes in language from common standards should be done during the Joint Board Meeting; if not, then the point of change should be at the public hearings when further amendments might be considered. Council Member Barnett asked why the RPC did not respond to ten of his points which are included in his memorandum dated 5 August 1998. The RPC only commented about five of the issues. He feels that the definition of Concurrency should be included with the Traffic Concurrency ordinance. It is already in the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. He also noted that he feels the language within a reasonable time should be added to the Plan because it allows more flexibility than some of the other language in the plan. Council Member Sims referred to a handout received concerning the County Commissioners' public' 'hearing on the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan. That information will be reviewed and then returned to the County. Discussion Regarding Term Limits on City Boards and Commissions City Manager Zais provided a brief overview of the current term limits for the Boards and Commissions booklet. This information is helpful for candidates. City Manager Zais indicated that Council Member Buchanan requested this discussion; however, he was unable to attend this meeting. Mr. Zais passed on Council Member Buchanan's feelings that a consistent standard for term limits should be considered. There are only two boards that have limits, the Regional Library Board and the Yakima Center Advisory Board. After Council members-discussed the issue and expressed their thoughts about term limits, staff was directed to prepare legislation to eliminate term limits for the Yakima Center Advisory Board. Currently, seven -year terms are in place for the Regional Library Board, and Mayor Puccinelli suggested the issue of term limits be discussed with the County Commissioners and with the Library Board Chairman. It was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:10 AM. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. / / 7 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: � �- /��/ ll`3 i► B •ATE ///./ A AJ 4 SCI ME':ER DATE. ATTEST: ,Q ® y i CITY CLERK JOHN PUCCINELLI, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Sko ld. A videotape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office 3