HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2024 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
August 28, 2024
Call to Order
Chair Place called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present:
YPC Members Absent:
Staff Present:
City Council Liaison:
Chair Mary Place, Vice -Chair Anne Knapp, Charles Hitchcock,
Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Colleda Monick, Philip Ostriem, Kevin
Rangel, Arthur Salido, Shelley White
Frieda Stephens, Jeff Baker (both excused)
Trevor Martin; Planning Manager, Connor Kennedy; Associate
Planner, Sara Watkins; City Attorney, Eva Rivera; Planning
Technician
Rick Glenn, Janice Deccio (both absent)
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Martin announced the following:
1) The RFQ for the Comprehensive Plan update is expected to be released soon
Action Items:
Item
City email address
for Commissioners
Assigned
Trevor Martin
Status
Pending
Update YPC Bylaws
Commission Roles &
Responsibilities
Trevor Martin
Commissioners
Knapp & Hughes -
Mickel
In Progress
Pending
Public Comment — None
CPA Explanation - Planning Manager Martin provided an explanation to the commission
regarding what a Comprehensive Plan Amendment entails, outlining the commission's role and
its significance.
Study Session CPA#002-24, RZ#002-24, CL3#003-24 PAC Investments — Before the study
session commenced, Chair Place informed the commission that this was the opportunity to ask
any questions regarding the proposal. Associate Planner Connor Kennedy informed the
commission this was a proposed change to the Future Land Use map designation to establish a
whole parcel under Community Mixed Use. The north half of the parcel is Commercial Mixed
Use, and a concurrent rezone to the north half of the property is requested - from Large
Convenience Center District (LCC) to Local Business District (B-2) in order to construct a new
residential mini storage on the rest of the lot. This request was submitted by HLA Engineering
on behalf of PAC Investments. He presented a PowerPoint that included maps of the property in
question and addressed the commissioners' questions. Joseph Calhoun, the applicant, also
provided additional background information on the project. Martin, explained to the commission
the differences between an open and closed public hearing.
Other Business —
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Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee Recommendations to the Planning Commission - Phil
Mattoon, representing the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, presented the Planning Commission
with the following recommendations:
1. City staff should be instructed to organize and conduct a Grand Opening of the newly completed
Phase One of the Cowiche Canyon Trail, with the date and time to be determined by City staff.
Martin suggested that the commission vote and send a recommendation to the City Council. The
commission then discussed the next steps regarding the recommendation from the Bicycle &
Pedestrian Committee.
Motion: To forward to City Council the Bicycle and Pedestrian committee recommendation.
Motioned by: Commissioner Hughes -Mickel
Seconded by: Commissioner Monick
Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
2. The city proceed with the completion of Phase Two of the Cowiche Canyon Trail. Additionally,
the committee suggested that funds allocated for the trail be used exclusively for that purpose.
Martin cautioned the commission against making comments on budget items. The commission
then discussed and posed questions to Mr. Mattoon. Sara Watkins, the city attorney, reiterated
Martin's advice and provided the commission with options for forwarding a recommendation. The
commissioners also asked further questions of Watkins.
Motion: To forward to the City Council the Bicycle and Pedestrian committee the Yakima Planning
Commission supports the recommendation.
Amendment: Commissioner Monick moved to amend the motion to include city staff identify
goals and policies in support of trail connectivity.
Seconded by: Commissioner Hitchcock
Decision on Amendment: The amendment passed unanimously.
Amended Motion: To forward to the City Council that the Yakima Planning Commission supports
the recommendation by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee with the addition that city staff
identify goals and policies in support of trail connectivity.
Motioned by: Commissioner Ostriem
Seconded by: Commissioner Hitchcock
Final Decision: The amended motion passed unanimously.
3. The City of Yakima Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee unanimously recommends that
the city assure public pedestrian and bicycle access to a section of 68th Avenue for which the city
is considering a proposal for vacation.
Watkins explained to the committee the process for a right-of-way vacation and clarified that it
does not fall within the purview of the Planning Commission.
Chair Place thanked Mr. Mattoon for the presentation.
Updating Planning Commission Bylaws — Martin reviewed the changes he had made and
asked the commission if there were any additional changes they would like to include before
forwarding the updates to the City Council. The commission discussed potential changes or
additions to the bylaws, with Watkins also providing input. Commissioner Hughes -Mickel
volunteered to write a proposal for amendment to the bylaws. Chair Place requested that Vice -
Chair Knapp assist Commissioner Hughes -Mickel with the proposal. Watkins provided some
clarifications of the existing bylaws.
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SB5290 New Development Timelines — Martin explained the timelines associated with the
various types of land use reviews conducted by the city, noting that this bill would reduce the
timelines from 120 days to half that duration. He reviewed parts of the bill and suggested possibly
eliminating the Type 2 land use review for certain uses to streamline the processes. The
commission engaged in discussion and posed questions to Martin.
The ting adjour d t approximately 4:48 p.m.
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Chair Plaals Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Eva Rivera, Planning Technician
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08-28-2024 YPC Minutes