The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10-11-17 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2017 Call to Order Chairwoman Patricia Byers called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Roll Call YPC Members Present: Chairwoman Patricia Byers, Vice -Chair Al Rose, Peter Marinace, Jacob Liddicoat, Bill Cook, Rob McCormick YPC Members Absent: Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Lisa Maxey, Planning Specialist Others: Sign -in sheet in file Staff Announcements Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced that Associate Planner Trevor Martin returned to work for the Planning Division on October 2nd. He also reported that there is still one vacancy on the Planning Commission. Audience Participation None noted. Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 27 2017 It was motioned by Vice -Chair Rose and seconded by Commissioner Marinace to approve the minutes of September 27, 2017. Public Hearin - "IU Sentz" - RZ#002-17 & SEPA#024-17 Calhoun provided a summary of the staff report on this proposed rezone request and accompanying SEPA environmental review.. Audience member Mike Waits argued against labeling this proposal as a "non -project" rezone and shared his concerns about the possibility of decreasing property values once the property is redeveloped. Waits provided photo evidence of flooding in the area in recent years and reasoned that extending the concrete wall that runs along the shopping center to include the subject property once redeveloped to be incorporated into Westpark will cause storm water to be backed up. Audience member Jean Halpin read a letter on behalf of Deborah Patterson that outlined concerns regarding traffic impacts to the neighborhood. Audience member Will Halpin mentioned the effort that was given to collect signatures from neighbors for a petition to deny the rezone request. He distributed to the commission copies of the site plan and a portion of the narrative from the application, citing information from these documents to support his argument that it should not be considered a "non -project" rezone. Audience member Charles Chesney expressed his belief that the ambulance service on the property should be located further west and that the rezone should be denied. Bill Hordan of Hordan Planning Services (applicant on behalf of property owner Jay Sentz) explained that the future land use designation of this property was changed during the Comprehensive Plan 2040 update process which was completed this year. He recalled that during the plan update process, the commission asked for a conceptual -1- drawing to be submitted showing one possible layout of the redevelopment once the ambulance service ceases operating there. He made the point that redeveloping the property would give the opportunity to make the building meet current setback standards. Hordan described the reasoning for requesting a non -project rezone, explaining that the property needs to be zoned appropriately for commercial use before others will show interest in the property for development. Calhoun clarified that the level of public input on the redevelopment would vary depending on if thresholds for SEPA review are exceeded and on what level of review the development would be subject to in accordance with the city's code. He indicated that staff is suggesting a condition of approval stating, "the future redevelopment plan will require SEPA environmental review regardless of whether the threshold is exceeded or not," to ensure the opportunity for public comment. Discussion took place on storm water issues, access from Summitview Ave., concerns raised pertaining to traffic, noise, and property values; the future land use designation of the property, and the ownership of the ambulance service. James Carmody, the applicant's attorney, spoke to the need for this rezone, calling attention to the inconsistency of the current zoning (R-1) with the future land use designation (Community Mixed Use). He reiterated that concerns presented at this hearing about future redevelopment would be examined and determined how best to be mitigated for if necessary at the time of project review. Commissioner McCormick asked if Mike Waits can receive an answer to his offer in his comment letter to sell his property to Jay Sentz to help square off the development expansion, to which Carmody replied that Mr. Sentz would need to take this into consideration and respond. In response to staff's recommended conditions of approval, Carmody submitted to the commission a document showing his suggested revisions to the second and third conditions. He went on to provide his thoughts about the other conditions as well. It was motioned by Vice -Chair Rose and seconded by Commissioner Cook to recommend approval of the rezone request to City Council, with the modification to condition of approval #3 to state that the future redevelopment will require compliance with lighting standards of YMC 15.06.100. The motion carried unanimously. Public Hearin - "City Plannin - Final Long Plat Approval Process" - TXT#004-17 Calhoun summarized the staff report for this proposed text amendment. He provided an example to the commission of a public notice letter for a preliminary long plat with revised language emphasizing that the only public comment opportunity is during the preliminary process. Chairwoman Byers commented that she would like the added language to be in bold. Audience member Joe Walsh of the Central Washington Home Builders Association voiced support for the proposed amendment and spoke on how it will help promote affordable housing. Audience member Bill Hordan of Hordan Planning Services concurred with Joe Walsh's statements and emphasized that this amendment will save time. -2- It was motioned by Commissioner Cook and seconded by Commissioner McCormick for the Planning Commission to draft findings of fact and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. The motion carried unanimously. Other Business Calhoun stated that he will draft findings of fact for both of today's hearings and bring them back for signature. Commissioner Cook asked if there are any items yet for the next commission meeting on October 25th to which Calhoun replied that it is not known at this time. Cook requested that a future discussion take place on what the role of the Planning Commission is in reviewing and making recommendations on subdivision proposals. Discussion took place on whether SEPA environmental review can be required even if the SEPA thresholds are not exceeded, to which Calhoun clarified that it is uncommon but has been done in the past. Commissioner Cook suggested that for future non -project rezones it may be appropriate to consider adding a standard condition stating that SEPA is required at the time of project review regardless of whether thresholds are exceeded. Vice -Chair Rose expressed frustrations with interactions between council and the commission. He also made a remark that he would like to see the Development Services Team (DST) comments written in a way that is more beneficial to the commission when reviewing the proposal and making their recommendation. Calhoun responded that the content and format of DST comments is an ongoing discussion. Adjourn A motion to adjourn to October 25, 2017 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting adjourned at 52 -:p.m. l/ -b,'- tor) Date This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Specialist. -3-