HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-16 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2016
Call to Order
Vice -Chair Patricia Byers called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Vice -Chair Patricia Byers, Al Rose, Gavin Keefe, Peter
Marinace
YPC Members Absent: Chairman Scott Clark (excused), Bill Cook (excused)
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Supervising Planner; Sara Watkins, Senior
Assistant City Attorney; Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant
Others: Holly Cousens, Assistant Mayor; Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements
None noted
Audience Participation
None noted
Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 11 2016 Mi!y 24 2016 and May 25 2016
Commissioner Rose stated that he did not receive the minutes to review ahead of time
through email. Vice -Chair Patricia Byers responded that a motion on approving the
minutes will therefore be delayed until the next meeting.
Continued Study Session on 1-502 Marijuana Regulation
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney, explained her memo to the Commission
and the changes made to the draft ordinance since the last meeting.
Supervising Planner Jeff Peters announced what items were distributed to the
Commission, including a letter from the Department of Commerce, two public
comments, a memo from Sara Watkins, the revised draft ordinance, and 3 maps showing
different buffer levels and the zoning district for each area eligible for marijuana related
business. Discussion took place on the comments received from the public. Peters
reported that he spoke with the manager of the Waste Water Division per the request of
the Commission at the last meeting, who indicated that the department will not require
any additional regulations for marijuana processors.
The discussion moved to the possibility of buffering from churches, to which
Commissioner Keefe voiced that he would not like this buffer to be put in place and that
it would be too restrictive for marijuana related businesses. Commissioner Rose
expressed that he would like the neighbors to be notified of marijuana retailers opening
business in their neighborhood. Additional discussion took place in regards to the level
of review that was previously decided for marijuana retailers, the difference between
classification of use and type of review, the option of having a Class 1 use go through a
Type 2 review, and notice requirements mandated by the state when applying for a
license.
The Commission had consensus to include in the ordinance that any person applying for
a marijuana retail license must notify property owners within 1,000 feet of the location
the product will be sold. They also decided to include in the ordinance the signage
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requirements per state law. Further discussion ensued in regards to what other forms of
notification they may want the applicant to provide. Commissioner Keefe added that he
is opposed to the applicant being responsible for paying the cost of mailing notification
to property owners within 1,000 feet. Commissioner Byers pointed out that it would be
helpful to hear from the public on the matter when deciding the final language for the
ordinance.
Sara Watkins informed the Commission that she did further research into cooperatives
and what other jurisdictions have enforced in relation to registering their locations. The
Commission had consensus to refrain from requiring cooperatives to register their
locations with the City.
Moving on to the review of the buffer maps, Commissioner Keefe shared that he believes
the 1,000 foot buffer is too restrictive. Commissioner Marinace stated that based on public
comments that he has heard so far, he would like the buffer to possibly be increased from
1,000 feet. Commissioner Rose and Commissioner Byers both expressed that they would
like to leave the buffer at 1,000 feet in the ordinance for now and wait to hear what the
public has to say at the hearing. Commissioner Keefe added that he would like the buffer
to be reduced to 500 feet but will wait to hear what the public has to say as well. The
Commission had consensus to have staff provide large maps of the 3 different buffer
options at the public hearing, and add how many locations on the maps are available.
Discussion took place regarding a 500 foot separation between marijuana retail stores.
The Commission requested staff to look into the availability of reserving the Council
Chambers on June 17th in case the deliberation from the public hearing on June 16th needs
to be extended.
Public Comment on 1-502 Marijuana T, a ulation
Audience member Eric Larson spoke regarding the separation of recreational and
medical marijuana. He added that he would like the Commission to consider a buffer of
500 feet so as to help distribute marijuana retail stores around the city. Larson went on to
describe the lack of correlation between marijuana retail and crime.
Other Business
Commissioner Rose asked if the minutes that were put on today's agenda for
consideration of approval but where delayed can be approved by email, to which Sara
Watkins responded that the minutes can be approved at the next Planning Commission
meeting.
Peters informed the Commission that the draft Planning Commission findings for I-502
Marijuana Regulation will be included in their packet for the hearing in place of what
would normally be the staff report.
Adjourn
A motion to adjourn to June 16, 2016 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
a jqy reed at 4:45 p.m.
Wry
ChalrmOtt Cllk ` �."; Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant II
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