HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-13 YPC Minutes4_111�;IIR " I IIIIA;
RECOR 1) F1 LE
City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of February 27, 2013
Call to Order
Chairman Shoval called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.
Roll Call
'YPC Members Present: Interim Chairman Ben Shoval, Co -Chair Bill Cook, Scott
Clark, Al Rose, Ron Anderson, Dave Fonfara
YPC Members Absent: Paul Stelzer (excused)
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Associate Planner; Rick Ensey, Councilmember,
Steve Osguthorpe, Community Development Director
Others: John L. Marvin, Joe Mann
Audience Participation
No audience participation noted.
Distribute Adopted B Laws as Amendedby Council on February 79 20 .3
The Planning Commission members received a copy of the by-laws as adopted by City
Council. Nominations were accepted for the position of chair. Al Rose nominated Ben
Shoval to continue serving as chairman of the Commission; Ben accepted the
nomination. A motion was made by Ron Anderson, seconded by Al Rose, to close
nominations for chair; motion carried by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Al
Rose, seconded by Scott Clark, to elect Ben Shoval to continue serving as the chairman
of the Planning Commission. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Nominations were accepted for the position of vice -chair. Al Rose nominated Bill Cook
to continue serving as vice -chair of the Commission; Bill declined the nomination. Bill
Cook nominated Dave Fonfara for position of vice -chair; Dave accepted the nomination.
A motion was made by Al Rose, seconded by Scott Clark, to close nominations for chair;
motion carried by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Bill Cook, seconded by
Scott Clark, to elect Dave Fonfara to serve as the vice-chairman of the Planning
Commission. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Shoreline Master Plan U date
In response to a request from the Commission at the previous meeting, Jeff Peters
provided notes of the meetings conducted with the various stakeholder groups. He
explained the Shoreline Master Program public involvement process. Jeff provided the
Commission members with maps, a listing of property owners and parcel issues within
shoreline jurisdiction. A short discussion followed regarding public versus private
ownership for entire shoreline area. Consultants, Lisa Grueter and Amy Summe
provided meeting minutes from the previous meeting with Yakima Greenway, Flood
Control District, Washington DOT, Yakima Wastewater, Yakama Nation, Willow Lake
& Aspen Lake homeowners association and Washington State Parks. A meeting was
held with Lake Buchanan owners and Central Premix. A meeting is planned with the
commercial side of Lake Aspen for the Commission to review notes while the City is
working through the Matrix Table.
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Amy Summe gave a presentation regarding Draft Environment Designation for lakes
and ponds within shoreline jurisdiction. She pointed out that Buchanan Lake and
Central Premix are located in areas with active NPDS & DNR permits for mining, can
be excluded from shoreline jurisdiction including 200 feet around the lake. She also
pointed out that in pre -designated areas, when the use changes and permits lapse,
become shoreline jurisdiction which regulates future use of the lake. Cowiche Creek is
non-conclusive and does not have minimum flow needed and may be taken off the
map. The Bureau of Reclamation has been controlling Blue Slough which is located
along the side of the Yakima River. The Slough is currently dry but the Bureau will be
restoring flow and then it will become part of the Yakima River. Other ponds,
identified as aquatic, do not have to be included unless they are within 200 feet of
shoreline jurisdiction. Myron Lake and Berglund Lake may drop out of jurisdiction
unless they are part of the Aspen Lake system. More tweaks are anticipated on the
south side of the Berglund Lake and some other areas just east of Central Premix and
anticipate potentially splitting up high intensity into essential public facility
designations as it applies to the highway and the wastewater treatment plant. This will
help distinguish use matrix and craft regulations for those uses and not co -mingle with
commercial and other land uses on the south side of Willow Lake and the
restaurant/ hotel area along the south side of the Yakima River.
Following Amy's presentation Lisa Grueter gave her presentation of the Draft Use
Matrix.
The access points for pedestrians and bicyclists to the Yakima River Greenway and
better linkage from downtown to the Greenway was discussed. There was expressed
concern regarding the removal of debris and hazardous conditions along the greenway
along with the removal of noxious weeds and debris and planting of vegetation to
eliminate erosion. The Federal government regulates chemical sprays near water bodies
which Lisa indicated she will look into.
Lisa's presentation on the Draft Use Matrix included the approach of recognizing
current conditions and uses, permit types, and general observations regarding the use
of the Shoreline. There was discussion about the differences between the Substantial
Development permit (S) and the Conditional Use permit (C) being that Ecology would
approve Conditional Use meaning it requires State approval. Substantial Development
permits have to construct within a certain period.
Three case studies were a part of the presentation. The first case study related to a trail
relocation/ recreation. It was rated as moderate -intensity recreational development
since it would be a paved trail. The second case study dealt with a single-family
expansion and dock replacement. This case would be part of the residential side of the
use matrix and was rated as Shoreline residential/ aquatic. Finally, the third case study
revolved around a Lake Aspen commercial office expansion. It was rated as high
intensity/ aquatic. The definitions for the uses are still pending.
Dave Fonfara pointed out that the lack of definition in urban growth areas may provide
opportunity for future visioning of private sector developments.
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The Planning Committee members wrote down recommended modifications to hand in
at the end of the meeting.
The overall consensus of the committee was that flexibility of definitions is better for
this plan.
David Buchannan, president of the organization that owns the property where Central
Premix is, stepped up to the microphone and addressed his efforts and concerns about
restoring habitat around the body of water and ideas of future commercial use as well
as a floating island that could house a restaurant amongst other ideas.
Amy opened up discussion for uses of the Shoreline that the committee does not want
to be allowed. Ben Shoval expressed that whatever uses are allowed within the
Shoreline's Management Act should be allowed.
Jeff addressed the issue of the junkyard being so close to the river and only being
separated by the levy. He also mentioned how the County bought the property that
another junkyard was on in order to eliminate the use of it and clean up that area,
foreseeing how the river could reach the junkyard to create problems. Another major
issue that Jeff brought up was water contamination which the department of Ecology
has had to monitor.
The issue of nonconforming uses will be brought back in the next draft plan. The city
has choices on how it will approach nonconforming uses.
After taking a look at the map, Jeff made comments that the zoning designation implied
was suburban residential which makes sense since that area is prone to flooding.
Other Business
Steve brought up the idea of looking at alternate ways of scheduling board and
commission meetings in order to be able to carry on good conversation.
Jeff addressed the point that the public participation for Shorelines meeting will not be
until the first week of April. He suggested scheduling another meeting in two weeks
since not all information about the draft plan was covered thoroughly in this meeting.
The rest of the committee agreed to this.
Ben asked the committee for their approval to move the next public meeting to the
evening rather than the afternoon. Steve suggested a more structured public hearing
where there can be more participation.
AA4 ourn
A motion to adjourn to March 13, 2013 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at 5:09 p.m.
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant 3.
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