HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-15 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of June 10, 2015
Call to Order
Chairman Dave Fonfara called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Chairman Dave Fonfara, Bill Cook, Al Rose, Patricia Byers,
Ron Anderson
YPC Members Absent: Vice -chair Scott Clark (excused); Carmen Mendez (excused)
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Supervising Planner; Joan Davenport,
Community Development Director & Planning Manager;
Valerie Smith, Senior Planner; Jeff Cutter, City Attorney
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Audience Participation
None noted.
Study Session: City Council's Remand of Mission Uses & Definition TX"T`#001-15
Chairman Dave Fonfara gave an overview of the process the Planning Commission has
gone through in pursuing the incorporation of mission uses and the definition of
mission into the Yakima Municipal Code.
Supervising Planner Jeff Peters provided the Commission with suggested amendments
to the definition of mission and presented the proposed draft definition of mission.
Chairman Fonfara asked for clarification on what a Good Neighbor Agreement is, as it
was included in the definition of mission, and how it is enforced. Peters gave a
definition and explained that the Code Administration would have the responsibility of
enforcing the agreement.
Discussion ensued between the Commission members and Staff pertaining to the
differences between Development Agreements and Good Neighbor Agreements.
Commissioner Bill Cook inquired about how incorporating these mission uses and
definition into the code would affect the Union Gospel Mission as it is going through an
expansion. Community Development Director and Planning Manager Joan Davenport
explained that two Class 2 decisions for the Union Gospel Mission regarding its
expansion have been appealed and the public hearing for the appeal is scheduled for
June 17th.
Returning to the topic of Good Neighbor and Development Agreements, Peters
mentioned that either a Development Agreement or a Good Neighbor Agreement must
be chosen to be added into the code, but not both. City Attorney Jeff Cutter described
possible difficulties in maintaining both types of agreements in the definition.
Audience Participation—
Gary Rufener expressed frustrations of losing property value and other negative
experiences resulting from the Union Gospel Mission not upholding their agreement.
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He pointed out that there are homeless people coming in from other cities and going to
the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.
Bill Brado brought a zoning map and pointed out areas he thought would be
appropriate for a mission. In addition, Brado listed off some of the other uses in the
Yakima Municipal Code that are Class 3 Uses. He mentioned a petition in opposition to
the mission that was signed by business owners, property owners, employees, and
others.
Rick Phillips, Director of the Union Gospel Mission, defended the mission saying that it
is not responsible for all issues on North 1St Street. He expanded on the need for
businesses to continue to upgrade and maintain their buildings, as the Union Gospel
Mission does. Rick also addressed the types of people who come to the mission, the
occupancy limit, and the percentage of those at the mission who are from the Yakima
valley, which he had indicated was around 80%. Commissioner Anderson asked about
how security issues are handled. Rick responded that the mission has hired security
officers to secure the facility 24 hours a day. Commissioner Byers inquired if the
restrooms at the mission are open at all times to which Rick answered that they are.
Additional discussion ensued between Phillips and the Commission regarding the
community's perception of the Union Gospel Mission.
Devin Gill expressed his opinion that the Union Gospel Mission is attracting people
who are causing harm to businesses in the North 1St Street area. He shared some
negative experiences at his own business, Days Inn.
Bill Brado added that he has talked to board members from the Union Gospel Mission
and argued that surrounding properties have been well kept.
James Carmody, author of Union Gospel Missions settlement agreement, commented
that he is not familiar with the Good Neighbor Agreement concept. He then went on to
explain the Union Gospel Missions intent of their agreement and stressed the point that
the Union Gospel Mission is willing to hold an agreement with the City.
Study Session: 2015 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Peters briefly went over Chelminar Assocation s proposal (CPA#008-15). He added that
Staff is supportive of the proposal and informed the Commission that 5 public
comments in opposition to the proposal were received by the Planning Division.
Tom Durant, representing Chelminar Association (CPA#008-15), explained the current
use of the land and went on to say how this proposal would help to expand the use of
the building. Commissioner Cook requested to know what other uses would be possible
for this building without changing the zoning.
*Peters corrected a previous statement that the public hearing on the mission uses
and definition will be on July 8th, saying that it will actually be on June 24th. He
added that the Notice of Public Hearing will be going out and will be on the
Planning Division's website.
Peters briefly went over Cottonwood Partners' proposal (CPA#007-15). Peters again
expressed Staff's support of this proposal and informed the Commission that 2 public
comments in opposition to the proposal were received. Fonfara requested more
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information related to population density that could result from this proposal.
Additional discussion ensued relating to possible impacts of the project. Commissioner
Rose informed the Staff that he knows of possible sewer issues from his background in
Engineering that could cause problems at this site. Peters added that all of the
Comprehensive Plan Amendments will go to the Development Services Team for their
review, in which the Engineering Division will be included.
Peters briefly went over What the Hay's proposal (CPA#004-15) and again expressed
Staff's support for this project, noting that there may be buffering issues that need to be
addressed. He informed the Commission that 4 public comments in opposition to the
proposal were received. Commissioner Rose expressed that this site may also have
similar sewer issues that should be addressed. Staff, Commissioner Rose, and Bill
Hordan (representative for What the Hay) discussed a connection that is shown on the
site plan between South 85tlI Avenue and South 80t" Avenue.
Valerie Smith announced that the Comprehensive Plan Amendments reviewed today
will come back to the Planning Commission at another meeting to be examined further
due to the time constraints of this meeting. Peters suggested starting the Planning
Commission meetings earlier when Comprehensive Plan Amendments are being
reviewed. The Commission had consensus to begin at 3:00 p.m. for these study sessions.
Other Business
None Noted.
A motion to adjourn to June 24, 2015 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
Chairman Dave Fonfara Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant II
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