HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-15 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of November 4, 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, Carmen Mendez, Al
Rose, Ron Anderson, Patricia Byers
YPC Members Absent: Scott Clark (excused)
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Supervising Planner; Trevor Martin, Assistant
Planner
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements
Supervising Planner Jeff Peters announced that the revised draft finding regarding the
Comprehensive Plan Amendments have been emailed to the commission and that any
input from the commission regarding the findings need to be received by Friday. He also
announced that a sign-up sheet is in the back of the room.
Audience Participation
None noted.
Commissioner Mendez came into the meeting at approximately 3:34 p.m.
Public Hearin - Summit View PLP#003-15
Assistant Planner Trevor Martin provided a summary of the staff report.
Mike Heit, project surveyor, articulated that it's the applicant's intent to work with the
Fire Department to get an approved fire access gate and described other details of the
project related to access. Commissioner Rose voiced his concerns regarding connection
to Juanita Drive and mentioned the need for a traffic signal at North 88th Avenue.
Audience member Gerry Amos explained his concerns regarding the development not
conforming to the neighborhood, the overcrowding of Apple Valley Elementary School,
and road improvements. Mr. Amos inquired about irrigation, to which Rich Hochrein,
project applicant, indicated that Nob Hill Water would be used.
Audience member Christine Amos expressed that the development would be a
disruption to the neighborhood. She commented on the failure to maintain the property
proposing to be subdivided.
Audience member Doug Gordner explained that emergency access will be difficult and
that road conditions are not suitable for a higher level of traffic. He inquired about fire
hydrants, to which Trevor Martin and Jeff Peters answered that the layout of the utilities
will be determined after approval of the subdivision. Mr. Gordner added that the
development would lower property values.
Audience member Scott Henyan voiced his opposition to the proposed density.
Discussion ensued regarding when the property was annexed and when it became zoned
R-2.
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Audience member Mark Bauer asked questions related to the fire access gate and possibly
putting in a traffic signal at 88th Avenue.
Audience member Thomas Parobek asserted that R-2 development would not be
compatible with the neighborhood. He asked what the projected sales price of the houses
would be, to which Rich Hochrein answered around $220,000 each. Parobek added that
the streets in the area are not suitable to hold a large increase in traffic. He also mentioned
that there are no sidewalks down South 88th Avenue.
Audience member Patsy Valentine Wilcox voiced her concern of having only one access
point. She indicated that duplexes do not fit the character of the neighborhood and that
property values will decrease. Discussion ensued regarding duplexes versus common -
wall dwelling units.
Audience member Linda Gordner echoed previous comments explaining that R-2
development would not be compatible.
Audience member Gerry Amos commented that a new development to the west is going
through a similar process but is proposing single family housing.
Audience member Paula White brought up concerns for safety of the kids who would be
walking to school.
Discussion ensued regarding the population groups who live in common -wall dwelling
units, the market for that type of housing, the rental of common -wall dwelling units, and
noticing that would be required for a proposal to construct triplexes.
Commissioner Byers made the point that rentals can be located in any residential area,
that there are not a significant number of children projected to be added to the
neighborhood, and that the emergency access gate is the secondary access point.
Commissioner Anderson added that the need for a traffic signal will be triggered by a
traffic count. Commissioner Rose commented on safety concerns and road
improvements. Discussion ensued pertaining to the petition regarding the L.I.D., safety
for children in the area, and water rights.
Commissioner Anderson made a motion that the Planning Commission recommend
approval to the City Council. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Other Business
Jeff Peters reminded the commission to send any input on the findings for the
Comprehensive Plan Amendments to planning staff as soon as possible. The commission
had consensus to review the draft findings for this public hearing and sending any
comments to staff. Peters announced that the next Planning Commission meeting will be
on November 16th at 6:00 p.m.
Adjourn
A motion to adjourn to November 16, 2015 was passed with unanimous vote. This
me e j �ned at:2' p.m.
to
Date
This meeti61; was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant II
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