HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-15 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of November 16, 2015
Call to Order
Chairman Dave Fonfara called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Chairman Dave Fonfara, Vice -Chair Scott Clark, Bill Cook,
Al Rose, Ron Anderson, Patricia Byers, Carmen Mendez
YPC Members Absent:
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Supervising Planner; Joan Davenport, Planning
Manager; Valerie Smith, Senior Planner
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements
Supervising Planner Jeff Peters announced that additional public comments received
have been provided to the commission, along with a letter from James Carmody, the
applicant's attorney, requesting a change to the proposal for the What the Hay LLC
(CPA#004-15) project, which this continued public hearing pertains to.
Audience Participation
None noted.
Continued Public Hearin - What the HAy LLC
Chairman Fonfara provided a brief introduction in which he described the expectations
for the public hearing.
James Carmody, the applicant's attorney, presented the modification to the proposal and
emphasized that this is not a project specific proposal. Discussion ensued between James
Carmody, Rich Hochrein (applicant), Planning Division staff, and the commission
regarding the definition of "affordable housing', issues with Wide Hollow Creek needing
to be resolved prior to project planning, land uses that would be allowed at that location,
and the steps that need to be taken in order to begin development.
Michael Taylor read a letter on behalf of Bradley and Cynthia Arnesen, which described
concerns related to traffic increase and increased population in the school district.
Michael Taylor then expressed his own opinions about the project and his desire for the
character of the neighborhood to remain the same.
Michael Brophy, Superintendent of West Valley School District, thanked Planning
Division staff for meeting with him and the Planning Commission for their service. He
went on to explain that growth in the school district is welcomed in a mild pattern.
Commission Cook asked if the school district was notified of the proposal to which Mr.
Brophy answered that he and the assistant superintendent were not. Discussion ensued
regarding the capacity of the schools in the district.
Audience member Barbara Headrick explained that the letter she submitted was an email
forwarded to her from her neighbor in regards to floodplain concerns. She then went over
goals and policies that the proposal did not meet. She added that this proposal will
increase the school district's costs.
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Audience member Nicole Donnegan expressed concerns regarding traffic and road
infrastructure.
Audience member Terry Goodreau voiced that she is not opposed to growth but has
noticed a strong desire for R-1 zoned properties. She also shared concerns associated with
traffic, protecting endangered species, and floodplain concerns. She expanded on the list
of goals and policies that the proposal did not meet.
Audience member Dennis Hammermeister also commented on traffic concerns.
Audience member Colleen Fisher shared her knowledge of past flooding experiences in
the area.
Audience member Julia Jackson and Charity Yates reiterated the neighbors' concerns in
relation to flooding and safety of the kids in the neighborhood.
Audience member Kevin Davis mentioned that the area is lacking school bus stop
locations.
Charity Yates approached the podium again and provided her estimations of kids in the
neighborhood who walk to school and those whose parents transport them.
Audience member Martha Stewart brought up the issue of lowering property taxes.
Audience member Gary Patrick spoke on the topic of floodplain concerns.
James Carmody addressed the floodplain and roadway conditions concerns and
referenced the ITE Manual for trip generations.
Audience member Bill Hardsock expanded on traffic concerns and the number of trips
per day.
Audience member Kurt Hilyard voiced that he would like the property to remain R-1.
Audience member Robert Fawcett stated that more units means more traffic for the
neighborhood.
Audience member Jim Schneider asked on the topic of subsidized housing, which
Commissioner Cook and Commission Fonfara replied to.
Chairman Fonfara closed the public hearing. Commissioner Cook asked Jeff Peters to
expand on why many properties are zoned R-1, to which Peters explained the annexation
process as detailed in the West Valley Neighborhood Plan. Commissioner Rose expanded
on the topic of affordable housing. Commissioner Byers added that many concerns that
the audience members had will be addressed at the time that a site specific proposal is
proposed. Chairman Fonfara asked Peters to clarify for the audience how a development
agreement works, which Peters proceeded to explain. Commissioner Clark shared his
experiences of how development agreements have been applied to projects brought
before the Planning Commission in the past. Commissioner Cook expressed his opinion
that the future land use designation change may be necessary at this time but not
necessarily the zoning change. General discussion ensued regarding the approval criteria
for Comprehensive Plan Amendments. Commissioner Anderson made a motion that the
Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council for project CPA#004-15
and RZ#004-15 as submitted. Commissioner Byers seconded the motion. The motion
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failed 2 to 5. Commissioner Byers made a motion that the Planning Commission forward
a recommendation of approval to the City Council of CPA#004-15 and a recommendation
of denial of RZ#004-15. Commissioner Rose seconded the motion. The motion carried 6
to 1. Discussion ensued regarding which criteria for the rezone was not met.
Other Business
Jeff Peters announced that the Planning Commission has an upcoming public hearing on
December 9th. Commissioner Mendez informed the commission and staff that she cannot
attend that meeting.
Adjourn
A motion to adjourn to December 9, 2016 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at 9:56 p.m.
Chairman
Date
Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant II
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