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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-19 YPC PacketAMS 9' 0,,SWfk, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Joan Davenport, AICP, Director w���.�AKIMAi � �% Planning Division n Joseph Calhoun, Manager 129 North Second Street, 2nd Floor, Yakima, WA 98901 ask.planning@yakimawa.gov • www.yakimawa.gov/services/planning City of Yakima Planning Commission PUBLIC MEETING City Hall Council Chambers Wednesday February 27, 2019 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. YPC Members: Chairwoman Patricia Byers, Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Al Rose, Bill Cook, Robert McCormick, Leanne Hughes -Mickel, and Philip Ostriem Council Liaison: Jason White (District 2) City Planning Staff: Joan Davenport (Community Development Director), Rosalinda Ibarra (Community Development Administrative Assistant), Joseph Calhoun (Planning Manager), Eric Crowell (Associate Planner), Trevor Martin (Associate Planner), Colleda Monick (Assistant Planner), and Lisa Maxey (Planning Specialist) AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Staff Announcements IV. Audience Participation V. Approval. of Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2019 VI. Opening of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process VII. Discussion on Potential Text Amendments VIII. Other Business LX. Adjourn Next Meeting. March 13, 2019 IWO ul manning kL,-%)'IGN-IN SHEET AM Tanning City of Yakima Planning Commission City Hall Council Chambers Wednesday February 27, 2019 Beginning at 3:00 p.m. Public Meeting *PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY*mom wm� 0=1aw �.u� ub �� c �b 4 m�� v rs m2`f �✓' (;Q.UI'� i�►�I-- 33 a � ���► �. � ���6l.��.� .1. U..�.�:� ......_ ........... .... .............. _. ..... _ ._ . Page 1 02/27/2019 YPC c Publis __ ..��_����..........��..� Meeting City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes City Hall Council Chambers January 23, 2019 Call to Order Chairwoman Patricia Byers called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Roll Call YPC Members Present: Chairwoman Patricia Byers, Al Rose, Bill Cook, Robert McCormick, Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Philip Ostriem YPC Members Absent: Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat (unexcused) Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Lisa Maxey, Planning Specialist Council Liaison: Jason White, District 2 (absent) Others: Sign -in sheet in file Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced that consideration of the Planning Commission's recommendation on a rezone proposal located at 5231 W. Powerhouse Rd. is anticipated to be scheduled for a City Council public hearing on March 5, 2019. He also mentioned that the H2A worker housing forum will be held on January 30, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Yakima Convention Center; anyone is welcome to attend. Audience Participation - None noted. Approval of Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2019 — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner McCormick to approve the meeting minutes of January 9, 2019. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion on Potential Text Amendments — Calhoun announced that staff has identified areas of the Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) for potential changes including: • Purpose statement of YMC Ch. 15.09 - Special Development Standards • YMC Ch. 15.29 - Wireless Communication Facilities to integrate new federal legislation on installation and operation of small cell infrastructure. • YMC Ch. 15.26 - Land Development Fees due to City Council's request for evaluation of citywide fees. • Definitions, zoning district intent statements, site design standards, YMC Ch. 15.04 — Permitted Land Uses, etc. for expansion of housing types, particularly those listed in the goals and policies of the land use element of the Comprehensive Plan 2040. Discussion ensued regarding a range of housing types. Calhoun stated he can bring back examples of how other jurisdictions are regulating various housing types and will draft language for the Commission's consideration. Other Business — The new Executive Officer of the Central Washington Home Builders Association, Robert Schroeter, introduced himself to the Commission and stated his interest in attending and participating in future meetings. Adjourn - A motion to adjourn to February 13, 2019 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting adjourned at 3:16 p.m. Chairwoman Byers Date This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Specialist. -1- Congregate Living Facility/Boardinghouse 2/27/19 Planning Commission Study Session Background: At the February 19, 2019 Council Meeting, the City Council engaged in a follow- up discussion on the January 30, 2019 H2A Forum held at the convention center. At the end of discussion, the Council moved to direct the Planning Commission to look at definitions for "Congregate Living Facility" and "Boardinghouse." 2018 YPC Recommendation: In early 2019, the YPC held study sessions and issued a recommendation on a new definition for Congregate Living Facility, which was "Congregate Living Facility" means an establishment providing both lodging and meals, or the ability for residents of the facility to cook their own meals, for persons residing in the facility on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. This definition includes facilities commonly known as boardinghouse or dormitories, along with Temporary Worker Housing as defined by RCW 70.114A.020(10) and WAC 246-358-010(26). Maximum occupancy of the facility shall be determined by the Building Official. Existing YMC Code Provisions, 15.02.020 Definition: "Boardinghouse" means an establishment providing both lodging and meals for not more than ten persons residing in the facility on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. 15.04.030 Table of Permitted Land Uses: SR R-1 R-2 R-3 B-1 B-2 HB SCC LCC AS GC CBD RD M-1 M-2 Boardinghouse (*) 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 Preliminary Observations on Townhouse Regulations ullations According to Census data analyzed by the National Association of Home Builders, "townhouse construction starts hit 123,000 annually in the third quarter of 2018, growing 24 percent from the prior four quarters."' However, the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance does not currently make provisions for row house- or townhouse - style development. Table 4-1, Permitted Source. tat s:/Av wJ u$opj ri , rrr tee,, ! ta, p Land Uses, allows for "Attached Single - Family Dwelling, Common Wall," but its definition in YMC § 15.02.020 limits it to "two single-family dwellings that are attached, but with each dwelling unit located entirely on its own lot. This definition does not include row houses or other housing types with more than two attached single- family dwellings." Because of this, the zoning ordinance currently limits what one might call a townhouse to no more than two attached units, which is essentially an owner -occupied duplex. The only current alternative is to go through a lengthy Planned Development process. Condominiums are an unpopular option due to their financial and legal complexity. Defined Instead of being limited to two dwelling units on two lots, a townhouse could require a minimum of three attached units each on their own lot. A new definition might read as follows: "Dwelling, townhouse" means three or more single-family dwellings that are attached, but with each dwelling unit located entirely on its own lot and comprised of at least two stories above ground level. This definition does not include multiple -family dwellings, dwellings with less than three attached units, or dwellings with more than one unit on the same lot This clearly distinguishes townhouses from other types of similar housing. Land Use Review Yakima Comprehensive Plan 2040's policy on townhouses, 2.3.1 (F), states the following: Encourage the development of townhouses in the R-2 and R-3 zones and commercial/ mixed-use zones as an efficient form of housing. Design standards should emphasize pedestrian -oriented design, fagade articulation, and usable open space. Because the primary difference they have from multi -family dwellings is where property lines are located, townhouses could reasonably fall under the same level of review as multi -family dwellings, based on the proposed density and zoning district that they will be located in. Reducing the level of review for attached housing in the R-2 zoning district could make such housing simpler to develop. Currently, Multifamily Dwellings in the R-2 zoning district are required to undergo a Type (2) Review if the density is 0-7 or 8-12 dwelling units per net residential acre and a Type (3) Review if the density is more than 13 units per acre. As the R-2 zoning district is intended for densities at up to 12 units per acre, it might make sense to allow Multifamily Dwellings (0-7 DU/NRA) as a Type (1) Review, and a new Townhouse land use category at that density could mirror that same review level in the R-2 zoning district. Site Design Standards Excluding the SR and R-1 zoning districts, Table 5- 2, Subdivision Requirements, requires the lots of common wall dwellings to be a minimum of 35 feet in the R-2 and R-3 zoning districts and in the commercial and industrial districts where permitted. Because common wall dwellings are closer to the form of a duplex than a townhouse, a minimum width of less than 35 feet might be more reasonable for townhouses, especially if the intent is more efficient use of land and promotion of higher population density in appropriate areas. "Rowhouses" in Seattle are defined by attached units that can't be stacked or placed behind other units, and minimum 1, 600 sq. ft. lots. Spokane has provisions for what it calls "Attached Source. !LypA,��Ibit ly UTFN0e. Houses." The medium density zoning districts, RTF (Residential Two Family) and RMF (Residential Multifamily) appear similar to Yakima's R-2 and R-3 zoning districts. In the RTF and RMF, attached houses have a minimum lot width of 36 feet, similar to Yakima's attached single-family dwellings, however they may be as narrow as 16 feet if alley parking is provided and there is no curb cut along the street.z This seems to serve as a density bonus of sorts, where twice as many lots could be platted in the same area if the parking is tucked away in an alley. Kendall Yards, a popular 78 -acre mixed-use planned development constructed on a former railroad brownfield in Spokane, contains townhouses for the bulk of its residential portion. The townhouses are generally attached in groups of four or five. Lots are less than 3,000 square feet in area, with numerous ones less than 2,000 square feet. A two- or three-level townhouse could still allow ample room for landscaping in the front- and rear -yards. In Yakima the R-2 is the only zoning district where multifamily dwellings are currently allowed and the allowable lot coverage is less than 80 percent. Olympia has very clear site design standards for what it actually terms "townhouses." Depending on the zoning district, the minimum lot size varies from an average of 2,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet. Minimum lot widths vary from only 16 to 18 feet.3 Similarly in Tacoma, the minimum lot size for townhouses ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet, though the range is closer to 1,000 to 1,500 square feet for zones similar to Yakima's R-2 and R- 3. Those higher density zones require a minimum lot width of 16 feet for townhouses.4 Many cities appear to have minimum lot depths for new subdivisions (townhouse or otherwise), an element which the UAZO doesn't address, the lack of which many be considered advantageous. As long as lot width, lot size, lot coverage, and setbacks are met, smaller lots should provide enough room for townhouses. In most cases, the specific standards in Ch. 15.05 would allow most townhouse proposals to be developed with relative ease, with the Administrative Adjustment process being an option to adjust basic standards for developments that don't necessarily require a Planned Development, which would be intended more for those subdivisions that may have very particular designs or deviations from the minimum lot size or width. Kendall Yards in Spokane. While townhouses regulations could become a Source: l . lwww,greeri lor7eho,n7es.comk ,i all reality simply through amendments to Title 14 av rds/ and YMC §§ 15.02.020, 15.04.030, and 15.05.030 (Table 5-1), it may be helpful to add language to Ch. 15.09, Special Development Standards, just as it's been done with Accessory Dwelling Units. Lacey has a decent section that could be used as a template which speaks about the intent of townhouse development along with development and subdivision standards.5 Challenges Townhouses subdivisions sited in the R-2 zoning district would be the only zone where townhouses would be limited to less than 80 percent coverage. The Administrative Adjustment process may be necessary, but would not extend the review process if townhouses (like multi- family) already require a Type (2) Review and a public comment period. Also, unlike in other zoning districts where multi -family dwellings are allowed, in the R-2 zoning district, a lot would need to be a minimal size in order to be subdivided into three or more townhouse lots while remaining at 12 units per acre or less, otherwise a Type (3) Review would be required. Alternatively, just as duplexes may be sited on smaller lots in the R-2 and R-3 compared to the R-1, perhaps the R-2 would have a larger minimum lot size for townhouses compared to the R-3 and other higher intensity zoning districts in order to better avoid lot coverage conflicts. Determining a suitable area for the minimum lot size is crucial. The width and overall size of the lot needs to be large enough to construct a home that is comfortable for people to move through, especially with stairways, however, mandate too large of a minimum lot size and/or width and townhouse regulations might lose their intended purpose. For example, a 2,000 square foot lot measuring 25 feet wide by 80 feet deep located in the middle of a townhouse block would have a buildable area of 1,125 square feet. It would be advisable to aim for a minimum lot size that when following setbacks and lot coverage, would allow a small footprint that could be vertically expanded to the degree that the lack of lot size could be made up by have a dwelling that is two stories or higher. 3 Conclusion Allowing townhouse subdivisions in Yakima may be possible through a new definition and pertinent relevant language on Tables 4-1 and 5-2. A minimum lot size should be large enough to adequately build on, but small enough that compact, dense housing can result. New townhouse language, coupled with the UAZO's current flexible and reasonable site standards, could allow new types of housing to emerge through the subdivision process in Yakima. Other Policies to Consider As the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning districts are defined by increasing levels of permitted dwelling density (up to 7, 12, and 13+ units per acre, respectively), does it make sense to continue to limit lot coverage in the R-2 to the same standard as the R-1, or might it be more sensible to propose increasing the lot coverage maximum to somewhere between the R-1 and R-3 standards (e.g. 65-70%)? Do Single -Family, Two -Family, and Multifamily still best identify the intents of the R-1, R- 2, and R-3 if the aim is to diversify the types of housing in those zones? Zoning district names similar to what we currently use date back at least as far as Yakima's 1966 zoning ordinance, which seems to have more heavily limited the R-1 to single family homes and the R-2 to single family homes and duplexes than our current zoning ordinance does (no duplexes or multi -family dwellings in those respective zones appear to have been allowed through a higher level of review).' Professional Builder (Dec. 6, 2018). The townhouse solution. Professional Builder. Retrieved from htt s://www. robuilder.corn/tawnhome-soAadtion. 2 City of Spokane (March 8, 2018). Table 17C.110-3. Spokane Municipal Code. Retrieved from https://mv.sookanecity.orgIsmc/?Sectionaj_7C 119.200. 3 City of Olympia (Oct. 2017). Table 4.04 : residential development standards. Unified Development Code. Retrieved from htt s://www,code ublishin .coniNVA/Ol m is/?Ol m iaNT.htmt. 4 City of Tacoma (June 2018). 13.06.100 : residential districts. Tacoma Municipal Code. Retrieved from htt .//cros oit oftacoma.or /cite olerl l iles,IMundcm all d lfitl l3-LandtlseRe uNatiory_Codedf. 5 City of Lacey (Nov. 15, 2018). Chapter 16.61: townhouse development. Lacey Municipal Code. Retrieved from littos:/iwww cod puhlisl�.comANA/Lac /htmiiL,ace 1�Lacevl61;htmi. 5 City of Yakima (April 9, 1966). Ordinance no. 791. City Document Center. Retrieved from li,ttDs,/IcdlfhO42.citiesdiaital.com/weblink./. 4 City of Yakima Planning Commission February 27, 2019 Modifications to YMC Ch. 15.09 ................. .... .......... Chapter 15.09 SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS I. YMC 15-09.010 Purpose and YMC 15.09.020 Special Development Standards for the district overlays: The existing language establishes the purpose of Chapter 15.09 as being applicable to the various overlay districts in the City. The proposal is to move this language to 15.09.020 and create a general purpose statement that is applicable to the whole chapter. 16.09.010,Purpose. r . ....... . .. . . 11-111, Mili-izliii IN& 11-10i i I I 111WN" I I W 114 a 0111111.91LIN"I over-lays-have--been-,estabfished-,a,s;,fGgows-.� LI wrl"'t'jiI ".bllm AirpoftSafety Y-akima-Air-TeFmirtalat Overlay (see-YMC 'McA41ister--Field,,-,other-pLibliG Chapter,4-",. 0) airportwith defin per FAR Part 7-7 ca. Ins-Aftutio nal Overlay 1arge-scale-instRufional (see WIG faci",14ier,-,With-speciat-!oGa:fionaI Chapter -45-41) neBd MasUwAanned Developm, ent Oveflay-(see- YMC Chapter: 45-28) Nafiona�F-IoGd-lnsuranGe Gity-of Yakima-CribGal-Area Wreff, Shorefine-AAaster-Program Z thereto� is-propo&e� withirt, theboundarjes-of -an-over-jay, 15.09.020 Special development standards for the district over ays u� ..... �. _Purpose- The over;l ys are established to coordinate the rovisions established in the zoninoordinance with more detailed„ lilies and standards ado t'ed in other lens and ordinances. S eoifi overlayshav been established as follows: Overlay District Districts oar Pro rams Greenwau Overlay ''�klrna River Regional Greenwav Pian Overlays establ_i ;hed sear kelt' A'iroort Safety Yakima Air Terminal at Qt@L1@y Lsee YKC— Kcj&lister F, ield;rother g�a�l l c airport with defined aide CI1a ter 15.30 pater FAR,Par177 lin tlt ALor al Overf'ay I_ r_ge-scala instit!j onai see YMC facilities with special locational g.ha ter 15.311 needs MasterPlanned Maate„_ planned deveNo w tyke t. D,. ev toent residentiaN m con r ial QypggKJsee YMQ industrial or mixed-use Chapter 15.28) davelo rnent Flood Nail "n veriay National Flood insur ra,c Fromm flood he and areas ' Cid of Yakima ritical Area, OrdinanceYMC 15.27 Shorei�ne Master Pro ram YMC Title 17 rr • wrw a rw p a AC. Project Review in an Overlay Not Separately Established. In order to assure the appropriate standards are applied, all Class (1) uses in an overlay which is not separately established unless otherwise specified shall be subject to Type (2) review (YMC Chapter 15.14). All Class (2) uses shall be subject to Type (2) review and Class (3) uses in an overlay district shall be subject to Type (3) review. The administrative official may condition or deny approval of any use, development, or modification thereto in an overlay based on the provisions set forth and adopted by this section. 8D. Special Development Standards in the Greenway Overlay. All development in the greenway overlay shall conform to the requirements and standards of the underlying zoning district and the policies and intent of the Yakima River Regional Greenway Plan. GE. Special Development Standards in the Floodplain Overlay. All development in the floodplain overlay shall conform to the requirements and standards of the underlying zoning district, and the City of Yakima's adopted Critical Area (YMC 15.27) and Shoreline Master Program (YMC Title 17) ordinances. 2. YMC 15.09.050 Performance standards This proposal will require compliance with the standards below for both existing and proposed uses. 15.09.050 Performance standards—Emissions. A. Purpose and Application. The purpose of this section is to provide guidelines and general standards governing emissions and miscellaneous items covered herein for use in evaluating the impact of proposed and exi ti'ng_developments and uses, or changes or alterations thereto, being considered under the terms of this Title. A reviewing official, including those engaged in Type (1) review, administrative modification review, or cram fiance under yMC Ch. 15.2 a, may impose reasonable conditions, or in appropriate instances deny proposed developments based on the standards and guidelines set forth in this section, in order to assure that permitted and existing uses do not generate gases, fumes, heat, glare, vibrations, or store solid waste in a manner inconsistent with the intent of the district and/or incompatible with surrounding uses. B. Gases, Fumes and Vapors. The emission of any gases, fumes, or vapors dangerous to human health, animal life, vegetation, or property is prohibited. C. Heat. No use shall produce heat significantly perceptible beyond its lot lines. D. Glare. No use shall produce a strong dazzling light, or reflection of a strong dazzling light, beyond its lot lines, E. Vibrations. No use shall cause vibrations or concussions detectable beyond its lot lines without the aid of instruments, except for vibration resulting from construction activity. F. Storage and Waste Disposal. All materials and waste which might cause fumes or dust, constitute a fire hazard, produce offensive odors, or which may be edible or otherwise attractive to rodents or insects shall be stored in closed containers and in a manner to eliminate or prevent such hazards. 3. YMC 15.09.050 Special requirements for bed and breakfast inns No specific text changes at this point, but we are going to be looking at the potential inclusion of short-term rentals here such as AirBnB. p and breakfast inns 080 S ecial requirements for bed Bed and breakfast inns shall meet all applicable health, fire, safety, and building codes. Any reception hall or meeting room shall be restricted to serve no more than the total number of tenants, unless otherwise specifically authorized. In addition, bed and breakfast inns shall be subject to the following requirements, except in those zoning districts where motels and hotels are Class (1), (2), or (3) uses: A. Home occupation bed and breakfast inns shall be operated so as not to give the appearance of being a business and the inn shall not infringe upon the rights of neighboring residents to peaceful occupancy of their homes. Minimal outward modifications of the structure or grounds may be made only if such changes are compatible with the character of the neighborhood. B. Meals shall only be served to guests, even if required to be licensed as a restaurant under state regulations, except as otherwise permitted in this title. C. The number of guest rooms shall not be increased through any exterior modifications or additions to the home occupation bed and breakfast. D. The front yard area shall not be used for off-street parking for bed and breakfast guests unless the parking area is screened and found to be compatible with the neighborhood or unless waived by the reviewing official. E. One nonilluminated or externally illuminated sign not exceeding the maximum size allowed within the applicable zoning district, and bearing only the name of the inn and/or operator, shall be permitted. F. The administrative official may authorize use of the bed and breakfast inn for receptions, group meetings and special gatherings based upon the size of the inn, availability of adequate off-street parking spaces, public health considerations, and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. G. No more than five lodging or guest rooms shall be allowed for home occupations. 4. YMC 15.09.100 Private Street Review Requirements This proposal allows for private street construction within any plat or short plat, which is already allowed in YMC Title 12 Development Standards 15.09 100 Private street review requirements.11 Private Roads—General Requirements. Private streets serving three lots, housing units or more may be approved as an element of aTalat�. short plat, master planned development overlay (YMC Chapter 15.28), a mobile home/manufactured park (YMC 1 ° ..04150 , a condominium or within a binding site plan in conformance with subdivision requirements. A. Any private road that is located in a private street subdivision shall be constructed to the minimum standard of the appropriate jurisdiction and shall be permanently retained and maintained as a private road. B. Private roads are the responsibility of the landowners to construct and maintain in accordance with YMC Chapter 15.09 and shall be specified in a homeowner's association, development agreement or other maintenance plan. C. Names for private roads shall be approved by city planning division. D. Private roadway signs with street name designations shall be provided by and maintained by the developer or homeowner's association and shall be located at the intersections of private roads. Such signs shall meet the specifications set forth by the respective governing body. E. A gate may be installed at the entrance to a private street, provided there is a minimum of 50 feet between the public street and the gate and the width of each travel aisle is 24 feet. F. A private gate shall not obstruct emergency, public service, or utility vehicles access. G. Private roads and their entire easement or right-of-way width shall be open and available for use by emergency, public service, and utility vehicles. H. The face of any plat, short plat, master development plan, binding site plan, or condominium document containing a private road, and all subsequent documents transferring ownership of lots within such plat or short plat, shall bear the following language: The City of Yakima has no responsibility to build, improve, maintain or otherwise service any private road for this plat/short plat. Any right-of-way dedicated to the public by this plat/short plat shall not be opened as a City (or County) street until such time as it is improved to city street standards and accepted as part of the City transportation system. I. The placement of utilities shall be coordinated as much as possible with the placement of private roads and public rights-of-way. J. Utility easements having a minimum width of eight feet shall serve each interior lot. Utility easements shall be located outside private access easements and dedicated road rights-of-way unless approved otherwise by the city engineer. S. YIVIC 15.09.210 Special Requirements for retaining walls -I - ................ ......... .... . r .. .. .............. This proposal allows for a variety of materials to be used for retaining walls if the materials are certified by a professional engineer. It removes a prohibition on ecology blocks, which are a primary material used in retaining walls. 16.09.210 Special requirements for retalpingyvalls. .............. r ............ .......... - Retaining walls may be made of any material commonly used for this purpose, such as block, timber, stone or concrete, except that the following materials are prohibited: 1. Materials not manufactured for, or customarily used on, retaining walls unless said materials are certified by a professjg!jqLqfflineer. me=