HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-19 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
March 13, 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, Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Al Rose,
Bill Cook
YPC Members Absent: Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Philip Ostriem (both excused); Robert
McCormick (unexcused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Sara Watkins, Senior
Assistant City Attorney; Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician
Council Liaison: Jason White, District 2 (absent)
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced that the rezone at
5231 Powerhouse Rd. which was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission was
approved at the last City Council meeting and will be effective in April.
Calhoun introduced a document entitled "City of Yakima Department of Community
Development Affordable Housing White Paper" from the City Council study session on March
12, 2019. He pointed the Commission to the action steps described therein related to zoning
and regulatory innovation which City Council referred to the Planning Commission for review
and recommendation. The action steps will be discussed at future Planning Commission
meetings.
Audience Participation - None noted.
Ajpproval of Meeting Minutes of February 27 2019 — It was motioned by Commissioner Cook
and seconded by Vice -Chair Liddicoat to approve the meeting minutes of February 27, 2019.
The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion on Potential Text Amendments: Small Cell Wireless Facilities — Calhoun
introduced proposed changes to Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) Chapter 15.29 Wireless
Communication Facilities for the inclusion of language on small cell wireless facilities.
Discussion took place on the levels of review proposed for small cell wireless facilities and
design standards imposed in YMC 15.29.070. The Commission requested that staff seek a
possible alternative to requiring Hearing Examiner review for new small cell wireless facilities on
new utility poles within 300 feet of a protected area (as defined by Ch. 15.29) to help reduce
cost and processing time.
Suggested changes to Ch. 15.29 received in writing from industry representatives were
distributed. Gregory Bush of Wireless Policy Group and Jason Verduzco of Verizon Wireless
summarized their proposed changes to the chapter. Verduzco distributed copies of a Verizon
Wireless pamphlet containing information on small cell facilities.
The Commission requested the following from staff: photos of small cell wireless facilities, time
to review the industry representatives' suggested changes to the code, and for staff to review
and provide feedback at a future meeting on the industry representatives' suggestions. The
Commission invited the industry representatives to return for future study sessions and
requested staff to invite the representatives to the public hearing that will be scheduled at a later
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time. The possibility of holding separate text amendment public hearings for separate
topics/areas of the code was discussed and will be determined down the line.
Senior Assistant City Attorney Sara Watkins stated that she will review the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) order so it can be clarified what bearing the shot clocks
established therein will have on the city's permitting and appeal procedures.
Other Business — None noted.
Awn - A motion to adjourn to March 27, 2019 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at,i6 p.m.
Chairwoman Byers
This meeting was filmed by
Date
Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician.
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