HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-19 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
April 10, 2019
Call to Order,
Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Al Rose, Bill Cook, Robert
McCormick, Leanne Hughes -Mickel
YPC Members Absent: Chairwoman Patricia Byers, Philip Ostriem (both excused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Sara Watkins, Senior
Assistant City Attorney; Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician
Council Liaison: Kathy Coffey, District 5
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced that three
Comprehensive Plan Amendment applications have been received thus far, and that more are
expected to be received before the April 30th deadline. After the deadline, the docket will be
brought to the Planning Commission and processing will begin.
Audience Participation - None noted.
Agproval of,Meeting Minutes of March 27 2019 It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and
seconded by Commissioner Cook to approve the meeting minutes of March 27, 2019. The motion
carried unanimously.
Discussion on Potential Text Amendments
Small Cell Wireless Facilities
Audience participation:
Greggory Busch of Wireless Policy Group, representing AT&T, verbally provided additional
suggestions on the proposed code and assured that written comments will be provided. In
response to receiving various questions from the Commission, Gregg replied that he will research
and report back on the following: 1) The feasibility of extending stealth towers after they are built
in the instance that code requirements change to allow a greater height; 2) How other jurisdictions
regulate height of stealth towers in relation to the surrounding trees; and 3) What happens in the
instance that the surrounding trees grow past the height of the stealth tower.
Commission had consensus regarding the following items: 1) have staff update the draft code to
strike "personal' from the term "personal wireless service facility" throughout the chapter; 2) direct
staff to create a report of cell tower applications received since the implementation of the Wireless
Communications Facilities ordinance in 2013 (YMC Ch. 15.29); and 3) have staff research the
stealth tower height limits of nearby jurisdictions.
Affordable Housing
Audience Partici atiom
Bob Schroeter of Central Washington Home Builders Association spoke on several points relating
to this topic.
Calhoun provided a report with updated draft code language in response to discussion at previous
Commission meetings.
The Commission had consensus on the following items: 1) have staff update the draft language
to change the term "dwelling, multiple -family" as defined in YMC Ch. 15.02 Definitions to "multi-
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family development;" 2) have staff schedule a study session with the Central Washington Home
Builders Association (and potentially other interested parties) on affordable housing; and 3) have
staff update the draft to change YMC Ch. 15.19 Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Critical
Areas to include language allowing nonconforming single-family dwellings and duplexes to
expand beyond 50% of the existing building area if lot coverage and setback standards are met.
Additional items on the topic of affordable housing will be brought forth and discussed at future
Planning Commission meetings.
Othuer, Business — Brief discussion ensued regarding the Greenway Master Plan. Calhoun
clarified that the Greenway Master Plan is adopted by reference in the Yakima Municipal Code
and specified that parcels within the Greenway Overlay District are flagged in the permitting
system the Planning Division uses to ensure that land use proposals within the overlay go through
the appropriate level of review in accordance with .the Yakima Municipal Code and Greenway
Master Plan.
Adjourn - A motion to adjourn to April 24, 2019 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at 4:,3� p.m.
Chairwingwas
an Byers Date
This mee filmed by YPAC. Minr� for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician,
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