HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-19 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
August 14, 2019
Call to Order
Chairwoman Patricia Byers called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Chairwoman Patricia Byers, Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Bill Cook,
Al Rose, Robert McCormick, Leanne Hughes -Mickel
YPC Members Absent: Philip Ostriem (unexcused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Lisa Maxey, Planning
Technician
Council Liaison: Dulce Gutierrez, District 1
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun made the following
announcements: City Council hearings on the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendments are
scheduled for September 3, 2019; proposed amendments to the Wireless Communications
Facilities chapter of the Yakima Municipal Code (YMC Ch. 15.29) is anticipated to be scheduled
for September 17, 2019; the city was awarded a $12,000 grant from the Department of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) which was used to hire a consultant to conduct
an inventory of "Fruit Row" for the potential of the area to become a historic district; and the
consultant is preparing the final report from the inventory and will present the results at a joint
meeting of the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission on August 28, 2019
at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Audience Participation,
— Tony Courcy spoke on a variety of issues.
Approval of Meeting Minutes of July 24 2019 —It was motioned by Commissioner McCormick
and seconded by Commissioner Rose to approve the meeting minutes of July 24, 2019; the
motion carried unanimously.
Discussion on Potential Text Amendments: Affordable Housing & Other Zoning Ordinance
Ame,oldments — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun provided a summary of proposed changes
to Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) Title 15 Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance, Title 14
Subdivisions, and Ch. 6.88 Environmental Policy related to affordable housing efforts and other
items as discussed at previous Planning Commission meetings.
The Commission had consensus to strike from the draft YMC 15.09.045(B)(2) which prohibits the
front entrance of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) from being visible from a right-of-way or
access easement, strike YMC 15.09.045(B)(12) which prohibits a situation in which a home
occupation is being conducted in both the primary residence and the ADU on site, and alter YMC
15.09.045(B)(1 1) to clarify that property containing an ADU can only be subdivided if it meets the
subdivision requirements of the YMC.
Calhoun reminded the Commission of a definition for "congregate living facility" that the
Commission proposed to the City Council in 2018 which Council did not adopt. Councilwoman
Dulce Gutierrez explained that Council's primary concern was the zoning districts where
congregate living facilities were proposed to be allowed which differed from where
boardinghouses are currently allowed per the YMC. Council wanted the Commission to take an
in-depth look at what impact this use may have on the housing inventory. The Commission
-1-
requested that staff provide information on which zones the Commission had proposed to allow
congregate living facilities in in order to further discuss this at a future meeting.
Calhoun summarized other proposed changes to YMC Title 15. The Commission requested that
staff research how other jurisdictions define a home occupation.
Discussion on Landscaping Re uirements
—Calhoun went over the city's current landscaping
and sitescreening requirements, as well as a draft of the Tree City USA board's list of
recommended trees. After discussion, the Commission had consensus for staff to request the
Tree City USA board to revise their list of trees to indicate those that are compatible with Yakima's
climate and include information on how far they should be planted from sidewalks and structures
in order to help protect the city's infrastructure. The Commission also agreed to have staff look at
potentially revising the code to allow grouping of trees to meet landscaping requirements in lieu
of spacing them out every 15 parking stalls per the current code language, and for staff to look
into possible language to implement for enforcing, encouraging, or providing incentives for
incorporating green space into multi -family developments. Discussion ensued on the potential of
prohibiting certain types of trees that attract pests.
Other Business — Chairwoman Byers made it known that the Downtown Association of Yakima
wishes to make a presentation to the Planning Commission regarding a "Main Street Approach"
concept for downtown Yakima. Calhoun will consult Executive Director Andrew Holt to schedule
a date for the presentation.
Commissioner Hughes -Mickel asked about the outcome of the City Council's study session on
July 30th as it relates to their discussion on the Commission's progress on affordable housing
issues. Calhoun stated that city plans to apply for grant for $100,000 from the Department of
Commerce for the creation of a Housing Action Plan, and reported that the Commission will
continue to discuss and form a recommendation to City Council on the affordable housing items
they have been discussing.
Commissioner Cook pointed out a figure in the housing cost report that demonstrates the number
of units constructed as a percentage of the housing stock for a period of time from October 2017
to February 2018. Commissioner Cook requested that Calhoun seek out this information for
Yakima, as this figure for Yakima is not included in the report.
Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to August 28, 2019 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned .t WproxjmatgIy 4:26 p.m.
Chauoman Byers Date
This m eting was filmed by YPAC, Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician.
-2-