HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-19 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
October 9, 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, Al Rose, Robert McCormick, Philip
Ostriem
YPC Members Absent: Vice -Chair Jacob Liddicoat (unexcused); Bill Cook, Leanne
Hughes -Mickel (both excused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Lisa Maxey, Planning
Technician
Council Liaison: Dulce Gutierrez, District 1 (absent)
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced that the Planning
Commission public hearing on the proposed text amendments to Yakima Municipal Code (YMC)
Ch. 6.88 Environmental Policy, YMC Title 14 Subdivisions, and YMC Title 15 Yakima Urban Area
Zoning Ordinance is scheduled for October 23rd. He also informed the Commission that all of the
2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendments have been approved and will be effective on October
20th, as will the text amendments to YMC Ch. 15.29 Wireless Communications Facilities.
Audience Participation — None noted.
Approval of Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by
Commissioner McCormick to approve the meeting minutes of August 28, 2019; the motion carried
unanimously.
Discussion with Andrew Holt Executive Director of Downtown Association of Yakima
(DAY) Regarding Downtown Develo meat
— Andrew Holt spoke on the history of DAY, their
activities and events, and their mission which includes revitalizing downtown Yakima, making it a
destination that is pedestrian friendly, preserving its historic nature, and more. Holt shared two
primary concerns he's heard from people wishing to occupy buildings in the downtown, which are
the high cost of fire suppression when considering a mixed residential/commercial development,
and the cost of making existing buildings ADA compliant. Discussion between Holt and the
Commission ensued regarding the concept of unifying the downtown area that is separated both
physically and visually by the railroad tracks, and adding features to benefit pedestrians such as
public restrooms, benches designed to prohibit people from sleeping on them, and additional
lighting.
Discussion on Landscaping Re uirements — Calhoun summarized a memo that Eric Crowell,
Associate Planner/Staff Liaison to the Yakima Tree Board, prepared for the Commission in
response to their feedback on the recommended tree list. Calhoun indicated that the Planning
Division could format the tree list into a handout to disseminate the information, post online, and
reference in their zoning decisions. Brief discussion took place regarding the desire for developers
to place landscaping throughout the site instead of planting in one concentrated area to meet the
minimum requirements. Calhoun noted that he can look into if there are any requirements for the
spacing of landscaping from structures.
Other Business — None noted.
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Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to October
meeting adjourned at approximately 3:41 p.m
Chairwo an Byers
23, 2019 was passed with unanimous vote. This
Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Planning Technician.
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