HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/17/2011 04B-4 Minutes 05-04-2011 Council Economic Development Committee 5`�i' %+§ ""';c "';mr:.4?;": _ � +-. s r' x Y-, �" Ni„` " �.,,`- �:,._ Yn3r� •._ ,'*."} ',`aw^.�.. -:zsa.. f. -,�.. ma,x.
j 4.,.. ft .lu y � Y � t„ . ` Sa � . ;s» ,�",�' °r't'"c�'., ,a rv`:r,> •y t; ,•.�- , "''a ":' ^ .!�i'.o x ;,:.,N ,r7T., s;.....,_xPi
•
•
•
0 ~�w ' � t •
Council' Economic Deve(opment Committee
• Wednesday, May 4, 2011 •
2:30 p.m.
•
Council Members present: Maureen Adkison, David Edler, Bill Lover
Staff: Michael Morales, Joan Davenport, Joe Caruso, Bruce Benson
Guests: Rich Austin •
Hot Shots request for approval of small banner replacement: Rich Austin presented a
copy of the new banner design. The banners will be installed July 1 and will be .
displayed through August 29 on eight poles along Yakima Avenue between 1 Street
and 4 Street. Michael Morales suggested Rich talk to John Cooper about placing
some of the small banners on North 1 Street also.
Mill District Update: Morales reported progress on several issues: East/west
connector: Don Whitehouse and DOT staff designed some scenarios that would
• • modify the interchange. The transportation engineer for the development group also
reviewed the drawings and made recommendations. The preliminary feedback from
DOT, the developer and Yakima County is that the modification is "doable." Within the
next thirty days he expects all parties to meet with FHWA to discuss the modification
plan. Infrastructure: A request for qualifications was sent in April to seven engineering
firms for the first phase of infrastructure design. Three firms responded and were
• interviewed. Morales is hopeful that a contract will. be ready for Council on May 17.
Tenants: Meetings are beginning between the developer and corporate
representatives. Landfill: On May 5 environmental counsel will meet with the owner of
the landfill property to solidify the agreement.
ROW Use Permit discussion re merchandise in the ROW: Joe Caruso reported an
increased interest. from businesses wishing to display merchandise in the ROW. City
ordinance prohibits obstructing the ROW with merchandise, but Codes would like to be
a business friendly as possible. He suggested regulating merchandise with a ROW use
permit; similar to the process that allows and regulates sandwich boards. He noted that
Legal has not reviewed the proposal. The Committee moved to forward the discussion
to the full Council.
Request to extend parking exempt area: Bruce Benson explained the rational behind
the existing parking exempt area for the downtown core. He provided maps of the
downtown parking exempt area and the central business district; noting that the •
boundaries are not identical. Several "non- parking exempt" CBD property owners have
• recently requested a review of the matter. Changing the parking exempt area would
amend the City's zoning ordinance and would require a public hearing process. The •
Yakima Planning Commission will hold a study session to explore the expansion of the
area in City Council Chambers beginning at 3:00 p.m. on June 8. The matter.will also
• be considered by the Committee for Downtown Yakima at their June meeting. The
Economic Development Committee asked Benson to report back to them with the
•
recommendation from the Yakima Planning Commission. If the matter moves forward,
City Council will hold a closed record public hearing at one of their regular business
meetings.
The next meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee will be Wednesday,
June 1,2011.
1
Maureen Adkison, Chair Date
410
•