HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2021 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
January 13, 2021
Call to Order
Chair Jacob Liddicoat called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m.
YPC Members Present: Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Al Rose, Mary Place, Lisa Wallace
YPC Members Absent: Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Phil Ostreim, Robert McCormick
(unexcused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Sara Watkins, Senior
Assistant City Attorney~ Analilia NOhez, Planning Technician
Council, Liaison: Kay Funk, District 4
Others: Sign -in sheet in file
*After roll call, Planning Manager, Joseph Calhoun provided instructions for nominations for the
Chair and Vice Chair positions for the Planning Commission, Commissioner Place nominated
Jacob Liddicoat for chairman, Commissioner Rose seconded the nomination. No additional
nominations were presented. The nomination carried unanimously. Commissioner Rose
nominated Leanne Hughes -Mickel for vice -chair, Commissioner Place seconded the nomination.
Chairman Liddicoat nominated Lisa Wallace for vice -chair, Commissioner Place seconded the
nomination. After some discussion Commissioner Wallace accepted the nomination. Wallace's
nomination was voted on and approved unanimously.
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced the following:
® Calhoun announced that he now has a draft for the Housing Action Plan which will be reviewed
along with the survey results. Staff will be providing comments to their consultant. A third
technical advising meeting will be held next month. The formal SEPA process will begin in
late February or early March and the public hearing is anticipated for April or May.
• Staff is coordinating with the Department of Ecology in regards to the joint notice for the
Shoreline Master Program to be sent out this month or February.
Approval of Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by
Chairman Liddicoat to approve the meeting minutes of December 9, 2020. The motion carried
unanimously.
R-3 Moratorium — Calhoun provided information on the six month R-3 moratorium that was
enacted on November 17, 2020 and expires on May 18, 2021. To help determine what happens
with Class 2 and 3 uses in the R-3 zone. He explained what the moratorium is and what the
Planning Commission's role is. He presented a map showing all the R-3 parcels in the City of
Yakima. Calhoun also explained the Permitted Land Use table for R-3 zone along with the
corresponding Class 2 and Class 3 reviews. Commissioner Place asked Council liaison Funk for
input on what the city council concerns are. Councilmember Funk explained that certain projects
that do not promote multi -family housing in the R-3 zone lead to the moratorium which would allow
for more time for additional review. She elaborated that the council's position is that the policy
should facilitate more multi -family housing opposed to other uses. Commissioner Rose provided
input on past projects proposed in the R-3 zone such as site improvements, soil stabilization, road
expansion, etc. He suggested reviewing the Class 2 and 3 classifications in the R-3 zone to verify
compatibility and requesting clarification for rezones at initial review of application, Councilwoman
Funk brought forth what she believes the core of the problem is. She suggested requiring a Class
2 or 3 review before moving on to a rezone. Commissioner Place asked Joseph Calhoun about
the legality of this requirement, Calhoun said additional research would be required to determine
this. Councilwoman Funk elaborated on Commissioner Rose's statement that having non-specific
project rezones is a problem. She stated that if a code change was required to resolve the
problem, the city council, would be open to the idea and there would be no opposition. Chairman
Liddicoat suggested reviewing some of the Class 2 or 3 uses to help the R-3 zone flourish.
Calhoun took some time to explain the Table 4-1 Proposed Land Use for the R-3 zone and then
provided time for questions, Commissioner Rose asked for clarification on definitions of certain
uses. Commissioner Place expressed concerns of requirements of green spaces and parks for
R-3 zoning. Calhoun provided an explanation of requirements and site standards. Commissioner
Place expressed the desire for parks and green spaces for high density residential development.
Commission members asked for clarification on the definition of parks and community garden and
how it would be managed. Calhoun provided clarification and answered additional questions
about different uses and definitions listed on the table. Calhoun provided the definition on
residential mini -storage facilities along with recent applications for this use. He provided additional
information about zoning reviews and rezones.
Senior Assistant City Attorney, Sara Watkins explained that the moratorium requires for the
Planning Commission to review the Class 2 and 3 uses and provide a recommendation to city
council. She suggested hosting a public hearing requesting public input on potential changes to
the Class 2 and 3 reviews. After the hearing, take into account any comments and make a
recommendation to council. Watkins also suggested having a separate discussion and
recommendation regarding project vs. non -project rezones separate from the moratorium.
Councilmember Funk elaborated on non -project rezones and limiting Class 2 or 3 non -project
rezones by requiring a Class 2 or 3 review prior to reaching a rezone. She stated the city council
would support a code change if required.
Commissioner Place and Rose spoke in favor of a hearing to request community input. Logistics
of a future hearing were discussed among commission members. Calhoun suggested scheduling
this public hearing in February.
Housing Action Plan — Calhoun discussed the results of the Housing Action Plan Survey. Vice -
chair Wallace asked if the survey was sent to community members. Calhoun explained how the
survey was distributed. Additionally, he provided a breakdown on the demographics of the
respondents along with their responses. Commissioners had an in-depth discussion about the
results of the survey. Councilmember Funk discussed the correlation of lack of affordable housing:
and homelessness. She expressed concern in low survey turnout. Additionally, she urged
commission members to look into potential changes to the R-3 zone to promote additional
affordable housing, Senior Assistant City Attorney Watkins elaborated by stating that the planning
commission would likely have the opportunity to review Title 15 in regards to setbacks and
potential issues when facilitating multi -family housing. She suggested taking notes and presenting
suggestions to Planning Manager Calhoun. Chair Liddicoat suggested requesting, input from
designers and builders. Commissioners further discussed potential changes to the Housing Action
Plan and additional code changes,
Other Business — No Other Business to discuss.
Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to January 27, 2021 was passed with unanimous vote. This
meeting adjourned at approximately 4:54 p.m.
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C-hair Liddicoat Date
TNs meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting Submitted by: Analilia NOfiez, Planning Technician.