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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/1996 Special Meeting 496 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON APRIL 16, 1996 SPECIAL MEETING The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 a.m. at the Yakima Center Board Room, Yakima, Washington, Mayor Lynn Buchanan presiding. Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp (absent after 8:45 a.m.), Ernie Berger, John Klingele, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims (absent after 8:30 a.m.) were also in attendance. City Manager Zais (present after 7:15 a.m.), Assistant City Manager Rice, Glenn Valenzuela, Director of Community & Economic Development, Dueane Calvin, Interim Water & Irrigation Manager, Don Skone, Planning Manager, Joan Davenport, Supervising Associate Planner, John Elsden, Associate Planner, Larry Peterson, Assistant City Attorney, and Deputy City Clerk Skovald were also present. Phil Lamb, Hearing Examiner for the City and County of Yakima, as well as other interested citizens and members of the press were in attendance during this meeting. Mayor Buchanan welcomed the group and the Growth Management discussion began. Water Dueane Calvin referenced the Executive Summary of the Water Comp Plan as it relates to irrigation. The document, adopted in December 1995, is a guide for the Water and Irrigation Division for the next six years. However, only limited actions have been taken due to the ongoing proceeding in the Aquavella case. Mr. Calvin also provided a memorandum to the Council concerning overtime hours for the startup of the irrigation system. Recently a major portion of the irrigation system was shut down due to massive ruptures in the system's deteriorated wood stave pipes. In response to questions from Council Member Beauchamp, Mr. Calvin indicated problems are extremely difficult to detect because the pipes are buried; although it might be possible to predict deterioration by using a video camera to inspect pipes. Mr. Calvin further explained that the crew works during the irrigation system shutdown period to repair damages that have been detected, maintain equipment, replace screens and valves and leaking sections of pipe to bring the system up to operation. However, the problems are expected to get worse with each year and the repair rates are escalating. Council members discussed the issue of whether the system is no longer repairable and whether an LID should be formed. More information needs to be gathered concerning this option. Mr. Calvin also commented about the needs in the domestic water system relating to water quality and the ability to provide fire flow demands. The fire flow issue needs to be addressed because there is low pressure. Council Member Beauchamp asked questions concerning the domestic water lines -- Mr. Calvin explained the situation about the rust accumulation inside the pipes. New procedures to flush the water lines are currently being studied to determine effectiveness and quality. Water lines are usually pressure scrubbed during the off - hours when there is very little water being used. Mr. Calvin also explained the situation when the wells are utilized -- many systems are . _ . . }Ii , SPECIAL MEETING - APRIL 16, 1996 4 " 7 set up for surface water -- the chemical make -up has to be adjusted. Turbidity is one measure of water quality and certain guidelines dictate that quality; analysis of contaminates is also studied, but the water has never exceeded the parameters of DOE guidelines. Mr. Calvin related the GMA service requirements for design included in the Water Comp Plan. To realistically predict future demands for the service area, expansion needs and expenses for maintenance and improvements are evaluated through the planning process. Reservoir and well development will also help serve the future needs of the area. Service area boundaries are expected to be resolved for future service to areas in the Naches Valley, such as the Gleed area. Mayor Buchanan feels more attention should be placed on the rehabilitation of the irrigation system in case the Aquavella Case decision does not support domestic restructuring and renovation. Council Member Barnett feels this issue would be one to be addressed after the Aquavella decision is made and the water condition study from CH2M Hill is finished. Mayor Buchanan pointed out that the conversion costs are expected to be more than the estimated $500 per household and that information needs to be provided to the community. Downtown Plan Glenn Valenzuela briefly summarized the Downtown Plan, which is the end result of the process which began about eight years ago with grant applications for the various elements of the plan. Utilizing ahead -of- its -time planning along with the public's desire to return their community to the way it was built originally, the Downtown Plan evolved and represents the compromise that was reached between the citizens and businesses. Land Use Element The topic of discussion shifted to the issue of whether the Zoning Map should be consistent with the Land Use Map. Council Member Barnett pointed out the perception of the Development Community that zoning should be the same as the land use designation. Glenn Valenzuela pointed out that the regulatory aspects are controlled by the City Council, and there was continued discussion about the separate Urban Area Zoning Amendment process. Don Skone explained how long -range planning implemented about 20 years ago shifted the mostly single - family designation to a mix with multi- family residences which actually changed the community. He stressed the importance of long -term planning (20 - 30 years) and the need to consider whether or not to stabilize the community at the density where it is at today. Glenn Valenzuela reported that the neighborhoods have indicated the need to address that issue because of overcrowded schools and high density. I/ John Elsden described the transition which started with the Land Use Map and led to the Urban Reserve Area designation to allow opportunity for growth. He referenced four maps which reflect existing conditions, current trends and realistic land uses, citizen focus, and vision focus. There was also a map which reflects the Regional Planning Commission's recommended alternative which tries to get away from the sprawl conditions existing now. Mr. Elsden also referenced a series of 2 4 9.8 SPECIAL MEETING - APRIL 16, 1996 Neighborhood Maps which reflect individual neighborhood wishes influenced by the citizens that attended those meetings. Joan Davenport explained how the. Land Use Map reflects planning assumptions and the Zoning Map deals with implementation to accommodate proposed population projection ranges that includes 17,000 - 36,000 additional people to plan for. The land availability issue is not addressed in the Comp Plan. There is very little vacant land within the City, and the community preference is low density to hold on to their individual neighborhood identity. However, there is land available within the current unincorporated Urban Area, excluding Terrace Heights and Union Gap. She explained that the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) alternative is a generalized map of land use, a planning foundation and is interrelated to other elements of the Growth Management Plan. Ms. Davenport also reviewed the issue of zoning consistency. She explained how the map acts as a guide and for the most part, is consistent with the zoning map. However, the class review process requires a public hearing from the community and that review . process will determine if the land use is not consistent with the neighborhood. One area where the Land Use Map is not consistent with the Zoning Map is within the North Central area. There are other neighborhoods as well which are proposed to be changed to low density instead of its current high density designation. There was continued discussion about zoning technicalities and the different maps. Council Member Beauchamp discussed the need for housing affordability and asked what consideration has been given to affordability. Glenn Valenzuela indicated the map allocates the resource, and the plan needs to be in place before regulation is determined. Council Member Puccinelli feels it is important to designate areas for business use in the City; otherwise businesses will locate elsewhere. Council Member Beauchamp agreed that ways to accommodate business growth within the next 20 -30 years is very important, as well as affordable housing; these need to be seriously considered. Glenn Valenzuela suggested an interlocal agreement addressing affordable housing be done. He also suggested that a preliminary public hearing on the Comp Plan be held in early May to listen to citizen concerns about their neighborhoods or their businesses. Phil Lamb feels that the Zoning Ordinance should be consistent with the Comp Plan, and indicated that is a concern of the development community. He suggested that the differences be acknowledged and the Comp Plan should be deemed consistent with the current Zoning Ordinance that can be changed in the future. • There was a considerable amount of discussion about holding an interim public meeting in May to gather public input about the Comp Plan. Other Issues Council Member Puccinelli asked that the PTBA issue be brought up at the next City Council meeting and to notify everyone that the issue will come before the City Council in May on whether the City will continue in the PTBA process. 3 SPECIAL MEETING - APRIL 16, 1996 499 It was the consensus of the Council to=.,adjourn to Tuesday, April 23, 1996 at 7:00 a.m. to discuss the Capital Facilities Plan element of the Growth Management Comprehensive Plan. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: r /6 7 f7 COUNCIL ME,I.E'' DATE •UNCIL 1 MBER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK L v l BUCHAN' , MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio tape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office. • • • 1 • • 4