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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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