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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/11/1996 Joint Public Hearing 4 9' CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JUNE 11, 1996 JOINT PUBLIC HEARING The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 p.m. at the Yakima Center, 10 North 8th Street, Yakima, Washington, Mayor Lynn Buchanan presiding. Council Members Clarence Barnett, Ernie Berger, John Klingele, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims were also in attendance. Council Member Henry Beauchamp was absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Assistant City Attorney Peterson, City Clerk Roberts, and Deputy City Clerk Skovald were also present. County Commissioners present were Bettie Ingham, Jim Lewis, and Bill Flower. Also in attendance was Acting Clerk of the Board Helen Hatzenbeler. This being the time set for the joint public hearing with the Yakima City Council and the Board of Yakima County Commissioners, Mayor Buchanan explained the purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony from the public on the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. He invited Glenn Valenzuela, Director of Community & Economic Development, to summarize the issue. Mr. Valenzuela provided a brief overview of the growth planning process used to develop the concepts and policies within the Comprehensive Plan. Even though development of the Comp Plan was slow and has been very time consuming, the information, which is based on public testimony and discussion with property owners, is arranged in a logical, easy to read format. The process will continue with modification of the plan during the adoption process with additions and revisions and recommended changes submitted for review. The Revised Housing Element was prepared in response to comments from the Washington State Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development and is available for review. Documents are also available on Qualifying Institutional Lands and the siting of Essential Public Facilities. These documents have also been prepared in response to the State's comments and will be suggested additions to the Comprehensive Plan. Also available is an implementation strategy document which deals with the amendment process to the Comprehensive Plan. Using an overhead projector and the Draft Future Land Use Map, Joan Davenport, Supervising Associate Planner, described 14 requests for changes, ten specific requests received from citizens and four sites where zoning actions have occurred since the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) held its hearing. Those include the following: • A request from the Almons to change the land use designation from Low Density to Professional Office for property located south of Nob Hill and west of 48th Avenue. Staff recommends the same. • A request from Maid O'Clover Corporation to change the land use designation to Commercial for property east of 18th Street, north of Boggess Lane and south of Nob Hill. Staff recommends the same. 5.0 JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 11, 1996 • A request from John Kearns to change the land use designation to Light Industrial for the White Dove Mobile Home Park property at 1702 Rudkin Road. However, staff is recommending the site be retained as High Density. • A request from Gary Lukehart, representing the Trail Wagons Company, to designate property north of "P" Street as Warehouse /Wholesale. Staff is recommending the designation for everything north of "R" Street be industrial and south of "R" Street retain its Residential, Moderate Density. The RPC recommendation only went to "R" Street and Mr. Lukehart's recommendation is go to "P" Street. • A request from Trammell's Rentals to designate High Density for their rental properties located at three locations, a site east of 16th Avenue just north of the PP &L Canal; a site located on Chestnut Avenue in the vicinity of 68th Avenue; and a site on the south side of Mead west of 10th Avenue. Staff recommends the same. • A request from Mr. Plath, representing Washington Fruit, for property in the vicinity of 2nd and 3rd Avenues bounded by Cherry and "D" Street, for a change to Wholesale /Warehouse designation. The staff recommends the same. • A request submitted by Verna Beggs and a petition received from a number of people supporting the request for a Commercial designation for the entire area located north of the Fairgrounds to Nob Hill and east of Fair Avenue west of the Freeway and south of Yakima Avenue. The staff recommendation is for all the properties north of Kiwanis Park be identified as Commercial and properties south of Kiwanis Park to Adams Street be a Moderate Density Residential and then the strip between Adams and Pacific be an Arterial Commercial. • A request from Congdon Orchards to designate their property according to their land designation plan which includes a mixture of Low, Moderate, and High, Density Residential; Professional Office; Wholesale /Warehouse, and a Neighborhood Commercial designation. • A zoning action on the Hunter Property on Summitview Avenue and 63rd Avenue with a staff recommendation for designated Professional Office and Medium Density residential. • A zoning 'action on the Coleman Property on West Nob Hill Boulevard with a staff recommendation of High Density Residential. • A zoning action on the Mead Avenue Property with a staff I/ recommendation of Wholesale /Warehouse • A zoning action on Madison Industrial Park vicinity property with a staff recommendation of Wholesale /Warehouse. Mayor Buchanan opened the public hearing and invited public testimony on the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. This Comp Plan, which is available for review and comment, has been developed after numerous 2 5 JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 11 1996 community -wide meetings, public workshop meetings, and public hearings held over the past two years.,: Regional Planning Commission has reviewed the document and then forwarded it to the Council. He encouraged written comments be submitted to the Planning Division. Mayor Buchanan reminded everyone that current applications are not included in this hearing for discussion. He announced that the next public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for June 25, 1996 at a location to be announced. He asked speakers to state their name, address, and agency affiliation, if applicable, and to limit their comments to three minutes. He referenced the list of speakers and invited public testimony in that order. Bob Young, representing a Coalition of Citizens for Government Responsibility, expressed concern about the inconsistent landuse designations Bill Huibregtse, 3800 Summitview Avenue, representing Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Pearson, urged the Council to consider changes to the landuse designation for the Pearson's property as described in their concept plan previously submitted to the Council. Jerry Sturgill, 211 North 65th Place, reported other entities have experienced landuse moratoriums created when their Growth Management Plans were declared invalid. He expressed concern about changes in the urban growth boundaries without the consensus of the public. He pointed out that other areas have a mix • of commercial and multi and single family in one area in a very compatible setting. He feels the plan is inconsistent and that lower densities would not be in compliance with the GMA. Bob Mason, a Northeast Yakima Resident, feels the lots in his area are too small to build apartment buildings on. He feels problems in the neighborhood would be created if they are built. John Kearns explained his request for M -1 zoning for his property which is in a transitional phase from commercial to industrial. Dan Tilley, 313 North 31st Avenue, representing Citizens for Responsible Government, read the petition previously submitted to the Council. Mary Harris, 705 North 2nd Street, feels it would not be discriminatory to keep R -1 zoning in the Northeast Yakima Neighborhood. John Schockler, a 16th Avenue resident, spoke against widening 16th Avenue as indicated in the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan and suggested mitigating the traffic problem by diverting traffic to another arterial street. I/ Don Videgar, Northeast Yakima Neighborhood Association, described the variety of problems created by converting single family residences to multi - family dwellings. He feels increasing the density in this area would adversely affect the neighborhood. Bill Hambleton, South 32nd Avenue, submitted an informational handout on street improvements for 32nd Avenue as indicated in the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. 3 52= JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 11, 1996 Jeffrey Congdon, San Francisco, California, explained the details of his request for land use designation changes. He also outlined property development plans for the future. Ted Herndon, a Rudkin Road Resident, spoke against a High Density land use designation for the area across from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He suggested it be zoned Industrial because of the odor from the sewer plant. Tom Parker, representing the Housing Authority, spoke against downzoning because that would drive up the opportunity costs for multi family housing. Don Hinman, 4605 Scenic Drive and representing the Yakima Valley Rental Association, blamed code violations for problems within the neighborhoods which downzoning will not solve. He suggested more neighborhood meetings be held to find solutions. He is against downzoning because he feels it would lower property values. William Dunlop, a Northeast Yakima resident, spoke in support of low density designation for his neighborhood. John Timm, 1024 South 2nd Avenue, suggested a blended approach be utilized for high density residential areas to preserve property values. Council Member Puccinelli stated a Grandfather clause would have to be added before he would vote for downzoning property. Martha Mathews, 703 North Naches, described the crowded conditions in her neighborhood, which have negatively changed the quality of life there. Jeff Loudon, Maid O'Clover Corporation, explained his Commercial zoning request for property located in the vicinity of Boggess Lane. Albert Lantrip spoke against changing the zoning for property when no one knows about it. Barbara McKenna spoke against single family residences being used by three or four families and the code violations which can cause problems. Jerry Helde, 1905 South 37th Avenue, spoke on behalf of the West Valley Community Council. He felt this is a property rights issue. Gary Lukehart explained his plans for future development to realign the property of the Trail Wagon Company and the request for a land use designation to CBD. Christi Nix, a Northeast Yakima resident, agrees with the low density designation for her neighborhood. Mami Purdue spoke about the crowded conditions in the schools, the need to reduce urban sprawl, and the need to improve the transportation system. 4 JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING 53 JUNE 11, 1996 Jenaro Urcerra, representing the Southeast Yakima Neighborhood, commented about planning goals'ifor Southeast Yakima to include economic development and ethnic diversity. Sergio Benez spoke about permits, economic development and recreational opportunity development, and the need to increase yard space which is currently limited. Yolanda Perdia, 1201 South 18th a lifelong Southeast Yakima resident, spoke about the importance of environmental quality, the need for a new irrigation system, and conservation of energy. She pointed out that the Spanish speaking element was absent from the planning effort. Brie Polonani, 608 south 4th Street, spoke about planning goals for the GMA, public facilities at the time of development, the lack of irrigation water, a lack of classroom space, and the need for historic preservation of districts which would promote tourism. Betty Gaudette, 701 North 6th Street, requested low density within her neighborhood because there are not enough schools and parks in their neighborhood to handle those who live there already. She suggested high density apartments be built in other towns that have open space. She agreed with the Grandfather Clause suggestion if the development is legal in the first place. Bob Alexander, 3413 West Chestnut and an Administrator for Yakima School District, urged the enforcement of city codes concerning multi families living in a single family residence. He also commented about the effects of density in parks. Rosemary Small, 1006 South 5th Avenue, spoke about census, demographics, and schools. She explained there are not enough elementary schools and described the:. overcrowded conditions and provided population statistics. She reviewed infrastructure needs and referred to the future density map for reference. Maud Scott, 309 Union Street, a Southeast Yakima resident, presented some background information and described specific characteristics of her neighborhood. She urged the Council to retain the R -1 zoning and not add any R -2 or R -3 for the Chestnut Avenue and Union Street neighborhood. Hershal McDonald expressed concern about the high noise level along 16th Avenue, which will only get worse in the future. He is opposed to adding a fifth lane on 16th Avenue and suggested a sunken causeway be developed instead. Neil McClure, 208 South 45th Avenue, Chairman of the Yakima Citizen Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, urged the Council to adopt the Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan as recommended by the Citizens Advisory Committee and reject the Regional Planning Commission's recommendations. Greg Luring, 4303 Scenic Drive, a member of the Yakima Citizen Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, urged the Council to adopt the Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan as recommended by the Citizens Advisory Committee. He noted the draft Comprehensive Plan lists all plans recommended for adoption by reference in Appendix D. 5 54 JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 11, 1996 Cec Vogt, Executive Director of the Yakima Greenway Foundation, spoke in support of adopting the Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan as recommended by the Citizens Advisory Committee and reject the RPC's recommendations. Bill Gibson spoke in support of the Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan and pointed out that bicycles are traffic and should be planned for. He described some of the existing problems experienced by bicyclists, particularly at intersections. Mike Mercy, 5105 Rosevelt Drive, requested a change in the Future Land Use Map to identify land on the east side of North 16th Avenue as commercial rather than industrial. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9th Street, supported the Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan developed by the Citizens Advisory Committee. She pointed out that education is an important part of bicycle safety. She referred to Eugene, Oregon's bicycle paths which is an excellent example of bicycle pathway development. Delmar Pearson outlined a proposal to realign Fechter Road and also urged commercial development of North 40th Avenue, since the street is so noisy that nobody wants to live there. Tim Monahan, 203 south 70th Avenue, a West Side Developer, feels the High Density designation should be in the range of 40 units per acre instead of the current 12 units per acre. He feels more business and high density development is needed on the West Side. Larry Raths, 902 North 6th Street, spoke in support of stricter code enforcement and R -1 low density for the East Side because the area is extremely crowded. Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 7th Street, spoke in support of the Comprehensive Plan, particularly the R -1 downzoning. Phil Hoge, 1512 Folsom Street, spoke in support of the Citizens Advisory Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan. He pointed out the various steps in the process to develop the Draft Comprehensive Plan which started with the Vision 2010 process. He feels the school age distribution discussion presented by Ms. Small is significant. He feels there is a need for more moderate density land. Robert Keivel and Delmar Pearson spoke in support of the Citizens Advisory Committee's Bicycle /Pedestrian Plan. 6 55 JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 11, 1996 • Mayor Buchanan asked if anyone, else wished to comment about the Draft Comprehensive Plan. There being no one,'- he closed the public hearing. It was MOVED BY FLOWER, SECONDED BY BARNETT, TO ADJOURN AT 9:30 PM TO JUNE 25, 1996 AT THE SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER AT 2:00 PM. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Eeauchati absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: ski/ //t O • C L MEMBER ! DATE r CO CIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: X ajuse__ / , t.Yry 'L ■de% ! /,„ CITY CLERK Or i' BUCH'TAN, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office. • • • • 1 7