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.
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• 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
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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
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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.
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JOINT GMA PUBLIC HEARING
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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