HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-2021 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
Virtual Meeting via Zoom,
May 26, 2021
Calll to Order
Chair Li:ddicoat called the meeting to order at 3.00 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members, Present: Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Vice -chair Lisa Wallace, Al Rose, Mary
Place, Leanne Hughes -Mickel„ Phil Ostriern
YPC Members Absent: Rob McCormick
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager; Sara Watkins, City Attorney
Council Liaison: Kay Funk, District 4
Others: Amy Surnme (Shaninon & Wilson) Sign -in sheet in file
Calhoun provided instructions on how attendees can participate during the public hearing,
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced the following:
Comp Plan/Rezone process — finalizing Notice of Comiplete review and will be working on
schedule for sending public notices.
May 12, 2021 Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Place and seconded by
Commissioner Rose to approve the meeting minutes of May 12, 2021 as presented. The motion
carried unanimously.
Public Hearing on Shoreline Master Program U12date — Chair Liddicoat explained the hearing
process. Calhoun presented the staff report — this effort is funded through a $28k grant from the
Washington State Department of Ecology, The City contractedwith Shannon & Wilson to perform
the update process consistent with State law (RCW 90.58. WAC 173-26/27). SEPA
Environmental Review was conducted with a DNS issued on May 6, 2021. This SMP periodic
update is consistent with WAC 173-26-09,0 — the City has found that a review and evaluation has
occurred and the revisions made are identified in the draft SMP, consistent with the SMP checklist
One comment was received prior to the hearing', which is addressed in the body of the report.
The staff recommendation is to hold the public hearing, receive testimony from the public, and
forward a recommendation to the Council. After the hearing, staff will compile any additional
comments that come in prior to the close of the comment period on June 7. Those comments and
the final draft plan will then be forwarded to, the Department of Ecology for a Determination of
Consistency. When the DOE determination is received, the SMP will be scheduled for final
consideration at City Council.
Commissioner Place asked about a definition for Mitigation. Calhoun stated that a definition could
be added. The specifics of what mitigation is required is dependent on the situation. Summe and
Calhoun stated that a generic definition could be added to YMC 17.01, Surnme noted YMC
17.05.020 describes, the mitigation process and sequencing that could be cross-referenced.
Chair Liddicoat opened the public testimony portion of public hearing. Calhoun re -stated the
instructions for attendee participation. At this time, no attendees raised their hand to speak — Chair
Liddicoat closed the public testimony.
Place asked about the impact of the homeless situation to the SMP. Calhoun stated that the SNIP
doesn't specifically address homelessness and that those efforts, are processed under separate
state and local codes. Rose asked about Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation/Areas — is there
a way to simplify those definitions? Surnme stated that those definitions come from the RCW.
Rose asked about the definition of Waters of the State — does this, give the state control over all
waters? Calhoun stated that the definition comes from the RCW and explained the difference
between Shoreline jurisdiction and Critical Areas jurisdiction.
A new attendee arrived on the zoom! call — Chair Liddicoat re -opened the public testimony and
Eric Bartrand, Area and Habitat Biologist, from WDFW was promoted to a panelist and allowed
to speak, Bartrand further explained that once water is legally diverted, it is no longer considered
as a Water of the State unless it comiingiles with natural water or other natural sources. Rose
asked about Hyporhieic flow— Surnmestated that those are waters connected to a stream channel
that are in a riparian zone. Calhoun read the definition in YMC 17.01. Wallace asked Bartrand for
an example of Waters of the State — Bartrand stated effectively all water is considered a water of
the state until legally diverted, similar to how all fish are "publicly owned" until such time as they
are legally harvested. Place asked about wellhead protection zones and applicability — Calhoun
stated that it is location specific. Within SM P jurisdiction it will' be in YMC Title 17 and outside of
that will be in YMC Ch. 15,27. Place asked about the Greenway and nonconforming.Calhoun
stated that the Greenway isn't nonconforming with permitted activities going back to the early
90s/late 80s. Chair Liddicoat closed the public testimony portion of the hearing,
Motion by Commissioner Rose: Based on the testimony and evidence Presented during this
afternoon' s public hearing, I move that the Planning Commission adopt the findings of fact and
order that the draft ordinance be forwarded to the Yakimia City Council with a recommendation
for approval. Com m issioner H ughes-M ickel seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
&djourn — A motion to adjourn to June 9, 2021 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at approximately 3:35, p.m.
"ice -Chair Wallace Date
This meeting was filmed by ypAc. Minutes forthis meeting submitted by.- Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager