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Home My WebLink About06-09-2021 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes Virtual Meeting via Zoom June 9, 2021 Call to Order Vice -Chair Wallace called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Roll Call YPC Members Present: Vice -chair Lisa Wallace, Al Rose, Mary Place, Leanne Hughes - Mickel, Rob McCormick YPC Members Absent: Jacob Liddicoat; Phil Ostriem Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager Council Liaison- Kay Funk, District 4 Others: Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced the following: • Comp Plan/Rezone process — Notice of Complete Application has been issued for 6 of the 7 applications. Additional information on the last was received earlier in the day. A Type 2 Review was Submitted for one of the applications, making it project specific, • SMP Comment period closed with no new comments, Final documents will be sent to DOE for a Determination of Consistency. Mav 26. 2021 Meetina Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Place and seconded Commissioner Rose to approve the meeting minutes of May 26, 2021 as presented. The moti carried unanimously. I Housin Action Plan Next Steps — Calhoun identified the strategies from the Housing Action Plan (HAP) which the Planning Commission will have direct process consideration over. These are strategies that would involve changes to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan and SEPA rules. These strategies include: 1) Update city regulations to remove barriers to innovative housing types; 2) Create design standards for multifamily and mixed -use development; 3) Improve permitting and environmental review process; 4) Revise parking standards in key areas; 5,) Consider fee waivers or deferrals for affordable housing; 6) Address mobile home parks that are dilapidated; 7) Encourage micro -retail and flexible cultural space design; 8) Incentivize senior housing; 9) Minimize barriers to development of housing serving multiple populations; 10) Incentivize backyard cottages and cottage housing. Calhoun discussed timing of amendments. If commissioner's area aware of any development types they have seen in other areas of the state to let staff know so we can review those code sections, Place asked about the impact of parking, specifically on -street and how parking interacts with housing. Wallace asked about the investment section, and how the incentivize strategies anticipated higher investment where code change strategies had lower — if that has to do with lost revenue — Calhoun stated that investment anticipation was primarily based upon how much it will cost to go through the process, but in the case of strategies with incentives those Could potentially reduce fees that come in but the net effect could be a new project we wouldn't have otherwise. Place asked if we are working with the county on housing need — Calhoun stated that we work with the County on these issues when plans are updated. For example, the County will be reviewing Urban Growth Areas in 2022. Part of that review will be looking at growth, targets and what has been done since the 2040 plans (City and County) were adopted. Depending on those growth number, UGAs and/or population projects may change. Place asked about reporting for housing numbers — Calhoun stated that the current method tracks when a permit is issued. We are working on updating those reports to show both permits issued and when those permits are finaled to be able to show the timing between issuance and when a dwelling is ready to be occupied. We will also be tracking size of units in three categories: studio and 1 bedroom, 2 and 3 bedroom, and 4+ bedroom. Hughes -Mickel asked about a joint City/County planning commission meeting — staff will reach out to the County to see when that might be a possibility. Strategy 1 — Update city regulations: Rose asked about Tiny Homes — can they be on individual lots? Can they be on wheel s/carriages? Calhoun stated that part of the review can look at individual lots. Specific placement is determined by the building code, we can ask the Codes Administration Manager to provide input On those specific sections. Rose asked about detached housing — Calhoun stated that the easiest way to think about it is a stand-alone dwelling, whereas a duplex, common -wall, or townhouses are attached. Strategy 7 — Create design standards for multifamily and mixed -Use development: Rose asked about the language in the strategy about looking at infill. Calhoun stated that the intent would be ensuring that infilli development is compatible; so we could look at design standards to promote compatibility with an existing neighborhood. Wallace asked if design standards were common- place — Calhoun stated that it depends on the jurisdiction and standard; some cities have specific standards like Leavenworth where other areas have use -related standards which may be applicable in multiple areas. Strategy 8 — Improve permitting and environmental review process: No discussion at this time Strategy 14 — Revise parking standards in key areas: Rose asked about parking in residential areas — Calhoun stated the standards for single family (2), duplex (4), and that multifamily is based on number of units. Staff is already discussing different parking options such as a calculation based on the number of bedrooms, housing use, or location of transit. Rose discussed the importance of parking, issues with on -street parking, multiple vehicles, and limited drivability on residential streets. Strategy 16 — Consider fee waivers or deferrals for affordable housing: Place asked if fee waivers would be detrimental to the Planning budget — Calhoun stated that it would depend on how many applications came in and the waiver amount, Theis would only include City of Yakima fees, no other entities. Rose brought up how sewer connection charges Could be looked at for affordable housing. Strategy 22 — Address mobile home parks that are dilapidated: Rose asked if mobile home parks have periodic inspections — Calhoun stated that he would look into that, L&I issues the permit for the actual structure and the City issues the permit for placement. McCormick stated that most mobile home parks have on -site managers who are essential to the task of maintaining standards. Strategy 23 — Encourage micro -retail and flexible Cultural space design: Rose asked, about neighborhood markets — Calhoun stated that such uses are permitted in areas like the downtown, and we do have a zoning district for Historic Business but there are very few parcels zoned for that. It Could be challenging to add commercial to built -out residential areas. Strategy 26 — Incentivize senior housing: Calhoun stated that this strategy could also look at the MITE area and possibly include use -based analysis. - � - Strategy 28 — Minimize barriers to development of housing serving multiple populations: Ro discussion at this time Strategy 32 — Incentive backyard cottages and cottage housing: Rose asked if this was similar ADUs — Calhoun stated that it is similar but could also include increased density and stand-alo development, This type of use could allow for abbreviated review such as Type 2 as opposed review under the Planned Development chapter in the zoning ordinance. Place asked • I coverage — Calhoun listed the lot coverage requirements, which are in City Ordinance. Walla asked about the difference between ADU and Cottage Housing — Calhoun stated that an ADU only allowed on a lot with a single-family home. Cottage Housing could include clustered housi on a lot without having to subdivide. I Other Business ® Calhoun stated that our consultant on the Housing Action Plan, BERK, is going to be submitting an application to the WA State APA chapter for a Planning Excellence award, specifically highlighting the outreach efforts of the HAP. A draft support letter was provided to the commission before the meeting and was approved unanimously, 8ALqurn — A motion to adjourn to June 23, 2021 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting adjourned at approximately 4:�37 pim. &&r Liddicoat Date This meeting was filmed by YPAG. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager -3 -