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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2021 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes Virtual Meeting via Zoom June 23, 2021 Call to Order Chair Liddicoat 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 YPC Members Absent: Phil Ostriem, Rob McCormick Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager Council Liaison: Kay Funk, District 4 Others: Jake Mayson, CWHBA Staff Announcements — Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun announced the following: • Final documents will be sent to DOE and a Determination of Consistency was received. Scheduling the SMP Ordinance for Council in August. June 9 2021 Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner Hughes -Mickel to approve the meeting minutes of June 9, 2021 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Housing Action Plan Implementation — Calhoun presented on HAP Strategy 1 to update city regulations to remove barriers to innovative housing types. This discussion will revolve around cottage housing, which is in line with the purpose strategy 1 to look at different density and zoning options. Background: existing code sections were presented including the Land Use Table 4-1; Design Requirement Table 5-1; Subdivision Requirements Table 5-2; housing definitions pulled from YMC 15.02.020; Zero Lot Line Development, YMC 15.09.040; and Accessory Dwelling Units, YMC 15.09.045. Cottage Housing: this is a grouping of small, single family dwelling units around a common area; typically at higher density than a typical single family neighborhood. Commissioner Place asked about the Veteran's Housing on 16'h — which was classified as Multifamily Development. Commissioner Rose asked about the tiny -home project at 16'h and Lincoln — no project has been submitted at this time. Calhoun stated that the concept would likely be similar to Cottage Housing, but we have only been looking at the potential project for how it relates to Multifamily Development. Cottage Housing may have different standards than Multifamily Development which could encourage that type of project. Councilmember Funk spoke about manufactured homes being used as infill development in her neighborhood and that those could be potential construction types for Cottage Housing; further, the council has identified several city -owned properties for sale which will be sold for housing. Calhoun stated that we are engaging with an appraiser for the city -owned lots and when the appraisals are completed they will be placed on the market. Chair Liddicoat asked about the purpose of today's meeting — Calhoun stated that this was for information today and staff will bring back track changes code to a future meeting. Kirkland Example: The HUD website includes a case study of the Kirkland, WA Cottage Housing Ordinance. This Ord includes three different types of Cottage Housing which has different standards depending on the selected type. Some considerations include maximum unit size, -1- increased density limits, min/max development size (number of units), parking requirements, setbacks, lot coverage, open space, and community buildings. We can be creative with our Ordinance and include development standards that work for Yakima. Standards can be increased or modified "by -right" for development that meets the definition/standards for Cottage Housing. Chair Liddicoat discussed Common Open Space, he would like to see that built into our code so that open space is maintained appropriately. There could also be an incentive to build a community building that would be tied to a reduced open space or parking requirement. Next Steps: Staff will begin to draft Cottage Housing Language to add to the Zoning Ordinance and bring back to a future meeting. Liddicoat asked about odd -shaped lots in the R-2 and R-3 zones — setback requirements are challenging to meet when a diagonal lot line is present. Calhoun stated that setbacks are challenging in the R-3 which has a 10-foot setback or'/ building height. We could look at removing or revising the '/z building height requirement, or tying a reduced setback to an open space incentive. Commissioner Rose asked where that standard came from — Calhoun stated he would look through past ordinances to see how long it has been in the code. Jake Mayson stated that setbacks tied to building height are commonly used to decrease the perception of high density and preserve views. Liddicoat asked about parking calculations for on - site amenities — Calhoun stated that parking isn't calculated when the amenity is utilized by the on -site residents. For example, a laundry facility that is just for the residents has no additional requirement, but parking would be needed if the facility was open to the public at -large. Liddicoat asked about parking being tied to resident income or other types of occupancy — Calhoun stated that those considerations could be added into the Ordinance. Hughes -Mickel asked about looking through our existing code and how Cottage Housing can fit in — Calhoun stated that staff will be proposing a track changes document that integrates Cottage Housing into our different code sections. Jake Mayson stated that there aren't many local examples of Cottage Housing. There is a strong preference of "by -right" process to make processes clear and predictable. Rose also discussed the importance of infrastructure and affordable housing. Funk mentioned that there may be funds in the American Rescue Plan that could be used for infrastructure, otherwise there isn't any city funding for infrastructure extension. Place asked if there is HUD money available for utility extension — Calhoun stated he would ask our ONDS manager. Comi2rehensive Plan Amendment Updates — Calhoun provided a brief update on the CPA/RZ applications. Public comment will be sent on Friday, June 25, 2021. YPC will hold study sessions at the July meetings and we will schedule public hearing in August. Other Business — Place asked about working with the County — Calhoun stated that we would be working with County Staff on setting up a joint meeting. Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to July 14, 2021 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting adjourned at approximately 4:03 p.m. ZZ, C air Liddicoat Date This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager -2-