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,
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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.
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C air Liddicoat Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager
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