HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/08/2008 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 243
ADJOURNED MEETING - STUDY SESSION
JULY 8, 2008
8:00 - 9:30 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - YAKIMA CITY HALL
1. Roll CaII
Present:
Council: Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Council Members Kathy Coffey,
Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and Neil McClure
Staff: City Manager Zais, and City Clerk Moore
Absent: Mayor Dave Edler (excused)
2. Proposed amendments to the Urban Area Zoning Ordinance (UAZO)
(as reviewed by the Regional Planning Commission)
Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, described the
amendment process. He also noted that an extensive review and update of Title 16,
amending the ordinance and the Comprehensive plan, was previously done in.2003.
That review was the result of a decision from the Eastern Washington Growth
Management Board regarding a development agreement with Congdon. We have
updated the citizen participation process bringing it into compliance with state law and
the Growth Management Act. Amendments come in front of the City Council for
consideration only after receiving the Regional Planning Commission (RPC)
recommendations. Over the past eighteen months, the RPC has been reviewing these
proposals. They have held over forty publicly - televised planning sessions. The City
and the County share one zoning ordinance for the entire Yakima Urban Growth Area
requiring many hours spent by both the City and County planning staffs. If there are
differences, the RPC is the final arbitrator. The document being presented to Council
is the proposed recommendation of the RPC, subject only to public comment through
the ongoing environmental review process. The final review will be the end of July and
the process will then shift to the City Council for deliberation. Many of the proposed
changes fit into the category of bringing the UAZO into sync with the Comprehensive
Plan. There are also changes in state and federal laws that have been incorporated.
John Hodkinson, Chairman of the Regional Planning Commission, described the
process that the RPC used, who they worked with, and the remaining steps to be
done. He emphasized that there had been a great amount of opportunity for people to
discuss the changes. Because of that, it is their hope that when it goes to the public
hearings, we will be close to having a final document.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — UAZO
JULY 8, 2008
Assistant Planner Jeff Peters reviewed, in detail, areas that are being changed. There
was discussion on Table 4 -1, as well as the attempt being made to make the regional
zone more attractive for the siting of "big box" stores. One of the key goals of the
revisions is predictability; this will allow surrounding neighbors to have knowledge of
the plans for their area.
3. Audience comments (9:15 a.m. — 9:30 a.m.)
•
Jerry Forrest, 3011 Barge St, representing the Barge Chestnut Association, said
they are in agreement with the proposed changes, especially Chapter 15.31, the
institutional overlay.
Jamie Carmody, a local land use attorney, commented that there needs to be
flexibility and a master development plan adding mixed -uses. He was encouraged
that there is a process allowing for administrative review to make sure plans fit into
an area.
4. Adjournment
ENSEY MOVED AND McCLURE SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion
carried by unanimous voice vote; Edler absent. The meeting adjourned at
9:05 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY I � / 4./ /1- 6? - C4
COUNCIL M :' R DATE
J �Y a 9.. a Z e4 OUNCIL MEMBE DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, ASST ANT MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's
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