HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2022 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
via Zoom
May 11, 2022
Call to Order
Chair Liddicoat called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m,
YPC Members Present: Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Lisa Wallace, Mary Place, Al Rose, Leanne
Hughes -Mickel, Colleda Monick, Rob McCormick
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager, Sara Watkins, City Attorney,
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager, Calhoun announced the following:
• Introduction of Irene Linos — Temporary (Department Assistant
• Text Amendments were approved by Council on May 3, 2022 and will be effective on
June 5, 2022
• Preliminary Plat hearing scheduled for 5/25
• Statewide emergency order set to expire on June 1. After that we should be able to
meet in -person again in council chambers.
April 27, 2022 Meeting Minute — It was motioned by Commissioner Rose and seconded by
Commissioner Monick to approve the meeting minutes of April 27, 2022 as presented. The motion
carried unanimously.
Docketing of the 2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Applications — Calhoun provided a
timeline on the 2022 CPA process. One application was submitted which is a city -initiated project
for the SE cornier of 4 oth and Summitview. This application is similar to one that submitted in 2021
but was ultimately withdrawn due to an issue with property owners' signature and an appeal of
the SEPA determination. This project is only to amend the Comprehensive Plan which will allow
for future submission of a Rezone.
HAP Implementation — Phase 2 — Calhoun discussed options for mixed use development. HAP
strategy 7 is to create design, standards for multifamily and mixed -use development. We do have
current codes related to mixed -use master plan development, mixed -use building land use, and
parking standards. What our code does not have are set design standards specific to mixed -use.
The packet includes examples from Issaquah and Puyallup. The Issaquah code includes minimal
standards related to compatibility. The Puyallup code is extensive in that it includes more
standards related to approval criteria, opens space, themes, etc. It includes prohibited uses such
as motor vehicle sales, drive-throughs, etc.; design principles for street orientation, parking,
driveway entrances; and some reduced parking standards and also a maximum parking standard.
Commissioner Liddicoat asked about Puyallup's affordable housing incentive. Their code allows
for additional market rate units above the standard density if affordable units are included, parking
reduction, and increase in building height. Commissioner Wallace asked about the definition of
affordable. City Attorney Watkins stated that the threshold is residential housing where housing
costs do not exceed 30% of expenses. Low income households is below 80% ami (area median
income) for the county. Calhoun listed some recent mixed -use applications: Howard Johnson
hotel downtown, 16-unit live/work space at Front St and Chestnut, YHA project on Fruitvale and
V1, Mixed -Use PID at 9611 and Tieton. Mixed -use building is a Type 1 review in commercial zones,
vs., residential use being a Type 2 review. Commissioner Hughes -Mickel asked about design
standards. Calhoun stated that design standards would be created for the type of use — things
like open space, parking standards, etc. We could include a specific code section for mixed -use
development, similar to what we recently did for cottage housing, to streamline the review
process. Commissioner Monick discussed a need for looking at parking standards, identifying
prohibited uses, and parking standards. Commissioner Liddicoat stated that a lot of the standards
in the Cottage Housing section can translate over to the Mixed -Use development category.
Calhoun will continue to research other city codes and develop some track changes for review.
Monick asked if the MFTE allows for mixed -use. Calhoun stated that it does but the tax incentive
only applies to residential. The MFTE boundary is limited, and expansion and/or standards are
something that can be looked at, which is also one of the HAP strategies. Hughes -Mickel asked
about mixed -use development and if that creates a new zone. Calhoun stated that our Future
Land Use designations have commercial and community mixed -use. The implementing zones are
primarily commercial but other uses are allowed. The planned development chapter essentially
creates its own zone. It isn't noted on the zoning map as a new zone, but the end result is similar
due to the creation of a development agreement. Liddicoat asked about the mixed -use building
definition, Calhoun read the definition which is pretty open-ended. There may be some interaction
between the zoning definition and the building code definition of a mixed -use building.
Public Comment — No public comment, but Shannon Needham had sent in an email thanking
the Planning Commission for the definition change.
Other Business — Liddicoat asked about the process to develop plans for pre -approved ADUs.
Calhoun stated that we are still looking at how that will be developed,
Adjourn — A motion to adjourn to May 25, 2022 was passed with unanimous vote. The meeting
adjourned at approximately 3:35 p.m.
2-
-air Liddicoat Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Joseph Calhoun
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