HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-2023 YPC Agenda Packet
DEPARTMENTOF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joan Davenport, AICP, Director
Planning Division
Joseph Calhoun, Manager
nd
129 North Second Street, 2Floor, Yakima, WA 98901
ask.planning@yakimawa.govwww.yakimawa.gov/services/planning/ypc/
CITY OF YAKIMA PLANNING COMMISSION
Yakima City Hall Council Chambers
nd
Street, Yakima, WA 98901
129 N 2
February 8, 2023
3:00 p.m. –5:00 p.m.
YPC MEMBERS:
Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Vice-Chair Lisa Wallace, Leanne Hughes-Mickel,
Robert McCormick, Mary Place, Colleda Monick, and Frieda Stephens
City Council Liaison: Soneya Lund
CITY PLANNING STAFF:
Joan Davenport (Community Development Director),Rosalinda Ibarra (Admin Assistant)
Joseph Calhoun (Planning Manager), Eric Crowell (Senior Planner), Eva Rivera (Planning
Technician), Irene Linos (Temp. Department- Assistant I)
AGENDA
I.Call to Order
II.Roll Call
III.Staff Announcements
IV.Approval of Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2023
V.HAP Implementation – Phase 2: Mixed Use, Permitting
VI.Public Comment
VII.Other Business
VIII.Adjourn
Next Meeting: February 22, 2023
The meeting will also be recorded and posted on the Y-PAC website.
Visit the Yakima Planning Commission webpage for more information, including agenda packets and minutes.
City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Council Chambers
January 11, 2023
Call to Order
Chair Liddicoatcalled the meeting to order at 3:01p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present:ChairJacob Liddicoat, Lisa Wallace,Mary Place,Colleda Monick,
Leanne Hughes-Mickel
YPC Members Absent:Frieda Stephens, Rob McCormick(both excused)
Staff Present:Joseph Calhoun; Planning Manager; Sara Watkins; City attorney;
Eva Rivera, Planning Technician
Staff Announcements–Planning Manager Calhoun announced the following:
Recruitment for Associate and Assistant planners will soon be open, a long-range planner
position is in the works.
City Council Update: Land Development Fees 15.26 will be presented next week andthere
is also an agenda item for the opening of the 2023 Comp Plan Amendment cycle.
December 14, 2022,Meeting Minutes–It was motioned by Commissioner Hughes-Mickeland
seconded by Commissioner Placeto approve the meeting minutes of December 14, 2022,as
presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair–Commissioner Rose motioned to retain Chair
Liddicoat and Vice-Chair Wallace for the year 2023. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Monick.The motion passed unanimously on a 5-0 vote.
2022 Planning Highlights-Calhoun provided some highlights on the public hearings held in 2022
by the Planning Commission. He also provided highlights for permitted dwelling units staying on
track to meet the 2040 goal.Commissioner Place asked if there were any repercussions for not
meeting the goal. Calhoun answeredwe were on track to meet the goal but if it was not reached;
revisions to Comp Plan would have to be made to identify ways to make development more
streamlined. Commissioner Place suggested having the statistics shown onscreen for viewers for
future meetings.
Airport Safety Overlay YMC Ch. 15.30(Cont.)-Calhoun went over the packet andinitialtrack
changesspecifically zone 5prohibited uses. He spoke about retaining the prohibition for certain
categories and having other uses, otherwise prohibited, bepermitted by goingthrough a more
extensive review and approvalby the airport manager.There was discussion about allowing all
prohibited uses to go through areviewand airport manager approval.
Public Comment–None
Other Business–Commissioner Monick asked about any priorities for 2023 for the commission.
Calhoun answered finishing the Airport Overlay updates, the HAP Implementation Phase 2, and
opening the Comp Plan Amendment process.
Adjourn–A motion to adjourn to January 25, 2023,was passed with aunanimous vote. The
meeting adjourned at approximately 3:36p.m.
Chair Liddicoat Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Eva Rivera, Planning Technician.
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City of Yakima Planning Commission
Housing Action Plan Implementation
February 8, 2023
1.HAP Implementation –Round 2
7–Create design standards for multifamily and mixed-use development
7.Create design standards for multifamily and mixed-use
development.
LEADTIMELINEINVESTMENTEFFORTOBJECTIVES
AffordabilityHousing SupplyHomeownership
CityPartner$$$$
Older Adult OptionsStabilityAnti-Displacement
Description. Well-crafted design standards help to expand housing choices while minimizing impacts to
adjacent uses and reinforcing the character of the area. They mitigate impacts of density, building
massing/scale, parking and vehicle access areas, and service elements. Design standards can be used to
promote compatible “infill” development in the downtown core, business districts, and neighborhoods, to
incrementally transform automobile-oriented neighborhoods or corridors into more dynamic pedestrian-
friendly communities, and to guide the design of new development sites consistent with the community’s
vision.
Universal design is a key element to integrate with design standards. Universal design creates an
environment accessible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability. Universal design
features include the layout and design of the home as well as specific features within homes. Typical
layouts that accommodate universal design include locating a bathroom and bedroom on the first floor
and others. Specific features include handrails or grab bars in the bathroom, doorways sized to fit
wheelchairs, a wheelchair-accessible kitchen, and a step-free entryway into the home.
Gaps Addressed. Yakima does not yet have design standards for commercial and multifamily
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development. The City does allow “mixed use buildings” as a class 1 permitted use in all commercial
districts. Design standards on a citywide or targeted basis can help the City set expectations for quality and
affordable design in new development and prioritize investments in existing neighborhoods lacking
infrastructure, recreation, and other features. Addressing design quality can also increase the acceptance
and compatibility of new housing types supporting housing type variety. Demand for universal design is
expected to grow as the community ages.
Considerations. Balanced design standards should promote good design without imposing prohibitively
costly standards on new developments. Design standards should focus on form to ensure housing scale
and site design is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. Form based standards that should be
prioritized include floor-area-ratio, façade articulation, building massing, height, and bulk, and
trees/shade. Integrating development and design standards as complementary standards can help
balance design with feasibility. Allowing scaling of standards based on the form of the building rather
than the number of units is also a key consideration to avoid discouraging small units on small lots.
Design standards should also include allowances for modified parking standards, smaller unit sizes and
different combinations of attached and detached units.
Considerations to develop an effective set of design standards include:
Using arobust community engagement process canhelp define the vision and
identify critical community design issues. This information can be valuable to define
what types of developments are acceptable and unacceptable.
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“Mixed-use building” means a building in a commercial district or planned development used partly for
residential use and partly for a community facility or commercial use.
Consider an approach that utilizes clear minimum standards but offers strategic
flexibility with clear guidance in how alternative designs are evaluated. Such an
approach offers a good mix of predictability and flexibility and can be tailored to fit
the community. Ultimately if offers a communitythe opportunityto say no if the
design doesn’t meet the intent whileofferingapplicants flexibility to propose
alternative designs.
Craft design standards to offer choices in how to conform with particular design
provisions, whether it’s the techniques to articulate a façade or how to add desired
design details to storefronts. Such provisions allow greater flexibility in design and the
ability to better control construction costs.
Provide plenty of photos and graphics to effectively illustrate the standards.
Consider providing multiple good examples so applicants understand there are
several ways to meet the standard. Likewise, providing bad examples can be very
effective tools at communicating “what not to do.” Such illustrations should clearly
communicate the standard or standards.
Similar to form-based approach, some factors to consider in developing design
standards:
Pay special attention to the review process and staffing resources and needs.
Make sure the required design features are economically feasible.
Consider the standard’s usability by staff, applicants, and the community
Test key elements of the design standards prior to adoption to ensure that
development is feasible from a physical and economic standpoint.
15.02.020Definitions.
“Master planned development” means any development within the Yakima urban growth area
approved under YMC Chapter15.28(i.e., planned residential development, planned commercial
development, planned industrial development, and planned mixed-use development).
“Mixed-use building/development” means a building or development in a commercial district or
planned development, meeting the standards contained in YMC 15.09.025,used partly for
residential use and partly for a community facility or commercial use.
“Mixed-use development” means use of the land or structure for two or more different uses.
15.09.025Mixed-Use Building/Development andDowntown Business District
Multifamily Development.
A.Purpose and Intent.
1.To provide a streamlined process for new development or redevelopment projects that
includea mixtureof high density residentialalong with complimentary retail, commercial, or
professional uses at a scale that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
1.2.These standards shall also apply to new multifamily developmentor multifamily
redevelopmentin the Downtown Business District.Multifamily uses within this area shall
comply with all of the following development and design standards excluding those which
are only relevant to the non-residential portion of a mixed-use building.
B.Level of Review -Uses.
1.Mixed-Use Building/Development is a Class 1 Permitted Use, requiring Type 1 Review, in
applicable zones and is determined to be the appropriate level of review for any
combination of Class 1 and Class 2 uses listed in those zones.
2.Any combination of uses which includes a Class 3 Permitted Use shall undergo Type 2
Review.
3.The Mixed-Use Building/Development land use shall not allow any use which is otherwise
not permitted in the zone.
2.4.A Mixed-Use Building that does not meet the layout requirement of YMC 15.09.025 (D)(1)
shall be reviewed based uponitsparticular uses as listed in Table 4-1.
C.Prohibited Uses. The following uses are prohibited in a Mixed-Use Building/Development project:
1.All Wholesale Trade –Storage uses
2.All Transportation uses
3.All Utilities uses
4.All Automotive sales, maintenance and repair, carwash/detailing, paint and body, parts and
accessories, and towing uses
5.Boats and Marine Accessories
6.Farm and Implements, Tools and Heavy Construction Equipment
7.Farm Supplies
8.Fuel Oil and Coal Distributers
9.Lumber Yards
10.Nursery
11.All Rental uses
12.Repairs: Reupholstery and Furniture
13.Repairs: Small Engine and Garden Equipment
14.Service Station
15.Truck Service Stations and Shops
D.Development Standards.
1.Mixed-Use Layout. A mixed-use building shouldnot have any residential dwelling units
located on the ground floor, whenever feasible. There shall be a minimum of 50%
residential dwelling units, and least 80%of the ground floorshall be dedicated for
community facility or commercial use.
2.Parking.
a.Location. Off-street parking shall be located within, behind, below, and/or to the side
of the building. Any side of the building that faces a streetshall not by fronted by off-
street parking.
b.Design. Off-street parking shall be screened from view of all abutting public rights-of-
way:
-Parking located outside of a structure shall be screened by a 6-foot-tall masonry,
decorative block wall, wood fence, or solid landscaping screen.
-Parking located within a structure, whether attached to or detached from the
primary structure, shall be architecturally compatible with the primary structure.
Any openings within a parking structurethat do not providepedestrian or
vehicular access shall be screened from view with decorative grilles or
landscaping.
3.Height Bonus. In the B-1, B-2, and SCC zoning districts, the maximum height of the
building may be increased to 50 feet if all of the following are met:
-The majority of the additional building height is used to increase the number of
dwelling units;
-The additional building height is necessary to accommodate on-site parking and
landscape requirements.
4.Additional Downtown Business DistrictStandards.Multifamily development, mixed-use
buildings, and mixed-use development located in zoning districts wherever the use is
permitted within the downtown business district as displayed in Table 6-1 shall comply with
the following:
a.Non-Mixed Use Multifamily Development LimitedDowntown.Multifamily
development that does not meet the definition of mixed-use located in the Downtown
Business Districtshall comply with the following standards:
-New buildings shall have a minimum front yard setback of 10feetfrom the
property lineorthe finished grade of the main floor shall be locatedat least 3feet
above the elevation of the highest adjoining sidewalk or finished ground surface
adjacent to the setback.
-Within the core business district as defined by YMC 9.10.030, new residential
buildingsand residential conversion of existing non-residential buildingsshall
meet the definitionof mixed-use.
-Multifamily development shall not be permitted on any corner lot along Yakima
Avenueunless it meets the definitionof mixed-use.
E.Design Standards and Guidelines.
The façade and layout of mixed-use and multifamily buildings in the downtown core shall be
designed to the following standards:
1.Entrances. Primary pedestrian entrances to the building shall face the street frontageor
face common open space which is oriented toward tothe street.
2.Windows.
a.There shall be windows on all sides of the building facing the public right-of-way.
b.All floors of a multifamily building, and all floors above the ground floor of a mixed-
use building shall contain at least 50%of transparency, including both doors and
windows.
c.The ground floorof a mixed-use building shall contain at least 75%of transparency,
including both doors and windows, and shall be visually distinct from the above floors
by not repeating the exact dimensions and placement of windows.
3.Blank Walls.
a.Defined. “Blank wall” means a wall or portion of a wall that has 400square feetof
vertical surface areawithout any building modulation, transparency, or other
architectural feature.
b.A minimum of 50%of the wall between 3feetand12feetabove grade shall be
treated with one or more of the following elements:
-Architectural variation including but not limited to color, material, and/or
modulation.
-Artwork, including murals and signs.
-Shrubs, trees, trellises, or other landscaping that will be actively maintained.
4.Equipment Screening.
a.Electrical and mechanical equipmentplaced on the ground surface or rooftop shall
be screened from view by materials that are consistent and compatible with the
design, color, and materials of the building.
b.The height of the parapet and other rooftop elements may be increased in order to
achieve this and shall comply with the height restrictions of YMC 15.05.030 and
15.10.020 (D)(1).
5.Parking.
a.On-site parking shall be installed in accordance with YMC Ch. 15.06, except as
follows:
i.Buildings in the downtown core that cannot physically provide on-site residential
parking may utilize permitted off-street public parking (YMC § 9.50.200), or off-
street private parking through a shared parking agreement.
8. Improve permitting and environmental review process.
LEADTIMELINEINVESTMENTEFFORTOBJECTIVES
AffordabilityHousing SupplyHomeownership
CityPartner$$$$
Older Adult OptionsStabilityAnti-Displacement
Description. Providing an efficient, predictable, and user-friendly permitting process can encourage new
housing construction by reducing potential confusion or perception of risk among developers as well as
lowering their administrative carrying costs. Many City practices facilitate permit processing and provide
clarity and speed for applicants, such as the free of charge pre-application meeting, and an on-line
permit building permit portal. The City did extensive work on the permit process in 2019 by simplifying
permit levels for housing unit types, creating an infill exemption under the State Environmental Policy
Act (SEPA), and raising maximum exemption thresholds under SEPA. The City provides monthly and
annual permit summaries to track progress. There are potentially other ways in which the City can
improve the clarity, speed, and consistency of the permit review process, consistent with legal
2
requirements.
Gaps Addressed. Improved permitting and review add clarity and certainty to the development process.
This can translate to higher interest in development in Yakima and improvements in affordability.
Considerations. Adaptive management through permit procedure audits or studies and refinements can
help ensure that permitting improvements are continuous and effective. This could identify additional
policy and process changes to improve permit review timelines and communication.
Increased electronic capabilities should be introduced. The City recently incorporated Bluebeam
electronic plan review software. Additional process or programmatic efficiencies should be looked at as
technology continues to advance.
16.05.020Contents of notice of application.
The notice of application shall comply with the notice requirements specified in YMC16.05.010and
shall include:
A. The date of the application, the date of the notice of completion for the application, the date the
notice of application is issued;
B. A brief description of the proposed project action, including the project location and city file
number;
C. The location where the application and any studies can be reviewed, including the city website
information;
D. The date when the public comment period ends, which shall be the fourteenthtwentiethday
following the date of notice of application(except projects requiring a public hearing –comments can
be submitted up to the hearing date and at the public hearing), and a statementof the right of any
person to comment on the application and become a party of record for the application;
E. The date, time, place and type of hearing, if applicable and scheduled at the date of notice of
the application;
F. Any other information determined appropriate by the director.
16.05.030Public comment on the notice of application.
All public comments on the notice of application must be received in the department of community
development not later than five p.m. on the fourteenthtwentiethdayafter the notice of application is
issued. If the fourteentwenty-day public comment period ends on a weekend or holiday, it shall be
automatically extended to the end of the next business day. Comments may be mailed, personally
delivered or sent by facsimile. Comments should be as specific as possible. Any public comment
received by the city of Yakima planning division requesting to become a party of record shall be
added to the record and shall be entitled to receive any future notices and/or decisions associated
with the application.