HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-2024 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2024
Call to Order
Chair Liddicoat called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Mary Place, Colleda Monick, Charles
Hitchcock, Leanne Hughes -Mickel, Frieda Stephens
YPC Members Absent: Lisa Wallace (excused)
Staff Present: Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager, Eric Crowell, Senior Planner,
Eva Rivera, Planning Technician
Staff Announcements — Planning Manager, Calhoun announced the following:
At the City Council meeting on 01/16/2024, the resolution to initiate the Comp Plan
Amendment process for 2024 was adopted. Come February, the Planning Commission
will start the process formally and begin accepting applications, which must be
submitted by April 30, 2024.
The public hearing for the text amendment changes regarding the bond in lieu process
for final long and final short plats will held next meeting on 02/14/2024.
January 10 2024 Meeting Minutes — It was motioned by Commissioner Place and seconded by
Commissioner Stephens to approve the meeting minutes of January 10, 2024, as presented. The
motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearin — Rezone RZ#00-23 SEPA#010-2'3 — Senior Planner Crowell presented a staff
report on RZ#002-23 and SEPA#010-23 — a rezone for two parcels totaling 6 acres, from B-1 to
B-2 and recommended approval. Bill Almon, the applicant, agreed with the staff recommendation
and hoped that the rezone would allow for more uses of the property. Chair Liddicoat opened the
public comment portion of the hearing. Seeing there were no public comments Chair Liddicoat
closed the public comment portion of the hearing. The commission discussed the project and
agreed that the rezone would open the property up to more use.
Based on the testimony and evidence presented during this afternoon's public hearing
Commissioner Monick motioned the Planning Commission draft findings of fact and forward a
recommendation of approval to the Yakima City Council. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Place. The motion carried unanimously.
Text Amendments — Mixed Use/Downtown Development and Class 1 Uses - Calhoun
continued with the proposed changes to the parking section to create the separation between
parking lots and adjacent sidewalks. Commissioner Hughes -Mickel asked for clarification on what
the clear view triangle is. Chair Liddicoat asked if there was a clear definition of what fencing is.
Calhoun answered there is a definition in site screening standard C but there isn't a specific design
standard. The commission discussed other examples of parking requirements.
Public Comment — None
Other (Business — During the meeting, Commissioner Hughes -Mickel inquired about the
possibility of further work being done by the Commission to address affordable housing. In
response, Calhoun stated that the Comprehensive Plan update, which is due to be completed by
2026, would make the city eligible to receive funds from the state starting July 1st of this year.
The RFP/RFQ process for hiring a consultant will soon be initiated to ensure the city is fully
prepared for that date. Commissioner Place also commented she was concerned about the lack
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of green space in some developments. Calhoun answered that can also be addressed with the
text update and look into what other jurisdictions have done to address it.
Adlourn — A motion to adjourn to February 14, 2024, was passed with a unanimous vote. The
meeting adjourned at approximately 3:31 p.m.
Chair Liddicoat Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by:�Nariez ,vJ2veM,
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