Minutes - 02/12/2004Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Approved Minutes
Council Chambers -City 1_ all 1.1707 E. Sprague Ave.
February 12, 2004
1.
II.
CAL.1:, 'I'O ORDER
Bill Gothmann, Planning Commission Chair, called the meeting to order at
6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE, OF ALLEGIANCE
The Commission, audience, and staff recited the fledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Fred Beaulac - Present
Bob Blum - Present
David Crosby - Present
Gail Kogle - Present
Dill Gothmann - Present
lan Robertson - Present
John G. Carroll - Present
1V. APPROVAL. OF AGENDA
Commissioner Carroll moved that the February 12, 2004 ahenda be approved
as presented. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. i1fotion passed
unaninrou.sly.
V. APPROVAL: OF M- MUTES
It etas moved by Commissioner Robertson and seconded by Commissioner
Beaulac that the minutes of the.Ianuary 22, 2004 Planning Commission
meeting he approved as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
V11. COMMISSION REPORTS
Corn]"issiOner Robertson is a member of the Central Valley Weed and Seed
Project Steering Committee. The Greenacres area has been targeted for a
potential 5240,000 annual grant, extending over five years. Weed and Seed
Projects strive to weed out crime and seed positive community programs in order
to provide a safe haven for area children. Central Valley SCOPE will be the
official non-profit agency to handle the grant funds.
Commissioner Kogle attended the Light Rail Citizens Advisory Committee. She
received some handouts at that meeting that she wants to share with
Commissioners, and will get them to -Vls. Alley for duplication and distribution.
Commissioner Beaulac noted a recent newspaper comparison between the City of
Spokane Valley and the City of Lakewood on the Washington Coast. One ofthe
w
techii.iques the Cjty of Lakewood used to develop their Comp Plan was taking
picturea of w1iat they likEd and disliked about their city. He has a copy of the
y Lakewood Comp Plan on CD. Copies of the Lakewood Plan will be made
available to all interested Commissioners.
Commissioner othmann attended the Mayor's recent community meeting in the
Greenacres area- The (liscussion centered around the Applewayl prague cuplet,
he complimented the Mayor far aria rigiiig these types (A meetings- He also noted
that the City of Spokane'VaIlcy's sign leas finally been installed on the signboard
olhtside City Hall-
1{111. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Director Suku1) repotted that the pity CounciI approved the reu) ni ni end ed
change--s to the PIanjiing oliniriiWon l .uIes of Order.
Two minor changes to pages 11 and 12 were made to the proposed FIoodpIain
Ordinance. City Council advanced it to its second reading,
Director uk:up asked i.6r one or more Commissioners to work with our Planning,
staff., along with Planning staff and Comm issioners fi-orn the City of Spokane and
Spokane Counter. to develop some plants for the Moran:Prai6e area. This task is
estimated to take 3-4 %vecks of their time.
ommi lion involvement was soLLght in setting up Citizen Participation rincetings
thi-ougliotit the cor)-mi ur i ty kor astii stance with the Comp Plan process- Director
Sukup encouraged Commission members who belong to social groups, churches,
neighborhood associations or other contmuitity-based service 0 zgal-6ZatirmS to
help set up meetings for staff to give a presentation on the Comp flan process.
Gomm istiioriei-. obertsOn volunteered to work w1th Director Sukup nn this
project, Conimissianer Crosby voIuriteered to set up some meetings wI th groups
of Realtors. The Lake,vood Comp Plan idea, of gathering pi dares fi-orn 66 ens of
what they like and dislike about the City of Spokane Valley might be a good
resource for prepay-ng the presentaticns and, ultimately, the Comp :P lan.
The ommission was asked to suhmit survey topics relevant to the Comp Plan-
There will be a third Joint Meeting with the City Council and the Planning
Commission on February 23; 2004; at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Commissioners were encouraged to answer the survey sent to them by the Deputy
City ililanager in preparation 1-6r this rneehn,g. Mr. McConrliek has received
confirn7ution of attendance from all orruni:ssioners except Mr, Robertson quid
Mr. Carroll- There will be Visioning Task Force rn eetirigs on Febniary 18'11 and
19`x` to revie earlier Couplet discussions.
The Countywide Planning Policies are under review by the Planning Directors
within Spokane County. This review was requested by the Steering Committee of
Elected Officials. The review process is expected to take about six weeks.
A second Code Enforcement officer is scheduled to be hired within the next
month. Over 100 applications for the position were received.
A fiill-time Administrative Assistant will be hired for the Public Works
Department, which will free Ms. Alley to become the full-time Community
Development Administrative Assistant.
Ia. COi1'IMiSSiON BUSINESS
A. 0.1:11:) BUSINESS: Continuation of International Building Code
Public Hearing Conclusion
Commissioner Gothmann opened the continuation of Commission
deliberation regarding the proposal to adopt the International Building
Code.
Building Official. Tom Scholtens, explained to the Commission that one
minor revision regarding the base flood elevation "plus one foot" was
made to the Code since it was presented on January 22nd.
Commissioners were satisfied that their questions from the last meeting
were answered. Commissioner Beaulac asked if the adjoining Western
States had adopted the International Building Code, and Mr. Scholtens
assured them that many had already done so or were in the process of
doing so.
Commissioner Ifogle moved that the 111anniug Coninihodon recommend
adoption of the International Building Code as presented, effective July
1, 2004, to the Ci.t), Council. Commissioner Robertson seconded the
motion. Motion passed unanuuously.
The Plaluning Commission thanked Mr. Scholtens for his good work on
this matter.
B. NEW BUSINESS:
Public Hearing - Ordinance to Amend Spokane Valley Ordinance #40
and Spokane Valley Ordinance #41.
Building Official, Toni Scholtens, gave the Planning Commission a brief
overview of this proposal to delete current language and adopt the
language found in the 2003 International Building Code with regard to
sprinkler systems and fire safety. The present Ordinances #40 and #41
mandate fire sprinklers in all buildings containing over 8000 square feet of
floor area. They also mandate retrofitting sprinklers in any building that
has an addition put on which increases floor area above or beyond 5000
1 square feet. This is an overzealous approach to fire suppression, and there
are alternative drays to provide for fire safety in larger buildings.
Amending the present code will provide contractors a gentler
transformation to the new code taking effect on July 1, 2004. This
amendment will apply to new construction as well as alterations to
existing buildings.
The Hearing was opened to Public Testimony at 7:10 p.m. There was no
public testimony on this proposed amendment.
Commissioner Carroll wanted to make certain that the new Building Code
contains adequate (ire suppression regulations. Director Sukup and
Building Official; Seholtens, assured him that it does.
It »vas moved by Commissioner Crosby that the Planning Commission
recommend approval of the amendments to Ordinances #40 and #4.1, as
presented, to the City Council. Commission Blum seconded the â–ºnotlon.
Motion passed unanimously.
X. FOR TUE GOOD OF THE ORDER
The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on Thursday,
February 26, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Robertson will not be in
attendance.
Commissioner Crosby initiated a discussion regarding Planning
Commissioners' discretion when speaking to the public regarding their
personal thoughts and agendas. He and several other Commissioners fear
that the voice of one Commissioner is often construed as the voice of the
entire Commission, when in fact this is seldom the case. Cop}ring emails
to a large distribution list exacerbates this type of situation. Several
Commissioners disagreed with this perception and voiced their thoughts
on the subject. A lively debate followed. The Commission agreed that
neutrality in soliciting and sharing information from the public is key to its
mission.
XI. AD.JOUR.NTAIENT
There being no farther business, the meeting was adjourned at 735 p.m.
SUBMITTED:
` Debi Alley, Administrative As
APPROVED:
illiam H. Gotlun tul, Chairman
4