PC APPROVED Minutes 07-14-16 Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers—City Hall,
July 14,2016
Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the
pledge of allegiance. Secretary Deanna Horton took roll and the following members and staff were present:
Kevin Anderson Mike Basinger, Economic Development Coordinator
Heather Graham
James Johnson Deanna Horton Secretary of the Commission,
Tim Kelley
Mike Phillips
Suzanne Stathos
Joe Stay
Commissioner Stoy moved to accept the July 14, 2016 agenda as presented. The vote was seven in favor,
zero against and the motion passed.
Commissioner Anderson moved to approve the June 23, 2016 minutes as presented. The vote was seven in
favor, zero against and the motion passed.
COMMISSION REPORTS: The Commissioners had nothing to report.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Economic Development Coordinator Mike Basinger reviewed the
schedule for upcoming meetings,reminding the Commissioners the schedule is subject to change. July 28
Draft Land Use Map, August 11 Draft Goals and Policies, August 25 Conceptual Regulations for signage
and landscaping
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Lyle Hatcher, 320 N Mitchell, Liberty Lake speaking on behalf of Mary Lou O'Donnell, 102 N
Bolivar Rd.: Mr. Hatcher stated he was speaking on behalf of Ms. O'Donnell because she is elderly and
cannot get out. Mr. Hatcher stated Ms. O'Donnell's home has been a nightmare for her to live in, as it has
been for the surrounding neighbors who live near Aspen Sound. Although the Code Enforcement
department has assisted in toning down the noise, it is still a major problem for these residents when the
employees are testing out the installed sound equipment. He said at times the walls would(will)just rattle
the bass is drumming so hard. It makes it impossible at time to almost carry on a conversation. Mr. Hatcher
would like to help Ms. O'Donnell sell her property however it is not worth anything as a residential
property,nor are any of the properties close to Aspen Sound. He is asking that as the Planning Commission
reviews the Comprehensive Plan they consider changing the designation of the properties close to Sprague
along Bolivar to commercial so that the residents can sell and get some kind of return on their property.
Dave Rogers, 18 N Bolivar Rd.: Mr. Rogers stated he Iives in this home with his mother and next door to
a beauty salon. The beauty salon does not have enough parking and so they park up and down the street
and in front of his mother's home and become angry when he waters his lawn and their cars. The beauty
salon would like to buy his property but they do not want to pay anything for it. He also stated he will
never be able to sell it as a residence because of the noise from Aspen Sound and the constant beating noise
which even makes it difficult to listen to the television. Mr. Rogers said he would like to request that as
the Planning Commission reviews the Comprehensive Plan they consider changing the properties along
Bolivar from residential to commercial so the residents can sell their property. they will not be able to see
and move if it stays residential because of the noise from Aspen Sound and the beauty parlor.
COMMISSION BUSINESS:
Study Session: Comprehensive Plan—Residential Standards
Mr. Basinger explained staff wanted to discuss the proposed residential standards and what the
surrounding jurisdictions standards are. Mr. Basinger started with single family residential and said the
Comprehensive Plan states Low Density Residential allows for six units per acre and there is no proposal
to change this. He reviewed the standards for Spokane County, the City of Spokane and Liberty Lake.
Staff is proposing to consolidate the City's R-3 zone and R-4 zone, which would have a minimum lot
06-23-16 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 2
size of 5,000 square foot lots. There would be no width or depth restrictions and the rear yard setback
would be reduced to 10 feet. Currently Spokane County,who would be developing in the Urban Growth
Areas(UGA) in their Low Density Residential in 5,000 square foot lots, with a 5 foot rear yard setback.
Liberty Lake, which is developing on the City's eastern boundary, has a 5,000 square foot minimum lot
size, a 15 foot rear yard setback. The city of Spokane has a 4,350 square foot lot size and a 5 foot rear
yard setback. The Commissioners discussed how this change would affect the City's character. Concerns
were raised that the Valley is a place of large open lots which people move out into this area to find and
changing this standard would ruin the character of the City completely. Commissioner Graham asked
Commissioner Phillips if you could physically see a difference between 5,000 and 6,000 square foot lots,
he confirmed it would not be a visible difference. Commissioner Phillips also supports the change saying
this would be easier to design infill lots. Commissioner Anderson felt as if there should be two sets of
standards,one for open development,where no residential development had previously occurred on wide
open spaces,and one for infill development,small lots surrounded by developed lots. The Commissioners
had very open dialog regarding their thoughts and opinions about reducing the required lot sizes and the
impact on the City. Commissioners Stoy, Phillips and Kelley shared their points of view based on being
involved with the development community but still holding for the individual home owners.
Commissioners Graham, Anderson, Stathos and Johnson attempted to understand that development
outside the City limits was at the standards staff presented but were concerned how it would affect the
City's character. Mr. Basinger explained the City is trying to streamline the regulations and make
development simpler for everyone.
Multifamily development in the City has only occurred in the MF-2 zones,there has been no development
in the MF-1 zones because 12 units per acre has not be profitable for developers Mr. Basinger shared
with the Commissioners. He said staff held several stakeholder meetings and 22 units per acre is the
maximum units developers are able to achieve on a property in our market. This is primarily due to
parking requirements of 2.5 parking spaces per unit for new multifamily development. The only way to
achieve more density would be to add additional floors which is not possible with the needed parking
spaces of 2.5 per unit. The surrounding jurisdictions have two multifamily zones, with Spokane County
and Liberty Lake having no limit on the units per acre. The City of Spokane complicates the allowed
units by building height,parking spaces and setbacks. Some Commissioners felt there needed to be some
kind of a transition between the single family residential areas and the multifamily, when Mr. Basinger
explained there would be relational setback requirements. He stepped to the whiteboard to explain for
every 10 feet in height over 25 feet, there would be a requirement of a setback of an additional 10 feet
from the property line required in order to not have the buildings right next to single-family housing.
GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioner Stoy and Johnson commented on the excellent discussion which
occurred during this evening's topic.
ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The vote on the
motion was unanimous in favor, motion passed.
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Chair Heather Graham Date signed
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Secretary Deanna Horton