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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. Jf J 2.-?/ Chair Heather Graham Date signed ,04cick,D Secretary Deanna Horton