PC APPROVED Minutes 12-13-18 Regular Meeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers—City Hall
December 13,2018
L Chair Rasmussen 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:
James Johnson Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Danielle Kaschmitter Mike Basinger, Economic Development Manager
Timothy Kelley Ray Wright, Senior Traffic Engineer
Michael Phillips, absent-excused Chaz Bates, Economic Development Specialist
Michelle Rasmussen
Suzanne Stathos, absent—excused
Matt Walton Deanna Horton, Secretary to the Commission
Hearing no objections, Chair Rasmussen excused Commissioners Stathos and Phillips from the
meeting.
H. AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to accept the December 13,2018 agenda as presented. The
vote on the motion was five in favor, zero against, and the motion passed.
III. MINUTES: Commission Secretary Deanna Horton noted it had been brought to her attention there
was mistake in the September 27, 2018 minutes regarding the wording of a motion. She explained the
motion was written as `which would require multifamily developments of 10 units or less to provide
open space.' This should have said `which would approve the presented changes to 19.70.050 but
adding back the exemption for multifamily developments of 10 units or less to provide open space.'
Commissioner Kelley moved to amended the previously adopted minutes from September 27 to read
`which would approve the presented changes to 19.70.050 but adding back the exemption for
multifamily developments of 10 units or less to provide open space,' and striking the words 'by staff'
from the end of the sentence which approved the motion to recommend approval of CTA-2018-0003.
The vote on this motion was five in favor, zero against, and this motion passed.
IV. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Johnson reported he attended the City Council meetings
on December 4 and 12, 2018, the Spokane Home Builders Association government affairs meeting on
December 6,2018 and the Human Rights Task Force meeting on December 11, 2018. Commissioner
Johnson noted that the City Council decided to strike the section of code which refers to providing any
open space in a mixed-use zone. They will be holding a public hearing. Commissioner Kelley asked
if he thought the change to the minutes would make any difference, Commissioner Johnson said the
minutes would not change anything.
V. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: There was no administrative report.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.
VII. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
i. Public Hearing: CTA-2018-0004: A city-initiated amendment to Spokane Valley Municipal
Code (SVMC) creating a new chapter 21.60, Centennial Business Park Planned Action
Ordinance (PAO)
Economic Development Specialist Chaz Bates gave a presentation to the Commission explaining
the proposed amendment to SVMC Title 21, which would add a new chapter, 21.60 Centennial
Business Park Planned Action Ordinance (PAO). The area is located in the northeast industrial
area of the City, bordered primarily by Hodges Road, Euclid Avenue, Trent Avenue and Flora
Road. A planned action ordinance is a focused environmental analysis that allows for a more
efficient permitting process. Impacts to the area can viewed holistically and in greater depth.
Mitigation measures are right-sized for the area and proportionate to the industries that will locate
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there. Traffic is the biggest mitigation factor. Those impacts can be identified and mitigation
factors funded with this plan. It is voluntary to participate in the PAO. This process will reduce
the permitting time for applicants. The City has calculated traffic fees for participating in the PAO,
of$2,831.00 based on per trip basis. This number is based on peak PM hour trips and the evaluation
of what we believe those infrastructure improvements would cost the City to put in.
Mr. Bates said the City decided to undertake this project because the Comprehensive Plan was a
data driven product, which requires data driven strategic economic investments to support
opportunities and growth. This action provides an incentive for future development by leveraging
federal, state and regional resources. This PAO will reduce risk, create a predictable permitting
process and reduce the permit time line for new businesses. It makes the costs and expected
requirements known earlier in the permitting timeline. It identifies the capital improvements that
are right-sized for the area. This also happens to be one of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber's
BIG 5 initiatives, building a greater vision of an enterprising identity
The PAO process started in 2016 with a grant to begin the studies necessary to supplement the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) done for the 2016 Comprehensive Plan update. The
Technical Advisory Committee had members from Spokane County, Spokane Regional
Transportation Council (SRTC),Avista,Department of Commerce,City of Liberty Lake, Spokane
Regional Clean Air Agency, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Union
Pacific railroad, Utilities Trade Commission (UTC), and Fehr & Peers. Fehr & Peers are the
transportation consultants hired by the City to help conduct the studies necessary to supplement the
Comprehensive Plan EIS.
The existing conditions reports showed the area had limited connectivity,the land was vacant,there
were no critical areas, it was zoned industrial, there was limited infrastructure, good access to rail
and truck routes and Barker Road is key for growth in the area. The EIS that was completed when
the Comprehensive Plan was updated looked at the economic welfare of the City and addressed
land use, transportation, housing and the natural environment. The supplemental for this area
looked at air quality, surface water and water runoff, historic and cultural preservation, utility
provision and supply, and transportation. It also looked at the mitigation factors that need to be
addressed for each of these areas. It was determined that during the permitting process, a notice
would need to be sent to Spokane Clean Air and Spokane County so that air quality and sewer can
be taken into account when a new business moves into the area. Surface water will be addressed
by the Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual regulations. An inadvertent disturbance plan
includes procedures for the discovery of cultural materials at the time a new building is constructed.
Transportation improvements will be necessary to support the increase in industrial development
in this area. Improvements to the road system will be needed at Flora and Trent,Barker and I-90,
along Barker,extending Garland Avenue to Barker,and the Grade Separation Project at Barker and
Trent to move the traffic above the rail lines. By looking at these things ahead of time and planning
for them,the items can be improved to support the growth that we know will come.
A traffic fee has been generated based on the infrastructure improvements needed to support the
growth of the PAO area. For our jurisdiction, it will be$2,831.00 per PM Peak hour trip. Incoming
businesses will not have to pay for traffic analysis or frontage improvements, because these will
already be done. Spokane County created new forms for applicants applying for building permits
to use to inform Spokane County regarding sewer installations.
Commissioner Kelley confirmed Consolidated water district were not concerned with the ability to
provide water to incoming businesses. Mr. Bates noted the in the future Consolidated plans to
replace the Campbell Road line, a line from Euclid to Wellesley, from Barker to Tshirley build a
loop and replace the north side of Trent from Tshirley to Flora. Consolidated funds improvements
through development. It was also confirmed a sewer line runs under Euclid out to where the Katerra
plant was built.
Commissioner Kelley asked about road improvements being proposed. Mr. Bates discussed the
improvements to the intersection at Flora and Trent, Barker improvements from Mission to Trent,
and the Barker Grade Separation Project. Commissioner Walton confirmed that the land is
currently zoned industrial and Barker is currently expected to handle truck traffic without this PAO.
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Commissioner Johnson asked if the PAO could be expanded. Mr. Bates stated it was possible to
expand it; however, the EIS would need to be further supplemented in order for it be expanded.
The environmental elements would need to be looked at for each area that one wanted to incorporate
into the PAO.
Commissioner Rasmussen noted in one place in the report it states no increase in rail traffic.
However, in another place it states growth could be 50 to 100%. How will this be handled for
emergency traffic trying to cross Trent? After considering where emergency facilities were located,
Mr. Bates said he would look at the discrepancy in the report however, with the future grade
separation projects it would reduce the worry. Any attempts to control traffic with paint on
pavement concerns Commissioner Rasmussen as she sees them as ineffectual in her business of
parking enforcement at Eastern Washington University. Mr. Bates stated the suggestion in the
report is just one way to mitigate the traffic, but it would require an enforcement effort if this
method of mitigation were used.
Commissioner Kaschmitter and Johnson asked about the spur and train traffic. Mr. Bates
responding saying Katerra could increase the train traffic,but that has yet to be seen. A future spur
would not be installed by the City but would have to be added by whichever company had the need
for it. There would not be a grade separation project for the spur because most of the traffic would
be routed to the larger grade separation project for Barker as a whole.
Commissioner Rasmussen opened the public testimony at 653 p.m.
John Patrouch, 18009 E Riverway Avenue: Mr. Patrouch stated he read the PAO and feels Mr.
Bates and Mr. Basinger had done a great job. His issue is light pollution. He said when Old
Dominion moved in on the north side of the river,their lights are so bright that he can read at night
on his deck on the south side of the river. Wassa is in the old Bayliner building and all of their
lights are pointing straight out. He offered that with an industrial area, light trespass to residential
areas is still important and something that needs to be considered when permitting projects. The
light trespass can travel and it does impact people's property ways a way. He also commented he
did not feel there was enough protection for ground water. He was impressed with permit fast
tracking, but would like to see the light trespass and ground water protections added.
Mr. Basinger commented the City does have lighting standards,which address light trespass.
Seeing no one else who wished to testes Commissioner Rasmussen closed the public hearing at
6:59 p.m.
Commissioner Walton stated he had spent time going through the documents, and the responses to
his questions from the study session and he has found this to be a well-crafted proposal. He has
concerns about the transportation growth strategy as it relates to Barker Road. He stated he felt the
City should be more proactive elevating some of the transportation issues in relation to Barker
traffic increases. He also understands that there are funding issues that go along with attempting
to be proactive. Again, he stated he felt happy with the way the document was laid out and he
would be supporting the proposal as presented.
Commissioner Johnson said he agreed with Commissioner Walton and stated this was how
proposals were supposed to work. He commended staff on a fantastic job, stating he would be
supporting it.
Commissioner Kaschmitter stated the she felt the document was well written. Her only concern
was regarding the transportation. She would like to see bus service improved in the area. She also
said she would like to see the lighting standards enforced for the residential areas surrounding the
proposal. She said she would be supporting the proposal.
Commissioner Rasmussen said she felt the document was a great collaborative effort. She was glad
to see so many stakeholders had been involved in the development of the project. She stated it was
commendable and she would be supporting it.
Commissioner Walton commented growth would happen in this area regardless of any actions the
Commission takes,water,transportation,sewer will all be issues whether this proposal is passed or
not. In his mind, getting this PAO in place is going to allow the City to remain extremely
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competitive and bring in the industry in a way that is going to allow the City to address some of the
concerns every Commissioner has voiced at some point regarding the Barker corridor. This is an
excellent step in taking the grant money to study the area, to get the ball rolling to put these other
processes in place to streamline the permitting process.
Commissioner Johnson moved to recommend approval of CTA-2018-0004, the Planned Action
Ordinance Chapter 21.60 Centennial Business Park to the City Council.
Commissioner Kelley stated he felt the location was excellent being on the northeastern edge of
the City. He said there were several ways to handle the traffic, none of which was too difficult to
overcome. He commented that he had asked about what kind of jobs would be coining to the area,
wondering what kind of other jobs it brings in peripherally. He said we want industry to bring
money back to our community, as well as share it around the country. He is supportive of this
proposal.
Commissioner Johnson said the largest traffic obstacle had already been funded; the rest of it is in
the planning stages. He feels the City is ahead of the game in preparing for this.
The vote on the motion to move CTA-2018-0004 forward was five in favor, zero against, and the
motion passed.
Mr. Basinger shared the City has an interactive map on its website which lays out which
transportation projects the City is working on, in which order, The City purposely focused on
Barker because of the economic impacts. Pines,also needs a grade separation project,but we knew
that this area would bring in high paying manufacturing jobs so we wanted to focus on that first.
The next focus will be Pines Grade Separation project.
VTH. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioners thanked each other for hard work in 2018 wished each
other well in the New Year.
IX. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 p.m. The vote on
the motion was unanimous in favor and the motion passed.
Jut; ga.04.0.....„...D /-10-19
Michelle Rasmussen, Chair Date signed
0-0Deanna Horton, Secretary