Loading...
2020-06-25 PC APPROVED SIGNED minutesRegular Meeting Minutes Spokane Valley Planning Commission Council Chambers — City Hall June 25, 2020 I. Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:19 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via ZOOM meeting. Meeting was late due to technical difficulties. II. Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance. III. Secretary to the Commission Deanna Horton took roll and the following members and staff were present: Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney Fred Beaulac Jenny Nickerson, Building Official Walt Haneke Lori Barlow, Senior Planner James Johnson Chaz Bates, Senior Planner Danielle Kasclunitter Mike Basinger, Economic Development Timothy Kelley Manager Robert McKinley Marty Palaniuk, Planner Sherri Robinson Marianne Lemons, Office Assistant Deanna Horton, Secretary to Planning Commission IV. AGENDA: Commissioner Kaschmitter moved to approve the agenda for June 25, 2020 agenda as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against and the motion passed. Commissioner McKinley joined the meeting at 6.23 pm. V. MINUTES: Commissioner Kaschmitter moved to approve the minutes for June 11, 2020 minutes as presented. Commissioner Robinson moved to amend the minutes to include an addition regarding a discussion that was held during CPA-2020-0007 regarding open space and the Appleway Trail will be considered a linear park per Economic Development Manager Mike Basinger. The vote on the amendment was seven in favor, zero against and the amendment passed. The vote on the amended motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. VI. COMMISSION REPORTS: Chairman Johnson commented that he has continued with the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force. The task force has issued several public statements recently and they will be holding a virtual awards ceremony later this year. VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Building Official Jenny Nickerson stated that now that the meetings are being held via the Zoom platform, the meeting recordings on the website will now include visual and audio capabilities. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of9 a. Public Hearing: 2020 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments. The Public Hearing was opened at 6:27 pm. Economic Development Manager Mike Basinger explained that local jurisdictions are allowed to make amendments to the Comprehensive Plan once each year. There are five proposed amendments that will be considered during 2020; four map amendments and one text amendment. This evening is the public hearing. He explained that the Findings of Fact will be heard by the Planning Commission on July 23, 2020 and then the amendments will advance to the City Council for their three reviews. The process for Comprehensive Plan amendments includes staff facilitating the amendments, conducting the review and analysis of each proposal, preparing the staff reports, and public notices. The Planning Commission conducts the public hearing and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council reviews the Planning Commission's findings and deliberations, considers public comments and makes the decision to approve/modify or deny the request. Notice of public hearing was published twice prior to the fifteen day requirement, the sites are posted with a "Notice of Hearing" sign for site specific map amendments, and individual notice was mailed to all residents within a 400 foot radius of the subject properties. Email notification regarding the public hearing was also sent out to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Planning Commission, and City Council distribution lists. A notice was posted to the City website in two separate locations including the home page and the news section of the website, a notice was published on the City's social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages, and a press release was sent out on June 18.2020. It was explained that public testimony will be held at the end of each proposed amendment. CPA-2020-0001: Request to change the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) and to change the Zoning District from Single Family Residential Urban (R-3) to Corridor Mixed Use (CMU). Senior Planner Chaz Bates said that this amendment is privately initiated for the property located at 1311 N McDonald Road, between Mission and Broadway. It is owned by Land Use Solutions and Entitlement. The request is to change the land use designation/rezone the property from single-family residential (R-3) to CMU. The property to the east is zoned multi -family, the property to the south is CMU, and the west and south are zoned SFR. Mr. Bates explained that McDonald Road is an improved minor arterial road with sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides, it has a center turn lane and'single traffic lane in both directions. The CMU designation is used on north/south arterials such as McDonald Road and the proposal is consistent with the CMU description in the Comprehensive Plan. Findings show there are no critical areas on the site, the site would support the redevelopment of the parcel, is supported by the transportation network, and is compatible with the surrounding uses. Mr. Bates stated that the City did not receive any comments from outside agencies and only received one public comment regarding the proposal. The submitter was not opposed to the project as discussed in the application but was unhappy with the openness of the CMU zoning. The meeting was opened up for public testimony. Chairman Johnson read the guidelines for public testimony. 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 9 Dwight Hume, Spokane: Mr. Hume is the agent for the landowner and stated that he has reviewed the staff report and finds that it is consistent with what he submitted. He explained that this change will enable the owner to expand his building because there is pressure to have more services at that site. The owner would like to be able to utilize property that he already owns and provide additional services at an already established location. They plan to use this portion of the site for parking when they expand the building that is already on the adjacent lot. No additional public testimony was offered on this matter. CPA-2020-0002: Request to change the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation from Industrial (I) to Regional Commercial (RC) and to change the Zoning District from Industrial (I) to Regional Commercial (RC). Mr. Bates stated that this amendment is a privately initiated request for the property located at 5901 E Sprague Avenue and is owned by Lawrence B. Stone Properties. The request is to convert the land use designation/zoning on 2.98 acres of land from Industrial to RC. The properties to the north are zoned Industrial and the property to the south and the west RC. Findings show that there are no critical areas, the site is completely paved, and the change would support redevelopment of an underused property, is supported by the transportation network and is compatible with the surrounding uses. The City did not receive any comments from outside agencies or public comment on the proposal. The meeting was opened for public testimony. Ed Lukas, Spokane: Mr. Lucas is the real estate transaction director for the property owner, Larry Stone. He stated that he concurs with the staff report and feels that this would be an appropriate change to the Comprehensive Plan. No additional public testimony was offered on this matter. CPA-2020-0003: Request to change the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation from Multifamily Residential (MFR) to Corridor Mired Use (CMO and to change the Zoning District from Multifamily Residential (MFR) to Corridor Mixed Use (CML9. Mr. Bates stated that this amendment is a privately initiated request for three parcels located north of Mission and west of Pines and is owned by Revere-Dece III Inv, LLC & Brill Properties, LLC. The request is to convert the land use designation/zoning of 6.24 acres from MFR to CMU. The properties to the west is CMU, the north is Industrial, the east is CMU and the south is SFR. The properties currently have an existing 240 unit multifamily development and if approved would allow increased flexibility and density of the property and may increase redevelopment potential of the vacant lot to the southwest. The property is directly accessed by Union Road and Mission Avenue. Mission Avenue is designated a minor arterial road. Findings show that there are no critical areas, the site supports redevelopment of an underused property, is supported by the transportation network and is compatible with the surrounding uses. Based on a comment received from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the City's Senior Traffic Engineer completed a trip generation and distribution letter which shows a net increase of traffic volumes of one car during the PM peak hour. All other times of the day remain the same. No other agency comments or public comment were received. 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of9 Chairman Johnson asked for additional information on the trip generation letter. Senior Traffic Engineer Jenremy Clark responded that he did an analysis that included the capacity of the lot for maximum build -out of multi -family versus the maximum build out of the existing multifamily plus additional CMU possibilities to come up with the net increase in traffic volumes of one car. Commissioner Haneke expressed concern about the possibility of unlimited density in the CMU zoning and feels that that there could be substantially more than 22 units per acres if this amendment is approved. Mr. Bates responded that the CMU zone has additional flexibility and uses that can be developed. The designation would allow commercial or retail use in that location as well as housing units. He also explained that this proposal is not for a development specific project, it is just for a land use change. Any impact related to development specific project will be reviewed when they are submitted. Commissioner Beaulac asked about possible future road improvements in the area. Senior Engineer Clark answered that there is a project underway right now to improve the current footprint of Pines Road and Mission Avenue. Once additional funding is available, the improvements will include a southbound turn lane from Pines onto Mission. Commissioner Kaschmitter asked if there is an additional exit on this property. Mr. Bates answered that there is another exist onto Nora Avenue going towards Wilbur Road. Commissioner Kelly commented that he went to this location and found the exit onto Nora Avenue chained and locked. The meeting was opened for public testimony. Secretary Horton read into the record a comment from Greg Figg with WSDOT. The comment was in regards to both CPA-2020-0003 and CPA-2020-0006. The comment stated that the change to land use would not result in a significant increase in traffic from what the current zoning allows. No additional public testimony was offered on this matter. CPA-2020-0006: Request to change the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation front Industrial (I) to Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) and to change the Zoning District from Industrial (I) to Corridor Mixed Use (CMU). Mr. Bates stated that this amendment is a City -initiated request to change the 8.81 acres property located at 3830 N Sullivan Rd from Industrial to CMU. The property is owned by East Valley School District (EVSD) and currently houses the District's Walker Center. This location includes the EVSD administrative services and maintenance building, but it also includes classrooms. The properties to the west, north, and east are all industrial uses, and to the south are retail service and industrial uses zoned CMU. Findings show that there are no critical areas, the changes supports expanded educational uses, is supported by the transportation network, and is compatible with the surrounding areas. The proposed amendment allows flexibility so that that EVSD can provide educational services in this location. Education services are prohibited in the industrial zone and EVSD would like to move their Parent/Partner program to this location. Comments were received from WSDOT requesting additional traffic information. A trip generation and distribution letter was completed showing details on both the designation of educational use and CMU. The CMU designation shows that the change would result in one additional net trip. Changing the use 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 9 to educational would create a decrease in trips. The letter summed up that sufficient roadway capacity exists. The City did not receive any additional agency or public comments. The meeting was opened up for public testimony. Secretary Horton read into the record a comment from Greg Figg with WSDOT. The comment was in regards to both CPA-2020-0003 and CPA-2020-0006. The comment stated that the change to land use would not result in a significant increase in traffic from what the current zoning allows. CPA-2020-0007. Amend Chapter 2 Goals and Policies to provide policy guidance for increased housing density with access to support services like transit and commercial services, and provide implementing regulations. Mr. Basinger said that this is a City initiated text amendment that will apply City-wide. It will address alternative housing types such as duplexes, cottages, and townhomes. It is policy language that will help protect residential neighborhoods by incentivizing alternative housing in areas that are supported by existing infrastructure. Staff is proposing an area -wide rezone in hopes to address concerns from the residents regarding the influx of duplex developments and provide appropriate locations for alternative housing. The objective of this amendment is to address those concerns by creating areas that can support denser housing because of its location to transit and services. The vision is that there will be a larger variety of housing types available for residents and will help with housing affordability. The proposal will rezone 1218 acres within the City limits to the new zoning district, R-4. There are 57 vacant acres and 67 acres that are partially used in the designated are between 81 Avenue and Broadway, between Park and Sullivan. This change could allow for a net change of 496 new housing units and it could allow for a net of 1240 new residences. The proposed change area has 130 parcels that are less than half an acres, there are 36 parcels that are one to two acres, seven parcels that are two to three acres, and two parcels are three to five acres. There are no parcels that are greater than five acres. The proposed area is surrounded by Multifamily and CMU zoning districts. The code text amendment will create the R-4 zone in the municipal code and provide a description and outline permitted uses. The change specifies that duplex development in the R-3 zone shall have a minimum lot size of 14,500 square feet. The change outlines that assisted living/nursing homes, cottage developments and townhomes will no longer be permitted in the R-3 zone. There is also an additional text change in the Appendix A -Definitions that states that townhouses are not considered a multifamily product. Mr. Basinger stated that staffs analysis shows that single family development will incentivize the R-3 zone because the change will allow eight single family units per acre. The new R-4 zone will promote development of alternative housing types in those areas where transit and services are available giving a greater variety of housing types in areas that can handle an influx of residents. There were no staff or agency comments received on this change and there were two comments received from the public. Commissioner Beaulac expressed concern about the parcel owners not being directly notified about this proposed change. He feels that the staff should have sent notification to the affected parcels. 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 9 Commissioner Kaschmitter asked if nursing/retirement homes that are already located in R-3 zones will continue to be allowed. Mr. Bates answered that these properties will be classified as legal non -conforming uses. Commissioner Johnson asked how much it would cost to send notification to everyone within 400 feet of the properties being rezoned. Mr. Basinger answered that this area is a very large zone and it would be a very large mailing. According to the RCW code, the noticing requirements have been sufficiently met and staff has added several additional means of notification to get word out to the residents. The meeting was opened for public testimony. John Conard, Liberty Lake: Mr. Conard expressed support for the new R-4 zoning classification to develop single -story townhouses and said that he is excited by the opportunities this could open for the City. Secretary Horton read three letters into the record: Barry Beck, Spokane Valley: Mr. Beck expressed support of the proposed amendment and encouraged adoption of the change. Pete Miller, Spokane Valley: Ms. Miller expressed that this change will provide welcome relief to the residents in the R-3 zone and requested full support from the Commission of the amendment. Stephanie Woodruff, Spokane Valley: Ms. Woodruff expressed concern about the influx of apartments, duplexes and rental homes being built in the Valley. She encouraged the Commission to pass the amendment. No additional public testimony was offered. The public hearing was closed at 7:23 pm. Commissioner Kelley moved for the Commission to take a ten minute break. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. Discussion regarding CPA-2020-0001: Commissioner Kelley read a statement and provided four pictures of McDonald Rd. He expressed that residents would not be putting themselves at risk walking to and from the medical office building or driving in/out of the proposed parking lot. He also stated that the developer, Tucker Roy LLC did a great job with the original building on the property and feels that the reason they are outgrowing the location is due to the high quality work they put into the location and their determination to support City residents. He is pleased that there are developers like Tucker Roy, LLC interested in reinvesting in the City and stated that he will support the request. (Statement and pictures provided by Commissioner Kelly are attached to the public record). Commissioners Johnson and Robinson expressed support for the request. Discussion regarding CPA-2020-0002: Commissioners McKinley, Kaschmitter, Haneke, Commissioner Beaulac and Johnson all expressed support for the request. Commissioner Robinson asked if the change would force landscaping requirements during the development process. Building Official Nickerson answered that the Industrial zone did not require landscape but the change to Regional Commercial does require landscaping. Storm water management will be addressed during the building process. 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 of 9 Commissioner Robinson stated that she supported the request. Commissioner Kelley read a statement saying that he would be voting to approve the amendment based on three goals and objectives: to promote development of vacant and underutilized property, to support the transformation of commercial, industrial, and mixed use district to accessible district that promote economic activity and to support the employment growth in the City. (Statement is attached to the public record). Discussion regarding CPA-2020-0003: Commissioner Kelly read a statement saying that he does not support the amendment due to traffic concerns on Union Road and Mission Avenue and because it fails to meet the goals and objections set forth to guide the Commission in their decision making process. (Statement is attached to the public record). Commissioners Beaulac, Haneke, Robinson, McKinley, Johnson and Kaschmitter all expressed concerned about the width of Union Road. They feel that there needs to be improvements done on Union Road to widen the street or to prohibit street parking if there's going to be additional development utilizing this road. They were not in favor of this amendment. The Commission came to a consensus not to recommend approval of this amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Discussion regarding CPA-2020-0006: Commissioners Kaschmitter, Haneke, Beaulac, Robinson, and Johnson expressed that they are all in favor of this change to the amendment Commissioner Kelley read a statement saying that he would not be voting to approve this amendment because it would allow a K-12 school to be located in a busy industrial park, it does not meet the goals and objectives for public health, safety and welfare of citizens, it would be located in an area where an unlimited number of I-502 manufacturing and I-502 grow operations are allowed which is not in the best interests of school aged children, and there is a hotel located directly across the street. (Statement is attached to the public record). Commissioner Robinson asked for clarification about whether or not a K-12 school would be going into this location or if the classrooms would be used strictly for programs. Mr. Bates answered that the school intends to use the facility for their Parent/Partner program. This is a program that assists parents and children who are homeschooling or using other non -typical education systems to get the assistance they need to teach their children. There are no plans to have any kind of K-12 school in this location. Commissioner Kelley responded that this land use change would allow a K-12 school to be located on this property if it is approved. Mr. Basinger responded that the commission does need to look at what could be placed on the property based on the land use designations. This new designation would allow a K-12 school to be located on this property. However, the school district does not have any intentions to do that because they do not feel that location would be an appropriate place for a school. The Commission took a poll on the matter. Commissioners Kaschmitter, Haneke, Beaulac, Robinson, and Johnson were in favor of the amendment. Commissioners Kelly and McKinley were not in favor of the change. Discussion regarding CPA-2020-0007: 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 8 of 9 Commissioner Kelly read a statement saying that he would not support the amendment because it appears to be an attempt to punish investors in the community that have supported the City and that the amendment is not in line with the vision that was formed during the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Review. (Statement attached to the public record). Chairman Johnson expressed concern about the way the amendment was advertised and the need to let the residents know about such a big change. However, he feels that there are a lot of good ideas in the amendment and that there is a great need in the City for medium density lots. Commissioner Kaschmitter and Beaulac both expressed that the R-4 zone would be a good addition to the Comprehensive Plan because it would give options for alternative/affordable housing and help preserve the R-3 zone as envisioned but that the City really needs to do a better job notifying the property owners that will be affected by the change. Commissioner Johnson moved to extend the meeting time to 9:15 pm. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. Commissioner Robinson mentioned that there is a very low vacancy factor for rentals in the City. She feels that it is a good idea to get more people into home ownership instead of forcing people to stay in rentals. The City needs to have options for alternative housing and this is a good way to achieve that option. She expressed that she is in favor of the change. Commissioner McKinley expressed that he is not in favor of this change because it changes the character of the area too much and he doesn't feel that the added density is a good addition to the City vision. Commissioner Haneke stated that he thinks the concept is a great idea. However, he is concerned about the property owners not being notified. With the current notification process, he is not in support of the change. The Commission took a poll on the matter. It was decided to recommend to the City Council not to approve this change to the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Beaulac moved to extend the meeting by fifteen minutes to 9:30 pm. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. Commissioner McKinley moved to recommend approval on CPA-2020-0001, CPA-2020- 0002 and CPA-2020-0006 and recommend not approving CPA-2020-0003 & CPA-2020- 0007. The Commission came to a consensus that the basis for denying approval on CPA-2020-0007 was the lack of notification to the affected residents, increasing the density will have a negative impact on the standard of living that the Valley has had in the past, but the proposed R-4 zone could have some potential in the future with further study and changes. This information will be put into the findings of fact for approval at the July 23, 2020 meeting. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: The Commissioners commended the staff on their work on these amendments. 06-25-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 9 of 9 NI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner McKinley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 pm. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the motion passed �Janwohnson Chair aC-ITWa— Deanna Horton, Secretary Date signed