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2020-08-27 PC APPROVED SIGNED Minutes Regular Meeting Minutes Spokane Valley Planning Commission Council Chambers—City Hall August 27,2020 I. Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via ZOOM meeting. II. Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance. III. Administrative Assistant Taylor Dillard took roll and the following members and staff were present: Fred Beaulac Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney Walt Haneke Jenny Nickerson, Building Official James Johnson Lori Barlow, Senior Planner Danielle Kaschmitter, absent Connor Lange,Planner Tim Kelley Taylor Dillard, Administrative Assistant Bob McKinley Marianne Lemons, Office Assistant Sherri Robinson There was a consensus from the Planning Commission to excuse Commissioner Kaschmitter from the meeting. IV. AGENDA: Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the August 27, 2020 agenda as presented There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against and the motion passed. V. MINUTES: Commissioner Beaulac moved to approve the August 13, 2020 minutes as presented There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against and the motion passed. VI. COMMISSION REPORTS: Chair Johnson reported that he continues to attend the Human Rights Task Force meetings. VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Building Official Jenny Nickerson stated that the Council Chamber windows of City Hall will be lit up with purple and gold lights to commemorate the 100th anniversary of"Women's Right To Vote." VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS: 1 08-27-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 a. Findings Of Fact: CTA-2020-0003, Proposed Amendment To Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) Chapter 19.25,Nonconforming Uses and Structures Senior Planner Lori Barlow requested approval of the findings of fact from the meeting held on August 13, 2020 regarding the proposed amendment to the SVMC regarding nonconforming uses and structures. This document will formalize the Planning Commission's actions and the recommendation will be submitted to the City Council for approval. Chairman Johnson moved to approve the Findings of Fact as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against and the motion passed. b. Public Hearing: STV-2020-0001, A proposed street vacation of a portion of Desmet Court between Indiana and Flora Commissioner Haneke recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest as his company is involved in the project. He was placed in the Zoom waiting room for the duration of the agenda item. The public hearing was opened at 6..11 p.m. Planner Connor Lange gave the Commission a presentation regarding STV-2020-0001, a privately initiated street vacation for a portion of Desmet Court. He explained that the City received the application on May 28, 2020 from Hanson Industries requesting to vacate 220 feet of Desmet Court. A study session was held on this request on August 13, 2020. The proposed vacation is located between Indiana Avenue (west), Flora Road (east), I-90 (north) and adjacent to three parcels. The total area to be vacated is approximately 12,847 square feet. The proposed vacation will reduce the length of Desmet Court by 210 feet and dedicate a new cul-de-sac to serve the public. The reduced length of Desmet Court will reduce City maintenance costs of snow removal and repaving. The vacation proposal will not impact circulation of City streets because there is no right-of-way available for a future connection to Flora Road to the east. The vacation will allow maximum use of abutting properties because parcels 45131.0507, 45131.0509 and 45131.0510 are all owned by Hanson Industries. The public hearing meets all of the notification requirements: posted in three places,published in the Valley Herald twice, written notice sent out to abutting property owners immediately along Desmet Court and signs posted at each end of the proposed vacation area. The request meets all of the SVMC criteria of approval for a street vacation. The site contains utility improvements (cable, internet, sewer, gas, and power). The utility companies all provided comments addressing the existence of these utilities and requesting they be relocated to the new cul-de-sac at the time of dedication. Staff has informed the applicants that this work will have to be done at their expense. Planner Connor expressed that staff recommends approval of this request subject to conditions 1-11 outlined in pages five and six of the staff report. Chairman Johnson asked about compensation from the developers. Planner Lange responded that there has not been any conversation about compensation but staff's determination would be not to request such since the developers are required to dedicate a new cul-de-sac. Chair Johnson asked if anyone from the public wished to testify. 2 08-27-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 Todd Whipple, Whipple Consulting Engineers: Mr. Whipple commented that the property is going to be purchased by Lance Douglass who owns the apartment project under construction to the north of the property. He plans to build additional apartments on these parcels. Mr. Whipple also mentioned that all of this basin drains into the large pond on the property. During discussions with Chad Riggs in Development Engineering, it was determined that the size of the pond could be reduced based on new standards that are in place. He requested that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the street vacation to City Council. Commissioner Robinson asked for clarification regarding reducing the pond size. Mr. Whipple responded that when this project was originally created, the guidelines for stormwater management required ponds to be 40% bigger than they needed to be. Those guidelines have now been adjusted and the changes allow for more developed land area. The public hearing was closed at 6:28 p.m. Chairman Johnson moved to recommend approval of the proposed street vacation for Desmet Court to the City Council subject to staff conditions. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in favor, zero against and the motion passed Commissioner Haneke rejoined the meeting. C. Study Session: CTA-2019-0005, A proposed amendment to Title 20, Subdivisions Planner Connor Lange gave a staff presentation. He explained that the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 58.17 provides the state requirements for subdivisions and Title 20 of the SVMC provides the local standards for processing subdivisions. Local jurisdictions can incorporate their own additional processes regarding short subdivisions (9 or fewer lots)but state law outlines the regulations regarding long subdivisions (10 or more lots). Changes have been made to the RCW in recent years and the City needs to update their code to reflect those changes and requirements. Planner Lange outlined the current processes for short/long subdivisions and preliminary/final plat alternations. He also explained scenarios an applicant might need to do a plat alteration. Commissioner Haneke asked about the regulations regarding bonding of projects. Planner Lange answered that the City doesn't generally enter into performance bonds for completion of a project. The City requires all improvements to be completed prior to recording of fmaI plats. But the City does utilize warranty bonds for projects that have been completed and are in the warranty stage. Deputy City Attorney Lamb clarified that the City's street standards outline when a performance bond can be used. Planner Lange explained general design requirements and criteria staff uses when analyzing proposed plats that are submitted. This includes the design, shape, size, and orientation of the lots, lot arrangement, block dimensions, access, adequate public domestic water supply, stormwater run-off and utility easements. He explained that a formal study session will be held at the next Planning Commission meeting that will outline all proposed code text language. 3 08-27-2020 Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4 X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioner McKinley, Beaulac, and Robinson all thanked the staff for a well-done presentation. Commissioner Kelley expressed frustration with the lack of adherence to Robert's Rules of Order during previous Planning Commission meetings. XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Haneke moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against, and the motion passed .10*//e.a2-6) Jame Johnson, Chair Date signed Deanna Horton, Secretary 4