2020-09-10 PC APPROVED SIGNED Minutes Regular Meeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers—City Hall
September 10,2020
I. Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via
ZOOM meeting.
II. Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance.
III. Administrative Assistant Deanna Horton took roll and the following members and staff were
present:
Fred Beaulac Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Walt Haneke Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
James Johnson Jenny Nickerson,Building Official
Danielle Kaschmitter Connor Lange, Planner
Tim Kelley, late Deanna Horton, Administrative Assistant
Bob McKinley, absent Taylor Dillard, Administrative Assistant
Sherri Robinson Marianne Lemons, Office Assistant
There was a consensus from the Planning Commission to excuse Commissioner McKinley
from the meeting.
IV. AGENDA: Commissioner Kaschmitter moved to approve the September 10, 2020 agenda as
presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in favor, zero against
and the motion passed
V. MINUTES: Commissioner Kaschmitter moved to approve the August 27, 2020 minutes as
presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five 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 mentioned an email
sent out to Commission members from Administrative Assistant Deanna Horton regarding
staff being willing to work with Commissioners one-on-one to answer any questions
regarding agenda items.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Findings of Fact: STV-2020-0001,A Proposed Street Vacation Of A Portion Of
Desmet Court Between Indiana And Flora.
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Commissioner Haneke recused himself from this 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.
Planner Connor Lange reminded the Planning Commission the findings support the decision
to recommend approval to the City Council based on their deliberations after the public
hearing that was held on August 27, 2020 for STV-2020-0001, a privately initiated street
vacation for a portion of Desmet Court between Indiana Avenue and Flora Road.
Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the Findings of Fact for STV-2020-000.1. There
was no discussion. The vote on the motion was three in favor, zero against and the motion
passed Commissioner Kaschmitter abstained from the vote since she was not attendance at
the public hearing. Commissioner Haneke rejoined the meeting.
b. Study Session: CTA-2019-0005, A Proposed Amendment to Spokane Valley Municipal
Code (SVMC) Title 20 and Title 17, Subdivisions
Planner Connor Lange gave a presentation outlining the proposed changes to SVMC Title 20
and Title 17. He explained that the SVMC Title 20 regulates the subdivision of land and
provides the framework and procedures for processing preliminary and final subdivisions
(both long and short plats), subdivision alterations,binding site plans and vacations of plats.
The proposed code text amendment is to ensure that the SVMC Title 20 is consistent with
RCW 58.17 so that all procedures and language is consistent with state law. The proposed
changes in Title 20 require changes to the Permit Type and Land Use Application table in
Chapter 17.80.030 in order to make the codes consistent.
Mr. Lange outlined the proposed changes to the municipal code:
• Chapter 20.20 General Provisions: Proposed changes will ensure consistency with
state law by adding clarification and correct references to "Title 20 SVMC".
• Chapter 20.30 Preliminary Short Subdivision, Subdivisions, and Binding Site Plans:
Proposed changes include reducing the number of required copies, removing other
unnecessary requirements and align the code with state law and other areas of the
SVMC.
• Chapter 20.40 Final Short Subdivision, Subdivision and Binding Site Plans:
Proposed changes include reducing the number of required copies, removing other
unnecessary requirements, and updating language in 20.40.020 regarding City
Manager final plat authorization and reviewing requirements and 20.40.050 regarding
subdivision phasing.
• Chapter 20.50 Preliminary Plat, Short Plat, and Binding Site Plan Alterations:
Proposed changes include renaming the chapter"Subdivision Alterations" and adding
language to 20.50.010 regarding application submittal requirements, adding updates
to 20.50.020 outlining procedures for preliminary plat alterations and adding updates
to 20.50.030 outlining procedures for final plat alterations.
• Chapter 20.60 Final Plat, Short Plat, and Binding Site Plan Alterations: Proposed
changes include renaming the chapter"Short Subdivision and Binding Site Plan
Alterations", adding language to 20.50.005 regarding purpose, adding language to
20.60.010 regarding application requirements, and adding updates to 20.60.020
regarding procedures for short plat and binding site plan alterations.
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• Chapter 20.70 Subdivision, Short Subdivision, and Binding Site Plan Vacation:
Proposed changes include language updates to 20.70,020 regarding the subdivision
vacation process and language updates to 20.70.030 regarding the short subdivision
and binding site plan vacation process.
• Chapter 17.80 Permit Processing Procedures: Permit Type and Land Use
Application table updated to reflect new definitions in Chapter 20 regarding Type II
and Type III land uses and updates to cross references.
Commissioner Kelley joined the meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Commissioner Haneke asked about changes to 20.40.020 regarding approval of final plats.
He asked why it is being changed from City Council approval to City Manager approval.
City Attorney Cary Driskell answered that the language is being corrected so that it reflects
the protocol that is currently in place for all final plats. They are all currently approved by
the City Manager(not City Council).
Mr. Lange also gave a follow-up discussion regarding the City's use of performance surety.
He explained that the use of performance surety is outlined in the Spokane Valley Street
Standards 9.14 and an applicant must meet the criteria outlined in the standards.
Commissioner Haneke asked about using a performance surety for paving of a project
because paving is generally affected by weather. Deputy City Attorney Erik Lamb
explained that under the City's street standards regarding proper function and operation of
the transportation system, paving would be required prior to allowing a performance surety to
be used. However, final determination would be granted by the engineering department if a
performance surety could be used for paving in the event of adverse weather. Commissioner
Johnson asked for further clarification on this matter from engineering at the next meeting.
Commissioner Beaulac asked for clarification about the process when a development is
abandoned and someone else decides to continue the development. He wanted to know if the
project has to start the whole process over or if it can be picked up where it was left off by
the previous developer. Mr. Lange answered that approval would have to be received from
the original developer allowing the new person to move forward with the project. Deputy
City Attorney Lamb stated that it would also depend on where the project is in the process.
With no other questions, Mr. Lange said that a public hearing will be held on September 24,
2020 and he would provide answers to those questions posed by the Commission.
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioner Beaulac commended.Commissioner Johnson on
his handling of the chairman position. At the August 27, 2020 meeting Commissioner Kelley
raised several issues regarding the way he felt about Commissioner Johnson's involvement in
a previous council meeting. Commissioner Kelley wanted to bring to light additional
concerns when Commissioner Johnson stated the Commission meeting was not the
appropriate place to raise his concerns, and offered to meet him at a more appropriate forum.
As Commissioner Kelley continued, Commissioner Kaschmitter requested the conversation
to stop. Commissioner Kelley stated he had not heard a motion. Commissioner Kaschmitter
moved to end the conversation. The vote on the motion was jive in favor, one opposed, and
the motion passed.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Beaulac moved to adjourn the meeting at 7.10 p.m.
There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against, and the
motion passed.
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James Johnson, Chair Date signed
Deanna Horton, Secretary
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