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2021-03-25 PC APPROVED SIGNED MINUTESMeeting Minutes Spokane Valley Planning Commission Council Chambers — City Hall March 25, 2021 I. Planning Commission Chair Bob McKinley called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via ZOOM meeting. Il. Administrative Assistant Taylor Dillard took roll and the following members and staff were present: Fred Beaulac Erik Lamb, City Attorney Karl Granrath Jenny Nickerson, Building Official Walt Haneke Mike Basinger, Economic Development Manager Bob McKinley Chaz Bates, Senior Planner Nancy Miller Taylor Dillard, Administrative Assistant Paul Rieckers Marianne Lemons, Office Assistant Sherri Robinson III. AGENDA: Commissioner Beaulac moved to approve the March 25, 2021 meeting agenda as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. IV. MINUTES: Commissioner Rieckers moved to approve the March 11, 2021 minutes as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. V. COMMISSION REPORTS: There were no Commission Reports. VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: There was no administrative report. VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. VIII. COMMISSION BUSINESS: a. Deliberations: Shoreline Master Program — Legislative Update. Senior Planner Chaz Bates requested that the Planning Commission make a motion to recommend approval to the City Council of the Shoreline Master Program. He explained that the Department of Ecology did not start their public comment period as planned so the City is going to move forward with their standard approval process. It will be submitted to the Department of Ecology after adoption and they will run their own comment period. The City received two written public comments on this matter. One was received from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and one from a private resident. Mr. Bates stated that the purpose of the proposed amendment is to maintain consistency with state and local policies. 03-25-2021 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Rieckers asked if the comments received from the private resident have been addressed. Mr. Bates answered that it is not typical to make a formal response to received comments. They are just included in the documentation for consideration by the Planning Commission when making their decision. Commissioner Haneke asked if there would be a way to exclude Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) from the shoreline in the future. Deputy City Attorney Erik Lamb answered that a code text amendment could be done to exclude ADU's but it would have to go through the formal process. Commissioner Haneke stated that he is not in favor of ADU's along the shoreline and is concerned about making the process easier. Commissioner Robinson moved to recommend that the City Council approve the 2021 Shoreline Master Program update. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed. b. Public Hearing: CTA-2020-0004: Title 24 Update The public hearing was opened at 6:22 pm. Building Official Jenny Nickerson gave a presentation regarding the proposed update to Title 24 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC). The reason for the request is Title 24 adopts the Washington State Building Codes and the 2018 editions of all building codes replaced the 2015 editions as of February 1, 2021 in the state of Washington. The amendment will align the language of Title 24 SVMC with the state adoption of the codes. She explained that the proposed changes are predominantly housekeeping. The current SVMC has some outdated Washington Administrative Code (WAC) references that need to be corrected and the language regarding land disturbance needs to be aligned to provide permit processing consistency. These changes include new language that outlines that a land disturbance permit may be required when more than 50 cubic yards of fill is removed or four feet of unsupported excavation occurs. Joel White, Executive Officer with the Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA) stated that the adoption of the 2018 building codes has added a projected $20,000 to the cost to build a typical single-family home and there is a big concern of the SHBA regarding all of the new changes based on this adoption. He explained that he is working with other members to find out how much these proposed changes will affect builders in the area. The public hearing was closed at 6:50 p.m. Commissioner Haneke stated that he would like to know from Mr. White if the SHBA is still reviewing the repercussions of this adoption. The public hearing was reopened at 6:52 p.m. to receive additional comment from Mr. White. Mr. White responded that there are a few members of the SHBA looking into this matter. He doesn't feel that these changes are a huge issue but the SHBA is definitely concerned about the additional single-family home costs and these additional land disturbance permits could add even more cost. Commissioner Beaulac and Commissioner Haneke stated they would like to continue the public hearing to the next meeting to get additional information from the SHBA members 2 03-25-2021 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 before making a recommendation. The remaining members expressed that they are ready to move forward with a recommendation The public hearing was closed again at 7:07 p.m. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of CTA-2020-0004 to the City Council. Commissioner Granrath stated that there are some major housing issues that need to be addressed but this matter is mostly housekeeping and can be sent to City Council with a recommendation to approve. Commissioner McKinley stated that he is aware of unintended costs attributed to these types of changes but he agrees that it is a housekeeping item that does need to be passed along. The vote on the motion was five in favor, two against, with Commissioner Haneke and Commissioner Beaulac dissenting and the motion passed. A brief recess was called at 7:20 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:32. c. Study Session: Housing Action Plan Chaz Bates gave a presentation on the Housing Action Plan (HAP). He explained that Washington legislation passed a bill (E2SHB 1923) in 2019 encouraging increased residential capacity through adoption of regulatory mechanisms or adoption of a HAP. The City decided to develop a HAP and was given a $100,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to hire the consulting firms to develop it. The HAP identifies strategies and implementing actions to promote housing for all income levels by providing housing diversity, housing affordability, and increased access to opportunity for housing. The plan is developed by the gathering of data and public input. However, the strategies and action are adopted at a later time. The HAP has four basic elements which includes a housing needs assessment, a housing policy review, proposed strategies and actions, and a proposed implementation plan. Mr. Bates explained that the housing needs assessment provides information on existing housing inventory, the projected housing needs, population trends, and employment trends. The assessment shows that the City is lacking diversity in housing stock and will need at least 6,660 new housing units by the year 2037 to handle new growth. However, 45% of these homes will be occupied by residents who make less than the Area Medium Income (AMI). This means that there is a growing need for affordable housing and the HAP is geared towards making sure that there are options for all residents. Mr. Bates stated that the housing policy review looks to see if the proposed strategies align with identified needs, align with community vision and engagement, identifies regulatory barriers, and evaluates available programs. The policy review identified that there is a need for housing for incomes below the AMI and housing that offer more affordable ownership options. Mr. Bates said that the housing strategies and actions outlined in the plan are based on five criteria. This includes zoning and other regulatory strategies, process improvements, affordable housing incentives, funding for affordable housing, and mitigating displacement. The three strategic goals outlined are to preserve affordable housing and mitigate displacement, increase both market -rate and affordable housing supply by creating focus zones that allow multifamily and missing -middle housing, and increase housing options and housing choice. Missing -middle housing includes duplexes, cottages 3 03-25-2021 Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4 and townhomes because they provide a spectrum of affordability options. The implementation plan identifies steps to achieve strategies and a monitoring program. Commissioner Beaulac asked how the HAP will remain relevant and up-to-date as things change over time. Economic Development Manager Mike Basinger answered that staff has policies and goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and one of the goals could be that the HAP is reviewed annually to make sure that it remains consistent with trends. Also, the long-term strategies included in the HAP will be used to create code text amendments in the future to implement areas of the plan. This item will return to the Planning Commission for public hearing on April 8, 2021. IX. GOOD OF THE ORDER: There was nothing for the good of the order. X. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8: 42 p. m. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the motion passed. Bob McKinley, Chair Deanna Horton, Secretary Date signed