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.
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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
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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
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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