2021-04-08 PC APPROVED SIGNED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers — City Hall
April 8, 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.
II. 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, Administrative Assistant
Sherri Robinson
III. AGENDA: Commissioner Rieckers moved to approve the April 8, 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 Miller moved to approve the March 25, 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: Commissioner Robinson expressed concern about the fire
access being padlocked for the Revere Ridge apartments on Union Road.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: There was no administrative report.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: Connie Jensen, Spokane Valley: Ms. Jensen stated that there is an
apartment complex being constructed next to the cul-de-sac where she lives and she is
concerned that the new owner/developer of the apartment complex will not adhere to the
original conditions of approval. She wants to make sure that the cul-de-sac will still receive
the promised fire gate and that Pines Road will be widened to accommodate the additional
traffic.
VIII. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Findings Of Fact: CTA-2020-0004 — Title 24 Update
Economic Development Manager Mike Basinger presented the Findings of Fact for
CTA-2020-0004, Title 24 Update for approval. He explained that the code text
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amendment was modifying Chapters 24.40 and 24.50 of the Spokane Valley Municipal
Code and was approved for recommendation by the Planning Commission at the March
25, 2021 meeting.
Commissioner Beaulac moved to approve the Planning Commission Findings of Fact for
CTA-2020-0004 as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was
seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed.
b. Public Hearing: Housing Action Plan
The public hearing was opened at 6:21 pm.
Senior Planner 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 awarded a $100,000 grant from the
Department of Commerce to hire the consulting firm to assist in developing 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 was 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
and townhomes because they provide a spectrum of affordability options. The goal in the
HAP to preserve affordable housing and mitigate displacement includes monitoring
regulated properties, retaining affordable market rate units, using caution when proposing
land use changes in areas at risk for displacement, providing tenant support, and
providing homeowner assistance. The HAP proposes to increase market -rate and
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affordable housing supplies in zones that allow multifamily and missing -middle housing
by modifying the Spokane Valley Municipal Code to encourage production of
townhomes and cottages, adopt a multifamily tax exemption program, create incentives
to produce additional affordable housing, and adopt a planned action ordinance that
allows large, mixed use phased developments to occur. In order to increase housing
options and housing choices, the HAP proposes updating regulations for Accessory
Dwelling Units (ADU), allowing for tiny homes, planning for homeless shelters and
transitional housing, and developing a housing fund program. The implementation plan
identifies steps to achieve strategies and a monitoring program.
Commissioner Miller asked how tiny homes will fit into the character of Spokane Valley
and how the approval process will work. Mr. Bates answered that tiny homes are not
currently allowed in the City limits so a code -text amendment would have to go through
the public process of approval. Commissioner Miller also asked who monitors the Cities
rent restricted properties. Mr. Bates answered that the City does not have anyone who
monitors these properties so this proposal is to create a program or adopt an existing
program.
Commissioner Beaulac asked if the HAP is consistent with the other Cities in the area.
He feels that they should be similar throughout the County. Mr. Bates answered that he
has been in constant contact with the City of Spokane and the consulting agency that
produced the HAP also created the one for the City of Spokane. Commission Beaulac
also asked about the tax exemption program. Mr. Bates answered that the exemption
could exempt the improvements done on the property but will retain the base value of the
property for taxes. The exemption would last for either eight or twelve years but if a
property is granted a twelve-year exemption, it would have to have an affordable housing
component.
Commissioner Haneke asked if there is enough land available in the City limits to meet
the housing requirements based on current zoning and density. Mr. Bates answered that
the projections are based on the land capacity analysis that was done in 2016. However,
changes will have to occur in order to allow for the additional housing types to be
incorporated onto the available land.
The matter was opened to the public for comment.
Darin Watkins, Government Affairs Director for the Spokane Association of
Realtors: Mr. Watkins stated that the Association is disappointed in the projections that
were made in the HAP. He feels that the data is too old to provide adequate numbers
and the information is already outdated. He stated that the Association developed an
assessment of the Spokane region outlining the market -based needs throughout the
area. It outlines a 94% reduction in housing availability since 2010, escalating home
prices (70% increase in home prices over the last five years), and a lack of inventory
that leads to more people renting. Currently, there are only 106 homes for sale in
Spokane County and only five of those are under $250,000.00. He expressed that the
solutions proposed are similar between the Association's assessment and the HAP but
he would like to make sure that all housing gaps are addressed and are based on current
numbers of the 2020 census.
Jennifer Wilcox, Spokane Valley: Ms. Wilcox stated that she is a proponent of the
HAP because she feels that the there are many encouraging solutions proposed to
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address the lack of housing availability. She feels that the goals outlined are good
representations of the strategies needed for a growing city. One of the action items is to
provide housing assistance and she feels that will help residents to be more receptive to
affordable housing options. She stated that she is also a proponent of the proposed
housing fund because it would provide a source of flexible funding specifically for
housing needs.
The public hearing was closed at 7:12 p.m.
Commissioner Granrath commented that he would like to see the HAP updated regularly
with current numbers when they become available.
Commissioner Haneke moved to approve and forward to City Council a recommendation
of approval of the Housing Action Plan. There was no discussion. The vote on the
motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed.
Mr. Bates explained that the Findings of Fact will be returned to the Commission at the
April 22, 2021 meeting.
IX. GOOD OF THE ORDER: There was nothing for the good of the order.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Beaulac moved to adjourn the meeting at 7: 32 p.m.
There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the
motion passed.
Bob McKinley, Chair
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
Date signed
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