2021-06-24 PC SIGNED APPROVED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers — City Hall
June 24, 2021
I. Planning Commission Chair Bob McKinley called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Karl Granrath Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
Walt Haneke Mike Basinger, Economic Development Manager
Bob McKinley Chaz Bates, Senior Planner
Nancy Miller Arielle Anderson, Housing & Homeless Coordinator
Paul Rieckers Taylor Dillard, Administrative Assistant
Sherri Robinson Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
III. AGENDA: Commissioner Haneke moved to approve the June 24, 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 Beaulac moved to approve the June 10, 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 stated that she was happy to see that
signs have been added to 32"d Avenue and Dishman Mica Road that read "bike lane ends".
She also mentioned that she hopes the bikes lane connect to each other in the future.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Building Official Jenny Nickerson stated that per the
request of the Planning Commission at the last meeting, staff is putting together information
regarding shipping containers. That agenda item will be presented at the July 22, 2021
meeting. She commented that City Hall has reopened for business and in -person meetings
are being discussed. However, a formal date for an in -person meeting has not been decided
yet. She also mentioned that Commissioners McKinley, Granrath, and Rieckers' terms are
up at the end of the year. Anyone interested in applying for those positions should submit
their applications. The deadline for applications is October 5, 2021.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
VIII. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Findings Of Fact: CTA-2021-0001— Batch Code Text Amendment
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Building Official Jenny Nickerson presented the Findings Of Fact for CTA-2021-0001 —
Batch Code Text Amendment. She stated that the Planning Commission held a public
hearing regarding the proposed code text amendment at the June 10, 2021 meeting. The
Planning Commission voted 7-0 to forward the Code Text Amendment to the City Council
with a recommendation of approval. She explained that the approval of the Findings Of Fact
will formalize the recommendations that were made at the public hearing.
Commissioner Beaulac moved to approve the Findings of Fact for CTA-2021-0001 as
presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against
and the motion passed.
b. Study Session: 2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Senior Planner Chaz Bates gave a staff presentation regarding the 2021 Comprehensive Plan
Amendments. He explained that local jurisdictions are allowed to make amendments to the
Comprehensive Plan once each year. The amendments are initiated by property owners,
residents, or by the City. The application deadline to submit is October 30`I' Notice was
published 60 days prior to October I" and sent to agencies, organizations, and adjacent
jurisdictions. The amendments were docketed by the City Council and then sent to the
Planning Commission for consideration. A public hearing on the amendments will be held
on July 8, 2021 and Findings Of Fact will be heard on August 12, 2021. The item will then
be sent back to City Council for final consideration and approval. Public hearing notices
were published twice in the newspaper, posted on the properties, and mailed to property
owners within 400 feet of the site -specific map amendments.
Mr. Bates outlined the four amendments to be heard during the 2021 cycle.
CPA-2021-0001: Request to change the .68 acres from Multiple Family Residential (MFR) to
Corridor Mixed Use (CM0.
Mr. Bates said that this amendment is privately initiated for the property located at 22 N.
Skipworth Road. It is owned by Homtomi Partners. The request is to rezone the property
from Multi -Family residential (MFR) to Corridor Mixed Use (CMU). The property to the
east, south, and west are all zoned CMU. The property to the north is zoned MFR. Findings
show there are no critical areas on the site, the site would support the redevelopment and
infill of the parcel, would support the increase of housing opportunities, is supported by the
transportation network, and is compatible with the surrounding uses.
Commissioner Haneke asked for additional information regarding the proposed development
of the property. Mr. Bates answered that the proposal is to add four additional units
including carports. He reminded the Commission that this change is only regarding land use
and the applicants would not be required to do the proposed development. Mr. Haneke asked
if the current structure could be completely demolished and something else built in its place.
Mr. Bates answered that it would be allowed. Commissioner Miller and Robinson also
expressed concern about the applicant tearing down the current low-income housing units if
the zoning change is allowed.
Commissioner Granrath asked if the proposed development meets all current code
regulations. Building Official Nickerson answered that the site plan has not been reviewed
for code compliance because it has not been formally submitted for development application.
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However, there are no setback requirements in the CMU zone except as discussed in the
transitional regulations (which would apply only to the northern property line where there is
MFR zoning). Commissioner Haneke asked about height regulations. Ms. Nickerson
answered that there are no maximum height limitation or lot coverage regulations in the
CMU zone.
CPA-2021-0002: Request to change 5.56 acres from Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) to Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space (P/OS).
Mr. Bates explained that this amendment is City initiated for the property located across the
street from City Hall on Sprague Avenue and the future proposed use is to expand Balfour
Park. The City owns this property and requests to rezone the property from Corridor Mixed
Use (CMU) to Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (P/OS). The property to the west (Balfour
Park) is zoned P/OS, the property to the west and south is CMU, and the property to the north
is MFR. The property is currently vacant. Findings show there are no critical areas on the
site, the site would support Park Level of Service, is supported by the transportation network,
is compatible with the surrounding uses, and implements the Parks and Recreation Master
Plan.
Chairman McKinley commented that he attended a presentation by Mayor Ben Wick
regarding the development of the library and the Balfour Park expansion and he thinks that
the ideas for this area are very exciting and will be a good addition to the City.
CPA-2021-0003: Request to change 46 acres from Industrial (I) to Parks, Recreation, and
Open Space (P/OS).
Mr. Bates stated that this amendment is City initiated for the four parcels located between the
Spokane River and Union Pacific railroad east of Flora Road (the property is unaddressed).
The City owns the property and request to rezone the property from Industrial (I) to Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space (P/OS). The properties to the north, west, and east are all zoned
I, and the property to the east is zoned P/OS. Findings show that the proposal would support
Park Level of Service, it is a newly acquired property purchased specifically for park land,
and it is compatible with surrounding uses.
Commissioner Beaulac asked about wildlife conservation on the property. Mr. Bates
answered that the City recognizes that there is critical wildlife habitat and frequently flooded
areas on the property.
CPA-2021-0004: Add goals, policies, strategies, and background text related to
homelessness.
Housing and Homeless Coordinator Arielle Anderson explained that the text amendment is
City initiated to add goals, policies, and strategies to formalize the City's position on
community resources ranging from homeless services to housing instability. She stated that
the Comprehensive Plan currently lacks goals, policies and strategies for people who are
unsheltered and facing housing instability. The proposed text amendment formalizes the
City's commitment to a regional approach to reduce homelessness and address the lack of
guidance in the development of zoning regulations regarding site housing and homeless
services. The proposed amendments ensure that current publicly funded programs are
equally accessible by City residents, formalizes the City action to develop implementing
regulations to build out services in the community, supports continued regional cooperation,
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and ensures that all facilities sited in the City have commensurate on -site support. She
explained that the amendment is non -site specific and does not detail where services will be
located but it will address an identified deficiency within the Comprehensive Plan and
support the development of a Homeless Response System specific to the needs of the City.
Commissioner Beaulac asked if the amendment is consistent with the Housing Action Plan
(HAP) that was recently adopted. Mr. Bates answered that it is consistent with the HAP.
Mr. Beaulac also commented that he would like to see more recent data included in the
amendment rather than data from 2014-2015.
Commission Haneke asked about the Homeless Response System. Ms. Anderson answered
that the Response System is a consistent, dependable, and streamlined response to how
services will be rendered to citizens in need.
IX. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Vice -Chair Robinson commented she is very happy that the
City is pursuing solutions for the homeless population. She also stated that she feels that the
Commission should be diving into the hard questions of land use changes and really looking
at possible development projects that could occur before approving those changes. Chairman
McKinley encouraged the Commissioners to listen to the State of the City that was done by
Mayor Ben Wick.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Haneke moved to adjourn the meeting at 7: 24 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
0/� ILr-e, K
Date signed
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