2021-07-08 PC SIGNED APPROVED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers — City Hall
July 8, 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
Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Karl Granath
Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
Walt Haneke
Chaz Bates, Senior Planner
Bob McKinley
Arielle Anderson, Housing & Homeless Coordinator
Nancy Miller
Taylor Dillard, Administrative Assistant
Paul Rieckers
Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
Sherri Robinson
III. AGENDA: Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the July 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 Beaulac moved to approve the June 24, 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: Building Official Jenny Nickerson stated that City
Council has returned to in -person meetings with a hybrid format and hopes that Planning
Commission will be able to move to that format for the July 22, 2021 meeting. Ms.
Nickerson also mentioned that the City email server was recently updated and it has caused
issues with the Commissioner email addresses. She stated that IT is working to correct the
issues and staff will email or call once the problem is fixed.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
VIII. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Public Hearing: 2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
The public hearing was opened at 6:09 p.m.
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
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Comprehensive Plan once each year. The amendments are initiated by property owners,
residents, or by the City. The application deadline to submit is October 30tn. Notice was
published 60 days prior to October 15t 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. He explained that the purpose of the meeting is to
hold the public hearing and create recommendations for the City Council. Findings of Fact
documenting the recommendations will be presented on August 12, 2021 for 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 (CHL9.
Mr. Bates stated 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 Miller commented that she was concerned about the fire access for the
proposed expansion so she contacted Traci Harvey with Spokane Valley Fire Department and
was told that the access is most likely adequate for the proposed change based on a
preliminary review.
Commissioner Haneke asked if the property is at the max capacity for development based on
the current MFR designation. Mr. Bates answered that the MFR designation allows fifteen
units and the property currently has fourteen units. Mr. Haneke asked how many units would
be allowed if the property was rezoned to CMU. Mr. Bates answered that it would only be
restricted by Title 24 of the International Building Code.
The item was opened for public comment. Chairman McKinley read the guidelines for
public testimony.
Lindsay Goodman, Glendale, CA stated that he is a managing partner of the applicant and
an architect. He explained that the Skipworth Apartments have been owned by his family for
thirty years. He stated that there is a lack of affordable housing in Spokane Valley so they
requested the change to the zoning of the property so they can add four additional studio
units and carports to the apartment complex.
Commissioner Miller asked the applicant if they are committed to keeping the apartment
complexes. The applicant stated that they are planning to keep them and are not planning to
tear them down.
No additional public testimony was offered.
CPA-2021-0002: Request to change 5.56 acres from Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) to Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space (P/OS).
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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.
Commissioner Beaulac asked if the Appleway Trail will be connected to Balfour Park. Mr.
Bates answered that work is being done to extend the trail along Appleway Boulevard from
University Road to Farr Road. There will also be a portion of the trail running along
Dartmouth Road to Sprague Avenue. The City is currently seeking grant funding to improve
the crossing on Dartmouth and Sprague to allow trail users to get to Balfour Park.
There was no public comment offered.
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 requests 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 is compatible with surrounding uses.
Commissioner Beaulac asked about access to the property via the Union Pacific railroad
crossing and if there are proposed improvements to make the railroad crossings safer for the
residents. Mr. Bates answered that there are approximately nine trains per day that utilize
that railroad crossing. There has not been any discussion regarding the improvements yet but
he explained that he anticipates that will be in the long-term master planning process as the
development moves forward.
There was one written public comment read into the record from Tom Rees in support of the
land use change. There was no additional public comment offered.
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.
There was no public comment offered. The public hearing was closed at 6:46 p.m.
Discussion and recommendation regarding CPA-2021-0001
Commissioner Haneke stated that he is opposed to this amendment because there is no
restriction that would keep the owners from tearing down the affordable housing units.
Commissioner Miller, Rieckers, Granrath, Beaulac, McKinley, and Robinson stated that they
are in support of the amendment because the change is appropriate with the surrounding uses
and the proposed plan will add additional housing units that are needed within the City limits.
Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of CPA-2021-0001 and forward it to
the City Council. There was no additional discussion. The vote on the motion was six in
favor and one against, with Commissioner Haneke dissenting. The motion passed.
Discussion and recommendation regarding CPA-2021-0002
There was no discussion. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of CPA-
2021-0002 and forward it to the City Council. The vote on the motion was seven in favor,
zero against and the motion passed.
Discussion and recommendation regarding CPA-2021-0003
There was no discussion. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of CPA-
2021-0003 and forward it to the City Council. The vote on the motion was seven in favor,
zero against and the motion passed.
Discussion and recommendation regarding CPA-2021-0004
There was no discussion. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of CPA-
2021-0002 and forward it to the City Council. The vote on the motion was seven in favor,
zero against and the motion passed.
IX. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Building Official Nickerson stated that anyone who wishes to
apply for appointment to the Planning Commission should contact City Clerk Chris
Bainbridge for application deadlines.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Beaulac moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the
motion passed.
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Bob McKinley, Chair
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
f/i 31z4
Date signed