2021-09-09 PC SIGNED APPROVED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers — City Hall
September 9, 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. Commissioners and staff stood and recited
the pledge of allegiance.
II. Administrative Assistant Taylor Dillard took attendance and the following members and staff
were present:
Fred Beaulac
Karl Granath
Walt Haneke
Bob McKinley
Nancy Miller
Paul Rieckers, arrived at 6:15 p.m.
Sherri Robinson
Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Taylor Dillard, Administrative Assistant
Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
III. AGENDA: Commissioner Beaulac moved to approve the September 9, 2021 agenda as
presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against
and the motion passed.
IV. MINUTES: Commissioner Miller moved to approve the August 12, 2021 minutes as
presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against
and the motion passed.
V. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Beaulac and Commissioner Robinson stated
that they will not be able to attend the September 23, 2021 meeting.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: There was no administrative report.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
VIII. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Study Session: Planned Residential Development Code Text Amendment
A brief recess was called due to a technical glitch with Senior Planner Lori Barlow's
microphone. Commissioner Rieckers joined the meeting at 6:15 p.m. The meeting was
called back to order at 6:16 p.m.
Senior Planner Lori Barlow gave a staff presentation regarding the City -initiated code
text amendment to delete Chapter 19.50 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC)
and prohibit Planned Residential Developments (PRD) in residential zones. She
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explained that the PRD is a flexible development tool that provides flexibility in design,
preserves environmental amenities, preserves open space, preserves natural
characteristics, and encourages a variety of housing types. Planned Residential
Developments are currently allowed in all of the residential zones and allow development
standards of the underlying zoning to be relaxed for better site design, land use
relationships, and conservation of natural resources.
Ms. Barlow explained that City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a one-year
moratorium on the submission, acceptance, processing, modification, and approval of
PRD's. The moratorium was passed on November 24, 2020 and will expire on
November 24, 2021. The reason for the moratorium was due to community concerns that
the range of housing allowed within the PRD regulations is inconsistent and incompatible
with surrounding existing uses in single-family zoning districts.
Ms. Barlow stated that the adoption of CPA-2020-0007 (Ordinance 20-0008 & 20-0009,
effective September 23, 2020) was also a contributing factor to the moratorium of PRD's.
The adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment added additional housing policies
to the SVMC that helped address community concerns about the influx of duplex
developments and provided areas within the City for denser housing options that are
supported by transit and services (the creation of the R-4 zoning district). It also helped
to preserve and enhance the City's established single-family neighborhoods by
minimizing the impacts of more dense housing typologies such as duplexes and cottage
developments.
Ms. Barlow outlined that staff conducted a review of PRD regulations in adjacent
jurisdictions and compared various elements including land uses, density, density
bonuses, minimum site size, and open space requirements. Staff also did a review of the
Comprehensive Plan goals and policies. During this review it was found that PRD's are
not consistent with four of the goals and policies outlined in the comprehensive plan.
Additional research included a review of vacant and partially developed properties
meeting the five -acres minimum site requirements. It was found that there are 33 sites
that meet the criteria and 22 of those parcels are located in the R-3 zone.
Ms. Barlow outlined the following staff conclusions:
• The current PRD regulations are inconsistent with several Comprehensive Plan
goals and policies
• Sites meeting size criteria are predominantly located in the R-3 zone.
• Approximately half of those sites are impacted by critical areas.
• CPA-2020-0007 addressed community concerns regarding incompatible housing
and density issues in the R-3 zone.
• Current PRD regulations allow for incompatible land uses in the residential zones.
• The City has numerous alternative housing options that allow a variety of housing
types.
• Critical areas present a unique challenge to development.
Ms. Barlow stated that staff recommends eliminating the PRD regulations and code
references (SVMC Chapter 19.50) and continuing to evaluate the need for PRD
regulations as they relate to sites with critical areas.
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Commissioner Beaulac asked if projects that have already been submitted would be
affected by this change. Ms. Barlow answered that there is only one project awaiting
approval, the Painted Hills PRD. Since it was submitted prior to the moratorium date, it
will continue through the process and will not be affected. The project is currently going
through the environmental review.
This item will return for public hearing on September 23, 2021.
IX. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioner Beaulac stated that he would like to see the new
library or a City park named after long-time residents Sally Jackson or Chuck Hafner.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Haneke moved to adjourn the meeting at 6: 58 p. m. The
vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the motion passed.
Bob McKinley, Chair
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
eZ
Date Signed