2022-07-14 PC SIGNED APPROVED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers — City Hall
July 14, 2022
I. Planning Commission Chairman McKinley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was
held in person and via ZOOM meetings.
II. The Commissioners, staff, and audience stood for the Pledge Of Allegiance
III. Planning Commission Secretary Marianne Lemons took attendance, and the following members and
staff were present:
Fred Beaulac
Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Susan Delucchi
Tony Beattie, City Senior Deputy Attorney
Karl Granrath
Chaz Bates, Planning Manager
Walt Haneke
Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Bob McKinley
Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
Nancy Miller
Chad Knodel, IT Manager
Sherri Robinson
IV. AGENDA: Commissioner Beaulac moved to approve the July 14, 2022 agenda as presented. There
was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed.
V. MINUTES: Commissioner Delucchi moved to approve the June 23, 2022 minutes as presented.
There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion
passed.
VI. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Delucchi stated that she attended the Greenacres Park
meeting and feels that it is going to be a beautiful neighborhood park. Commissioner Robinson
reported that she attended the Farmer's Market at Center Place and the West Lawn Expansion at that
location looks wonderful.
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Senior Planner Chaz Bates stated that the City Council adopted
the code text amendment regarding community services at the June 28'h meeting. They made the
following three changes to the amendment: they removed transitional housing from the buffer
requirements, they increased the distance buffer to one mile, and they added a provision that allows
the City Administrator to authorize a 30-day emergency shelter in the event of severe cold, heat,
smoke, etc. Mr. Bates mentioned that there was a survey regarding the Greenacres park on the City
website to get local feedback on the park. Mr. Bates also stated that the City was working with
Spokane County and the City of Spokane to come up with a plan to use $24 million dollars to
address "Camp Hope," the homeless camp in Spokane.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
07-14-2022 Planning Commission Minutes
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
Page 2 of 4
a. Public Hearing: STV-2022-0001. Street Vacation of Right -of -Way Between Mission
Avenue And Park Road
The public hearing was opened at 6:06 p.m.
Senior Planner Lori Barlow gave a presentation regarding STV-2022-0001, a City initiated
street vacation of a right-of-way (ROW) located between Park Road and Mission Avenue.
Ms. Barlow explained the process for vacating a portion of a City -owned ROW. She stated
that the notice of public hearing was posted on each end of the area to be vacated by a large
street vacation sign, it was posted in three locations within the City, written notice was
mailed to the abutting property owners, and the notice was published twice in the Valley
Herald and the Exchange newspapers.
Ms. Barlow explained that the property is in the southwest corner of the corner of Park Road
and Mission Avenue and was an alleyway in the original plat dedication. The area is
approximately 7,400 square feet and in the shape of an "L" connecting Park Road and
Mission Avenue. The area is unimproved, and the City has had to perform on -going
maintenance and weed control. The ROW is currently not serving as access to any of the
properties. There are existing utilities in the ROW including Avista & Lumen.
Ms. Barlow stated that Avista requested a 10' utility easement along the west and north side
of the alley. Lumen requested a 10' wide easement the entire length of the alleyway but
reserved the right to determine the exact location needed. However, their aerial lines in the
area are located on the Avista poles so staff feels that the easement would be the same
location for both utility companies. Those details will be spelled out in detail prior to
recording the street vacation.
Ms. Barlow explained that per the code requirements, half of the ROW vacation will be
distributed to each adjacent lot and the required easements will be established and dedicated
by a record of survey for the location.
Ms. Barlow explained the review criteria outlined in the code and the staff determination
based on review of that criteria. The staff analysis determined that the City does not have a
need for the ROW. She also stated that the City had not received any written objections to
the vacation (but did have a telephone conversation with the property owner of lot 5 who was
concerned about losing access to his back gate).
Commissioner Robinson asked if the public survey would be conducted and paid for by the
City (not the responsibility of the property owners). Ms. Barlow answered that since the
request was City -initiated, the City would be hiring the engineering firm and paying the cost
of the survey and any associated recording fees.
A public comment was read into the record by Planning Commission Secretary Marianne
Lemons for Susan Welsh, the owner of Parcel #35131.0102. She stated that if the vacation is
approved, she would request a proper survey and the installation of corner pines for each
affected property to prevent any discrepancies or disputes among the property owners.
No other public comment was offered. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:18 p.m.
Commissioner Delucchi asked if the City considered fencing off the area rather than vacating
it. Ms. Barlow responded that it is not customary to fence ROW because ROW's need to be
07-14-2022 Planning Commission Minutes
Page 3 of 4
accessible to the public and utility companies. Also, fencing would not alleviate the City
responsibility of maintenance of the ROW.
Commissioner Beaulac expressed concern that the City did not receive any public comment.
He stated that he would like to hear from the residents that live there before approving the
vacation. Ms. Barlow responded that the street vacation request was initiated due to
complaints by the property owners and the City's trouble maintaining the area. If the
vacation request is granted; it will absolve the City from maintenance and the property
owners will be able to fence and use the property for storage.
Commissioner Granrath commented that the area will be vacated but it will be turned into a
utility easement instead of a City -maintained alleyway. Commissioner Haneke mentioned
that the extra square footage given to the property owners will allow them to build slightly
bigger buildings (if wanted) due to the larger area for setbacks.
Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of STV-2022-0001. There was no
discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, one opposed, with Commissioner
Beaulac dissenting and the motion passed.
b. Study Session: STV-2022-0002: Street Vacation of 1,553 square feet of unimproved
right-of-way intersecting with Appleway Boulevard.
Senior Planner Lori Barlow gave a presentation regarding STV-2022-0002. She explained
that the request was for a privately initiated street vacation to vacate 1,553 square feet of
unimproved ROW intersecting with Appleway Boulevard. The property is located about
800' west of Barker Road and is on the northside of Appleway Boulevard. It is a an
irregularly shaped segment of an unimproved alleyway that is about twenty feet wide and
extends about seventy-five feet. The ROW was recorded originally on the Corbin Addition
to Greenacres plat in 1924 but there have been several land use actions that have occurred
over the years. Division and consolidated of lots have reduced the alley to a dead end. The
west end of alley does not connect to the east portion of the alley because of the turn radius.
The alley way is not currently used for access but there are utilities located in the ROW for
Avista and Consolidated Irrigation District.
Ms. Barlow stated that the applicant, Cameo Lofts, LLC is requesting the street vacation
based on the following reasons:
• Historical division and consolidation of lots have reduced the alley to a dead-end of
the west end of the alley that cannot connect to the east because of the turn radius.
• The boundaries of the bisected alley is between two parcels under the same
ownership.
• The vacation would reduce the number of access points onto Appleway Boulevard
which would remove confusion (since the alley is a dead end).
• The vacation would improve aesthetics since the alley has attracted nuisances and
abandoned vehicles.
Ms. Barlow stated that the informal staff analysis shows that the requested street vacation
does meet the criteria outlined in the code. She said that the formal and detailed report
regarding the staff review will be included in the information provided for the public hearing
on July 28, 2022.
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Commissioner Robinson stated that the street vacation would improve the aesthetic of the
area.
Commissioner Delucchi asked if the rest of the alleyway is being used. Ms. Barlow answered
that the alleyway is not being used as a connector to Appleway Avenue and it will remain
unchanged.
Commissioner Haneke asked who owns the alleyway. Ms. Barlow answered that the City
owns it. Mr. Haneke stated that the alley is full of cars (many of which look inoperable).
Commissioners Beaulac, McKinley, and Miller stated that they did not have any objection to
the request.
Commissioner Granrath asked if the curb cut will remain after the street is vacated. Ms.
Barlow answered that she would confirm with City Development Engineer prior to the public
hearing.
Commissioner Haneke requested an updated picture of the site prior to the Public Hearing.
He also stated that if the alley is vacated, the access point onto Appleway should also be
vacated.
The public hearing on this matter will be held at the next Planning Commission meeting.
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioner Robinson stated that she is proud of the leadership in
Spokane Valley after seeing water issues happening in other jurisdictions. Commissioner Granrath
apologized for missing the last meeting.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Beaulac moved to adjourn the meeting at 7: 00 p.m. The vote on
the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed.
Bob McKinley, Chair
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
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Date Signed