2022-07-28 PC SIGNED APPROVED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers — City Hall
July 28, 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
Tony Beattie, City Senior Deputy Attorney
Susan Delucchi
Chaz Bates, Planning Manager
Karl Granrath
Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Walt Haneke
Nikki Kole, IT Specialist
Bob McKinley
Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
Nancy Miller
Sherri Robinson
IV. AGENDA: Commissioner Haneke moved to approve the July 28, 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 Beaulac moved to approve the July 14, 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: There were no Planning Commission reports.
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Senior Planner Chaz Bates stated that the City has hired a
new planner, Greg Norris.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Findings of Fact: STV-2022-0001 - Street Vacation of Right -of -Way Between
Mission Avenue And Park Road
Senior Planner Lori Barlow presented the Findings of Fact for STV-2022-0001 for
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the street vacation of right-of-way (ROW) between Mission Avenue and Park Road.
She stated that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed street
vacation at the July 14, 2022 meeting. After receiving public testimony, the Planning
Commission moved and voted 6-1 to recommend approval to the City Council. She
explained that the approval of the Findings Of Fact would formalize the
recommendations that were made at the public hearing.
Commissioner Miller moved to approve the Findings of Fact for STV-2022-0001 as
presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero
against, and the motion passed.
b. Public Hearing: STV-2022-0002: Street Vacation of 1,553 square feet of
unimproved right-of-way intersecting with Appleway Boulevard.
The public hearing was opened at 6:15 p.m.
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.
Ms. Barlow explained that a study session was held at the July 14, 2022 meeting and
noticing of the public hearing was posted on each end of the area to be vacated, was
posted in three places within the City, was mailed to property owners abutting the
vacation, and was published twice in the Valley Herald and the Exchange.
Ms. Barlow stated that the street vacation request was sent out to all associated
agencies and the City received requests for conditions from Consolidated Irrigation
District #19 and Avista Utilities for utility easements where their utilities are located.
She explained that the water utilities are in the current easement, but Avista has a
small portion that is located outside of the current easement boundaries. She
requested that the Planning Commission add a condition of approval to grant an
easement that is acceptable to Avista to encompass all their utility lines. In addition
to the utility easements, an access easement to the adjacent property owned by Major
and Corinna Bambino will be retained.
Ms. Barlow stated that the staff analysis showed that the requested street vacation
does meet the criteria outlined in the code and staff recommended that it should be
approved with the conditions outlined in the staff report and the additional condition
for Avista.
Commissioner Haneke commented that the area is full of inoperable vehicles and
garbage that is a public nuisance. Ms. Barlow responded that the area has been
reported to the City Code Enforcement Department for determination of code
violations.
The item was opened for public comment:
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The applicant, Jeremy Hopson with Cameo Lofts, LLC (Plummer, ID) stated that he
has reviewed the staff report and is willing to comply with all the required conditions
of approval (including the addition of the requirement for Avista). He explained that
the reason he is requesting the street vacation is to add some additional amenities to
the clubhouse that is adjacent to the proposed street vacation area.
The property owner, Major Bambino (Spokane Valley) stated that he is in opposition
of the street vacation because he is concerned that the vacation will eliminate access
to the lower garage area.
The property tenant, David Beech (Spokane Valley) stated that he is renting the
Bambino property and was also in opposition to the street vacation because it would
eliminate his access to the lower level of the garage building.
Commissioner Delucchi asked the applicant about the access easement. Mr. Hopson
responded that the access easement exists and was recorded in 1974. He explained
that it would be retained if the street vacation was approved, and the remaining
vacated area would be used to provide yard games for the clubhouse. Ms. Barlow
confirmed that the access easement was recorded with Spokane County under auditor
number 901810A and it will be retained as part of the street vacation process.
Commissioner McKinley asked if the access easement extends all the way to the
garage door of the building. Ms. Barlow responded that she assumed it would extend
all the way but couldn't confirm definitively.
The public hearing was closed at 7:08 p.m.
Commissioner Beaulac moved to recommend approval of STV-2022-0002, subject to
the staff conditions, including an additional condition to grant an easement that is
acceptable to Avista to encompass all their utility lines.
Commissioner Haneke stated that he did not want to recommend approval until it was
confirmed that the applicant had adequate access through the access easement.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding access to the Bambino property and if it
was adequate for the tenant to get to all areas of the property.
Commissioner Beaulac moved to withdraw his recommendation to approve motion.
There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against,
and the motion passed.
Commissioner Delucchi moved to reopen the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. There was
no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the
motion passed.
Commissioner Delucchi moved to continue the public hearing to the August 11, 2022,
meeting so that additional information could be presented regarding the access
easement. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero
against, and the motion passed.
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Chairman McKinley stated that he will not be at the next
meeting and Vice -Chair Robinson will be chairing the meeting.
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XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Beaulac moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.in. The
vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against and the motion passed.
Sherri Robinson, Vice -Chair
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
Date Signed