2023-10-26 PC APPROVED SIGNED MINUTESMeeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Centerplace Regional Event Center
October 26, 2023
I. Planning Commission Chairman Granrath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was
held in person and via ZOOM meetings.
II. The Commissioners and staff stood for the Pledge Of Allegiance.
III. Administrative Assistant Marianne Lemons took attendance, and the following members and staff
were present:
Susan Delucchi
Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Val Dimitrov
Chaz Bates, Planning Manager
Karl Granrath
Chad Knodel, IT Manager
Walt Haneke
Jerremy Clark, Senior Engineer
Bob McKinley
Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
Nancy Miller
Daniel Wilson
IV. AGENDA: Chairman Granrath moved, and it was seconded to amend the agenda by removing
"ROW Permit" from CTA-2023-0003. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven
in favor, zero against, and the motion passed.
V. MINUTES: Commissioner Delucchi moved, and it was seconded, to approve the October 12, 2023,
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 Haneke commented that he does not agree with the
proposed change that was discussed at the October 26, 2023 meeting to reduce the number of
required Planning Commission meetings from twelve to nine meetings per year. He suggested that a
possible solution would be a minimum of eleven meetings with a stipulation that there are not two
consecutive months without a meeting. Commissioner Delucchi stated that she attended the Planning
Commission training course through the Department of Commerce. She found it very helpful and
informative. Commissioner Wilson reported that the Spokane County Sheriff's Office Regional
Training Center opened on October l00', 2023 and he was invited to tour the facility. He reported
that it is an extremely modern training facility that will be a true asset for training police officers.
He also stated that he attended a City Hall meeting sponsored by Spokane County Treasurer Michael
Baumgartner, Senator Mike Padden, and Deputy Treasurer Mike Volz where they presented a lot of
information regarding taxes and answered a lot of frequently asked questions. Commissioner
Wilson commented that public platform meetings that allow input and participation from the public
10-26-2023 Planning Commission Minutes
Page 2 of 3
are an important role in the governmental process and serve to maintain good relations between local
government and the public.
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Planning Manager Chaz Bates stated that the public hearing
regarding the number of required Planning Commission meetings will be held at the November 9 h,
2023 meeting.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment offered.
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Public Hearing: Clearview Triangle Regulations Update
The public hearing was opened at 6:12 p.m.
Senior Engineer Jerremy Clark gave a staff report. He stated that CTA-2023-0003 is a city -initiated
code text amendment. At the study session on September 28, 2023, staff presented proposed
amendments to Chapter 21.130 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) and to SVMC
22.70.030. Mr. Clark explained that staff found that additional amendments to Chapter 21.130
SVMC were needed so the proposed amendments to Chapter 21.130 SVMC were withdrawn from
the code text amendment application. As a result, CTA-2023-0003 was limited to the amendments to
SVMC 22.70.030.
Mr. Clark explained that the proposed amendments to SVMC 22.070.030 clarify that clear -view
triangle regulations apply to alleyways. While there is text in SVMC 22.70.030 that includes a
reference to an alley, Table 22.70-1 and Figure 22.70-1 with specific sight distance regulations do
not. The proposed amendment clarifies that alleys are subject to clear -view triangle regulations. The
amendment also adds an exemption to the clear -view triangle regulations for parked vehicles
provided they are legally parked and operable. A revision to Figure 22.70-1 to clarify the
measurement limits and remove the stop bar was also included in the amendment.
Commissioner Haneke asked why the stop bar was removed. Mr. Clark answered that the wording
and the protocol for measuring a clear -view triangle does not consider where the stop bar is located.
The clear -view triangle is measured from the traveled way of the intersecting roadway, but it was
being measured incorrectly from the stop bar and was removed.
Commissioner Dimitrov asked if any intersection in Spokane Valley will be in non-compliance with
this change if it is passed. Mr. Clark answered that he is not aware of any that won't be compliant.
Commissioner Haneke asked why parked cars were exempted in the code. Mr. Clark answered that
parked vehicles are not a fixed item on the roadway therefore, clear -view triangle regulations do not
apply to parked cars. If there is a site -distance issue, there would be a need for "no parking"
regulations. Commissioner Haneke commented that there should be "no parking" signs in all clear -
view triangles for the required site distance.
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The public hearing was closed 6:28 p.m.
Commissioner McKinley moved and it was seconded to recommend approval to City Council of
CTA-2023-0003 as submitted.
Commissioner Haneke asked for additional language to be sent to the City Council for consideration
regarding adding "no parking" signs within the clear -view triangle site distance area. The
Commission decided not to forward the proposed language.
The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the motion passed.
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: There was nothing offered for the good of the order.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Haneke moved, and it was seconded, to adjourn the meeting at
6: 42 p.m. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero against, and the motion passed.
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Karl Granrath, Chairman Date Signed
Marianne Lemons, Secretary