2024-02-08 PC APPROVED SIGNED MINUTESSpecial Meeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Spokane Valley City Hall
February 8, 2024
I. Administrative Assistant Marianne Lemons called the special 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
Bob McKinley
John Robertson
Vadim Smelik, absent
Justin Weathermon
Dan Wilson
Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Chaz Bates, Planning Manager
Nikki Cole, IT Specialist
Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant
IV. AGENDA: Commission McKinley moved, and it was seconded to approve the meeting agenda for
February 8, 2024, as submitted. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in favor,
zero against, and the motion passed.
V. MINUTES: Commissioner Wilson moved, and it was seconded, to approve the January 25, 2024,
minutes as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in favor, zero
against, one abstention, and the motion passed.
VI. COMMISSION REPORTS: The Commissioners welcomed new members, John Robertson and
Justin Weathermon.
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Planning Manager Chaz Bates reported that the Planning
Commission orientation and public records/open records act training will occur at the next meeting.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment offered.
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Election of Officers
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Commissioner Delucchi moved, and it was seconded to nominate Bob McKinley as Chairman. There
were no other nominations. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in favor, zero
against, and the motion passed.
Commissioner Wilson moved and it was seconded to nominate Susan Delucchi as Vice -Chairman.
There were no other nominations. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in favor,
zero against, and the motion passed.
b. Study Session: 2024 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Planner Levi Basinger presented a staff report. He explained that Comprehensive Plan Amendment
can be initiated by property owners/representatives, citizens, agencies, neighborhoods, or the City.
The deadline for submitting an amendment for consideration during 2024 was November 14, 2023.
The notice of Annual Comprehensive Plans Amendment Cycle was published in the newspaper of
record sixty days prior to the deadline date and a notice was sent to agencies, organizations, adjacent
jurisdictions. Completed applications are collected throughout the year and are compiled into a
docket which are reviewed concurrently once the submittal deadline has passed.
Mr. Basinger explained that the annual process consists of seven steps:
1. Staff prepares an administrative report to City Council on the docket of applications received for
the year
2. Council acts on whether to move items on the docket forward for consideration
3. Staff presents proposed amendments to the Planning Commission as part of a study session
4. Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the proposed amendments
5. Planning Commission deliberates on the items and makes a recommendation to City Council for
each proposed amendment
6. The amendments are then sent back to City Council with the recommendations from the
Planning Commission for final consideration
7. Amendments are adopted as an ordinance
Mr. Basinger stated that the City received two City initiated map amendments to the Comprehensive
Plan that were docketed by the City Council for consideration. The first amendment (CPA-2024-
0001) is a change from Multi -Family Residential (MFR) to Mixed Use (MU) and Single -Family
Residential (SFR). The property is located at 4418 E 8' Avenue (at the corner of 8th Avenue and
Havana Street) and is comprised of a total of 49 acres and thirteen parcels of land. The northern
three parcels will be changed to MU zoning and the southern ten parcels will be changed to SFR.
The proposed will expand the MU zone by 44 acres and expand the SFR zone by 5.2 acres and will
be mostly used as office and open space. The property is owned by the Spokane Conservation
District and was previously used for mining and was the location for a landscape materials business.
It currently contains office buildings with multiple tenants and the remainder of the land is open
space. The property has distinctive topography and areas of land which is the reason for two
separate land use designations.
Mr. Basinger said that after review of the application, staff has determined the proposal meets the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment requirements because it will promote the development or
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redevelopment of vacant and underutilized properties, it will maintain and enhance the character and
quality of life in Spokane Valley, and it will ensure compatibility between adjacent residential and
commercial uses.
Mr. Basinger stated that the second amendment (CPA-2024-0002) is a change from SFR to Corridor
Mixed Use (CMU). The property is located at 17103 E. Main Avenue (at the corner of Main
Avenue and Flora Road) and is approximately .83 acres of land. The property is owned by Family
Promise of Spokane and is currently a single-family residence.
Mr. Basinger explained that Family Promise has received grant funding from the City for
establishing a community service use that will provide transitional housing onsite (however, the City
has not received a formal application for that use). The City is in support of the proposed operation
because it provides an identified community service need.
Mr. Basinger said that after review of the application, staff has determined the proposal meets the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment requirements because it will engage in active recruitment of
service providers that desire to serve Valley residents through targeted programs focused on
homeless service delivery, will support community resource hubs where service providers can co -
locate in areas in close proximity to public transportation, and will encourage and support new
projects and programs which seek to assist in maintaining housing stability or provide exits from
homelessness to housing.
Mr. Basinger explained that the next study session for this matter will be held on February 22, 2024.
Commissioner Delucchi asked for details regarding the future use of the property owned by Family
Promise. Mr. Basinger answered that the property currently has a single-family residence and a
manufactured home that has not been set up yet. The City has not received a formal application for
site development. The amendment request is specific only to the land use designation.
Commissioner Delucchi asked about transit services in the area of the property owned by Family
Promise. Mr. Basinger answered that the closest bus stop is one block from the property site.
Commissioner Robertson asked how many housing units can be placed on the property if it is
rezoned. Mr. Basinger answered that the code allows for ten adults in transitional housing and a
total of twenty adults and children.
Commissioner Delucchi expressed concern about creating a peninsula in a SFR zone. Mr. Bates
answered that City -initiated amendments are processed under a different section of the code which
allows for islands and peninsulas within a zoning district if it addresses a public need.
Commissioner Robertson asked about wildlife and the potential of erosion or flood damage with the
development of the property on 8`s Avenue. Mr. Bates answered that the Comp Plan Amendment
was routed to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for comments, and they did not submit any
concerns regarding this property. He also mentioned that a State Environmental Protection Agency
(SEPA) analysis has been conducted on the property and it was issued a determination of non-
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significance. Any future development would have to go through a site -specific review process to
determine any potential impacts.
Commissioner Delucchi asked about notification requirements to surrounding property owners. Mr.
Basinger answered that a notice of public hearing will be mailed to all properties within 400 square
feet of the proposal, will be published in the Valley Herald on two different dates, and a notice will
be put on the sites.
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: There was nothing offered for the Good of the Order.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Wilson moved, and it was seconded, to adjourn the meeting at
6:37p.m. The vote on the motion was four in favor, zero against, and the motion passed.
2 L
Chairman
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
Z-7 -K
Date Signed