Ordinance 24-001 Planning Commission Meeting RulesCITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 24-001
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 18.10.030
RELATED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING RULES, AND OTHER MATTERS
RELATING THERETO.
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley Planning Commission was created pursuant to chapter
18.10 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission is tasked with determining its meeting schedule within the
bounds set by SVMC 18.10.030; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure, the Planning Commission
meets at 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month unless a meeting is cancelled; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to SVMC 18.10.030(B) the Planning Commission is currently required to
meet at least one time every month; and
WHEREAS, decreasing the required meetings of the Planning Commission provides flexibility
without compromising efficiency; and
WHEREAS, CTA-2023-0004 is a City -initiated code text amendment to revise SVMC 18.10.030
to decrease the number of required meetings to one regular meeting each month not less than nine months
in each year; and
WHEREAS, on October 5, 2023 the Washington State Department of Commerce was notified
pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106, providing a 60 day notice of intent to adopt amendments to Spokane Valley
development regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a Study Session related to CTA-2023-0004 on October
12, 2023; and
WHEREAS, on October 20, 2023 and October 27, 2023, notice of the Planning Commission public
hearing for CTA-2023-0004 was published in the Spokane Valley News Herald; and
WHEREAS, on November 9, 2023, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to receive
evidence and information, and to provide an opportunity for public testimony. The Commissioners
subsequently voted 6-0 to recommend that the City Council approve the CTA-2023-0004 with the
modification that there never be two consecutive months without a meeting; and
Ordinance 24-001, amending SVMC 18.10.030 Page 1 of 3
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission approved the Findings and Recommendations as presented
on December 14, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to SVMC 18.10.030 are in the best interests of the health,
safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane County,
Washington, do ordain as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend section 18,10.030 of the
Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) so as to provide for flexibility in the number of required meetings
held by the Planning Commission.
Section 2. Findings and Conclusions. The City Council acknowledges that the Planning
Commission conducted appropriate investigation and study, held a public hearing on the proposed
amendments, and recommends approval of the amendments. The City Council has read and considered the
Planning Commission's findings and recommendation, and makes the following findings:
A. The proposed amendment is consistent with the applicable provisions of the
Comprehensive Plan:
Findings: The Comprehensive Plan does not identify specific goals and policies relevant
to the Planning Commission procedures but identifies specific goals and policies to be
considered in the development of the comprehensive plan and development regulations. A
review of the goals and policies did not identify anything inconsistent with the proposed
CTA. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as the
amendment establishes the minimum number of rnectings required for the Planning
Commission to conduct its business as it relates to Comprehensive Plan amendments and
other matters such as code text amendments.
B. The proposed amendment does bear a substantial relation to public health, safety, welfare,
and protection of the environment.
Findings: The proposed amendment bears substantial relation to public health, safety,
welfare, and protection of the environment. The proposed amendments clarify the required
number of meetings the Planning Commission must hold consistent with state law and does
not reduce the number of meetings necessary for the Planning Commission to conduct
business, nor does it reduce the number of regular meetings scheduled pursuant to the
PIanning Commission Rules of Procedure.
C. Conclusion:
The proposed text amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and bears a
substantial relation to public health, safety, welfare, and protection of the environment.
Ordinance 24-001, amending SVMC 18.10.030 Page 2 of 3
Section 3. Amendment. SVMC 18. 10.030 is hereby amended as follows:
18.10.030 Meetings — Rules.
A. The planning commission shall every year organize and elect from its members a chair, who shall
preside at allmeetings of the planning coinmissim and perform such other functions as determined by
rule. A vice chair shall be elected to preside in the absence of the chair. A ina ' jority of the planning
commission members shall constitute a qUOrLIM for the transaction of business, and a majority vote of
those present shall be necessary to carry any proposition,
B. The planning commission shall determine a. regular meeting schedule (time, place and freqncilcy) and
shall hold at least one regular meeting each month not less, than nine months in each year, provided that
there are never two consecutive months without a meeting, Provided further that the Planning
Commission shall not meet on the first regularly scheduled meeting date in any January which follows
City Council elections. All meetings shall be open to the public.
C. The planning commission shall adopt such rules and procedures as are necessary for the conduct of
business, subject to the approval of city council, and shall keep a recording of its proceedings,
D. All hearings before the planning commission shall be conducted in the manner set forth in Appendix
B.
Section 4. Other sections unchanged. All other provisions of chapter 18.10 SVMC not
specifically referenced hereto shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance should be
held to be invalid 01' unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or
phrase of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date, This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five clays after
publication of this Ordinance or a summary thereof in the official newspaper, of the City of Spokane Valley
as provided by law.
Passed this 2W' day ofFebruary 2024,
Pain Haley,A44or
ATTEST:
Mai"CiT,atterson, City Cle'r
Approved As To Form:
0 . fVle ofthe 19yAttorney
Date of Priblii?ation: ' �) I i
Effective Date: L)
Ordinance 24-00 1, amending SVMC 18. 1 U30 Page 3 of 3