2024-12-12 PC APPROVED SIGNED MINUTESRegular Meeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Spokane Valley City Hall
December 12, 2024
I. Chairman Robert McKinley called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in
person and via ZOOM meetings.
The Commissioners and staff stood for the Pledge Of Allegiance.
II. Administrative Assistant Robin Holt took attendance, and the following members and staff were
present:
Susan Delucchi
Michael Kelly
Bob McKinley
John Robertson
Vadim Smelik, absent
Justin Weathermon
Dan Wilson
Tony Beattie, Deputy City Attorney
Steve Roberge, Planning Manager
Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
Justan Kinsel, IT Specialist
Robin Holt, Administrative Assistant
There was consensus to excuse Commissioner Smelik from the meeting.
III. AGENDA: Commissioner Robertson moved, and it was seconded, to approve the meeting agenda
for December 12, 2024. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero
opposed, and the motion passed.
IV. MINUTES: Commissioner Delucchi moved, and it was seconded, to approve the meeting minutes
for the November 14, 2024 meeting. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was five in
favor, one abstention, and the motion passed.
V. COMMISSIONER REPORT: Vice -Chairman Delucchi reported her concerns about the current
actions of the City. She said that she feels the City has made a mistake in allowing the population to
double in 20 years without adequate infrastructure to support the growth. She also expressed
concern regarding the aquifer that provides water to the area, lack of policing services, a lack of
parks and open space, a strain on the educational system, traffic issues and a shortage of medical
resources. Chair McKinley rebutted that many of the items mentioned by Vice -Chair Delucchi do
not fall under the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission. Vice -Chair Delucchi requested to give
additional comment which was denied by the Chair.
Vice -Chair Delucchi stepped off the dais at 6:10 p.m. and returned at 6:15 p.m.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Planning Manager Steve Roberge reported that Ordinance for
CTA-2024-0001 regarding Permit Processing has been heard by the City Council and is being
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forwarded for a second reading. The Ordinance that was forwarded to the Council has some minor
additional recommendations from the Department of Commerce that were incorporated into the
document. The changes were specific citations that will help make the language clearer but did not
change any substance. He also stated that the Planning Commission will begin reviewing the
Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan during 2025. The City has contracted a consultant and there
will be a lot of focus on the State statutes regarding housing and climate change. Mr. Roberge said
that he has requested the Department of Commerce to give a presentation on the State perspective on
the new requirements, conditions, and areas where the City has flexibility. He also reminded the
members that the December 26, 2024, meeting was cancelled.
Chairman McKinley also reminded the Commission that the first meeting in January is also
cancelled so the next meeting will be held on January 23, 2025.
Deputy City Attorney reported that the Resolution regarding the Planning Commission Rules of
Procedure was scheduled for review by the City Council at the December 23, 2024, meeting.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT: Linda Klesch, Spokane Valley, commented that the City is not utilizing the
Planning Commission appropriately. She spoke about traffic issues and the lack of parks for children
to use. She said that she thinks Commissioner Delucchi's plan to incorporate districts is a good plan
and that she is frustrated that the City has not met the state and federal guidelines for park space.
VIII. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Study Session: CTA-2024-0002 — Amendments to Chapter 17.80 and 22.130 SVMC
Regarding Right -of -Way (ROW) Permits
Deputy City Attorney Tony Beattie gave a staff presentation. He explained that Right -Of -Way
(ROW) permits are licenses to conditionally utilize the ROW or allow construction activities therein.
They are processed mostly by the City's Traffic Engineer team and require adherence to the City's
adopted street standards and pavement cut policies. Currently, ROW permits are processed as Type
I permits pursuant to Chapters 22.130 and 17.80 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC).
Mr. Beattie explained that ROW permits are not land use or development regulations related to use
of private property and would be better regulated under Title 9 related to "Vehicles and Traffic". He
stated that staff is proposing to transfer SVMC 22.130.100 to Title 9 to make it clear that these
regulations are separate from the requirements of Chapter 17.80 SVMC. The change would remove
ROW permits from Type I permit category and remove exemption language related to `normal"
maintenance and repair.
Chair McKinley asked if there are any disadvantages to moving the process in the code. Mr. Beattie
responded that ROW permits aren't really a land use action, so it doesn't fit in the Type I permit
regulation section of the code.
Commissioner Kelly asked what prompted the change. Mr. Beattie responded that the procedure for
issuing a ROW permit doesn't match the strict requirements of a Type I permit.
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Commissioner Kelly asked if the amendment would make the process more difficult for
homeowners. Building Official Jenny Nickerson explained that the amendment will lay out the
proper procedures for issuing a ROW permit but also protect homeowners in being allowed to do
some maintenance matters without having to obtain a permit (such as having a load of beauty bark
dropped in the ROW for a brief period while landscape beds are updated).
IX. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Commissioner Wilson thanked Vice -Chair Delucchi for her service on
the Planning Commission. Commissioner McKinley thanked the Commission and the staff and
stated that he has learned a lot during his six years serving on the Commission.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Kelly moved, and it was seconded, to adjourn the meeting at
6:46p.m. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero opposed, and the motion passed.
Bob McKinley, Chairman
Marianne Lemons, Secretary
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Date Signed