Minutes - 02/14/2008 Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Approved Minutes
Council Chambers — City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.
February 14, 2008
Prior to the meeting there was an Open House from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. for the Sprague/Appleway
Revitalization Plan. lan Robertson, Craig Eggleston, Bill Gothmann, Rose Dempsey, Steve
Taylor, Dave Mercier, Rick Hastings (Studio Cascade), approx. 20 visitors through the evening.
I.CALL TO ORDER
Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm.
II.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance
III.ROLL CALL
Commissioners Robertson, Beaulac, Carroll, Eggleston, Kogle and Sharpe were present.
Commissioner Sands was excused.
Staff attending the meeting: Kathy McClung, Director Community Development, Scott
Kuhta, Senior Planner, Deanna Griffith, Administrative Assistant.
IV.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Commissioner Beaulac seconded by Commissioner Kogle, and
unanimously agreed to accept the Feb. 14, 2008 agenda as presented.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner Carroll, and seconded to approve the Jan. 10, Jan.24
and the Jan. 31S minutes as presented . Approved unanimously.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment
VII. COMMISSION REPORTS
Commissioner Beaulac reported that he attended the Democratic Party caucus.
Commissioner Eggleston reported that he also attended the Democratic caucus and led
one of the caucuses. Commissioner Robertson reported he had visited with the Mayor
and that Council is going to revisit the lot size in the Greenacres area. All other
Commissioners had nothing to report.
VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Director McClung reported that Council had their first touch on the Uniform
Development Code amendment regarding the doggie daycares. She also stated that
there would be another amendment coming soon, regarding loading doors facing
streets in industrial areas.
IX.COMMISSION BUSINESS
New Business — Study Session for the Sprague Appleway Corridors Subarea Plan.
Senior Planner Kuhta made a presentation before the Commission and attending
audience regarding the Sprague/Appleway Revitalization Plan Corridor regulations. The
Corridor Subarea Plan is ready for public hearing, Mr. Kuhta explains how the
document is put together, how the regulations are placed into the plan and how they
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relate to each other. This is a study session so that the Commissioners can become
familiar with the layout of the Plan and to get ready for the public hearing.
After Mr. Kuhta concluded his presentation, the Commissioners asked some questions
regarding the plan including billboards, the percentage that would be need before
having to come into compliance with the plan regulations, traffic volumes, development
of the City Center, roof gardens, and incentives for building green.
Commissioner Robertson then opened the forum for the public to ask questions.
Sara Orrange, Spokane Home Builders Association: Ms. Orrange asked if the
15% requirement would not be counter productive to the intent of the plan and
encourage continued disinvestment along the corridor. Mr. Kuhta responded he did
not know, the plan had originally said 10% and staff asked to have that increased, Ms.
McClung stated that some developers has shared the same thought. Commissioner
Eggleston challenged the Home Builders Association to bring case studies back to the
Commission to support their thoughts.
Ms Orrange asked that if it was possible give careful consideration to properties along
Appleway that are currently zoned as commercial, and would it be better to leave them
zone commercial. Mr. Kuhta responded that if the use changes then the zoning
change would be appropriate, but it could be considered at the public hearing.
Jim Scott, owner of property at Appleway and Evergreen. Mr. Scott feels that his
property will be devalued by 50% if his zoning is changed from commercial to
residential. He asked if his property could be left out of the residential zoning change?
Mr. Kuhta stated that it would up the Planning Commission and City Council to make
adjustment to the plan as they feel necessary, it could be possible.
Dr. Philip Rudy, 701 N. Argonne: Dr. Rudy stated he thinks the plan is ambitious
and feels generally happy about it but has some thoughts he would like to share. He
feels that there should not be any height limitations in the City Center, more people in
a concentrated area would help support mass transit, light rail or monorail. Dr. Rudy
also stated he felt that the property across Sprague Ave. owned by the Pring's should
be considered for the City Center, a road could be built under Sprague to access to the
property on the south side of Sprague and Appleway.
Duane Waken, City Intern: Mr. Waken stated that he wondered if the promotion of
traffic capacity and an urban environment were not at odds with each other. Mr.
Kuhta stated at the basic level they were, but over time the transit situation would
work itself out as the urban environment increased.
Mr. Waken also wondered, having just moved from Utah, if the City had any parks that
compared to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Mr. Kuhta responded that the City does
have parks but there is a need for more parks with in the City as a whole, not just in
the Plan area itself.
Mr. Scott returned to the podium to ask where the snow in the winter when the roads
were plowed. Mr. Kuhta stated that with green areas separating the roads from the
sidewalks that the swales and green spaces would be able to take the snow, the
swales would be able to do their jobs, in the City Center, it would have to be worked
out and it might have to be hauled out.
Commissioner Eggleston asked about a current zoning map in order to compare the
zoning changes. Commissioner Robertson asked about the height limits.
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X. GOOD OF THE ORDER
There was nothing for the good of the order
XI. AD70URNMENT
There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm
SUBMITTED: APPROVED:
Deanna Griffith, Administrative Assistant Ian Robertson, Chairperson
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