Minutes - 10/01/2009 Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Special Study Session
APPROVED Minutes
Council Chambers — City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.
October 1, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Carroll called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Carroll, Mann, Towey, and Sharpe were present. Commissioners
Eggleston and Sands were absent.
Staff attending the meeting: Kathy McClung, Director, Community Development; Greg
McCormick, Planning Manager; Mike Basinger, Senior Planner; Deanna Griffith,
Administrative Assistant.
III. COMMISSION BUSINESS
New Business — Study Session Code Amendment Affordable Housing Bonus
Density: Director McClung began the presentation. The Director explained some of
the things the Commission should be asking about while considering this amendment.
Senior Planner Basinger then explained the intent of the proposed te� amendment is to
develop regulations that promote affordable housing in the Multifamily Medium Density
Residential District (MF-1) and the Multifamily High Density Residential District (MF-2),
Corridor Mixed Use (CMU), Mixed Use (MU), Mixed Use Avenue (MUA), City Center (CC)
and Community Boulevard (CB) zoning classifications by allowing density bonuses in
exchange for the inclusion of affordable housing units within the development. Staff
has developed a recommended regulation in cooperation with Northeast Washington
Housing Solutions, and the applicant's representatives to provide density incentives to
encourage affordable housing and criteria to ensure the project is well designed and
has additional amenities that contribute to the quality of life for the residents.
Mr. Basinger also tried to explain how the densities would be figured, what the need
currently is in Spokane Valley and Spokane. At the current time, there is no reason for
a builder/developer to add affordable units to a development. This is aimed at work
force class people who are struggling to get by in these times.
Art Noll from the Spokane Housing Authority also discussed the needs in the area
and how this amendment would help meet those needs.
Mr. Noll explained that the need is tremendous, currently Spokane County has a need
218,000 families at or below medium income. The Housing Authority has only been
able to address 3500 units, which means they still need 195,000 units to meet the
need.
In response to a question from the Commission about the needs of the community,
Arlene Patten, chair of the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force offered to send to
the Commissioners a report that had been sent to the City Council two months ago
which had all the information regarding the numbers Mr. Noll was giving this evening.
Brenda Grassell, 1418 N Woodruff Rd. was asking about the housing and how
does it affect schools? She stated she was concerned about over-crowding in schools,
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crime rates, and that the neighborhood becomes more transient. Mr. Basinger stated
it would only be applied to multifamily housing, not sure how it would affect work force
population since it is not really transient.
Mr. Dwight Hume, 9101 Mt. View Lane, represents the applicant of this
amendment and stated that negatives out weight the positives improvements,
amenities, floating units, quality in facade, those are more positive. Mr. Hume stated
he did not does not see negatives.
Mr. Noll confirmed the number of children is related to how many bedrooms you can
provide. Mr. Noll families are typically and 2.3 people, a husband and wife and one
child or single mother and two kids. Mr. Noll was asked if school district has input, a
draft was sent to the agencies but the City does not have an impact fee to help with
the problem of overcrowding. However, we cannot keep up with the demand.
Sara Orrange, 1924 N Ash, Ms. Orrange spoke for the Spokane Realtors
Association, stated that with population growth, UGA discussions, more infill and the
opportunities for people to live near where they work, and work force housing, the
important thing to remember is that studies of mixed income neighborhoods are better
neighborhoods.
There was discussion of the allowed amenities, discretion that could be given for height
and added amenities, how the "floating units" work, and several other items. Then
there being no other questions the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
SUBMITTED: APPROVED:
Deanna Griffith, Administrative Assistant John G. Carroll, Chairperson
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