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PC APPROVED Minutes 02-23-12.pdf Spokane Valley Planning Commission APPROVED Minutes Council Chambers — City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave. February 23, 2012 L CALL TO ORDER Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. IL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance IIL ROLL CALL Commissioners Bates, Carroll, �a���ea 6:os�Hall, Higgins, Neill, Sands, and Stoy were present. Staff attending the meeting: Scott Kuhta, Planning Manager; Mike Basinger, Senior Planner; Christina Janssen, Assistant Planner, Kelly Konkright, Deputy City Attorney; Henry Allen Development Engineer; Dean Grafos, Councilmember; Arne Woodard, Councilmember; Cari Hinshaw, Office Assistant; Deanna Griffith, Administrative Assistant IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Sands made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. This motion was passed unanimously. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes to approve. � VL PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. VIL COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Higgins requested to make a point of clarification. Mr. Higgins stated that at the Feb. 09 meeting he had made a comment and which he would like to clarify. Mr. Higgins stated that at the end of the meeting in the discourse of discussing when to have, he made a statement that he felt the land use part of the amendments was a done deal. He said he did not mean that his mind was made up, he meant that he was personally ready to hear public testimony. Mr. Higgins wanted the public to know he was personally ready to hear the public testimony regarding each subject. He said his mind was open and he was interested in what folks had to say. Commissioner Hall stated he had attended the joint City Council meeting and appreciated the exchange. Commissioner Bates stated he also attended the joint meeting. VIIL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS No administrative report. IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 9 A. Unfinished Business: CTA-06-11, Proposed amendment to Chapter 22110 Sign Regulations: Planning Manager Scott Kuhta said after approving the proposed amendments to Chapter 22.110, sign regulations at the Feb. 9 meeting, he was presenting the findings of the Planning Commission for approval. Commissioner Stoy mad a motion to approve the Planning Commission findings and recommendation and forward them to the City Council. Vote on this motion was 7 in favor, 0 against. B. New Business: Public Hearing, 2012 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments Senior Planner Mike Basinger made a presentation to the Commissioners regarding the Comprehensive Plan, why it is needed, the purpose of the annual amendments, and how the amendments are processed. Mr. Basinger stated that there were seven privately initiated site specific map amendments, and four chapter text amendments. Mr. Basinger reminded the Commissioners that the determination for them would be if the request is appropriate in this area, not what could be proposed to be built there. Mr. Basinger shared that Asst. Planner Christina Janssen would be presenting four of the seven site specific map amendments, Mr. Basinger will be presenting the other three site specific map amendments and the four text amendments. Ms Janssen started with the site specific map amendments which are have been assigned to her: CPA-Ol-12 — Located at 12510/12512 E Olive. Request to change from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential. This is located east of Pines and south of Broadway Ave. Ms Janssen stated she had received three comment letters which had been provided to the Commissioners. CPA-02-12 — Located at 16913 E Mission. Request to change from Low Density Residential to Mixed Use Center. This parcel is located just north of Indiana extension. The parcel has a single family residence and a greenhouse operation on it currently. Ms Janssen stated she had received one comment letter, which had been provided to the Commissioners. CPA-04-12 — Located at 805 N Park Rd. Request to change from low Density Residential to Neighborhood Commercial. This is located off of Park and Broadway. The north and south east corners are both already zoned neighborhood commercial. CPA-06-12 —Located at 1114 N Vercler. Request to change from Low Density Residential to Office. This is located near the hospital and against another parcel which is also zoned Office/Garden Office. After Ms. Janssen completed her presentation and Mr. Basinger began his presentation of the amendments assigned to him. CPA-03-12 — Located at 15922/16002 E Broadway. Request to change from Office to Community Commercial. These three parcels are located on Broadway east of Sullivan, across from Walmart. 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 9 CPA-OS-12 — Located at 601 N Conklin. Request to change from medium Density Residential to High Density Residential. This is a large parcel located farther down Broadway, next to CPA-03-12 and this parcel has access onto Conklin as well. CPA-07-12 — Located at 15712 E Broadway. Request to change from Office to Community Commercial. This is several parcels which also include a church. CPA-08-12 — Text amendment to Chapter 2, Land Use, Staff has updated population estimates, updated figure 2.1 by land use designation, revised potential annexation area language, updated Map 2.1 to reflect the site-specific map requests if approved. Commissioners asked if parks level of service was behind, Mr. Basinger stated yes, however the population figures had been adjusted based on the 2010 census. There was a discussion regarding marketable land. CPA-09-12 — Text amendments to Chapter 3, Transportation, Staff has deleted all references to non-motorized transportation and referenced back to the newly adopted Chapter 11 Bike and Pedestrian Element of the Comprehensive Plan and have removed the non-motorized goals and policies as well and referenced them to Chapter 11 as well. Map 3.1 Arterial Street Plan has been updated. Map 32 the Pedestrian Map has been deleted and all the bike and pedestrian maps are now located in Chapter 1l, and the rest of the maps have been renumbered. CPA-10-12 — Text amendments to Chapter 4, Capital Facilities updated the 6-year TIP, updated the population projections, facility and service data. Map 4.5 has been update to reflect the 6-year sewer projects. CPA-11-12 — Text amendments to Chapter 7, Economic Development, updated the entire chapter with employment status, wages, most of the statistics have been updated to reflect more current information. Map 7.1 has been updated to reflect current development activity, updated the goals and policies to reflect the current times. Mr. Basinger noted that he had made the correction on page 19 to reflect a regional XXXXXXXXX. Chairman Bates opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. Scott Creighton, 815 S Marigold: Mr. Creighton stated he was the owner of the property, he stated this property is on the cusp between the zoning. Mr. Creighton said he would like this change in order to have a better opportuniry for the property. Monty Lewis, 11006 E Sprague: Mr. Lewis stated he was the property owner and wanted it to become a conforming use. Mary Orcutt, 2009 N Bell street: Ms. Orcutt stated she lived not far from the property located at CPA-02-12 and she walked the trail and surrounding area and felt it should remain sing family housing. Grant Person, 11219 E Sundown Dr. Mr. Person stated he had reviewed the staff report he said had owned the property for years. He said vacancies exceed 25%, rental rates are down, the uses in office zone are more restrictive, he felt there is more of a need for retail and commercial more than the office uses and that the property was better suited for retail. Tim Severns, 611 N Moore Rd: Mr. Severns had asked a question from the back of the room and the Chairman asked him to step to the podium, and he asked how many units someone thought could go on the property. 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 9 Ibrahim Farraj, 923 N Park Rd: Mr. Farraj stated that the property was an empty lot, he bought it and he wanted to put to good use for the neighborhood. Dwight Hume, 9101 N Mt. View Lane: Mr. Hume stated he was representing the applicant for this map change. He stated he had read the staff report which recommended approvaL Mr. Hume stated the issue is not the zoning, land map designation is high density residential. He said one of the parcels fronts on to Broadway and one on Conklin, which is across from regional commercial. Mr. Hume stated that the properties south of Broadway were changing and along with the regional commercial was a driving force of change. High density residential was a transition designation from regional commerciaL Mr. Hume stated that this properry was shovel ready. He also said that the Growth Management Act urges the City to accommodate a certain number of people, this site can assist in accommodating that many people. Commissioner Carroll stated earlier one of the requests was to change parcel adjacent parcels on Broadway to Office. Mr. Carroll asked Mr. Hume if he had considered changing parcels on Conklin to another transition zone. Mr. Hume's response was, "no I did not and did not on purpose." Gregory Arger, 300 N Mullan: Mr. Arger stated he was the property owner. Mr. Arger said he viewed the change to better implement the need for better improved luxury type apartments, to bring services to the area. Many projects developed today have parks, playgrounds and other amenities in order to compete and to transform the area. commissioner neill, apartments over off—have trails and parks and playgrounds to a Lindsay Skeen, 2602 N Sullivan Rd.: Ms Skeen stated she worked for and as reading a statement on behalf of Dennis Crapo. The statement said Mr. Crapo had entered into a developers agreement during a Comprehensive Plan amendment he applied for. It also stated that he felt CPA-OS-12 was very similar to his and he feels this amendment should be held to the requirements of his development agreement. Stan Rhodes, 16422 E Valleyway; Mr Rhodes stated within seven miles of the subject property there are properties that have hundreds of rental units, from low income restricted, to townhouses, they have standing units which are vacant. This information is relevant since there is such an excess, it shows no more apartments are needed or wanted Katharine Potter, 622 N Moore Rd: Ms. Potter stated she had sent in note previously, which had signatures attached to it. She currently has collected 90 signatures from neighbors. Ms. Potter stated she was not opposed to the development of the property she was opposed to increasing the density. Ms. Potter stated she found it interesting the owner talk about children running around, she is a member of the PTA at Progress Elementary and this school is full. She shared that the school district considers crossing Sullivan as a danger, which requires busing. Increasing the population would add costs to the school district more money. She said the Greenacres middle school is already busing students to other schools because it is over capaciry. Ms. Potter said she felt the property should remain medium density residential, the owners can make all the money they need from it that way. Tom Felton, 409 N Sonora: Mr. Felton stated he was a retired Idaho state policeman. Mr. Felton Mr. Felton said the traffic on Valleyway has increased 50% since the three large stores have gone in. He said the average speed is 35-40 mph, on a street which the speed 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 9 limit is 25 mph. Mr. Felton said he did not want the cul-de-sac turned into a through street. Mr. Felton shared he felt the hospice plan was a good idea, a high rise is not a good idea. Jeffery Potter, 622 N Moore Rd; Mr. Potter started with a thank you for allowing the neighbors to speak Mr. Potter stated he was opposed to the plan. He said he had called the police dept. to ask what happens to crime rates when high density goes into an area. Mr Potter shared he was concerned about traffic, worried about over populated schools. Mr. Potter stated he was insulted by reference to his neighborhood. He said he do not want apartments up against his yard. Mr. Potter said he would love to have more neighbors, but not apartments. Del Liljegren 418 N Moore Rd; Mr. Liljegren said he has lived in the area for 25 years, he moved to the valley because of the space, and is very concerned about the proposed change. Mr. Liljegren said he had submitted a letter previously regarding issues with traffic, school population and other issues regarding the change from medium to high density. Mr. Liljegren said he felt that medium density was a transition between the areas.. Joseph Wetzler 424 N Moore: Mr. Wetzler said he enjoyed his residence. He said there are several elderly living on Valleyway he was concerned about, if the properry is changed to high density residential. He shared he is worried about the traffic going out and in and out and in. Mr. Wetzler said there are bicycles going down the street which you really have to watch for. Mr. Wetzler said that there are bike routes, but no one uses them, bikes are always going the wrong way. He said watches for the elderly going by his home. Vicki Endicott. 613 N Conklin: Ms. Endicott said that the development would be on two sides of her. She said she is not opposed to single family homes however she said she did not like the insinuation the neighbors don't need a buffer zone. Ms. Endicott said she does not want apartments. Robert Endicott, 613 N Conklin: Mr. Endicott stated his property next to the proposal. He also said he had seen the drawings of what they want to put behind our property. On one side they said they were putting a day care. Mr. Endicott said that the traffic for 260 units would mean at least 520 people moving in. He stated he did not want to live in a fish bowl. He shared he liked living with the wide open spaces. Mr. Endicott stated there are enough empty apartments. There are plenty on Conklin and Sprague. Single homes is fine, he said the area can remain that way. Mr. Endicott said he took offense to the statement that the property owners did not feel the need for a buffer zone... Jason Camp 618 N Conklin Rd: Mr. Camp said he was 3rd generation living on the property, he had history of the area and nature traffic increase and he is concerned about the increase in traffic since the opening of the larger stores, with this increase it will make the traffic that much worse and unsafe for his children to play in neighborhood. Jan Wood, 503 N Conklin Rd: Ms. Wood said she lived two houses south of the proposed development. She stated that traffic since stores have been built has increased, people going up to 50 mph. She said there is a group home on Broadway, the only place for the residence to walk is on Valleyway, there are children walking, riding bikes, foot traffic on Conklin, it is all dangerous, and it will get worse with apartments on the property. Cheryl McManamon, 504 N Conklin Rd.: Ms. McManamon said this was the best neighborhood she has lived in, she knows all her neighbors. Ms. McManamon said she has 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 9 a neighbor in a wheel chair which was hit at mission and Sullivan. She shared the traffic has increased, but not it is not being policed enough. She said she feels the streets have not updated for the increase in traffic. She shared that since the bigger stores have come, semi- trucks are coming up Conklin instead of using Sullivan so they don't have to make the corner. (need to address truck traffic) She also shared she felt there are too many apartments now. Brian Groff, 16316 E Valleyway: Mr. Groff stated that traffic is terrible on Conklin, he has a seven year old son and he will not let him ride his bike because it isn't safe. He shared he is afraid the crime rate go up and the property values will go down. Mr. Groff stated that the other day a deer come out of that field with a little baby. He did acknowledge development can't be stopped but he would rather not have a bunch of apartments. Alyssa Camp, 608 N Conklin Rd: Miss Camp said she really didn't want this development to go in because she couldn't even ride her bike. Kathy Groff, 16316 E Valleyway: Ms. Groff said she recognized the need for progress and development, she loved the fact she lives within five minutes of stores but still have a little piece of property and neighbors. Ms. Groff said she agreed with everything everyone else had said. She shared that she knew all of her neighbors and she could list the neighbors half way down the street, and they are all friendly and wonderful. Ms. Groff said she would like to keep our neighbor hood as it is now. Shawnee Stewart, 503 N Sonora Lane: Ms. Stewart said she has raised three boys in this neighborhood, one in a wheelchair. She said she also has three neighbors in wheelchairs. Ms. Stewart said people speed down her street regardless of dead end sign. She stated the neighbors had to watch for the children before, then the development starts bringing in the stores, the City made it worse when they detoured traffic through the area, and then add in 500 more people, she did not want to see communities where the children would not be able to go out. She acknowledged she was not opposed to single family houses, it would be great to have new neighbors but she is worried about having that many. She said she was distressed over the proposal. The Commission took a break at 7:32 p.m. They returned at 7:46 p.m. Dwight Hume, 9101 N Mt. View Lane: Mr. Hume stated he was representing the property owner Dean Riddle. Mr. Hume said this was vacant property. Mr. Hume shared that the property to the north had been sold to Cancer Northwest. He also said most of the vacant property around the specific area belongs to hospital. Mr. Hume pointed out the staff report supports it. He said the properry is proposed to be used in the same manner surrounding the area. He shared that the property to the south is zoned residential. Levi Johnson, 12815 E Desmet: Mr. Johnson said he lived two houses to the east of the proposal and he is in favor of the proposal however he wanted to make sure there would not be real traffic on Virginia, is not really a street. Mr. Johnson said travelers use it as a high speed shortcut. He would ask that the Commission approve the request with reservation so there would be no access onto Virginia or Desmet, increase in traffic was his concern. Commissioner Hall asked staff if Virginia was a dedicated right-of-way. Staff confirmed it was half of a dedicated right-of-way. 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 9 Larry Click, 1119 N Vercler: Mr. Click said his main concern traffic along Vercler, he felt it is a freeway. He said if the Commission approved this proposal then the traffic will increase. He stated Boone is already an active street. He expressed his concern for his grandchildren's. He also said he did not want to look out the window and see an office building. Mr. Click said everything surrounding us is single family homes, except for the apartments on Broadway. He hopes it won't change. Kristin Payne 617 N Moore Rd: Ms. Payne stated she was a properry owner and her property looks out over CPA-07-12. She shared she has spent time and resources updating her property and contributing to the neighborhood. She shared that her children enjoy their large backyard, the privacy, peaceful street. Ms Payne stated she was concerned that loss of privacy, light pollution, safety for children if this amendment were approved. If office zone stays, then would allow for more peace during off hours, less light pollution. Ms Payne said she would like the commission to consider what they would do for their own families. Tim Severns, 611 N Moore: Mr. Severns said he had concerns with the commercial zoning. He said that during good parts of the day, a person can't get west to Sullivan Rd. Traffic at certain times of the year it is difficult to get around the area at all and the traffic comes down Moore Rd. This would ruin the neighborhood. He said he felt a full commercial designation would be a detriment to the neighborhood, Kelly Johnson, 1811 S Madison: Ms. Johnston she was a commercial realtor who was representing the owner. She shared she was the one who suggested the change. She explained that they have been having trouble selling the property with the Office designation on it, anyone who wanted to buy the property found it was too limited in its allowed uses under this zoning. Katharine Potter, 622 N Moore: Ms. Potter stated she was opposed to this change. She explained she was looking at these things (CPA-03,05,07-12)like a package deal. She said she felt they were basically choking the neighborhood. She asked the Commission what would they do if it was their neighborhood. Seeing no one else who wished to testify, the Chairman closed the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. The Commission discussed and agreed to address each amendment as individual motions. Commissioner Neill made a made a motion to recommend approval to the City Council CPA-Ol-12. Commissioners noted staff had received three comments in opposition to the proposal. Commissioner Carroll noted it was a natural extension of the zoning. Vote is 7 in favor, 0 against. Commissioner Carroll made a motion to recommend approval of CPA-02-12 to the City Council. Commissioners noted staff had received a comment about a good the properry owner being a good neighbor. Vote is 7 in favor, 0 against. Commissioner Stoy made a motion to recommend approval to the City Council of CPA-03- 12. Commissioner Hall asked about a comment Mr. Hume had made about a regarding a subarea plan in this area. Sr. Planner Basinger explained the process required in order to try and develop a subarea plan. (council would need to feel the need, make the request for staff to investigate, staff to research and write the plan, public input, process through the 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 of 9 Planning Commission and Council in a very shorten version) Commissioners wondered if it was requested could it happen this year, the likely hood would be not. Commissioners said this amendment would allow a bit of buffering. Commissioner Sands was concerned for the neighborhood although she could see the area is changing in spite of the residences. She too expressed concern over the amount of traffic in the area. Commissioner Bates stated he felt that the business community has moved east and is the hub of retail area at this time. Vote on the motion is 7in favor, 0 against. Commissioner Sands made a motion to recommend approval of CPA-04-12 to the City Council for approval. Commissioners agreed the neighborhood commercial proposed on this property was a good use of the properry. Vote is 7 in favor and 0 against. Commissioner Neill made a motion to recommend approval of CPA-OS-12 to the Ciry Council. Commissioner Sands said she drove through the neighborhood and feels there are other transitions zones that they could have chosen. She said the neighborhood could have has had turnover and it will be the way it is for a while. However, she did not thing that high density residential was the highest and best use for this property. Commissioner Bates stated he felt this was a difficult situation. He too drove the area, and there are areas for improvement. He said it is a large parcel, however he was unaware of the school situation and it had an impact on him that the school district was busing kids now, there will always be the traffic problem, and he felt this is a tough one. Mr. Bates said there are other apartments in the area. Commissioner Neill said he felt this is a difficult decision, and that this was a wonderful area for progression. Commissioner Neill recounted a development near where he lives, it has not made the changes he thought it would. He expressed his concern about the schools. Commissioner Higgins stated that vacant properry is a vacuum, which attracts lots of bad things. He also drove the property and walked on the property. He expressed he felt the pain but progress. Commissioner Stoy shared he had driven around the neighborhood, and it is 10 acres of undeveloped ground. He wondered what would make best use? Commissioner Stoy said he would rely on staff to make the recommendation. Commissioner Carroll said he felt this project needs more buffering, for the neighborhood, and made reference to the Crapo letter. Commissioner Sands recounted some of the steps for Mr. Crapo to come to being in the developer agreement with the city for his development on 4th Avenue. Planning Manager Kuhta discussed with the Commission what options they had at the moment, since they appeared to conflicted and stalled on this amendment. He said he they could go ahead approve it and send it forward to council, approve it and recommend a developer agreement, deny and recommend the need to have a developer agreement, or move this to a time certain for more consideration. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to continue the motion on CPA-OS-12 to March 8 2012. The vote was 7 in favor and 0 against. At 8:56 Commissioner Carroll made a motion to extend the meeting to 9:30 p.m. The vote was 7 in favor 0 against. Commissioner Stoy made a motion to present CPA-06-12 to the Ciry Council. Commissioner Carroll asked about Virginia if the half of a dedicated right-of-way would become a road. Staff responded they did not know if in the future if development would require it to be developed into a road. At that time Deputy Ciry Attorney Konkright pointed out that the motion was only to present the amendment to City Council not to 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 8 of 9 recommend approval. Commissioner Stoy made a motion to amended this original motion to read recommend approval. Vote on the amendment is 7 in favor, 0 against. Vote on the amended motion is 7 in favor, 0 against. Commissioner Carroll made a motion to recommend approval to the City Council of CPA- 07-12. He stated he felt this is a natural change. Everyone expressed the same comment. The vote on the motion is 7in favor, 0 against. Commissioner Stoy made a motion to recommend approval to the City Council of CPA-08- 12. Commissioner Higgins stated he would support the motion as made however, he read into the record a request for the land use chapter, specifically the city center information be added to the docket for next year. Staff stated they would take his request to the Director who would discuss it with the City Manager where they would tallc about how to proceed with the request Vote on the motion is 7 in favor, 0 against.. Commissioner Stoy made a motion to recommend approval to the City Council of CPA-09- 12. To update the bike and pedestrian information. Vote on the motion is 7 in favor and 0 against. Commissioner Neill made a motion to recommend approval of CPA-10-12 to the City Council. The vote on the motion is 7in favor and 0 against. Commissioner Carroll made a motion to recommend approval of CPA-11-12 to the City Council. The vote on the motion is 7 in favor, 0 against. X. GOOD OF THE ORDER Commissioner Stoy gave thanks to the audience for being here. XL ADJOURNMENT The being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. SUBMITTED: APPROVED: Deanna Griffith, Secretary Bill Bates, Chairperson � 02-23-12 Planning Commission Minutes Page 9 of 9