HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.09.21 Planning Commission PacketAGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall - Council Chambers
525 North Third Avenue
Pasco, Washington
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
6:30 PM
This meeting is broadcast live on PSC-TV Channel 191 on Charter Cable and streamed at www.pasco-wa.com/psctvlive.
Audio equipment available for the hearing impaired; contact staff for assistance.
Please silence your cell phones. Thank you.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGENCE
III. ROLL CALL: Declaration of Quorum
IV. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Meeting Minutes of August 17, 2023.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
• 2024 CDBG Fund Allocations (BGAP2023-003)
• 2024 HOME Program Allocations and Annual Work Plan (BGAP2023-004)
• 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
VIII. WORKSHOP
IX. OTHER BUSINESS
X. AJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
City Hall - Council Chambers
525 North Third Avenue
Pasco, Washington
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
6:30 PM
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 8 August 17, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
City of Pasco Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., by Chair Jerry Cochran. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Cochran led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Rosa Torres, Mitchell Moffitt, Kim Lehrman, Rachel Teel, Paul Mendez, Dana Crutchfield, Jay Hendler and Jerry Cochran, a quorum was declared. Commissioners Excused: Abel Campos Staff Present: Community & Economic Development Director Jacob Gonzalez, Block Grant Administrator Kristin Webb, and Administrative Assistant II Carmen Patrick.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Cochran explained the Planning Commission is an advisory board made up of volunteers
appointed by City Council.
He further explained the purpose of the Planning Commission was to provide recommendations to
City Council regarding changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Updates, Block Grant
Allocations and Zoning Code. The Planning Commission is tasked with considering the long-term
growth and development of the community, the impact of land use decisions on community,
livability, economic opportunity, housing affordability, public services, and the environment.
Chair Cochran reminded the audience tonight’s proceedings were being broadcast live on City of
Pasco’s Facebook page and on Charter Cable PSC Channel 191 and will be rebroadcast several times
during the next month.
He stated the meeting was also being recorded and could be watched on City of Pasco’s website,
which is Pasco-wa.gov. Click on the VIDEO ON DEMAND link and make your selection there.
Chair Cochran stated copies of the meeting agenda were available on the back table. He then asked
that everyone silence cell phones to prevent interruptions during the meeting. For those present this
evening, when you are given the opportunity to address the Commission, please come to the podium,
speak clearly into the microphone, and state your name and city of address for the record.
Chair Cochran reminded the audience and the Planning Commission that Washington State Law
requires public meetings like the one being held this evening not only be fair, but also appear to be
fair. In addition, Washington State Law prohibits Planning Commission members from participating
in discussions or decisions in which the member may have a direct interest or may be either benefited
or harmed by the Planning Commission’s decision. An objection to any Planning Commission
member hearing any matter on tonight’s agenda needs to be aired at this time or it will be waived.
Chair Cochran asked if there were any Planning Commission members who have a declaration at
this time regarding any of the items on the agenda.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8 August 17, 2023
No declarations were made.
Chair Cochran asked if anyone in the audience objected to any Planning Commission member
hearing any of the items on the agenda.
None heard, record shows there were no declarations.
Chair Cochran stated the Planning Commission needed and valued public input explaining it helped
the Commission understand the issues more clearly and allowed for better recommendations to City
Council. Furthermore, in many cases, this could be the only forum for the public to get facts and
opinions placed into the official record and City Council will use to make the Commission’s
decision. He encouraged those present to take full advantage of this opportunity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Moffitt moved to approve the Planning Commission meeting minutes of July 20,
2023, Commissioner Lehrman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. 2024 CDBG Allocations (MF: BGAP2023-003)
Kristin Webb reminded to the Commission regarding the CDBG Work Plans background and intent.
She went through the criteria staff will go through regarding the funding possibilities for projects
which are scored on:
Council Goals,
Tri-Cities Consortium Consolidated Plan
Partial Funding Possibility for Project
CDBG/HUD Mission
Krtistin broke down by year the totals and percentages that was spent in each goal from years 2020-
2023. She stated that staff will come back in September with their recommendations based on these
criteria.
Questions from Commissioners:
Chair Cochran stated this is great that you did the consolidated score. It'd be great also, if you could
remind us next month, maybe another column that has the assessed risk of each case? Then we could
weigh their score on the goals against the risks that they present.
Commissioner Lehrman stated looking at the total 20 applicants, there is eight that received a score
of five. And out of those eight, half of them end up receiving funding. So maybe having that
information might help differentiate what's the difference from a five that received and a five that
did not?
Kristin Webb answered we've never done this kind of criteria before. Usually, staff has a meeting,
and we go over everything and then something's decided. But yes, we can try and figure that out.
Jacob Gonzalez added I wanted to clarify that the amounts that you see here are the average amount
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8 August 17, 2023
of funds they've received over the past several years, not what the current recommendation is.
Commissioner Mendez stated I have a question about form, the risk assessment form. Did you say
or did I hear that we got that form from HUD and it's the first time it's being used?
Kristin stated no, we use it every time, we got the form from HUD. This is HUD's form for us to use.
For scoring yes, the criteria, the way we're scoring them is new, but not the form itself.
Commissioner Lehrman commented, so one more question. Looking through the 2023 CBG funds,
the very bottom pie chart. So, with 43% being the economic opportunities for the goals that fit that,
would you say that that category may possibly have a stronger weight than some of the other goals?
Kristin Webb answered, over the past several years, we have actually had more people apply for
public service activities. The economic opportunity one is usually our incubator kitchen, which is
PSK downtown, and then also Public Works projects. So, they just happen to get a little bit more
funding than the other applicants.
Public Hearing:
• Angie Pacheco, Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties:
Good evening. My name is Angie Pacheco, and I reside in the City of Pasco, and I work at
Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties in Kennewick, Washington. Just
to give a little bit of service identity of what we provide. We provide a 24 hour crisis line that's
bilingual, shelter services to domestic violence clients where we can service up to 22 persons
in one of our shelters located in Richland. And we help with support in the legal system with
clients when they're moving forward in reference to any of the restraining orders that they may
need help with. Housing assistance for rent, utilities, and deposits to our clients, food, and
transportation funding.
We recently opened a thrift store to provide job skills to our clients and to youth in the
community. And we are opening up a new affordable housing program with ten units in
Richland and then our outreach to the community. We applied for extended services for
outreach to the community in Pasco. We've been servicing the Tri-Cities out of Benton County
for over 20 years. This is our 20 year anniversary, and we wanted to bring a presence to the
City of Pasco and Franklin County, so we had an opportunity to service more families.
We did apply for $70,000, and we would be looking for funding for up to $30,000 to sustain
the program. This would be to hire two members of the community in Pasco that fit your criteria
on creating jobs for low income persons. So, there would be two jobs that would be created out
of this application, and then 800 individuals is what we intend to service, principally under the
benefit of lower income persons. That's your number one goal. So, we're trying to meet the goal
of number one and number three for the City of Pasco application that we submitted. Thank
you.
• Steve Allen, YMCA:
Good evening, I'm Steve Allen. I'm with the YMCA of Tri Cities. I reside in Kennewick,
responsible for the operation at the Martin Luther King Center for the Y. And I specifically
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 August 17, 2023
want to address a question that came up by Mr. Moffitt about adult programming. I think Jeff
Morrow alluded to it, but we've got about 500 adults that participate in the program over for
the King Center. The King Center is run predominantly for youth, but it's open for everybody.
So, the weight room, the gym, will do drop in basketball, we see 500 members, and then we
see a whole lot of people come in on a day pass.
We're probably looking about 800 adults that come in throughout the year to use the facilities
with the kids, and it's quite often the parents and kids coming together. We'll find one of the
kids in the computer lab, mom or dad working out, somebody playing basketball and then
coming back together. So, it's a small mini YMCA that brings them all together, but obviously
the focus is on the kids and has been since about 1983. Thank you.
Chair Cochran closed the public hearing.
Jacob Gonzalez added what we wanted to do this year was spend a little bit more time, this evening
in particular, to address any concerns, comments or questions from the commission or members of
the public regarding the criteria. As Ms. Webb mentioned, there's a gap of $1.8 million in what we
have available versus the total request.
Chair Cochran stated excellent, and honestly, I think that's one of the things that's bothered me in
previous years is there is no rhyme or reason on an objective measure on how we're arriving at our
decisions. And at least it's defensible that we're basing and aligning our decisions with a criteria and
a scoring based on that criteria versus, well, I think this one sounds good, versus, hey, this one
actually has a high score and the risk is where it should be. Right? So those are the kind of the factors
I like that, but I'll open it up. If any of the Commissioners have questions about the criteria that Ms.
Webb went over, this is a way to be a good time to give feedback or ask. We can do that.
Commissioner Lehrman stated I don't have a question; I do have a compliment though. So, when
you're more transparent with the public and the opportunity for them to be able to learn and be able
to make correction in the future, and then when those are awarded, they can be able to share out how
they got there, what part of the rubric did they fit into the goals. So, thank you very much for your
transparency.
Commissioner Torres added sorry, I just wanted to make sure that I was understanding the criteria,
especially the ones for the Council goals. I guess the way that we're scoring it is all of the goals have
equal weight, right?
Kristin Webb answered yes, they are all equal.
B. Housing Action and Implementation Plan
Jacob Gonzalez went over the background of the Housing Action and Implementation Plan. He
informed the committee that the City’s population is estimated to reach 143,657 by the year 2045
and that Pasco’s total housing needs by then will require more than 230,000 homes.
Recommended Strategies:
Removing regulatory barriers and encourage the development of a variety of housing types
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 August 17, 2023
Increase opportunities for homeownership
Expand the supply and increase access to affordable housing
Build housing for Pasco’s special population groups
Mitigate displacement of vulnerable residents
Commissioners were given the Draft Housing Action Plan for their review and recommendation.
Staff is coordinating a fourth stakeholder workshop that will occur between the Planning
Commission and Council action on the plan, to ensure that the recommended draft plan adequately
addresses all comments received.
Next Steps:
August: Planning Commission Recommendation
September: 4th Housing Stakeholder Workshop
September-October: City Council
Questions from Commissioners:
Chair Cochran asked can you remind us what the Commerce Grant provides?
Jacob Gonzalez stated essentially, the requirement was to put together a comprehensive housing
action plan. So, tell us what your demands are, tell us what your needs are, and tell us some strategies
of how you're going to attempt to address those. So, the City of Pasco was fortunate that we applied.
We received the full request of $100,000 to pay for the consultant team and the consultant team to
help us with all the outreach and engagement efforts as well. This is the result of all that effort.
Commissioner Moffitt confirmed that the average rent encompasses all types of rentals, apartments,
duplexes, and single family homes, and that the date was 2045. He asked does the city limits
encompass enough vacant land that would allow that to happen or is the city looking at expanding
its borders? And how would that affect housing prices.
Jacob Gonzalez when the City of Pasco developed that Comprehensive Plan, we looked at the
housing capacity analysis, so a buildable lands analysis, how much vacant land exists and of that
vacant land, how much of it is reasonable to actually consider for housing? A lot of it is landlocked,
a lot of it doesn't have adequate infrastructure. So that limits what kind of housing can be built there,
if any, at the first place. Once we figured out what that gap was, then we needed to look at expanding
our Urban Growth Area. And so, in September or so of 2021, our Urban Growth Area was approved
by the Franklin County, which is the state requirement for counties to approve. Our forecast had
estimated that at that time, if we made certain policy regulations that have since been adopted, that
we could accommodate the housing growth that Pasco was expecting to receive over the next 18 to
20 years, which at that time was about a forecast year of 2040.
So, we have another five years to work with. It is likely that we will begin looking at our Urban
Growth Area and a Housing Capacity Analysis as part of our next comprehensive plan, which this
commission will be heavily involved with. So, I think we're there, but we're going to need to take
another look at it because it's always changing.
Regarding the housing prices the lack of supply is going to increase the cost of housing, just like it
would any good.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 August 17, 2023
Commissioner Lehrman asked has your department looking into the middle housing grant that just
recently came out of the Washington Department of Commerce? And, as we talk about a variety of
houses, I haven’t seen the word “Condo” ever used, can you share out the why behind that? What is
the difference between a condo and a townhouse, which we have here in Pasco.
Jacob Gonzalez answered we have looked into it, and we are going to apply even though we’ve
already adopted some pretty good codes, but it doesn’t help to make our code better, so we will look
into that further. And second, years ago there was some strict liability regulations placed on condos
so around the state, there was a significant decrease in developers wanting to do condos because of
the liabilities associated with them. The legislature this year did pass at least one bill that attempted
to address that. I don't know what the result of that is going to be, but the intent was to at least re
allow more condo construction to be attractive in the first place. Lastly, townhomes are typically on
their own lot and share a wall, whereas condos can be three, four, five story building, so you share
more than just a wall.
Chair Cochran suggested council know how we are succeeding at our strategies and how it is
measured.
Commissioner Torres asked what would we be putting at risk for our community if we don’t have
an effective housing plan?
Jacob Gonzles stated absolutely. In fact, what we know so far during the findings portion of the
housing plan was that the median sale price is only affordable to one profession in the City of Pasco,
which is folks working in the information and technology sector. One of the tasks that we've asked
our consultant to look at is to forecast what that means throughout the next 20 years. So, if we know
that we're growing more in food service and retail than information technology, does that mean that
we're going to have more folks not able to afford the median home price in the city of Pasco? Because
that's just the way our economic job opportunities are growing. That'll be a significant part of our
economic development strategy, which we're working on as well.
Commissioner Lehrman stated I love what you're sharing about trying to go back and get the
information to be able to quantify who can be able to afford the future homes. And so, if you could
turn that to a graphic, that would be wonderful to be able to share out, and I think more people would
be able to see, this is where I'm at. This is how many I know can be in that small little zone in 2045.
So, thank you.
Public Hearing
• Peter Harpster, Aqtera Engineering, 2815 St. Lewis Loop, Ste. C
I spoke last month on this, so I won't repeat any comments. But one thing that I do like with
this plan is we're working on several different developments and projects, from garden style
apartments to duplexes single family homes and multifamily housing projects. And when
deciding what kind of project, we're going to do, typically asking what's the highest and best
use of the land, you guys are faced with that question often, and having a housing plan like
this is super helpful in making those decisions.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 August 17, 2023
We can look at the data, like Director Gonzalez said, and make informed decisions. That said,
you know what? Let's do single family homes here for whatever reason, because we've done
in the past, we can look at the data and say, okay, there's a segment of population that needs
housing that's more towards the lower end and housing that's towards the higher end as well.
And so, we appreciate the data like that that's contained in this plan and definitely in favor of
the plan and appreciate the involvement from staff and would recommend that Planning
commission make a vote of recommendation to move forward to the council so we can kind
of wrap this up and looking forward to the last workshop meeting.
• Rebecca Francik, Basin Disposal
I really appreciate not only the packet you put out but your thoughtful discussion, my
comments are really tangential to this. We have a garbage company and we run by your house
every single week. As you are looking at new different kinds of housing, we fully applaud
that. We know it's necessary in Pasco, but we ask that you keep garbage pickup in mind as
you do it.
Chair Cochran closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Lehrman stated she hadn’t heard nor seen anything in the packet regarding SRO’s.
Jacob Gonzalez answered SROs have been an active conversation amongst our council. In fact, on
Monday we presented an update on the status of the SRO projects, not only in Pasco, but in our
region. Single occupancy housing right now is under a moratorium that is set to expire on
September 7. Staff is in recommendation of removing that moratorium. SROs are typically seen as
one tool in the toolkit of sorts for housing. There have been some concerns, and I think rightfully
so, about the intention of SROs is that they offer more affordable units available for folks at
different points of their life.
Fortunately, those SROs are also renting at market prices. So we're seeing SROs right up around
that 1200 or so median price point, but we have looked into that. A lot of them are offering one
month off, two month off, three month off. So it although initially is single room occupancy
housing, it can either be a tiny studio apartment or a unit that has shared facilities like kitchenettes,
etc., multiple on the same floor. We have two in Pasco. One is in operation and we have a second
one that is in construction right now.
Chair Cochran asked between now and 2045, there will be other options to extend that and even
have more land and types of land. Is that correct or incorrect?
Jacob Gonzalez stated there certainly will be opportunities for us to evaluate and apply and request
expansions. Whether those expansions are granted or appealed is a different story. I would expect,
though, that urban growth areas will be subject at the state level over the next several years as we
deal with the housing crisis and just the rapid population growth.
Commissioner Crutchfield asked, I have a question on strategy one. It talks about removing
regulatory barriers, and I wondered if there could be more specific about some of those because
some of those may be somewhat of a protection to guide development. I would like to have more
information about because that's pretty general.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8 August 17, 2023
Jacob Gonzales answered the document itself goes into refined detail about what each of these
strategies includes, and we presented on those back in July. With regards to impact fees, though.
Impact fees has been one of the biggest barriers that's been shared by our housing community as a
barrier to new construction because it puts all of the costs up front, meaning it's on the shoulders of
the developer and the builder to shoulder the significant cost which are necessary to obviously
construct schools or accommodate new vehicle traffic or new parks, for example.
But the challenge is that typically those are required at the front of the project, meaning the
moment they come in and get a permit just to start their project, the fees are due. Yet they don't
know whether those projects are going to be completed because there's always a risk with the
project. They don't know at the level that they may have an indication about what they may sell at
or rent at, but there's never a guarantee. And so, the city of Pasco is actively working with school
district to see if there's a deferral that may be an option for larger projects to take advantage of a
deferral. So not an elimination, but a deferral. So, paying at a later time, but guaranteeing that both
the impact fee is paid but done so at a time that doesn't, I guess, restrict or be overburdensome to a
project in particular.
Commissioner Torres moved to close the public hearing on the Draft Housing Action and
Implementation Plan and recommend the Pasco City Council adopt the draft plan as contained in
the August 17, 2023, staff report. Commissioner Lehrman seconded the motion, the motion passed
unanimously.
WORSHOP
None
OTHER BUSINESS
Each member was given a copy of the Downtown Master Plan book.
Fiery Food Festival announcement; is schedule for September 9, 2023 downtown Pasco.
Pasco’s very first National Parking Day is September 15, and will have outdoor dining at the Pasco
Specialty Kitchen
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Cochran stated with no other business, I recommend a motion to adjourn.
Commissioner Lehrman made the motion to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded by
Commissioner Crutchfield. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm.
YouTube link to watch full meeting: Pasco Planning Commission, August 17, 2023 - YouTube
Respectfully submitted,
Carmen Patrick, Administrative Assistant II
Community & Economic Development Department
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 21, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Kristin Webb, Block Grant Administrator
SUBJECT: 2024 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
ALLOCATION (MF# BGAP2023-003)
Requests for Funding
Attached for your review and consideration are the CDBG Fund and Proposal Summaries
(Attachment 1) relating to our Community Development Block Grant Program for program year
2024. Twenty-One (21) requests for funds were submitted totaling $2,515,250. The Applicants
presented their proposals at the Planning Commission on July 20, 2023.
Background
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provides annual grants on a formula
basis to state, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent
housing and suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities principally for
low-to-moderate income persons.
Criteria
Staff identified a criterion to align with Council goals, the Tri-Cities Consortium Consolidated
plan, partial funding possibility for projects and whether the applicants’ projects meet the intent of
the CDBG/HUD mission. The applicants were given a score based on how many goals their project
met the criteria.
Council goals: Quality of life, Financial Sustainability, Community Transportation Network,
Community Safety, Economic Vitality, and Community Identity- 1-6
Tri-Cities Consortium Consolidated plan: Increase and Preserve Affordable Housing, Community,
Neighborhood and Economic Development, Homeless Interventions and Public Services- 1-3
Partial Funding Possible for project: 1- yes if the project would move forward, -1- no if the project
could not move forward
CDBG/HUD Mission: Develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and
suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities principally for low-to-
moderate income persons- 1-5
Estimated Funds Available
It is estimated that the 2024 annual entitlement grant will be $651,474 based on the award for
program year 2023. Together with prior year funds and program income it is estimated there will
be $716,474 available for 2024 activities. There is always some question regarding actual funding
levels approved by Congress. Actual available funding for these FY 2024 activities will remain in
question until the early part of the year when the CDBG allocation is made by Congressional
Resolution. If funding levels are lower than estimated or eliminated the city will need to consider
several options, including a voluntary or proportionate reduction of allocation, possible inclusions
in the 2024 city general fund budget requests. If funding levels are higher than estimated, activity
funding will be reallocated in accordance with the contingency plan according to the greatest need.
Public Service Cap
HUD regulations state that the amount of CDBG Funds obligated within a program year to support
public service activities may not exceed 15% of the combined total of the entitlement plus the prior
year’s program income. Based on the estimated entitlement of $651,474 and prior year program
income of $50,000, the maximum available for public service activities in 2024 is $105,221.
Current requests for public services total $293,750.
Planning & Administration Cap
HUD regulations state that the amount of CDBG Funds obligated within a program year to support
planning and administration activities may not exceed 20% of the combined total of the entitlement
plus the current year’s program income. For 2023, the estimated entitlement of $651,474 makes
the maximum available for planning and administration $133,000. Current requests for planning
and administration total $140,000. Staff recommends a maximum of $133,000 for planning and
administration (20%) due to the additional burden for HOME grant administration and project
delivery.
Recommendation
After discussions and staff evaluation, it is recommended that the activities set forth in attachment
1 would best meet City Council Goals and the Tri-Cities Consortium Consolidated Plan and be
most effective in carrying out the objectives for the city in 2024. Your review and consideration
for recommendations to the City Council would be appreciated.
Motion
I move the Planning Commission close the public hearing on the use of funds for the 2024
Community Development Block Grant Program. I further move that the Planning Commission
forward recommendations as presented (or amended) to City Council Workshop for Consideration.
Attachments
Spreadsheet staff recommendations
Spreadsheet- Scored
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 21, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Kristin Webb, CDBG Administrator
SUBJECT: 2024 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM
ALLOCATION AND ANNUAL WORK PLAN (MF# BGAP2023-004)
Background
Pasco entered into a HOME Consortium Agreement with Richland and Kennewick in 1996
making the City eligible for Federal HOME funds. The Agreement was renewed through
December 2023. Each year an annual action plan is required to be prepared and submitted
to HUD for use of estimated funds for the following program year.
Estimated Funds Available
It is estimated that the 2024 annual entitlement grant to the HOME Consortium will be
$716,787. Each member city is allocated an equal share of the entitlement after 10% Set-
Aside for Administration, and 15% Set-Aside for Community Housing Development
Organizations (CHDO). Pasco’s share of the entitlement is estimated to be $179,197 when
the remaining funds are split equally between the three cities. HOME Program income
estimated in 2024 is $50,000 and may be used for Down Payment Assistance, Tenant Based
Rental Assistance, or an Eligible CHDO Project depending on need. These estimates are
based on the 2023 HOME Allocation.
There is always some question regarding actual funding levels approved by Congress.
Actual available funding for these FY 2024 activities will remain in question until the early
part of the year when the HOME allocation is made by Congressional Resolution and an
amendment to the Annual Action Plan may be necessary. If funding levels are lower then
estimated, activity funding may need to be reallocated accordingly. Any program income
received may be allocated for eligible down payment assistance projects.
Planning & Administration
HUD regulations state that the amount of HOME Funds obligated within a program year
to support planning and administration activities may not exceed 10% of the entitlement.
This is awarded to Richland annually as the Lead Agency of the HOME Consortium to
manage all activities. Member cities are provided funds for planning and administration
from 10% of program income received from completed projects within their jurisdiction.
CHDO Set-Aside
Each year a minimum of 15% of the entitlement grant must be set-aside to help Community
Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) to add to the permanent affordable housing
stock. The CHDO set-aside funds may be combined with program income for a
development project that will be selected through a competitive RFP process.
Proposed Activities
HOME funds are based on need and income eligibility and may be used anywhere within
the city limits, however, neighborhoods designated as priority by Pasco City Council
received first consideration. Funding is first targeted in the Longfellow and Museum
neighborhoods, then within low-moderate income census tracts (201, 202, 203 and 204).
If HOME funds cannot be applied to those areas, then they are used as needed within the
Pasco City limits for the benefit of eligible low-moderate income families. Funds may be
reallocated between programs to meet community needs.
2024 Funding Source Budget
Entitlement & Estimated Program Income $229,197
2024 Proposed Activities
Program Administration $10,000
Down Payment Assistance Program $10,000
Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation $100,000
Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program $109,197
$229,197
Recommendations
After discussions and staff evaluation, it is recommended that anticipated 2024 HOME
entitlement funds be allocated to the First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance
Program, Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program and Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation.
The activities set forth above would best meet the City’s Consolidated Plan and be most
effective in carrying out the objectives for the City in 2024. If conditions of the housing
market make it difficult to use funds as planned, Pasco may consider joining forces with
Kennewick and Richland to allocate unused funds for CHDO acquisition and/or
infrastructure for low-income rental housing projects as permitted in the interlocal
agreement. Your review and recommendation to the City Council would be appreciated.
Motion
I move the Planning Commission forward the recommendations as presented (or
amended) to the City Council Workshop for Consideration.
MEMORANDUM TO PLANNING COMMISSION
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall – 525 North Third Avenue – Council Chambers
DATE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
6:30 PM
1
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Jacob B. Gonzalez, Director
SUBJECT: 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket
Background
The Washington State Growth Management Act limits amendments to the comprehensive plan
to once per year. With few exemptions, Washington State Law prohibits local jurisdictions from
amending their Comprehensive Plans more than once per calendar year. The City has established
a process outlined in the Pasco Municipal Code (PMC 25.215) that allows for proposed
amendments to be considered concurrently on an annual basis.
The Comprehensive Plan should be considered a “living document” that is subject to
amendments. Amendments to the plan are the mechanism by which the city may periodically
update its land use and policies to reinforce the role of the plan in guiding growth in Pasco. To
ensure consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, the GMA directs jurisdictions to create a docket
that clearly identifies the amendment applications and proposals to be considered.
The application window was open for amendments from January through May 2023. The city
received one application (privately initiated) for the 2023 docket.
Public Hearing and Planning Commission Discussion
The items presented to the Planning Commission are completed applications to be considered in
the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Docket. The items are all non-project actions and/or proposals. No
projects, construction or development permits are pending with the applications. Per Pasco
Municipal Code 25.215.020(7)(b)(ii), the determination of docket items is to be based on the
following criteria:
1. Is there sufficient time for Council to make an informed decision?
2. Will the City be able to conduct sufficient analysis to develop policy and related development
regulations?
3. Has the proposed amendment been previously rejected for consideration?
4. Will the amendment implement and comply with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and
Washington State Growth Management Act?
5. Is the proposed amendment better addressed through another planning process?
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Privately Initiated Applications
File Number: CPA2023-001
Applicant: Shane O’Neill, Clover Planning & Zoning LLC
Description: Future Land Use Map Amendment: Low Density Residential to
Mixed Residential and Commercial
Address / Parcel(s) 118292036 & 118292027
Total Area (Acres) 2.86
Environmental Determination Determination of Non-Significance, issued 06/19/2023
Description of Proposal:
The applicant has applied for an amendment to the Future Land Use Map of the 2018-2038 Pasco
Comprehensive Plan, to change a parcel’s designation from Low Density Residential Land Use to
Mixed Residential Commercial Land Use. The total site area is approximately 2.86 acres.
Docket Establishment Criteria (PMC 25.215.020(7)(b)(ii))
1. Is there sufficient time for Council to make an informed decision?
There is sufficient time for Council to make an informed decision on the proposal.
2. Will the City be able to conduct sufficient analysis to develop policy and related development
regulations?
The Department has available resources to conduct sufficient analysis to develop any necessary
policy or related development regulations associated with the proposal.
3. Has the proposed amendment been previously rejected for consideration?
The proposal has not previously been subject to a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Amendment, or
part of a rejected decision.
4. Will the amendment implement and comply with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and
Washington State Growth Management Act?
Yes.
5. Is the proposed amendment better addressed through another planning process?
The annual amendment process is appropriate for this request.
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VICITIY MAP
File #: CPA2023-001
RECOMMENDATION
I move that the application(s) included in the September 21, 2023, staff report be forwarded to
the Pasco City Council and that a Docket be established for further evaluation for the 2023
Comprehensive Plan Annual Amendments.