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Home My WebLink About11-21-2024 PC Meeting Minutesmill Pasco PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES City Hall - Council Chambers 525 North Third Avenue Pasco, Washington THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024 6.30 PM 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: Pat Jones, Kim Lehrman, Dana Crutchfield, Rachel Teel, Jay Hendler and Jerry Cochran, a quorum was declared. Commissioners Excused: Rosa Torres and Abel Campos Staff Present: Community & Economic Development Deputy Director Craig Raymond, Land Use & Planning Advisor Jacob Gonzalez, and Administrative Assistant II Carmen Patrick DECLARATIONS 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. 4- No declarations were heard. Chair Cochran asked if anyone in the audience objected to any Planning Commission member hearing any of the items on the agenda. ❖ No declarations were heard. 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 Lehrman stated the resigned commissioner Mitchell Moffit was showing on the minutes. With that correction Commissioner Jones approve the Planning Commission meeting minutes of September 19, 2024, Commissioner Lehrman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None PUBLIC HEARINGS None Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 November 21, 2024 WORSHOP • Downtown Pasco Master Plan Implementation Update Presented by Framework Hope Freije updated commissioners on Framework's goals and strategies for Downtown Pasco, highlighting their receipt of an American Planning Association award for the Downtown Master Plan. What has been done: • Mural Program: Updated sign code to allow full-scale murals and launched the Paint Pasco brand. The Arts Commission now offers grants, with multiple murals underway. • Mobile Vending Program: Updated code (August 2024) to reduce restrictions on vendors and implemented a pilot program with 10 pre -approved vending locations. • Clark Street Design: Created construction drawings for sharrows and a shared -use path to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety. • Parklet Program: Updated code to allow businesses to convert parking spaces into parklets, enhancing seating and street activation. • Lighting Improvements: Conducted a night walk to identify gaps, collaborated with police on safety data, and engaged a consultant to recommend fixtures for key areas. Combined lighting upgrades with activation strategies to boost safety and activity. • Parking Program: Established a parking program using drone data and monthly parking counts to optimize availability for employees, customers, and events. • Monitoring and Management System: Developing tools to measure plan success and gather feedback through events and public engagement, with reports to City Council and the Planning Commission. Comments/Questions from Commissioners • Commissioner Hendler emphasized the importance of incorporating a housing component into the plan to ensure its success. • Commissioner Lehrman inquired about strategies for landscaping within the plan. • Commissioner Cochran commented on the importance of finding a balance for parklet, because the more there are the less parking there is. Also, for food trucks, possibly taking Kennewick's approach and having a hub where they all could park. • Commissioner Crutchfield raised concerns about limited space for parklets and asked for clarification on how parklet areas would be maintained. She also expressed concerns about limited parking availability for mobile vending operations. Hope Freije answered this discussion emphasized the importance of keeping spaces activated throughout the week, recognizing fluctuations in use. Peanuts Park, for example, is underutilized at times but experiences high demand during events like the farmers market when parking becomes limited. Parklets, if built by the city, would be managed by the city. Street cafes, which use parking spaces, would be managed by the associated restaurants or cafes, responsible for maintaining the spaces and storing furniture when not in use. Monitoring parking availability downtown is crucial to ensure these initiatives activate the area without negatively impacting businesses. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 November 21, 2024 Also, food truck parks are now an accepted use under the mobile vending code, modeled after Summers Hub. The owner of Summers Hub has purchased a property near the HAPO Center intended for this purpose. This development is anticipated to provide a vibrant gathering space for the community and enhance the use of public spaces in Pasco. The Arts Commission is responsible for approving murals through a straightforward process. While they do not dictate the theme or content, they ensure the murals are appropriate and not offensive or distasteful. This process is designed to be efficient while maintaining community standards. • Comprehensive Plan — Periodic Update Jacob Gonzalez updated the Planning Commission on Pasco's Comprehensive Plan update, which incorporates community input, aligns with the Washington State Growth Management Act, complies with Franklin County's policies, and reflects City Council goals. The plan updated every 8-10 years, includes elements such as land use, housing, transportation, economic development, parks, capital facilities, public utilities, and a new focus on climate change and resilience. Each element will be evaluated to address 20 years of growth. The city is securing funding, including $175,000 from the Department of Commerce and additional climate change planning grants under House Bill 1181. These funds will support issuing an RFP to select consultants for the multi -year process, which includes public engagement and collaboration with the Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards. With a June 2026 deadline, the city will provide regular updates to the Planning Commission, likely every other month, to ensure involvement throughout the process. Unlike traditional plans, Pasco aims to create an accessible and engaging document, building on past successes. Staff emphasized the depth of the process and encouraged early engagement. They are committed to providing information and support to ensure the Planning Commission is well -prepared for their role in the update. Comments/Questions from Commissioners • Commissioner Cochran asked for a copy of the previous Comprehension Plan to review for some to get more familiarized with it. • Commissioner Lehrman asked it the city still uses the terminology "Live, Work and Play in Pasco". She also asked regarding updates for housing units with the growth that is expected. Will we receive future update on housing units to assess whether the recent increase in apartment developments is addressing the overall housing needs in the area. • Commissioner Crutchfield stated concern for transportation and climate change. She also raised a question about the criteria for selecting a firm through the request for professional services, specifically whether the firm should have familiarity with the city's unique environmental needs. • Commissioner Jones suggested to integrate the Downtown Pasco Project into the Comprehensive Plan to thoroughly explore and assess the potential for downtown housing as part of the overall plan. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 November 21, 2024 Jacob Gonzalez responded to he Planning Commission on Pasco's projected population growth, with estimates for 2045 ranging between 140,000 and 143,000 residents. Under the Growth Management Act, Franklin County allocates population growth among its jurisdictions, and Pasco has historically received 75-80% of the county's growth. Recent trends show Pasco's share increasing to 81%, with future projections suggesting it could rise to 82-84% due to the city's role as a major population center in the county and region. The Commission was informed that the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update will involve enhanced collaboration across city departments, including Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Police, Fire, and Finance. While managed by the Community and Economic Development (CED) Department, the plan represents a citywide effort incorporating leadership, staff, and community input. Public feedback consistently emphasizes priorities such as creating walkable and sustainable communities, enhancing street safety, and improving access to amenities, all of which will guide the plan's development. The public engagement process will play a key role in shaping the policies and strategies of the Comprehensive Plan, providing valuable insights from community members. Additionally, the land use and housing elements will include updated housing projections from the county to address needs across all income levels. The Planning Commission, which contributed to the Housing Action Plan, will revisit and refine these estimates. Staff highlighted the impact of recent updates to flexible housing codes, which have expanded housing options, though their long-term effects on meeting overall housing demand are still under review. Staff also addressed concerns regarding the need to balance current infrastructure demands with future growth, a critical consideration for the Comprehensive Plan given space constraints, ongoing development, and budget limitations. The plan aims to be both visionary and actionable, with an implementation chapter detailing concrete steps. It will prioritize meeting the needs of current residents while preparing for future population growth, ensuring alignment with city goals and resources. Finally, the Commission was reminded that much of the effort tied to the Comprehensive Plan occurs post -adoption, with balancing growth and maintaining service levels remaining a focal point throughout the planning process. Significant work lies ahead in developing this comprehensive framework for Pasco's future. OTHER BUSINESS Due to the June 19"' Planning Commission meeting scheduled on a national holiday, the meeting has been moved to June 26, 2025. ADJOURNMENT Chair Cochran stated with no other business, I recommend a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Jones made the motion to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded by Commissioner Lehrman, motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm. YouTube link to watch full meeting: httas://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY4Kat5tLHo&t=1071s Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 November 21, 2024 spectfully su tted, TinCarmen Pari-ic , Administrative Assistant II Community & Economic Development Department Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 November 21, 2024