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Home My WebLink About2025.09.18 PC Meeting Minutes�� Of City COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES City Hall - Council Chambers ty ' co 525 North Third Avenue Pasco, Washington THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 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: Austin Crawford, Pat Jones, Kim Lehrman, Rob Waites, Dana Crutchfield, and Jerry Cochran, a quorum was declared. Commissioners Excused: Rosa Torres, Rachel Teel, Jay Hendler Staff Present: C&ED Deputy Director Craig Raymond, 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. ❖ 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Lehrman motioned to approve the Planning Commission meeting minutes of August 21, 2025. Commissioner Waites seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None PUBLIC HEARINGS None WORSHOP • Comprehensive Plan Climate Element Overview Presentation by Caseadia Consulting Group Key points of the presentation: • Introduction to the Regional Effort The Tri-Cities region is collaborating on a climate strategy to reduce emissions and address natural hazards, with support from the Benton -Franklin Council of Governments and input from a community -based Climate Policy Advisory Team. State Requirements for Climate Planning Under HB 1181, jurisdictions must add a climate element to their comprehensive plans, including resilience and greenhouse gas reduction components. The Tri-Cities Regional Climate Element will meet GMA and HB 1181 requirements, be data- and community - informed, align with other plans, and provide a clear, feasible path for implementation supported by staff and the community. Page 1 of 3 • Climate Element — Key Components Cities must include emissions reduction and resilience components in their plans —one to cut greenhouse gases and vehicle miles, and another to address climate impacts like flooding, heat, smoke, and wildfires. • High-level Key Findings Extreme heat, wildfire and smoke; extreme precipitation, and drought. Snapshot of the Draft Goals & Policies The overarching goal supports both resilience and emissions reduction by strengthening staff capacity, aligning with state tracking requirements, and basing implementation on sound science. Resilience goals are addressed by wildfire mitigation, water conservation, ecosystem protection, low -emission economic growth, and public health preparedness. Emissions reduction goals focus on improving building efficiency, promoting mixed -use and active transportation, and expanding regional waste reduction efforts. Next Steps August -October: Council and Commission presentation September 23 & 29: Public Meetings September: CPAT Meeting final draft policies September -October: Public review period October31: Final Regional Climate Element Questions/Comments from Commissioners Commission Crutchfield expressing concern about how promoting higher -density, mixed -use, and multimodal development will impact congestion and whether it will meaningfully reduce climate impacts. She noted the importance of addressing fire risks, appreciated the city's expansion of bike trails, and emphasized maintaining some regulatory boundaries to help manage related challenges. Commissioner Jones asked about funding for this project to be completed within the city. Craig Raymond answered that staff will continue monitoring potential funding sources and creatively explore opportunities that align with the various goals, policies, and projects outlined in the plan. His next comment was made expressing concern about the frequent mention of natural gas in the plan, noting its political sensitivity and suggesting caution to avoid any perception of political bias or motive. Lastly, regarding the need to strengthen waste reduction, reuse, and recycling efforts. He noted that Pasco has only one waste collection provider and suggested exploring ways to motivate the company to go beyond minimum requirements to better support sustainability goals. Commissioner Lehrman highlighting the importance of considering both water quantity and quality in local planning. With a background in agriculture, she noted issues such as toxic algae blooms and invasive species affecting regional waterways and suggested using the term "water availability" instead of "drought" to better capture these broader concerns. She also asked if the local school districts were contacted for feedback. Chair Cochran expressed strong concern about the length and regulatory nature of the proposed policies. He noted that many of the policies appear duplicative of existing ones and cautioned that additional regulations could place significant burdens on taxpayers and developers. He also expressed skepticism that Pasco's voters or City Council would support such measures, suggesting that Franklin County's more limited approach may be more appropriate. Commissioner Crawford expressed concern that many of the proposed development and land use policies Page 2 of 3 could increase costs for builders, developers, and homebuyers. He stressed that housing affordability is one of Pasco's biggest challenges and cautioned that aligning too closely with policies modeled after western Washington could further strain affordability and conflict with local priorities. Commissioner Waites noted that air quality has worsened in recent years and urged the plan to address local factors beyond wildfire smoke and vehicle emissions, reflecting the region's rural travel patterns and unique conditions. OTHER BUSINESS CED Director Haylie Miller inquired whether members are interested in receiving meeting materials electronically via Wad rather than in paper format. The goal is to transition to paper -free operations for convenience and reduce printing. The plan is to begin with a small group (four members) and expand gradually as budget allows. Funding availability will be reviewed since the current budget was adopted prior to the idea being introduced. She also announced a new comprehensive plan outreach strategy led by consultants, featuring a simple "show -to -go" box with easy -to -understand materials about Pasco's 20-year vision. The approach focuses on engaging community leaders (e.g., churches, Rotary, HOAs, neighborhood leaders —including recent annexation opponents) to reach groups that don't typically attend public meetings. Plan: hold a leaders' meeting, send attendees back to their groups with the box and a short questionnaire (e.g., what residents want/don't want in their neighborhoods, views on nearby corner stores), and compile the feedback. Staff are available to visit groups at various times. Council/committee members are asked to email Carmen by next week with names of community leaders —or to volunteer themselves —to be added to the outreach list. 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, and the motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm. YouTube link to watch full meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVFKxX T0Iw&t=20s ;pectfully s Fitted, Wl� mil/" Carmen Patrick, Administrative Assistant II Community & Economic Development Department Page 3 of 3