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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-30-2008 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 30, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Acting Chairman Joe Cruz. POSITION MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT No. 1 Todd Samuel, Chairman No. 2 James Hay No. 3 Andy Anderson No. 4 David Little No. 5 Joe Cruz, Acting Chairman No. 6 Ray Rose No. 7 Tony Schouviller No. 8 Jana Kempf No. 9 Vacant APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS: Acting Chairman Cruz read a statement about the appearance of fairness for hearings on land use matters. Acting Chairman Cruz asked if any Commission member had anything to declare. Commissioner Little stated he would recluse himself from the Charter College item because his son may be the architect on the project. Acting Chairman Cruz then asked the audience if there were any objections based on a conflict of interest or appearance of fairness questions regarding the items to be discussed this evening. There were no objections. Acting Chairman Cruz asked the audience if there was an objection to either commissioner hearing the matter. There were no objections from the audience. ADMINISTERING THE OATH: Acting Chairman Cruz explained that state law requires testimony in quasi-judicial hearings such as held by the Planning Commission be given under oath or affirmation. Acting Chairman Cruz swore in all those desiring to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NONE. OLD BUSINESS: -1- NONE. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Corridors Plan Corridors and Gateways Plan (City of Pasco) (MF# INFO 08-070) Acting Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Staff stated that a notice of the hearing was published in the newspaper. The Corridors and Gateways Plan was also presented to the Planning Commission at the October 16, 2008 regular meeting. Acting Chairman Cruz asked whether or not businesses could sponsor entry corridors with signage and landscaping as he has seen in other cities. Staff stated such sponsorship would be in conflict with the City's off-premise sign regulations. Commissioner Rose asked why West Sylvester Street was not included in the plan. Staff stated the Sylvester Street was not included due to the lack of right of way, and the lack of connectivity to highways and shopping areas. Acting Chairman Cruz called for public comment. After three calls for comments the hearing was closed. Commissioner Hay moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, the Planning Commission recommends the City Council adopt the Corridors and Gateways Plan 2008. B. Special Permit Location of a College/Technical School in a C-1 District (Charter College) (5278 Outlet Dr.) (MF# SP 08-010) Acting Chairman Cruz read the master file number opened the hearing and asked for comments from staff. Staff stated that a notice of the hearing was published in the newspaper and mailed to surrounding property owners within 300 ft of the site. Staff explained Charter College has several facilities located throughout the western United States and Alaska and is seeking to located a facility in the outlet mall. Charter College has signed a lease for 10,768 square feet of floor area in northern Outlet Mall building. This space will be divided into 7 offices, -2- 10 classrooms, a resource center and a student lounge. Staff reviewed the written staff report for the benefit of the Planning Commission. Steve Ferguson, Charter College, Prospect Education 16750 Melrose Ave, Reno, NV, explained that the school has been in business since 1985. In the state of Alaska they are the largest for-profit school. They will start with 4 certificate programs in the areas of Medical Insurance Coding 8v Billing, Computerized Bookkeeping, Medical Assistant, and Network Security. Course will be expanded as the college grows. Commissioner Schouviller asked how long the lease was for. Mr. Ferguson stated they have signed a 5-year lease. Acting Chairman Cruz asked if the college had room to expand in the future. Mr. Ferguson stated they have first right of refusal on any adjoining suites in the Outlet Mall to allow for expansion. Commissioner Rose asked about the schools accreditation. Mr. Ferguson stated they were accredited by the ACISSCT, a national accreditation. Acting Chairman Cruz expressed concern about the length of time the proposed college planned to occupy space at the mall. Staff explained that only 37,000 square feet of the Broadmoor Outlet Mall was occupied. The facility has 103,000 square feet. The outlet mall business model has been struggling nationwide. It was pointed out that private for profit colleges often locate in strip malls and commercial centers. Commissioner Hay moved, seconded by Commissioner Schouviller, to close the hearing on the special permit for the location of a College/Technical School in a C-1 district and initiate deliberations and schedule adoption of Findings of Fact, Conclusions and a Recommendation to the City Council for the November 20, 2008 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. WORKSHOP: NONE. OTHER BUSINESS: Staff provided the Planning commission with an overview of upcoming projects. These include; the Waagener Army Reserve Center realignment and closure project, the critical areas ordinance which has been reviewed by the State (some refinements are needed) and the Central Pre-Mix application to be presented again in early 2009 as a result of the court decision. -3- Staff also indicated the 2009 budget will be reviewed by the City Council on November 10th. The draft budget estimates 400 single-family homes will be built in 2009. With no further business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:31 pm. Respectfully submitted, David McDonald, Secretary -4-