HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-2009 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes REGULAR MEETING January 15, 2009
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Todd Samuel.
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
No. 6 Ray Rose
No. 7 Tony Schouviller
No. 8 Jana Kempf
No. 9 Vacant
APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS:
Chairman Samuel read a statement about the appearance of fairness for
hearings on land use matters. Chairman Samuel asked if any Commission
member had anything to declare. Commissioner Little recused himself from the
Public Hearing on the Special Permit for CBC, due to the fact he is an employee
of CBC.
Chairman Samuel 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.
Chairman Samuel asked the audience if there were objections to any
commissioner hearing any matter. There were no objections from the audience.
ADMINISTERING THE OATH:
Chairman Samuel explained that state law requires testimony in quasi-judicial
hearings such as held by the Planning Commission be given under oath or
affirmation. Chairman Samuel swore in all those desiring to speak.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Anderson moved, seconded by Commissioner Hay, that the
minutes dated December 18, 2008 be approved as corrected. The Motion carried
unanimously.
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OLD BUSINESS:
A. Development Big Pasco Industrial Center (Port of Pasco) (3295
Agreement E. Ainsworth Ave.) (MF# SMP 08-001)
Chairman Samuel read the Master File number and asked for discussion and or
comments from staff.
Staff noted that the findings were corrected from the hearing. Finding #4 was
added which accounted for the public notice that occurred prior to the
December 18, 2008 public hearing.
Commissioner Hays moved, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, that the
Planning Commission adopt the Findings of Fact and conclusions as contained
in the January 15, 2009 staff report. The motion was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Hays further moved, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, based
on the Findings of Fact as adopted, the Planning Commission recommends that
City Council enter into the proposed Development Agreement with the Port of
Pasco as presented in the January 15, 2009 staff report. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Staff noted this item would go to the City Council at their first regular meeting in
February. Staff briefly explained the appeal process.
B. Special Permit Captain Gray Annex Modifications (Pasco
School District No. 1 L(1110 N. 10th Ave.) (MF#
SP 08-014)
Chairman Samuel read the Master File number and asked for discussion and or
comments from staff.
Staff explained that as per the request of the Planning Commission, two
alternatives with findings and conditions have been prepared.
Staff reviewed Alternate #1 which does not contain findings or conditions related
to the need for installing a new traffic signal at 10th and Court.
Alternate #2 provided findings and conditions for a new traffic signal at 10th and
Court. The new driveway entrance on Court Street would cause a bottle-neck
for bus traffic entering the proposed driveway due to the lack of stacking behind
the current pedestrian traffic light.
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Commissioner Anderson stated staff was grasping at straws when talking about
stacking cars in front of the driveway. The driveway is for entrance and not an
exit so he did not believe there would be an issue.
Commissioner Rose stated that to leave the crosswalk as is would be a mistake
and he was in favor of Alternate #2.
Commissioner Anderson stated that his concern was the City should be
responsible for the cost of this signal and not the School District.
Staff explained that the School District was the entity causing the change to
Court Street. The new driveway was changing the dynamics of Court Street.
Only about three cars would be able to stack up behind the cross walk light
before blocking the new driveway. Blocking the driveway would cause buses to
back up along Court Street. Staff also pointed out that in other projects where
the School District has caused changes, such as on Argent for the new High
School, the School district has been responsible for installing new traffic signals.
Chairman Samuel stated based on the information provided by staff he is in
favor of Alternative #2.
Commissioner Hay moved, seconded by Commissioner Little, that the Planning
Commission adopt the Findings of Fact and conclusions in Alternate #2 as
contained in the January 15, 2009 staff report. The motion passed with
Commissioner Anderson voting Nay.
Commissioner Hay further moved, seconded by Commissioner Little, based on
the Findings of Fact as adopted, the Planning Commission recommend the City
Council grant a special permit to the Pasco School District for the modification
of the Captain Gray Annex with conditions under Alternate #2 as contained in
the January 15, 2009 staff report. The motion passed with Commissioner
Anderson voting Nay.
Staff noted this item would go to the City Council at their first regular meeting in
February. Staff briefly explained the appeal process.
C. Special Permit Location of a Children's Learning Center in an
R-1 District (Dolores Escalera) (1730 W. Park
ST.) (MF# SP08-011)
Chairman Samuel read the Master File number and asked for discussion and or
comments from staff.
Staff explained that during the public hearing there was considerable discussion
related to handicap ramp improvements on all corners of the proposed site.
Following the hearing staff reviewed the matter with the Engineering
Department and the request for ramp modifications was dropped. Staff further
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explained that the request for the driveway approach improvements were
necessary to prevent rocks and dirt from getting into the streets and being
washed into the storm drains. Staff also discussed the need and
recommendation for a sidewalk along 18th Avenue. It was pointed out that the
property in question was the only property between Court and Sylvester in this
area of town without sidewalk. Staff recommended a sidewalk be required along
18th Avenue.
Staff also explained they had, as requested, provided alternate sets of findings
and approval conditions for the Planning Commission's consideration.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the Engineering Department had withdrawn
the request on the handicap ramps.
Staff stated that is correct.
Chairman Samuel asked what the cost would be for paving the first 40 feet of
the driveway entrances.
Staff did not have the cost information for driveways but explained a five foot
wide sidewalk would be about $10.00 a running foot.
Commissioner Anderson asked how many driveways would be affected.
Staff stated there was one driveway on the south side, and two driveways on the
north side. One driveway on the north side is blocked with a log. This
abandoned driveway needs to be removed.
Chairman Samuel commented that with Alternate #1 it would cost
approximately a couple of thousand dollars and Alternate #2 would cost
approximately $4,000 - $5,000.
Commissioner Anderson was in favor of adding the sidewalk on 18th Avenue in
the future when the parking lot was improved.
Commissioner Kempf stated she was in favor of Alternate #2 due to the safety of
pedestrians.
Commissioners Little and Cruz also stated they were in favor of Alternate #2.
Commissioner Kempf moved, seconded by Commissioner Cruz based on the
findings of fact as adopted, the Planning Commission recommend the City Council
grant a special permit to Dolores Escalera for the location of a Child Learning
Center/Daycare at 1730 W. Park Street with conditions in Alternate #2 as
contained in the January 15, 2009 staff report. The motion passed with
Commissioners Anderson and Samuel voting Nay.
Staff noted this item would go to the City Council at their first regular meeting in
February. Staff briefly explained the appeal process.
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D. Code Amendment Sign Code (Community Event Regional Signs -
City Wide) (City of Pasco) (MF# CA 08-005)
Chairman Samuel read the Master File number and asked for discussion and or
comments from staff.
Staff commented this item was discussed over the past few months and they
have no further comments.
Commissioner Anderson moved, seconded by Commissioner Hay that the
Planning Commission recommends the City amend Title 17 to include provisions
for Regional Community Event signs as indicated in the proposed ordinance.
The motion passed unanimously.
Staff noted this item would go to the City Council at their next available workshop
and will be voted on at a regular City Council Meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Special Permit CBC Research Farm (Columbia Basin College)
(4100 Block of Argent Pl.) (MF# SP 08-015)
Chairman Samuel read the master file number and asked for comments from
staff.
Staff explained CBC was requesting a special permit to locate an agricultural
research farm at the corner (northeast) of Road 44 and Argent Place. Due to
planned expansion at CBC, the existing farm on the CBC Campus needs to be
relocated. Staff explained the only crop to be grown is alfalfa. Staff reviewed the
written report explaining the surrounding zoning land uses and Comprehensive
Plan designation for the site.
Chairman Samuel asked staff if they were aware of any planned development in
the open parcels surrounding the site.
Staff was not aware of any plans.
Chairman Samuel asked if the City had received complaints about the operation
of the CBC farm.
Staff stated no.
Bill Saraceno, Senior Vice President, CBC, stated he has had no complaints
about the existing farm. Mr. Saraceno briefly expanded the need for relocating
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the CBC farm. The proposed site is available to CBC for 5 years, in the event a
developer comes along and needs the site, CBC will vacate the property.
Chairman Samuel asked about the number of students that would visit the site
each day.
Mr. Saraceno stated no more than 3-4 students would come to the farm on a
daily basis. Occasionally there might be up to 20 students on site.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the site would be fenced.
Mr. Saraceno stated there would be no fence.
Chairman Samuel opened the hearing for public comment.
Dwayne Moffatt, 4204 W. Argent Pl., stated his family was supportive of the CBC
Research farm.
Ron Foraker, Assistant Manager of the Tri-Cities Airport, stated the Port was
supportive of CBC's growth. Mr. Foraker explained the Port purchased the
property in the early 1970's for runway protection. The need for the second
runway has never developed.
Chairman Samuel called for further public comment and after 3 calls and no
response; the hearing was closed for public comment.
Commissioner Hay moved, seconded by Commissioner Anderson to close the
hearing on the proposed Columbia Basin College Research Farm; initiate
deliberations and schedule adoption of findings of fact, conclusions and a
recommendation to the City Council for the February 19, 2009 meeting. The
motion passed unanimously.
WORKSHOP:
A. Code Amendment Critical Areas Ordinance (City of Pasco) (MF#
CA 08-003)
Chairman Samuel read the master file number and asked for comments from
staff.
Staff explained the Planning Commission held a public hearing last fall to
consider a proposed amendment to the municipal code for the inclusion of a
critical lands ordinance. Following the hearing, the proposed amendment was
sent to State agencies for review. Comments were received from the Department
of Ecology and the Department of Trade and Economic Development. As a result
of those comments the proposed regulations have been modified. The
modifications related almost entirely to the wetlands section of the proposed
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code. The Department of Ecology had changed several reference manuals and
the proposed code needs to be aligned with those updated manuals.
Staff explained the City has very few wetland areas and the code would have
minimal impact on the community. Wetlands are located in Sacajawea State
Park, and along the river at the west end of the City.
Commissioner Cruz stated that with few wetland areas, the regulations would
have relatively minimal impacts.
Chairman Samuel agreed with Commissioner Cruz.
Staff explained a hearing would be set for next month.
OTHER BUSINESS:
With no further business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:49 pm.
David McDonald, Secretary
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