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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2011 Planning Commission Minutes REGULAR MEETING August 18, 2011 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Cruz. POSITION MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT No. 1 Michael Levin No. 2 James Hay No. 3 Andy Anderson No. 4 Alecia Greenaway No. 5 Joe Cruz No. 6 Kurt Lukins No. 7 Zahra Khan No. 8 Jana Kempf No. 9 Lisa Gemig APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS: Chairman Cruz read a statement about the appearance of fairness for hearings on land use matters. Chairman Cruz asked if any Commission member had anything to declare. No declarations were made. 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. ADMINISTERING THE OATH: 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. Chairman Cruz swore in all those desiring to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Anderson moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, that the minutes dated July 21, 2011 be approved as mailed. The Motion carried unanimously. -1- OLD BUSINESS: A. Preliminary Plat Preliminary Plat approval for Columbia Villas, a 100-lot subdivision located at the northwest corner of Sandifur Parkway and Road 76 (Big Creek Land Company) (MF# PP 2011- 002 Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Dave McDonald, City Planner, stated that at the last meeting staff indicated the property owner made a request to provide the Planning Commission with a legal opinion related to school impact fees. As a result of that request, staff thought it was appropriate to also afford the same opportunity to the Pasco School District, resulting in the Planning Commission continuing the hearing to August 18, 2011. Rick White, Community and Economic Development Director, summed up the Staff memo of June 16, 2011 to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Lukins asked if the letters submitted from the property owner and Pasco School District had changed any previous opinions. Rick White confirmed that no previous opinions had changed and confirmed the City Attorney reviewed the letters. Commissioner Greenaway discussed the concern for possible negative impact a mitigation fee could present and posed a question regarding tax dollars in regards to building new schools. Commissioner Anderson stated that school district construction is financed by bonds. In the past the Pasco School District has brought bonds to the voters and the voters turned down the bond. All that is being asked of the Planning Commission is to require the developer to negotiate with the School District on what a fee would be and how they would mitigate the impacts. Commissioner Hay asked what would happen to the school levies if the fee was passed and if the mitigation fees are going to be the only thing the school district will rely upon. Rick White responded that there will not be any effects on current levies or bonds. Commissioner Anderson moved, seconded by Commissioner Lukins to adopt the Findings of Fact and Conclusions as contained in the August 18, 2011 staff report. The motion was approved with one dissenting vote from Commissioner Levin. -2- Commissioner Anderson moved, seconded by Commissioner Lukins, based on the finding of fact as adopted, the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the preliminary plat with the conditions as listed in the August 18, 2011 staff report. The motion was approved with one dissenting vote from Commissioner Levin. The Chairman explained the recommendation would go to the City Council for decision at the September 6, 2011 meeting. B. Special Permit Location of a Community Service Facility in an I-1 Zone. (300 Block of S. 5th Ave.) (Saint Vincent de Paul Society) (MF# SP 2011-008) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Staff had no additional comments. Commissioner Hay moved seconded by Commissioner Kempf to adopt the Findings, the Fact and Conclusions therefore contained in the August 18, 2011 staff report. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Hay moved, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, the Planning Commission recommend the City Council grant a special permit to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the location of a community service facility at 215 S. 61h Avenue with the conditions as contained in the August 18, 2008 staff report. The motion passed unanimously. Staff noted this item would go to the City Council September 6, 2011. Staff briefly explained the appeal process. OTHER BUSINESS: A. Code Amendment Auto Body Shops as Accessory Uses in the C-R District PMC 25.48 Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked staff for comments. Dave McDonald, City Planner, stated staff recently received a request from an owner of a business on St. Thomas Drive for a building permit for a remodel and expansion including a new 20,000 square foot building. Part of the remodel was to permit the use of a spray booth. A spray booth is considered to be part of an auto body shop which is not permitted on St. Thomas Drive. Staff prepared a code amendment that would allow an auto body shop as an accessory use in the C-R district, provided the spray booth is totally enclosed within a primary -3- building that provides auto sales and service or RV sales and service and provided the building location is at least 300 feet from any residential zoning district. The code proposal would also require a qualifying building to be set back at least 30 feet from any property line and all outdoor storage would need to be completely screened from adjoining properties. Dave McDonald further explained the Planning Commission was conducting a workshop and is being asked to make a recommendation on the matter for the Council to consider in public hearing in September. Chairman Cruz asked why Auto or RV sales and services were used rather than adding tractors as well. Dave McDonald answered that it was because those uses were not permitted in the C-R district. Heavy equipment sales are permitted in C-3 or I-1 zones. Commissioner Hay asked if there were any environmental concerns. Dave McDonald, answered by stating spray booths are required to receive an Air Quality Permit from the Department of Ecology and go through the SEPA process. John Ramsey, 8612 Whipple, stated he had been in business on St. Thomas Drive for 15 years and did not realize he was not zoned for painting. Mr. Ramsey explained his expansion plans. Safety for the community around his business is a big concern of his. Commissioner Lukins moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, the Planning Commission recommend the City Council adopt the proposed code amendment modifying PMC 25.48 to include Auto Body Shops as an accessory use to automotive and RV sales and service facilities in the C-R district. The motion passed unanimously. B. Workshop Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Chairman Cruz read the master file number opened the hearing and asked for comments from staff. Shane O'Neill, Planner I, presented the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to the Planning Commission explaining its purpose, the plan, and potential costs and funding sources. In 2006, the City Council formed an Adhoc Advisory Bikeway Committee, which created a plan. That plan is included in the current plan with some changes and consolidated. Rick White, Community and Economic Development Director, stated that the plan consolidates previous plans and is to be used in conjunction with the yearly capital improvement plan process. Staff will be coming back to the Planning Commission with a revised funding table -4- and the next steps would be to set up a public hearing to receive public comments prior to the Planning Commission developing a recommendation. C. CDBG 2011 CDBG Reallocation and Amendment to Annual Action Plan (MF# BGAP2011-007) Chairman Cruz read the master file number opened the hearing and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community and Economic Development Director, addressed the Planning Commission stating that the allocation of 2011 CDBG funding and the Annual Action Plan was an item the Commission saw one year ago. Staff is bringing the matter back to the commission due to funding cuts. Commissioner Lukins moved, seconded by Commissioner Hay, the Planning Commission recommends the City Council approve the reallocation of the use of funds for the 2011 CDBG Program as set forth in the 2011 Funds Summary as amended by staff. The motion was unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS: A. Pledge of Allegiance Commissioner Greenaway proposed the Planning Commission Meetings begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, the Planning Commission start each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. The motion was approved unanimously. With no further business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:52 pm. Respectfully submitted, David McDonald, Secretary -5-