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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-2013 Planning Commission MInutes-1- REGULAR MEETING October 17, 2013 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairwoman Kempf. POSITION MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT No. 1 Tim Hoekstra No. 2 Tony Bachart No. 3 Andy Anderson No. 4 Alecia Greenaway No. 5 Joe Cruz No. 6 Loren Polk No. 7 Zahra Khan No. 8 Jana Kempf No. 9 Paul Hilliard APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS: Chairwoman Kempf read a statement about the appearance of fairness for hearings on land use matters. Chairwoman Kempf asked if any Commission member had anything to declare. There were no declarations. Chairwoman Kempf then asked the audience if there were any objections based on a conflict of interest or appearance of fairness question regarding the items to be discussed this evening. There were no objections. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Hilliard, that the minutes dated September 19, 2013 be approved as mailed. The motion passed unanimously. WORKSHOP: A. Code Amendment Detached Accessory Structure Heights (MF# CA2013-003) Chairwoman Kempf read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the code amendment for detached accessory structure heights. After considerable discussion with the Planning Commission in 2012 and 2013, staff developed exceptions to the previous height limitations for accessory structures in the RS-20 and RS-12 Zones that were incorporated into the last zoning code amendment. Those amendments allow a height of greater than 18’ by special permit only. Criteria was developed under the sections noted in the staff report for considerations for the height exception. -2- Based on the Planning Commission’s directions over the past couple of workshops, staff has developed a proposal similar to what’s in place for the RS-20 and RS-12 Zones that would apply to the RS-1, R-1, R-2, R-4 and R-4 Zones. It allows in the RS- 1 and R-1 Zones, a height over 18’, provided a special permit is obtained using the criteria noted in the staff report and in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 Zones it allows for a height of over 15’ through special permit based on the same criteria. Based on discussion and direction from the Planning Commission, staff used a base lot size of 12,000 square feet for all of the Zoning Districts for this provision to apply and has also prepared a draft ordinance that accommodates the table contained on the first page of the staff report. Chairwoman Kempf stated that the Planning Commission was ready to move forward with this code amendment. There were no further comments. B. Code Amendment Special Permits for Auto Sales in C-1 (Retail Business) Zones (MF# CA2013-006) Chairwoman Kempf read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. David McDonald, City Planner, discussed the code amendment for special permits for auto sales in C-1 (Retail Business) Zones. Mr. McDonald stated that in previous discussion on this code amendment centered upon keeping the special permit requirements for auto sales in areas of the community that have been “skipped over” for development, particularly those areas east of Highway 395. Examples were presented at the last meeting of vacant lots that had benefited from the use of the current provisions within the code. There was some discussion from the last meeting related to the need to provide a definition for “under- utilized property”. Staff included a definition in the proposed code amendment, stating, Under-utilized property would be defined as vacant land or land with one or more vacant buildings which have been vacant for the past 10 consecutive years. There was also previous discussion regarding opportunities for automobile sales in other parts of the community and not just restricting automobile sales to the geographical area east of Highway 395. For discussion purposes, Staff prepared code language that would allow new auto dealerships on under-utilized property within a certain distance of both of the interchanges along I-182. Mr. McDonald asked for direction from the Planning Commission. Commissioner Hilliard asked if the land is vacant if a dealership could be placed on the property in the areas specified. Mr. McDonald answered yes, the land would have to be vacant and in the areas shaded on the map. Commissioner Hilliard stated that his vision would be to allow for showrooms along -3- the Road 100/I-182 corridor. He thinks that the areas on the maps that staff prepared are good areas to allow for auto sales. Commissioner Polk agreed with Commissioner Hilliard and liked the definition for “under-utilized” property. She asked where the 300 feet of separation between existing car lots came from and if it has ever been a greater amount of distance. Mr. McDonald responded that the 300 feet of separation could be changed. It is currently in the code as 300 feet, has been there for many years, and that is why that number was used. It is the typical distance used for notification for rezones or special permits. Commissioner Anderson stated he didn’t have an issue with the 300 feet of separation between car lots. He asked how 8,000 square feet was determined to be the minimum for the required on-site building. Mr. McDonald answered that 8,000 square feet is actually typically smaller than most on-site buildings for car lots. Eight thousand square feet would be large enough to have the repair facilities, a showroom and offices but not too large to make it over- burdensome but still have significant development with the car lot. Chairwoman Kempf asked for the zoning near Tri-Cities Prep and Road 100. Mr. McDonald answered that it is zoned CR (Regional Commercial) which allows auto sales, RV. Chairwoman Kempf asked for clarification from staff on what is being proposed. Mr. McDonald responded that what staff is proposing in the I-182 Corridor Area would allow new auto dealerships on vacant lots in C-1 zones. The proposal would encourage the reuse of properties in the older areas that have been skipped over by development whereas the corridor area is still developing and the development there should be new and substantial-more than just paved lots with a few cars. Chairwoman Kempf stated that the Planning Commission is in agreement of the proposed code amendment. There were no further comments. COMMENTS: With no further discussion or business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dave McDonald, City Planner