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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-21-2013 Planning Commission Minutes-1- REGULAR MEETING November 21, 2013 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 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: 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. There were no declarations. Chairman Cruz 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. ADMINISTERING THE OATH: Chairman Cruz explained that state law re quires 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 Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, that the minutes dated November 21, 2013 be approved as mailed. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Special Permit Detached Accessory Structure Height (Daniel Martinez) (MF# SP 2013-014) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Directo r, discussed the special permit application for a detached garage. The parcel is approximately 1 acre in size -2- and zoned RS-20 (Suburban) Zone. The applicant is requesting a garage height of 23.5 feet for a proposed garage to be located in the rear of the yard. In the RS-20 Zone, detached garages are limited to 18 feet in height but, can exceed that height if approved through the special permit review. The staff report provided distances from various structures that already exist in the neighborhood, for example, the nearest house to the east is 150 feet away or more from the proposed garage. Staff analyzed the proposal with a tendency toward recommending approval. The criteria ne cessary for a special permit and criteria for the detached garage height greater than 18 feet was analyzed, findings were developed and a tentative list of conditions for approval were all provided in the staff report. Daniel Martinez, 5417 Dradie Street, spoke on behalf of his special permit application. He explained that he would like the accessory structure to store his boat, motor home and other items to keep from public view. Chairman Cruz asked if Mr. Martinez has had any complaints or concerns fro m neighbors regarding the proposed shop. Mr. Martinez stated that he has not heard any complaints or concerns. With no further comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Hoekstra moved, seconded by Commissioner Khan, to close the public hearing and schedule deliberations, the adoption of findings of fact and development of a recommendation for City Council for the December 19, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting. The motion passed unanimously. B. Rezone Rezone from RT (Residential Transition) to R-1 (Low Density Residential) and R-2 (Medium Density Residential) (Nathan Machiela) (MF# Z 2013-005) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the rezone application from RT (Residential Transition) to R-1 (Low Density Residential) and R-2 (Medium Density Residential). The site is located at the northwest corner of Sandifur Parkway and Convention Drive and is approximately 48 acres. The applicant was requesting the rezone so the site could be platted for residential lots. The applicant does not intend to construct multi-family dwellings, but instead single-family dwellings on smaller lots. The R-1 Zone permits minimum lot sizes of 7,200 square feet and the R-2 Zone permits 5,000 square foot lot minimums. The rezone request has been reviewed in accord with the criteria in Chapter 25.88 of the Pasco Municipal Code. Staff recommended approval of the rezone however the site was revised slightly after the initial public hearing notices were sent, expanding the site 12 feet to the west. Revised public notices were sent to nearby property owners and staff is requested a continuation of the public hearing to the December meeting. -3- Jason Mattox, 6115 Burden Boulevard, with HDJ Design Group, spoke on behalf of the applicant. He stated the proposed rezone was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The current property owner and Hayden Homes are coming to an agreement on what the actual acquisition size will be. The preliminary plat and what is purchased by Hayden Homes needs to match up with the zoning which is why careful consideration is being taken. He addressed a staff finding regarding “Power and water being available to the property from Convention Drive, however sewer will need to extend from Clemente Drive to south of the property.” He stated that they have been working with staff about the potential ability to use the sewer that’s located directly adjacent to the property rather than having to extend the sewer line over 1,000 feet to Clemente Drive to serve the property. Chairman Cruz asked Mr. White about the sewer concerns of the applicant and if it might need to be continued yet another month. Mr. White answered that the concerns would not be an issue and would be worked out by the December 19th meeting. If it isn’t worked out by then, the finding could be revised. It is also possible to have to be continued another month. Christopher Larson, 5516 Koufax Lane, voiced concern about additional traffic and blocked view from his property. He asked if the intersection would be changed, such as adding a turn lane, to assist with traffic at the very busy intersection. Mr. White responded that at this time he doesn’t know exactly what will happen in terms of the road. Traffic impacts are generally analyzed at the platting stage. Staff will review the excepted traffic generated by the plat, they’ll look at the Comprehensive Street Plan and Six-Year Capital Improvements Plan and if there are any facilities identified as needed at that intersection, then the developer will be required to provide their portion of the improvements they are responsible for. Chairman Cruz reiterated that at the platting stage City Staff will ensure that requirements are met so that the intersection remains safe. As for the blocked view, there is no control over that. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Khan, to continue the public hearing on the proposed rezone to the December 19. 2013 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. C. Code Amendment Detached Accessory Structure Heights (MF# CA 2013-003) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the proposed code amendment for detached accessory structure heights. This item has come back to the Planning Commission after several Council Meetings. Th e recommendation would allow a detached garage height of greater than 15 feet in certain zones pending -4- approval of a special permit. A 12,000 square foot minimum lot size would be required to apply for a special permit. The special permit application would be reviewed using the criteria established in the code. With no comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Khan moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, the Planning Commission adopt the findings of fact as contained in the November 21, 2013 staff memo on the residential detached shops and garages. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Khan moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, the Planning Commissioner recommend the City Council adopt the proposed code amendment making provisions to increase the maximum height of residential detached shops and garages. The motion passed unanimously. D. Code Amendment Special Permits for Auto Sales in C-1 (Retail Business) Zones (MF# CA 2013-006) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the code amendment for special permits for auto sales in C-1 Zones. This item was returned to the Planning Commission after a City Council Workshop Meeting. Staff asked the Planning Commission to continue this item until the December meeting to allow staff time to tighten up the language in the code. The code amendment itself reaffirms the longstanding allowance for used car sales and new car sales east of Highway 395 in C - 1 Zones, however west of Highway 395 there is a recommendation for new car sales only near the intersections of the freeway at Road 68 and Road 100. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Hoekstra, to continue the public hearing until the December 19, 2013 Meeting. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: A. Information Recreational Marijuana (MF# CA 2013-005) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discusse d the staff memo explaining the moratorium on the production, growing, processing and retail sales of recreational marijuana consistent with the parameters established by the voters last year with Initiative 502. The moratorium will prevent any City licensing of either production, processing or retail sales. It does not stop the State from issuing a license for any of the three. Staff provided the Planning Commission with a matrix to illustrate what different cities have done regarding this issue. There was no action requested from the Planning Commission. -5- WORKSHOP: A. Code Amendment Follow Through Highway Signage (MF# CA 2012- 011) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the proposed code amendment for follow through highway signage. The proposed amendment would allow follow through signage when certain food, gas or lodging services are not readily visible from the State freeway ramps. The State already as regulations and criteria that allows this type of signage. The color, size and material of the signs are all subject to existing State regulations. The Planning Commission was asked to determine if in fact these types of signs are even necessary, weigh in on the number of signs and the distance from the State right-of-way that the signs may be allowed. At this point staff has plugged in 900 feet as the maximum distance from the intersection. Staff has recommended these signs for Road 100, Road 68 and Highway 395 Interchange. Commissioner Kempf stated that the proposed code amendment and ordinance look good. Chairman Cruz clarified that the signage are the signs driver’s see once they get off of the highway to direct them to the businesses. Mr. White added that they are standardized and very recognizable. Most cities have these signs. Commissioner Polk asked if there was a reason that the intersection at Highway 395 and Court Street wasn’t considered. Mr. White responded that there is a reason. The geometry isn’t quite right for the signs; once a person gets off the highway it would be easy to just get lost again and also, from the highway, drivers can see most of what is there. Staff determined just by driving it that the signs weren’t needed at that location. There were no further comments. COMMENTS: With no further discussion or business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dave McDonald, City Planner