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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-2014 Planning Commission Minutes-1- REGULAR MEETING January 16, 2014 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 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 Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, that the minutes dated December 19, 2013 be approved as mailed. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: B. Rezone Rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to C-3 (General Business) (Juan Ochoa) (MF# Z 2013-006) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Shane O’Neill, Planner I, discussed the rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to C-3 (General Business). He stated that there had been no additional changes to the staff report since the previous meeting. -2- Commissioner Bachart moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, to adopt the findings of fact and conclusions therefrom contained in the January 16, 2014 staff report. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Bachart moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, based on the findings of fact and conclusions as adopted the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to C-3 (General Business) for Franklin County tax parcels 112-082-050 and 112-082-078. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Special Permit Location of a health clinic at Ochoa Middle School (Tri-Cities Community Health) (MF# SP 2013-007) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Shane O’Neill, Planner I, discussed the special permit for the location of a health clinic at Ochoa Middle School. He explained that the application was continued from the previous meeting. The applicant, Tri-Cities Community Health, is looking to build and operate and small clinic on the Ochoa Middle School campus. The north half of the property is zoned C-3 (General Business) and the south half is zoned R-3 (Medium Density Residential) and is on the school property. The applicant has proposed to construct a modular building and the staff report has conditioned it to be of similar materials as the existing school which indirectly requires it to be a more permanent structure. Commissioner Bachart asked for clarification on who may be patients at the clinic. Mr. O’Neill responded that the applicant would be best to answer. Commissioner Bachart asked about a condition taken out of the staff report regarding no media or off-premise advertising being permitted. Mr. O’Neill stated that the restriction has been removed and it will be allowed. Al Cordova, 8810 W. Skagit Avenue, spoke on behalf of the applicant as the Chief Executive Officer for Tri-Cities Community Health. He explained the State of Washington received a $1 million grant from the Department of Health & Human for school-based clinics to assist students that are primarily underserved and uninsured. Tri-Cities Community Health received $500,000 of the Washington State grant. Mr. Cordova explained the proposed clinic would house one Nurse Practitioner and two support staff. The building would be roughly 1,600 square feet and would be open year-round. The clinic would be available to students and their families. The money received will go towards the building as well as operating the clinic. The services will be for general exams, sports physicals, treatment of minor diseases and monitoring chronic diseases. The clinic does not intend to discuss abortion or administering birth control drugs or devices. They will abide by the Washington State Consent Laws for Minors. They don’t anticipate the clinic to generate much car traffic. -3- Commissioner Greenaway asked for clarification on who would be able to receive services at this clinic. Mr. Cordova stated the clinic would serve all students in the School District, not just at this school. It is intended to be for students only, for the basis of the grant. If the clinic cannot be operated at capacity they can ask the federal government if siblings may be served and would perhaps add approval for adults in the family if there still isn’t capacity. Commissioner Greenaway asked how their student status would be verified. Mr. Cordova responded that at this time he did not know. Chairman Cruz stated that there will have to be patient records and addresses to help verify. Mr. Cordova added they will have forms for consent, demographics, etc. They will be able to gather information. Commissioner Greenaway asked if someone is not allowed on school property due to a criminal record who will screen the patients that use the clinic since because it is a “community” health clinic. Mr. Cordova responded they have conditions to identify who will not be allowed as patients. Chairman Cruz responded that it was a valid question; however, it doesn’t change anything for the School District because those people already have restrictions to be on school property and they are putting themselves at substantial risk. Commissioner Greenaway stated that they could also state that since they have a health concern they should be serviced at the health clinic. Chairman Cruz stated that he didn’t think that would matter since it is in an area they are not allowed already and doesn’t feel that it changes the risk profile. Commissioner Polk asked about collaboration with the School District and if the applicant could elaborate on the health programs discussed in the conditions from the School District. Mr. Cordova answered that if the Administration and School Nurses wish to work with the Clinic Team to conduct health education programs for nutrition, safety, etc. the clinic is willing to help and they would not do programs without cooperation and consent of the school. Commissioner Polk asked the applicant if he saw it as a way to gather information to understand what the needs of the students are or if it would be more for a support system to the school and offer education that they ask. -4- Mr. Cordova responded that they could provide many things the school might request. He also stated that while the clinic is a stand-alone facility, it is part of a much larger system and students whose medical condition require a higher level of expertise could have those services offered. Commissioner Kempf moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to close the public hearing and schedule deliberations, the adoption of findings of fact and development of a recommendation for City Council for the February 20, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting. The motion passed four to one, with Commissioner Greenaway dissenting. B. Rezone Rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to RS-12 (Suburban) (Z 2013-007) (Kevin & Betty Mills) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the rezone from C- 1 (Retail Business) to RS-12 (Suburban). He explained that this situation is common in that there are many properties that have fully developed homes on commercially zoned lots. The home owners wish to sell their home and the perspective buyer wishes to eliminate the non-conformity and continue the single-family use of the home. Staff is recommending approval based on the criteria in the Pasco Municipal Code for rezones. Betty Mills, 1215 Gage Boulevard, spoke on behalf of the application and stated they wish to be able to sell the home. Commissioner Kempf moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, to close the public hearing and schedule deliberations, the adoption of findings of fact and development of a recommendation for City Council for the February 20, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, stated that there was a Planning Commissioner opening for the Benton Franklin Community Action Connections and would meet the fourth Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in case any Planning Commissioner would be interested in volunteering. COMMENTS: With no further discussion or business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dave McDonald, City Planner