HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-2014 Planning Commission Minutes REGULAR MEETING April 17, 2014
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairwoman Greenaway.
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 Gabriel Portugal
APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS:
Chairwoman Greenaway read a statement about the appearance of fairness for hearings
on land use matters. Chairwoman Greenaway asked if any Commission member had
anything to declare. There were no declarations.
Chairwoman Greenaway 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:
Chairwoman Greenaway explained that state law requires testimony in quasi-judicial
hearings such as held by the Planning Commission be given under oath or affirmation.
Chairwoman Greenaway swore in all those desiring to speak.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Hoekstra moved, seconded by Commissioner Khan, that the minutes
dated March 20, 2014 be approved as mailed. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Special Permit Location of a Wireless Communication Facility in
an RS-12 (Suburban( Zone (AT&T) (MF# SP 2014-
001
Chairwoman Greenaway read the master file number and asked for comments from staff.
Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the special permit
application for the location of a wireless communication facility in an RS-12 Zone. He
stated that there were no additions to the staff report.
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Commissioner Bachart moved, seconded by Commissioner Khan, to adopt the findings of
fact and conclusions therefrom as contained in the April 17, 2014 staff report. The
motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bachart moved, seconded by Commissioner Khan, based on the findings
of fact and conclusions as adopted the Planning Commission recommend the City
Council grant a special permit to allow the installation of wireless communication
facilities on tax parcel # 118-112-036 addressed 9915 West Argent Road with conditions
as contained in the April 17, 2014 staff report. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Special Permit Location of a Preschool in a C-1 (Retail Business)
Zone (Bethel Church) (MF# SP 2014-002)
Chairwoman Greenaway read the master file number and asked for comments from staff.
Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the special permit
application for the location of a preschool in a C-1 Zone. Per Planning Commission
discussion a condition has been added to the staff report requiring a fence if the
preschool added an outdoor play area. Additionally comments were added to the staff
report explaining the difference between a regulated preschool and an unregulated
preschool. In this case the Bethel Church Preschool is an unregulated preschool
category due to the limited hours children are on the site.
Commissioner Portugal stated that as a retired school teacher he realizes children will
sometimes wander and the fence requirement would provide protection. He asked if the
fence would be negotiated with the neighboring properties.
Mr. White responded that it was his understanding that the church doesn't know if they
will have an outdoor play area but the Commission wanted the precaution added in case
they do have an outdoor play area.
Commissioner Hoekstra suggested a condition be added for fencing even if the State
would not require the fencing.
Commissioner Portugal asked if there is going to be an indoor play area since children
that age will need several breaks.
Mr. White responded staff was unsure if there will be an indoor play area. Addressing
Commissioner Hoekstra's discussion, he stated that they could change the language of
one of the conditions in the staff report to state that any outdoor play area must be
fenced.
Commissioner Bachart stated that he felt the current condition in the staff report could
be interpreted to require fencing if there was an outdoor play area regardless of State
requirements.
Mr. White agreed with Commissioner Bachart.
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Commissioner Hoekstra agreed with Mr. Bachart regarding the fencing condition.
With no further comments the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Hoekstra moved, seconded by Commissioner Khan, to adopt the findings
of fact and conclusions therefrom as contained in the April 17, 2014 staff report. The
motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Hoekstra moved, seconded by Commissioner Bachart, based on the
findings of fact and conclusions therefrom the Planning Commission recommend the City
Council grant a special permit for the location of a preschool operation at 3315 W. Court
Street, with conditions as listed in the April 17, 2014 staff report. The motion passed 6
to 1, with Commissioner Kempf dissenting.
C. Special Permit Expansion of a Storage Facility (Sound Investment
Group LLCL(MF# SP 2014-003)
Chairwoman Greenaway read the master file number and asked for comments from staff.
Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the special permit
application for the expansion of a storage facility. He stated on the tax parcel number
was added to the conditions. There were no other changes to the staff report.
Commissioner Khan moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, to adopt the findings of
fact and conclusions therefrom as contained in the April 17, 2014 staff report. The
motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Khan moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, based on the findings of
fact and conclusions as adopted the Planning Commission recommend the City Council
grant a special permit to allow the expansion of a mini-storage facility on tax parcel #
115-442-012 addressed 9335 Sandifur Parkway with conditions as contained in the April
17, 2014 staff report. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Preliminary Plat Preliminary Plat Madison Park Planned Density
Development (EE Resources)
Chairwoman Greenaway read the master file number and asked for comments from staff.
David McDonald, City Planner, provide background information on the proposed
preliminary plat. He stated the plat was originally part of the Northwest Commons Plat
approved by City Council in the September of 2005. The original preliminary plat is valid
for another year but, a number of things have changed since the original approval that
staff suggested the developer apply for a new preliminary plat.
When the development was originally approved there was a portion of it that was
approved for septic tank use. At the time there were only about 372 lots could be served
with sewer the rest needed septic tanks. Since 2005 the modeling has been refined and
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it is believed that all of the lots in the development can now have sewer.
Also since the original approval the Port of Pasco updated the Airport Master Plan which
the Planning Commission reviewed a year ago as well as zoning regulations relating to
that plan. Due to changes in the Airport Master Plan and proposed runway extension
the Port purchased about 30 acres of the development. With these changes the plat
needed to be reconfigured.
Mr. McDonald explained the planned density development process and provided
information on the lot sizes. The minimum lot size being proposed is just over 8,000
square feet and the largest almost 21,000 square feet. The average lot size is 10,897
square feet.
Commissioner Portugal asked if septic tanks will not be allowed.
Mr. McDonald answered that is correct there will not be septic tanks.
Commissioner Bachart discussed traffic impacts on Road 68 due to additional homes
and residents.
Mr. McDonald responded that the traffic impact fee was based on a study done taking
the entire I-182 Corridor Area into account. The modeling for the traffic study assumed a
full built-out for the area.
Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, added that there will be
signal improvements including channel improvements to improve left-hand turns on
Road 68.
Commissioner Bachart asked if there would be a point when the improvements will be
triggered.
Mr. White answered that there is not. The Growth Management Act allows communities
to set their own level of service for traffic facilities. While Road 68 might seem
bothersome at times it actually functions as it should most of the time.
Commissioner Hoekstra asked how large the site is altogether.
Mr. McDonald stated 220 acres.
Commissioner Hoekstra asked about the location and size of the park proposed for the
neighborhood.
Mr. McDonald stated that it will be slightly less than 5 acres. The park will be adjacent to
an openspace/greenway.
Commissioner Hoekstra discussed the school impact fee and letter from the School
District.
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Mr. McDonald responded that the school impact fee has been in effect for a few years
since the School District updated their Capital Facilities Plan and was adopted by City
Council.
Mr. McDonald added that staff notified the public in a timely manner regarding this
application, however, some of the reviewing agencies were not given enough time so staff
is requesting the public hearing be continued to allow those reviewing agencies more
time to comment.
Commissioner Portugal asked if all lots would have irrigation water.
Mr. McDonald answered yes.
Chairwoman Greenaway opened the hearing for public comment.
Ron Foraker, 6720 W. Park Street, spoke on behalf of the airport along with Spencer
Montgomery of JUB Engineers regarding this application. He asked the Planning
Commission to consider allowing the Port of Pasco to add comments for the next meeting
in May.
Commissioner Hoekstra asked if there would be emergency services in terms of disasters
given the proximity of the airport to the residential area as well as access.
Mr. Foraker addressed the topic of emergency services. The capability of Port equipment
was discussed along with the use of the dirt roads along the perimeter of the airport.
Jaime Morales, 4705 Northwest Commons, spoke on behalf of this application. He asked
if the developer would be the same developer who previously built near this location.
Mr. McDonald stated that there are two parts to this application. There is a developer
who is requesting approval of the plat. He builds the roads, sidewalks, street lights and
sewer lines and then sells the lots to the builders. The current developer may make the
lots available to Viking Homes or New Tradition or another builder. It is uncertain but
recently they have been Viking Homes.
Commissioner Hoekstra asked if Mr. Morales had a concern with the builders, such as
Viking Homes or New Tradition.
Mr. Morales stated that he thought there might be concern if apartments or low income
was building in the area but after listening to the discussion it will be single-family
residential homes and there is no concern.
Mr. McDonald added that the property is zoned RS-1 for low-density residential which
would not allow multi-family dwelling units regardless of the builder or developer.
Commissioner Khan moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to continue the public
hearing on the proposed preliminary plat to the May 15, 2014 meeting. The motion
passed unanimously.
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B. Code Amendment Amending Title 27 Historic Preservation to qualify
for Certified Local Government (CLG) Status (MF#
CA 2014-001)
Chairwoman Greenaway read the master file number and asked for comments from staff.
Rick White, Community 8s Economic Development Director, discussed the code
amendment to Title 27 Historic Preservation to qualify for Certified Local Government
status.
Last year the City adopted a Comprehensive Historic Preservation Work Plan. It was
prepared by the Historic Preservation Commission and a consultant. It was one of the
2012-2013 City Council Goals. It included a fair amount of action items to increase the
awareness of historic preservation efforts and programs within the City. One of those
action items was to have the City apply for certified local government status which is a
designation from the State that allows the City to do a number of things to promote
historic, to apply for grants to further historic preservation efforts and to receive
technical assistance from the State. The money does come with some strings attached,
many of which are taken from Federal Law. The historic preservation ordinance is
missing some key sections that have to deal with historic preservation efforts. Attached
to the Planning Commission memo is a draft ordinance that takes the existing Historic
Preservation, Title 27 and shows all of the additions that need to be inserted in order to
conform to State Law and Federal Law.
Commissioner Portugal asked if only the area west of Road 68 applied to this
amendment.
Mr. White responded that it would be for all of Pasco, however there are parameters to
what is considered historically significant, but there isn't a geographical limitation.
Commissioner Bachart asked for clarification on the access to grants and whether those
grants would only be applicable for the City or for an actual property owner.
Mr. White stated that he does not believe there are grants for individual property owners
but for the municipalities and states, there are some financial resources available,
primarily technical assistance.
Chairwoman Greenaway asked for clarification on the committee overseeing this.
Mr. White stated that it was the same committee that worked on the original plan but
members have changed.
With no further comments the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Hoekstra moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, to close the public
hearing on the proposed rezone and initiate deliberations and schedule adoption of
findings of fact and conclusions and make a recommendation to City Council for the May
15, 2014 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
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OTHER BUSINESS:
Chairwoman Greenaway introduced the Planning Commission to the newest member,
Commissioner Gabriel Portugal.
WORKSHOP:
A. Rezone Zoning of Department of Natural Resources
Section 16 (MF# Z 2014-001)
Chairwoman Greenaway read the master file number and asked for comments from staff.
Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the upcoming
rezone that will be on the May agenda. He explained that the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) owns approximately 300 acres south of Interstate 182 and west of Road
68. The City is currently conducting a survey through this property so the alignment of
Chapel Hill Boulevard, between Road 68 and Road 84, can be determined. Per state
legislative directive, the DNR is mandated to dispose of the majority of Section 16 by July
15, 2015. For the most part this means that the property located south of the Chapel
Hill Boulevard extension will be surveyed and placed for sale.
At the May 15th Planning Commission Meeting, staff will bring forward an application to
establish zoning districts from the current designation of RT (Residential Transition). Mr.
White reminded the Commission that they should refrain from engaging in conversations
or speculate on zoning scenarios outside the public hearing about possible zoning for
this property.
COMMENTS:
With no further discussion or business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at
8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David McDonald, City Planner
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