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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-2015 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-1-   REGULAR MEETING January 15, 2015 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 VACANT No. 2 Tony Bachart No. 3 VACANT 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: 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 18, 2014 be approved as amended. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: A. Rezone Rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to R-3 (Medium Density Residential) (Bernardo Cuevas Jr.) (MF# Z 2014-008) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Shane O’Neill, Planner I, stated there were no changes or additions to the staff report. Commissioner Bachart moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, to adopt the -2-   findings of fact and conclusions therefrom as contained in the January 15, 2015 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 to R-1 for 710 N. 24th Avenue. The motion passed unanimously. B. Rezone Rezone from RT (Residential Transition) to C-1 (Retail Business) (Dale Adams) (MF# Z 2014-009) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. David McDonald, City Planner, discussed the rezone application from RT (Residential Transition) to C-1 (Retail Business). Since the previous meeting there were no changes or additions to the staff report. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, to adopt the findings of fact and conclusions therefrom as contained in the January 15, 2015 staff report. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, based on the findings of fact and conclusions as adopted the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the rezone of the Adams property at the northwest corner of the Road 100 Interchange from RT to C-1. The motion passed unanimously. C. Preliminary Plat Preliminary Plat – Tierra Vida, Division No. 2 (Roger Bairstow) (MF# PP 2014-005) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. David McDonald, City Planner, discussed the preliminary plat for Tierra Vida, Division No. 2. This was a continuation of the previous month’s public hearing to allow more time for public comment on the proposed plat. Tierra Vida was initially approved several years ago and the preliminary plat approval has expired. The applicant wishes to renew the plat to finish the project. The conditions attached to the staff report are similar to the conditions contained in the first plat approval. Since the previous public hearing, there has been one slight change to recommended condition #22, essentially making it consistent with condition #21, relating to the development of additional streets outside of the boundary of the plat. Those changes have been reviewed by the applicant and staff. Adan Suarez, 3525 East “A” Street, spoke as a representative of Tierra Vida. He clarified the revised condition, stating that the work will be completed in stages. Commissioner Cruz asked if that is consistent the City’s expectations. Mr. McDonald responded that it does. The developer is looking to expand the residential development to adjacent properties to the west, and if purchased, they will realign the subdivision and there won’t be a need for the road immediately to the west of the -3-   subdivision. This is what condition #21 and condition #22 relate to in the staff report. With no further comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Portugal, to adopt the findings of fact and conclusions therefore contained in the January 15, 2015 staff report. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Portugal, based on the finding of fact and conclusions as adopted the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the preliminary plat for Tierra Vida Division No. 2 with conditions as listed in the January 15, 2015 staff report. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Special Permit Special Permit for Pasco Police Station (City of Pasco) (MF# SP 2014-011) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the special permit application for the construction of a new Pasco Police Station to the east of the City Hall. The staff report explained the history of a public safety tax and other events that led the point where the community is now ready to build a new police station. The site layout and other specifics about the building design were also present to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Portugal declared that he is on an advisory committee for the Police Department and asked if he should recuse himself. Chairman Cruz replied that he didn’t think it would benefit or harm the decision of this special permit. Chairman Cruz asked if there would be in impact to the neighborhood as the area where the facility will be built will take up much of the green area used for recreation. Mr. White answered that even after the construction there will still be a large amount of green grassy area left for so the soccer field. With no further questions or comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Kempf moved, seconded by Commissioner Bachart, 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 19, 2015 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. B. Rezone Rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to CR (Regional Commercial) (West Pasco LLC) (MF# Z 2014-010) -4-   Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Shane O’Neill, Planner I, explained the applicant was requesting a rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to CR (Regional Commercial). The site is adjacent to Sandifur Parkway and I- 182 and contains approximately 14 acres. The Comprehensive Plan designates the site for commercial development which permits the site to be considered for several commercial zoning districts, including the CR Zone. Rezoning the property to Regional Commercial will assist marketing efforts by allowing additional regionally oriented uses currently not permitted in the C-1 Zone. Over the years on the south side of I-182 there has been development of Broadmoor RV, Tacoma Screw, KOA Campground and most recently, Thunder Alley Motorcycle Dealership, made possible by the CR Zoning District. In 2013, this site was considered during a code amendment process by the Planning Commission, to be a valuable location for regional land uses. Chairman Cruz asked for an example of what would be permitted in the CR (Regional Commercial) Zone that would not be permitted in the C-1 (Retail Business) Zone. Mr. O’Neill answered that the primary difference between the two is that CR Zones allow for automobile related, such as, RV sales and service and automobile sales and service. Andrew Thome, 5308 Westminister Lane, asked what the traffic impact on Sandifur Parkway would be for this rezone or if it has been considered. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, answered that a study has not been done on this particular rezone. The City conducts traffic studies in conjunction with the Growth Management Act. The consultant that is hired looks at all of the land uses in the City and uses the Comprehensive Plan and zoning districts for trip generation rates. The C-1 Zone has the same trip generation count as a CR Zone in terms of traffic generation. It has not been analyzed for this particular application, however, it has been done already in relation to the entire community. Chairman Cruz added that the Planning Commission may look into traffic more if a special permit is required for special circumstances but is otherwise not considered to be any different. With no further comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Kempf moved, seconded by Commissioner Bachart, to close the hearing on the proposed rezone and initiate deliberations and schedule adoption of findings of fact, conclusions and a recommendation to the City Council for the February 19, 2015 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. C. Rezone Rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to R-1 (Low- Density Residential) (Big Creek Land Co.) (MF# Z 2014-011) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. -5-   Dave McDonald, City Planner, explained the applicant was seeking a rezone from C-1 (Retail Business) to R-1 (Low Density Residential). This property was annexed into the City in 1982, just prior to the I-182 freeway being built. At that time the property was zoned C-1-D. Later in the 1990’s it was rezoned to C-1 as a result of a text code amendment within the zoning regulations. The property for the most part is designated in the Comprehensive Plan for mixed residential development which means it could be zoned anywhere from RS-20 (Suburban) half acre lots to R-3 (Medium Density Residential) apartment buildings. The Growth Management Act requires zoning to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. In this case, much of the property is dedicated for mixed- residential, however in the plan, there is a range of residential zoning that would apply. The applicant’s request for R-1 (Low Density Residential) is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The westerly portion of the property falls within commercial land use designation. The proposal is for Road 90 to be extended south to create a transition, making a good breaking point between the residential and commercial areas. Andrew Thome, 5308 Westminister Lane, spoke on this application. With no further questions or comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Bachart, to close the hearing on the proposed rezone and initiate deliberations and schedule adoption of findings of fact, conclusions and a recommendation to the City Council for the February 19, 2015 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. D. Preliminary Plat Preliminary Plat – Broadmoor Terrace (Big Creek Land Co.) (MF# PP 2014-006) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Dave McDonald, City Planner, discussed the preliminary plat application for Broadmoor Terrace. Mr. McDonald reviewed the written report for the benefit of the Planning Commission and briefly discussed the layout of the plat. The westerly portion of the plat beyond Road 90 will remain commercial with seven large tracks set aside for commercial use. Approval conditions include block fencing on the north, south and west side of the plat. The conditions also include a $465 payment per lot to fund the maintenance of the Sandifur Parkway planting strip. The developer will need to disconnect the irrigation system that now runs to Road 100 and tie it into the irrigation system that the City maintains to the east. Mr. McDonald discussed several other conditions and stated many of them were standard conditions required of other developments in the neighborhood. Commissioner Kempf if there will be access to the walking path. Mr. McDonald responded that there would be access where the easement is located that will connect to the path. Commissioner Bachart asked if the developer owns the commercial property as well. Mr. McDonald answered yes, the boundaries of the plat extend all the way to Outlet Drive. -6-   The seven commercial lots will be a part of this development. Commissioner Greenaway asked about the impact of traffic. Mr. McDonald stated that in the past the City has retained traffic consultants who studied the entire area based on zoning and land use designations. The Comprehensive Plan designates a good portion of the site for multi-family or mixed residential. The study assumed there would be multi-family in this area, which would actually have more traffic than the proposed plat. Chairman Cruz added that the proposed preliminary plat is actually more favorable for less traffic than what the Comprehensive Plan would allow it to be. Mr. McDonald replied that each of the lots would also have to pay a traffic impact fee which goes into a fund to make necessary changes to Sandifur Parkway, such as, additional traffic lights. Cliff Mort, 1950 W. Bellerive Lane, Coeur D’Alene, ID spoke on behalf of his application as the managing member of Big Creek Land Company. He stated that they have been working on this particular property for 7-8 years and that they were the developers of Broadmoor Place and Columbia Place. Their goal was to provide housing for growing families rather than maximizing density. He stated that the block walls will look nice for the neighborhood. Andrew Thome, 5308 Westminister Lane, spoke on this application. He asked staff for clarification about high density apartment complexes. Mr. McDonald answered that within the Comprehensive Plan there is an area on this property set aside for mixed-residential development which would allow for single-family homes all the way up to apartments. Mr. Mort could have applied for an R-3 (Medium Density Residential) zone and built apartments but he has chosen to build single-family homes. Chairman Cruz added that this plan looks well thought out. Mr. Thome asked if there has been any thought given to the impact this new neighborhood will have on the schools and where they would attend school. He stated that Maya Angelou is nearly full and wanted to know if the School District would have to rezone the school districts. Mr. McDonald replied that all plats are sent to the School District for their comments and review. For this particular plat, staff has not received any comments. In the past, staff has received correspondence and comments indicating implementing school impact fees address the need for making provisions for schools. For example, each of the lots in the plat will have to pay $4,700 towards the schools. The School District decides where the boundaries are located and it is possible they could shift the boundary lines. There is one new school that opened this year and another being built in the area. Mr. Thome stated that he would rather see the whole area zoned commercial rather than -7-   homes since he lives in the neighborhood next to the proposed property. Chairman Cruz asked Mr. Thome why he would rather have commercial next to his neighborhood instead of modest density residential. Mr. Thome answered that he feels if it were all commercial the buildings would be larger and make the area less dense, more open and less congestion. Also, it is just a personal preference rather than another neighborhood. With no further questions or comments the public hearing closed. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Kempf, to close the hearing on the proposed preliminary plat and initiate deliberations and schedule adoption of findings of fact, conclusions and a recommendation to the City Council for the February 19, 2015 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS: With no further discussion or business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David McDonald, City Planner