Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2018 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-1- REGULAR MEETING March 15, 2018 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 Tanya Bowers No. 2 Joseph Campos No. 3 Paul Mendez No. 4 Alecia Greenaway No. 5 Joe Cruz No. 6 Vacant Position No. 7 Zahra Roach No. 8 Pam Bykonen No. 9 Gabriel Portugal STAFF PRESENT: Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director Darcy Bourcier, Planner I MEETING VIDEO ON DEMAND: This meeting in its entirety has been posted and can be viewed on the City’s webpage at https://psctv.viebit.com. APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS: Chairman Cruz read a statement about the appearance of fairness for hearings on land use matters. 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. 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 Bowers that the minutes dated February 15, 2018 be approved. The motion passed unanimously. -2- PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Special Permit Location of Short-Term Crisis/Emergency Housing (Benton Franklin Community Action Committee) (MF# SP 2018-003) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, gave a summary of the special permit application to locate short-term crisis/emergency housing at the existing dwelling units located at 3907 and 3915 West Henry Street. The purpose is to provide transitional housing which involves housing homeless families with children and as such, that activity is considered a community service, level 2 facility which requires the special permit process in all zones within the City of Pasco. The homes were built in 1995 and were issued a special permit back then to provide housing for elderly patients. They have been vacant for some time. The CAC proposal involves providing living quarters for up to 6 people in each home with an onsite manager in each home. The families would use the facilities somewhere between 30-90 days as they search for more permanent housing. Each family will have a case manager at the facility. The staff report contains further background information, potential findings and conclusions. There is not a recommendation from staff at this time nor is the Planning Commission required to make a decision at this time. The hearing is to provide input and testimony on the proposal. Chairman Cruz opened up the public hearing. Melissa Hess, 720 W. Court Street, spoke on behalf of the Benton Franklin Com munity Action Connections (CAC) and gave a summary of their organization and proposal. Commissioner Portugal asked if the housing would only be for families. Ms. Hess said that is would only be for families with children or pregnant women. Commissioner Bykonen asked if Ms. Hess could provide more detail on the onsite manager. Ms. Hess responded that their live-in manager will not be their case manager but it will be somebody onsite 24/7 that can contact the CAC should there be repair needs or issues in the house. They will receive training on a monthly basis and ongoing if needed. Commissioner Campos asked what the estimated cost savings would be compared to issuing hotel vouchers. Ms. Hess said she didn’t have that information at this time. Commissioner Bowers asked where their Second Chance Center is located. -3- Ms. Hess said that was located at their main office at 720 W. Court Street. Commissioner Bowers addressed issues in some of the emails that were received by staff and forwarded to the Planning Commission. She asked if there would be background checks for the families. Ms. Hess stated that they are looking at checking the national sex offender registry as well as local sex offender registry. They are typically aware of registered sex offenders that have children, as that is something that is a condition that they are no t even allowed to be around children. If for some reason staff thought that someone had their children around a sex offender they would be required to report that. Commissioner Bowers asked about domestic violence situations. Ms. Hess said that domestic violence is a huge cause for homelessness. The CAC has domestic violence services so if a family was identified as needing that assistance they would refer them to that agency. If that agency didn’t have space for them, they would work on finding them a hotel. Commissioner Bowers asked if clients with potential mental health issues would be housed at this location. Ms. Hess answered that they could potentially be housed there. If someone is experiencing anxiety or depression they are not required to disclose that information and they wouldn’t necessarily be denied shelter for that. Commissioner Bowers asked if they would have a policy on visitors. Ms. Hess stated that they have discussed the possibility of family members, such as grandparents. They may encourage meeting offsite. Commissioner Bowers asked if they would be checking for weapons or drugs. Ms. Hess responded that those things would not be allowed in the homes and they would have strict rules on that. Chairman Cruz asked what would exclude someone from being able to use this service and what kind of clients would be served. Ms. Hess replied that sex offenders would absolutely not be able to live in these homes. They are looking for the same exact thing that the residents would be looking for when locating people in this neighborhood. Background checks aren’t required when anyone else purchases a home. It will be discussed and if it could put anyone in the house in danger then they would be denied but they would have to look at ho w long ago offenses were as well. It would be a case by case basis. And the benefit of the on-site manager is to oversee so if anything would even start to happen the CAC would be notified and they would take action. -4- Chairman Cruz reminded the Commission that special permits are not always granted forever and that a timeframe could be placed on this special permit so that at some point the applicant would need to reapply for a special permit to continue and if there had been any issues, they could deny granting them a special permit. That could provide protection to the community and surrounding neighbors. Ms. Hess stated that they understand that and do not have an issue with that. Commissioner Portugal asked if the neighbors could approach the on-site manager if they have any problems. Ms. Hess said yes but she would also advise them to contact the agency as well. Commissioner Bowers asked if they have operated a place like this before. Ms. Hess responded that they have permanent group hou sing situations and they have limited income and they are provided case management and transportation needs and other community resources. They have been successfully operating these for the past 7 - 10 years. Commissioner Bowers asked where these homes are located. Ms. Hess said they have one in Richland and one in Pasco. Commissioner Bowers asked if those have special permits. Ms. Hess stated that they have rental licenses since they are renting. Commissioner Bowers asked if they have had any complaints. Ms. Hess said not to her knowledge. Commissioner Mendez asked how many families they intend to serve. Ms. Hess answered that they would have a maximum of 6 individuals plus house manager in each home at any given time. So depending on the composition of the families. Commissioner Mendez asked if the services would be provided for free or if they would be required to work. Ms. Hess said that the services would be free as a part of their housing stability but they would be expected to have chores and maintain the home. They receive grants and private donations in order to support the services they provide. -5- Commissioner Campos asked if they would be required to search for outside employment. Ms. Hess said that when a family comes in they do an assessment to see what the family’s needs are and they create a plan based on that. If employment is a need, then that is incorporated into the plan and they development benchmarks to keep track of progress. Commissioner Campos asked if they would do a background check since people purchasing homes get credit checks. Ms. Hess said they are looking at resources that are free to them, such as the national and local sex offender checks. Background checks can also be a lengthy process and the CAC is trying to get families out of living in their car. Chairman Cruz asked if there would be a formal screening process. Ms. Hess stated that they would and that they would be coming through their Second Chance Center so they won’t be going directly into the homes. Maria Allan, 1104 N. Road 40, spoke in opposition on this item and voiced her concerns. Courtney Smith, 3720 W. Henry Street, spoke in opposition on this item and voiced her concerns. Simon Michael, 3820 W. Octave Street, spoke in opposition on this item and voiced his concerns. Tonette Michael, 3820 W. Octave Street, spoke in opposition on this item with her concerns and there were questions asked that were answered by Chairman Cruz. Spencer Hannah, Principal of Tri-Cities Adventist School and Executive Director of Small World Learning Center, 4115 W. Henry Street, spoke in opposition on this item and voiced his concerns. Brad Peck, Chairman of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, 200 N. Road 34, spoke in opposition on this item with his concerns. There was some discussion between Chairman Cruz and Mr. Peck. Kimberly Sarabia, 1429 Goethals Drive, Richland, WA spoke in support of this application and gave her experience with the CAC. There was some discussion between Chairman Cruz, Commissioner Bowers and Ms. Sarabia. Gidget Bush, 613 Road 44, spoke in opposition on this item and voiced her concerns. She made an oral public records request for the letters that were sent out. Darcy Bourcier, Planner I, stated that the City does have record of that information. -6- Mr. White informed Ms. Bush that she would need to make a public records request with the City Clerk and then the request will be fulfilled. Chairman Cruz discussed the topic of public notifications. He stated that he could not recall a single time that the City did not make the required notifications and did not declare it. There have been a couple of occasions where it didn’t go out but the hearing would then be postponed until proper notification had been made. The statute is 300 feet. Patricia Dean, 417 Road 37, spoke in opposition of this item and voiced her concerns. Melissa Hess, 720 W. Court Street, addressed the Planning Commission again to answer some of the questions and concerns voiced by the public. There was some discussion and questions between Chairman Cruz, Commissioner Campos, Commissioner Mendez, Commissioner Bowers, Commissioner Bykonen and Ms. Hess. Kate Overman, 4416 W. Riverhaven Street, spoke on this item and voiced some questions but was not in opposition per se. Ms. Hess responded to Ms. Overman’s questions. Gidget Bush, 613 Road 44, spoke again on this item. She also stated that she did not need to go to the Clerk’s Office to make a public records request according to what she looked up. Brad Peck, 200 N. Road 34, spoke again on this item addressing some of the items referenced by previous speakers and the applicant. There was some discussion with Chairman Cruz, Mr. White and Mr. Peck. Kimberly Sarabia, 1429 Goethals Drive, Richland, WA spoke in support again on this item. Courtney Smith, 3720 W. Henry Street, spoke again on this item with questions and concerns. There was some discussion between Commissioner Bykonen, Chairman Cruz and Ms. Smith. Maximo Valdez, 3713 W. Henry Street, had a question of clarification for the Planning Commission. Chairman Cruz answered is questions. Larry Swisher, 4120 W. Sylvester Street, spoke on this item with some concerns and questions. Michael Young, 1617 N. 22nd Place, spoke on this item with concerns as a Board Chairman of the school located near this proposed site. He agreed with comments made by Mr. Swisher and had questions he would like answered by the next hearing. -7- With no further questions or comments, Chairman Cruz recommended that Planning Commission make a motion to continue the public hearing to address some of the questions and concerns. Commissioner Mendez moved, seconded by Commissioner Campos, to continue the hearing of the proposed special permit and set April 19, 2018 as the date for the deliberations for the development and recommendation for City Council. The motion passed unanimously. B. Rezone Rezone from R-2 (Medium-Density Residential) to R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) (Norman Family Cookies LLC) (MF# Z 2018-001) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Darcy Bourcier, Planner I, gave a summary of the rezone application from R-2 (Medium- Density) to R-3 (Medium-Density). The property consists of two adjacent parcels. The parcels were annexed into the city in 1994 but the structures located there date back to the 1940’s. There are three little houses, some multi-family housing and various other structures that have been in the past as source of numerous code violations. In order to clean up the area, the new owner of these two parcels is looking to rezone and develop the lots with new middle income townhomes. By rezoning to a greater density, the owner will be able to fit more units on the property. Since the property is designated for mixed - residential zoning, he will be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan by rezoning them to R-3. He is hoping that by improving the site, other businesses and housing developers will be drawn to the area. If rezoned, the property will allow for 50 multi- family dwelling units. The applicant has stated that they may develop 11 fourplexes but that is still preliminary. Chairman Cruz opened the public hearing. Blake Kilbury, 2508 E. Lewis Street, spoke on behalf of his rezone application as a member of Norman Family Cookies LLC. He briefly explained the need for higher density. Dwayne Dramer, 7200 Selah Heights, Selah, WA spoke on behalf of his rezone application as a member of Norman Family Cookies LLC. He stated their intentions with the property. Commissioner Bykonen asked if the housing would be designed for rental property. Mr. Kilbury said yes. With no further questions or comments the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Bowers moved, seconded by Commissioner Greenaway, to close the hearing on the proposed rezone and set April 19, 2018 as the date for deliberations and the development of a recommendation for the City Council. The motion passed -8- unanimously. C. Block Grant 2017 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Review (MF# BGAP 2018-001) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the 2017 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Review (CAPER). The block grant regulations require a CAPER and this allows the City to review and state that we did what we said we would do with our money in 2017. He briefly discussed where funds were dedicated and how much was dedicated. Commissioner Bowers asked questions for clarification on information in the staff report, predominately focusing on the data that was provided in a table in the report and also noted some incorrect or out of date information in the report. Mr. White responded to her questions and there was some discussion between Commissioner Bowers, Chairman Cruz, Commissioner Mendez, Commissioner Greenaway and Mr. White. It was asked by Chairman Cruz is it would be possible to continue the public hearing since there were some discrepancies in the numbers given in the report. Mr. White responded that he would rather they didn’t since they were up against a deadline but that he could get them the answers. Commissioner Portugal asked how the City will improve the demographics assisted or how it could be improved. Chairman Cruz said when it comes time to vote the next time around for the allocations that would be a chance for the Commission to make changes. Many of these programs do contain applications, for example, the Façade Improvement Program. He said it is important to target the economic demographic and not just the ethnic demographic. Commissioner Mendez wanted to ensure that the City is communicating the benefits of these programs to everybody and that everybody is taking advantage of these programs and perhaps there needs to be more outreach. Commissioner Bykonen reminded the Commissioner that with block grants, there are different components, such as infrastructure/facilities. It is difficult to quantify who is being assisted with those types of projects. She gave other examples for various other types of projects for funding. Mr. White added that there may need to be a better explanation as to what the table answers. -9- Commissioner Campos agreed that the demographics to come down to reporting. With no further questions or comments the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Greenaway moved, seconded by Commissioner Campos, to close the public hearing and recommend the City Manager approve the 2017 Consolidated Annual Plan Evaluation Report as presented. The motion passed with Commissioner Portugal dissenting. WORKSHOP: A. Code Amendment Housing Resources (MF# CA 2018-001) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, discussed the code amendment for housing resources. Legal and municipal authorities state that the City should have in place a program to accommodate, particularly a church or religious organization, if they choose to set up or institute a shelter for homeless people. By federal or state law, they are allowed to do that. We aren’t necessarily allowed to say no but we can provide typical public health and safety welfare regulations, those of which are included in the staff report. This will likely end up being a special permit application where the conditions would be reflective of at least some or most of those bulleted points. This has already gone to City Council workshop meeting and it was simply for their information – no decision was expected. In the future, staff will likely come back to the Commission with a more formal proposal in terms of land use or permitting. Chairman Cruz asked if this would be a separate permitted use. Mr. White said yes and would have time limits and other conditions. Chairman Cruz asked the Commissioners if any of them had issues with any of the conditions bulleted in the staff report. There were no issues. Mr. White said there will be more opportunity for input in the future. Commissioner Bowers asked if Kennewick or Richland have also done this. Mr. White responded that Kennewick is one of the communities that had this issue and they are doing something very similar, as is Walla Walla and many other communities on the I-5 Corridor. Chairman Cruz asked for staff to have some benchmarks with what similar cities in the region have done to put into context when this comes back to the Commission. -10- Commissioner Campos requested that with the benchmarks he would like to know the impact it has had on the communities if that information is possible. There were no further questions or discussion. B. Code Amendment Revisions to the Commercial Corridors Design Standards (PMC 25.59) (MF# CA 2018-002) Chairman Cruz read the master file number and asked for comments from staff. Darcy Bourcier, Planner I, discussed the code amendment for revisions to the commercial corridors design standards. The Pasco Municipal Code has design standards for development along certain commercial corridors but staff has been reviewing the current code and they believe it could use some more provisions, specifically to a ccount for development in the downtown core area. They would also like to add provisions on windows – proposing that windows shall be the predominant surface on ground floor walls that are street facing and they can’t be darkened with films or obstructed with more than 25% signage. Staff is also proposing that main building entries should be located on street sides of buildings. Staff is not asking for a decision from the Commission at this time but for input. Chairman Cruz said he wouldn’t use the wording, “darkened with films”. Instead, “they cannot be opaque”. Ms. Bourcier said that she meant you should be able to see in the store and see out of it, both ways. Commissioner Portugal said that there is a special film now that allows people to see out when they are inside but if you are outside you cannot see in. Ms. Bourcier responded that the idea is to be able to see into the stores from outside. Commissioner Portugal asked if the business owners will be updated on the expectations. Currently there are a lot of things on the windows. Ms. Bourcier stated that for signage said that the 25% window signage is already in place so if there is more than 25% signage covering the windows they are already likely not conforming to the sign code. Commissioner Bowers had concerns and stated that there needs to be some flexibility and work with the business owners to find a happy medium. Ms. Bourcier responded that Code Enforcement does a lot of work trying to bring the business owner’s into compliance with the sign code. The signage in the downtown area is one of the major issues down there. The signage is blocking much of the storefront. Commissioner Bowers said that she understood but she wanted to be cautious on imposing certain standards and to be aware of where some of these business owners are coming from because it could be like we’re imposing our culture on what might go on in other places. She felt there should be negotiation. -11- Rick White, Community & Economic Development Direct, stated that was already an issue the Downtown Pasco Development Authority has already taken on. They are working in their Business Education Program about the ability for customers to see in and out of windows. Not only is it a benefit of aesthetics but it’s also a security issue because it gets more eyes on the street. Their executive director and the board identified it as an issue at their retreat at the end of February. Chairman Cruz gave examples of this in the past and added that there needs to be an opportunity to negotiate and perhaps using 25% as a starting point but he understands were staff is coming from. Commissioner Portugal asked where the DPDA area covers. Mr. White responded that it goes to 14th. OTHER BUSINESS: Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director, thanked Commissioner Greenaway for serving on the CAC Board as she was just reappointed for another term. With no further discussion or business, the Planning Commission was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David McDonald, City Planner