Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY WORK SESSION 7:00 P.M. October 8, 2015 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER5 Video-taped www.cob.org CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Ali Taysi, Chairman of the Planning Commission. ROLL CALL: Tom Grinstad, Jeff Brown, Garrett O'Brien (VC), Ali Taysi (C), Phyllis McKee and Steve Crooks Present: Ali Taysi, Tom Grinstad, Jeff Brown and Steve Crooks Absent: Garrett O’Brien and Phyllis McKee Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, Assistant Planning Director; Lisa Pool, Senior Planner; and Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the August 20, 2015 and September 17, 2015 meeting minutes were done by general consensus. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Linda Twitchell provided a health update for Perry Eskridge. WORK SESSION A work session to discuss the topics of sustainability and innovation as it relates to the Comprehensive Plan update. STAFF PRESENTATION SUSTAINABILITY Lisa Pool reviewed the legacies and strategic commitments related to sustainability, as well as the performance measures associated with them. She mentioned some local examples of projects / programs that are underway within the city to help achieve sustainability. She called out some of the recommendations from the packet and mentioned how they could overlap onto other areas of focus. There was a conversation about how the legacies and strategic commitments would be incorporated into the chapters, and additional details were provided on how the performance measures were tracked. INNOVATION Lisa Pool reviewed the existing goals and policies related to innovation, as well as some local examples of projects / programs that are underway within the city to help showcase innovation. She reviewed some of the recommendations that staff is suggesting be considered during the comprehensive plan update process. It was suggested, that in an effort to attract more living-wage jobs to Bellingham, the city should consider the provision of high fiber optics. Final Copy - 1 There was concern raised about the inclusion of the Transfer Development Rights (TDR) program even though it has been ineffective to date. Staff stated that changes to the program will be occurring, and a broader discussion would be had during future meetings. There was a discussion about how some chapters will have information that pertains to other parts of the plan and how those ideas will be identified in all applicable areas. There was a suggestion to include language in the plan that clearly identifies the city's intent to monitor the plan and measure its success. A discussion ensued about parks and open space and how there is room for more innovation in the way we determine when / how a park should be acquired / developed. It was pointed out that some of the tools currently used are antiquated. PUBLIC COMMENT Linda Twitchell, BIAWC addressed some housing issues, particularly the lack of housing that is truly affordable, not subsidized. She stated that the basic problems need to be addressed, such as land cost and availability. She also commented on the TDR program and noted that the County program has not even begun yet. She expressed her concerns about the seemingly contradictive nature of the TDR program. She also pointed out some of the transportation issues realized from people commuting into the city from somewhere else due to the lack of affordable housing available. April Barker, Birchwood Neighborhood stated that the comprehensive plan should include past infill and how we are committed to setting up those communities for success. She provided some examples of what that could look like. GENERAL BUSINESS Greg Aucutt stated that the comprehensive plan chapters will start coming to the Commission in December or January. Steve Crooks reported on the October 8, 2015 Shoreline Committee meeting. The Commission would like to have a presentation by Jeff Kochman with Barkley. NEXT MEETING: October 15, 2015 - BSD Facilities Plan integrated into the City's comp plan. ADJOURNED: 8:00 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 2