Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M. October 15, 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, Garrett O’Brien, Tom Grinstad, Jeff Brown and Steve Crooks Absent: Phyllis McKee Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, Assistant Planning Director; and Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None to approve. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No testimony given. PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing to consider the amendments to the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan to incorporate by reference the Bellingham School District's 2015-2012 Capital Facilities Plan. As well as, an update to the Public School Facilities section of the plan. STAFF PRESENTATION Greg Aucutt explained that the Growth Management Act requires that the school district's plan, must be adopted into the City's Comprehensive Plan to allow them to collect impact fees. He noted that the school district's plan will expire at the end of the year, and therefore will not be eligible to collect impact fees for six months if the amendment was not moved forward under the emergency comprehensive plan provision. There was a conversation about funding sources and how the legislature's decision would impact those. Ron Cowan commented on the Bellingham School District's capital facilities plan and explained how the district determines the amount of the impact fees, using enrollment projections, existing capacity, and a multiplier. He noted that following that determination, SEPA is conducted to allow for public comment on the plan and then the plan moves through the City's legislative process. PUBLIC COMMENT No public testimony and no written comment submitted. Final Copy - 1 PLANNING COMMISSION QUESTIONS / COMMENTS There was a discussion about adequate funding being available. There was also concern expressed about the reduction in multi-family development impact fees, especially given the projected number of multi-family units to be constructed in the future. Ron Cowan assured the Commission that the School District has adequate funding and he explained why portables were included in this capital facilities plan and not previous plans. He explained what the district traditionally uses the impact fees for and how those fees supplement the bonds that the community approves. He also noted the language included in the plan allows for the district to bring back revisions if they find that future data warrant it. There was concern expressed about the increased fees for single-family units, and the impact that will have on affordable housing in the community. Staff mentioned the exemption process that the city provides for eligible affordable housing units. MOTION: Jeff Brown / Garrett O'Brien moved to accept the findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations contained in the October 15, 2015 staff report as written and forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council. There was general consensus that the proposed School District plan meets the five comprehensive plan amendment criteria. VOTE: ALL AYES GENERAL BUSINESS The Commission requested a GIS overlay to indicate where the registered ADUs are located when staff brings the ADU ordinance back. They are also interested in a broader discussion about the illegal ADU units, specifically how many have been registered, how many have applied for permits, and what enforcement measures will be taken, if any. NEXT MEETING: November 19, 2015 - ADU Ordinance. ADJOURNED: 7:40 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 2