Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY WORK SESSION 7:00 P.M. January 21, 2016 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, Phyllis McKee and Steve Crooks Absent: Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, Assistant Planning Director; Lisa Pool; Senior Planner; and Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from November 19, 2015 were approved by general consensus. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Clayton Petree addressed the Commission regarding the recent break-ins occurring in the Columbia and Birchwood Neighborhoods. He encouraged the commissioners to consider neighborhood safety when making their recommendations. NOMINATIONS / ELECTIONS Ali Taysi was nominated / seconded for Chair. VOTE: ALL AYES Garrett O'Brien was nominated / seconded for Chair. VOTE: ALL AYES WORK SESSION Review the updates to the draft Land Use Chapter of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. STAFF PRESENTATION Lisa Pool provided an overview of the process to date and reviewed the schedule that has been put together to ensure the Comprehensive Plan is completed and adopted by the June, 2016 deadline. She explained the key changes made to the Land Use Chapter as they relate to the five focus areas (health, innovation, housing affordability/choice, urban villages, and sustainability). PUBLIC COMMENT Darcy Jones spoke to the Whatcom County Planning Commission's vote on the employment and growth population forecasts and suggested that the Commission take that under consideration when reviewing the chapters. He explained that the Capital Facilities Plan would also need to be updated depending on the final decision on the urban growth area boundaries. Final Copy - 1 Clayton Petree also spoke to the Whatcom County Planning Commission's vote on the employment and growth population forecasts. He commented on the existing affordable housing emergency as well as the Mayor's request that a State of Emergency be declared for homeless housing. He mentioned that the Commission could find more information about both of these topics by visiting the 2015 Housing Needs Assessment produced by the Washington State Department of Commerce. He spoke to the rental vacancy rate and noted that the land capacity analysis assumes a much more favorable vacancy rate. He stated that this process should be a review of what has occurred and make necessary corrections; therefore, it should not be just small revisions. He pointed out that, in his opinion, Council may revisit the proposal they sent to the County which may result in additional changes to the Comprehensive Plan. He also encouraged the Commission to continue supporting the small UGA expansions. PLANNING COMMISSION QUESTIONS / COMMENTS There was a discussion about what it means for the work on the Comprehensive Plan given the population and employment growth forecast numbers have not yet been voted on by the Whatcom County Council. Staff explained why the City Council's recommendation of the mid-range population growth forecast was used in making the amendments to the Comprehensive Plan chapters and pointed out that, depending on the County Council's decision, additional amendments may need to be made. There was a brief conversation about urban villages and how the policy language in the plan should be supportive of the changes the property owners of Barkley Village are considering. Policy LU-50 was discussed and staff explained that this is the City's commitment to reviewing the urban growth areas and creating a strategic annexation plan that would work to bring areas in the UGA that are already developed into the City. The process related to adding land to the UGA was also addressed. Policy LU-58 was identified as a Growth Management Act requirement and staff explained why it needs to be part of the Comprehensive Plan. There was a conversation regarding the lack of affordable rental housing, and it was suggested that supportive language for a market-based environment be added to the plan. It was also pointed out that the factors affecting the development of market rate infill housing (zoning, impact fees, cost of construction and market demand) should be written into the plan, as well, in an effort to find a solution to the rental housing issue. There was a discussion on LU-9 and it was brought up that corner stores in residential neighborhoods would never work. Staff stated there are examples of successful corner stores and they help create a walkable environment and job opportunities. There was further discussion related to the process an individual would have to follow in order for that type of establishment to be developed in a neighborhood. TDRs (Transfer of Development Rights) were brought up, and it was questioned why this program was still part of the plan given its ineffectiveness. Commissioners requested more information on how this program has worked on the ground to date. Staff explained that it is a tool to encourage density, and it is included in the existing plan so that it can be refined and updated. It was suggested that language be included in the Land Use Chapter related to regional stormwater facilities and mitigation banking opportunities. Staff stated this policy is in the Economic Development Chapter. Final Copy - 2 LU-23 was referenced and it was suggested that the language related to "high-quality" projects be reconsidered in order to achieve a balance in development and affordability. It was also suggested that language related to encouraging creative design be included. The Commission requested that an alternative policy be written to help provide direction to be used when the commercial design standards are re-evaluated. There was support expressed for LU-8 related to student housing and the proposed cooperation between the City and the schools of higher education in the community to help provide solutions to the lack of rental / housing options. Staff explained inclusionary zoning and discussed the reasons that it remains in the comprehensive plan as a potential tool for affordability. There was discussion by the Commissioners about the consequences this type of regulation could realize and it was suggested that incentives be used rather than regulation to achieve affordable housing. Staff provided some ways that LU-10 could be changed to make it more understandable that the list provided is not exclusive. There was support expressed for LU-63, a new policy that references the importance of reaching out to the underserved populations. The inclusion of the new policy related to considering health in siting essential public facilities, LU-27, was questioned. Staff assured the Commission that issues are not being anticipated; however, it does tie in with the five focus areas and achieves the goal of creating a more health-conscious and equitable comprehensive plan. OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT TRAINING The Planning Commissioners watched a video-training on the Open Public Meetings Act produced by the Attorney General's office. OLD / NEW BUSINESS Steve Crooks provided a report of the two Shoreline Committee meetings held in January. NEXT MEETING - February 4, 2016: Work Session on the updated Housing Chapter of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. ADJOURNED: 9:05 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 3