Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY WORK SESSION 7:00 P.M. March 17, 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, Steve Crooks and Lisa Anderson Present: Garrett O'Brien, Phyllis McKee, Steve Crooks and Lisa Anderson Absent: Ali Taysi, Tom Grinstad, Jeff Brown Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, Assistant Planning Director; Tara Sundin, Economic and Community Development Manager; Lisa Pool, Senior Planner; Kim Weil, Environmental Planner; and Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes to approve. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No testimony given. WORK SESSION Review the updates to the draft Environment and Economic Development Chapters of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER STAFF PRESENTATION: Tara Sundin reviewed the different components of the Economic Development Chapter and reviewed the proposed changes as they relate to the focus areas. She noted that this chapter is not a requirement of the Growth Management Act (GMA). Staff was asked to identify what groups the City collaborates with on economic development activities. It was stated that the Port of Bellingham, the Chamber of Commerce, the WWU Small Business Development Center, the Technical Alliance Group, Downtown Bellingham Partnership, Sustainable Connections, and the Building Industry Association are some of the agencies the City partners with. There was a question about the definition of workforce housing. Staff stated that it is important that the entire range of working citizens have access to housing that is affordable to them. There was a discussion about how Bellingham is marketed outside of the area. Staff explained that the Port employs two people to visit trade shows to promote Bellingham and manages the newly-developed website that has been created for anyone interested in coming to Bellingham. Tara Sundin mentioned that a lot of resources are put toward growing existing businesses, with start-ups being the next priority. Final Copy - 1  ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER STAFF PRESENTATION: Kim Weil reviewed the different components of the Environment Chapter and reviewed the proposed changes as they relate to the focus areas. She pointed out that although a chapter is not a required element by the GMA, there are still requirements the City must meet and, therefore, a chapter was created in 2012 in an effort to bring all of the environmental goals and policies scattered throughout the Comprehensive Plan into one place. She also spoke to the new policy that was added after the draft chapter was released to the Commission. There was a discussion about the newly-proposed policy and it was clarified that it was directly related to wetland and habitat mitigation, not stormwater mitigation. It was suggested that clarifying language be added to help explain that. Staff was asked to provide some examples of how the environmental policies have been implemented over the past four years. Kim Weil said that one is example is related to shorelines. When development occurs, it's consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. She said another example is the policy r.e. the development of a new urban forestry management plan (UFMP). It sets the policy foundation for the development of an UFMP. Staff was also asked about how much flexibility the City has in regulating habitat corridors. Staff said that habitat is already regulated. The Habitat Restoration Technical Assessment fills in data gaps; it doesn't include new regulations. PUBLIC COMMENT Linda Twitchell, BIAWC stated that, in her opinion, Policies ED-1 through ED- 5 are the strongest tools in the Economic Development Chapter. She expressed concern that the workforce housing goals could lead to more subsidized housing. She suggested that the Comprehensive Plan include goals that would seek solutions for some of the basic problems that are causing the tight housing market and rising housing costs. She stated that she does not agree that Goal ED-4 r.e. urban villages will solve the housing issues, given the fact that 80% of Americans do not want to live in multi-family, denser housing. Linda Twitchell, BIAWC said that Policy EV-37 doesn't reference infill. She suggested that the section on the urban forestry management plan be clarified as it relates to public vs. private land. She also requested further clarification on how the Habitat Restoration Technical Assessment would work for someone wanting to build a home. PLANNING COMMISSION QUESTIONS / COMMENTS: There was concern expressed regarding the goals / policies about artificially subsidizing low-income housing that appear to just be shifting the burden from one population to another. It was suggested that in addition to talking about infill within the urban villages, language encouraging "infill within the City limits" should also be included. It was pointed out that there may be too much emphasis on the topic of housing, and not enough on the topic of job creation / growth. There was concern expressed that in the recent past, industrial and light industrial, as well as commercial lands, have been lost to multi-family zoning. Staff noted that it is important to have a variety of lands available for economic activity, including industrial land. A lot of commercial uses are allowed in those areas. It was suggested that steps be taken to protect the industrial / light industrial land that is left, and language should be included that speaks to the importance of identifying additional industrial land when annexing land from the UGA. Final Copy - 2 ED-30 r.e. coordinating City investments was referenced, and it was suggested that "identify" be added to the policy to reference employment land that does not have adequate infrastructure. There was a discussion about the language related to "on-site mitigation". It was suggested that the words "first consider on-site" be removed to allow a full range of options. Staff explained why it was worded the way it was in the proposed draft and agreed to review and revise as necessary. It was suggested that language related to the fact that Bellingham has a "diverse demographic base" be added to the Economic Development Chapter. Staff explained that diversification of jobs brings a diverse demographic. It was also suggested that "Bellingham" be added to clarify which shipping terminal is being listed in the SWOT Analysis in the Economic Development Chapter. There was a brief discussion on adding a policy related to the "cleanliness and beautification of downtown". Staff expressed concern about calling just one thing out related to Downtown in the Economic Development Chapter because there is a separate plan for Downtown (Downtown Bellingham Plan), but stated that "clean and safe" or "welcoming" could be added to ED-41. It was suggested that not having proper infrastructure to support rapid growth is a threat. Cordata and other areas are underserved with amenities that others enjoy. GENERAL BUSINESS NEXT MEETING - March 31st - A work session on both of the draft Design Chapter and Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. ADJOURNED: 8:30 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 3