Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M. September 1, 2016 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Video-taped www.cob.org CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Garrett O'Brien, Vice-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, Tom Grinstad, Jeff Brown, Steve Crooks, and Phyllis McKee Absent: Ali Taysi and Lisa Anderson Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, PCDD Assistant Director; Moshe Quinn, Planner; and Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes submitted for approval. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No testimony given. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of three requests to docket amendments to the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan for review in 2016-2017. The amendment proposals include one request in the Barkley Neighborhood and two requests in the Cordata Neighborhood. STAFF PRESENTATION: Moshe Quinn reviewed the docketing criteria that the Commissioners will be evaluating each of the three Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals against. Barkley Neighborhood, Area 1 (REZ2016-0001) Moshe Quinn explained that the applicant would like the entire parcel to be under one zoning designation in an effort to improve the developable area and achieve better use of the land. The proposal identifies the .5 acres proposed to be rezoned from Residential, Single to Commercial planned, He pointed out that rezone would correct a zoning boundary and stated that staff believes the docketing requirements have been met. Cordata Neighborhood - Area 20 (REZ2016-0003) Moshe Quinn stated that although this parcel is a single piece of land, it has two different zoning designations. He spoke to the existing wetlands surrounding the parcel and the uses of the adjacent properties and pointed out that the only access to this land was via other industrial zoned areas. He stated that the owner would like the entire parcel rezoned from Residential, Single to Industrial, Planned. Moshe stated that although staff believes the docketing requirements have been met and the rezone has the potential to serve the public interest, staff is requesting that the Commission impose a condition that the applicant submit a critical areas report concurrent with the docketing application, based on the Final Copy - 1 activities that occurred in this area and to confirm the subject area is suitable for development under the proposed zoning. Cordata Neighborhood - Area 9 (REZ2016-0004) Moshe Quinn explained that the applicant would like to expand the uses in this area to include Commercial, Residential, Multi and Mixed uses which would allow for more development options. He spoke to the existing uses on the adjacent properties and the wetlands surrounding the parcel. He stated that although staff believes the docketing requirements have been met and have the has the potential to serve the public interest, staff is requesting that the Commission impose a condition that the applicant submit a critical area report concurrent with the docketing application to confirm the subject area is suitable for development under the proposed zoning. PUBLIC COMMENT: Tom McMaster, owner (REZ2016-0004) stated that he believed the proposal meets one or more of the criteria and provided examples of different zoning uses that could be considered for development if the site were rezoned. He spoke to the recommended staff condition, requiring a critical area report be submitted concurrently with the application for docketing, and stated that in his opinion the Binding Site Plan that exists should be sufficient and does not believe the additional requirement should be imposed. End of Public Comment PLANNING COMMISSION QUESTIONS / COMMENTS: There was concern expressed regarding Criteria A, which states that the City has resources including staff and budget, and how that could be used by the department to exclude those applications that they do not wish to work on. Staff addressed the concern and stated that although staff considers the department's work program, all efforts are made to docket every application that is submitted. Staff also explained, that staff does not make the final decision on which applications are docketed for consideration, Council does; therefore, even if staff felt like they did not have the staff resources to devote to a proposal, it is possible that Council will decide to docket the proposal anyway. REZ2016-0001 (Barkley, Area 1): The Commission discussed this application for docketing. There was general consensus that Residential, Single did not make sense in that area, and there should be contiguous ownership. MOTION: McKee / Crooks moved to recommend that the City Council consider REZ2016-0001 for inclusion on the 2017 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket. VOTE: ALL AYES REZ2016-0003 (Cordata, Area 20): The Commission discussed this application for docketing. A brief discussion occurred around access to the property, specifically Mahogany and June Roads. Staff stated that although Mahogany will be developed, the only realistic access to this site would be via Pacific Highway and the existing access easement. Final Copy - 2 There was a conversation about the recommended condition of requiring a critical area report. Staff explained that this would satisfy the rezone criteria that asks if the land is suitable for development under the proposed zoning, as well as assist in the determination of what can and cannot be done on the site. It was pointed out that given the separation that occurs with the existing wetlands, Industrial zoning may be more appropriate. MOTION: Grinstad / Crooks moved to recommend that the City Council consider REZ2016-0003 for inclusion on the 2017 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket, with the condition that a critical area report be submitted concurrent with the rezone application. VOTE: ALL AYES REZ2016-0004 (Cordata, Area 9): The Commission discussed this application for docketing. There was concern expressed about the veto power of the Cordata PUD for applications in this area, and suggested that staff not put a lot of resources into this application until the role of the PUD is clarified, in the event they have to power to decide the application cannot move forward, versus just making a recommendation. There was a discussion about the Binding Site Plan and the staff's recommended condition that a critical area report be submitted concurrent with the rezone application. MOTION: Crooks / Brown moved to recommend that the City Council consider REZ2016-0004 for inclusion on the 2017 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket, with the condition that a critical area report be submitted concurrent with the rezone application. VOTE: ALL AYES GENERAL BUSINESS Greg Aucutt updated the Commission on:  The Council's work on the Comprehensive Plan.  The decisions the County made in adopting their plan: o Retained the UGA boundary that the City Council recommended. o South Yew St remained in reserve. o South Caitac was moved into the reserve. o There was no change to the UGA boundary.  Commission's calendar. NEXT MEETING - September 22nd ADJOURNED: 7:50 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 3