Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY PUBLIC HEARINGS 7:00 P.M. April 20, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Video-taped www.cob.org CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Ali Taysi, Chairman of the Planning Commission. ROLL CALL: Ali Taysi (C), Garrett O'Brien (VC), Phyllis McKee, Steve Crooks, Lisa Anderson, Mike Estes and Iris Maute- Gibson Present: Ali Taysi, Garrett O'Brien, Steve Crooks, Phyllis McKee, Lisa Anderson, Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson Absent: Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, PCDD Assistant Director; Moshe Quinn, Planner; Ryan Nelson, Planner; and Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 16, 2017 were submitted for approval, and were approved by general consensus. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Kate Blystone addressed the Commission. PUBLIC HEARING (1) A public hearing to consider a comprehensive plan amendment (REZ2016-0001) to the Barkley Neighborhood Plan to rezone a portion of property located at 3001 E Sunset Dr., Area 1 - Barkley Neighborhood, from Residential, Single to Commercial, Planned. STAFF PRESENTATION: Moshe Quinn explained the rezone request and provided a brief background on the proposal. He pointed out the two issues that staff has identified for the site including: 1) there are currently two different zoning designations on one parcel, and 2) the parcel is located in two different neighborhood sub-areas. He referenced the rezone criteria contained in BMC 20.20.040 and BMC20.19.030 and stated that staff believes it meets the criteria and recommends approval of the rezone request. PUBLIC COMMENT Rob Bartell, owns property at 3208-, 3212-, and 3220- E Sunset Dr. (Connections Speech / Language Pathology) expressed his support for the proposed rezone request. He indicated that it makes sense and he would like to see development there. He commented that he is looking forward to a more pedestrian-friendly center with less emphasis on the automobile. Jeff Kvamme, applicant provided a bit more background information and expressed his support for staff's recommendation of approval. MOTION: GO/PM moved to accept the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations regarding the Comprehensive Plan and Rezone request for 3001 E Sunset as proposed in the April 20, 2017 staff report and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. Final Copy - 1 There was general consensus that the rezone makes sense and there was support expressed for the future commercial development which could bring a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. VOTE: ALL AYES (Motion Passes 7-0) PUBLIC HEARING (2) A public hearing to consider a comprehensive plan amendment to the Cordata Neighborhood Plan (REZ2016-0003) to rezone a portion of the property located at 4260 Pacific Highway, Area 20,Cordata - from Residential, Single to Industrial, Planned. STAFF PRESENTATION: Ryan Nelson explained the rezone request and provided a brief background on the proposal. He pointed out the three issues that staff has identified for the site including: 1) a single parcel currently has two different zoning designations in two separate neighborhood sub-areas; 2) there are limited development opportunities due to critical areas on the site; and 3) there is limited access opportunities. He spoke to the existing constrictions the adjacent properties provide. He referenced the rezone criteria contained in BMC 20.20.040 and BMC20.19.030 and stated that staff believes it meets the criteria and recommends approval of the rezone request. There was a brief discussion about how the site would be accessed. Staff replied that access would be via the access road that goes through the adjacent property and connects to Pacific Highway. PUBLIC COMMENT Ron Jepson, representing the applicant provided a brief background on the site and commented on some of the improvements that would be done if rezoned. He pointed out some of the restrictions that are experienced with 10 acres zoned Residential and 10 acres zoned Industrial. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: The Commission discussed the following points:  The conservation easement remaining on site o Staff indicated that through the process, the conservation easement may need to change to comply with existing critical area regulations.  Potential noise pollution o Staff stated that the SEPA review would help to determine to what extent that exists, and what - if any - mitigation would be needed. He pointed out that the area is large and there is an existing tree-line buffering the site from the existing residentially zoned area.  Support for industrial zoning to help ensure adequate, employment-based land is available  Proximity to airport o It was suggested that FAA will more than likely weigh in on the proposal through the project level SEPA review process. MOTION: GO/ME moved to accept the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations regarding the Comprehensive Plan and Rezone request for 4260 Pacific Highway as proposed in the April 20, 2017 staff report and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. There was general consensus that the rezone to industrial is appropriate. VOTE: ALL AYES (Motion Passes 7-0) Final Copy - 2 GENERAL BUSINESS Greg Aucutt briefed the Commission on the status of the Lydia Place rezone, considered by the Commission in 2016. ADJOURNED: 7:45 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 3