Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M. July 6, 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 and Iris Maute-Gibson Absent: Lisa Anderson and Mike Estes Staff Present: Kathy Bell, Senior Planner; Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from May 4th and May 18th were approved by general consensus. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No public comment given. PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing to consider amendments to BMC 20.00.015, 20.00.045, 20.00.095 and 20.00.230. The existing code allows limited multifamily development to occur in certain mixed-use zones, but only after 50% of a site is developed with single family uses. The proposed code amendment would allow the Planning Director to waive this requirement provided that the multifamily housing is not located adjacent to land zoned Residential, Single. STAFF PRESENTATION: Kathy Bell provided a brief presentation to the Commission and emphasized the code amendments are more about timing than substance. She spoke to the recently annexed portions of the City and noted that in 3 of the eleven areas, the majority of their boundaries abut something other than residential, single zoning. She stated that the proposed code amendments would help address the issue of allowing development of multi-family units sooner than what is currently allowed when part of a mixed-use proposal. Kathy Bell reiterated that this is about the timing of when multi-family development can occur. She clarified that proposed amendments only grant the approval authority to the Director when the multi- family units would abut non-residential zones. PUBLIC COMMENT Carrie Veldman stated that the RJ group supports the staff recommendation to allow the text amendment as proposed. She commented that it is an effective planning practice to provide a transition from a more intensive land use to a less intensive land use. She shared some of the benefits of this planning practice. She stated that the code amendment would allow for adequate transition zone to be development before or currently with the single-family units. She stated that it is the RJ Group's opinion that this is the public’s interest and will provide for a safe and active neighborhood to be developed. Final Copy - 1  Public Hearing Closed COMMISSIONER QUESTION / COMMENT There was a brief discussion on the rationale for allowing multi-family units to be developed before or concurrently with single-family units. It was pointed out that when single-family units are completed first, the multi-family units are not well received. It was clarified that the amendments would not be adding any capacity - the maximum number of allowed multi-family units remains the same as it exists today. It was also confirmed that Area 20 in the Cordata Neighborhood is not part of Cordata PUD. There was a conversation related to the rationale of not just permitting the development outright, rather than making it a Director's decision. Staff stated that URMX is primarily a single-family zone, and this will provide some assurance that the majority of the development will remain single-family units, and will allow for decisions to be made on a more case by case basis. Staff stated that the request for developing multi-family units sooner than otherwise allowed, would be included with the Land Use Application. Staff also clarified that there is no specific criteria outlined for the Director to base the decision on, other than it must be abutting or adjacent to commercial / industrial uses. MOTION: GO/PM moved to approve the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations contained in the July 6, 2017 staff report and forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council regarding the code amendment related to multi-family development as proposed. VOTE: ALL AYES GENERAL BUSINESS ADJOURNED: 7:30 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 2