Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON THURSDAY PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M. August 3, 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, Phyllis McKee, Lisa Anderson and Mike Estes Absent: Steve Crooks (recused) and Iris Maute-Gibson Staff Present: Greg Aucutt, Assistant Director PCDD; Kathy Bell, Senior Planner; Kim Weil, Environmental Planner; Chris Koch, Planner; Chris Comeau, Transportation Planner; Heather Aven, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from July 6th were approved by general consensus. 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Doug Gustufson, Homes Now! spoke to the Commission about the new business he and his partner have started in an effort to end homelessness through the development of tiny homes. He explained that they are seeking to start a partnership with the City - not through money, but through a similar agreement that was made with the Lighthouse Mission, in which land could be obtained in a location where the tiny homes can be built. He shared some additional thoughts on how to end homelessness in our community. Jim Peterson, Homes Now! also spoke to the program and emphasized the need to provide homes to the homeless and commented on some of the benefits that they have realized already in Whatcom County. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration will be given to a request to adopt an Institutional Master Plan (IMP) for Whatcom Community College (WCC) including rezones, and Comprehensive Plan and Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) amendments. An IMP is required when large campus-type public uses exceed 50 acres. The WCC IMP is intended to result in planned and coordinated growth to meet campus and community needs over the next two decades. WCC is generally located at 237 W. Kellogg Road. COMMISSIONER DISCLOSURE: Lisa Anderson disclosed that she is an employee of WCC and explained that she has not been part of the IMP process. Steve Crooks disclosed that he actively participated in the preparation of the College’s IMP and requested that he be recused from the meeting. Final Copy - 1 APPLICANT PRESENTATION: Brian Keeley, WCC and Keith Schreiber, Consultant presented the IMP, including the goals and purpose of the plan, the IMP process, the needs that were identified, the structure of the IMP; as well as the supporting documents, the phased development plan and the proposed changes to the Cordata and Meridian Neighborhood Plans. The two gentlemen also spoke to what the contents of the IMP means to, and for, WCC. STAFF PRESENTATION: Kim Weil provided additional details and spoke to the proposed zoning and land use amendments necessary for creation of the IMP boundary. She also briefly discussed the purpose of the IMP from the City's perspective, as well as how it will be implemented. PUBLIC COMMENT Katherine Higgs, 1516 Darby Estates #309 expressed her concern about the traffic impacts and wanted to know if any of the IMP will intrude upon residential housing in the immediate area. Kurt Thor, 233 Middlefield Road, owner of the Blossom Commons Development stated that he supports the development that is being proposed; however, expressed concern about the traffic flow on Short St. and how it will impact the entry to the property he owns. Public Hearing Closed Staff addressed the questions posed by the public, it was stated that:  The IMP sets the boundary for WCC and there is no plan to expand into the residential zones at this time.  It was acknowledged that traffic will increase over time and the arterials will undoubtedly become more congested. Staff spoke to the fact that the IMP addresses how the connection between Kellogg and Short St will occur, including when traffic controls would be required. The proposed future improvements for this area of the City were briefly discussed. COMMISSIONER QUESTION / COMMENT There was a discussion about why the Cordata PUD was included in an advisory role. Kathy Bell explained that it helps to maintain consistency given the fact that new WCC projects will still need to gain approval from the Cordata Design Review Committee. There was a discussion regarding the potential future closure of Kellogg Rd, or making it transit only. Staff indicated that Kellogg Rd is an arterial and noted that closing the road would be a major change in the City's transportation system. Staff also explained that pedestrian improvements are being discussed, but no decisions have been made to date. There was a conversation about the existing wetland delineation and staff indicated that the impacts to future phased development could be accommodated if the wetland regulations were to change. A brief discussion was had regarding the availability of parking on campus. It was stated, that through the IMP process, a parking study was done and it was determined that there is sufficient parking at this time, although some of it may not be desirable due to its location. It was also indicated that a WTA bus pass was provided to every student through their student ID. Final Copy - 2 MOTION: GO/PM moved to approve the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations included in the August 3, 2017 staff report and forwarded a recommendation of approval of the WCC IMP and all proposed associated Comprehensive Plan and Bellingham Municipal Code amendments. VOTE: ALL AYES (Motion passes 5-0) GENERAL BUSINESS ADJOURNED: 8:20 p.m. Minutes prepared by: _____________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff. Final Copy - 3