Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM April 26, 2018 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi (Chair), Mike Estes (Vice Chair), Lisa Anderson (Commissioner), Steve Crooks (Commissioner), Iris Maute-Gibson (Commissioner), Garrett O'Brien (Commissioner) Absent: Phyllis McKee (Commissioner) Approval of Minutes There were no minutes submitted for consideration. Public Comment Period Opportunity for citizens to speak informally to the Planning Commissioners on any subject not listed on the agenda. Speakers are allowed a MAXIMUM of three (3) minutes to address the Commission. Speakers will not be required to disclose their address. Four citizens addressed the Commission on topics other than the unsheltered zoning regulations being considered. WORK SESSION A work session to discuss requirements for temporary facilities for the homeless and permanent homeless shelters in permanent structures. STAFF PRESENTATION Rick Sepler provided a brief background on homelessness in Whatcom County and shared some of the recent successes that have been realized. He commented on the two most recent state legistation provisions that were passed in an effort to help communities provide a stop-gap measure until long-term measures come on-line. He explained the purpose of the ordinances, as well as what the ordinances would provide regulations for. Lisa Pool explained that one ordinance would include those solutions that were more temporary in nature, with the second ordinance encompassing the more permanent solutions. She also shared some of the specifics of each ordinance, including who would own and operate / manage the facility; the requirements that each would have to comply with; and which zones they would be allowed in. PUBLIC COMMENT Six citizens addressed the Commission and shared their thoughts on the proposed unsheltered zoning regulations. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS There was concern expressed about the individual managing agency creating their own "code of conduct" verses it coming directly from the City. Staff acknowledged there may be some rules that would apply to all of the homeless facilities and would consider providing the basis for the code of conduct and encourage individual agencies to add to them as appropriate. There was general consensus for this approach. A brief discussion was held related to religious organizations operating shelters on land owned / operated by a conditional use permit and how the RCWs would be applied. Staff stated that they would be bringing more information back to the Commission on this item at the next meeting. There was a conversation about the 90-day limitation. Staff explained the rationale for the 90 days, including that fact that the facilities are to be temporary and the impacts on the surrounding neighborhood must be considered. Staff also stated that they would be considering a longer-term option for the tiny home facilities. Brief conversations were held on both the exemption and the setback sections of the ordinance. Staff commented on the purposes of these sections. The Commission asked staff to consider the following:  90 days is not very much time before being required to move  Removing "other instances" from D on page 9 of the staff report or provide more clarifying language  Allowing government entities to sponsor the temporary facilities, not just the non-profit and religious organizations  Add clarifying language to the managing agency and supervision definitions  Requiring a fire extinguisher on site (with a location map)  Requiring emergency numbers be posted on site  Revising section 3.0 on page 12, to eliminate the tone that is assuming danger - Staff indicated that this is standard language, and stated that the language can be reviewed; however, safety of all parties must be taken into consideration before any changes are made Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.