Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM May 17, 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), Phyllis McKee (Commissioner), Garrett O'Brien (Commissioner) Approval of Minutes Minutes from April 26, 2018 were approved by general consensus. 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. No public testimony given. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of four applications submitted to the annual docket for review in 2018-2019. Review of Proposals Greg Aucutt explained the docketing process and reminded the Commissioners that this step in the process is to determine if the application meets the criteria and should be further analyzed by staff and added to the department's work program. Moshe Quinn discussed the review criteria from BMC 20.20.030 and pointed out that the criteria should be considered for each proposal. REZ2018-0002: City Center Neighborhood Plan Staff explained the proposal would update the Waterfront District Sub-area Plan and reviewed some of the key components of the application. Staff noted that this application meets the review criteria and recommended that the proposal be docketed. PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS: No testimony given. Public hearing closed. MOTION: Lisa Anderson / Phyllis McKee moved to recommend docketing REZ2018-0002, as it meets the review criteria established in BMC20.20.030. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. REZ2018-0003: Samish Way Urban Village Plan Staff explained the proposal would evaluate the urban village plan and integrate the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master plans; as well as consider some goals, policies and improvements standards that have been identified as needing clarification. Staff noted that this application meets the review criteria and recommended that the proposal be docketed. PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS: No testimony given. Public hearing closed. There was a brief conversation about what could possibly be coming forward in the update. It was noted that by docketing this proposal, the opportunities to identify (and possibly remove) barriers to development could occur. MOTION: Iris Maute-Gibson / Garrett O'Brien moved to recommend docketing REZ2018-0003, as it meets the review criteria established in BMC20.20.030. There was general consensus amongst the Commissioners that updating this plan and bringing the transportation component more up to date is important. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. REZ2018-0005: Mobile / Manufactured Home Staff explained the proposal would add policy language to the Comprehensive Plan that would encourage preservation of existing mobile and manufactured home parks. Staff noted that this application meets the review criteria and recommended that the proposal be docketed. PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS: Dick Conoboy expressed his support for this proposal and noted that this language would help to ease the fears of those residents living in a mobile / manufactured home park. Public hearing closed. MOTION: Phyllis McKee / Mike Estes moved to recommend docketing REZ2018-0005, as it meets the review criteria established in BMC20.20.030. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. REZ2018-0004: SAMISH NEIGHBORHOOD Ali Taysi recused himself and Mike Estes (vice-chair) led the item through the process. Staff explained the proposal would amend San Juan Blvd as an arterial and as a prerequisite consideration, update the traffic circulation information in the neighborhood plan and realign Governor Road. Staff noted that this application meets the review criteria and recommended that the proposal be docketed. PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS: Steve Abell commented on the 2007 update to the Samish Neighborhood Plan, and noted that an east / west connector is still needed and if San Juan Blvd is no longer possible, a new solution must be found to prevent traffic from traveling through existing residential streets. Shirley Forsloth stated that if San Juan Blvd is removed from the plan, a new east/west connector must be developed so that the traffic from new development is not pushed onto existing streets. Janice Ward noted that if San Juan Blvd is removed, Lakeway will become very congested and traffic will begin to flow through existing residential streets. She also commented on the Environmental Impact Statement where the applicant responded N/A and noted that is not a reasonable assessment given the situation. Jeff Evans commented what will happen to the area of 40th / Mill as development occurs if an east / west connector is not developed. Katherine Hundorf stated that she does not believe the proposal meets the criteria #B1-5. She noted that San Juan Blvd should remain, as Lakeway is already at capacity. She pointed out that the cost to develop the infrastructure is only going to increase, if delays continue to occur. Ron Jepson, applicant acknowledged that a traffic connector between Yew St and Samish Way must be developed. He pointed out that since the City decided to abandon the idea of developing San Juan Blvd; the prerequisite condition, contained in the Samish Way Neighborhood Plan, should be removed to allow for other alternatives to be considered. He spoke to the alignment of Governor Rd and pointed out that there is a better route for this road and the connection to the east / west connector. Brian Benjamin stated that this application should not be docketed until a more detailed SEPA report has been submitted. Lelia Coyne noted that this will impact her way of life, and questioned what resources she will have to follow the development and understand the impacts. Jeff Kahn commented on the increased traffic in the area of 40th Street. He invited the Commissioners to park in front of his home to evaluate the traffic, so they could get a greater understanding of the impacts. Dick Conoboy noted the traffic impacts in the area of Consolidation Ave., 46th St., Racine St. He pointed out that the topography has not changed in the area where San Juan Blvd was to be built; however, the cost has gone up because of the delay in developing. He stated that before San Juan Blvd is removed from the plan, a solution for a new east / west connector should be found. Public hearing closed. There was a brief discussion on the benefits of docketing the proposals. MOTION: Garrett O'Brien / Steve Crooks moved to recommend docketing REZ2018-0004, as it meets the review criteria established in BMC20.20.030. VOTE: CARRIED 6-0. (Recused: Ali Taysi) Old/New Business Greg acknowledged the work of the Commission on the ADU ordinance and noted that the Council passed the ordinance without changes. He reviewed the calendar and noted the next meeting will be on June 7th Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.