Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM June 7, 2018 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi (Chair), Lisa Anderson (Commissioner), Steve Crooks (Commissioner), Iris Maute- Gibson (Commissioner), Phyllis McKee (Commissioner), Garrett O'Brien (Commissioner) Absent: Mike Estes (Vice Chair) Approval of Minutes There were no minutes submitted for approval. 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 one provided public comment. WORK SESSION Continue the discussion of a draft ordinance for temporary facilities for the homeless and long-term homeless shelters in permanent structures. STAFF PRESENTATION Rick Sepler commented on the proposed amendments to the draft ordinance. He explained to the Commission that the ordinance for long-term shelters will come before them separate from the temporary shelters to ensure that unintended consequences are not realized once ordinance is passed. Staff provided a brief overview of the ordinance and acknowledged and responded to the questions submitted by Commissioner Maute-Gibson. PUBLIC COMMENT No public testimony given. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS There was a conversation about what process an existing agency could pursue if they were interested in providing a temporary shelter, but their policies conflicted with the policies outlined in the ordinance. Staff replied that the ordinance allows for the Director to alter standards based on good reason for the departure given it still meets all the public health, safety and welfare provisions of the ordinance. A brief discussion occurred related to limiting the number of sites that would be allowed in the City. Staff shared the rationale for setting a maximum number of sites and noted that the ordinance would likely be amended in the future and the City would not be opposed to considering increasing the number of sites.  There was concern expressed that by limiting the number of building encampments to two, the maximum of 200 may not be reached before the maximum of two sites is, and a request to staff to consider how this could be mitigated for was made. There was concern expressed without regulation multiple temporary sites could be concentrated in a single neighborhood rather than spread throughout the city. There was general consensus that a section should be added to the ordnance that would allow the Director, as informed by the Point in Time Count, to allow for additional sites be allowed beyond the maximum outlined in the ordinance. There was a brief discussion on the requirement of the Operation Plan, and how staff will use this application requirement during the decision-making process. Staff stated they would consider adding language to the section addressing this requirement. Staff explained the rationale behind no cooking facilities being constructed in the tiny homes, by design. They also addressed the reasons that space heaters would not be allowed. There was a conversation regarding the Code of Conduct. There was concern expressed that an applicant submits their own Code of Conduct instead of the City writing one and requiring every applicant to follow it. There was also support expressed for many of the items listed under the Code of Conduct section of the Ordinance as being reasonable, and there was general consensus for each encampment self-determining their own rules. The following were additional suggestions: • Add language to the “Transportation Plan” section of the ordinance clarifying what the City is requiring. • Are there alternatives to contacting CPS if a minor arrives at an encampment? • It was suggested that the “active warrant” language be more clearly defined. • Add clarifying language, to section that addresses the 2-year maximum, so that it is clear at the end of the term, the encampment must relocate. • Research if a church that is operating under an existing Conditional Use Permit would be allowed to offer a temporary building encampment under this ordinance. Old/New Business Adjournment 4 Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.