Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM June 21, 2018 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi (Chair), Mike Estes (Vice Chair), Steve Crooks (Commissioner), Iris Maute-Gibson (Commissioner), Phyllis McKee (Commissioner), Garrett O'Brien (Commissioner) Absent: Lisa Anderson (Commissioner) Approval of Minutes The minutes for May 3, 2018 and May 17, 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 comment was given. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of an ordinance adopting new land division regulations (Title 23 – Land Division), repealing Title 18 – Subdivisions and adopting amendments to Titles 15, 16, 20 and 21 as necessary to adopt Title 23. STAFF PRESENTATION Kathy Bell provided a brief overview of the process followed to date, the reasons for the repeal and replacement of the subdivision chapter in the Bellingham Municipal Code and the key changes staff has recommended. PUBLIC COMMENT Dick Conoboy shared his thoughts on the City inviting asking developers for their opinion on the Subdivision Ordinance and the revisions that should be done. He also mentioned that although the City issued a Determination of Non-Significance, it was done in a silo - and not inclusive of other Land Use actions being considered. He commented on the lack of public comment and suggested that staff consider ways to break down the more complicated issues for better understanding by the general public. He expressed concern over the favor of allowing more decisions to be made administratively rather than inviting public participation. Staff responded to the comment. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS The Commissioners asked clarifying questions on different sections of the proposed ordinance including: • Minimum Lot Size • Binding Site Plans (Phasing) • Existing Phasing Plans – how are they affected? • Requirement of the entire site to be planned for at the preliminary plat stage.  Short Cluster Subdivisions MOTION: Ali Taysi / Garrett O'Brien moved to alter the language in BMC 23.12.020(A)(1) to read as "significant community interest in a proposal". VOTE: CARRIED 6-0. There was concern expressed that more members of the public that would be using the Subdivision Ordinance the most did not come to the meeting. MOTION: Iris Maute-Gibson / Garrett O'Brien moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations and forward a recommendation of approval for the updated Subdivision Ordinance, including the proposed change to section 23.12.020(A)(1) and the citation reference clean-up that staff identified; as well as, the repeal of Title 18 BMC and the amendments to Titles 15, 16, 20 and 21 BMC to City Council. VOTE: CARRIED 6-0. There was concern expressed about the time delays and how that could have affected the diminishing public participation. Old/New Business The Planning Commission's upcoming meetings were discussed. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.