Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM September 20, 2018 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi (Chair), Mike Estes (Vice Chair), Lisa Anderson, Steve Crooks, Iris Maute-Gibson, Phyllis McKee, Garrett O'Brien Approval of Minutes No minutes to approve. 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. WORK SESSION Interim Housing for the Homeless STAFF PRESENTATION Staff provided a brief overview of the process to date and introduced the regulatory framework for interim housing. PUBLIC COMMENT Two citizens addressed the Commission and shared their thoughts on the work being done to address homelessness in the community. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS There was general support for the following:  the diverse populations that will be served and integrated into the community  the variety in sizes of facilities that could be utilized  the separate location for check-in to mitigate some of the impacts to adjacent neighbors  the Type I process for the smaller facilities  the dispersion strategies that were included in the packet There was concern expressed regarding:  the lack of notice requirements for a Type 1 permit - when other similar uses would require a conditional use permit  different permit requirements being proposed for single-family and multi-family zones   dispersion - some neighborhoods could more easily bear the impacts that will occur, and some already have several multi-family units o Staff clarified the intent of dispersion in this instance is related to the intensity of the use, and making a point to spread out the intensity rather than allow it to be concentrated in one area. There was a conversation about how the single-family residences would work as interim housing. Staff pointed out that there will be parameters that must be met, and a detailed management plan or operations plan would be required. Staff also shared some of the items that are already required for the interim housing facilities that currently exist in the community. There was a discussion about the importance of clearly communicating what the management plan must include, so the applicants have some assurance of it being approved. There was a conversation about how adults with children would figure into the equation of "... no more than 'x' number of adults". Staff explained that the department would be approving the management plan and the number and mix of occupants would be considered. There was a brief conversation on the number of occupants and how that could be perceived as increasing the density. There was a discussion on the Pros vs. Cons of noticing:  it could perpetuate a negative view of this use  it places an unnecessary burden on an agency that may have an existing positive relationship with their neighbors  it might separate NIMBY from real neighborhood concerns - run the risk of NIMBY slowing down the process.  it would provide transparency and could improve the relationship between the facility and neighbors The Commission would like more information at the next meeting on:  whether design standards would be required for facilities in residential transition zones, especially on a narrow street, abutting a single-family neighborhood o Should these areas include different permit requirements than proposed?  the location of the existing residential transition zones in urban villages  an additional discussion regarding a tiered approach for noticing  would like to hear from providers who have gone through the permitting process Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.