Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM October 18, 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 MOTION: The minutes for August 9, 2018 and September 20, 2018 were submitted for consideration and approved by general consensus. VOTE: Pending 0-0. 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 provided. PUBLIC HEARING Preservation of Manufactured Housing Parks STAFF PRESENTATION Greg Aucutt explained the process followed to date and pointed out that this phase was focused on the adopting goals and policies. He reviewed the proposed amendments to the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and reviewed what could be included in the next phase of work. PUBLIC COMMENT Michael Reams addressed the Commission with regard to Samish Courts. He expressed concern about the proposed amendments and noted that since Samish Court is part of the Samish Urban Village, the property owners do not feel that the potential development of this site should be restricted as suggested in the amendments. He noted that the owners recognize the need for affordable housing. Walt Olsen spoke on behalf of the property owners of Bakerview Estates and Parkway Village. He spoke to the history of these two parks; as well as the price of the homes and their locations. He expressed support for the proposed goal and policy, but pointed out some of the bullet points that would not actually encourage preservation of the mobile home park. Jean Breckon stated that the residents living in the Southend Mobile Estates would be interested in learning more about how they might purchase the mobile home park. She spoke to some of the specifics of her park. Fred Shepard commented on the vulnerability of the residents, as well as the difficulty that might be faced when being forced to move the home to another location. He stated that given the affordable housing situation we are facing, he expressed support for this issue being discussed. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS There was a brief conversation about what the next steps might look like if the proposed amendments are adopted by City Council. This led to a discussion on Council's direction to explore a range of options that would assist the City in the possibility of preserving the existing mobile home parks. Some of the Commissioners did not support listing out the considerations under Policy H, and felt that they should be removed. There was general consensus that providing incentives, rather than regulations, to encourage the preservation of the existing housing in the mobile home parks was a better approach. There was suggestion that both the goal and the policies should be consistent with the "when appropriate" language. There was a discussion about the comments made related to the legal aspects of the proposed amendments. Staff explained that when the Council decides which options will be used in the City, those ordinances will come before the Planning Commission for consideration and public process. MOTION: Garrett O'Brien / Lisa Anderson moved to remove the list of methods for consideration and research and accept the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations contained in the October 18, 2018 staff report as modified and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. MOTION: AMENDMENT: Ali Taysi / Garrett O'Brien moved to replace "whenever possible" with "when appropriate" in Goal H. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. WORK SESSION Interim Housing for the Homeless STAFF PRESENTATION Staff reviewed responses to the Commissioner questions / comments made at the September 20, 2018 meeting, and introduced an additional section that staff would like included in the chapter. Staff reviewed the different options that are available to address the caps and dispersion issue, and shared some of the existing data. PUBLIC COMMENT COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS MOTION: Iris Maute-Gibson / Garrett O'Brien moved that staff consider striking 20.15A.040 (A) from the draft ordinance. There was a discussion on the impacts, both positive and negative that the notice requirements would have on the service providers and the neighborhood as a whole. It was pointed out that the proposed language adds an additional barrier that does not currently exist for any other Type 1 application. There was support for the neighborhood meeting to be included as part of the management plan. There was a brief conversation about the "preferred providers" concept that staff has proposed. VOTE: CARRIED 4-3. (Opposed: Anderson, Crooks, McKee) The group discussed the concept of dispersion and provided guidance to staff. There was general consensus to recommend staff research dispersion by a percentage of a geographical area. There were concerns raised about restricting dispersion too much, and it was stated that the zoning framework should be the driving force behind where the interim housing shelters are placed. A brief conversation was had with regard to setting caps for low barrier shelters, in certain zoning districts, based on a persons clean and sober status. The group spoke to the pros and cons and there was general consensus for staff to include language in the draft ordinance related to this issue. Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.