Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 8:32 AM February 7, 2019 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi; Garrett O’Brien; Steve Crooks; Phyllis McKee; Lisa Anderson; Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson 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 public comment taken. WORK SESSION Samish Way Urban Village Subarea Plan Update Darby Cowles reminded the Commission that the purpose of the update was to respond to new conditions and opportunities, remove barriers and implement recommended changes. She reviewed the five key issues, with additional discussion held on the following three: 1) Review the extent of required ground-floor commercial - Staff recommended that the ground-floor commercial requirement be retained; however, additional language would be included in an effort to provide flexibility for certain challenges and / or market conditions. There was general consensus for this proposed change. 2) Right-of-way and street improvement requirements - Staff recommended that the language currently in the sub-area plan be retained and additional language, that states the width of the right-of-way can be responsive to a redevelopment proposal, should be included. There was a discussion about how the right-of-way would be developed if two different types of density were developed. There was a suggestion to include language, under the exception for 35th St., that would clarify the 3/4 street standard must be constructed. There was general consensus for this recommendation. 3) Parking, density minimums and / or increases in the allowable floor area - Staff reviewed the proposed requirements and provided examples of current development and what the parking requirements will be for each project. There was general consensus for the recommendation to retain existing parking requirements. Staff reviewed the proposed amendments to the floor area bonus system. There was general consensus to allow for the increase to a 4.5 bonus in the Commercial Core. There was a brief conversation about the need for pocket parks in the urban village and staff highlighted some potential options that could be used for that purpose in the future. MOTION: Lisa Anderson / Iris Maute-Gibson moved to accept the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations contained in the January 24th staff report, as amended by Planning Commission discussion reflected in Attachment 1, and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. Old/New Business Greg Aucutt reviewed upcoming meeting dates. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.