Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM June 6, 2019 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi, Steve Crooks, Phyllis McKee, Lisa Anderson and Iris Maute-Gibson Absent: Garrett O’Brien and Mike Estes Approval of Minutes 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. Gordon Durham expressed concern about development along Meridian (Fountain Flats I & II) that will need to hook into a sewer line in the alley that may not be able to handle the additional load. He encouraged staff to have discussion about investing in additional infrastructure in this area of the City. Presentation Parking Demand – An overview of the key parking strategies and the rationale behind them. Rick Sepler provided a presentation on the over-arching scheme the City has with regard to parking issues and spoke on the following questions/topics: 1) How does the City manage parking? 2) Why is it getting harder to park downtown, in Fairhaven and other busy commercial areas? 3) Why doesn't the City build more parking garages in these busy areas? 4) Why aren't developers required to provide more off-street parking with new development? 5) Is the City using technology to make parking more convenient? 6) How does the City use the money generated from parking tickets and meters? 7) Parking in commercial areas is one thing, but it's becoming challenging to park in front of my house! PUBLIC COMMENT: Gordon Durham commented on the parking issues in the Fountain District. He spoke to the parking exceptions and allowances that have been granted and how that has affected the existing projects. He noted that there are concerns in the Community that are not part of the reports or studies; however, they are still very real and should be considered. The Commission and staff had a discussion on a variety of topics including: 1) how adjustments are made when the exceptions from the parking requirements are granted lead to no parking available; 2) how does the City ensure that an off-site parking agreement / contract is adhered to; 3) Fairhaven Parking District; 4) idea of including additional residential parking zones in the City; 5) how are the parking strategies and decisions made when there are several plans that speak to the topic; 6) the roles of public/private partnerships; 7) electric charging stations being required for a development of a certain size and 8) parking management strategies (mobile app, meters, etc…). Mobile / Manufactured Home Parks – Emergency Moratorium enacted by City Council Greg Aucutt reviewed the emergency moratorium ordinance on mobile/manufactured homes and explained the next steps that must be taken. He noted that there is a two-year work program associated with this ordinance and shared some of the things that could occur in that timeframe and how the Planning Commission could be involved. Old/New Business Rick Sepler spoke to the work program for the Planning and Community Development Department and shared those items that will come before the Commission in the future and provided a brief explanation on each. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.