Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM September 19, 2019 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Mike Estes (Vice Chair), Lisa Anderson, Steve Crooks, Phyllis McKee, Garrett O'Brien Absent: Ali Taysi (Chair) Approval of Minutes None 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 testimony given PUBLIC HEARING Fountain District UV amended development regulations STAFF PRESENTATION Staff provided a brief history of the Fountain District Urban Village, as well as some of the things that have changed since the Fountain District UV sub-area plan was adopted in 2009. Staff spoke to the Urban Village Status Report, as well as the 2019 Parking Study that was done in the Fountain District Urban Village. They reviewed the amendments and provided examples of what could be realized with the increase in floor area ratio. Staff also briefly discussed the amendment related to bicycle parking is the same as that required in the other urban village plans. PUBLIC COMMENT Jeff Vernon spoke to the CT2 zone and pointed out that it is not included in the area proposed to have the increase in FAR. He commented on the purpose of an urban village and suggested that the CT2 zone be included in this proposal given the current uses in this area. He shared what he would like to do with his property and suggested that this zone be increased to at least a 1.0 FAR. Gordan Durham commented on the notice process. He spoke to the parking survey and shared some of his concerns with some of the areas of informal parking, where some were captured, but other were not. He mentioned some of the concerns that were shared with him from other community members, most of which was involving the desire to add capacity and add affordability while being respectful of scale, accessibility and affordability. Rose Lathrop spoke on behalf of Derek Long. He has been encouraged by the development that has been realized in the district and has not seen much impacts from the parking. She shared support for reducing the parking requirements, and for the City providing incentives for the development of more affordable homes. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS There was brief discussion about how the changes to FAR were determined. Darby spoke specifically to the rationale of proposing no change to the FAR in the CT2 zone, but stated that based on public comment, staff would be willing to look at the area more closely and reconsider possible changes to the FAR allowances. It was pointed out that without a mechanism to require a housing component, the increase in FAR could just end up producing larger commercial development and not necessarily additional housing. Darby stated that staff could consider adding a “mixed-use” requirement in order to take advantage of the increased FAR. Kurt Nabbefeld responded that currently, housing units and not commercial spaces are being favored for development. A brief conversation regarding setbacks was held and staff confirmed that they are not proposing any changes be made to those requirements. MOTION: Garrett O'Brien / Phyllis McKee moved to accept the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations contained in the September 19, 2019 staff report as written, with the direction to staff to reconsider allowing an increase in F.A.R. for the CT2 zone, and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. Garrett O’Brien spoke to the appropriateness of the CT2 zone for increased density. Staff clarified where the historic district boundaries were and stated that it was unlikely that changes would be recommended to this specific area. Lisa Anderson shared her concern again that without a mechanism to ensure a housing component be included in development that took advantage of the increased FAR, housing units won’t be realized to the fullest potential. VOTE: CARRIED 5-0 Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.