Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM November 19, 2020 Online Zoom Webinar Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Mike Estes (Chair); Makenzie Graham, Phyllis McKee, Steve Crooks, Rose Lathrop and Scott Jones Absent: Ali Taysi 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. No testimony provided. Public Hearing – 2020-2021 Annual Docket To consider five requests to docket amendments to the 2016 Comprehensive Plan for review in 2020-2021. The proposals include one rezone request in Area 1 of the Fairhaven Neighborhood from Industrial 2 to a Commercial Core designation, a request to rezone six parks from Residential to a Public designation, a request to potentially add comprehensive plan designation and zoning for existing mobile/manufactured home parks, and two requests to adopt by reference a new Bellingham School District Capital Facilities Plan and new 2020 Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan. Greg Aucutt reviewed the docketing process and explained the reason the deadline was extended this year. He reminded the Commission that the merits of each application is not what is being discussed, but rather if the proposal should be placed on the annual docket for further review and discussion at a future meeting date. Moshe Quinn reviewed the criteria that each proposal is subject to and provided a brief presentation on each application.  REZ2020-0002 – Rezone City/Port properties in Area 1 of the Fairhaven Neighborhood from Industrial 2 to Commercial Core. Staff believes this meets the docketing criteria and recommends approval.  REZ2020-0003 – Rezone six City parks from a Residential designation to a Public designation. Staff believes this meets the docketing criteria and recommends approval.  REZ2020-0005 – Amend the Capital Facilities Chapter to include the Bellingham School District’s new 2021-2027 CFP. Staff believes this meets the docketing criteria and recommends approval.  REZ2020-0006 – Amend the Land Use Chapter to include a new zoning designation for Mobile/Manufactured Home Parks. Staff believes this meets the docketing criteria and recommends approval.  REZ2020-0007 – Amend the Capital Facilities Chapter to include reference to the new 2020 Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan which was approved by City Council in September, 2020. Staff believes this meets the docketing criteria and recommends approval. Brad Swanson, representing applicant for REZ2020-0002, spoke to some of the future plans for this property to help explain why a private entity is asking both the City and the Port to rezone their property. Public Comment REZ2020-0002 - Fairhaven Doug Robertson expressed his support for the proposed rezone. He stated that it protects the public interest and docketing the proposal would help to establish how much housing could be provided for the City. He pointed out that it would supply short-term construction jobs, as well as the creation of long-term jobs that will help to recreate the vibrance of Fairhaven. He also noted that it will help to achieve the parking requirements detailed under the Fairhaven Urban Village plan. He stated that docketing can also help correct the Comprehensive Plan and apply the most appropriate zoning designation to this site. Jim Kyle expressed support for the proposal to be docketed. He stated that the Port has not been able to find a proper use for this land given the topography. He pointed out the agreement that has been entered into with the applicant could include a land swap that would allow for property near the marine trade center to be obtained. He noted that this proposal would allow for the provision of jobs. Brooks Anderson stated that the Fairhaven Neighbors Neighborhood Association does not support the docketing of the proposal. She referenced her written comment and stated that she does not feel anything has changed in the community that would warrant the loss of industrial land – which will provide jobs. She noted that this proposal will not preserve, protect or enhance the neighborhood. Rhonda Steel expressed her support for docketing the proposal. She stated that the additional parking would be beneficial for the surrounding Fairhaven businesses. REZ2020-0003 – Parks Department Bill Geyer complimented the completeness of the application and agreed that it should be docketed. REZ2020-0005 – School District Bill Geyer expressed concern that the application was incomplete and does not believe there is enough information provided to decide if it should be docketed or not. He suggested that the following three questions be asked of the District: 1) will they conduct public hearings during their own public process prior to Board adoption of the plan; 2) will the plan be adopted by the Board prior to submittal to the City for formal review; 3) can all of these things occur within the required timeframe. REZ2020-0006 – Planning and Community Development REZ2020-0007 – Public Works Department Jacquelyn Styrna, BIAWC shared some of the concerns their constituents have. She provided comment on the application submitted by the Public Works Department and noted that the BIAWC believes that the Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan should be processed through the full BMC 21 - Administration of Development Regulations, Procedures and Administrative Review and seek compliance with the Growth Management Act. She stated that the BIAWC does not feel that the document followed the proper public process. Bill Geyer expressed concern that the application was incomplete, and missed the submittal deadline of October 1, 2020, and does not believe there is enough information provided to decide if it should be docketed or not. He pointed out that, in his opinion, the Stormwater Comprehensive Plan did not follow the proper legislative process. Public Comment Closed The staff responded to comments made by the public. There was a discussion about the timing and completeness of applications that were submitted. There was also a brief discussion on the public process that the Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan went through. MOTION: Rose Lathrop/Mackenzie Graham moved to recommend that City Council include REZ2020-0002 to the 2020-2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-0. MOTION: Steve Crooks/Phyllis McKee moved to recommend that City Council include REZ2020-0003 to the 2020-2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-0. MOTION: Rose Lathrop/Phyllis McKee moved to recommend that City Council include REZ2020-0005 to the 2020-2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 5-1 (CROOKS OPPOSED). MOTION: Scott Jones/Rose Lathrop moved to recommend that City Council include REZ2020-0006 to the 2020-2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-0. MOTION: Makenzie Graham/Phyllis McKee moved to recommend that City Council include REZ2020-0007 to the 2020-2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 5-1 (CROOKS OPPOSED). Staff pointed out that the Planning Commission findings do include a recommendation to Council that a proposal be allowed to move into the next Comprehensive Plan Docket cycle if not completed with the other 2020-2021 docketed proposals, given the reduced time frame due to COVID. Old/New Business Upcoming Meetings: December 3, 2020 – Work Sessions on the Residential-Multi project and the Family definition. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: Heather Aven Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.