Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM July 8, 2021 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Mike Estes (Chair), Barbara Plaskett, Jed Ballew, Scott Jones and Victor Crosetti Absent: Ali Taysi and Rose Lathrop 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. Carolyn Burkhart addressed the Commission regarding the need for the ADU Ordinance to be updated PUBLIC HEARING Park Rezone Public Hearing - To consider an application from the Parks and Recreation Department for a comprehensive plan amendment to rezone six neighborhood parks from a Residential designation to a Public zoning designation. The rezone proposals include Highlands Heights Park, Maplewood/Mcleod Park, Birchwood Park, Cornwall Tot Lot, Ridgemont Park, and Sunnyland Park. Staff presented an overview of the proposal and brief background on the process to date. Staff also reviewed the criteria that must be considered when making a recommendation and staff’s recommendation on the proposal. Public Hearing Open - no public testimony. Public Hearing Closed. There was a brief conversation about the Parks that were not included in this process and the reasons for that. There was also a discussion about how the land was counted in previous land capacity reports. MOTION: Barbara Plasket / Scott Jones moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation contained in the July 8, 2021 staff report and forwarded a recommendation of approval for REZ2020-0003 to City Council. VOTE: 5-0 (Motion Passes) Public Hearing Stormwater Plan - To consider a request from City staff to amend the Capital Facilities and Utilities Chapter of the 2016 Bellingham Comprehensive Plan to include the City’s new Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan by reference. Staff presented an overview of the application and highlighted the proposed amendments. Staff also reviewed the criteria that must be considered when making a recommendation and staff’s recommendation on the proposal. Public Hearing Open - no public testimony. Public Hearing Closed. MOTION: Jed Ballew / Victor Crosetti moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation contained in the July 8, 2021 staff report and forwarded a recommendation of approval for REZ2020-0007 to City Council. VOTE: 5-0 (Motion Passes) 2021-2022 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket Staff reviewed the criteria that must be considered when making a recommendation and presented an overview of the applications submitted for the annual docket. REZ2021-0002: Staff shared the location of the proposed rezone and explained that it would change the zoning from Residential, Single to Residential, Multi/Mixed. Staff indicated that it meets the docketing criteria and recommends the Commission forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council. Public Hearing Open Brad Swanson represented the applicant for REZ2021-0002. He stated that they agree the proposal meets the docketing requirements and requested that the recommendation as such be made to the City Council. Public Hearing Closed. MOTION: Barbara Plaskett / Jed Ballew moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation contained in the July 8, 2021 staff report and forwarded a recommendation of approval for the docketing of REZ2021-0002 to City Council. VOTE: 5-0 (Motion Passes) REZ2021-0003: Staff shared the location of the proposed rezone and explained that it remove the “Town Center” designation. Staff indicated that it meets the docketing criteria and recommends the Commission forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council. Public Hearing Open Scot Swanson represented the applicants for REZ2001-0003. He agrees that the proposal meets the docketing requirements and shared the rationale for the proposed amendment. Michele Menzies had three questions: 1) are there height restrictions on development in Cordata; 2) how high is the planned multi-family residential development for this lot; 3) can more details on the new town center be provided. Staff stated that no development proposals have been submitted at this stage in the process and explained that the requirements of the Cordata PUD would need to be adhered to. Public Hearing Closed. MOTION: Scott Jones / Victor Crosetti moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation contained in the July 8, 2021 staff report and forwarded a recommendation of approval for the docketing of REZ2021-0003 to City Council. VOTE: 5-0 (Motion Passes) Old/New Business Staff announced that the City Council would be reviewing how the City will be returning to in-person meetings. August 19th – Public Hearing Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.