Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM August 19, 2021 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi (Vice Chair), Jed Ballew (Commissioner), Rose Lathrop (Commissioner), Barbara Plaskett (Commissioner), Scott Jones (Commissioner) Absent: Mike Estes (Chair), Victor Crosetti (Commissioner) Approval of Minutes Minutes for June 10, June 17, June 24 and July 8 were approved by general consensus. 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 recieved. PUBLIC HEARING (8/19/2021) BSD Capital Facilities Plan Reference Staff explained the rationale for incorporating the Bellingham School District's Capital Facilities Plan by reference. An overview of the proposal was provided and staff recommended the Commission forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. Simone Sangster, Bellingham School District, provided a brief history on their plan and shared how they use the plan to accomodate for the City's projected growth. She shared the process in which capacity needs are computed and commented on some of the ways that growth will be accomodated. PUBLIC HEARING OPEN No public testimony provided. Public hearing closed. PLANNING COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS / COMMENTS There was a brief conversation on how portables are used in anticapation of growth. It was explained that they are typically used when there is an immediate need to meet the increase in capacity. A discussion was had on the subject of impact fees, which included what the fees are used for, the reasons for the increased amount, how they can be waived and what might occur if the impact fees could not be collected. There was a conversation about current enrollment and how the pandemic might be affecting the projections for future years. There was also a brief discussion on how the City and the School District work together and collaborate on planning efforts. MOTION: Jed Ballew / Rose Lathrop moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations contained in the July 8, 2021 staff report as written and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. There was concern expressed that the changes to the impact fees will have community-wide affects, with regard to housing and development costs. LISTEN TO AUDIO. Staff mentioned it went down previously and that contributes to what appears to be a large jump in the cost of the impact fees. VOTE: CARRIED 4-1. (Opposed: Jones) Old/New Business Greg reviewed some of the upcoming agenda items and advised the Commission that City Council has asked staff to do some work on the ADU Ordinance which will come before the Planning Commission for a public hearing later in 2021. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.