Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM November 18, 2021 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Mike Estes (Chair), Ali Taysi (Vice Chair), Barbara Plaskett, Jed Ballew, Rose Lathrop, Scott Jones, Victor Crosetti 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. WORK SESSION Work Session on Infill Toolkit Amendments Staff reviewed the minor modifications included in the proposed ordinance and provided responses to some of the public comment received. Staff also responded to some of the items that Commissioners identified at the November 4, 2021 public hearing. Staff commented on the changes they are proposing to include in the ordinance in response to the discussion at the public hearing, and written comment. Commissioner Discussion: There was a conversation about the language regarding garages and driveways shall be proportionately less than the width of the dwelling unit. Staff explained the rationale for this language. There was some concern expressed about limiting the height to 25’ and suggested that some flexibility be allowed. There was also a discussion about the different components of the Pedestrian Corridor requirements with regard to alley width. A brief discussion was held on “roofs”. It was suggested that some of the language is restrictive, and does not really allow for the non-traditional architecture. Staff clarified that only one housing type is impacted by the restriction. There was concern expressed that if the toolkit housing forms are used they are subject to design review processes that other housing forms would not be subject to. MOTION: Ali Taysi / Rose Lathrop moved to accept all the proposed changes outlined in the November 18, 2021 Staff Memo, as well as the two additional changes staff proposed at the meeting, and incorporate them into the Draft Infill Toolkit ordinance. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-1 (Plaskett Opposed) MOTION: Ali Taysi / Jed Ballew moved to include the language “reduces conflict and redundancy in regulations” at the end of the last paragraph of BMC 20.28.030(C). It was stated that there are different sets of code that overlap, and this language will help to clarify the primary reason the new section was created. Staff indicated they are in support of this additional language. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0 MOTION: Ali Taysi / Mike Estes moved to change the language in BMC 20.28.070(C)(1) to read “Garages are exempt from FAR except as follows:” Staff noted that the smaller lot is the only housing type this is applicable to and that the language “Garages are included in FAR” should be retained. It was confirmed that BMC section would then read: “Garages are included in FAR, but are exempt as follows:”, or something similar as staff may need to clean- up the language a bit more. Staff shared that they were trying to incentivize having the garage in the rear to allow for a better pedestrian experience. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 5-2 (Crosetti and Plaskett Opposed) MOTION: Ali Taysi / Jed Ballew moved to strike the two references to roof pitch in BMC 20.28.120(F)(2) (in both shared court and garden court sections) and in BMC 20.28.130(F)(4) “No roof pitch shall be less than 2-12 (may be shed type) except for green roofs”. Staff confirmed that the design standards would be there to mandate any compatibility issues that could come up for those neighborhoods with an established character. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0 MOTION: Jed Ballew / Ali Taysi moved to strike the language “Gable roof emphasize vertical proportions, create modulation and are strongly encouraged” from both BMC 20.28.070(G)(1)(b) and BMC 20.28.110(G)(1)(b). There was concern expressed about including the language because it could restrict the ability for creative design. It was pointed out that if an issue arises with neighborhood compatibility, it could be addressed through the design review standards. Staff stated that they would prefer that a design element for roofs be retained in the ordinance. AMENDMENT: Ali Taysi / Jed Ballew moved to replace the language in the two referenced sections to read “roof forms that emphasize vertical proportions and create modulation are strongly encouraged”. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0 VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0 MOTION: Rose Lathrop / Ali Taysi moved to accept the findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations as presented in the November 4, 2021 staff report and amended via discussion at the November 18, 2021 work session and forward a recommendation of approval for the Infill Housing Toolkit Ordinance to the City Council. There was general consensus that the barriers that led to modifications being granted have been addressed in this update. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-1 (Plasket Opposed) Old/New Business Greg advised there will be two more meetings this year:  December 2nd where the Commission will have two presentations for the members.  December 16th will be a public hearing on the proposed changes to the docketing process. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.