Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM October 20, 2022 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call 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. PUBLIC HEARING Urban Village Design Review Update Darby Galligan explained that the project was intended to restructure and make the design review process clearer and more streamlined. She provided a brief overview of the process and highlighted some of the changes that have been made to both the design guidelines and design standards documents. She also shared the proposed changes to the process; as well as the training and implementation strategies. PUBLIC COMMENT No public testimony given. COMMISSION DISCUSSION There was a discussion about the training and implementation strategies. Staff shared that there are two or three projects that have been selected to piolet the updated Design Review process. There was a brief conversation about what the incentives could look like for those projects that take the training early and go through the process to help staff address any issues prior to the community-wide launch. Staff spoke to the rationale for including the language regarding regional appropriate materials. They explained that although the step backs will no longer be required in the overall design standards, the specific standards for each urban village would still be applicable, and the over- arching requirements would still need to be met. The group reviewed the draft Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations, as well as the draft Ordinance. MOTION: Mike McAuley / Jed Ballew moved to forward a recommendation of approval to City Council for the proposed updates to the urban village design review and development regulations, as well as the new urban village design review and historic preservation guidelines including the amendments to the urban village design review procedures, as written in the October 20, 2022 staff report There was general consensus that the process has been improved and it has been made clearer for applicants. VOTE: 6-0 (motion passes) Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: _Heather Aven______________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.