Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM December 1, 2022 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Rose Lathrop, Mike Estes, Jed Ballew, Barbara Plaskett, Mike McAuley, Russ Whidbee Absent: Scott Jones 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. Eric Moore addressed the Commission on the topic of ADU and short-term rentals and the regulations associated with them. PUBLIC HEARING South Neighborhood Rezone (Area 8A - REZ2022-0007) Kathy Bell provided background information on the process completed to date. She shared information on the site and pointed out the surrounding uses. She reviewed the proposed changes and spoke to some of the issues raised in the public comments received. She clarified why this item was not docketed and shared that staff recommends the Commission forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. Public Comment Ali Taysi, AVT Consulting is representing the applicant. He explained why they are requesting the cluster designation and re-iterated the applicant is not asking for a change in the single-family zoning regulations or a reduction in the density requirement, they are just requesting the opportunity to use the cluster provisions outlined in the City’s infill toolkit. He further explained that the site is very incumbered with wetlands and without the cluster provisions, there would only be 6-8 units developed, instead of allowed density of 20 units, because of the regulations associated with developing near wetlands. He shared some of the future processes that this project would be going through and the different opportunities for public input. Stephen Wilson expressed his support for the infill project and appreciated the additional opportunities for public input. He suggested that adjacent property owners may also be interested in being part of this process. Wes Frysztacki, 510 Highland Dr stated that although he agrees that single-family zoning is the most appropriate use for this property, he would like to see the City take some responsibility for the fact that this site is currently acting like a land-fill, with all of the debris on-site, and take the appropriate steps to change the zoning to land-fill and not single-family residential. Christopher Grannis stated that there is a seasonal tributary to Lake Padden Creek and he wanted to ensure that the applicant was aware of the 2-foot concrete culvert’s location and that development did not occur on top of it. Kathy Bell responded to the public comments received. Public Comment Closed There was a brief conversation about the property at 221 Chuckanut N and the merits of including it into Area 8A. Staff shared some of the opportunities, as well as the challenges, that could be realized if this property was also part of the sub-area. There was also a discussion related to the outright allowed density (22 units) versus what could actually be developed on site given the wetland encumbrances (6-8 units). Staff explained that with the cluster provision the amount of land needed for infrastructure is reduced, and therefore there would be more land available for development. Staff shared that if the zoning for this site is not changed, there would be very little opportunity for built development. There was a conversation about the fill activity on the property. Staff confirmed that a permit had been issued and the status of the permitted will be further evaluated when development is proposed. MOTION: Rose Lathrop/Mike McAuley moved to approve the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations contained in the December 1, 2022 staff report and forward a recommendation of approval to create a new subarea, 8A, in the South Neighborhood as it meets the decision criteria established in the Bellingham Municipal Code. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 4-2 (Plaskett and Whidbee opposed) Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____Heather Aven_____________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.