Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 7:00 PM August 3, 2023 City Council Chambers Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:00 PM. Roll Call Present: Mike Estes (Chair), Jed Ballew, Scott Jones, Barbara Plaskett, Rose Lathrop, Mike McAuley, Russ Whidbee Approval of Minutes Minutes for June 15 and June 22, 2023 were submitted for approval and approved by general consensus. Public Comment Period During this time, citizens may take up to three (3) minutes to address the members about any topic not on the agenda. Citizens wishing to speak during this time will be recognized by the Chair for comment. No public comments received. Agenda Items Work Session 1. Peace Health IMP p. 2 Chuck Prosper, Chief Executive of PeaceHealth, along with additional team members, addressed the Commission on a variety of topics including:  A brief re-introduction to the proposed phased development  Identifying those recommended conditions PeaceHealth is in agreement with staff on;  The changes that PeaceHealth is requesting be made to staff’s condition regarding Squalicum Parkway improvements; There was a suggestion made by the Commission that the applicant consider growing food on site and, if necessary, seek community partnerships to help maintain. The applicant was receptive to considering this and staff stated they would add the recommendation to the list. There were discussions held on:  Recommendations 1-3: Language was added to recommendations 1 and 3 to address PeaceHealth’s concern about some of the street improvement requirements. Staff shared what the required street standard improvements would be and commented that this additional language would allow for conversations with the applicant to consider alternative ways to meet the required conditions. There was a suggestion to have staff consider if there is another trigger, that might occur at a future date, that would allow for a portion of the Squalicum Parkway improvements to be deferred. Staff did not discuss that further before the following motion was made.  MOTION: Jed Ballew / Mike McAuley accept staff’s recommendations 1-3 as proposed. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0  Recommendation 6: The intent and process of repealing PDC90-21 in the adopting ordinance was discussed. The only way PDC90-21 can be modified is by way of a City Council action and since IMP site plan approvals are administrative the adopting ordinance is the mechanism for such a modification. Steve described that the adopting ordinance would have specific conditions attached the repeal such that PDC90-21 would remain in place until the time that a new institutional site plan approval was granted for the West Pavilion and its rooftop heli-pad as well as the existing ground heli-pad. The new application for the West Pavilion, rooftop heli-pad and existing pad would require additional notifications and opportunities for public comment. There was a brief conversation about enforcement of flight paths and the responsible entities. Staff referred the Planning Commission to the staff memo which detailed the complexities of enforcing on the existing PDC90-21. PeaceHealth shared their process when a complaint is received by the community/neighborhood. MOTION: Rose Lathrop / Mike McAuley moved to accept staff’s recommendation 6 as proposed. There was a discussion about the repeal/replacement of the Planned Development Permit (PDC 90-21). VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0  There was general consensus with requirements 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 as written in the staff report. MOTION: Barbara Plaskett / Mike McAuley moved to accept staff’s recommendations 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 as proposed. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0  There was general consensus with requirements 10, 11 and 12 as written in staff report. MOTION: Jed Ballew / Mike McAuley moved to accept staff’s recommendations 10, 11 and 12 as proposed. There was a brief conversation about the noise reduction that could be realized from the rooftop helipad. There was also a discussion about the length of time the helicopter will be running after landing, and applicant clarified the engines would run for 2-3 minutes prior to shutting down and remain quiet while patient is transported to medical team. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0  MOTION: Barbara Plaskett / Rose Lathrop moved to request a sub recommendation 12.5 be created that requests the applicant consider including food production in the landscaping and work in partnership with community organizations.  VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0  MOTION: Rose Lathrop / Barbara Plaskett moved to accept staff’s recommendation 13 as proposed. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0 MOTION: Mike McAuley / Barbara Plaskett moved to approve the findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations contained in the August 3, 2023 draft findings and modified through discussion, and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 7-0 Other Business 1. Director's Report Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.