City Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023 4 P.M. CITY HALL HELD REMOTELY& IN-PERSON AT CITY HALL To participate remotely, you can: • Sign up to provide Public Comment at the meeting via calling in • Submit Written Public Comment Prior to 2 pm on June 14, 2023 • Join the Zoom Meeting Questions or Need Assistance? Please contact Planning Commission Clerk Kathy Cummings at kcummings@libertylakewa.gov 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. GENERAL BUSINESS: • Review of Agenda • Approval of Minutes from May 10, 2023 4. WORKSHOPS: • Public Utility Distribution Facility as a Limited Use – Lisa Key • Fencing Standards for Essential Public Facilities – Lisa Key • Community Events/Temporary Use Permits – Amy Mullerleile 5. REPORTS: • Secretary’s Report • Planning Commissioner Reports 6. Citizens Comments 7. Adjournment Next Meeting: July 12, 2023  PUBLIC COMMENT If you wish to provide oral public comments or testimony during the Planning Commission meeting, please register through this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86976544398?pwd=Qy94bHRqbkswaXhQb3lXZDNmQ2ltZz09 WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS If you wish to provide written public comments for the upcoming council meeting, please email your comments to kcummings@libertylakewa.gov by 2:00 p.m. the day of the Planning Commission meeting and include all of the following information with your comments: 1. The Meeting Date 2. Your First and Last Name 3. If you are a Liberty Lake resident 4. The Agenda Item(s) which you are speaking about JOIN ZOOM MEETING To view the meeting live via Zoom Meeting, join the Zoom web meeting: Meeting Instructions: To join the Zoom web meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86976544398?pwd=Qy94bHRqbkswaXhQb3lXZDNmQ2ltZz09 Dial In Phone Numbers: • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 869 7654 4398 Passcode: 884050  PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH, 2023 HELD VIA ZOOM & IN PERSON AT CITY HALL Planning Commission Members Present: Richard Siler, Joe Mann, Dale Robbins, DG Garcia, Tim Olsen, Jim Baumker, & Paul Brown Adjunct Member(s) Present: Kimball Bighorse (via Zoom) Absent: None. Staff Present: Lisa Key, Amy Mullerleile (via Zoom), Kathy Cummings & Jasmine Roper Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m. Commissioner Robbins entered the meeting at 4:03 p.m. Roll Call: A quorum of members was present. Absences: None Review of Agenda & Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Mann moved that the March 8th, 2023, minutes be approved, seconded by Commissioner Baumker. The motion carried unanimously. Ratification of Findings, Conclusions & Recommendations: Commissioner Siler read the conclusions and recommendations for the RV & Ministorage as a Limited Use within C-2 Zone. A motion was made to ratify by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Commissioner Mann. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Siler read the conclusions and recommendations for the Building Height Definition and the modification as recommended to include the word “highest” to modify the word ”grade”. Commissioner Mann motioned to approve and was seconded by Commissioner Olsen. The motion carried unanimously. Workshops: 2023 Comprehensive Plan & Code Amendment Docket: Director Key briefly identified the privately-initiated 2023 Comprehensive Plan & Development Code Amendments, and discussed the city-initiated docket items to update the City’s development code, as well as identifying some long-term work program items, including the elements of the upcoming Periodic Update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Siler accepted the docket as written. A motion was made by Commissoner Brown to schedule additional meetings in the future, if needed, and Commissioner Brown’s great motion was seconded by Commissioner Mann. The commission was all in favor of making themselves available for additional meetings and workshops to assist with facilitating these objectives. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1|2 May 10th, 2023 River District Open Space Zone – Comp Plan & Zone Change Application Jim Frank with Greenstone Corporation discussed and presented the Open Space Zone proposal within the River District Specific Area Plan (SAP). He shared his ideas of development standards he would like to have in place; specifically, regulations and standards that would support community gatherings and the allowance of shipping container placements. It was recommended that future workshops be held. River District Landscaping & Sign Code Amendments Mike Terrell, Greenstone Corporation’s landscape architect, and Jim Frank both discussed and presented the proposed changes to the River District SAP. Director Key requested that the current sign code be highlighted to show the differences between Greenstone’s sign code proposal and the current Development Code. It was recommended that a future workshop be held. Secretary’s Report: Director Key announced that there are 2 applicants for the Planning Commission’s vacant adjunct position that will be scheduled to interview with the Mayor. Jasmine Roper was introduced as the new temporary Administrative Assistant. Chair Siler volunteered to present the docket to City Council at their upcoming meeting scheduled May 16th, 2023. Planning Commissioner Reports: No reports were given. Citizens Comments: Tom Sahlberg was in attendance via zoom. Adjournment: Commissioner Brown motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Mann at 5:57 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2|2 May 10th, 2023  PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CITY DEVELOPMENT CODE PUBLIC UTILITY LOCAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER AS A LIMITED USE Proposed Amendment to §10-2A-4 Zoning Districts Matrix: 3. Public u�lity local distribu�on facility a. The u�lity company shall secure the necessary property or right of way to assure for the proper construc�on, maintenance, and general safety of proper�es abu�ng the public u�lity local distribu�on facility. b. The use shall be subject to restric�ons and condi�ons as may be imposed by the Hearing Examiner under Ar�cle 10-4H. Proposed Amendment to City Development Code §10-2X-3(C)(x): 10-2X-3 Limited Uses (L) C. Requirements for Specific Zone Limited Uses. x. Public utility local distribution facility a. The utility shall secure the necessary property or right of way to assure for the proper construction, maintenance, and general safety of properties abutting the public utility local distribution facility. b. The utility shall comply with all landscaping and screening requirements, as detailed in City Development Code §10-3C, unless a valid public safety and security reason for not installing said landscaping can be demonstrated by the  utility. c. The utility shall implement all mitigation measures as may be identified through the SEPA review for the project as a condition of permitting. Proposed Amendment to City Development Code §10-2X-4(C)(x): 10-2X-4 Conditional Uses (CU) C. Requirements for Specific Zone Conditional Uses. x. Public utility local distribution facility a. The utility company shall secure the necessary property or right of way to assure for the proper construction, maintenance, and general safety of properties abutting the public utility local distribution facility. b. The use shall be subject to restrictions and conditions as may be imposed by the Hearing Examiner under Article 10-4H. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RIVER DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS PUBLIC UTILITY LOCAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER AS A LIMITED USE Proposed Amendment to River District Zoning Districts Matrix: Proposed Amendment to River District Development Regula�ons §10-2X-3(C)(x): 10-2X-3 Limited Uses (L) D. Requirements for Specific Zone Limited Uses. x. Public utility local distribution facility  a. The utility shall secure the necessary property or right of way to assure for the proper construction, maintenance, and general safety of properties abutting the public utility local distribution facility. b. The utility shall comply with all landscaping and screening requirements, as detailed in City Development Code §10-3C, unless a valid public safety and security reason for not installing said landscaping can be demonstrated by the utility. c. The utility shall implement all mitigation measures as may be identified through the SEPA review for the project as a condition of permitting. Proposed Amendment to River District Development Regula�ons §10-2X-4(C)(x): 10-2X-4 Conditional Uses (CU) D. Requirements for Specific Zone Conditional Uses. x. Public utility local distribution facility a. The utility company shall secure the necessary property or right of way to assure for the proper construction, maintenance, and general safety of properties abutting the public utility local distribution facility. b. The use shall be subject to restrictions and conditions as may be imposed by the Hearing Examiner under Article 10-4H.  PROPOSED CITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT FENCING STANDARDS FOR ESSENTIAL PUUBLIC FACILITIES AND UTILITIES 10‐3C‐5 Fences and Walls The following standards shall apply to all fences and walls: A. General Requirements. All fences and walls shall comply with the standards of this Section. The City may require installation of walls and/or fences as a condition of development approval, in accordance with Article 10‐4H ‐ Conditional Use Permits or Article 10‐4C ‐ Site Design Review. Walls built for required landscape buffers or as enclosures shall comply with Section 10‐3C‐3 subsections G and H. B. Dimensions. 1. The maximum allowable height of residential fences and walls is 6 feet, as measured from the lowest grade at the base of the wall or fence, except that retaining walls and terraced walls may exceed 6 feet when permitted as part of a site development approval, or as necessary to construct streets and sidewalks. A building permit is required for fences and walls exceeding 6 feet in height, in conformance with the Building Code, as well as retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in height. 2. The height of fences and walls within a front yard shall not exceed 4 feet (except decorative arbors, gates, etc.), as measured from the grade closest to the street right‐ of‐way. Sight‐obscuring fences shall not exceed 3 feet in height. 3. Walls and fences to be built for required buffers shall comply with Section 10‐3C‐3 subsection G. 4. Fences and walls shall comply with the vision clearance standards of Section 10‐3B‐2, subsection N. C. Materials. The following fencing materials shall be prohibited within the City: 1. Barb wire or razor wire (prohibited in all Zones) 2. Chain link (prohibited in Residential Zones) These prohibitions shall not apply to essential public facilities and utilities, including but not limited to sewage treatment facilities, wells, water towers, lift stations, electrical substations, distribution and transmission facilities, and other critical public infrastructure. D. Maintenance. For safety and for compliance with the purpose of this article, walls and fences required as a condition of development approval shall be maintained in good condition, or otherwise replaced by the owner.  PROPOSED RIVER DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT REGULATION AMENDMENT FENCING STANDARDS FOR ESSENTIAL PUUBLIC FACILITIES AND UTILITIES 10‐3C‐5 Fences and Walls The following standards shall apply to all fences and walls: A. General Requirements. All fences and walls shall comply with the standards of this Section. The City may require installation of walls and/or fences as a condition of development approval, in accordance with Article 10‐4H ‐ Conditional Use Permits or Article 10‐4C – Site Design Review. Walls built for required landscape buffers or as enclosures shall comply with Section 10‐3C‐3 subsections G and H. B. Dimensions. 1. The maximum allowable height of residential fences and walls is 6 feet, as measured from the lowest grade at the base of the wall or fence, except that retaining walls and terraced walls may exceed 6 feet when permitted as part of a site development approval, or as necessary to construct streets and sidewalks. A building permit is required for fences and walls exceeding 6 feet in height, in conformance with the Building Code, as well as retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in height. 2. The height of fences and walls within a front yard shall not exceed 4 feet (except decorative arbors, gates, etc.), as measured from the grade closest to the street right‐ of‐ way. Sight‐obscuring fences shall not exceed 3 feet in height. 3. Walls and fences to be built for required buffers shall comply with Section 10‐3C‐3 subsection G. 4. Fences and walls shall comply with the vision clearance standards of Section 10‐3B‐2, subsection N. C. Materials. The following fencing materials shall be regulated within the City: 1. Barb wire or razor wire (prohibited in all Zones) 2. Chain link a. Prohibited in RD‐R except when part of fencing for parks, open space or sports facilities in private/public parks, or as provided in paragraph d of this section. Chain link with black or green vinyl coating is approved for tennis courts, ball fields or other sports facilities. b. Prohibited in the RD‐MU zone, except as provided for in paragraph d of this section. c. Except as provided for in paragraph d of this section, chain link fence is restricted in the RD‐C zone to rear yard and side yard fencing only when the zoning of the adjacent land use is RD‐C. Chain link is not allowed for side yards adjacent to public rights of way or driveways. d. Chain link fence material with green or vinyl coating shall be permitted when associated tennis courts, ball fields, or other sports facilities located on  publicly owned or maintained property in any zone within the River District. These prohibitions shall not apply to essential public facilities and utilities, including but not limited to sewage treatment facilities, wells, water towers, lift stations, electrical substations, distribution and transmission facilities, and other critical public infrastructure. D. Maintenance. For safety and for compliance with the purpose of this article, walls and fences required as a condition of development approval shall be maintained in good condition, or otherwise replaced by the owner.