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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC minutes February 5, 2019City of Central Point Planning Commission Minutes January 8, 2019 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners, Mike Oliver (chair), Amy Moore, John Whiting, Tom Van Voorhees, and Jim Mock and Kay Harrison were present. Also in attendance were: Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director, Stephanie Holtey, Principal Planner, Justin Gindlesperger, Community Planner and Karin Skelton, Planning Secretary. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE III. CORRESPONDENCE IV. MINUTES Jim Mock made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting. Amy Moore seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Amy Moore, yes; John Whiting, yes; Tom Van Voorhees, yes; Jim Mock, yes; Kay Harrison, abstain. Motion passed. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES There were no public appearances. VI. BUSINESS A. Public Hearing to consider a minor zone map amendment from Residential Single Family (R-1-6) to Civic for 1.76 acres located at 1909 Scenic Avenue. Applicant: Fire District 3. Approval Criteria: CPMC 17.10, Zoning Map and Zoning Code Text Amendments. Mike Oliver read the rules for a Public Hearing. The Commissioners had no bias, conflict of interest or ex parte contact to declare. Justin Gindlesperger said the zone change was from Single Family R-1-6 to Civic. He said Fire District 3 requested the change for future development, however there was no development plan under review at this time. He explained the criteria for approval Planning Commission Meeting February S, 2019 Page 2 required that adequate public facilities be available to the site. He reviewed the public street classifications and said there is existing water service to the property. He explained there is storm drain available but the section near the property would need to be tied into another line on Upton road. Also sewer was available. Mr. Gindlesperger explained the need for compliance with the transportation planning Rule. He said the transportation impact analysis indicated there was no change in the functional classification of the street. He explained that although the intersections on Scenic were already at a failing level, the impact study showed no degraded performance. The Commissioners discussed the traffic on Scenic Avenue. They agreed the biggest impact from the proposed Fire Station would be when emergency vehicles are called out. They discussed signage and perhaps flashing lights to alert traffic. Mr. Gindlesperger said at the time of development, traffic and infrastructure issues would be addressed. The Public Hearing was opened John Patterson, Deputy Chief of Fire District 3 said the Fire Department will be extending Rock Way which will help relieve some of the traffic to and from Scenic Middle School. Additionally they have discussed signage and light alerts for traffic. He added improvements will be done at the time of development. He explained the site on Scenic Avenue will allow the call volume to be split between the South Central Point station and this new one which will favorably impact their response time. Brian Hamlin, Scenic Avenue Mr. Hamlin stated he supported the Fire Station and his concerns were associated with the traffic to and from the Middle School. He said he has seen accidents and experienced problems with people parking on his property. He said he had also observed people parking on the Fire District's property. Mr. Humphrey said this was something that would need to be addressed as plans proceeded. John Patterson added the extension of Rock Way would help traffic and they were discussing turn lanes on Scenic with the traffic engineer. The Public Hearing was closed. Amy Moore made a motion to approve the minor zone map amendment from R-1-6 to Civic at 1909 Scenic Avenue. John Whiting seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Tom Van Voorhees, yes; Amy Moore, yes; Jim Mock, yes; John Whiting, yes; Kay Harrison, yes. Motion passed. B. Public Hearing to consider the Urbanization Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Planning Commission Meeting February 5, 2019 Page 3 Mike Oliver said the rules for the public hearing would be a lilttle diferent because the next four items are legislative items. He read the rules for a legislative hearing. The Commissioners had no bias, conflict of interest or ex parte contact to declare. Community Development Director Tom Humphrey gave an overview of the Urbanization Element. He said it was last updated in 1983. It plans for the orderly and efficient movement of people from rural to urban land use, anticipates population and employment growth and its incremental increase in the demand for urban services. It develops growth boundary location criteria and establishes pre -requisites for adjusting the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). It is modeled after Statewide Planning Goal 14 with an emphasis on attaining the City's preferred future. The preferred future is determined by the Fair City Vision Strategic Plan and the Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional Plan. Mr. Humphrey reviewed the Purpose of the Fair City Vision Strategic Plan and the Regional Plan. The Strategic Plan identifies livability objectives of mission, vision and values which are incorporated in the Urbanization Element's goals and policies. The Regional Plan's purpose is to define a preferred future for the City including projected population and job growth over a 50 year period. It establishes minimum residential density requirements and Urban Reserve Areas (URA) to reserve land for future urban development. URAs were created to allow the City to reprioritize the direction in which it grows. He explained that when the URA's were created, preliminary requirements such as soil analyses were done which streamlined the process of amending the UGB. Mr. Humphrey reviewed the process for amending the UGB. He said the City needed to demonstrate a need for land to accommodate a 20 year urban population growth. He explained this includes housing, employment opportunities and livability. He stressed the need for maximum efficiency of land uses within and on the UGB fringe and assessment of environmental, energy, economic and social consequences. He said the City's objective is to maintain a livable community by promoting transportation choices, affordable housing, enhancing economic competitiveness and the small town character. The Commissioners asked for clarification of the UGB Amendment process. Mr. Humphrey explained the criteria for evaluating land to come into the UGB. It needs to be in excess of 10 acres, abut the current City limits, and be within 500 feet of urban services. In addition it should be proximate to mixed use and/or pedestrian friendly areas, and be compatible with nearby agricultural uses outside the proposed UGB. Other requirements were proximity to transportation infrastructure, and readiness for development. Proximity to the City Center would be evaluated using a concentric growth pattern. Planning Commission Meeting February S, 2019 Page 4 The Public Hearing was opened Katy Mallams, Heritage Road Ms. Mallams said the minutes of the January meeting mentioned notices were sent to local builders. She did not feel this was appropriate as residents in the Urban Reserve Area did not receive notice of the public hearing. She said she believed this was a conflict of interest. She added she had not been able to access the entire packet on the City's website and requested the public hearing be held open until the next meeting to allow for other residents to participate. Ms. Mallams said the Urbanization Element referred to sustainability and protection of natural resources and stressed the physical connections between people and nature. She said she would like to see specific criteria to protect mature trees, the water table, the quiet, the dark night sky, and wetland areas for natural habitat, especially birds. She added there should be criteria to reduce the speed of traffic. She suggested any development should work to reduce the speed of traffic in residential areas as much as possible. Larry Martin, Taylor Road Mr. Martin said he approved the Urbanization Element update and using the concentric growth pattern to evaluate properties' location proximate to the City Center. He approves of the population Element, BLI and Housing Element updates. He said he wants to see the UGB Amendment proceed. The Commissioners discussed the request to leave the public hearing open and the objection to the noticing procedure. Mr. Humphrey explained the process was legislative and notice had been published in the newspaper. He said the commissioners could decide whether or not to leave the hearing open if they felt there was information lacking or whether someone did not have the opportunity to comment. They discussed the fact that there was not a site specific noticing area. Mr. Humphrey added that when the UGB is amended, everyone within the URA's would be individually noticed by both the City and the County. Mr. Humphrey said the current hearing was specifically regarding amending the City's Comprehensive Plan. The notice had been published and notices were sent the local builders and developers at the request of the Planning Commission. The Commissioners clarified that the discussion was regarding the Comprehensive Plan and not the actual UGB Amendment. They asked Ms. Mallams for comments. Katy Mallams Ms. Mallams said that some of the items discussed at this hearing would impact the UGB Amendment. She said she has objections to the updates to the Comprehensive Plan and felt other residents might not have the opportunity to voice their opinions prior to the City Council's decision on the items. Planning Commission Meeting February 5, 2019 Page 5 Mr. Humphrey said there would also be another public hearing at the City Council meeting. He requested the Commissioners make a decision whether to continue the public hearing or recommend it to the council. Public Hearing was closed. Kay Harrison made a motion to approve the changes to the Urbanization Element. Amy Moore seconded the motion. The Commissioners discussed noticing of the public hearing and agreed the City's obligations had been met. They verified the Citizen's Advisory Committee had also had a public hearing on these matters and there would be a public hearing at the City Council meeting which would be open for citizen participation. The Commissioners agreed the updates to the Urbanization Element were appropriate. Kay Harrison modified her motion to include using a concentric growth pattern as a locational factor. Amy Moore seconded the modification. ROLL CALL: Tom Van Voorhees, yes; Amy Moore, yes; Jim Mock, yes; John Whiting, yes; Kay Harrison, yes. Motion passed. 7:35 p.m. Mike Oliver announced a short break 7:47 p.m. Planning Commission meeting resumed C. Public Hearing to consider updates to the Population Element to address changes to address changes to the population forecast for 2019 — 2039. Mr. Oliver stated the rules regarding the public hearing stood as previously stated. Principal Planner, Stephanie Holtey gave an overview of the Population Element. She said the State requires the City to use Portland State University Population Research Center's Coordinated Population Forecast as the basis for the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulations. These forecasts are updated every four years. She said the current Population Element is based on the 2015 forecast. A new forecast was published on June 30, 2018. The City is updating the Comprehensive Plan Elements for a pending UGB Amendment. She explained the methodology that was used in the population forecast. She stated the forecast used statistical information regarding births, deaths, and migration along with information regarding building permits and certificates of occupancy issued. The Commissioners asked if the City was required to use the PSU forecast to update the Population Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Holtey explained it was required in order to have consistent population updates. Planning Commission Meeting February 5, 2019 Page 6 She said the forecast growth over the next 20 years increases the demand for housing. She stressed that no policies or goals are being changed, only the numbers are being updated to reflect the most current population forecast from Portland State University. The public Hearing was opened There were no comments The public hearing was closed. Tom Van Voorhees made a motion to approve updates to the Population Element to address changes to address changes to the population forecast for 2019 — 2039. Amy Moore Seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Tom Van Voorhees, yes; Amy Moore, yes; Jim Mock, yes; John Whiting, yes; Kay Harrison, yes. Motion passed. D. Public Hearing to consider the Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI), a component of the Land Use Element. Mr. Oliver stated the rules regarding the public hearing stood as previously stated. Ms. Holtey gave an overview of the Buildable Lands Inventory. She explained it is a database that tracks availability of buildable land within the City's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). It is based on the most current Assessor's Tax Lot information and includes local data regarding Comprehensive Plan designation, zoning designation, development status, housing types, accessary dwelling units, gross acreage and environmental acreage. She reviewed the City's overall land use distribution. She added that Buildable Land is defined by ORS 197.295(1) and means lands in urban and urbanizable areas that are suitable, available and necessary for residential uses. It includes both vacant and developed land which is likely to be redeveloped. She explained there are 83 acres of vacant land in the City's urban area available for development. Infill lands are residential lands greater than one half an acre already developed with a single family dwelling. Determining the City's infill acreage is based on a mathematic calculation that deducts the area for a large home site (i.e. 10,890 SF) from each partially developed residential property. The remaining acreage is considered "infill." She explained that the infill land area for each partially developed residential parcel is then added together and the result is the City's gross infill acreage. Ms. Holtey said the total infill acreage within the City is 194 acres. The City will need to determine what percentage of this acreage is likely to develop over the next 20 years. She explained the infill adjustment would be used to calculate residential land needed at the time of the UGB Amendment. Ms. Holtey said the City studied infill activity from 1996 — 2016 which showed 6% of the housing units or 8% of the land developed over that period of time from infill. The City has proposed a 20% infill adjustment or 39 acres for purposes of the BLI. Planning Commission Meeting February 5, 2019 Page 7 Staff's recommendation, she stated, is consistent with policies in the adopted Housing Element to encourage infill development. She described factors which might impact infill development such as owner's preference, existing configuration of structure(s) on the lots and environmental impacts. By looking at all the factors 100% would not seem likely and would place a significant burden on the City's ability to efficiently and effectively address the City's housing needs. Ms. Holtey described some current development projects either proposed or under review which would include larger acreages, indicating the 20% infill adjustment would seem reasonable over the next 20 years. She added the current Housing Element is based on a 20% infill assumption. The Commissioners discussed the fact that 20% would not seem unreasonable given some of the larger lots available for infill. Ms. Holtey explained that redevelopment lands are partially developed residential land. The improvements are generally old and the land value exceeds the improvement value. She said the total redevelopment land within the City was 18 acres. Gross buildable land supply within the City including vacant, infill and redevelopment lands is 260 acres without applying any adjustments. When you apply the infill adjustment, and deduct out environmentally compromised land, the urban area has 105 acres of residential buildable land available for development over the next 20 years. The Commissioners asked if the City's housing needs would be monitored or adjusted over the 20 year period. Ms. Holtey explained that the Housing Implementation Plan which the Planning Commission and City Council had approved includes a 5 year action plan for reviewing housing needs in the City. She added one important component of the first 5 year review would be looking at infill and ways to encourage it specifically in the downtown area. Public Hearing was opened Katy Mallams, Heritage Road Ms. Mallams said she objected to the 20% infill adjustment. She said the proposed 305 acres the City wants to bring in is not reasonable. She wanted to see 100% of vacant land and at least 50% of infill and redevelopment land to reduce the gross acres needed. She thought that would bring the total land need down to about 178 acres. Ms. Holtey said that 50% of the infill would be 97 acres. She said redevelopment acreage was calculated differently. It was done using U.S. Census methodology for determining the redevelopment. She said that 100% of the vacant land was already incorporated into the methodology Public Hearing was closed Planning Commission Meeting February 5, 2019 Page 8 Kay Harrison made a motion to approve the Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI), a component of the Land Use Element as presented. John Whiting seconded. The Commissioners discussed the infill adjustment and the fact that not everyone would want to develop their property even if it met the criteria. They discussed the larger properties within the City which were likely to develop and projects currently proposed for development and agreed that although ambitious, 20% seemed a reasonable number. ROLL CALL: Tom Van Voorhees, yes; Amy Moore, yes; Jim Mock, yes; John Whiting, yes; Kay Harrison, yes. Motion passed. E. Public Hearing to consider updates to the Housing Element which has been updated based on changes to the Population Element and BLI Stephanie Holtey reviewed the purpose of the Housing Element was to reevaluate the City's land needs in light of the most recent population forecast from PSU. And the update to the BLI. She said staff recommends continuance of the public hearing to the March 5, 2019 Planning commission meeting as the time was after 9:00 p.m. Public Hearing was opened Jim Mock made a motion to continue the public hearing to the March 5, 2019 Planning commission meeting. Kay Harrison Seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Tom Van Voorhees, yes; Amy Moore, yes; Jim Mock, yes; John Whiting, yes; Kay Harrison, yes. Motion passed. DISCUSSION VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS IX. MISCELLANEOUS X. ADJOURNMENT Jim Mock made a motion to adjourn. Kay Harrison seconded the motion. All members said "aye". Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the February 5, 2019 Planning Commission meeting were approved by the Planning Commission at its meeting on the day of March, 2019. Planning Commission Chair