HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 04/04/1995 MARGIE PORTER
PLANNING
CITY OF
CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
97=10, April 4, 1995 4 : 00 PM
Committee Members Present City Attorney' s Office
Leona Orr, Chair Laurie Evezich
Jon Johnson
Tim Clark Other City Staff
Planning Staff Gary Gill
Ed White
James P. Harris
Fred Satterstrom Guests
Margaret Porter
Chris Holden List Available on Request
Matthews Jackson
Linda Phillips
Kevin O'Neill
Leona Orr, Chair of the City Council Planning Committee, called the
meeting to order at 4 : 05 p.m. , and introduced Planning Committee
members Jon Johnson and Tim Clark. Chair Orr said another item has
been added to today' s agenda.
Jim Harris, Planning Director, displayed a map of the City and
surrounding potential annexation areas (PAA) , indicating shaded
areas which are to be removed from Kent' s PAA. Mr. Harris
explained the PAA and the Meridian annexation area should be
coterminous . He indicated another area in the Meridian annexation
area southeast of SR 18 which was previously designated as Rural by
King County, and therefore not eligible for annexation to the City
of Kent and this should be removed from the PAA boundary. He
indicated the general boundary of the area as the north side of
South 282nd at the east side of the Green River; easterly to 132nd
Avenue SE; southerly to South 288th Street and easterly to Highway
18, then northeasterly along Highway 18 to 152nd Avenue S .E. Mr.
Harris said Auburn has agreed to the PAA boundary revision.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to accept Planning Staff' s
recommendation to delete the areas noted on the map from Kent' s
Potential Planning Area. Committee member Clark SECONDED the
motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously.
DRAFT RENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN #CPA-94-1 (L. ORR)
Chair Orr introduced a packet of information and said each item
will be discussed, with staff responding to each new item contained
in the report . She said another meeting will be scheduled should
the Committee fail to deliberate on each item today. However, she
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
said, if deliberations are concluded, the Planning Committee plans
to make their recommendation to the full City Council, who may make
further recommendations since a vote of four of seven is required
to approve the recommendation. Chair Orr said the decisions made
by the Planning Committee may not please everyone, but issues may
be reviewed on a yearly basis in the form of plan amendments .
Committee member Johnson said as a prior Planning Commissioner, and
now, a City Council member, with experience in two Comprehensive
Plans, he wished to commend the public for an excellent job in
testifying and submitting exhibits to clarify their individual
positions . He said this effort made the Planning Committee' s job
easier.
Committee member Johnson MOVED that all lands located in
unincorporated King County of the Comprehensive Plan, except in the
Meridian Annexation Area, retain their current county Comprehensive
Plan designation. Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Committee member Johnson said he offered the motion
because King County recently held hearings on their Comprehensive
Plan designations and zoning. He said the areas not within the
City' s jurisdiction should follow current King County designations
and zoning. He said since the Meridian annexation is underway, it
would be redundant to make changes now, and then go through the
process again at the time of the annexation. Committee member
Clark said he was concerned about finding stability between prior
King County zoning and new Comp Plan designations.
Chair Orr added that complete and accurate County maps of the
Potential Annexation Areas are not available, so adoption of
inaccurate Comp Plan designations could be inconsistent with County
designations . She said if, or when any areas of the county are
annexed into the City, each of these areas would be individually
reviewed, using the City' s policies and objectives, possibly
changing some of King County' s designations . She said she felt
Committee member Johnson' s motion is appropriate and is in the best
interest of the City and County to adopt their plan. She said
staff will try to acquire King County' s final map of Comprehensive
Plan designations before the April 18, 1995 City Council meeting.
Council member Clark requested the specific areas in question be
identified on the map. Chair Orr said Map Site A (78th Avenue
Properties) and Map Site J (240th Street and 116th Avenue) would be
affected by this motion, but applies as well to any other area in
unincorporated King County, not included in the Meridian annexation
area.
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager, asked Committee member Johnson
to clarify for the record, if his motion would include the
technical corrections entered into the record for the Meridian
annexation area which were originally presented by staff on
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
said, if deliberations are concluded, the Planning Committee plans
to make their recommendation to the full City Council, who may make
further recommendations since a vote of four of seven is required
to approve the recommendation. Chair Orr said the decisions made
by the Planning Committee may not please everyone, but issues may
be reviewed on a yearly basis in the form of plan amendments .
Committee member Johnson said as a prior Planning Commissioner, and
now, a City Council member, with experience in two Comprehensive
Plans, he wished to commend the public for an excellent job in
testifying and submitting exhibits to clarify their individual
positions . He said this effort made the Planning Committee' s job
easier.
Committee member Johnson MOVED that all lands located in
unincorporated King County of the Comprehensive Plan, except in the
Meridian Annexation Area, retain their current county Comprehensive
Plan designation. Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Committee member Johnson said he offered the motion
because King County recently held hearings on their Comprehensive
Plan designations and zoning. He said the areas not within the
City' s jurisdiction should follow current King County designations
and zoning. He said since the Meridian annexation is underway, it
would be redundant to make changes now, and then go through the
process again at the time of the annexation. Committee member
Clark said he was concerned about finding stability between prior
King County zoning and new Comp Plan designations .
Chair Orr added that complete and accurate County maps of the
Potential Annexation Areas are not available, so adoption of
inaccurate Comp Plan designations could be inconsistent with County
designations . She said if, or when any areas of the county are
annexed into the City, each of these areas would be individually
reviewed, using the City' s policies and objectives, possibly
changing some of King County' s designations . She said she felt
Committee member Johnson' s motion is appropriate and is in the best
interest of the City and County to adopt their plan. She said
staff will try to acquire King County' s final map of Comprehensive
Plan designations before the April 18, 1995 City Council meeting.
Council member Clark requested the specific areas in question be
identified on the map. Chair Orr said Map Site A (78th Avenue
Properties) and May Site J (240th Street and 116th Avenue) would be
affected by this motion, but applies as well to any other area in
unincorporated King County, not included in the Meridian annexation
area.
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager, asked Committee member Johnson
to clarify for the record, if his motion would include the
technical corrections entered into the record for the Meridian
annexation area which were originally presented by staff on
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
Committee member Johnson MOVED to designate the area known as the
Kent Highlands as SF-3 . Committee member Clark SECONDED the
motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously.
May Site D - Russell Road Adjacent to the City' s Green River
Natural Resources Enhancement Area Project
Committee member Johnson MOVED that Map Site D be designated
Industrial . Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion. The
motion CARRIED unanimously.
May Site E - Barnes Property at 2907 South 244th Street, Request
for Commercial Designation.
Committee member Johnson MOVED Map Site E be designated as
Commercial . Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Committee member Johnson said the area was better
suited for a Commercial, rather than a Mixed Use Limited
Multifamily or a Mobil Home Park designation. Chair Orr explained
the history concerning prior zoning determinations, and reasons
supporting the Barnes' request for a Commercial designation.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
May Site F - 29 Acres between South 208th and 212th, East of 92
Avenue South.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to designate Map Site F as SF-1 .
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Committee member Clark said he was offended by the
contact made by outside developers inferring that due consideration
was not given to allowing a higher density for this area. Chair
Orr said several letters were received which will become part of
the public record. She said she supports Committee member
Johnson' s motion, citing several environmental constraints in
support of the SF-1 designation, and the fact that this area was
zoned during the annexation process approximately one year ago.
Committee member Johnson added that steep slopes, poor drainage and
access to the area for emergency purposes support the SF-1
recommendation.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Map Site G - Mixed Use Designation on West Hill
Committee member Johnson MOVED to change the designation to
Commercial for Map Site G. Committee member Clark SECONDED the
motion.
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4 , 1995
Discussion: Committee member Johnson said Commercial was a more
appropriate designation for this area, and Committee member Clark
stated the residents of this area were very interested and vocal
against a Mixed Use designation. Chair Orr added that the Mixed
Use designation was based on the light rail vote passing, and since
it did not, Commercial was a more appropriate designation.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Map Site H - Corner of SE 240th Street and 116th Avenue SE -
Request for Commercial Designation
Committee member Johnson MOVED to retain an SF-6 designation for
Map Site H. Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Committee member Johnson said since recent single
family development on the north side of SE 240th, he supports the
need for additional single family housing on East Hill . He also
stated a number of vacant commercial sites within a five minute
drive from the area, and if the requested area were to become
commercial, additional widening would be required on 116th Avenue,
adding to the traffic congestion in the area. Committee member
Clark said traffic has been a major concern of the citizens of
Kent, and a commercial development already exists just one block
west of the SE 240th Street and 116th Avenue intersection, with
several vacancies. Chair Orr concurred with the commends and said
commercial development at this site did not make sense.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Map Site I - Property along SE 256th Street - Request for
Commercial
Committee member Johnson MOVED to keep the current King County
designation for Map Site I, since this area is located within the
Meridian Annexation Area. Committee member Clark SECONDED the
motion.
Discussion: Chair Orr said changes could be made to this area
through the annexation zoning process .
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
NEW ISSUES SINCE MARCH 7, 1995 MEETING
May Site J - Property located in the northeast corner of the
intersection of SE 240th/116th Ave SE
Chair Orr said this area is in the County and will retain the
existing King County Comprehensive Plan designation.
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
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May Site K - Orillia School Site at South 182nd and 72nd Avenue
South
Linda Phillips, Planner, stated the request for allowing broader
retail uses, specifically drive-up windows in the M1-C zoning
areas . Ms . Phillips gave information on the basis for the "C"
suffix, stating the 1986 Valley Industrial Study was not included
in the Comprehensive Plan Industrial Goals and Policies . Staff' s
recommendation would be to include the following policy in the
Comprehensive Plan:
Policy LU-16 .4 - To expand retail opportunities to provide
necessary personal and business services for the general
industrial area, implement the recommendations of the West
Valley Industrial Study regarding potential areas for expanded
retail opportunities for properties within the Mi Industrial
Park district.
Chair Orr asked Mr. Durkan if this policy would address his
question.
Martin Durkan, Jr. , of 330 SW 43rd, Renton said he represents the
Boeing Masabe Trust, a Boeing Family Investment Group, which
purchased nine tax lots located at the old Green River Corporate
Park. He said he requests the same consideration, and stated that
drive-up windows relieve traffic congestion.
Mr. Harris said the intent of staff is to give the broadest scope
of alternatives to the policy, rather than stating each retail
opportunity specifically.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to retain the existing Industrial
designation for Map Site K, and add the Land Use policy 16 . 4 as
recommended by staff . Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Man Site L - North side of James Street, from 1st to 5th Avenue
Matthews Jackson, Planner said the property owners have requested
by petition, a City Center or Commercial designation, stating
these properties are difficult to rent for residential uses because
of noise generated from James Street . Also stated was the
potential of loss in value when the Regional Justice Center (RJC)
is completed in 1997 . Mr. Jackson said after review of the history
of this area, and downtown studies, staff' s recommendation remains
SF-8 . He said further review of the impact upon completion of the
RJC could be made to see if a change is warranted.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to retain Map Site L as SF-8 .
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
Discussion: Committee member Johnson concurred with Mr. Jackson' s
comments, saying a change in zoning now would be premature since
the RJC is not built, and perhaps property values could increase.
He said this area should remain as a residential neighborhood.
Committee member Clark concurred and Chair Orr added that it is not
the right time to expand the downtown commercial core area.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Map Site M - Residential Land located near SR 167
Mr. Satterstrom said this situation is similar to the noise
complaint of previous map site. The area is 15 acres along the
Valley Freeway at 222nd Street and the exhibits claim that the
property in unmarketable as residential property due to the traffic
noise. Mr. Satterstrom said the owners are requesting either a
Commercial or Commercial Manufacturing designation, to remain
consistent with properties to the south. Mr. Satterstrom said as
this issue was received by staff on the last day open for
testimony, and that other residents of the neighborhood would be
impacted by a change from Single Family to Commercial . He
suggested this issue be handled through a plan amendment process,
which could be done upon completion of the overall Comprehensive
Plan.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to retain Map Site M as SF-6 .
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Darcy Davis, of 22204 88th Avenue South, said she
cannot sell her home due the freeway noise, and the Department of
Transportation has concurred that the home is uninhabitable . She
asked the Committee why a farm for sale located nearby can
advertise as commercial property and she cannot .
Chair Orr clarified staff' s position to Ms. Davis, stating briefly
the major impact of this late request, and that the matter can be
addressed after full consideration and due public process once the
Comprehensive Plan is adopted. Chair Orr asked Ms. Davis to contact
staff for the proper procedure in pursuing her request .
Joan Longstrom, of 22202 88th Avenue South, said the reason this
issue arrived late was due to the recent arrival of a real estate
appraisal which stated the home was virtually unsalable as a
residence due to noise. She explained that due to the addition of
two more lanes and a turn lane, they cannot enjoy television or
sitting outside. She said the State has declined any
responsibility, and the only way to sell the home is to acquire a
change to commercial zoning.
Chair Orr explained that it is not appropriate now to make the
change without fully evaluating the issue and due public process .
Mr. Satterstrom explained that State guidelines on processing
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
comprehensive plan amendments require they are handled cumulatively
on a yearly basis, and in answering Commissioner Johnson' s
question, stated a rezone process through the Hearing Examiner
would probably be denied as the requested Commercial or Commercial
Manufacturing designation is not consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Ms. Longstrom said neighboring property (Tonelli) is already zoned
commercial, and the remaining five houses are all requesting the
same consideration, therefore there is no one left to complain
about the commercial designation.
When Committee member Johnson asked staff if the Tonelli property
was changed to commercial by a rezone, Mr. Satterstrom answered
that it had be rezoned a long time ago, and that the area in
question is the dividing line between the low-lying Tonelli CM
property and the topographical area of single family housing.
Committee member Johnson said although he sympathizes with the
situation, he is retaining his original motion for an SF-6
designation for Map Site M. Committee member agreed, and said
further changes to this area needs to be discussed.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
May Site N - East side 100th Avenue SE, north of 240th
Kevin O'Neill indicated the subject area on the map and gave the
zoning and development history, which included a down zoning from
MRM (Medium Density Multifamily) to R1-5 . 0 in 1990 . He said as
there are no single family houses in this area, staff' s
recommendation is to designate the area LDMF (Low Density
Multifamily) , to remain consistent with existing multifamily uses .
Bill Dinsdale, of 13700 SE 266th said the intent of his request was
to ask that his units become conforming with a zoning of MRM
designation so if the structures were destroyed, they could be
rebuilt as they are today. He suggested a possible suffix could be
added to prohibit construction of additional units.
In response to Chair Orr' s question regarding rebuilding the
apartments as they are today, Laurie Evezich, Assistant City
Attorney said that their insurance carrier determines over fifty
percent of the building was destroyed, they could not rebuild the
units at the MRM density.
Mr. O'Neill suggested to assist Mr. Dinsdale' s issue, that during
the zoning code implementation, simply eliminate a date which
residential development would not be non-conforming by its density.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to change Map Site N to Low Density
Multifamily. Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion. The
motion CARRIED unanimously.
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
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Map Site 0 - Property located at the SW corner of 240th Street
and 120th Avenue
Ms . Phillips said this area is located in King County, but located
in Kent' s annexation area. She said the request was made for MRD,
and that staff' s recommendation of SF1-8 be retained, consistent
with current King County zoning.
Committee member Johnson MOVED that Map Site O be designated SF1-8 .
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Mr. Morford clarified his request for Multifamily
Duplex stating the surrounding properties and noise factors which
support his request for a transitional buffer of duplexes.
Committee member Johnson said he felt a buffer was not particularly
needed between multifamily and residential, and stated possible
improvements to 240th. He said he felt SF1-8 was appropriate and
Committee member Clark agreed. Chair Orr stated a resolution was
recently adopted which ensured the residents of the Meridian area
that the City was not annexing their area in attempt to rezone
their property for future multifamily uses .
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Man Site P - West side of 116th Avenue SE, north of S 259th
Street
Mr. Jackson indicated the two lots on the map, stating the owners
request from SF-8 to Medium Density Multifamily (MDMF) , or 23 units
per acre . He said the reason for the request was to create a
buffer between existing multifamily property. Mr. Jackson said
staff' s recommendation is to retain the SF-8 designation.
Tom Sharp, of 11126 SE 256th Street, said he only requested the
Committee consider MDMF for a small section approximately a quarter
of an acre, not the entire two lots .
Mr. Satterstrom read from the letter dated March 21, 1995 from Mr.
Sharp which describes the two parcel numbers, and total square
footage . He said staff made their recommendation from this
exhibit .
Committee member Johnson asked if it was proper at this time during
comprehensive plan deliberations to make changes to site specific
parcels particularly when designations are made which split
property.
Mr. Sharp indicated the area again on the map, stating a surveyed
fence line exists at the end of Sequoia Village, and extension of
that line north would section off the quarter of an acre area he
wishes to have redesignated.
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
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Mr. Harris said this was not the time to deal with site specific
issues, and the issue at hand is the Comprehensive Plan. Chair Orr
agreed, and said perhaps a rezone or plan amendment would be a more
appropriate procedure to resolve this issue. Committee member
Johnson concurred.
Committee member Johnson MOVED that Map Site P retain SF-8 .
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion. The motion CARRIED
unanimously.
Chair Orr said Committee member Johnson and Kevin O'Neill worked to
formulate appropriate language to create an additional goal
pertaining to property rights. The goal states :
The City shall protect the rights of private property owners
from arbitrary and discriminatory actions, while continuing to
make land use and zoning decisions which regulate the use of
land to promote the public health, safety and general welfare
of the citizens of Kent.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to add goal number four as stated in
the staff report, to the Property Rights section of the Framework
Goals and Policies, of the Draft Kent Comprehensive Plan.
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Committee member Johnson said the purpose of the
language was to address land use decisions made for the purpose of
public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Kent .
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Chair Orr said she received a petition from an East Hill
neighborhood requesting to retain an SF-3 (12 , 000 square foot lot)
designation. She asked Mr. Satterstrom to indicate the area on a
map. Mr. Satterstrom described the boundaries of the subject area
as just off the Benson highway. He said the lots are located north
of South 244th Street, extending south of 248th Street along 116th
Avenue to 256th Street, west adjacent to the apartment complex,
north to 248th Street and west to abut the commercial lots facing
Benson Highway (104th) .
Chair Orr stated that development is occurring at the intersection
west of 116th Avenue and south of 248th Street, and asked for a
motion to retain this area as SF-3 .
Committee member Clark MOVED that this area retain an SF-3
designation. Committee member Johnson SECONDED the motion. The
motion CARRIED unanimously.
Chair Orr asked the Committee members if they recommended any
changes be made to Addendum A, which reflects the Planning
Commission' s recommendations .
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
Committee member Johnson MOVED that Map Site C (Request for Low
Density Multifamily) be changed to SF-6 . Committee member Clark
SECONDED the motion.
Discussion: Mr. O'Neill indicated the area on the map, stating its
location as 248th and 108th Avenue SE. Committee member Johnson
said it seemed appropriate that this area remain single family.
Chair Orr said she agreed with the recommendation as this area has
enough multifamily as reflected by the high turnover rate at the
nearby school .
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Committee member Johnson requested a zoning clarification by King
County for the Ranniger property, Area E. Mr. Satterstrom said it
was zoned Multifamily, but was not sure of the exact density.
Committee member Johnson also inquired if the Planning Commission
changed any King County designations while completing annexation
zoning for the East Hill/Ramstead annexation area. Mr. Satterstrom
said there was just one modification, the Totem Pole Grocery on
Kent Kangley Road, which was designated Neighborhood Services
(Commercial) from a residential designation.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to accept the Planning Commission' s
recommendation for the East Hill/Ramstead annexation area.
Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion. The motion CARRIED
unanimously.
Committee member Johnson questioned staff' s SF-6 recommendation for
the Zube property, (Map Site J from Addendum A) was indeed built as
Multifamily. Mr. Satterstrom said it was .
Chair Orr asked Ed White to discuss proposed revisions by the
Chamber of Commerce, the Bicycle Advisory Board and the Transit
Advisory Board relating to the Non-Motorized Goals and Policies.
Mr. White explained that a group met to revise the Transportation
Element Goals and Policies. Chair Orr said discussions on this
issue will be continued to the City Council meeting on April 18,
1995 .
Chair Orr said she had two more items she wished to raise . She
said under the Parks and Recreation element, she wished to add a
new policy, number 17 . 3 , which would add more flowers to Kent' s
parks . Chair Orr' s preliminary language for the new policy is:
"Where possible in landscaping parks, encourage the use of low
maintenance flowering plants, working towards a landscape that
is colorful year around. "
Committee member Clark MOVED policy be added to the Parks and
Recreation element, and said this was also a part of the Community
Goals . Committee member Johnson SECONDED the motion. Chair Orr
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CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
said she would not be offended if this element was not the correct
area of the plan to include this policy, but wanted it part of the
record. The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Chair Orr asked the Committee to consider removal of land use
policy number 10 .1, on page number 4-19, regarding the allowance of
PUD' s (Planned Unit Developments) in all residential districts.
She said she cannot support PUD' s in single family areas until such
time it is necessary to achieve Kent' s housing goals. Committee
member Johnson concurred and MOVED this policy not include single
family areas. Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion.
Mr. Satterstrom explained staff' s intent was to allow density
bonuses and design flexibility to developers in single family
zones. Chair Orr said she supports clustering for single family,
detached structures of 6 units per acre, but feared the bonuses
could be much higher, impacting traffic, schools and other
neighborhood services.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Committee member Johnson MOVED to accept the Planning Commission' s
recommendation as amended today, with the exception of the Non-
Motorized Transportation Policy, which will be addressed at the
April 18, 1995 City Council meeting when the plan is forwarded to
the full council . Committee member Clark SECONDED the motion and
added that recommendation is to approve the plan.
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Chair Orr thanked everyone for their participation, and
particularly the staff for their reports and support in reaching
today' s decision.
Mr. Harris thanked the Planning Committee for their comments, and
in behalf of the staff, thanked them for their good work and the
sensitive way they handled the public .
Chair Orr adjourned the meeting at 6 : 12 p.m. , and thanked the
Planning Committee members .
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