WEST RICHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

October 13, 2005, 7:00 pm

Meeting Minutes

1.  Call to Order – Chairman Scott Seiler called the meeting to order at 7:04.

2.  Roll Call

MEMBER / PRESENT / ABSENT / VACANT
SEILER, Scott (Chairman) / X
RAMSDELL, Van (Vice Chairman) / X
LAVEY, George / X
VACANT / X
BOSTRUM, Randy
(Econ. Dev. Board Member) / X
DIEDIKER, Nona / X
MEEHAN, Shea / X

Randy Bostrum moved to excuse George Lavey, seconded by Shea Meehan, unanimously approved.

Also present were Councilmember Ken Dobbin and staff members Police Chief Mark Panther, Senior Planner Mary Jakob, Associate Planner Ian Horlacher and staff recorder Penny Mayfield.

3.  Approval of the Agenda – Associate Planner Ian Horlacher proposed a change to the agenda deleting item 8 B. A motion to approve the agenda was made by Scott Seiler.

4.  Approval of the Minutes – Nona Diediker motioned for approval of the July 14, 2005 minutes with the corrections noted by Scott Seiler and Ken Dobbin seconded by Randy Bostrum and was unanimously approved. Shea Meehan motioned for approval of the August 11, 2005 minutes, seconded by Nona Diediker and was unanimously approved. Randy Bostrum motioned for approval of the September 8, 2005 minutes with corrections noted, seconded by Nona Diediker and was unanimously approved.

5.  Announcements, Reports, and Comments – Police Chief Mark Panther is looking for ways to tell people about public meetings. In the next utility bill insert there will be a notice of the public meetings inviting the public to attend. Also placing ads in the Tri-City Herald and the Republic Herald may help to get the word out better.

6.  Citizen Public Comments – No public comments

7.  Presentations / Public Hearings / Open Record Hearings

A.  Continue Public Hearing – Revision to Title 17 of the West Richland Municipal Code: Exterior Lighting Standards – Presented by Ian Horlacher:

Open Public Hearing - Chairman Scott Seiler opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.

The Planning Commission discussed the proposed revisions to Title 17 making several changes in the wording and deletions to the exterior lighting standards.

The Planning Commission discussed the maximum permissible mounting height of open air parking lot lighting fixtures within 50 feet of a residential zone and concluded they shall be no higher than the average height of the adjacent roofline with the maximum height being 15 feet.

The Planning Commission discussed at length what the permissible height of open air parking lot lighting fixtures would be. The final conclusion is 15 feet with the maximum being 25 feet.

Closed Public Hearing - Chairman Scott Seiler closed the public hearing at 8:27 p.m.

The Planning Commission asked Ian Horlacher to provide a copy of the proposed Exterior Lighting Standards revisions via e-mail before they entertain a motion to recommend to council to approve the revision to Title 17 and repealing ordinance 34.04 which would delete Chapter 15.02 Outdoor light fixtures. A motion to table until the next Planning Commission meeting was made by Van Ramsdell seconded by Nona Diediker and was unanimously approved.

Shea Meehan left the meeting at 8:30.

8.  New Business

A.  Access and Utility easement Vacation for Lots 144, Section 8 – Horlacher Ian Horlacher gave the background information regarding vacating the access and utility easement. Staff recommends the easements be vacated. A motion was made by Van Ramsdell, seconded by Randy Bostrum and was unanimously approved.

B.  This item was removed from the agenda at the request of Ian Horlacher

9.  Unfinished Business – No unfinished business

10. Staff Reports – Ian Horlacher reported that we have a building permit for Yoke’s and also reported that we have gone out to bid for the second traffic light at Paradise and Bombing Range. He said the traffic light should be installed within the next year.

Ian Horlacher announced that October 28th will be his last day with the City of West Richland. Ian said that he has secured a position with Spokane County and will be starting there on October 31st. The Planning Commission wished Ian the best in his new position.

11. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 8:40.

12. Workshop

A.  Revision to Chapter 17.80 of the West Richland Municipal Code: Planned Unit Developments – Tabled to undetermined date

B.  Comprehensive Plan

1.  Park and Open Space/Recreation Element