Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/12/2016

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Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he is not sure of the responsibility or role of the Planning Commission in this matter. Community Development Director Gladhill explained that the intent for tonight is to obtain initial reactions based on these findings and then suggests that the Planning Commission digest the information and make recommendations for framework that could come before the Council. He noted that high value thoughts would be helpful as a more in detail discussion would take hours or multiple meetings. Vice -Chair Van Scoy stated that he appreciates this opportunity as the process has become frustrating. He noted that the developments the City has been approving have been drifting from the initial plan and by approving these projects the City is getting further away from being able to accomplish the vision. He stated that he would like direction from Council and the staff that would assist the Planning Commission in this process as currently it does not appear the City is on the path to accomplish the vision the City identified. Mayor Strommen asked for an example. Commissioner Van Scoy noted a recent apartment building that was allowed within COR-1. He provided another example of a development that was recently allowed with higher density because of confusion regarding right-of-way and how the density calculation was determined. He noted that those are examples of policy issues that need to be clarified. He stated that these things are dealt with one by one and the consequences roll down hill and grow as time goes on and therefore he would like strategic direction. He asked if retail would remain a focus or whether COR-1 would become residential and whether mixed use would be as planned, noting that has not been implemented thus far. He stated that if the direction has changed he would like that restated. Mayor Strommen stated that the Council is interested in the input of the Planning Commission and noted that she would like to have an open dialogue. She stated that the examples he provided were good as the group would need to explore the vision. She noted that perhaps there are instances where the vision is flexible and other areas where that vision is not as flexible. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the zoning code for The COR is too text heavy and is confusing for builders and developers to navigate. He believed that the text could be simplified and updated, noting that is one goal of staff. Mayor Strommen stated that the zoning and vision need to be separate, although the two aspects tie together. Commissioner Brauer agreed with the comments made by Commissioner Van Scoy. He stated that throughout the past seven or eight years, he believes that the vision has diminished. He stated that the Commission needs to hear from the Council, because they are the elected officials of the City, in regard to what the vision is for the City. He stated that if the vision is clarified, then the other pieces will fall into place. He noted that the vision has fallen away slowly bit by City Council Work Session / July 12, 2016 Page 2 of 8