Agenda - Council - 11/28/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Development Director Gladhill noted that he could verify the minutes from the meeting but advised that the Planning Commission is a recommending body, and the ultimate decision is made by the City Council. Mayor Strommen stated that she read the minutes from the Planning Commission meeting and watched the video. She acknowledged that it was confusing which reflects the challenge the Commission had with the issue. She stated that she has struggled with the discussion regarding location, but the application tonight is for this site and therefore the Council needs to act on this proposal. Community Development Director Gladhill noted that there were five votes in favor and two against on this topic at the Planning Commission. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he has been trying to come to a position on this issue, attempting to use his philosophy to be open to the idea that there might be an opinion that may sway his decision. He stated that he attempts to gather as much information as possible but acknowledged that this is a complex issue. He stated that he considers the opinions of his colleagues on the Council but also those on other Boards and Commissions within the City and their opinions. He stated that he also considers the input received from the public with an eye to be objective rather than subjective. He stated that he has been struggling with how to make a choice. He stated that there is a philosophy on the Council that the market will dictate the type of development that occurs, and the City needs to be open to what the market will bring. He stated that this is a viable use for that property that passes the test of all the other Commissions but also leaves open some questions as to what will happen. He stated that if the City were to say they do not want one thing and wait for something else, that day may never come and therefore the City needs to be organic. He stated that he wants to move forward with the project, as it meets the need of the Connexus user, fits the needs of the community and because he cannot come up with enough objective information to prove that this is not a good idea and therefore he will support this project. Councilmember Shryock asked for clarification on the rezoning and whether that would occur for the entire County lot or just the solar farm portion. City Planner Anderson replied that the proposal would impact the 19-acre parcel and not the second parcel that is owned by the County. Councilmember Shryock stated that this site is central to whatever may be developed in the far future. She stated that the parcel could be used for this for now and the spot would then be saved for possible park space in the future. She believed that development could still occur around this site and this is another opportunity that is appropriate for this space at this time. She did not see any objective reasoning to not approve this at this time. Mayor Strommen stated that as she has reviewed this request, there is a mismatch between the zoning and the Comprehensive Plan. She stated that the rezoning would match the zoning of the parcel to that identified in the Comprehensive Plan. She stated that the parcel was purchase for the bridge crossing that did not happen and the intent for the property was never residential. She stated that the zoning change would put this use back in line with the original intent of the parcel.