David Gallion, Sue Sturgill, Richard May, Van Tabb (arrived

CITY OF BLAINE
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Thursday, May 9,2013
7:
00 PM
David Gallion -Chair
A.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:
01 PM.
B.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
David
Gallion, Sue Sturgill, Richard May, Van Tabb (arrived late),
LeBrun, and John Reneau.
Calvin Armerding.
John
ABSENT:
MOTION WAS MADE BYSUE STURGILL TO EXCUSE
CAL VIN ARMERDING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED B Y
RICHARD MA Y AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (60).
STAFF:
Planner II Alex
Wenger.
C.
AUDIENCE CO'_'
YIMENTS: None.
D.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
E.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
F.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chada Thai Restaurant -Alex commented that
Chada Thai, is here to discuss
restaurant
a
request
and the architectural details
to
on
George Probert, owner of
change the colors of the
two
of the walls.
Some Commissioners had
had
chosen, and
questions for George regarding the
George explained the choices that he made.
Chada Probert also
spoke
on
the decision for the colors
they
colors he
chose.
MOTION WAS MADE BY JOHN RENEA U TO DISCUSS THE
CHADA THAI PAINT COLOR DEVIATION REQUEST FROM THE
CITY'S STANDARD. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY SUE
STURGILL AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 6
( 0
- ).
The Commissioners discussed the color
decision
was
made
been chosen for the
by
City.
Blaine Plannine Commission Minutes 2013
OS09-
change requested, and
the
the Commission to support the color chart that had
Page I of 3
MOTION WAS MADE BY JOHN LeBRUN TO DENY THE REpUEST
FOR THE COLOR DEVIATION REQUESTED. THE MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY SUE STURGILL AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (6-
2.
Minimum Densities -Alex
regulations
would most
the concept of minimum densities
of the City that the minimum densities
explained
and commented that the two
areas
likely apply
are
the Planned Residential Zone in
East Blaine and the RPR zone, which is the Semiahmoo
option
a
would be to consider if this could
subdivision of five
one
or more
perspective being
just apply
lots. Staff offered two
that of the
would make land
Uplands. Another
long plats, which is
general perspectives;
is that this regulation
to
which
developer's,
restrictive; the other perspective is
development
which
focuses
on trying to be efficient and build a
City's,
compact utility system that serves as many ratepayers as possible in a
small area. Per the Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County, the City
will process a zoning text amendment application prior to 2016. The
Commissioners discussed the different alternatives and perspectives, and
the Commission directed staff to move forward with a zoning text
amendment based on minimum density regulations applying to long plats
more
that of the
in the PR and RPR
zones.
PUD and
Open Space Discussion -Alex advised the Commission that the
Council requested a recommendation on whether a Planned Unit
of their property
Development Permit in Semiahmoo has to reserve 15%
as useable space, or whether the requirement has already been fulfilled
by
the Semiahmoo Master Plan. The commission discussed the Semiahmoo
Plan, and was in agreement that the original Plan should fulfill that
requirement. Alex will draft a memo to the Council, and will provide it to
the Commission for review before it is presented to Council.
Master
4.
Richard
May suggested
some
changes
to
the
zoning regulations for
Central Business District that would allow residential
Richard's
included
uses
the
in certain
the inactive commercial
areas.
in the
suggestions
taking
downtown area and allowing them to convert to residential, or allowing
of a downtown street frontage to be converted to residential with the
30%
goal of having more consumers in the downtown area. The Commission
discussed the concepts, and requested more information. The Commission
directed staff to follow-up on the concepts while working within the
height restrictions and other existing codes.
areas
G.
UNFINISHED RUSINESS: None.
H.
FURTHER BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None.
Blaine
Planning
OS09Commission Minutes 2013
Page
2 of 3
I.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION WAS MADE BYSUE STURGILL TO APPROVE THE
SECOND VERSION OF THE MINUTES OFAPRIL 25. 2013. THE
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY VAN TABB AND PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY 6
( 0).
J.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:
15 PM.
G "~-.
David Gallion, Ch '
Planning
Commission minutes of
Commission
Blaine
Planning
She '
May 9, 2013, were approved
meeting.
Commission Minutes 2013
OS09-
Page
3 of 3
rty C
at
er
the June 27, 2013, Planning