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2024-08-27 Joint BOCC Planning Commission special meetingLewis County Planning Commission Meeting Notes Page 1 of 6 Lewis County Planning Commission Public Meeting In-Person & Virtual Meeting via Zoom August 27, 2024 - Meeting Notes Planning Commissioners Present: Jason Alves, District 1; Gretchen Fritsch, District 3; Bob Russell, District 2; Frank Corbin, District 3; Jeff Skutley, District 2; Lorie Spogen, District 1; Roger Moore, At-Large BOCC Members: Commissioner Scott Brummer, Commissioner Linsday Pollock, Ryan Barrett (Lewis County Manager) Staff Present: Mindy Brooks, Director of Community Development; Katie Johnson, Office Assistant Senior. Others: Clay White (Kimley-Horn), Joel Farias Materials Used: • Agenda • Draft Meeting Notes – August 13, 2024 • September 29, 2023, Planning Commission/BOCC Joint Work Session Meeting Notes • Community Engagement Results (electronic) 1. Zoom Guidelines The clerk dispensed with the Zoom Guidelines. 2. Call to Order A. Determination of a Quorum 7 Commissioners were present; there was a quorum. 3. Approval of Agenda The Chair entertained a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Russell made the motion to approve the agenda as presented; second by Commissioner Spogen. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Approval of Meeting Notes Lewis County Planning Commission Meeting Notes Page 2 of 6 The Chair entertained a motion to approve the meeting notes from August 13, 2024. Commissioner Russell made a motion to approve the notes as presented, second by Commissioner Spogen. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Public Comment There were no members of the public who wished to provide public comment. 6. Workshop – Comprehensive Plan Update – Joint Planning Commission/BOCC Work Session A. Staff Presentation: Clay White, Lewis County’s Consultant from Kimley-Horn, gave a presentation (see presentation for details). The goal is to complete this project by June of next year, 2025. Currently, we are in the first two stages of revising to meet state law, clean up and condense; and incorporate input: Community, County Dept., PC, BOCC. We will move into the final stage of final review in November-January. Mindy Brooks reminded the group of the Joint Session that was held last year on September 26, 2023, and the priorities that were discussed regarding energy, water availability, UGAs, short-term rentals/single family-regs, developing I-5, resource lands, objective design standards. B. Group Exercise: Clay White dismissed the group into smaller groups for side discussions based on the Comprehensive Plan elements. Please also see the attachment for additional notes. Land Use, Rural, and Housing Breakout Session: (Groups are Russell and Fritsch, Corbin and Pollock, Alves and Brummer, Skutley and Spogen, Barrett and Moore) Commissioner Brummer would like to see clarification on what it would mean and/or look like to focus on large, scaled development near I5. He would like to see that type of development not be limited to just the I5 corridor. Commissioner Russell agreed that industrial development should be encouraged outside of the I5 corridor along other major arterials. Commissioner Brummer stated the county does already have a senior citizen deferment for reducing the tax burden. He does not like the idea of reducing tax burdens because it suggests a redistribution of wealth. Commissioner Fritsch would like to explore different ways that lessen the impact of non-residents buying up houses for short term rentals and increasing the tax burden on the remaining residents. Commissioner Russell stated there could be an option to reduce taxes by bringing in big businesses that generate new taxes. Commissioner Russell stated the topic of rural character is difficult to define. Commissioner Fritsch suggested that rural character should not be tied to just aesthetic, but also to how it makes the community feel. It’s not just density of development that matters and higher density housing can be part of rural character. Lewis County Planning Commission Meeting Notes Page 3 of 6 Commissioner Russell recommended that smaller jurisdictions bring issues related to critical areas (e.g., floodplains and wetlands) to the county before the state intervenes. Commissioner Brummer expressed that it is more difficult to do that when the Department of Ecology oversee the certain areas. Mindy Brooks said this could be included in the plan under “shared resources,” where two jurisdictions can come together and hire a consultant to use as they both want. Commissioner Pollock stated there could be a rezoning of the property next to the I5 corridor to maintain the high-density zoning. She also would like to see Flood Maps updated to reflect the current areas and recent floods. She also mentioned there should be an update to municipal water and sewer availability in LAMRIDS. Commissioner Pollock stated the county can improve development standards, easing the burden on cluster development in rural developments, and shift from property tax to sales tax where available to achieve priorities. Commissioner Corbin mentioned defining affordable housing is important without just focusing on low-income housing. There should be an encouragement of diverse housing. Commissioner Moore stated he would like to see major infrastructure being developed on other large arterials as well as on the I5 corridor. He does not want to see major infrastructure being developed in smaller towns with limited access in and out. He also mentioned that floodplain maps and critical areas need more attention as currently used maps are out of date. Commissioner Skutley did mention that developments like Cardinal Glass are a prime example of infrastructure being located away from I5; although Commission Pollock noted that Cardinal Glass is very close to I5. Commissioner Spogen agreed with Commissioner Fritsch’s comments about rural character. Commissioner Spogen stated that it is difficult to monitor affordable housing when the market affects it so greatly. Finally, Commissioner Fritsch asked that the County treat short term rentals as transient housing because STRs are not housing. Mindy clarified that currently STRs are regulated as a type of housing although they are a commercial use more similar to a motel or bed and breakfast. Mindy added that the County does limit where hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts are allowed and if STRs were treated similarly then in many areas like High Valley, STRs would require a Special Use Permit. Transportation, Capital Facilities, Utilities Breakout Session: (Groups are Russell and Fritsch, Corbin and Pollock, Alves and Brummer, Skutley, Spogen, and Moore) Commissioner Spogen stated increasing transit to the East side of the county is not always economically feasible for everyone. Commissioner Brummer stated a rebuttal of the transit issue that millions of dollars from many different entities are being poured into the Lewis County Transit. The transit system is being further developed to reach further locations within the city. Mindy Brooks said that in her community meetings with the rural communities including Lewis County Planning Commission Meeting Notes Page 4 of 6 Onalaska, Mineral and Packwood, the citizens are asking for transit service. Commissioner Skutley asked if there is any plan to expand Highway 12. Commissioner Brummer stated that there are plans in development, but it is a struggle to incorporate WSDOT into the conversation All commissioners agreed that water and sewer are very important for improving infrastructure and needs revisions and/or additions. Commissioner Russell asked for clarification on what the point is of “New goal to promote restoration and construction of schools to provide community services.” Mindy Brooks responded stating it is referring to the services schools provide such as parks and recreation, as well as emergency evacuation centers. These are important in rural areas where other facilities may be much further away. Commissioner Alves would like to see more clarification in the codes currently without restricting people too tightly. Resource Lands, Natural Environment combined with Economic Development, Climate, and Resiliency Breakout Session: (Groups are Russell and Fritsch, Corbin and Pollock, Alves and Brummer, Skutley, Spogen, and Moore) Mindy Brooks stated that the county is focused on hazard management regarding Climate Resiliency. Commissioner Brummer agreed the focus should be on all four of these topics and the policy changes, however the “how” is what can be discussed. Commissioner Alves asked if there were options to turn the wetlands into recreational spaces that can still be enjoy by the public. Commissioner Russell would like to work with the County and City of Chehalis to move new develop up on the hill and out of the floodplain. There is a route up the hill and new development is more appropriate out of the lowlands that flood. Clay White responded if they were studied outside of the Comp Plan Update. Commissioner Fritsch mentioned that the county does not have the infrastructure to support the ever-growing tourism. Mindy Brooks stated that the county plans based on the population of full-time residents which negates the second homeowners and tourism. This is a gap in how the Growth Management Act requires jurisdictions to plan and makes it difficult to plan based on tourism impacts. Commissioner Pollock stated that if we are focusing on recreation and tourism opportunities, we need to look at limiting visual pollution with light and man-made structures. Commissioner Pollock and Corbin both stated that solar powered roofing materials should be encouraged. Commissioner Spogen mentioned there are solar farms that would be available to the community to buy into. She also mentioned that the state may allow more options regarding solar whereas the county does not. Mindy Brooks replied stating that there are adjustments that Lewis County Planning Commission Meeting Notes Page 5 of 6 can be made to this aspect of the code. Commissioner Moore mentioned through his volunteering with the county’s Emergency Management, they are preparing to provide community outreach on the topic of Wildland Urban Interface regarding wildfires. He recommends adding a mitigation assessment apart of the permit process like other counties to prevent wildfires in the rural communities that are surrounded by trees. Commissioner Skutley stated that the UGA should have tighter limits in terms of conservation and resource lands. He also mentioned the responsibility of providing broadband shouldn’t necessarily belong to the jurisdiction it is in. He states additional water and sewer are larger priorities. 7. Good of the Order: A. Staff: Mindy shared that there will be a few code amendments to SB5290 coming soon. This will set time frames to the permitting process. Mindy also mentioned that there will be a code change to private roads. 5290 will be enacted on January 1, 2025. *All comments and suggestions made during this meeting have been captured by Joel Farias through Padlet and have been attached to the end of these meeting notes. Lewis County Planning Commission Meeting Notes Page 6 of 6 B. Planning Commissioners Commissioner Russell stated he appreciates the process of the Planning Commission and the diverse views and help form the county. C. Calendar The next meeting of the Planning Commission will occur on September 10, 2024, and the agenda item is a public hearing on the 2045 Population and Housing Allocation Reconciliation. Commissioner Russell will not attend the next meeting. D. Adjourn Commissioner Alves made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. joelfarias1 8/26/2024 Notes 08/27/2024 Land Use/Rural Additional Priorities: Poss ibly 1-2 mile s outside of I-5 limit high density. Consider other major arte rials (Hwy 12 and 6) for othe r large scale deve lopments. Find creative ways and additional funding me chanisms for funding and cons tructing infrastructure in LAMIRDS and other rural areas . Consider more creative solutions for large scale deve lopments outs ide of I-5 corridors. Consider creative de velopme nts and furthe r design standards for commercial and othe r large deve lopments along I-5 and major arte rials. Clarications to be addressed: Clarications on what type of improve ments along I- 5. Why would someone not be able to build a major industrial deve lopment outside of the I-5 corridor. Most current maj or deve lopment is being built outs ide I-5 corridor. If re g ulations we re in place to limit I-5 corridor deve lopment, how would existing industrial deve lopments outs ide I-5 would work? Provide more clarity on vicinity of industrial deve lopment policies. There is more space outside of I-5 for large de ve lopme nts. "What is rural character?" Not an aes thetic, not a drive-by beautiful s cene. Rural character should be claried as a sense of place, a lifesty le, and culture. "WAC 365-196-4 25 is whe re R ural Character is dene d. It can be modied in each rural e le ment to e xpre s s local circums tance s. Maybe we ne e d to see if the denition needs to be modied in the comp plan" Density is not something that could impact rural character if dens e r deve lopments are built with similar sens e of characte r. Cle arly deline ate rural land des ignations using cle ar standards and marke t factors . (Clear urban/rural limits ) Are the se rural policie s s uppose d to incre ase the population in rural lands? Suggested Actions: Resources to aid in critical areas protection is extremely low. The county s hould write policy to create a be tter coordination pathway for cities and counties to protect critical are as. Ultimately, s hare d resources is the goal s o that the county and city can work togethe r to map critical are as and incre ase e xisting critical are a data. Increas e funding me chanisms for critical areas mapping and standards to improve resources that countie s and citie s can offe r to cons tituents. Consider large s cale de velopme nts to fund water and sewer pipe exte nsions through res ide ntial deve lopments. Exte nd municipal water and s e we r in LAMIRDs. Housing Additional Priorities: Atte mpt to reduce taxe s by attracting large industrial de ve lopme nts. Prioritize more hous ing types as w ell as affordable, and low -income housing. Dive rsity of housing options ve ry important. Clarications to be addressed: Affordable housing de nition. How e xactly w ould s hort te rm rentals be identied? This should be part of policy update s . Cle arly ide ntify what STRs are be ing me ntioned here . Is it owner occupie d homes, which are only use d as a STR for one seas on? Or are these full time STRs? O r are the STR s mentione d he re ones that are be ing proposed and haven't been built ye t? Suggested Actions: Decre ase focus on "re dis tribution of wealth". Increas e focus on s hort te rm re ntals as commercial. Improving de velopme nt standards. Shift from prope rty tax to sale tax w here pos sible . Due to difculty of cutting prope rty taxes for the county. An e xample of alternative taxe s on prope rties are graduated taxe s (e xample in Te xas). Explore further funding mechanis ms to s upport programs . See how other jurisdictions manage STRs and identify them. Establish policy to manage short-term rentals an d the denition of short term rentals. Explore how transie nt use s are built in e xis ting residential use s . Consider re - dening STRs to incre ase the difculty of building the m, poss ibly eve n have a positive impact on ne ighborhoods . Transportation Additional Priorities: Eliminate arterials in downtown areas . Highway 12 solutions like widening, and improvements to road conditions . Clarications to be addressed: How e xpensive would providing public transit to eas t and south county? Would public trans it to the se parts decre ase the rural characte r? Suggested Actions: Driver as sis t fe ature s, expand uber/lyft opportunities or advertis e me nt for elderly/disable d to improve trans portation ows. Should be a priority to incre ase roads le aving the county. Sugge s ted truck routes. Consider alte rnative funding me thods to improve transportation infrastructure . Increas e actions taken to provide infras tructure and utilitie s to s e rvice w hats in the current UGAs and existing neighborhoods . Perhaps provide a low hang ing fruit list about current issue s that should be xe d today. Other: Agre e with improved trafc ow. Millions of dollars are coming into county to incre ase transit in the county. Transit plan alre ady approve d out to e ast county and ski are as. Se nior and disable d transit and transportation methods also approved. Capital Facilities and Utilities Additional Priorities: Incine ration should be allowe d, see examples from other countries. Could also provide ele ctricity as we ll and cle anly dispose waste . Water and s e we r e xte ns ions should be built outside of UGA s. Clarications to be addressed: Clarify how schools provide community s e rvices . How do the se policies and conve rsations turn into re al life action? Suggested Actions: Prioritize funding for communication sys tems. would he lp with trafc (more pe ople would be able to w ork-from-home ) and would he lp nancially, with more bus ine sses coming to Lew is County. Other: County is alre ady doing a great j ob with capital facilities . Increas e broadband Resource Lands Additional Priorities: Enforce ment on conservation. Clarications to be addressed: How can we do all of the s ugges ted policies and w rite all of these policie s be twe en re s ource lands through climate/re siliency? How can we tlands be turne d into recre ational spaces and be usable by the public? Suggested Actions: Analysis on farms and A g land to correctly identify them as such. Limit UGA e xpansion to incre ase cons e rvation. Other: Set-up an e xercis e with the planning commiss ion and BOCC for them to prioritize the most important policy changes from all s e ssions. Natural Environment Additional Priorities: Clarications to be addressed: Suggested Actions: Other: generally all acceptin g of possible policies and policy chan ges in for natural environment. Economic Developmen t Additional Priorities: Increas e infras tructure in heavily touris t trafc are as. Add policy to de cre ase light and s ight pollution with incre ase in tourism. Clarications to be addressed: What type of grants can the county and cities go after toge the r to he lp both juris dictions? Suggested Actions: Require infrastructure if re comme nding policy change s to increas e de velopme nt near I-5, tourism, and green industrie s. Consider s trategies on how to include tourist population in GMA planning to be tte r plan for how many pe ople actually use the infrastructure. Other: Coordinate with de velopers and incre ase funding for critical infrastructure deve lopments . Little to no support for tourists and res ide nts in small cities and rural areas . Less talk about using tax dollars on broadband. Should focus more on pushing pe ople to buy private cell and w i se rvices, like starlink. Local communitie s not wanting solar farms. Pos sible opportunity for solar farms in Le wis county. Cons ide r improving s olar cons truction proce s ses in the county. Climate and Resiliency Additional Priorities: O pen and encourage solar roong materials in all roofs in the County. Espe cially with s o many old homes with rood re placeme nts soon. Increas e urban inte rface and F irewis e e ducation, espe cially with growth happe ning within fore s ted are as. Clarications to be addressed: Suggested Actions: Increas e s ignage in s h be aring stre ams and high habitat le ve l w etlands and other critical areas. Cle arly deline ate oodplains, don't allow de velopme nt in oodplain, and aid in existing oodplain is s ues. Help/subs idize solar roong for e ligible out-of-date roong. Other: Mindy clarie d climate and re s ilie ncy efforts in the county are comple tely focused on hazard mitigation for re and ood ris ks. Increas e public outreach and e ngage ment on re mitigation and hazard planning . Think about how tre e cutting re quireme nts affect home s s urrounded in trees during wildre s (homes comple tely surrounding by tre es could be s evere ly affe cte d by wildres).