2007 Minutes
September 20, 2007 Meeting Minutes
By Tracy Ferrell, Executive Secretary
Sep 26, 2007, 15:33

City of Chewelah

Planning Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Call to Order / Roll Call

The regular meeting of the Chewelah Planning Commission was called to order at 7:03 PM by Chairperson, Tom Bristol.  Roll call was taken with the following Commissioners present:  Tom Bristol, Alice Crowley, Bill Davies, Kevin Herda, Doug Sassman, Irv Schick and Daniel Voltz.   Staff members present were Chaz Bates from Studio Cascade Planning and Tracy Ferrell, Executive Secretary. 

Agenda Additions, Deletions and/or Changes

There were no changes, additions, deletions to the Agenda as presented. 

Approval of Meetings

The minutes from the August 16, 2007 meeting as well as the minutes from the September 6, 2007 Special Meeting were reviewed.  Kevin Herda made a motion to approve both sets of minutes as presented.  Doug Sassman seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mr. Bristol announced that the Public Hearing was open for the approval of PPA-01-06, the Preliminary Plat for the Chewelah Crest Phase II Subdivision.  Rules in regards to the public hearing were explained.  Mr. Bristol inquired if any Planning Commissioners had an interest that would be in conflict with the appearance of fairness requirements. Mr. Sassman announced that he, as Fire Chief, has had communications through pre-construction meetings as a city staff member. There were no objections to Mr. Sassman participating in the Public Hearing.   It was asked if there were any objections to Mr. Bristol or any other Planning Commission member participating in the Public Hearing.  Daniel Voltz noted that although he has an interest in Chewelah Crest I, he has no interest Chewelah Crest II.  It was determined that there were no objections, however, Mr. Voltz was given the option to step down during the Public Hearing.  He opted to participate in the Public Hearing.  There were other communications outside of the Public Hearing with Planning Commissioners.  

Chaz Bates, Contract Planner for the City of Chewelah, 301 E. Clay Ave., Chewelah, WA 99109 explained that the Commission was listening to a request for preliminary plat approval for 40 lots in Chewelah North.  The property parcels to be divided are numbers 936001 and 937001.   Mr. Bates went over the important dates that were presented in the Staff Report (see attached).  

Mr. Bates noted that there was an agency comment from a former employee per e-mail.  However, he had neglected to bring a copy of that e-mail to be presented to the Commission.

It was explained that the property consists of approximately 46 acres, and is designated in the Comprehensive Plan as Single Family Residential.   It is currently zoned as Airport Golf Course Zone Three.  It is adjacent to vacant land that is owned by the Chewelah Golf Course and Stevens County.  The proposal is consistent with the City of Chewelah Goals and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan and will be made consistent through the conditions of approval with the Chewelah Municipal Code Development Standards and all other required codes and standards.  Mr. Bates made a special note that the water right transfer that was a part of the technical information requested was approved by the Department of Ecology was approved on May 27, 2007. 

Mr. Bates noted that there were comments made in reference to the water right transfer request in correspondence received from Timothy Schwantz.  Mr. Bates declared that Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the request subject to conditions as noted in the Staff Report.

Bill Davies noted that with the potential of 69 homes in area there were concerns for access by emergency vehicles.   Mr. Bates explained that this request was for 40 homes, and all city streets will be designed according to the City of Chewelah Municipal Code requirements and approved by the City engineer.   Road plans will be approved following the initial plat approval.   The property owner, Gene Schalock, 216 Canyon Crest Way, Chewelah WA explained that there was an emergency ingress/egrees on the east side of the property that will bring homeowners on to the #7 Green of the Golf Course.  There is also a road used by Boise Cascade that ends at SR 395. 

Mr. Bristol brought the meeting back to order according to Public Hearing guidelines.   There was a discussion on the road situation among Commissioners.     

There was a question in regards to the Staff report that had been given to the Commissioners.  The map and reference material states that there are 30 lots, but the request is now for 40 lots.   Mr. Bates apologized that an updated plat had been not been provided.   The request had changed from 30 to 40 lots.   Mr. Schalock added that they were originally looking at 69 lots.   However, the creation of that many lots was cost prohibitive.   So, following a walk-thru of the property, the 40 lots were created.  They have been approved for septic by Tri-County Health Department (TCHD).   There is a letter from TCHD approving the septic system which is an on-site septic system.

Mr. Bristol asked if the septic systems were located on the lots or in spaces between the lots.  Mr. Schalook answered that the septic systems will be on the lots.   This has also  been approved by TCHD.   The typical size of the lot is 125’ x 120’.  This provides a large amount of green area and eliminates some of the water use.   The developers are advocating an Arizona type landscaping.  There will CC& R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) enforced by the Homeowners Association as well as the Golf Course’s Board of Directors. 

Mr. Bristol inquired about communications.   There was one letter received from Timothy Schwantz.   This letter was read for the record (please see attached Staff Report).

Mr. Schalock was asked to speak to the Planning Commission on his proposal.  He addressed a concern that was mentioned in Mr. Schwantz’s letter in regards to the water right issues.  The water rights have been allocated.  They were approved by the Department of Ecology and accepted by the City of Chewelah.  This answers any concerns in regards to potable and irrigation situations at the expense of the Chewelah Golf and Country Club and donated to the City of Chewelah.

In regards to issues involving ingress and egress, Mr. Schalock explained that the roads to the development are actually wider than necessary.  They are 31’ (29’ with shoulders) and include pedestrian space.  The developers have gone to great expense to assure that all needs and requirements of the city were met. There was a delay in the water system because the system will be serving Chewelah Crest Phase I as well as Chewelah Crest Phase II.   There was extra effort put forth to assure that the fire flow needs were met for the entire area.  Mr. Schalock also pointed out that the tax base for the community of Chewelah will be substantial.  

There were no further questions of the applicant from the audience or the Planning Commissioners.

Mr. Bristol called for open comments from the audience.  He then began the comment period by noting all the work that has been done on this project and how remarkable it is that this project is a part of Chewelah.  There was a discussion in regards to the new road system that exceeds expectations and it appears that infrastructure will not be delayed as it was in Phase I due to engineering issues and the large amount of rock in the area.  Mr. Schalok expanded on information in regards to the water tanks.  The system at Phase I will be linked to the system at Phase II in the next week.  The 120 gallon reservoir on the top of the mountain will provide extra fire prevention for the entire mountain.   The engineers have complimented the developers on the project.  Mr. Bristol commended them as well, for their efforts in keeping green space for natural habitat and wild life. 

Mr. Bristol recommended considering an option of adding a condition that the water right situation has been cleared by the Department of Ecology per documentation.  Mr. Schalock noted that he does have the documentation and will gladly provide it, if needed. Mr. Bristol had a letter from Department of Ecology (see attached).

The ingress/egress issue in regards to fire control was discussed.   Doug Sassman noted that this issue had been discussed in a pre-construction meeting and all issues had been taken care of.  Mr. Schalock explained that it would be difficult to block the road due to its width, and there are alternate routes provided as well.   He explained that the roads are 31’ wide, with two 12’ lanes plus 5’walkways and 1’shoulders.   Mr. Bristol commented that it is a road similar to the one in place at the Pinebrook development.

Kevin Herda asked Mr. Bates if he thought it would be necessary to have a copy of the Department of Ecology letter provided in regards to the water issue.   In further discussion it was decided that it was not necessary, as the city will be responsible for assuring this condition is met. 

Daniel Voltz made a motion that the Planning Commission recommend approval for the preliminary plat for Chewelah Crest II to the City Council subject to the conditions contained in the Staff Report dated 9-20-07. Doug Sassman seconded the motion.  Roll Call was taken with a unanimous consensus to approve the motion as presented.

Irv Schick asked several questions in regards to the cities requirements in regards to fire flow requirements.  Mr. Schalock noted that all requirements had been met.  There would be 13 hydrants installed in the area, and all tanks will be gravity flow.  He also shared that all houses in the new development would be required to have sprinkler systems installed.  This requirement will be enforced through the CC & R.   He would like these homes to be a First Class Showplace for Chewelah.   Mr. Schalock thanked the Planning Commission for approval and noted that he plans for this to be his final project. 

Communications and Announcements

Mr. Bates shared that the 2008 State American Planning Association Conference will be held in October of 2008.   He encouraged all Planning Commission meeting members to attend if possible.  Tracy Ferrell will approach the city for compensation for those that are interested in attending.  There was a brief discussion on the Saranac Hotel building, which has achieved Platinum Certification, the highest green rating for remodeled building in the State of Washington.

Mr. Bates noted that the Shoreline Master Program had been approved, but final approval requires adoption of an ordinance, that probably won’t occur until the beginning of the new year.

There was a brief discussion on the Eastern Washington Hearing Boards decision on the Stevens County Comp Plan. 

Mr. Bates also reminded the Planning Commission that the October 4, 2007 Special Planning Commission meeting will be a Workshop on the Comprehensive Plan. 

Reports from City Administrator and/or Staff

None

Old Business / New Business

None

Public Comments

None

Adjourn

Doug Sassman made a motion to adjourn the meeting.   Irv Schick seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Bristol adjourned the meeting at 7:57 P.M. 

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________________      _________________________________________

Tracy Ferrell, Executive Secretary                                             Tom Bristol, Chairperson