Young Planning Commission Meeting Notes - August 18, 2026

Administrative Proceedings and Attendance

• Call to Order: The meeting was officially called to order by Richard Lonsdale, Chairman of the Young Planning Commission, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

• Commission Roll Call:

  • Richard Lonsdale (Chair): Present

  • Robert Bailey: Present

  • John Graber: Present

  • Dana Allen: Present

  • Anne Warman: Present

  • Ashley Brooks: Present

  • Riley Helene: Present

• Ceremony: The proceedings commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Approval of Prior Minutes:

  • The minutes from June 16, 2026, which had been previously postponed, were reviewed and approved following a motion and a second.

  • The minutes from July 21, 2026, were reviewed and approved independently from the June minutes.

• Agenda Amendments:

  • A motion was made and passed to amend the agenda to include an update on the Heritage Zone (Zone 8) under unfinished business/staff communications.

  • The update involves a meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Public Services Conference Room. This meeting is intended for the nine property owners in the zone to review draft codes before formal presentation to the city council.

Public Commentary and Community Concerns

Rachel LaBaron Anderson (16215 Luce Avenue)

• Fire Safety and Infrastructure: Following recent fires in Spokane, there is a request for the city to implement wider roads in new developments. These roads serve as critical fire breaks and ensure sufficient space for emergency vehicle ingress while residents are evacuating.

• Urban Green Space: There is a stated need for parks to be located within a 15-minute walking distance of all new neighborhoods to foster community building. Unlike "pocket parks," these should be substantive community spaces.

• Arboriculture and Preservation: Emphasis was placed on saving 100-year-old fir trees, particularly along Vansal Road. These large canopies act as windbreaks during storms and fires, potentially slowing the spread of flames that destroyed whole neighborhoods in Spokane while the fir trees remained standing.

• Economic Diversity and Arts: The community suggests incorporating local art programs into neighborhoods beyond Main Street. Additionally, there is a call for "ADU-style" small business spaces to support "mom and pop" starter businesses that cannot afford the high overhead of corporate real estate.

Judy Hickman (11505 Taku Lane)

• Water Scarcity and Aquifers: Observations indicate that the water level in local wells has dropped by approximately $35\,\text{feet}$ since installation. Concerns were raised regarding the rapid approval of new developments and the sustainability of limited aquifers.

• Infrastructure Stress: Rapid growth has resulted in significant traffic congestion. Specific concerns include the rerouting of traffic when Interstate 5 (I-5) is jammed and the installation of a new roundabout at Vail Road/Cook Road/702, which may complicate residential access.

Water System Planning and Hydrological Modeling

• Current Water System Plan: The city recently approved a plan requiring the Department of Health to analyze aquifers and the impact of mineral drawing on existing wells.

• Aquifer Impact Analysis: City modeling and simulation currently suggest that the impact of new draws remains within a reasonable range. However, impacts are localized; residents on different aquifers may experience varying results.

• Strategic Growth and Water Rights:

  • The city manages water rights separately from population studies but reviews them in tandem.

  • The city currently possesses water rights for approximately $5,114\,\text{ERUs}$ (Equivalent Residential Units).

  • Capacity exists to support an additional population of roughly $5,000$ people before new water rights must be acquired.

• New Infrastructure: A new well is being developed on the 640 property at the edge of town. This project involves specific modeling to determine its relationship with adjacent wells and its overall impact on the aquifer.

Transportation and Traffic Improvement Projects

• Six-Year Transportation Improvement Project (TIP): The city uses this project to rate intersections on a Level of Service (LOS) scale from A to F.

• Prioritization of Failing Intersections: Several intersections currently rated at LOS F are being prioritized for upgrades. Future failures predicted for the year 2035 are also under consideration.

• Funding Mechanisms:

  • Development projects are required to pay a Traffic Facilities Charge, which is a proportionate impact fee based on the development's strain on the transportation system.

  • Example: The Longmire and 507 intersection is slated for a roundabout, funded almost entirely by two separate private development projects.

• Safety Upgrades: The 702 roundabout is being prioritized due to a high fatality rate in the area. Roundabouts are chosen because they minimize high-impact "T-bone" accidents, converting them to less severe sideswipe incidents.

Proposed Amendments to Landscaping and Maintenance Codes

Objectives of the Update (Reza Ruchera, City Engineer)

• The primary goal is to establish clear, enforceable rules for both staff and residents to ensure safe pedestrian and vehicle access while eliminating confusion over maintenance responsibilities.

Proposed Changes to Code 18.55.055 and 18.55.057

• Vertical Clearance Standards:

  • Sidewalks: Trees and shrubs must be pruned to a minimum clearance of $8\,\text{feet}$.

  • Roadways: Clearance must be between $14\,\text{feet}$ and $18\,\text{feet}$, depending on road classification, to accommodate intercity transit, garbage trucks, and emergency vehicles.

• Setback and Utility Requirements:

  • Water Source: New commercial developments and subdivisions may be required to have a water source (e.g., hose bib or faucet) within $50\,\text{feet}$ of right-of-way landscaping to ensure plant survival without requiring full irrigation systems for every property.

  • Utility Clearance: A minimum setback of $5\,\text{feet}$ is proposed for trees near mailboxes, utility poles, and other structures. However, residents are advised to check specific requirements from providers like PSE (Puget Sound Energy), which may require up to $10\,\text{feet}$.

  • Hydrants: Specific language will define the clear space needed around fire hydrants to ensure firefighters do not have to navigate bushes to access the unit.

• Retrospective Enforcement: While new setbacks apply to new developments, pruning requirements for safety and visibility apply to all properties, including annexed areas. The city intends to lead with education and outreach before strict enforcement.

Driveway Maintenance and Residential Responsibility

• Maintenance Responsibility: As the sole beneficiary of a driveway approach, the property owner is responsible for repairs. This is critical for safety when the driveway intersects a public sidewalk.

• Hazard Mitigation: Driveways must not be designed in a way that requires vehicles to back into streets (except in designated central business zones) or creates hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, or transit vehicles.

• Abandoned Driveways: New code will require the removal of driveway approaches if the primary structure on the lot has been demolished or if the driveway is no longer in use.

• Vehicle Overhangs: The code will clarify that Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and other vehicles are not permitted to overhang into the sidewalk or the street, as this obstructs the right-of-way.

Commission Governance and Future Planning

• Document Consolidation: The Commission is working to combine the "Rules of Procedure" and the "Conduct of Business" into a single, comprehensive guidebook, modeled after the Lacey and Olympia Planning Commission manuals.

• Work Session Motion: A motion was passed to direct staff to schedule a special work session within the next 60 to 90 days. The goal is to finalize the commission rules and procedures book prior to a joint meeting with the City Council.

• Joint City Council Study Session: A joint session between the Planning Commission and the City Council is scheduled for December 2026. This meeting will now become an annual occurrence to ensure strategic alignment between the two bodies.

• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:24 PM.