Historic Preservation Commission urges closer coordination; Planning Commission adopts reporting memo language

Cindy Hall, chair of the Yakima Historic Preservation Commission, told the Planning Commission on April 9 that the commission wants closer coordination with planning staff and the Planning Commission and described recent preservation work and outreach.

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) issues recommendations to City Council, verifies that proposed improvements meet Washington State standards, and helps secure grant funding for educational projects, Hall said. "My name is Cindy Hall, and I'm really happy to be here on behalf of Historic Preservation Commission in Yakima," she said. Hall also noted that "HPC does not operate with a budget" and that staff liaisons have historically prepared grant applications.

Why it matters: Planning commissioners agreed the committees that advise the commission should have a clear route to request input or support from the Planning Commission and then, if appropriate, onward to City Council. The commission voted to add bylaw language that would require the Planning Commission to submit a memo to City Council in response to requests for project support or input as necessary; staff will include that language in the bylaws package being forwarded…