HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-25-2013 Planning and Community
rip car'_ .. Development
`
URN
March 25, 2013 - 5:00 PM
"$ %VAsrtiNc,'rc)N Annex Conference Room 2
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Annex
Conference Room No. 2 located on the second floor of One Main
Professional Plaza, One East Main Street, Auburn, Washington.
A. Roll Call
Chair Nancy Backus and Vice-Chair John Holman were present.
Member Largo Wales was excused. Also present were Jeff Tate,
Planning and Development Director, Interim; Parks, Arts, and
Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy,
Assistant City Attorney Steven Gross, Transportation Manager Pablo
Para, Traffic Engineer James Webb, Economic Development
Manager Doug Lein, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain; and
Planning Secretary Tina Kriss.
Members of the audience present included: Robert Whale of the
Auburn Reporter, Scott Pondelick, Planning Commissioner Yolanda
Trout; The Auburn Downtown Association Board President Allison
Vandenberg, and Executive Director Laura Westergard.
B. Announcements
1. Presentation - The Auburn Downtown Association (Tate)
The Auburn Downtown Association (ADA) Board President,
Allison Vandenberg, introduced the new Executive Director,
Laura Westergard, and reviewed the 2013 work plan.
Ms. Vandenberg stated the first item of business for the ADA in
2013 was to hire a new Executive Director, Laura Westergard.
This year the third annual Wine, Art and Music Festival will be
held July 20th and the annual Art Walk will be held May 10, 2013.
The annual Holiday Window Painting contest will take place this
year along with the downtown trick or treat event in coordination
with the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department.
A design committee is being formed to work with the City to
redesign the landscaping in the mural parking lot and a facade
Page 1 of 4
f
improvement grant program will be implemented.
The ADA website is being redesigned and the 2013 Downtown
Guide is currently being printed for distribution. A community
calendar is in the design phase (working in collaboration with City
staff, chamber, and tourism).
The Community Services events for 2013 will be the Fall Food
Drive and the Adopt a Senior for the Holiday Giving program.
Executive Director Laura Westergard stated the ADA would like to
continue to build the historic preservation of Downtown Auburn by
assisting visitors and residents in learning more about Auburn's
downtown history. The ADA would like to work with the City on
developing a plaque program to recognize historically significant
buildings.
Committee thought it might be helpful to use mobile applications
in addition to brochures and maps so that any changes or
additions are updated.
Executive Director Westergard also stated that the ADA will be
working to gather focus groups from various Auburn locations to
gain feedback on what would draw or encourage residents to the
downtown area; the ADA would then meet with the City to discuss
the feedback.
C. Agenda Modifications
There were no agenda modifications.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes - March 7, 2013 (Tate)
Vice-Chair Holman moved and Chair Backus seconded to approve the
March 7, 2013 minutes as written.
Motion Carried Unanimously. 2-0
III. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4927 (Faber)
Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber explained that
Resolution No. 4927 authorizes the acceptance of a $20,000.00 grant
from the King Conservation District to benefit the Auburn International
Farmers Market and authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
the necessary agreements to accept said funds.
Page 2 of 4
Vice-Chair Holman moved and Chair Backus seconded to recommend
City Council approve Resolution No. 4927 to accept a $20,000.00
grant from the King Conservation District.
Motion Carried Unanimously. 2-0
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Amtrak Update (Welsh)
Transportation Planner Joe Welsh provided an update on the
Washington State Department of Transportation feasibility study for a
station stop expansion in Auburn.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is acting on
behalf of Amtrak to conduct the study. The study will address how
additional stops fit into current operations; station suitability and
marketing (studying the demographics of potential riders within five,
ten, and twenty miles); station access from the freeway; and parking.
The feasibility study is expected to be complete in June of 2013.
B. Commercial Vehicles Within Downtown (Chamberlain)
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain explained that with the
completion of the South Division Street Promenade project, City Hall
Plaza and Plaza Park, and other projects within downtown, staff would
like to discuss with the Committee commercial vehicles and potentially
limiting semi trucks and other larger vehicles on specific streets.
A handout was provided to show damage to the street and bollards off
Division Street. The main concern noted by staff is when drivers
are lost or unfamiliar with the downtown area and safety issues
increase due to the inability to maneuver their trucks.
Committee provided the following feedback:
*Provide signage to assist drivers in finding appropriate directions
and routes.
*Restrict truck routes on Main Street and Division Street (except for
haul routes that have been approved as part of a construction project).
*Meet with local stakeholders to obtain feedback and educate
drivers.
*Provide a mobile application to assist drivers on the location of truck
accessible routes.
Page 3 of 4
C. Director's Report (Tate)
The City of Auburn has approximately 4,000 business licenses each
year for renewal. This year follow-up letters were sent out in February
and phone calls were made in late March to bring the remaining
expired licenses into compliance. The City has approximately
150 expired licenses remaining. City Code Enforcement staff, through
personal outreach opportunities, will assist with the
remaining business license renewals.
The interviews for the Senior Planner position have been ongoing and
the City is ready to choose a candidate for the position. The building
permit for the 37,000 square foot Auburn Marketplace Medical Office
building was issued on March 21 , 2013.
City staff has coordinated a meeting with staff from the Green River
Community College (GRCC) to discuss ideas and issues regarding
student housing. Meeting with representatives from the college will be
beneficial for both parties to gain a better understanding of policies
and procedures. After meeting with GRCC and gathering important
information, the City will look at next steps.
D. PCDC Matrix (Tate)
Committee and staff reviewed the matrix, there were no changes or
additions recommended.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and
Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40
p.m. d ,
DATED THIS day of ' 2013.
Nancy Backu - hair Tina Kriss Planning Secretary
Page 4 of 4