HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2013 4-8-2013 Planning and Community
CITY 01'
Development
I D'URN April 8, 2013 - 5:00 PM
V 'I I I N
AS (-;T0 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, Vice-Chair John Holman, and Member Largo
Wales were present. Also present were Mayor Pete Lewis, City
Attorney Dan Heid, Interim Planning and Development Director Jeff
Tate, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Economic
Development Manager Doug Lein, and Planning and Development
Secretary/Scribe Tina Kriss.
Members of the audience present included: Citizens Tim Secrest
and Austin Cole.
B. Announcements
C. Agenda Modifications
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes - March 25, 2013 (Tate)
Vice-Chair Holman moved and Member Wales seconded to approve
the March 25, 2013 minutes as written.
Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Student Rental Housing (Tate/Chamberlain)
Discuss a series of questions, existing regulatory standards, and
options for potential modification.
Planning and Development Interim Director Jeff Tate began the
discussion by providing background information on Student Rental
Housing as it relates to rental housing in the Green River Community
College (GRCC) area located on Lea Hill. Staff met with
representatives from GRCC so they could provide information on the
Page 1 of 4
college housing program. Committee and staff reviewed the GRCC
housing programs and the application package provided to potential
property owners. Staff explained the application is used for all of the
off campus housing programs.
Staff pointed out that GRCC may release a property owner from the
program due to non-compliance and in some cases the property
owner will continue to rent to parents or students while representing
that the home is still in the program. The issues and concerns by the
community may not necessarily be due to actions of GRCC and their
student housing program associated with the college; the issues are
likely with the property owners providing student rentals who are not
affiliated with the college program.
Residents who live in the single family residential communities that are
located nearby GRCC have expressed many concerns as student
rental homes in their community increase.
Mayor Lewis stated that this topic was discussed today at the
Municipal Services Committee meeting and that Committee suggested
that staff hold ongoing meetings with GRCC representatives to
continue to address both student rental housing and planning issues.
There are inconsistencies in the code that City Council will need to
address. It was the intent of Council, at the time, to provide code that
addressed issues during that period; the current code is no longer
working and needs to be reviewed to correct and address the
inconsistencies.
Committees suggested assembling a Student Housing Advisory Board
and include GRCC representatives, local community members, and
staff to in order to hold discussions to address the issues and provide
solutions to address health/life safety issues and needed code
updates.
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain compiled some examples of
other jurisdictions that have had similar issues and the programs they
used to address them. Municipal Research and Services Center
(MRSC) provided information on these programs. Staff
presented examples of some of these options. Staff recommended
inserting the data into a matrix to compare the programs from other
jurisdictions.
Chair Backus opened the floor to public comment.
Tim Secrest, 11850 SE 323rd PI., Auburn, Washington.
Mr. Secrest asked if the advisory board at GRCC requires the property
owner to provide furniture, or multiple beds and refrigerators for
Page 2 of 4
multiple people living in a house. Planning and Development Interim
Director Tate stated GRCC has requirements that are in the program
that speak to that issue. Mayor Lewis stated that the standards GRCC
requires in their program may be different from other rentals that are
not part of the GRCC housing program. Mr. Secrest asked if the
GRCC housing program is in violation of City Code. City Attorney Dan
Heid pointed out that the housing program by GRCC may be providing
more than the requirements of Auburn's code. Mayor Lewis explained
that the Auburn City Code regarding rental housing may be in conflict
with the requirements of the GRCC program and that is what City
Council, the advisory board and staff needs to address.
Committee emphasized that the responsibility of the Council will be to
address the inconsistency and to reconcile all of the issues in order to
provide an ordinance the City can work with that will maintain safety
and resolve the issues. Mr. Secrest clarified "what I am hearing is that
the two are in conflict with one another", Committee concurred.
Chair Backus and the Committee stated the issue of student housing
is important. The topic is a top priority and it is the goal for the
Committee to work to address and provide solutions to the issues.
Austin Cole, 11821 SE 323rd PI., Auburn, Washington.
Mr. Cole asked Committee how community members can track what is
moving forward. Chair Backus explained that the agendas are
published the Friday prior to Committee meetings and can be viewed
on the City website. Committee and staff also encouraged Mr. Cole to
send an email to any of the staff or Committee members and a
response will be provided.
Mayor Lewis stated that the Municipal Services Committee members
will be providing additional feedback to staff by sending additional
questions and comments. Staff stated they will compile Committee
questions and answers in addition to a matrix comparing options
currently implemented by other jurisdictions to be shared at future
meetings. Staff will also begin working with the Mayor to assemble a
Student Housing Advisory Board.
B. Director's Report (Tate)
Planning and Development Interim Director Jeff Tate stated the City is
continuing to experience a high-volume trend in permit activity. As of
April 8, 2013 midway through the day, the following permits were
issued (in comparison to the previous year):
*Last year 54 new single family home permits were issued, this year
112 were issued.
Page 3 of 4
*Last year 58 commercial permits with a construction value of
$10,545,075.00 were issued, this year 74 permits have been issued
with a construction value of $81 ,771 ,069.00.
These are issued permits only. The City has a high number of permits
that are finished and ready to be issued, picked up, or in the review
process and almost complete.
C. PCDC Matrix (Tate)
There were no changes or additions to the matrix requested by
Committee.
The Committee announced that the Auburn Downtown Association is
planning a birthday party for the City June 14, 2013.
Vice-Chair Holman asked if the City was able to negotiate Broadband
Infrastructure for the City as a condition of the Franchise Agreement
with the Zayo Group L.L.C. Mayor Lewis will check with staff and
report back to Committee on the negotiations.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and
Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55
p.m. ;
.�
1;7"n
DATED THIS - day of -=��' �� ' , 2013.
Nancy B" c us - Uhair Tina Kriss - Plann-ing Secretary
Page 4 of 4