HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2001MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 26, 2001
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held March 26, 2001 in?
the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Al Hicks, David Osaki, B Sanders, Shirley Aird, Bill Mandeville, Dick
Deal, Brian Petty, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth; Bob Rankin
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m.
ACTION:
1. Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
Planner I Aird distributed the CAPER to the Committee and reviewed highlights. The public
hearing is April 16. She mentioned the goals and objectives. The printouts from HUD will be
included later. Chairman Borden wanted to know what kind of work was done for $75,000 and
Planner I Aird said the cost covered lead paint removal, plumbing and ductwork.
Councilmember Singer asked about the contract with the City of Kent for housing repair. Planner
I Aird provided information on the status of the interlocal agreement. A couple emergencies were
handled and staff is very responsive. Councilmember Singer inquired about integrating anything
from downtown plan here related to the use of CDBG funds. Planner I Aird said this is part of the
update or annual amendments process. She referred to strategy 6.3 on page 7 related to slum
and blight.
Chairman Borden asked Planner I Aird if she is familiar with "Christmas in April" and Planner I Aird
said yes. This is done in Kent and Renton, but she mentioned problems with the use of Federal
money for this kind of a program. There may be some interest in the community for this program.
A discussion followed about this program.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend
Council hold a public hearing on April 16. Chairman Borden concurred.
2. EDC Contract
Economic Development Manager Hicks presented the staff report. Councilmember Singer
pointed out that the EDC did not do what the City asked of them last year related to specific
statistics on leads referred to the City. Economic Development Manager Hicks called the EDC
regarding this information. They visited some local businesses and spoke about NAFTA.
Councilmember Singer made a motion to table the EDC contract until the Committee sees if the
required information. Councilmember Lewis seconded the motion and Chairman Borden
concurred.
3. Nei,qhborhood Matchinq Grants
Planner I Mandeville presented the staff report and explained a revision in the funding. BP spoke
of combining projects 3 and 9. He spoke about Youth Council and youth groups in the future
submitting applications for funding of projects.
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MARCH 26, 2001
Councilmember Singer referred to the school playground equipment and wondered if this is
appropriate for the City to fund, and how is it paid for. Mayor commented that in looking at school
budgets, playground equipment is one of the first to be reduced or eliminated. The PTSA may
ask for assistance if the equipment is widely used by the neighborhood and he gave an example.
He has concerns about funding projects at schools.
Chairman Borden wondered about programs matched by volunteer hours. Planner I Mandeville
spoke of 50/50 matches and cash matches. Councilmember Singer mentioned Soroptimist
funding for 'Girls of Promise'. Councilmember Lewis wants the PTA to take up a leadership role
and some of these schools should have taken care of the particular needs. He also wants to see
volunteer groups taking leadership roles.
Parks & Recreation Director Deal cautioned that the playground equipment must meet certain
safety standards and that equipment installed by the PTA may not meet these standards. He has
concerns with liability relating to installation of the playground equipment. There is the question of
how to guarantee that the work will be done correctly by authorized personnel. The cost for
drainage improvements at Ilalko is just a drop in the bucket.
Planner I Mandeville agreed that the full drainage project is much more expensive, but remarked
that they want to see if the drains will make a dent in the problem. It wilt create evidence whether
that project should be higher on the list for the school to do. Parks & Recreation Director Deal's
point regarding the playground equipment is well taken and he will put in language regarding
installation must meet consumer product safety guidelines or other particular language from Parks
& Recreation Director Deal. Councilmember Lewis suggested wording 'direct supervision by
school district to ensure proper installation'. Parks & Recreation Director Deal spoke of
installation standards. He can suggested names for design and installation for safety.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend
approval, with revisions as discussed. Chairman Borden concurred.
DISCUSSION:
1. Downtown Plan
Planning Director Krauss commented that Public Works Committee has requested a special City
Council meeting in mid-April. Staff does not want to extend the interim C2 zoning again. Planner
Sanders said that this evening she will review the implementation strategies. Regarding the urban
centers, the City meets the requirements for requesting the designation. Planning Director Krauss
remarked that Auburn meets the requirements for this as well as anyone.
Chairman Borden wanted to know the benefits of the urban center designation. Transportation
funding gets tied to the designation, said Councilmember Singer. Planning Director Krauss
remarked on the funding flows to cities that have urban center designation. He reminded the
Committee about social service agencies proposed to be moved to Kent because Kent is
designated an urban center. He spoke about Metro giving funds to Renton for a transit hub
because it is designated an urban center. Auburn elected to not be an urban center because
urban center implied changes to accept densities. Lots of communities have requested the urban
center designation and been granted it even though they do not meet the criteria for an urban
center. Councilmember Lewis commented that urban center had different connotation at the
beginning of GMA and everyone was against the designation back then. The designation now is
all about transportation and getting funds.
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MARCH 26, 2001
Planner Sanders distributed a handout related to implementation strategies which are in four
categories. She then talked about what each category means in terms of staff time and special
project costs. Item 1 was reviewed previously.
Chairman Borden asked for an update of C2 zoning for auto uses. Principal Planner Osaki spoke
about the code amendments from Planning Commission to implement policies. The Planning
Commission recommended that the existing auto oriented uses would be permitted uses if
existing at the time of the code amendments adoption. No new auto uses are permitted. The
code amendments contain provisions for site screening. Councilmember Lewis asked about auto
use expansion. Planner Sanders said within limits of existing property only.
Planner Sanders remarked that there is a good start on design guidelines in the plan. Items 2 and
5 address signage more appropriate for downtown as well as directional/information signage for
parking, garage, transit, City Hall, hospital, etc. Chairman Borden asked how to handle current
signs if they do not meet downtown standards. Planner Sanders spoke of time frame to comply.
Planner Sanders referred to item 3 which explores ways to help people restore building facades.
This is a negotiation between the property owner and the business owner. Some cities have
programs with banks doing the funding of Iow interest loans. City needs to explore what package
might work to encourage people to renovate facades.
Councilmember Lewis referred to banking institutions, and remarked that they want to see the
guidelines for facades, standards, etc., otherwise there is nothing to look at because banks
always want more detail. The banks are looking for standards and a dollar figure. There is the
question of who to lend to because oftentimes the property owner is absentee and if the banks
lend to a business owner, what is collateral going to be? The City needs to take the lead in talking
to the banks. For Item 3, develop the standards and look at methods of financing with owner
approval and loans only to the property owner.
For item 4, Planner Sanders mentioned a public relations campaign with brochures but should the
image be just for downtown. Councilmember Lewis suggested looking at with coordination
between Chamber and ADA. Planner Sanders said the ADA did a nice spread of written material,
but it needs to be updated and coordination of ADA, Chamber and the City agencies would be
helpful.
Planner Sanders pointed out that item 6 which is awaiting input from the Public Works staff. Item
7 is closely tied to item 3. Planner Sanders referred to items 8, 9, and 10 and commented that an
initial inventory of lighting and trees is complete. Main Street is brightly lit, but one block off Main
Street is not and a program for street lighting needs to be developed. The Art Commission wants
to focus on downtown over the next couple of years. Councilmember Lewis offered that Public ._
Works is already doing this and they have maps showing location and wattage for the lighting.
Chairman Borden mentioned concerns received from ADA regarding tree planting in downtown
and wondered if these were addressed. Parks & Recreation Director Deal said the ADA was
concerned about the leaves and trees are being selected based on their defoliation schedule.
The tree program would identify the types of trees for a particular use.
Items 11 and 12 were discussed previously. Planner Sanders spoke about the public/private
partnerships proposed for parking. Planning Director Krauss mentioned one partnership concept
for the public safety building and another by Wells Fargo. Years ago the City significantly
decreased downtown parking requirements and the C2 zoning decreases parking further if use is
close to transit center. Downtown centers do not succeed with fields of parking. A parking
structure is used multiple times daily and trips to downtown are typically multi-purpose.
Councilmember Lewis thinks this is a good strategy.
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MARCH 26, 2001
Item 14 was reviewed by Planner Sanders and she reminded Committee of a letter received
during the ElS comment period from the state Office of Archaeology and staff has drafted a new
historic preservation strategy. Chairman Borden believes the new strategy looks good.
Planner Sanders referred to 15 through 22 which deal with streetscape improvements not traffic
improvements. The plan goes into detail regarding each project and making streets more
pedestrian friendly. She gave examples of improvements such as curb bulbs like on Main Street,
medians where room permits, tree plantings, benches, etc..
For item 23, Planner Sanders mentioned where gateway treatment would work. Planning Director
Krauss spoke of the need to differentiate where downtown is along Auburn Way. Councilmember
Lewis suggested that people like "welcome to" signs or something that is repetitive with a them to
build on. Councilmember Singer expressed concern about the gateways project not being
coordinated. Parks & Recreation Director Deal spoke about trees lining the street Cemetery Road
in the City limits. On the way to Game Farm Park, Councilmember Lewis commented that the
trees along R Street are lovely. There could be flowering trees on north end or south end and still
have a gateway theme at entrances to the City. A combination of things with coordinated
signage.
Planner Sanders reviewed items 24 through 33.
INFORMATION:
1. Rankin Brochure
Economic Development Manager Hicks provided information on the update of Auburn's brochure
and introduced Bob Rankin. Councilmember Poe had asked staff to come back with an update
and seek the Committee's input. He spoke about process to develop a theme or tag line for the
brochure and three different themes are suggested. A questionnaire was sent out and the survey
results are in.
Mr. Rankin wanted to find out if there were any new ideas or perceptions from outside Auburn.
The brochure is aimed at businesses coming to Auburn and new residents. There is the question
of how to position the City and coming up with a positioning statement. The last theme was
'Auburn on the Move' which was a pitch to fill vacant land. The questionnaire pulled three
different ideas. He reviewed the first theme, 'Auburn Good to Grow'.
Chairman Borden had a question about the five L's - location, land, local government, labor force
and livability. Mr. Rankin explained the five L's are merely a starting point and the Committee will
have a chance to review. He reminded Committee that the contract is predicated on updating the
existing information versus reinventing the wheel. The five L's were developed years ago and
have survived the test of time. Mr. Rankin reviewed the next theme, 'Auburn Bats a Home Run
Every Time' which speaks to the idea of Auburn for recreation and a healthy place to live. The
survey respondents said that Auburn is smaller and has a slower pace of life. He reviewed the
third idea, 'Auburn Works' because it is close to major markets and has amenities.
Councilmember Lewis asked about the survey results and Mr. Rankin gave a copy of the survey
compilation results to Councilmember Lewis for review. Councilmember Lewis asked for copies
of the compilation to be given to all Councilmembers. Mr. Rankin recommended that the
Committee pick a theme to continue the update of the materials. Councilmember Singer likes the
'Good to Grow' theme which connotates a good family atmosphere. The other one suggests a
blue collar image and the other relating to baseball is too unclear. Chairman Borden and
Councilmember Lewis also like the 'Good to Grow' theme. Chairman Borden suggested an
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MARCH 26, 2001
emphasis be placed on the City's mission statement because she does not want to concentrate
on the word "growing".
Councilmember Singer asked Councilmember Lewis if the theme 'Good to Grow' works for
business recruitment. Councilmember Lewis said that businesses ask about the City's parks,
schools and life style. He believes that retail professional infill in downtown should be a focus and
professional medical should also be a focus in downtown.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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