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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPPENDIX B APPENDIX B REPORTS AND STUDIES Introduction The Comprehensive Plan presents the results of the comprehensive planning process. A wide variety of other documents have been prepared or utilized in the process. These other documents contain the background upon which the policy issues were a ssessed and the decisions made. Consequently, while separately published, the "Comprehensive Plan" should be considered the full body of this information. These documents are all available for review in the Planning Department at Auburn City Hall, and many of them are also availabl e at the City Library. This section identifies those documents. Report to the Mayor on the Status of Planning In Auburn, December 1982 : Upon taking office in 1982, Mayor Ro egner requested the Planning Department to develop a comprehensive review of the status of the City's Planning Program and its Comprehensiv e Plan. This report was prepared by the then new Planning Director and published in December of 1982. The purpose of this report was to establish a common base of understanding regarding the role that comprehensive planning should take in the City. It culminated in a recommendation that the planning program be completely revised and a new Comprehensive Plan developed. While the original recommendations have been modified subsequent to the publishing of the 1982 report, it was this report which began the policy discussions leading to the development of this Comprehensive Plan. Population Trends, 1984: This report assessed the overall growth rate of the community and how it is related to the growth rates in other areas. The report took a detailed look at the growth pattern in Auburn over the last decade and compared this pattern to other areas in the Green River Valley, King County, and the State. Th e report concluded that the growth in Auburn is highly interrelated with the general growth that has occurred over the decade in the Green River Valley. The consistency of this interrelationship between the growth patterns of Auburn and the Green Valley as a whole indicates that Aubur n will continue to grow at a rate Page B-1 Appendix B similar to the overall growth rate of th is part of the County. Growth in Auburn itself has been higher than in most other incorporated areas. General Population Characteristics 1980, January 1984: This report presented an overview of the population characteristics of the City of Auburn. The report explored the popula tion change in more detail than the previous report, particularly in te rms of change in sex, age, and racial composition. The report also analy zed the composition of the City's families and the employment patterns of its residents as well as general income levels. Finally the report zer oed in on the characteristics of the City's low income population. Age Group Analysis, 1984 : This report provides perhaps the most detailed examination of some aspects of the City population of any of the Planning reports. Three major demographic phenomena have strongly influenced the sociological character of the community between 1981-1984; the post- war baby boom, the subsequent baby-bust, and the growth of the elderly population. This report extensively analyzes the implication of these demographic phenomena on the community and compare these demographic patterns to other communities. This report noted that since different age groups exert different demands for various types of goods and services, these demographic pa tterns have a profound effect on the problems and needs of the community. Since age groups are also closely related to housing and employment needs, the relevance of this report to many of the policies of the Plan is very significant. Housing Market Patterns and Characteristics in Auburn, November 1984: This report re viewed the housing suppl y of the City of Auburn and how it has been changing. The purpose of the report was to assess the nature of the housing supply in order to assist in the development of appropriate land use policy. The report was divided into three sections, the first of which described the supply of various types of housing within the City itself. The second section described how the broader Auburn area community housing stock compares to the housing stock of other communities. The third section described current construction patterns and assessed the proposed housing de velopment plans by the private sector. This report provides the back ground that was used by the planning process to develop residential policies in this document. Page B-2 Reports and Studies Page B-3 Population Forecasts, February 1985: Any comprehensive planning process requires an understanding of where the community seems to be headed in the future. This report forecasted the City's population based on a variety of variables. The report is closely related to the Age Group Analysis Report and the Housing Report identified above. The report concluded that due to the availability of buildable land and the development pressure of the last decade there is considerable potential for a very high rate of growth in the co mmunity. The report also noted that the need for school services, after a lull that is occurring at the present time, is expected to resume; dema nd for preschool type services will increase, the demand for retired ag e group services will increase; the impact of substantiated growth in the young adult population that has shaped much of the last decade, is largely over; the need for new entry type jobs in the labor force should subside; and the aging of the labor force should result in very significan t increases in family incomes and demand for jobs appropriate for that age group. An appendix to this report assessed the interrelationship between the growth forecasted in this report, and the growth forecasted by the P uget Sound Council of Governments for the region. Existing Land Use Management Policy, December 1984 : This is perhaps the most significant of the reports for many of the policy issues addressed by this Plan. It is particularly important in terms of its implication on the Comprehensive Plan Map itself. This report (which is closely related to the original report to the Mayor) contai ns a complete analysis of planning in the City and policy issues whic h are present in the current policy framework. It addressed both very ge neral policy issues as well as site specific conflicts in City ordinances. Land Use and Development Policy of th e City of Auburn, September 1983: One of the basic problems identified in the original report to the Mayor was the problem of the City's land us e policy being contained in a wide variety of documents. This report wa s originally prepared in order to assist in identifying those policies. As such, it provides a very useful step in the planning process by combining all the key land use policy statements that have been adopted by the City in one place. This report merely compiles and restates that policy. Downtown Report, November 1984: One of the most important concerns identified early in the planning pr ocess was the problems, needs and potentials of the City's central busine ss district. Due to this concern a special committee was formed, both to address downtown needs independently of the planning process, and to provide a source of advice to the planning process regarding t hose needs. As a part of the Committee's work, the Downtown Repor t was prepared and issued. The report reviews and analyzes the downtow n of the City in order to provide Appendix B a common understanding of downtow n issues in developing the Comprehensive Plan. The report reviews types of concerns that generally present themselves in downtown planning and applies those concerns to the current condition and viability of Auburn's downtown. Related to this report is a report which implements some of the Committee's proposals for downtown in the form of off-street parking facilities. Economic Analysis, December of 1985 : This report presents an economic base study of the City. This base st udy is prepared from several different perspectives. First the report asse sses how the people who live in Auburn gain their livelihood. Second, the report describes the type of employment that is available in the City. Third, the report describes the structure of the City's business community as measured by taxable sales activity. Finally the report compares the structure of the City's employment base to the employment structure of the surroundi ng area. On the basis of this analysis a projection of future economic activity can be gained. Land Use Analysis, December 1985 : This report analyzes the current use of the land in the City and how it is changing. It also describes and assesses change in various regulatory actions related to land use such as rezones and platting. Neighborhoods Meeting Program, August 1985: This report documents and summarizes the citizen input that was received by the City during its eight neighborhood meetings. The firs t part of the report provides an overview of the neighborhood meetings taken as a whole, identifying and discussing those issues that appeared to be most important to meeting participants. The following sections then provide a record of each meeting including a paraphrased listing of questions and comments offered by the participants. KidsPlan, July 1985 : This report provides the results of the KidsPlan program which was conducted during th e spring of 1985. A survey form was distributed to school children throughout Auburn in both public and private elementary schools. Respons es were received from 375 children, or approximately 10% of all children attending school within the City of Auburn. The survey was intended to obtain information regarding the types of places and aspects of the community that are important to children. Issues Papers, from August to December of 1985: The Planning Commission and Planning Department prep ared a series of issue papers which identified the various issues which needed to be addressed by the policies of the Comprehensive Plan. Th ese issue papers serve as the basis for the Comprehensive Plan and are derived from the studies and public participation process described above . Each issue paper includes an Page B-4 Reports and Studies Page B-5 identification of alternative responses to the particular issue, a description of the issue, the vi ews of the neighborhood groups, the view of the development community, the results of the studies as they relate to the issue, a general recommendation by th e Planning staff, and recommended goals, objectives and policies. This re port contains all twenty-six of those issue papers. Environmental Constraints and Opportunities, January 1985 : This report seeks to develop an understanding of the environmental conditions existing in the City. The report desc ribes and assesses the environmental conditions related to climate, air quality, geology and soils, hydrology, and wildlife habitat. The report notes the constraints that are imposed by environmental conditions on development within the City. It refers to a series of maps that have been used in the planning process. OTHER REPORTS: All the reports described above were prepared by the Planning Department for the Comprehensive Plan itself. In addition to these studies there are a series of other reports that have been prepared by or for the City in recent years, independent of the comprehensive planning process. These reports nonetheless provided substantial information used in the development of this plan. 1982 Comprehensive Traffic Plan, City of Auburn, July 1982: This report replaced the original traffic element which was adopted as part of the 1969 Comprehensive Plan. As the traffic element of the Plan, it describes both the present and anticipated future traffic problems that will be confronting the community, the goals to be achieved in the management of traffic and a recommended traffic plan. It also includes policies and recommendations related to financing the traffic improvements. This document was adopted formally as an element to the City's Comprehensive Plan. Auburn Park and Recreation Plan, 1981: This plan assesses the park and recreation needs of the community and presents a recommended capital improvement program to develop those facilities. The plan also includes standards for parks and recreation a nd recommends methods of financing facilities. The document also includes recommendations relating to open space. This plan was formally adopted as an element of the Comprehensive Plan. Comprehensive Sewerage Plan, 1982: This plan identifies sanitary sewerage needs of the community and recommends steps to meet those needs. It contains standards for se rvice which should be applied to new development. This document is based upon and is considered to be an implementing tool for the 1969 Comprehensive Plan. Appendix B Comprehensive Water System Plan, June 1983: This plan identifies the water service needs of the community and recommends facilities and programs to meet those needs. It also contains standards for water service that should be applied to new devel opment. This document is based upon the 1969 Comprehensive Plan and is considered to be an implementing tool for that plan. Community Development Blo ck Grant Plan, December 1984: This is an annual plan developed to guide the administration of the City's Block Grant Program. The Plan identifies important community needs and seeks to develop a program to address those needs. The plan also identifies and describes low income neighborhoods within the City. Auburn Way South Sanitary Sewer Study: This report analyzed the capacity of sewer service in southw est Auburn and identified significant deficiencies in that service. Housing Assistance Plan, October 1984: This plan is adopted in order to guide any decisions related to the development of assisted housing in the City. It specifically identifies high priority areas for such development. The plan also presents a comprehens ive analysis of housing conditions in the City and cost of housing for various income groups. Fire Services Study, 1982: This report analyzed fire services needs in the community and laid out a plan of action to meet those needs. Of particular importance, this report identified standards for fire station location and needs. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS In addition to studies and plans iden tified above, there have been a series of environmental reports that were used in the development of various maps and reports identified above. Most of these reports are referenced in the Environmental Constraints and O pportunities report described above. In recent years several environmental impact statements were prepared and were available during the pla nning process as further background information. These impact statements included: 1. Lakeland Hills 2. Auburn Downs 3. Auburn 400 4. Mountain View Terrace Page B-6 Reports and Studies Page B-7 5. Balgray Holdings 6. Green Meadows 7. Academy Area Water System Improvements 8. Surface Mining Operations (Lakeview) 9. London Square 10. Mount Rainier Vista 11. Skyview 12. Proposed Groundwater Withdrawals (Wells 3 and 4) 13. Stuck River Estates 14. Auburn Way South Sanitary Sewer System. 15. City of Auburn. Final Environmental Impact Statement - City of Auburn Comprehensive Plan: Staff Draft and Recommendations . May 1986. 16. City of Auburn. Final Determination of Non-Significance - Downtown Design Study . April 1990. 17. City of Auburn. Final Determination of Non-Significance - Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan . May 1990. 18. City of Auburn. Final Determination of Non-Significance - Comprehensive Plan Amendments on City Expansion and Urban Growth. July 1991. 19. City of Auburn. Final Environmental Impact Statement: Auburn North CBD Analysis. November 1991 . 20. City of Auburn. Final Determination of Non-Significance - Comprehensive Plan Amendments on Sensitive and Critical Lands. January 1992. Finally, a series of reports prepared by other agencies were used to assist in analyzing environmental conditions: Appendix B 1. King County, Sensitive Areas Map Folio , March, 1980. 2. Dames & Moore, Report of Hydrogeologic Investigation, Coal Creek and West Hill Spring Systems , 1976. 3. Pool Engineering, Ground Water Supply Study , September 1982. 4. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Inventory of Wetlands Green- Duwamish River Valley , August, 1981. 5. U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey, King County Area , November 1973. 6. King County, King County Wetlands Inventory , January 1983. 7. Green River Basin Program, Mill Creek Basin Profile , (n.d.). 8. King County, A River of Green , (n.d.). 9. State of Washington Department of Natural Resources, Draft Aquatic Land Management Plan for the Duwamish/Green River , December 1981. 10. King County, Saving Farmlands and Open Space , July 1979. 11. U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Wetlands Inventory, Auburn, Wash., July 1973. 12. King County Parks, Planning and Resources Department. Final Environmental Impact Statement: Soos Creek Community Plan Update . December 1991. 13. King County Parks, Planning and Resources Department. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Countywide Planning Policies Proposed Amendments . May. 1994. 14. King County Parks, Planning and Resources Department. Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: King County Comprehensive Plan . July 1994. 15. Pierce County, Department of Planning and Land Services. Proposed Lakeland Hills South Mi ning and Reclamation Plan and Planned Community Development: Final Environmental Impact Statement . July 21, 1992. Page B-8 Reports and Studies Page B-9 16. Pierce County, Department of Planning and Land Services. Comprehensive Plan for Pierce C ounty, Washington: Final EIS. September 20, 1993. 17. Pierce County, Department of Planning and Land Services. Final Supplemental EIS for the Comprehensive Plan for Pierce County, Washington . June 1994. 18. Puget Sound Council of Governments. Final Environmental Impact Statement - Vision 2020: Growth Strategy and Transportation Plan for th e Central Puget Sound Region . September 1990.