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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-2010 . * PLANNBNG & COMMUNBTY C[TY OF * _ ~ * DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WAS H I NGTON September 27, 2010 MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to orderat 5:00 p:m. in Annex Conference Room 1 located on the second floor of One Main Building, 1 East Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Councilmember Rich Wagner and Councilmember John Partridge substituting for Nancy Backus who was excused. Staff members present ineluded: Mayor Pete Lewis, Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Human Services Manager Michael Hursh, Development Services Manager Jeff Tate, Environmental Protection Manager Chris Andersen, Project Engineer, Ryan Vondrak, and Administrative Support Clerk Tina Kriss. Audience members included: Spencer Alpert of Alpert Capital; Mel Maertz of M2 Architects; Mike Horner and Steve Crantz of Pacific Real Estate Partners; Debbie Christian, Aubum Food Bank; Jim Blanchard, Aubum Youth Resources; Faith Richie, Valley Cities Counseling; Councilmember Bill Peloza; and Wayne Osbome. Human Services Comrriittee Members included`. Suzanne Limric, Bette Van Gasken, Barbara J. , Derda, Mayor Chuck Booth, and Lela Brugger. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AGENDA MODIFICATIONS Agenda Modification submitted and accepted to add Action Item C. Permission to award Contract 10-28 to the lowest bidder, Game Farm park Project No. CP1001. Councilmember Backus is excused for this meeting; Councilmember Partridge will be sitting in on her befialf. III. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes - September 13, 2010 Member Wagner moved, Councilmember Partridge seconded TO APPROVE'fHE Consent Agenda as presented; Chair Norman concurred. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0 IV. HUMAN SERVICES UPDATE A. Joint Session with Human Services Committee Human Services Manager Michael Hursh and the Human Senrices Committee members provided an update on their work including the additional agencies that were funded this year, which provide the community with services throughout Aubum. Human Services Committee stated the new approach of receiving results based updates from_ the.agencies, especially the new agencies has been helpful to the Human Services Committee. ` Planning andCommunity Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010 The new electronic application submittal process for this year has been extremely helpful. Seventeen cities share the joint application submittal process; this provided additional agencies the opportunity to apply which we would not have typically received. Evaluations were performed on 71 applications; representing both old and new programs. The ability to cover all the services has expanded with the assistance and support of Planning and Community Development Committee; showing concern for the needs of the Human Services Committee as well as providing support to the community of Auburn which enables the Human Services Committee in assisting satisfying needs. The Human Services Committee stated they have made great strides forward and will continue to push for ageneies to report on their results in the eategories committee has prioritized, Human Services also stated they will be working towards bringing on additional members of the Human Senrices Committee which can bring more diversity; it has been difficult to bring in additional members due to the time commitment required. B. Collaboration Study Human Services Manager Michael Hursh discussed the decision months ago to create a one-stop center for human services to increase referrals by multiple agencies. Mr. Hursh sfated due to the working relationships, information sharing (sensitive to confidentiality), and a clearer understanding of local services available at sister agencies for referral, the City has been able to provide broader services to more clients in the eommunity. The process is not as quantifiable as it will be in tfie . future but the reports being received weekly by agencies supports an increase in referral and services. Representatives Jim Blanchard from Auburn Youth Resources (AYR); Debbie Christian of the Aubum Food Bank; and Faith Richie of Valley Cities Counseling all shaced encouraging examples of their agencies and others providing an increase in community-based services and referrals due to fheir interagency coordination. Weekly coordination meetings with three agencies have provided a systematic approach to increase an inventory of homes for the homeless community. The housing inventory went from 15 homes to 30 and will shortly increase by an additional 15. Each agency provides a unique service which when combined will increase the abilify to provide services to their clients. Mr. Hursh feels with the inter-agency coordination and one-stop human senrices center they will continue to increase in ~services and an increase in reporting ultimately meeting the goals outline by the Human Services Committee. V. ACTION . A. Ordinance No. 6328 Development Services Manager Jeff Tate briefed the Committee-on the issues mounting due to the influx of abandoned "and/or foreclosed properties. Mr. Tate stated the'increase ofi unmaintained properties has also increased. Properties located within welL maintained neighborhoods have become eyesores due to lack of vegetation control, unmowed yards, broken and7or boarded up windows and graffiti tagging which has caused a spike in code compliance cases filed under Chapter 8.12. Page 2 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010 On September 13, staff provided the Commiftee with the first iteration of this draft ordinance to this Committee. The draft ordinance provided a third option for how we pursue compliance. It is'important to reemphasize our starting point is always with a Notice of Correction and to work with the property owner to get a piece of property or violation rectified and into compliance. When the objective and policy is not able to be remedied and challenges exist in owner absence, where research indicates fhe . inability to find a contact person, this ordinance will assist us in moving pastthe Notice of Correction.in an, initial effort to gain compliance through the one on one interaction. The third compliance option basically a.dds the ability to assess a civil penalty to a piece of property and have an ongoing daily accraal of penalty until a violation is remedied. In the last discussion PCDC provided direction to move forward with this ordinance but had a couple comments and suggestions. Staff has made changes in response to those comments. One additional change at the suggestion by the City Attomey's office to add section four which cross references chapter 8.20. to include the vegetation section of City ocdinance, making it consistent when talking about properties that are unmaintained from a vegetation point of view. Member Wagner moved, Councilmember Partridge seconded the motion to forward Ordinance 6328 to full Council for approval; Chair Norman concurred. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0 . B. Ordinance No. 4647, City of Auburn/Pierce County Puyallup/White River . Interlocal Agceement . Environmental Protection Manager Chris Andersen briefed the Commiftee on Resolution No: 4647; United States Congress authorized a Corps of Engineers. General Investigation New Start. (GI) for the Puyallup/White watershed area dated June 21, 2000: Staff reviewed the sequence of events leading to the federal interest in pursing a feasibility phase study to plan for flood damage reduction and fish and wildlife habitat resforation of the Puyallup River Basin. Pierce County has agreed to perform the role of''Local Sponsor" with support from the other participating agencies which will provide review of GI materials and actively participate in the process through the Pierce County Rivers Executive Task Force, in addition to providing financial support, The City of Aubum has determined that the potential for significant flooding associated with the Lower Puyallup River is a threat to the City's regional economic interest. The City's participation is $25,000 over six years. Commiftee asked how we got a cost of $6M when the exhibit shows a cost of around $4M. Mr. Andersen answered committee stating the cost of $6M is an updated, more recent estimate perFormed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Commiftee asked if the City commits to this amount will we be required to financially commif in the next phase. Mr. Andersen stated the agreement was specific to the feasibility study and a new agreement would then need to be proposed and accepted. Page 3 Planning andf Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010 Member Wagner moved and Councilmember Partridge seconded the motion to forward Ordinance 4647 to full Council for approval; Chair Norman concurred. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0 C. Permission to award Contract 10-28 to the lowest bidder, Game Farm Park Project No. CP1001 The purpose of the project is to install Musco Green Lighting on the two TurF Soccer Fields located at Aubum's Game Farm Park. These lights will allow for more fields to be utilized at night, #ake advantage of energy efficient lighting systems, and get the City one step closer to systemizing the City's parks lighting. Bids will be opened on September 28, 2010. After bid opening staff will evaluate the apparent low bidder and provide a revised agenda bill and bid tabulation at the Council meeting scheduled for October 4, 2010. The project is funded by a Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant, 321 Grant Fund. The project has a credit of $70.00 remaining. It was moved by Member Wagner, seconded by Councilmember Partridge to bring before full City Council contract 10-28 for permission to award to the lowest bidder, Game Farm park Project No. CP1001, Chair Norman concurred. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0 VI. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION A. Downtown Development Efforts with Master Developer Spencer Alpert, Alpert Capital Mayor Lewis discussed the possibility of the City adding perFormance measures to the future development agreement which is about to expire as efforts continue to • ~ develop Aubum Junction. The Committee may want to #hink about what specific measures council may want and how they:would be addressed in an agreement. Spencer Alpert of Alpert Capital introduced members of his team, Mel Maertz of M2 ~ I Architecfs, and Mike Home~ and Steve Crantz of Pacific Real Estate Partners. Mr. Alpert then provided the Committee with a Current Status Report dated September 23, 2010, which includes the 2008 binder with several reports and maps. Alpert stated they have put a team together to move the project forward and Aubum is ready and the stage is set; with the current amenities the team feels they can attract a hotel, cinema, a boutique grocer, a mix of smaller shops or neighborhood. services, and a center like a cultural arts center. Committee asked how the team expects to merge or connect Historic Main Street with the four block development: Mr. Alpert stated pedestrians will wander to Historic Main Street by being drawn by other development: Mr. Alpert stated from a practical standpoint the finro blocks owned by the City will most likely be the first fo kick off development. He believes the southwest block has the connection to the transit center and would be a good starting point to develop. Page 4 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010 Mr. Alpert stated Main Street is a huge amenity because of the historic buildings and . the look and feef that is appealing in working into an urban project; the City also hosts the Veterans Day Parade, the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi which is another amenity. These factors'fit nicely with developing shops with the same look and feel as Main Street. : Committee asked if there was an interest in bringing in federal govemmental facilities. Mr: Alpert answered committee stating yes we believe an office element connected to the hospital like federal or governmental buildings would be prudent at this time. Committee emphasized thinking past the current economic situation and the next five years to broaden development possibilities. Committee and Mr. Alpert . discussed the design plan changes. Mr. Maertz stated the design is all driven by future tenants and what types of uses will be looked at as well as the people that wip synergize this development. This plan is a generic master plan that has not been set; 'it is a more organic block by block approach. Mr. Alpert added there are not developers who specialize in mixed-use; it is residential or commercial. We do not want to make the same misfakes as other. cities where you go forward with a plan without really thinking through the practical aspects of where you are heading and what happens next. Committee asked if the market analysis provided from 2008 is relevant given the current conditions and how it will. affect the City. Mr. Alpert stafed the report was provided to show what Alpert has accomplished in the past and is out of date. Mr. Alpert stated they will provide a current market analysis in the future which will include information #rom the new design fnished in April 2010.. Committee stated their concem that the design looks like a massive project verses a block by block approach with sidewalks, lighting and infrastructure making it a cohesive unit that is tied together, Committee feels it would be more prudent in this economy to get individual developers for a block by block approach since it appears banks will not provide loans for a complete four block development. Mr. Alpert stated there is no possibility of having the massive project approach, the possibility is gone. The design was intended to show a completed master plan showing '/a blocks, 'h blocks, or a flexible block by block long term plan. Mr. Alpert stated loans are not even being given for those types of projects we are in the planning stages. Committee asked Mr. Alpert what his personal benchmarks for success will be in the next year. Mr. Alpert stated 2011 will be a planning year and he does not ezpect to see a closing for development. He stated 2012-2013 is when the economy should improve and people who do the planning will start effectuating their plan. Committee asked Mr. Alpert; beyond selling properties what would be the accomplishments and personal benchmarks for you in the next year. Mr. Alpert responded to be the best positioned within the next year. Mr. Alpert then asked Steve and Mike from Pacific Real Estate Partners to talk about the marlcet since it is market driven. Mr. Crantz stated he feels Mr. Alpert has articulated adequately what the market condition is so far and he and his partner Page 5. . . ~ Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010 would only have something to explore in a more detailed manner if the tenant were set to move forward and accomplish something in 2012 - 2013. Mr. Crantr addressed the Committee's question on a benchmark for this project, he stated a benchmark for both he and Mr. Horner would be obtaining non-binding letters of intent by a developer, restaurant, retaileror land buyer; the intenf to purchase the property under certain terms and conditions. Mr. Horner stated this will also help aid financing. Mr. Alpert stated we have a concept plan that Mel has put together and it needs to be refined in the context of the market which requires input from Mr. Crantr and Mr. Homer. Mr. Alpert reemphasized he feels a reasonable way to approach this is to look at 2011 as a planning year. A portion of the City's infrastructure will be going in and Alpert can get a real updafed sfudy of what the economics are of the project and start getting the tenants. Mr. Alpert stated he feels in 2012 and 2013 is when development will start. Mr. Homer stated they are excited about this project and want the City to understand they will not be paid until the end of the project after everything comes together. They will be spending a lot of time and effort and be very proactive up front because they are very specific about the projects they pick. They pick projects they will be saccessful with and projects where they leave something for#he community for generations to come. Committee.stated there were nine projects from Pacific Real Estate Partners (PREP) here in Aubum and it appears they are all industrial. Mr. Homer confirmed. Mr. Alpert talked about a limited number of brokers who specialize in large mixed-use developments so Mr. Homer and Mr. Crantz have participated in PREP projects that are industrial but also have retails experience. Committee and Mr. Alpert discussed the Sunbreak Cafe being part of the plan and Mr. Alpert concurred. Committee stated they would like to see the farmers market and the gathering spot at the train station integrated into the drawing. Mr. Alpert concurred. B. Site Plan Review Process & Procedures In 2003, the City of Aubum commissioned an outside third party review by Shockey Brent, Inc. of its development approval process. This report recommended the City adopt a site plan review process. In 2007, the City commissioned the same firm to conduct a follow up analysis to review implemenfation of its 2003 recommendations and identify needed improvement areas. A key recommendation of both review efforts was the implementation of a site plan review process. Site plan review is a development review process,.used in many cities and counties to provide early on review of proposed.developmenf in advance of the preparation of detailed building and/or engineering plans. Site plan review can help identify and address key concems and identify options pertaining to land use, environmental, transportation and utilities impacts. ln mosf instances; site plan review is applied to commercial, industrial, institutional multi-family and mixed use developmenf. Often, local govemments will establish size or scale.thresholds for these types of projects Page 6 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010 that require site plan review. In many instances,, site plan review is conducted as an administrative review process subject to public noticing. " Committee was supportive of looking into this process but wants staffto consult with WCIA to make sure it meets the scrutiny of#he insurance industry. Director Snyder stated he will check with risk management and report back to the Committee. Committee also stated it may be beneficial from a marketing standpoint due to fhe economy to have a site.plan review. Committee also asked how vesting would be impacted. Director Snyder answered stating under Washington State Law within 120 days a decision must be made for all land use decisions. Commitfee also stated they are not in favor of an administrative approval but,hearing examiner decision. Mr. Snyder stafed staff will look into some of the details of this process and concems of the Committee and report back to the Committee. C. PCDC Status Matrix Chair asked committee to contact staff.if.they had any questions or changes to the PCDC status matrix. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Commpnity Development Committee, Chair Norman adjoumed the meeting at p.m. APPROVED THIS ~ DAY OF 2a io . - . \ ~..'•.,y • ' ' ~ ~ Lynn o an, Chair Tina Kriss, A inisfrative Support Clerk Page 7