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AliBURN Memorandum
WASHINGTON Planning and Development Department
To: Planning and Community Development Committee
From: Elizabeth Chamberlain, Planning Manager
CC: Kevin Snyder, Director
Date: February 8, 2011
Re: Amendment to the Downtown Urban Center Design Standards
Background
The Downtown Urban Center Design Standards were originally adopted as part of the Downtown
Urban Center (DUC) zone by the City Council February 2007. Periodic review and amendments
to the design standards have been made as a result of the two recently completed downtown
projects; One Main Professional Plaza and the Auburn Regional Medical Plaza building and
parking garage.
Discussion
A previous amendment to the design standards changed the street designation for a portion of
North Division Street between Main Street and 1s' Street NE from a Pedestrian I street to a
Pedestrian 11 street. During the review of this amendment, the Downtown Redevelopment
Committee (DRC) and Planning and Community Development Committee (PCDC) stated that as
goal of the design standards is to focus retail/commercial uses on the ground floor along Main
Street and South Division Street (the promenade) and other uses such as medical office could be
located on the ground floor along other downtown streets.
An inquiry into the vacant Key Bank Building, at Auburn Avenue and 1s' Street NE, about
establishing medical office at this location was made. In reviewing the design standards, Auburn
Avenue between East Main Street and 1St Street NE is still designated a Pedestrian I street which
does not permit medical office uses. Based on previous discussions with DRC and PCDC,
Auburn Avenue is not envisioned to be retail/commercial focused corridor and therefore could be
a Pedestrian 11 street.
Staffs proposal before the Committee is to change Auburn Avenue between East Main Street
and 1s' Street NE from a Pedestrian I street to a Pedestrian 11 street. Attached for reference is a
map showing the pedestrian street designations.
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AUBURN- MORE THAN YOU IMAGINH)
The Planning and Community Development Committee has the authority to review and approve
amendments to the DUC Design Standards pursuant to Auburn City Code Section 18.29.070.
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Pedestrian Streets
Design Standards
Downtown Urban Center Zone
May 24, 2010February XX, 2011