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HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM II-ACOQ DRAFT PLANNING COMMISSION * ~HIG~"OI June 2011 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Vice Chair Kevin Chapman, Bob Baggett, Ron Copple, Joan Mason, Wayne Osborne, and Dave Peace. Commission Members excused: Michael Hamilton. Staff present included: Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Senior Planner Hillary Taylor, and Planning Secretary Tina Kriss. Audience members included: Robert Whale, Auburn Reporter. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 17, 2011 Commissioner Osborne moved and Commissioner Mason seconded to approve the minutes from the May 3, 2011 meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0 III. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members of the public present. IV. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain invited Members to the Promenade ground breaking. It will be held Thursday, June 9th at 3:30 p.m. at Plaza Park. Attorney Dan Heid is working out the final settlement agreement details with Walmart. The Commission and Ms. Chamberlain discussed the status of other properties and projects. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Proposed Code Amendment to Allow "Small Craft Breweries and Distilleries" Senior Planner Hillary Taylor provided the staff report. On May 17, 2011 staff presented this item for discussion to Commission providing recommendations from the Planning & Community Development Committee (PCDC). At the May 17, 2011 meeting the Planning Commission provided recommendations and requested additional information from staff for the proposed code amendment. Staff made changes to the proposed amendment based on the Commission's feedback. Commission and staff reviewed the definition of tasting room. Ms. Taylor pointed out the Mosby Brother's Farms definition moving forward on tasting rooms is consistent with this 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 2011 definition. Commission and staff reviewed uses in the Downtown Urban Core (DUC). Ms. Taylor stated a tasting room would bean outright permitted use in the DUC, any production and manufacturing facilities would need an administrative use permit. Commission and staff discussed the volume of alcohol served in a tasting room verses a tavern. Ms. Taylor stated the City would not be responsible for enforcement of restrictions by the Washington State Liquor Control Board. Commissioner Chapman stated he does not want an increase in taverns or places people consume too much alcohol creating safety issues. Chair Roland opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. to receive comments on the proposed Code Amendment to Allow "Small Craft Breweries and Distilleries." There being no public present for comment, Chair Roland Closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. Commissioner Chapman asked if Trade Route Brewing Company was the only reason this proposed amendment was written. Ms. Chamberlain stated our current code limited their production model but City staff has been approached by other people for wine tasting rooms, encouraging staff to look into changes. Economic development staff also believes this is a good economic tool to bring business into the City. Commissioner Osborne and Chair Roland stated this amendment may provide an opportunity for growth in business, tourism, and an increase of tax dollars. Commissioner Peace moved and Commissioner Copple seconded to approve the proposed Code Amendment to Allow "Small Craft Breweries and Distilleries." MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0 VI. OTHER BUSINESS A. Proposed Code Amendment to Allowthe Keeping of Urban Farm Animals Senior Planner Hillary Taylor provided background information on the proposed code amendment for keeping urban farm animals. The City of Auburn, with increasing frequency receives inquiries asking if there are rules against keeping chickens and other urban farm animals on residential properties within the City limits. Chickens are not currently allowed to be kept on residential properties within the City limits. The exception is within the portions of the city annexed in 2008 and properties zoned Residential Conservancy (RC) and R-1 (1 du/acre}.Within these areas the zoning code regulations were enacted to allow the keeping of farm animals, including chickens and poultry. Staff presented this issue to the Planning & Community Development Committee at the April 25, 2011 meeting. The Committee provided staff with direction to move forward with a draft amendment proposal that would allow chickens, potbelly pigs, and miniature goats on residential properties in the City of Auburn and directed staff to draft regulations that would allow goats to be kept on commercial properties. The Committee expressed a preference forthe regulations in the City of Renton which 2 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 2011 link the number of pets allowed to the square footage of the lot. The Committee expressed that roosters should not be permitted. Commission and staff reviewed City of Auburn animal licensing requirements. Members discussed various opinions on minimum lot size for allowing domestic fowl. Commission members asked about the uses allowed in the annexation areas of West Hill and Lea Hill and if they will be allowed to continue their current uses. Ms. Chamberlain explained current uses will be allowed if consistent with the zoning code regulations that were developed for the annexation areas. Staff look into the existing code language related to farm animals for the annexation areas and how that compares with the proposed code amendment for urban farm animals. The Commission did not want the West Hill and Lea Hill overlay code related to farm animals in conflict with the proposed code amendment. Commission reviewed the definitions and provided the following feedback: • Provide information on what other jurisdictions are doing with lot size and the number of fowl or small animals as well as density strategies • Make sure the West Hill and Lea Hill overlay code related to farm animals will not conflict with the proposed code amendment • Reevaluate the Domestic Fowl definition to possibly allow turkeys or other fowl • Clarify "less than 10 pounds", under Household Pets • Review noise ordinance to ensure excessive noise provisions are addressed • Commission agrees with Planning and Community Development request for additional outreach opportunities The public hearing on this item will be held July 6, 2011. There will not be a Planning Commission meeting held on June 21 St to address other code changes. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. 3