HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-2016 02022016 Minutes AILJBIE*
ITY OF . `,
PLANNING COMMISSION
- February 2, 2016
WASHINGTON MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
II. ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Planning Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Vice-Chair Copple,
Commissioner Mason, and Commissioner Lee. Commissioner Smith is excused.
Staff present included: Assistant City Attorney Jessica Leiser; Assistant Director of
Community Development Jeff Tate; Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon, Senior
Planner Thaniel Gouk and Community Development Administrative Assistant Tina Kriss.
Members of the public present: Shirley Chittenden
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. December 8, 2015
Commissioner Copple moved and Commissioner Smith seconded to approve the
minutes from the December 8, 2015 meeting as written.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments on any item not listed on the agenda for discussion or
public hearing.
V. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Assistant Director of Community Development Jeff Tate provided the following updates
to the Commission:
• Auburn City Council, under Resolution No. 5188, adopted the Comprehensive
Plan on January 4, 2016. The City council had a lot of positive feedback for the
work of everyone, including, and especially the Planning Commission. The next
steps by staff are to update the development regulations to implement the
Comprehensive Plan concepts among other changes.
• On January 4, 2016 City Council adopted Resolution No. 5194, establishing a
moratorium on the allowance, acceptance or processing of applications for retail
establishments of marijuana/cannabis. The moratorium does not include
processors or producers of marijuana/cannabis and related products. Under the
city's previous regulations the City was able to issue two retail licenses in
Auburn. In the course of the last year through state legislature and through
actions of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board they have removed
the limitation on the number of retail licenses. City Council has enacted a
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moratorium to not allow additional retail establishments until the city has the
ability to navigate through this issue of the potential for an unlimited number and
to determine if there are local regulations or approaches that need to be put in
place.
• The city recently sent out a request to citizens, through the city's broadcast email
outreach, GovDelivery Service, to advertise for volunteers interested in being a
Planning Commission member subject to appointment. Within 24 hours the city
received 25 interested responses. On January 4, 2016, City Council confirmed
the reappointments of Commissioners Lee and Smith for a three-year term
ending December 31, 2018.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Keeping of Domestic Fowl
Senior Planner Thaniel Gouk presented background information to the Planning
Commission regarding the Auburn City Code regulations on the city's animal code
sections in general, and the regulations pertaining to domestic fowl, in particular. .
The Commission and staff discussed what is addressed in the current regulations for
fowl and what is not. There was discussion on several topics, such as if chicken
coops should be required, proposals for the number of domestic fowl allowed per lot
size, limitations on feeding, requirements for clean up and disposal of waste, and if
the definition of domestic fowl should be updated.
Staff explained and referred to the memo that provides information on the multiple
complaints regarding domestic fowl. After further discussion, the Commission
expressed that the variety of topics suggested for regulation is likely too much and
instead many issues can be handled within code compliance under the City's
existing or slightly amended nuisance code and that the city may be overregulating if
too many more restrictions are added to the regulations on domestic fowl.
Commissioner Copple felt it may be beneficial to limit or cap the number of domestic
fowl allowed. Staff explained that consideration should be taken in limiting the
number within the residential conservancy zoned portion of the city that is
characterized by larger lot sizes and more rural character. The Commission asked
staff to report back to the Commission and provide copies of Auburn City Code
(ACC) 18.31.220, more information about previous complaints, the City received,
and any proposals or information on limiting or placing a cap on the number of
domestic fowl allowed.
B. Residential Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Equipment
Assistant Director Tate provided background information on the issue of City's single
family residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning appliances that are outside
and separate from the building and the regulations under the International
Residential Code (IRC) and the city's permitting requirements. Staff also discussed
noise emanating from the residential equipment and reviewed the historical
information on complaints received regarding the noise of this equipment
After discussing the complaints that have been received by the City of Auburn over a
period of years, the Commission explained that they do not believe the number of
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2016
complaints warrants any further code amendments. They do feel it would be
beneficial to encourage the use of sound barriers for noise reduction.
C. Election of Officers for 2016
Chair Roland called for nominations for the election of a Chairperson and of the City
of Auburn Planning Commission for the 2016 year.
Commissioner Mason nominated Commissioner Roland as the 2016 Chairperson
and Commissioner Copple as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Lee seconded the
nomination. There being no other nominations, Commissioner Roland was elected
Chairperson and Commissioner Copple was elected as Vice-Chair of the Planning
Commission by majority vote.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0
D. Modification to Rules and Procedures
Assistant Director Tate provided an overview of the Rules and Procedures of the
Planning Commission; last revised April 2, 2013.
The Commission and staff discussed several sections of the Rules and Procedures
and Assistant City Attorney Jessica Leiser reviewed the Section VI. (Quorum). After
review, the Planning Commission recommended the following changes:
• II. Meetings, 3. — Replace the word "Council" with "Commission" after staff
confirms the consistency with the intent of code.
• II. Meetings, 1. —Add the Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call/Establishment of
Quorum (Pledge of Allegiance).
• III. Election of Officers 3. —The Commission asked staff to review the
wording to ensure the language is consistent with the intent of ACC
"Planning Commission".
• VI. Quorum — Revise the language in this section so that it is consistent with
Roberts Rules regarding a quorum and voting on a motion.
• IX. AGENDA— Relabel Item 4 to read "Community Development Report" and
insert it between Items numbered 6 and 7. The order of numbers 4 through
7 will change once revised.
• X. Voting, E. —The Commission instructed staff to revise or add language to
clarify that "a motion to deny that fails is not an approval".
Staff will update the Rules and Procedures and bring it back to the Commission for
review at the next meeting.
Assistant Director Tate reviewed upcoming training opportunities and asked the
Commission to let staff know if they have any specific subject matters for which they
would like further training or education. .
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
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