HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2021 MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
September 8, 2021
FINAL MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. via Zoom Meeting due to Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery initiative and the Governor’s Emergency
Proclamation 20-28 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic which establishes the official meeting place, as virtual.
ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
*A quorum was established after Other Business on the Agenda, when Commissioner Mason joined. The Commission voted on Minutes at that time *
Commissioners present: Chair Judi Roland, Vice-Chair Lee, Commissioner Moutzouris and Commissioner Stephens.
Commissioner Mason joined the meeting late due to technical difficulties with the virtual meeting connection. Commissioner Mason joined via phone.
Staff present: Assistant City Attorney, Doug Ruth; Planning Services Manager, Jeff Dixon; Senior Planner, Josh Steiner; Planner II, Alexandria Teague; Senior Traffic Planner, Cecile
Malik; Office Assistant, Tammy Gallier.
Members of the public present: No audience members were present or participating.
b.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 3, 2021 – Regular Meeting Minutes
*A quorum was established after Other Business when Commissioner Mason joined. The Commission voted on Minutes at that time *
Vice Chair Lee moved, and Commissioner Stephens seconded to approve the minutes from the August 3, 2021, meeting as written.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5-0
PUBLIC HEARING
No Public Hearing for this meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Airport Code Update
City File No. ZOA20-0002: Continued discussion of Airport Zoning Code Update (amend Chpt 18.38, Chpt 18.04 ACC, and zoning map).
Planner II, Alexandria Teague recounted the recent history. At the August 3rd Planning Commission Meeting Staff introduced the airport related text and map amendments. The introduction
provided an in-depth review of the following:
The adopted airport related Comprehensive Plan policies.
The FAA, WSDOT, and Auburn’s roles in regulating airport operations and the surrounding area.
The “airport influence” area;
Challenges related to development around the airport; and
A summary of the key code changes.
The revisions made to the text and map amendments were presented at the August 3rd Planning Commission meeting. The revisions include:
Removing Compatibility Zone 7 from the proposed airport overlay and the airport overlay restrictions and standards section;
Updating the FAR Part 77 “Primary Surface” description and several surface elevations
Adding FAA Form 7460 “Notice of Proposed Construction” as a method of ensuring compliance with the FAR Part 77 surfaces
The revisions to the text amendment are shown in Attachment A and B in the packet and are briefly described below. The revised airport overlay (the map amendment) is included in Attachment
C that is also in the packet.
Descriptions of Revisions since last meeting. 1.Compatibility Zone 7, which constituted the airport traffic patterns, was removed from the proposed airport overlay. It was
removed because implementing the proposed restrictions and standards along narrow linear paths (the pattern lines) could create issues of inconsistency when administered by staff. Also,
the existing proposed standards for Compatibility Zone 6 should account for and mitigate the potential impacts to the airport’s flight traffic pattern.
1.The FAR Part 77 “Primary Surface” description was changed from a more general description to one specific to the Auburn Municipal Airport. The surface elevations were updated to reflect
the more recent runway extensions – new highpoints on the runway as a result of the past actions lengthening the runway.
1. The filing of an FAA Form 7460 “Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration” was added as a method to demonstrate compliance with the height limitations. Per FAA guidance,
the form is to be submitted by a property owner before proposed construction
or alteration (before the object penetrates the airspace). The FAA’s determination is shared with the city prior to city authorization. This is a method that is currently used by the
City to determine whether an object will penetrate the airspace.
TEXT AMENDMENT
The zoning code text amendment is shown by strikeout/underline and is attached in the packet as Attachment A and as a “clean version” in Attachment B. The zoning map amendment
is attached in the packet as Attachment C.
Alexandria Teague, Planner II, discussed the state required consultation meeting that took place with the Washington State Department of Transportation/Aviation Division on August 23,
2021.
A formal consultation meeting took was held virtually on August 23, 2021, with the City of Auburn Airport Manager, Planning Services Manager and Planner II, a Washington Department of
Transportation/Aviation Division Planner and 3 attendees from the aviation community. City Staff presented an overview of the proposed code changes and then opened it up for comments.
Very few comments were provided. One comment asked about the purpose of the code update and the history of noise complaints. The attendees had no issues and were generally in support
of the proposed code update. They were also advised that a Public Hearing would likely take place at the October 5th Planning Commission Meeting.
In concluding her presentation, Planner Teague stated, If the Planning Commission believes that the changes are ready to proceed, Staff will move forward with noticing and scheduling
of a public hearing on October 5th.
After Staff concluded their presentation, the floor was opened up for questions or comments from the Commission.
The Commission requested clarification on a blank page in the packet where the code changes were described. The Planning Commission wanted to confirm with staff that the blank page was
intentional and there was nothing missing. Staff confirmed that nothing was missing that in fact the Word formatting was difficult and created a blank page by mistake.
The Commission asked who from the Aviation Community was in attendance at the consultation meeting. Staff remarked that the attendees were an airport board member and an airport hangar
owner. The third participant was not identified.
Chair Roland inquired on how the public and businesses were going to be notified of the changes to the code. Staff responded that business were already made aware by the mailed public
notice of the Notice of Application (NOA) and environmental review decision(SEPA) that was issued on September 1, 2021. Another Notice of Public Hearing postcard will be sent out in
advance of the Public Hearing that will be conducted on October 5, 2021, at the regular Planning Commission Meeting. Staff stated that typically the city doesn’t announce code changes
after adoption. Staff added, that if we do hear from anyone from the public during the process that has comments
and has requested to be informed, Staff will keep them informed of the steps in the process.
The Planning Commission asked about the size of the easement on the properties in case safety lights had to be installed or maintained or if a truck needed to go through. Staff wasn’t
sure of the easement size, but that it would include granting property access for future maintenance. Staff commented that easements could include the entire parcel in order to grant
access.
Staff commented that they will follow up with Public Works Director, Ingrid Gaub to clarify and report back to the Commission at the next meeting.
The Commission asked for clarification on the Revised Height Compliance Section of the code. Its states that the “Planning Director in consultation with the Airport Manager may require
one or all…”. The Commission inquired why it says “may” instead of “shall”. As a Director shouldn’t it say “shall” because they have that authority? Staff commented that the word “may”
is used because it could require only one of those listed methods of demonstrating compliance or it could require all three of those methods from the Revised Height Compliance section.
It allows a little more flexibility on what would be required.
2021 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Introduction and Overview of proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan as part of the 2021 Annual Update process.
Senior Planner, Josh Steiner, presented the staff report to the Planning Commission.
He introduced and briefly discussed:
1.The docket of annual comprehensive plan amendments is proposed to consist of the following:
City Initiated Comprehensive Plan Text Amendments (CPA21-0001) (each capital facilities plan is incorporated by reference)
• P/T #1 – Auburn School District Capital Facilities Plan
• P/T #2 – Dieringer School District Capital Facilities Plan
• P/T #3 – Federal Way School District Capital Facilities Plan
• P/T #4 – Kent School District Capital Facilities Plan
• P/T #5 – City of Auburn (COA) Capital Facilities Plan
• P/T #6 – Volume 3, Capital Facilities Element. The City’s Water Division has prepared some minor changes to their Comprehensive Water Plan to extend the
useful life of the Plan. The City’s Comprehensive Water Plan is a separate document which is incorporated by reference in the Capital Facilities Element (Chapter) of the Comprehensive
Plan. So, the update to the Comprehensive Plan is to recognize this revised Comprehensive Water Plan document which is incorporated by reference.
At the time of development of the City’s Comprehensive Water Plan, the Washington State Department of Health was changing the time period requirements applicable to water plans. Since
the change was not fully implemented, the city prepared the water plan for a 6-year timeframe. Now, that the Washington State Department of Health changes have gone into effect, the
city seeks to extend the duration of the Plan and then use this to apply for an extension effective to 2026, at which time a full update will be completed. The Water Division believes
the update is appropriate because the capital projects, water demands, and population growth projections presented in the current Water System Plan are still accurate projections of
the City’s system over the longer planning period.
No text changes to the Capital Facilities Element are needed, although the referenced Comprehensive Water Plan in Policy CF-13 is expected to be updated by 2024 with current data as
part of the 8-year Periodic Update.
Senior Transportation Planner, Cecile Malik presented the changes to the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element (Chapter) to the Planning Commission.
• P/T #7 –Volume 5, Transportation Element (This is a separate document incorporated by reference). Changes in the Transportation Element consist of the following:
Update Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) information/project list.
Re-designate one project from Comprehensive Plan list to the (TIP) list to maintain continuity in the future transportation network conditions.
Update maps as needed to reflect current data and conditions (addressed by CMP #1, below);
Additional minor changes will relate to grammar, punctuation, choice of words, references, etc.
The Commission asked what a VMS sign is. Staff commented that it stands for variable message sign and it’s a digital sign that can relay messages to drivers on the road such as accidents
ahead or any traffic issues that could be happening.
Staff mentioned to the Commission that detailed maps and more information will be supplied in the Comp. Plan Binders. Those will be delivered to the Planning Commission prior to the
next meeting on October 5, 2021.
Senior Planner, Josh Steiner continued with the Comprehensive Plan presentation regarding P/T #8,P/T #9, and CPM #1.
• P/T #8 – Volume 2, Housing Element. The City adopted a Housing Action Plan (HAP) in July 2021, which was also presented to the Planning Commission in February and June 2021 by City
staff. Among the various recommendations of the HAP, it provides recommendations on policies and code changes to implement HAP strategies. The proposed policy revision allows for better
alignment with Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Vision 2050 policy MPP-H-11 which addresses supporting identification of potential physical, economic, and cultural displacement,
and mitigating to the extent feasible.
Include reference and brief description of Housing Action Plan in Conditions and Trends section beginning on Page H-1 of the Housing Element.
Revise Policy H-24(f) to include text regarding minimizing displacement impacts. The revision of this policy will better align with PSRC Vision 2050’s recognition of displacement risk
and the need to minimize. Revising this policy allows for alignment with PSRC requirements in advance of the 2024 Periodic Update.
Address text formatting for Policy H-24 sub-policies
• P/T #9 – Volume 1, Land Use Element. The City adopted a Housing Action Plan (HAP) in July 2021, which was also presented to the Planning Commission in February and June 2021 by City
staff. The HAP provides recommendations on policies and code changes to implement HAP strategies. One such policy is located in the Land Use Element (Chapter) .
Revise Policy LU-39 to include affordable housing development. In addition to allowing additional height or density in exchange for supplemental amenities identified in this policy,
this revision would include affordable housing development as eligible uses for deviations in height, density, or intensity bonuses.
City-Initiated Map Amendments (CPA21-0002):
• CPM #1 – Volume 5: Transportation Element (Separate document incorporated by reference): Several maps found throughout Volume 5 have been updated to reflect current conditions. A final
list of maps and their corresponding page numbers is under development by City’s Transportation Division.
Concluding the presentation, Staff asked the Commission if they had any questions.
The Commission asked if the Comp. Plan Binders will be delivered like in years past and staff confirmed that would be the case.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Planning Services Manager, Jeff Dixon reported that Planning Commissioner Sunil Khanal resigned his seat with the Planning Commission. City Staff is actively looking to fill those two
available seats for the Planning Commission. He asked the Commission to direct an interested persons to the city website to apply.
Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon commented that previously it was mentioned to the Commission that City Council was trying a hybrid type of public meetings which consisted of virtual
and in-person meetings with the hopes of other committees moving to the same format in the future. Unfortunately, due to the rise in Covid cases, that has discontinued, and meetings
have gone back to virtual for the time being.
Staff reported that the fire that happened at the Max Building, which housed businesses like the former Nelson Jewelry and Sushido, has had both the Fire Marshall investigation as well
as the Insurance investigation completed. However, both investigations determined that the source of the fire was “inconclusive”. What is on-going at this time, is the property owner
having a structural analysis completed to see if any part of that building can be reused or if there is any value in the remaining section of the building and if it can be rebuilt or
added onto in the future. VRFA, Valley Regional Fire Authority, has offered to assist business owners or residential tenants to access the building to retrieve their personal belongings.
The City Code Enforcement Officers have issued a Notice to Correct as this will help the owner to keep attention on making progress with the building related to ongoing safety.
The Commission asked about the Heritage site across the street which burned down a couple of years ago. Staff commented that they are making progress and recently resubmitted modifications
to their building permits and are currently under review as well as working through some changes with other City departments.
The U.S. government’s General Services Administration (GSA) property is up for public auction. The sale is scheduled for October with closing in January. The sale of the property includes
a provision to allow the GSA to continue to occupy the property for a period of time after the sale.
The next meeting will be help on October 5, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. and the agenda will consist of a Public Hearing on the Airport Code Changes as well as review of the Comprehensive Plan
Binders. A second meeting for the month will be held October 19, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. and the agenda will include the Public Hearing for the 2021 Comprehensive Plan annual amendments.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland adjourned the meeting at 8:33 P.M.
