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Home My WebLink About03-09-2026 Agenda Packet City Council Study Session Finance & Internal Services SFA March 9, 2026 - 5:30 PM City Hall Council Chambers AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A. The Auburn City Council Study Session Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. will be held in person and virtually. Virtual Participation Link: To view the meeting virtually please click the below link, or call into the meeting at the phone number listed below. The link to the Virtual Meeting is: https://www.youtube.com/user/watchauburn/live/?nomobile=1 To listen to the meeting by phone or Zoom, please call the below number or click the link: Telephone: 253 215 8782 Toll Free: 877 853 5257 Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86891889617 ROLL CALL AGENDA MODIFICATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION A. 2026 Community Development Look Ahead (Krum) (20 Minutes) COUNCIL REPORTS ADJOURNMENT Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office and on the City website (http://www.auburnwa.gov). Page 1 of 21 AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM Agenda Subject: Meeting Date: 2026 Community Development Look Ahead (Krum) (20 Minutes) March 9, 2026 Department: Attachments: Budget Impact: Community Development Presentation Administrative Recommendation: For discussion only. Background for Motion: Background Summary: The Community Development team will provide a brief presentation on some subjects that are anticipated to be brought before City Council for further discussion and action in 2026. Multiple topics will be highlighted via a high-level overview. These items include proposed amendments to Development Regulations, Critical Areas Regulations, Design Standards, Parking Requirements, and updates on the Stuck River Road/Mt. Rainier Vista Subarea Planning update. The intent is to provide general awareness to the City Council. Each item will likely be brought before City Council for more detailed presentation and discussion throughout 2026. Councilmember: Tracy Taylor Staff: Jason Krum Page 2 of 21 AUBURN VALUES S E R V I C E ENVIRONMENT E C O N O M Y C H A R A C T E R SUSTAINABILITY W E L L N E S S C E L E B R AT I O N Department of Community Development Planning Building Development Engineering Permit Center Economic Development Code Enforcement CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOOK AHEAD PRESENTED BY ALEXANDRIA TEAGUE, AICP STEVE STURZA, PE MARCH 9, 2026 Page 3 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Critical Areas •Required by the GMA •Best available science •ECY model ordinance and WDFW comments •Consultant help for stream buffers Proposal Implementation •Update standards for consistency CRITICAL AREAS Page 4 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION What is BESS? •BESS store energy in rechargeable batteries •Can provide reliable backup •Currently unregulated in city code •Moratorium expires May 2 nd Proposed Implementation •Create supplemental standards to regulate BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (BESS) From Renton Case Study Presentation Page 5 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Proposed Implementation •Update per HB 1293 •Storefront vs. landscape frontages •Expand applicability to include commercial zones •Clear objectives for the planning and design of development projects MULTIFAMILY & MIXED-USE DESIGN STANDARDS Page 6 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Proposed Implementation •Update per HB 1293 •Storefront vs. landscape frontages •Maintain strong pedestrian on Main Street •Updated pedestrian streets DOWNTOWN DESIGN STANDARDS Page 7 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION What is Non-Conforming ? Nonconforming uses involves the continued use of a property that, because of subsequent changes in regulations, is no longer an allowable use Proposed Implementation Allow for more flexibility of expansion Allow for rebuilds of more than SFR More time before loss of nonconforming status NONCONFORMING STANDARDS Page 8 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION What is required? •SB 5184 — Minimum Parking Standards •0.5 per multifamily unit •1 per SFR unit •2 per 1,000sf commercial •0 for a range of uses Proposed Implementation •Update parking code for compliance MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS Getty Images Page 9 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION What is required? •SB 5509 — Siting of Childcare Centers •SB 5655 — Childcare Centers in Existing Buildings •Update use tables for compliance CHILDCARE CENTERS MRSC Proposed Implementation Page 10 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Why allow corner stores? •A common fixture pre-mid- 20 th century •Provide community gathering place •Support walkability •Allow more small businesses Proposed Implementation •Allow small corner stores in residential zones CORNER STORES Page 11 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Why density bonus? •HB 1757 – related to residential uses •Additional housing units •Cannot impose: •Parking, additional permit requirements, architectural design, etc. Proposed Implementation •Update code to accommodate density standard DENSITY BONUS WITHIN RESIDENTIAL USES Page 12 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION What is live/work? •Joint residential and work occupancy •Allowed in commercial and industrial zone •Part of mixed use •Need specific standards Proposed Implementation •Create standards specific standards •Create a threshold for “secondary” LIVE/WORK & WORK/LIVE Page 13 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION What is it? •WAC 365-196-84(22) •A contract NOT a permit •Provides assurances •City may impose requirements •Hearing required before DA approval Proposed Implementation •Draft code related to development agreements DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS Page 14 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Why code cleanup? •Provides general code and map housekeeping •Cleaning up any: •Incorrect citations •Unclear standards •Parcels with mis-match zoning or land use Proposed Implementation •Update standards as necessary ZONING CODE & MAP CLEANUPS Page 15 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Annual Amendments First adopted in 1995 per GMA Annual amendment differ from the periodic update Amend only once per year Can be initiated by the City and by private parties Next Steps Accept private initiated amendments – Deadline is June 12, 2026 Process any city-initiated Process school facilities plans and impact fees as necessary ANNUAL AMENDMENTS Page 16 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION New State Law 8,12, and 20-year programs Next Steps Update City Code to Reflect New State Law MFTE and Incentives MULTIFAMILY TAX EXEMPTION Page 17 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Proposed Incentive Package Growing Local Businesses Health & Safety Damage Recovery Shell Space Recruitment ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Page 18 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION COPPER GATE – DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT Prior Development Agreement 2011 – Original (Res. No. 4756) 2019 – Amendment (Res. No. 5442) Next Steps Potential further Development Agreement Amendment Page 19 of 21 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY CHARACTER SUSTAINABILITY WELLNESS CELEBRATION Current Status Scoping comment period – 45 days Two open houses held Next Steps Draft EIS Formal open house for DEIS Comments STUCK RIVER RD. / MT. RAINIER VISTA Page 20 of 21 AUBURN VALUES S E R V I C E ENVIRONMENT E C O N O M Y C H A R A C T E R SUSTAINABILITY W E L L N E S S C E L E B R AT I O N Department of Community Development Planning Building Development Engineering Permit Center Economic Development Code Enforcement THANK YOU! Page 21 of 21