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HomeMy WebLinkAboutII.A Minutes DRAFT PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE January 13, 2009 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES I.CALL TO ORDER Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Nancy Backus and Member Wagner. Staff members present included: Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Senior Planner Christopher Andersen, Assistant City Attorney Stephen King, and Planning Secretary Renee Tobias. Audience Members included: Gil Cerise. II.DISCUSSION A. Code Update Project – Flexible Development Options Consultant Gil Cerise, Senior Planner for ICF Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc. was introduced to the Committee. Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder provided background information on Committee’s request for information regarding flexible development techniques and policy options for consideration as part of the development code update. Chair Norman introduced the Committee members to Mr. Cerise. Staff stated that the Comprehensive Plan provides a framework for the consideration of flexible development techniques and that Goal 2 includes providing flexibility for development to occur while still protecting and enhancing natural resources and critical lands. Staff clarified that an initial project would have to meet standards and criteria (prescriptive) for consideration. Once this was met, then the flexibility matrix/toolbox would be generated or earned. Committee talked with staff about the concept of an evaluation process that could be used to identify and evaluate the public benefits of a proposal to determine whether a project qualified for development flexibility, and that such a process should be transparent from the beginning of the application process. The process could include matrix driven options, where flexibility could be based on the value of the public benefit demonstrated. Assistant Director Snyder stated that such a system should be measurable, and would allow the City to clearly demonstrate its rationale for decisions. Assistant City Attorney Stephen King stated that legal would be supportive of this type approach as it would allow the City to be able to demonstrate an objective and thoughtful process. He also stated that the more detailed the list of criteria is, that potentially the less flexible the system may be. The Committee discussed the potential advantages and disadvantages of utilizing master plans - that they can be used for phasing large projects, coordination of public improvements, and that they allow for early input from City decision makers. Mr. King Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes January 13, 2009 stated that potential issues arise when the City Council has more involvement in projects were they have a final decision-making role. When code criteria are used to make determinations, the risk is much lower. City Council does have a role in the master plan process because it is typically processed as a comprehensive plan amendment or a rezone. Committee asked if the City’s DUC zone designation would be considered a master plan. Mr. King said he would need to research this and come back to the Committee with an answer. Legal responded to the Committee’s question if the toolbox approach to flexibility could be considered spot zoning, stating that not if it is done in a way that is appropriate and there is a clear connection to the Comprehensive Plan. But if a rezone is approved that does not fit the neighboring lots, it could be seen as spot zoning. He stated that it is hard to make an absolute rule as it requires a balancing of factors. Staff reported that Mt. Vernon provides a handbook and checklist to developers and the public early in the process. The handbook explains the process through graphics, photos and narrative. Developers consider the handbook/checklist as they design a project, staff looks at the checklist as they review and decision makers evaluate the merits of the project against the checklist. There is a lot of benefit of using the checklist as the application moves through the process, including that it makes staff’s job a lot easier to work within known parameters. The City Council can retain control and set the boundaries for staff by limiting the degree of flexibility. Assistant Director Snyder stated that utilizing a Master Plan is beneficial to areas that have not been fully developed in the City. Using a Master Plan for Auburn Way North, as an example, would address traffic issues. In answer to Committee’s question, the DUC would be considered a master plan as it has design guidelines. He stated that one of the benefits of a master plan process is that it can force a wider perspective. Committee discussed Demonstration Projects and agreed that the Green Zone would be a Demonstration Project. Mr. Cerise stated that jurisdictions utilizing this often send out citizen surveys to obtain feedback on the project. Often it is an opportunity to try something on a limited basis. This allows jurisdictions to try a project, survey residents to evaluate before amending the code. Committee agreed that flexibility must be earned and based in part on a proposal’s identified public benefits. Committee asked staff to draft an example public benefit criteria matrix for mixed-use development. III.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. APPROVED THIS DAY OF . Lynn Norman, Chair Renee S. Tobias, Planning Secretary Page 2 DRAFT PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE January 26, 2009 MINUTES I.CALL TO ORDER Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee members present were: Chair Lynn Norman and Member Rich Wagner. Vice Chair Nancy Backus joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Staff members present included: Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning Director Cindy Baker, Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Senior Planner Al Hicks, Parks Planning & Development Manager Bob Wuotila and Planning Secretary Renée Tobias. Audience Members included: Wayne Osborne, Robert Whale, Ronnie Roberts, and Roger Thordarson. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Wagner moved to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2009 meeting as submitted, Chair Norman concurred. Minutes approved unanimously 2-0. III.ACTION A. Resolution No. 4441 – Youth Facilities Grant Parks Planning & Development Manager Bob Wuotila presented Resolution 4441. Grant is in the amount of $50,000 that requires a match from the City of $21,750 and a $7,250 match from a community partner, which is the Auburn Youth Soccer. The improvement includes making turf improvements to the baseball field No. 4 at Brannan Park. Mr. Wuotila confirmed that the area of improvement is to the soccer field overlay area of the baseball field. Project will commence February 2009. Member Wagner moved to recommend that Council adopt Resolution No. 4441 with modification to clarify that it is the soccer portion of the baseball field that is being improve; Chair Norman concurred. Motion was approved unanimously 2-0. Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes January 26, 2009 IV. DISCUSSION B. Transportation, Transit and Trails Committee Committee Chair Roger Thordarson provided a report on the diversity of members on the Transportation, Transit and Trail Committee (TT&T Committee) and their recent activities. The TT&T Committee recently sent a letter to the Transportation Chair of Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) inquiring on the status of PSRC funding for the City’s projects; the TT&T Committee is waiting for a response. There is a petition drive in the Lakeland and Lake Tapps area in support of the Stewart Road Widening Project which will be sent to Pierce County. Traffic counts show that over three quarters of the Stewart Road traffic comes out of Pierce County. TT&T Committee continues to work with Pierce County to renew their commitment to improve the road to its five lane capability. There is funding for Phase 4 which is from where the City left off at the Burlington Northern tracks to the bridge; this is in the City of Sumner’s jurisdiction and construction should be completed this year. There has been a coordinated effort between the City of Auburn, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit to create a shuttle for the Lakeland Hills area to the Transit Station, starting on February 9, 2009. There are two Park and Ride lots in Lakeland. A mailer announcing the ribbon cutting on February 9, 2009 will be mailed to residents. The shuttle will have six morning and evening trips, meeting each train. In September 2010, Metro will be responsible for two shuttle routes – one to the Transit Center and one to downtown. Committee asked Mr. Thordarson to provide data on the progress of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes at the next Committee of the Whole on March 30, 2009. C. A Frame Signs Code Enforcement has seen an increase in placement of A-frame signs in areas not permitted by Auburn City Codes. Current code only allows A-frame signs in the downtown area. Senior Planner Al Hicks presented research on other jurisdictions’ requirements for A-frame signs. Mr. Hicks responded to Committee’s question regarding A-frame signage for businesses that are not listed on a shopping center’s main sign or not on a main frontage road. One jurisdiction allows up to 150 feet off-site. Committee discussed City liability issues between updating code to allow A-frame signage in non-downtown areas or through permitting. Committee discussed developing a hold harmless agreement required for permitting. Committee asked staff to obtain Risk Management’s and City’s insurance provider input regarding liability issues, including a hold harmless contract. Committee asked staff to proceed with drafting code changes, addressing the overall height of a sign, safe placement, removing at night and weighted for inclement weather. Page 2 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes January 26, 2009 D. Environmental District/Green Zone Development Assistant Director Kevin Snyder presented a memo and a brief background history. Committee asked that suggested code changes to Auburn City Code (ACC) 18.33.050.F.1.i, regarding native vegetation, be removed. Committee further suggested utilizing an earned percent matrix, similar to the Code Project matrix, where percentage points would be given to increase the lot coverage. Example would be applying one percent to proposed ACC 18.33.050.F.1.i, two percentage points for each item under ACC 18.33.050.F.1.a-h and 18.33.050.F.1.j, and 4 percentage points for ACC 18.33.050.F.2, rolling up to 75% maximum lot coverage. Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder answered Committee’s questions on ACC 18.33.050.F1.h, limitation of on-site parking to 125% of required parking. Current code states a minimum, but not a maximum parking space requirement. Committee discussed at length the proposed ACC 18.33.050.F.2., United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Efficiency Design (LEED). Mayor asked staff to develop thresholds for when LEED designations would be applied under City Code without having to obtain LEED certification. Regarding Question 6, Committee asked staff to concentrate on a green roof rather than a vegetated roof. Staff will prepare a site plan example incorporating the proposed increase in maximum lot coverage and bring to Committee with revised draft code on February 9, 2009. Vice Chair Backus joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m. V.INFORMATION A. Director’s Official Decisions and Report Creation of a Sustainable Development Model Code was postponed until after the Code Update Project is completed. However, Planning, Building & Community Department Director Cindy Baker suggested that the Committee be proactive in preparing a schedule. A copy of Municipal Responses to Climate Change from the Association of Washington Cities website was distributed for Committee’s review. Committee discussed at length preparation of a carbon footprint. Mayor Lewis suggested staff obtain a quote from multiple private consultants to have a carbon footprint developed. Committee suggested that the amount of staff time needed to service the carbon footprint be determined. Planning, Building & Community Department Assistant Director Kevin Snyder announced that the Master Builders Association has offered to hold a workshop for Council on its Green Built Program. Committee suggested having this presentation at the June 29, 2009 Committee of the Whole. B. PCDC Status Matrix Item 2 – Mayor Lewis provided an update on this item. Item 3 – Additional information on parking will come back to Committee in February. The neighborhood meeting will probably be in March 2009. Page 3 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes January 26, 2009 C. Information Inclusive Playground at Les Gove Park. Committee reviewed a project update memo from Director Daryl Faber. VI.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m. APPROVED THIS DAY OF . Lynn Norman, Chair Renee S. Tobias, Planning Secretary Page 4