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HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM III-FCITY OF UBURN WASHINGTON DRAFT DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE May 13, 2008 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee Members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Member Sue Singer and Member Gene Cerino. Also present were: Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning, Building & Community Director Cindy Baker, Public Works Assistant Director Dennis Selle, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Economic Development Manager Dave Baron, Assistant City Attorney Joe Beck, Finance Director Shelly Coleman, Planning Secretaries Kirsten Reynolds and Renee Tobias, Troy Humphrey and Spencer Alpert Audience Members present were: Stacie Borland, Ronnie Roberts, Robert Whale, Bruce Alverson, Jill Alverson, Dr. Gary M. Hahn, Edward Hahn, Antonio Amado. 1. WELCOME Chair Norman announced that several members of the community had been invited to attend this session to hear what was being discussed. II. MINUTES Member Cerino moved to approve the April 22, 2008 minutes as read; Chair Norman concurred. The minutes were approved as submitted unanimously 2-0. III. URBAN CENTER MASTER PLAN Director Cindy Baker reviewed the map provided in the packets, pointing out what the general key areas would entail; the purpose of the map is to ensure economic development and vitality. Director Baker asked the Committee for direction and prioritization of the key areas to focus on first. The overall idea was to set boundaries as a vision then work towards achieving the identity of these areas in the future. By doing this it allows properties with specific purposes to be shown as potential available space. The Hospital/Medical Zone was discussed first; the Committee agreed this should take form but it was not a top priority. The medical area will now be referred to as the Medical Campus Zone. Retail and Commercial Zones were discussed; Member Singer commented commercial should continue on both sides of Auburn Way. Retail should Page 1 Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes May 13, 2008 continue running across the street on Main. This input will be added to the future downtown map to review. Discussion took place regarding areas of mixed use; Economic Development Manager Dave Baron and Spencer Alpert expressed the importance of using Urban Mixed Use Zone which will be key for promoting more economic development opportunities. Single Family Residential Zones were discussed in detail; single family dwellings have been successful in dense urban centers, it provides a mix of housing types. It was decided the residential neighborhood to the east of Auburn Way should be retained as a Single Family Zone. The area west of the train station will be allowed for higher density residential, possibly developed as a master plan, and must maintain specific design standards that will promote a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle. Hotel Zones and boundaries of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) were discussed along with physical barriers. Instead of a Hotel Zone the Committee would like to see areas defined as TOD. They would also like to see a TOD radius overlay on the future map represented as a circle radius instead of a block by block zone. TOD should be represented as one quarter of a mile from around the train station. There was an emphasis on needing more open space, pocket parks and green areas. Open green space should be represented on the map between the new Annex Building and City Hall. Staff will work towards setting zoning and designing criteria from the Committee's feedback. The Committee agreed that retail areas and industrial areas should have focus and they were not going to address questions regarding land swapping for development at this point, nor at this meeting. Specifics of the Master Plan will be discussed further at the Planning and Community Development Committee and the Downtown Redevelopment Committee will focus on the overview and the Urban Mixed Use Center/Zone. IV. INFORMATION Spencer Alpert reported they have had more meetings with property owners. The development recommendations will have focus around the previously adopted downtown design guidelines. Further work has been done with Williams and Dane regarding specifics of the design. Mr. Alpert recommended that staff and the Committee attend a field trip to the Portland Pearl District area where further visual and hands on communication about what the Committee would like to see. The Committee agreed and will work with Mr. Alpert to select a date. V. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chair Norman announced the Committee would be going in to executive session after a five minute break at 4:55 p.m. for the purpose of discussing property acquisition. VI. ADJOURNMENT at 5:29 p.m. Page 2