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