HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-2008CITY OF
CILJBURN
WASHINGTON
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
May 13, 2008
MINUTES
1. 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.
II. WELCOME
Chair Norman announced that several members of the community had been invited
to attend this session to hear what was being discussed.
Ill. 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.
IV. 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 District. Retail and Commercial Zones were discussed;
Member Singer commented commercial should continue on both sides of Auburn
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes May 13, 2008
Way. Retail should 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.
V. 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 Dame
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.
VI. 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.
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes May 13, 2008
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m.
APPROVED THIS DAY OF
Re ee S. Tobias, Secretary
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