HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-31-2005
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HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES
MAY 31.2005
The rescheduled meeting of the Auburn Hearing Examiner was held on May 31, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows:
HEARING EXAMINER: Ted Hunter, Driscoll-Hunter
STAFF: Steve Pilcher, Development Services Coordinator, and Patricia look, Planning Secretary
Mr. Hunter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. explaining the order of procedures and swore in staff
and those in the audience intending on testifying.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. APPLICATION NO. VAR05-0004
The request of Auburn Marketplace Investors LLC, for a variance to reduce the required setback
for an off-premises sign from 20 feet to 2 feet in the C3, Heavy Commercial district. The subject
site is located on the south side of 15th Street NE in the 200 block.
Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing. Mr. Pilcher presented the staff report and announced that
the applicant and the City have reached a compromise on the sign variance. A revised color rendering
was provided to the Hearing Examiner. Hearing Examiner marked the revised color rendering as Exhibit
12.
Mr. Pilcher mentioned that staff expressed concern about the proposed sign being bigger than the signs
that adjacent businesses have. The City's transportation staff were concerned about the location of the
sign. The applicant has therefore provided a revised sign design which was described.
Discussion occurred related to the proposal's ability to meet established criteria.
Hearing Examiner confirmed with Mr. Pilcher that City staff is confident about the sign not now posing a
site hazard. Mr. Oliphant was sent an emaillate Friday stating that staff would be supportive of the
revised design. Hearing Examiner would like the City's traffic engineer to submit information in writing that
the revised proposal is satisfactory.
Mr. Oliphant: provided background information on the development of the Auburn Marketplace parcels
and the Lowe's store, access to 15th Street, visibility from 15th Street, c-curbing in front of the fast food
restaurants, and interior road connections. He spoke about the lack of visibility of the now-open Lowe's
and the lack of visibility for the Applebee's which is under construction. He provided information on the
reasons for their request. He referred to the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance for the shopping
center which entitled them to two pylon signs. However, on the site there is nowhere to place the signs so
as to be visible from 15'h Street.
Hearing Examiner acknowledged the unique situation of the shopping center and the center not having its
main access on 15'h Street. There are a number of unique conditions not encountered on the other
properties. Mr. Oliphant said that the standard location for the sign would be at the entrance to the
shopping center. However, the drive off 15'h Street is their entrance.
Hearing Examiner closed the public hearing and will issue the written decision in 10 days.
HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES
MAY 31. 2005
2. APPLICATION NO. CUP05-0002
The request of Harlow's Bus Sales, Inc., for a conditional use permit to allow the sale of school
buses and repair. The property is zoned M1, Light Industrial, and is located at 1240 West Main
Street.
Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing. Mr. Pilcher presented the staff report. The City issued a
temporary use permit to the business until the conditional use permit is approved. The applicant has
complied with the conditions of the temporary use permit. Staff recommends approval of the conditional
use permit with two conditions.
Steve Horn, representing Harlow's Bus Sales, Inc., said the business moved to the current location the
second week in January and has been in operation at the location since then. Their company has 17
locations across the country. The corporate office purchased the property, but overlooked the zoning
compliance issue.
Mr. Horn explained that they have a waste recovery system. They do not perform any mechanical work
outside the building. They prepare buses for predelivery and most buses delivered to them are presold.
The buses sit on the lot for a couple weeks for prep work. The site plan was reviewed by the City's Public
Works Department. Four buses are onsite for demonstration purposes. Mr. Horn is in agreement with the
conditions in the staff report. The previous owner of the site, Waste Management, was a 24-hour
operation and his business will be a significant reduction was that business' operation.
Hearing Examiner believes that the proposed use is appropriate for the site and appears to be an
enhancement to the area. The public hearing was closed and the written decision will be issued in 10
days.
Mr. Horn announced that it was great working with the City staff.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further items to come before the Hearing Examiner, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
HE\AGND\MIN 05-2005
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