HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-1997~INUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JUNE 9. 1997
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held June 9,
1997 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Jeanne Barber, and Rich Wagner
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Lynn Rued, Betty Sanders, Keith Niven, Jack Locke,
Dennis Dowdy, Nick Afzali, Dick Deal, Patricia Cosgrove, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth; A1 Keimig, Keimig Associates
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 7:30 p.m.
1. Resolution 2850 - Senior Services of Seattle/King County
Parks Director Deal presented the staff report. The agreement with Senior Services of
Seattle/King County would provide seniors with information, education, and assistance
with a variety of legal, consumer, and health insurance issues.
Councilmember Wagner made a motion, seconded by COuncilmember Barber, to
recommend approval of the resolution. Chairman Borden concurred.
2. BIA Budget
Associate Planner Sanders presented the staff report. The budget shows a decrease this
time due to the level of nonpayment of assessments being experienced. An aggress
campaign will be started to receive money from the nonpayers of assessments. She then
briefly reviewed the summary budget sheets. She briefly reviewed the revenues and
expenses portion of the budget summary sheet. A drive will be started to recruit non-
downtown people and businesses who want to support the Auburn Downtown
Association (ADA). She then spoke regarding the significant in-kind contributions such
as staff support and volunteers.
Councilmember Wagner asked about showing the City's in-kind contribution of services.
Associate Planner Sanders said this was not shown, but City staff contribute significant
amounts of time, particularly the Planning, Finance, and Legal Departments.
Councilmember Barber said this City contribution should be shown. Planning Director
Krauss said that staff work on an estimate of this contribution.
Councilmember Wagner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Barber, to
recommend City Council call for a public hearing on the BIA budget. Chairman Borden
concurred.
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Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance
Assistant Planning Director Rued gave a brief introduction. The City recently placed a
moratorium on wireless telecommunications in order to establish an ordinance to handle
these requests. He gave a briefing of what the ordinance will contain.
Associate Planner Niven presented background information. He distributed a wireless
communications packet which contained drawings of the different types of tower
facilities, equipment rooms, and general information. The second handout was a
proposed wireless telecommunications ordinance. He mentioned local jurisdictions that
have moratoriums already in place. Some of these jurisdictions have requested an
extension of the moratorium. He spoke regarding the difference between cellular and
PCS (personal communications systems). Cellular is the first generation of wireless
telecommunications and the industry is moving toward digital. Many companies are
getting involved in providing cellular service. There are currently six block providers
who have purchased air space. Metricom just received a City lease to provide services.
He pointed out the schematic drawing of how the system works.
Associate Planner Niven said it is hard to determine the number of towers needed because
this is determined by type of use and topography issues. The expected capacity
determines the size of a cell in each network. The digital cells are shrinking in size so
multiple locations may be necessary within each jurisdiction. He then reviewed Figures 1
through 7, Types of Facilities, in the first handout. He then reviewed pictures of the
various types of towers from the first handout.
Chairman Borden asked about the height of the poles in Figures 3 and 4. Associate
Planner Niven said the height can be up to 200'.
Chairman Borden asked about the height of antenna on a building. Associate Planner
Niven said the antenna can be up to 15' higher than the building.
Associate Planner Niven spoke regarding monopoles and lattice towers depicted in the
photographs. He pointed out the antenna on top of the racetrack grandstand and on top of
a Kent water tower. Associate Planner Niven then reviewed pictures of the equipment
rooms and/or sheds, and said that the generators for this equipment can produce a "hum."
One of the pictures showed a "screened" equipment cabinets, but it was not screened; the
equipment was completely visible. He reviewed the expected growth of this technical
market and expected number of users now and in the future.
Associate Planner Niven presented the proposed code revisions which staff has worked
on over last several months. The first part of the ordinance will be the new definitions;
second part will be zones where these facilities can locate; third part will be siting
standards. Microsells, which are very small, and located on tops of buildings, power
poles, etc., are seen as being able to be located within residential areas because they are
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JUNE 9. 1997
non-intrusive. They can be allowed into neighborhoods to some extent, but the City
wants to prevent allowing these on private property.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said the microcells blend in better with power pole
versus carrier striking a deal with a property owner. This enables the City to have a say
over the appearance and have regulations to deal with the equipment cabinets.
Planning Director Krauss said that downtown Renton has series of microcells that really
not noticeable. He asked about the type of equipment. Associate Planner Niven said a
small switching box located in the right-of-way or on private property with appropriate
screening would be allowed.
Planning Director Krauss wondered if the City would require switching vaults to be
underground in new subdivisions. Civil Engineer Dowdy said vaults would be
underground except for where a potential hazard.
Associate Planner Niven said the City needs to establish maximum height and size for the
equipment cabinets.
Planning Director Krauss spoke about concems with pedestrian access and sight lines
around the equipment because it can look haphazard.
Associate Planner Niven said it was unknown at this time if placing the boxes
underground was a possibility.
Civil Engineer Dowdy said that generally electrical connections should be above ground.
Associate Planner Niven spoke about the possible proliferation of microcells within
residential areas. If one provider decides to service a certain area it is not likely that a
competitor would service the same area. He spoke briefly about the Telecommunication
Act and its effect on deregulation.
Associate Planner Niven continued his review of the proposed ordinance by speaking
about antenna Types 1, 2 and 3.
Assistant Planning Director Rued pointed out that the bigger the antenna, the more rules
and regulations should be applied to encourage placing them on smaller or existing
structures.
Associate Planner Niven spoke about the "approval incentive program" and siting
standards which seek to minimize siting conflicts in the City. On a large map entitled,
Free Standing Wireless and Radio Support Structures", he showed the service area of
existing antennas and the separation factors. The City will encourage location of
antennas on the same support structure or far enough apart so they are not all in one
place.
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Chairman Borden wondered if it would be better to have the antennas located in the same
place. Associate Planner Niven said this was debatable. He gave an example of potential
problems if antennas are not allowed in other areas. He spoke about the potential of a
"cell tower" forest if the antennas are in the same area. They need to be throughout the
City with the City controlling the height, appearance, and screening.
Chairman Borden asked about locating antennas in trees. Associate Planner Niven
replied that this was not feasible because trees grow and the antenna support would not be
stable.
Chairman Borden then asked about placing antennas next to trees so antennas blend in.
Associate Planner Niven said this could be done as "incentive location," but the antennas
would need to be higher than surrounding trees to receive and send transmissions. He
mentioned the co-location requirements, but said most companies are not willing to co-
locate because they are in competition with each other.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said the City will require co-location if property owner
executes a "non-exclusive lease."
Chairman Borden said that lighting on the poles can be a problem. Associate Planner
Niven referred to page 8 of the second handout where the F.A.A. requirements are cited.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said there are options for lighting, such as the painting
of the pole, strobe lights, or red lights. The recently approved antennas have not required
any lighting.
Associate Planner Niven said that lighting could be an issue, and staff could speak with
the F.A.A. to find out their requirements for lighting. He then spoke regarding height
requirements, setbacks, fencing, landscaping, aesthetics, lighting, and abandoned
facilities. He briefly reviewed the land use table.
Chairman Borden wanted clarification of what types of facilities would be allowed in
residential areas. Associate Planner Niven replied that only microcells would be
permitted.
Associate Planner Niven then spoke regarding the wireless telecommunications approval
schedule, and when this item might be presented to the Planning Commission and City
Council.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said this topic should be discussed again at the June 23
meeting.
Chairman Borden asked if any other communities were farther along or more experienced
in this process. She asked what type of research was done on wireless topic.
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Associate Planner Niven said the siting standards are an amendment to the Zoning
Ordinance. Some communities are preparing a telecommunications ordinance which is
separate from their zoning ordinance. Staff reviewed ordinances from Kent, Medina,
Redmond, Irving, Texas and Phoenix which are quite different from one another.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said the regulatory part of this ordinance will establish
where antennas can go. The City needs to decide if they want antennas in parks and on
top of water towers, how to select the carrier, and leases. Parks Director Deal will need
to think about placement in the parks, and Civil Engineer Dowdy will need to think about
the right-of-way issues. The City also needs to decide of the ordinance should be a
separate section of the Code and separate ordinance.
Chairman Borden thought it was a good idea to have antennas on water towers.
Councilmember Wagner asked when staff would get to economic issues of the matter.
Associate Planner Niven said staff is meeting monthly with a south County task force to
discuss issues, status, funds available, etc.
Assistant Planning Director Rued cautioned the Committee that as soon as the
moratorium is lifted, there could be a potential flood of telecommunications requests, and
the City needs to think about the items mentioned earlier.
4. White River Valley Historical Museum Update
Parks Director Deal introduced Patricia Cosgrove, Museum Director, to the PCDC. She
will provide an update on the Museum's activities. She distributed drawings which
depicted the front elevation, and the proposed remodel and additions. She spoke about
the major capital campaign to renovate the Museum. She reviewed the renovation project
time line sheet distributed to PCDC. She pointed out that the membership roster has
increased significantly. The Museum has received a $150,000 grant from the State. She
distributed color pictures showing the proposed exhibit areas in the Museum, which
would highlight immigration and farming. The Museum has received gifts of
professional time, money, and pictures from citizens. The Museum is now in the middle
of its one-half million dollar fund raising campaign.
Parks Director Deal said the Museum Board is very active, and interested in preserving
heritage of the community. He thanked PC for her dedication. This fall, staff will bring
forward an additional interlocal agreement with the White River Historical Society.
Chairman Borden said she was very impressed with the exhibit pictures.
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JUNE 9, 1997
Comprehensive Transportation Plan
Civil Engineer Dowdy briefly highlighted the major differences between this Plan and the
previous Plan. He distributed a handout and reviewed items 1 through 10 on the handout.
The City has experienced tremendous growth since the last Plan. A concurrency chapter
and finance chapter were added.
Chairman Borden asked if Council had looked at the first draft last year. Civil Engineer
Dowdy replied yes, but the Plan has changed quite a bit. He briefly spoke about the level
of service (LOS) standards.
Planning Director Krauss asked about improvements to 3rd Street being vital if the
intermodal yard becomes a reality. Civil Engineer Dowdy said staff can look at it again,
but it is indefinite as to when or if the yard becomes reality. Staffis analyzing what is
happening at the location. The six year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
changes every year. For instance, the building of the amphitheater was unknown last
year.
Planning Director Krauss referred to the trail map and potential annex areas and these
being on the project list. Civil Engineer Dowdy said no data is available from King
County, and they did not develop a specific project list for the urban areas.
Planning Director Krauss asked about something in the Plan that would recognize the
"status quo" in Pierce and King Counties. He said it appears the Lake Tapps Corridor
project was approved. Civil Engineer Dowdy said it does not appear to be completely
funded yet.
Planning Director Krauss said the Plan needs to show the corridor, so that the City can
demonstrate to the Pierce County Boundary Review Board that it was considered.
Chairman Borden said that 8th Street should be listed on the project list. Civil Engineer
Dowdy said the street is not in the City; therefore, it is not on the list. It is shown in the
urban growth boundary area.
Chairman Borden said this arterial is very important and should be shown. Planning
Director Krauss agreed that 8th Street is important and is in the City's interest to fund.
Civil Engineer Dowdy explained that staff sent letters of support to Pierce County, but
this is not something the City plans to eventually fund.
A discussion occurred regarding 8th Street and its status of funding by Pierce County,
listing the street as being funded by Pierce County, and adding improvements are
"developer driven."
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JUNE 9. 1997
A brief discussion occurred regarding the status of the Non-Motorized Transportation
Plan.
6. Downtown Transit Hub Funding Program
Design Engineer Locke provided background information on the transmit hub and
funding for the transit hub. He referred to two displays of the Auburn Transit Center - a
land acquisition analysis and development responsibilities analysis. Staff has met with
the RTA and King County. A study was conducted by Otak to determine funding
allocations.
Chairman Borden asked about an overpass to accommodate an Amtrak station. Planning
Director Krauss spoke about an undercrossing at 3rd and that would leave the station
intact.
Design Engineer Locke spoke about starting the process for a tri-party agreement, starting
the revisions to the Downtown Plan, receiving request for proposals from design firms.
Chairman Borden how staff is receiving feedback from' the public. Design Engineer
Locke replied that public meetings will be held by the City and RTA.
Councilmember Wagner referred to one of the displays and pointed out additional
properties that the City should own because of infrastructure needs. Design Engineer
Locke pointed out certain buildings on parcels and explained that one owner wants a
public/private partnership.
Councilmember Wagner reiterated that he thinks the City should own all the property in
this particular area without any public/private partnership in the middle.
Planning Director Krauss said the City will need to impose conditions on what develops
in the area.
Chairman Borden asked about the time frame for development. Design Engineer Locke
replied that RTA has an appraiser and wants to get started.
Associate Planner Sanders said staff has prepared a statement of need to be sent to
consultants, and staff hopes to interview these consultants next month. Once the
consultant is on board, a community vision for downtown can be developed.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
PCDC\MIl~6A-97
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