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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. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JUNE 9. 1997 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 PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 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. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JUNE 9. 1997 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. PAGE 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JUNE 9. 1997 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. PAGE 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 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." PAGE 6 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 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 PAGE 7