HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-1998~ ~ ~ ~ / mama
~UTES OF PLA~G AND COMM~ITY DEVELOPMENT COMMI~EE
MARCH 9, 1998
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held March 9, 1998 in the
Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Sokol, Dick Deal, and Patricia Zook
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:00 p.m.
1. CPA0001-98 - City of Auburn Comprehensive Plan Amendments per Growth Management Hearings
Board
Senior Planner Sokol presented the staff report. The amendments are to the section of the Plan dealing with
the essential public facilities siting process (Policy CF-62). The amendments are to comply with an order
issued by the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board. The BNSF attorney presented a
change at the Planning Commission meeting. After conducting a public hearing on March 3, 1998, the
Planning Commission recommended adoption of the amendments.
Councilmember Singer asked if the Planning Commission made a change to the proposed amendments.
Senior Planner Sokol referred to page 5-2, item b, second line, the wording "should also include". The
Commission prefers that criteria be in the state plan, because if the state plan does not have the criteria,
then Auburn has to determine the guidelines.
Chairman Borden asked if Senior Planner Sokol anticipates BNSF will complain about the wording change
to this section. Senior Planner Sokol has been in contact with the BNSF attorney who said this was the last
outstanding issue. The attorney stated that this change seems to address BNSF's concerns.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Counciimember Lewis, to recommend City Council
call for a public hearing on the proposed amendments. Chairman Borden concurred.
2. Vacant Land Comprehensive Plan Designations
Senior Planner Sokol advised that at a previous Committee meeting, a request was made to provide a map
showing vacant land with their Comprehensive Plan designations. He reviewed the map.
Chairman Borden asked when Comprehensive Plan map changes~would be made. Senior Planner Sokol
said any changes would be done in the yearly Comprehensive Plan amendment process.
Councilmember Singer asked if the map includes wetlands and unbuildable areas. Senior Planner Sokol
said no because the amount of information would make the map unreadable. The wetlands and unbuildable
areas are mostly around Mill Creek. Councilmember Singer wanted to see the location of the Port wetland
mitigation and 'T' St. area. Senior Planner Sokol said that staffhas had discussions with northeast Auburn
Special Plan Area representatives and they predict building over 1,000 homes in this area taking the
wetlands and other open space requirements into account. The planned unit development ordinance would
be appropriate here.
Chairman Borden referred to her map which she marked and had several questions relating to the marked
areas. Referring to the recent rezone application request along Oravetz Road, she believes the area should
not be classified as high density. The Council does not believe the area is appropriate for multi-family
development.
Chairman Borden then pointed out the Academy property and wondered if they owned the entire area.
Senior Planner Sokol pointed out their property and explained that it is an extensive site which had a
special area plan done in the mid 1980s which says specifically what can happen to the property.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 9, 1998
Chairman Borden then referred to the industrial area along A Street and spoke about the need for a buffer
between the residential and industrial uses. Senior Planner Sokol agreed that there is a need to consider the
impact of industrial uses on the surrounding areas. Chairman Borden then spoke about the need for
landscaping along A Street especially at the BN property. Senior Planner Sokoi advised that ifBN comes
in with a development plan, they will need to provide landscaping and possibly a berm to shield the
adjacent areas from the site.
Chairman Borden foresees pressure to change zoning around the SuperMall to C-3. Senior Planner Sokol
mentioned Comprehensive Plan Policy LU-74.
Chairman Borden referred to by Les Gove Park on the map and her revealed her wish for the area from H
Street to 12t~ Street to be public and quasi-public along Auburn Way. This would present a wonderful park
presence and entrance to the library. It could be a significant park in the heart of the City.
Chairman Borden then referred to the transit station and potential to widen the north Auburn business plan
to include the station area. Senior Planner Sokol spoke about the Downtown Plan which encourages more
residential development in downtown.
Councilmember Lewis spoke about the potential for the A Street corridor from 277th and B Street by the
Post Office to be a major corridor.
A discUssion occurred regarding the location of trails as depicted in the Non-Motorized Transportation
Plan.
Senior Planner Sokol provided information on the potential mixed uses for the downtown area.
Councilmember Singer requested that a representative from the downtown plan consultant, Arai Jackson,
give a presentation at a Committee meeting. Senior Planner Sokol provided a quick overview of the
downtown plan survey results.
Councilmember Lewis asked if the downtown plan was still considering townhouses along C Street.
Senior Planner Sokol said the consultant is working with an economist on market demands on the west side
of C Street and has indicated this is not a good area for townhouse development. It is more appropriate for
a passive park area. Senior Planner Sokol said the focus has been on concentrating on the area around City
Hall and the transit center, make this area thriving, and then expand the thriving area outward.
Counciimember Lewis agreed with Councilmember Singer's request for have Arai Jackson do a
presentation at an upcoming Committee meeting.
Chairman Borden asked Senior Planner Sokol ifstaffhas talked with Renton about their downtown plans.
Senior Planner Sokoi said that staff is meeting this Friday with Renton officials on improvements to their
downtown area.
Chairman Borden referred to the SAMP and Mill Creek Area and wanted an update. Senior Planner Sokoi
said the City receive $600,000 grant from King County grant for the Shuler Brothers property, and is
applying for another one million dollars to purchase wetland bank. Several agencies, including,
Department of Ecology and the Army Corps are interested in the project which seems promising. He
anticipates receiving more money toward preservation. A discussion occurred of impending SAMP
adoption and funding.
Councilmember Lewis spoke about the quantity of silt in Mill Creek and wondered if the Endangered
Species Act would allow dredging. He hoped to see wetland banking receive money to fund dredging.
Senior Planner Sokol was unsure if this would make dredging the Creek easier or harder. He said that
SAMP does look at dredging and realignment of the creek in areas where the channel has been changed.
Chairman Borden stressed the need to have SAMP finally approved. :
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Chairman Borden referred to the light industrial areas and spoke of the need for the creation of businesses
that provide high wage jobs as opposed to warehouses. Councilmember Lewis spoke of the need to have
an active economic development program for potential businesses to see what is there and can be there.
The industrial areas are an excellent location for high wage manufacturing jobs. Someone at the City has to
find the businesses, show them the areas where their businesses could go, and then get people to bring their
businesses to Auburn. The City needs to actively recruit new businesses. Chairman Borden spoke of
Renton's aggressive recruitment of different kinds of businesses coming to town. Senior Planner Sokol
agreed that Renton has been very aggressive, and they have a larger job base, a healthier budget than
Auburn, and a bigger tax base. Chairman Borden sees the need for the City to incur debt to provide
necessary means to recruit people and businesses to Auburn.
Councilmember Lewis said the City needs to seek out and bring to town Class A developers. He then
spoke of the need to fund economic development. He pointed out that success can breed more success, and
the area south of Main Street is prime for redevelopment which can easily be accomplished.
A discussion occurred regarding the status of the Capital Facilities Plan.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal mentioned that Les Gove Park could be a real "hub" for the City
because of the buildings there which complement each other.
Senior Planner Sokol advised that at the time of Comprehensive Plan amendment, the Committee's
comments will be taken into consideration.
Councilmember Lewis expressed the desire to have further conversation relating to Les Gove Park,
economic development, and downtown redevelopment. He foresees the success of the downtown plan. He
stressed the need for the City to have someone actively involved in economic development which would be
an asset for the City.
Senior Planner Sokol distributed a map depicting the inconsistencies between the Comprehensive Plan map
and the zoning map and advised that a number of the inconsistencies were resolved recently during the
Comprehensive Plan amendment process.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
PCDC'SMIN~ A-98
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