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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-1998MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 23, 1998 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held March 23, 1998 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden and Pete Lewis MEMBER ABSENT: Sue Singer STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Mike Reynolds, and Patricia Zook ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:00 p.m. 1. ANX0001-98 Planning Director Krauss presented the staffreport. The annexation request is consistent with long term plans for the City. Staff recommends that the City proceed with the annexation. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Chairman Borden, to recommend that City Council authorize the Planning Department to prepare a petition for annexation. 2. Liquor License Application - Freddies Club Casino Planning Director Krauss informed the Committee that several staff raised issues regarding this application. The casino aspect of the proposal is not in scope to comment on the liquor license because similar uses are located in other parts of the City. The Mayor's negotiations with the new owner seems to have resolved the signage issues. Planning Director Krauss mentioned the types of gambling that would be allowed. Mayor said the owner has a similar establishment in Renton. Councilmember Lewis wanted to conf'wrn that the State legislature did not say where and under what zoning this should be permitted. Planning Director Krauss said this was correct. Planning Director Krauss drew a distinction from the adult use ordinance which regulates the distance from schools and specific zoning areas and specific locations. Freddies is located in a C-3 district, primarily a restaurant with gambling, similar to others located in the City. Planning Director Krauss said it is difficult for the City to suddenly say no to this type of business when the State legislature says it is acceptable. He mentioned issues raised by the Fire Marshall. The business can be started largely without requiring substantial building permits. City Attorney Reynolds advised that the adult entertainment ordinance references proximity to other uses. He also advised that the City must show findings of fact and their relationship and that coming up with statistics to support these may be problematic. Councilmember Lewis expressed concerns about the business being developed as a casino. He wondered if the City could establish certain areas where they would be allowed and not allowed, similar to what was established in the adult use ordinances. Planning Director Krauss said the adult entertainment ordinance was based on the nexus that adult uses are problematic to single family neighborhoods, cause crime, and the City must establish cause and effect. He is unsure if this can be done for gambling. Councilmember Lewis wanted to know if card rooms were ever mandated to certain zoning areas and what defines zoning for gambling. City Attorney Reynolds said the zoning classification for gambling is broad. Planning Director Krauss said restaurants are detrmed, but gambling is not. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 23, 1998 Councilmember Lewis wanted to confrere that there is no way to zone gambling except by a school or church. Planning Director Krauss said this could be problematic because unlike adult uses, gambling is sanctioned and licensed by the State. The City would have to construct an ordinance that says even though the State approves gambling, the City does not. Councilmember Lewis mentioned concerns about the North Auburn area deteriorating. Mayor asked City Attorney Reynolds if the City could zone out gambling. City Attorney Reynolds said that gambling could be zoned out of commercial, but the City would have to provide an area where gambling is allowed. Planning Director Krauss said that in theory it could be done, but then mentioned it would shut down existing businesses. He is unaware of any city had has zoned out gambling. Councilmember Lewis asked if the Committee has to make a recommendation on the liquor license application. Planning Director Krauss said that if the application is ignored, the State would automatically approve. He recommended that the Committee ignore the application. Chairman Borden requested that staff look into the type of zoning to control gambling. Planning Director Krauss said that staff would contact Municipal Research. The Mayor advised Planning Director Krauss that City Attorney Reynolds would look into this matter. Councilmember Lewis reiterated that he does not want to see the North Auburn area sprouting gambling businesses and in a few years the businesses closing. The area is deteriorating and he would like to exhaust all sources to see what controls the City can put in place. Liquor License Application - Muckleshoot Enterprise Planning Director Krauss was unsure if the City has control over this liquor license. City Attorney Reynolds advised that the business must be on non-trust property for the City to exercise control. The Committee agreed to ignore this liquor license application also. Liquor License Application - Jade House Chairman Borden reviewed the comments from the Police and Fire Departments relating to the Jade House and wondered what the City could do to resolve the problem. Planning Director Krauss said the City could intervene on this application based on concerns from the Police and Fire Departments. He suggested that the Police and Fire comments be forwarded to the City Council and ask the Liquor Control Board not to act on the license application until these problems are resolved. Councilmember Lewis agreed that something needs to be done about the problems at the Jade House. Planning Director Krauss said that if Council wishes, staff can write to the Liquor Control Board and recommend that they withhold renewal of Jade House's liquor application. Councilmember Lewis agreed that the Police and Fire Department issues should be mentioned in the letter. Discussion occurred of the need for a City Council resolution to convey the City's concerns. The Committee agreed that a resolution should be presented to Council at the next City Council meeting. It was also decided that the Mayor would prepare a letter to the Liquor Control Board regarding the matter. Councilmember Lewis stressed that he wants to insure that all businesses applying for renewal of their liquor license applications do not have outstanding taxes. Planning Director Krauss advised that he will discuss the matter with the Finance Department. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 23, 1998 o With no Meeting Date and Time Change The Committee changed the April 13th regular meeting to April 9th at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Work Area. Staff Trip to Downtown Renton Planning Director Krauss informed the Committee about his recent trip to downtown Renton and his meeting with the Renton Planning Director. The City is completing the bus hub, several car dealerships have moved out of the downtown area, City purchased property vacated by the dealerships, plans are underway for a downtown greenspace, and a piazza is planned on the former parking lot of one dealership. There are evident signs of spin-off development, such as new restaurants, from the City's work thus far. Councilmember Lewis wondered where the City of Renton received funds for property acquisition. From his meeting with Renton, Planning Director Krauss said it appears that Renton appropriated approximately $15 million from their general fund. further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. PCDCLM1NF'~3 B-98 PAGE 3