HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-1998MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JULY 13, 1998.
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held July 13, 1998in the Council
Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis
STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Rued, Shirley Schultz, Dick Deal, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Booth; Clark Townsend, Green River Community College
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:00 p.m.
PLT0009-90 - Opus Northwest
Assistant Planning Director Rued presented the staff report. The applicant is requesting an extension of the
preliminary plat of Emerald Corporate Park.
Chairman Borden asked about the wetlands situation and Army Corps of Engineers permit. Assistant
Planning Director Rued indicated that a re-delineation of the wetlands was done.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
2. 1999 CDBG Action Plan
Associate Planner Schultz presented the staff report and explained why a public hearing is required.
Councilmember Lewis asked what is meant by accessory housing. Associate Planner Schultz clarified that
the term refers to in-law apartments. Assistant Planning Director Rued advised that a draft accessory
ordinance is in the works, but has been moved down in the project list.
Councilmember Lewis referred to page 8, item 7, and the link between the Planned Unit Development
(PUD) ordinance and affordable to low income households. Assistant Planning Director Rued advised that
this section should not reference the PUD ordinance. Associate Planner Schultz agreed that the PUD
reference will be deleted. Councilmember Lewis wondered if the wording of"affordable housing" needed
to be here. The Growth Management Act talks about affordable housing, but does it speak to low income
housing. Associate Planner Schultz pointed out that any money used for CDBG needs to go to those with
80% of King County median income. Thirty-seven percent is King County County-wide Planning Policies
requirement which needs to be stated in block grant for consistency. Councilmember Singer pointed out
that the growth management objective is different and suggested that a rewording be done. Associate
Planner Schultz agreed to look at rewording the paragraph to remove the PUD reference.
Councilmember Lewis referred to page 8, item 6, and the statement that no training programs of any kind
are in place. He thinks the AmeriCorps programs should be mentioned. Associate Planner Schultz agreed
and said that in addition to Americorps, programs such as WWEE and ACTAP should be mentioned.
Councilmember Singer asked for the average spent on housing repair. Associate Planner Schultz said
approximately $3,300 per household. Three loans of $6,000, $7,000 and $9,000 were given in the '97
program year.
Councilmember Singer wanted a clarification of what the public hearing is for. Associate Planner Schultz
said the public hearing is to ensure public comment.
Councilmember Singer wanted to know if there were discussions of CDBG funds for blighted areas.
Associate Planner Schultz advised that staff is working with first time home buyers and options for
targeting certain neighborhoods such as Terminal Park. There is good single family housing which needs
to be upgraded.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1998
Chairman Borden mentioned the changes in the document relating to the ways funding is going, accruing
and the revolving loan fund, and wondered what the changes mean in how the program is run. Associate
Planner Schultz said it is the beginning of a four year annual allotment and no money was awarded this
year. She then spoke about funds being drawn down f~om $1.2 million $300,000. Prior to 1992 there were
problems with City nm programs and money left over. Staff is currently working on the revolving loan
fund. She spoke about several lengthy delays on two projects. Chairman Borden believes the revolving
loan fund program is good and provides lots of possibilities. Associate Planner Schultz mentioned that
staffhas met with various bank officials regarding the program.
Chairman Borden referred to page 7, neighborhood planning, and asked for Associate Planner Schultz's
thoughts on targeting neighborhoods. Associate Planner Schultz advised that neighborhood planning
comes under "neighborhood reinvestment strategy" and is more difficult than straight CDBG loans. The
City can use planning and administration money to do neighborhood planing, She remarked that "A" Street
is one of the neighborhoods under consideration, but probably not in the five year plan.
Chairman Borden asked about the pedestrian barriers at 6th and "F" Street SE and remarked that there are
no curb cuts for several residents in this area. She wanted to know if there was money in the sidewalk
program for this. Associate Planner Schultz said the sidewalk program worked by receiving an average of
$70,000 per year and Planning staffdid not know if the money was spent. The process should occur in a
much more formal process. The Public Works Department would say they helped l0 people per year by
fixing sidewalks and then Public Works would be reimbursed.
Councilmember Singer mentioned the "island" of unincorported King County located at 29* and "A" and
the need for road and sidewalk improvements in this area. Associate Planner Schultz advised that the City
is required to do a neighborhood survey and to see what CDBG would pay and what an LID would pay.
The survey asks about those individuals with disabilities and the number of seniors. After surveying the
neighborhood, the Public Works Department comes to Human Services Committee and informs of the
needs.
Councilmember Lewis advised that he has received several calls relating to the home repair program and
wanted to know if the contract was signed. Associate Planner Schultz stated that the completed contract
was not signed. Counciimember Lewis remarked that he is receiving calls on a weekly basis, and wanted
to know if the assistance is to be received soon. Associate Planner Schultz said that she was reluctant to
start new work until the contract was signed. She anticipates starting in about two weeks and have all
projects f'mished by October.
Chairman Borden requested that someone look into the sidewalk situation at 6* and "F" Street. Mayor
said that staffwill look into this situation.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend Council call for
a public hearing. Chairman Borden concurred.
Liquor License Application - Freddies Club Casino
The Committee consented to the liquor license application.
Liquor License Application - 7-11 Store
The Committee consented to the liquor license application.
Liquor License Application - Home Plate Tavern for Beer Garden
The Committee consented to the liquor license special event application.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JULY 13, 1998
6. Lea Hill Park
Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented information and a brief history on this park. King County
does maintenance on the park, and the County wants to divest itself of parks in the Potential Annexation
Areas (PAA). Green River Community College (GRCC) is excited about taking over the park.
Mr. Townsend gave a background on the park and read a paragraph from an August 15, 1998 letter from J.
Brown, Acting Director of King County Parks. GRCC has had ongoing negotiations with the County and
recently a new Parks administration is in place, and they are now back to ground zero on talks. GRCC
maintains the ball fields and the County mows the grass and maintains the parking lot. The College or
foundation has expended $120,000 in improvements to the park. The County reimbursed a small
percentage of the maintenance on the park. He spoke about their operating agreement. The City has an
interest in what is happening at the park, and he reviewed the provisions of the agreement with the City.
He spoke about the "forward thrust for parks". GRCC has put a value in property of $120,000 and then he
mentioned language regarding the comparable replacement if College needed park space for another use.
Councilmember Lewis mentioned $300,000 for the Mountain View Tree Farm and $120,000 in
improvements done. Chairman Borden said that she understands the credit for $300,000, but not for
$120,000. Mr. Townsend remarked that if the City gets the park, GRCC will request $120,000 from the
City for improvements they did at the park.
Chairman Borden asked about the percentage of use of the park by Lea Hill residents. Mr. Townsend could
not say, but read the language relating to use of park during certain semesters.
Councilmember Lewis asked if this park was mentioned in the Park Plan. Parks and Recreation Director
Deal advised that the Park Plan did not discuss parks in the PAA. Lea Hill has %000 residents, and the area
has less than one third of what it needs for park property. Staff is still looking at impact fees. School park
sites are not included because they are not open to the general public. The tree farm has 19.6 acres.
Mr. Townsend mentioned that the park has intramurals in the evening and sports camps in the summer.
GRCC or the foundation owns 250 acres some of which are developed and open space. They anticipate
working out an arraignment for assets to be available to the County or the City. An agreement needs to be
reached on how to utilize.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that the City has started to negotiate with a developer on Lea
Hill for fee in lieu of park development. This area is underserved by parks and thus has a huge impact on
Auburn's parks. Auburn will not be helped until more park space is developed.
Chairman Borden wanted to know how the $300,000 would go for development of the tree farm. Parks and
Recreation Director Deal mentioned the $130,000 per acre for development of park space in Lakeland.
Chairman Borden remarked that the Committee needs to speak among themselves regarding the
development costs.
Councilmember Lewis asked why this topic was brought before the Committee. Parks and Recreation
Director Deal said to f'md out if the Committee wants to look into further or get the County involved.
Counciimember Singer remarked that there will not be any available property on Lea Hill. Parks and
Recreation Director Deal agreed that the good land is gone.
Mr. Townsend believes the City and GRCC can work out some kind of an escrow mechanism for money
available for whoever develops Mountain View Tree Farm. He did not want the money to go to King
County and get lost. He wants to ensure there is a good handle on where the money is.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1998
7. Skate Park Design
Parks and Recreation Director Deal showed a layout of the proposed skate park and explained that three
public meetings were held and attended by mostly young people. A consultant has been hired. This
company has designed many such parks on the west coast. In the past, WCIA's position on skate parks was
not to build them; however, no claims have been filed or claims paid out. WCIA's position is that there is
no liability if the park is built to specific regulations. A combination park is proposed for use by roller
blades and skate boards. Approximately $125,000 was budgeted in 1998, several fund raising events were
held which brought in approximately $60,000. Another $10,000 fxom other sources such as service clubs
may be available. To construct the park as designed is $154,000. Staffcan tell the architect to scale down
or the City can try to come up with additional $25,000.
Councilmember Singer asked Parks and Recreation Director Deal if they thought about any kind of
commercialization, such as singe, at the park. Parks and Recreation Director Deal said the City has not
done much commercialization in parks or public property areas. There is an agreement with McDonalds
who contributed to scoreboard cost. The City has not pursued sponsorship for this park or any other park.
Mayor then mentioned White River Museum sponsorship.
Councilmember Singer asked if walls will be built around the facility. Parks and Recreation Director Deal
said the architect is still doing some engineering for the ground water analysis. The skate park will not be
lighted and will close at dusk like the other City parks.
Councilmember Lewis asked to be shown the layout of the new facility. Parks and Recreation Director
Deal used the drawing to show where other fields are located at Brannan Park, and location of the streets.
Councilmember Lewis asked if it was possible to do a presentation of the skate park to four or five major
service organizations in order to solicit for matching funds. They would need to see a cost breakdown for
the project. Parks and Recreation Director Deal advised that there were about 10 meetings of this group
which had a big push at first to get the service clubs involved. Most of the clubs were represented at one
time or another; either the groups lost interest or were committed to other projects. Councilmember Lewis
requested that the service groups be informed of the money that the City will be contributing and
emphasize that there is reason to inform the clubs of what is occurring and the need for their contribution.
Chairman Borden advised that it is better for the skate board park proponents to conduct the presentation.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that staff and the proponents could go back to the service
groups and request funds, but the park probably would not get built this year.
Mayor indicated that in the beginning he was not very supportive of a skate park facility; however, the
facility appears to be very nice. He advised that the City of Kent is experiencing problems with their skate
park because it has become a hang out. He emphasized that the City needs to do the park in the right way.
It heeds to be a challenge for the users and the spectators. It should be a nice facility that will promote
pride.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal pointed out that with a skate park, the City would now be able to
enforce ordinances relating to no skateboarding or rollerblading in downtown. There would be a facility
for the skaters to use instead of the downtown sidewalks and streets.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to forward the park design to
the City Council. Chairman Borden concurred.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JULY 13, 1908
ZOA0004-97 - Zoning Ordinance Amendment - to add Chapter 18.69, "Planned Unit
Development (PUD) District"
ZOA0001-98 - Land Division Ordinance Amendment - amend Sections 17.06.020 and 17.06.070 of the
l.and Division Ordinance in order to implement the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance
Assistant Planning Director Rued presented the staffreport and pointed out the additional information for
the Committee's review fi-om the last meeting. The fmdings have been improved and a comparison
provided of 20 percent versus 25 percent.
Councilmember Singer wanted to know where in the City a PUD of 10 acres or more could be developed.
Assistant Planning Director Rued pointed out the northeast Auburn area as the biggest at about 300 acres;
'T' Street and 30th NE are about 20 acres; Miles pit site area; along Kersey Way there are about three or
four parcels; and the Val Bain site. The Lea Hill area will increase the number somewhat. The Lakeland
area in Pierce County also has a PUD.
Councilmember Singer asked about the boulevard access as main access instead of two access points.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said that a wide boulevard can be for emergency access. A
boulevard concentrates access in one area whereas two accesses spread out the distribution. The two
accesses is an existing requirement in the Land Division Ordinance.
Councilmember Lewis remarked that he appreciates the extra work and changes made by staff. He
anticipates the PUD ordinance going to a special Council meeting.
Councilmember Singer referred to the revised design guidelines and expressed a concern that wording is
written for 1998 and the feelings about design might change in the coming years. She does not want to see
the PUD developments looking alike. Chairman Borden remarked that if there is a change, the Council
could amend or change, otherwise do not have the design guidelines.
Chairman Borden asked Assistant Planning Director Rued how he came up with the guidelines. Assistant
Planning Director Rued said that the guidelines are similar to some guidelines proposed in the site plan
review ordinance which staffhas been working on. Chairman Borden is supportive of design guidelines.
Councilmember Lewis wanted language to be interpreted by City without being too restrictive.
Chairman Borden wanted to know how to ensure that a builder will not use cheap materials. Assistant
Planning Director Rued advised that this is up to the builder to do. Chairman Borden asked if the design
standards prohibit neon signs. Assistant Planning Director Rued said that since it is a residential PUD, the
underlying zoning will be residential. The non-residential uses have to act like residential uses.
Chairman Borden remarked that she likes the other changes in the design standards. The section on
Council action looks good and she believes that Council will be supportive. She mentioned concerns about
the open space issue. She referred to scenario 2 and said that she would like to see the open space used for
public good. Assistant Planning Director Rued explained the density limit is the Comprehensive Plan
density which is over riding parameter. Chairman Borden remarked that scenario 3 is out of the question.
Under scenario 2, she sees the developers packing units in and she wants to see extra space preserved for
public use. Assistant Planning Director Rued said that Council must decide if larger lots or smaller lots are
to be permitted.
Councilmember Lewis said to leave an option for a smaller single family house on the lot. New housing
requirements are necessitating smaller and smaller lots. There should be a flexibility for development of
different lot sizes without forcing developers to use stacked multi-family. Multi-family units with a park is
lot less desirable than a minimum size lot of single family. An outline should be set up for developers so
that they will want to develop neighborhoods with single family houses. The City will be much better off
with the single family projects.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY ,13, 1998
With no
Chairman Borden. does not want dense housing without open space. Assistant Planning Director Rued
reiterated that the Comprehensive Plan controls the density. Councilmember Lewis remarked that he
prefers to have individuals own land. There needs to be an incentive to have builders build more of what
the City wants.
Chairman Borden referred to the northeast Auburn project and wondered if the high density will allow 18,
units per acre. Assistant Planning Director Rued advised with multi-family there will be a big difference
because there is no open space requirement now. Chairman Borden wanted to know why a developer is
able to use non-buildable area as open space. Assistant Planning Director Rued pointed out scenario 3
which does not permit this. Assistant Planning Director Rued said the park requirement is not very big.
Assistant Planning Director Rued advised that is discretionary for Council if they want to accept park.
Chairman Borden wanted to know where in the ordinance this is mentioned. Assistant Planning Director
Rued referred to page 9, section A entitled open space, the second sentence in item #2. The discretion goes
away with the adoption of impact fees. Chairman Borden referred to the non-buildable areas, and said that
it seems the development with non-buildable areas benefits. Assistant Planning Director Rued agreed that
the development would benefit more. Chairman Borden to why building heights are higher in the PUD.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said the perimeter heights are not higher than zoning district, but the
interior are higher and then read the heights for single family and multi family. Chairman Borden wanted
to know where in the PUD ordinance it says open space can never be developed. Assistant Planning
Director Rued said that in the covenants that are recorded with the property. It would be made a condition
of the PUD. He referred to item 3 on page' 9.
Chairman Borden suggested the PUD go to a Council workshop and then return to the Committee after the
workshop. The Committee agreed to the workshop.
Chairman Borden thanked Assistant Planning Director Rued for his work on the PUD ordinance.
further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
PCDC~vllNX7A-98
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