HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-14-1998MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 14, 1998
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held September 14, 1998 in the
Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis
STAFF PRESENT:
Paul Krauss, Al Hicks, Betty Sanders, Shirley Schultz, Bill Mandeville, Dick Deal,
Diane Supler, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Booth; Clark Townsend, Assistant President of Green River Community College;
Pat Amato, Chair, Human Resources Committee; Mark Hancock, Lakeland Company
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:00 p.m.
1. Amend Chapter 2.78 - Fees for City Permits and Actions
Planning Director Krauss informed the Committee that since the Planned Unit Development (PUD)
ordinance was passed, the City now needs to adopt fees for the PUD. The other development application
fees have not been reviewed for over 10 years and all are out of line. Some cities want full cost recovery
and this is reflected in their fees; however, Auburn does not want full cost recovery. Planning Director
Krauss and Assistant Planning Director Rued have spent time contemplating the revised fees and compared
Auburn's fees with other jurisdictions. He referred to an AWC publication on a fee survey that was
conducted last year. He then referred to the comparison table and pointed out how proposed PUD fees
compared to what other cities charge. A residential PUD is much more complex than reviewing a plat
application.
Councilmember Singer asked how much stafftime is used in reviewing a PUD application. Planning
Director Krauss said that staff conducts a pre-development conference which is free, the application is
circulated to other City departments for review, and several hearings are involved. Much more staff time is
involved than will be recovered by the fee. Staff is not expecting nor asking for full cost recovery. Staff
did not want to charge any more or any less than adjacent cities. Planning Director Krauss stressed the
need to revamp the other application fees. Councilmember Singer asked when the City of Kent last revised
their figures. Planning Director Krauss said he did not know because Kent did not answer the AWC
survey.
Councilmember Lewis referred to the sign fees and requested to see the new amounts listed. He believes it
has been well over 10 years since the application fees were revised.
Chairman Borden remarked that the City has been moving toward cost of service for some time and
wondered if the City was moving any closer to this. She stressed that it is important to look at revising
these costs. Mayor said that the cost has been looked at comparatively, but not for cost of service and
agreed that it should be looked at.
Finance Director Supler explained that some fees are difficult to review because of the time involved due
to bringing in the Fire Marshall and other departments. In the some of the parks programs and all the
senior programs, a decision was made not to do a cost recovery. The City has tried to increase fees in
parking and does have a long "laundry list" of fees which need to be revised. However, some fees are
somewhat nebulous to try to figure.
Planning Director Krauss remarked that a certain amount of hand holding of developers is needed and the
City needs to determine how much hand holding it is willing to do. The City needs to consider the whole
development process including building permit fees.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 14, 1998
Councilmember Lewis asked which application fees would have the most impact on a single family
homeowner. Planning Director Krauss remarked that mostly the variance applicantion that might be used
for a garage expansion or a lot line adjustment. Councilmember Lewis asked staffto review any other fees
or applications that might be used by a single family homeowner. Planning Director Krauss said that staff
will review.
Finance Director Supler mentioned a situation where one building sits on two different lots and when the
City desires or requires a lot line adjustment, such as for the Park 277 project, or when liens are involved,
or a facility straddling two lots, the lot line adjustment fee should be reviewed.
Chairman Borden anticipates the fees coming back to the Committee in two weeks.
CDBG Budget- 1999 Program Year
Planner I Schultz distributed a spreadsheet.which showed the requested and recommended award amounts.
Senior Planner Hicks spoke about the Consolidated Plan and budget ordinance being up for Council
review. The Consolidated Plan is open for public comment. The amount funded by the government has
diminished by $11,000 each year and the amount funded for next year will not be known until the end of
the process.
Chairman Borden wanted to know about the requests that were denied. Planner I Schultz remarked that
Parkview wanted funds for the acquisition and rehabilitation of two homes in Auburn; however, there was
no guarantee that the homes would serve Auburn clients. The Salvation Army wanted to establish an
office in Auburn to distribute emergency assistance; however, there is already a program in place which
distribute vouchers through the Food Bank. The Valley Cities crisis assessment would be a duplication of
existing services. The Valley Cities youth shelter wanted to have a home in Federal Way and there was no
guarantee that Auburn clients would be Served. The WWEE were considered to be not as important as
other services such as housing and food. The YWCA, ACAP, and Catholic Community Services received
additional funding.
Mayor cited the Human Services Committee for their excellent job in reviewing the requests and making
recommendations.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval of the
budget. Chairman Borden concurred.
Authorization to Bid - Skateboard Park
Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staff report and mentioned that the process has been
longer and hard than anticipated. The project is also weather dependent because of all the concrete work.
He then showed a layout of the park to the Committee.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
Final Pay Estimate Contract #98-19
Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staffreport.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
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PRESENTATION ITEM:
1. Clark Townsend, Assistant President of Green River Community College (GRCC), on Lea Hill Park
GRCC Assistant President Townsend distributed a proposal handout to the Committee and reminded them
that he gave an abbreviated presentation in June. He provided background information again on the Lea
Hill park. King County is divesting itself of parks now. He reviewed the significant chronological dates.
The park is in good shape because of the college's work and money spent. Negotiations have not taken
place thus far and he wanted to know with whom they negotiate. Chairman Borden said the college would
negotiate with Parks and Recreation Director Deal and the Mayor and the Council will be informed in
executive session. GRCC Assistant President Townsend then reviewed the nine key points in the college's
proposal to King County and Auburn. He also reviewed the proposed interlocal agreement. He mentioned
the forward thrust bond issue wording. He spoke about the college's need for athletics and that the college
owns lots of land that cannot be developed for athletic uses because of wetlands and slopes. GRCC wants
to be credited for the money already expended on park improvements. The proposed agreement talks
about 10 instead of perpetuity which was required by the college's legal staff.
Chairman Borden asked about user fees and staffing. GRCC Assistant President Townsend said that King
County charges fees and this would continue. Councilmember Singer remarked that users could possibly
pay a double fee for the use - to the college and the City.
GRCC Assistant President Townsend acknowledged that GRCC would like ownership of the park due to
historic use. If the Mountain View property is developed, GRCC will put in funds to develop that property.
The City would then get benefit ora park without maintenance costs of the park. He wants an agreement
in principal and then go back to King County. He is trying to negotiate a three party agreement.
Councilmember Lewis appreciated GRCC Assistant President Townsend coming back to the Committee
and speaking about the proposal.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Correspondence regarding Interlocal Agreement with King County Relating to Potential Annexation Area
Planning Director Krauss mentioned that the issue was that King County said Auburn could annex to 277th
because it was consistent. Now King County says it would entertain an unincorporated island, but staff has
never heard this before. He spoke to Chuck Mize, King County Director of Community and Government
Affairs, this evening and Ron Sims wants full implementation of the agreement with annexation to 277th.
However, the King County Countywide Planning Policies say no to unincorporated islands. King County
staff say many different things. He is trying to get definition or a resolution on this issue. He reviewed the
correspondence contained in the agenda packet. It appears that King County still has a strong desire for
Auburn to annex the area.
Councilmember Lewis wondered if King County said "no" or "prefer". Planning Director Krauss advised
that King County used the word "prefer". The City was hoping King County would take action first and
Auburn would know where the County was headed on the matter. Mr. Mize is sending a letter to the City.
If it appears this will be an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, staff needs direction on what to do.
Councilmember Lewis announced that it appears from the last Council meeting that it is now down to a
matter of choices. He would support the annexation without the island. Planning Director Krauss advised
that if the City does this, other elements may be found to be unacceptable. Chairman Borden does not want
to indicate that Auburn is backing down because she feels strongly about this. The Mayor has told King
County Executive Sims how strongly the City feels about the matter and Auburn needs to make sure they
have a clear course so the City is not stranded between the two notions.
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Mr. Tidball wondered if the Committee had a chance to review the two rulings he provided at the last
meeting. Mayor advised that the two ruling were referred to the City Attorney for review. Mr. Tidball
reiterated that the issues brought up in rulings would come into play for what an agricultural district can be '
used for.
A Farmland Trust representative said the country is losing too much farmland every day. King County is ·
doing a good job of managing the area and it should stay intact. Farm land must be protected.
Briefing on Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
Planner I Sanders provided background information on the Plan and informed the Committee that the
Planning, Public Works, and Parks staff have worked very closely on the Plan. The traffic engineers have
substantial comments which make revisions to the Plan necessary. Staff wants to adopt the Plan as part of
the Comprehensive Plan amendments for this year. She provided a history of the project including citizen
involvement, open houses, and surveys. She described the five major components of the Plan, presented
the service goals of the Plan, and showed a map of existing and proposed trails. ISTEA funding was
mentioned briefly. The traffic division is putting together information on crosswalks. She asked the
Committee to comment freely on the Plan.
Chairman Borden remarked that traffic calming is critically needed. Councilmember Lewis stressed that if
the City is asking its citizens to walk, they need ways to get across streets carefully. The City needs to
educate pedestrians and drivers.
Planning and Community Development Department Budget
Finance Director Supler emphasized that this is a baseline budget that is before the Committee and that
preliminary expenditures were determined. It has not been determined if any funds are available for
program improvements. The Finance Department has not made recommendations to the Mayor yet on
funding.
Planning Director Krauss announced that the proposed budget is as it was presented to the Mayor and is
consistent with established guidelines. It is anticipated that the Phase 2 Lakeland annexation will be
finished and a portion of Lea Hill annexation is pending. He briefly reviewed the program improvements.
Councilmember Lewis asked who resolves the discrepancy between the priority assigned to a program
improvement by the requesting department and the priority assigned by Council. Mayor said that the
Council looks at the required funding for safety and health issues first, Council and Finance Department
then review the funding sources, etc.
Parks and Recreation Department Budget
Parks and Recreation Director Deal distributed the budget and reviewed the goals. A discussion occurred
regarding park acquisition and need for a park plan for the Lea Hill area. He then reviewed the requested
program improvements.
Lakeland Hills Park in Pieme County
Parks and Recreation Director Deal provided background information on the 15 acre community park and
the linearpark. He is sending a letter to Lakeland rejecting their proposal. On a site plan, he reviewed the
location of the parks and described the linear park. Modifications are needed to the parks per Auburn's
demands. A site plan depicting landscaping was shown and he pointed out which landscaping the City is
responsible. Mr. Hancock then pointed out the different types offences along the road and access points.
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Chairman Borden expressed concern about the amount of traffic on the street and how people will cross the
street. Parks and Recreation Director Deal advised that the traffic division staffhave not presented any
numbers on the amount of traffic that will be generated. He described the sidewalks on both sides of the
street, but is unsure what the traffic division will require regarding striping, ramps, etc. Chairman Borden
requested that traffic division provide information on the number of vehicles, crosswalks, stop signs, and
striping, etc. Parks and Recreation Director Deal will have a traffic division staff person in attendance at.
the next Committee meeting.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal advised that Lakeland is proceeding with plans for the remaining
portion of the park. He pointed out the 15 acre community park on the colored site plan and pointed out
the amenities of the park. Construction costs have risen dramatically.
Councilmember Lewis asked about the current cost. Parks and Recreation Director Deal said that
approximately $2.4 million is dedicated to park development, and the park is now at $2.2 million. The
Terrace View project does not have sufficient park space and Parks and Recreation Director Deal has
talked with them about fee in lieu of because of Terrace View's impact on Lakeland's community park.
Planning Director Krauss remarked that Terrace View is not in the City now, but the park matter was
mentioned in the preannexation agreement. He mentioned Schneider Homes' development on Lea Hill
which had to contribute. Parks and Recreation Director Deal reported that the park dedication ordinance
has never been revised. The community park will need extensive grading and landscaping whereas the
other, earlier Lakeland park did not. The site will have to be reforested. Councilmember Lewis pointed
out that the community park will get a lot of use and a first rate job should be done on the park.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal will provide a more detailed park budget and topographic map at the
next meeting in addition to pedestrian issues being addressed. Councilmember Lewis requested to review a
larger map that shows all the different communities in Lakeland in order to get a better perspective.
INFORMATION ITEM:
1. Liquor License Renewals
No comments were made on this item.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Planner I Mandeville distributed a copy of a letter sent to Auburn Youth Resources (AYR) relating to the
approved OCVA grant for the neighborhood program. He wanted to bring to the Committee's attention the
matter discussed in the letter.
A discussion occurred on how AYR is able to provide the described services for a reasonable amount of
money.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
PCDC\MIN~9A-98
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