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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-28-1998MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held September 28, 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, Lynn Rued, Bob Sokol, Betty Sanders, Dick Deal, Josie Emmons, Jack Locke, and Patti Zook ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth; Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans, artists 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 Assistant Planning Director Rued reminded the Committee that this item was on their agenda last time and they had a few questions from that meeting that he would answer tonight. Single family homeowners usually apply for a home occupation permit or for day care. They would pay a $25 business .registration fee. If a public hearing is held, usually for a beauty salon or auto repair, then a fee would be charged. Currently, day care allows up to 12 children with only a business registration. If more than 12 children, the day care would need a conditional use permit. He could not recall the last time large conditional use permit for day care was requested. Councilmember Singer asked if the sign fees are an addendum. Assistant Planning Director Rued replied that the sign fees are contained in a separate chapter now. A table showing permit fees to be used for signs was provided in the agenda packet. All the fees are contained in Chapter 2.78 and the fees referred to in the chapter where appropriate. Councilmember Singer wanted to know if Assistant Planning Director Rued had any idea how much money would be raised with the additional fees. She wondered if it would be enough to hire more City staff. Planning Director Krauss explained that the fees paid go into the City's general fund not to individual departments. Councilmember Lewis asked if staff had any idea how much additional money would be collected. Planning Director Krauss suggested that staff could go back through submitted applications and provide the information to the full Council. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. 2. Washington State Arts Commission Grant-Ordinance 5157 Cultural Program Manager Emmons presented the staff report. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. 3. Vehicle Acceptance from King County Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staffreport and distributed the ordinance. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. 4. Commuter Rail Station Design Principal Planner Sokol presented a diagram and provided background information on the station siting study that was completed and the Downtown Plan process which was implemented. The proposed parking structure was described including its shared use. He provided information on the consulting f'urn that was PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 o selected for the design component. Concept #3 was selected by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as the preferred design; however, some concerns still exist about Concept #3. He pointed out the parking garage for 370 cars on the east side of the tracks. The shops are on A Street fronting and on the plaza. Planning Director Krauss mentioned the incentive for redevelopment of buildings. Principal Planner Sokol expressed a concern about pedestrians crossing over the tracks and the need for a pedestrian over-crossing. People liked the general layout, but a couple concerns were mentioned. Councilmember Lewis remarked that he did not want to second guess those on the TAC; however he stated a belief that if the station is to be a focus for downtown redevelopment, people will not walk a block and a half past open areas to reach Main Street. Principal Planner Sokol advised that a long term goal is to spur development on parcels south of Main Street and to bring development "to" the transit center. Planning Director Krauss advised that Main Street is the most vital area in downtown, but the City's long term goal is to make downtown five blocks wide. There are traffic considerations because Main Street is nice to look at, but not conducive to traffic volumes or traffic flow. Second Street is the key because of its clear access to Auburn Way. Almost everyone involved in the process wanted a plaza built into the station area. The parking garage on the east side will be built first with ground floor retail. The station area is designed to accommodate a future garage on the west side as well. Councilmember Lewis pointed out that because of the prices of land, it may be more likely that residential development would occur on the west side of the tracks. There would be an opportunity for the City to entice residential development on the west because he believed this would not happen on the east side at all. It would need to be determined if there is a way to bring access from the west side over the tracks. This would be an opportunity for public/private partnership in the development of the neighborhood on the west side of the tracks. He also pointed out that it could be an excellent old/new neighborhood that would increase in property values. Principal Planner Sokol pointed out the two crossings now planned; however, neither would be ideal for Councilmember Lewis' suggestion. Planning Director Krauss said that it might be possible to extend a pedestrian bridge, but no funds are available now. Principal Planner Sokol said it could be mentioned as a consideration and placed in the study. Special Projects Engineer Locke said the bridge could be made so that it could be extended, but it might be $1 million to do the extension. Councilmember Lewis advised that the City should strongly consider a way to fund the crossing. It may turn out to be relatively cheap if it encouraged residential development. Principal Planner Sokol remarked that a question has come up if there are enough funds to purchase the Short Stop market site. There is a concern about enough funds for the pedestrian crossing. Staff is asking the Council to endorse the design concept as the preferred alternative with recognition of some issues still to be resolved. Councilmember Lewis is concerned that he has not seen the other alternatives and requested to see the alternatives. This alternative may be the most attractive, but he has not seen the others. Principal Planner Sokol said that a workshop was conducted with the full Council to review the other alternatives. He offered to meet with Councilmember Lewis to show him the other alternatives. Chairman Borden said she feels comfortable with the selected alternative, but Councilmember Lewis should contact Principal Planner Sokol so that he can be shown the other alternatives. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend adoption of a resolution supporting the station design plan. Chairman Borden concurred. Proposed Artwork for the new Auburn Library Parks and Recreation Director Deal expects the Library to be bid in early November or January and it will be about a 10 month construction project. He described the selection process. Cultural Program Manager PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 Emmons introduced the two artists, Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans, nationally known artists who have executed many public art projects. The project is unique to the building and will be a wonderful addition to the City's art collection. Mr. Evans explained that they are a husband and wife team. He distributed a document entitled Mnemosyne's Opus to the Committee which described the project in detail. He proceeded to review the document and showed scale models of the artwork. Cultural Program Manager Emmons explained that the artwork will be placed in the Library as the building is completed. Staff has had conversations with the architects to make sure the walls are structurally able to hold the panels. The Library will have an educational piece to describe the artwork which will represent many cultures. Interlocal Agreement with King County Relating to Potential Annexation Area Planning Director Krauss advised that the Mayor sent a letter to King County Executive Ron Sims reiterating what the Committee heard at a recent meeting as well as the apparently unanimous opposition by the Council towards entering into an interlocal that commits the City to annex the Agricultural Production District (APD). It appears that County staff might be backpedaling a bit on this matter. The question was put to Executive Sims and the City expects to receive a letter that was sent Friday. Mayor Booth presented copies of the Executive's letter which he received earlier this afternoon. Mr. Sims encourages the City to adopt the current agreement, but indicated that the County would continue to negotiate with the City if it decided to drop consideration of the area. Planning Director Krauss stated that the pending 1998 Comprehensive Plan amendments will allow the City Council to delete the APD from the Potential Annexation Area. Chairman Borden stated that in addition she wanted the City to act on the proposed interlocal agreement. She referred to a section of the agreement that she believes should be removed to eliminate the APD. Planning Director Krauss suggested that staff can revise the agreement and present it again to the Committee. The Committee concurred with this suggestion. Briefing on Non-Motorized Transportation Plan Planner I Sanders reviewed some of the important details of the Plan and reminded the Committee that the Plan was discussed in general at the last meeting. The Plan will be an element of the City's Transportation Plan which is part of the Comprehensive Plan. She briefly reviewed Goal 1 to Goal 14. Councilmember Singer wondered how employers could be encouraged to promote the Plan. Planner I Sanders mentioned one major way is that the City and other employers affected by the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program meet two to three times per year. Planner I Sanders advised that the Plan is an interdisciplinary project which requires that staff work with surrounding cities. People are traveling good distances along the Interurban Trail between work and home. Chairman Borden remarked that the 20 year time frame in the Plan seems too long and she would like to see something more aggressive. Planner I Sanders advised that staffhas received different answers on this because some people think the proposed projects within that time frame is too much. Planning Director Krauss remarked that Planners and recreation program staff see the Plan as very important, but sometimes Public Works staff view pedestrian and trail improvements and the Plan as competition for available funds for streets and other infrastructure. The City Council will need to make a decision as to where the limited funds will go. Land is developing quicker in Auburn than the facilities are being developed. The Council will have to make a policy decision. Chairman Borden said that the Plan should mention that Federal and State agencies are making a priority of non-motorized transportation. Planner I Sanders explained that funding is being made available for the PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 o With no Plan. She mentioned the ISTEA and now TEA21 funds through the Federal government which sets aside 10% for enhancement projects. Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that the City having a Plan in place scores the projects higher and makes it more possible for the City to get funds for this. Mayor commended Planner I Sanders and Parks and Recreation Director Deal for their work on the Plan and said that he is very pleased with their performance. Councilmember Singer commented that she did not have a chance to read the Plan completely, but wondered if there was mention of the dangerous storm grates in the road. Planner I Sanders advised that this is mentioned in the Plan and the grates will be replaced as they are identified and as funds become available. Mayor advised that Auburn/Black Diamond Road and Green River Valley Road are used by numerous bicyclists and the roads are not conducive to use by the bikes. Planner I Sanders said that staff have not gotten to a point yet of prioritizing projects, but quantity of use would be an appropriate criterion for prioritization. Parks and Recreation Director Deal said the City could use the Plan as a tool building bridges with pedestrian and bike access. Planner I Sanders then briefly reviewed the bike section and mentioned the different bike facilities such as shoulders, wide outside lanes, etc. She then spoke about the bike routes. Discussion occurred about the proposed routes and their connection. Planner I Sanders then reviewed the pedestrian section. Councilmember Lewis commented that he liked the lighting comments and has noticed more people walking in downtown at night. He also liked the modem comments regarding crosswalks. Light is effective and must be a part of the Plan because the use of lighting makes downtown more accessible and people are then willing to venture downtown. Planner I Sanders advised that the proposed Downtown Plan will have specific projects relating to lighting, seating, shelter etc. She referred to a walking route prepared by the schools which showed the safest routes for children to walk to school. The map also showed where sidewalks are in place and where sidewalks are missing. A brief discussion on funding for sidewalk construction occurred. Planner I Sanders referred to page 66 which introduces traffic calming techniques. Councilmember Lewis said that he dislikes narrow streets as a component of traffic calming. Planning Director Krauss remarked that staff has been discussing the issue for three years without a meeting of the minds. He mentioned traffic circles such as those in Seattle and other cities. There is a philosophical difference between the Planning and Public Works departments about the priorities of moving people versus vehicles and preservation of neighborhoods. Again, policy issues are involved and require decisions by the Council. Finally, Planner I Sanders reviewed the equestrian chapter and then the loop trail system. Correspondence from the Senior Housing Assistance Group There was no discussion on this item. Liquor License-Special Occasion for Knights of Columbus The Committee consented to the request. further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. PCDC~AGND\9B-98 PAGE 4