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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-1998I~INUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 24, 1998 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held November 24, 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, Shirley Aird, Bill Mandeville, Dick Deal, and Patti Zook ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:00 p.m. 1. Ordinance for CDBG 1998 Action Plan Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. 2. Ordinance 5180 - Auburn Arts Commission Grant Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staff report. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. ::. 3. : Downtown Plan Principal Planner Sokol provided background information on the Plan. He spoke about public involvement in the process, and described the Task Force as being a well educated group on downtown issues. Copies of the preliminary draft were given to the Committee and City staff, but not distributed widely yet. A draft EIS and draft plan for public review should be available in January. It is anticipated that in February or March, the Plan will be taken to the Planning Commission and Council for adoption. He mentioned a "programmatic EIS" for the Plan in order to be as specific as possible so that when projects come in that are consistent with the Plan, staff can say the impacts were reviewed earlier. It would be an inducement for economic development. Julia Walton, Arai Jackson, Downtown Plan consultants, mentioned the goals of the Plan and that the City can build on the existing assets. She then discussed a foam board entitled "Figure Ground Diagram" of - building layouts. She showed another foam board entitled "Challenges to Revitalization" and discussed. She showed another foam board entitled "Concept" and discussed. She mentioned the different tiers of development and the six steps of the Plan. She then showed a foam board entitled "Key Projects" and discussed. Next, she showed foam board sketches of an artist's rendition of street scapes of revitalized downtown area. Councilmember Lewis believes it will hard to lure multi family develop to the area across A Street from the transit center parking garage because it will need an inducement for a developer to proceed with such a project. He mentioned a limited partnership between developers and property owners that might work for this set up. He likes the idea of a special plan area for downtown. The City could be the catalyst for getting groups together. A discussion of various types of leveraging occurred. Ms. Walton mentioned the possibilities of local banks being brought into the process. If the programmatic EIS is done, then need review only for the different individual land uses. Councilmember Lewis suggested the "Key Bank block" be a better name than the "Tavern block". Several redevelopment possibilities were discussed. PAGE 1 ~MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 24, 1998 The Committee discussed renaming a portion of A Street. Councilmember Singer expressed concern about the City being the landlord of ground-level retail at the parking garage. Principal Planner Sokol advised that Jack Locke, Special Projects Engineer, is looking into a "turn key" type of situation. Ms. Walton remarked that the consultant's economist has been speaking with Mr. Locke regarding tenant improvements and the turn key program related to the parking garage. Principal Planner Sokol advised that the Task Force is concerned about what might happen in downtown prior to the Plan's adoption. He mentioned an interim zoning process that might be implemented. The Task Force likes the idea of the interim zoning and he described the advantages in doing this. Staffwould like to prepare an ordinance for the interim zoning and bring it to the full Council at the fu'st December meeting. The Committee agreed to proceed forward with the concept of interim zoning for the area. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to bring the interim zoning ordinance to the December Council meeting. Chairman Borden concurred. Chairman Borden commended staff, the Task Force, and the consultant for their hard work on the Plan. She expressed concern, however, about the implementation chapter which urges Council to expend money. Councilmember Lewis remarked that the implementation strategies seem to take up considerable stafftime. He is also concerned about the amount of money that it proposes the City to expend. He stressed the need to bring up the value of the core area. Chairman Borden asked about the schedule for design standard changes. Principal Planner Sokol said that adoption of the Plan is first, and then design standards would be put in ordinance form. Chairman Borden would like to discuss the Downtown Plan again in one month. A discussions of the Public Works Department's involvement in the Plan occurred. Liquor License for Special Occasion The Committee consented to this request. RFP for After School Activities Planner I Mandeville provided background information. Mayor and Councilmember Singer remarked that Planner I Mandeville should evaluate services on "historic" trends versus comparing different neighborhoods. Councilmember Lewis agreed that staff should use historical statistics of the area otherwise the information will not be accurate and might be misleading. Chairman Borden asked for clarification of the objectives of this grant. Planner I Mandeville spoke about the objectives. She supports the expansion of after school programs. With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. PCDCSMIN~ 11B-98 PAGE 2