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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-24-1999MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 24, 1999 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held May 24, 1999 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, Dick Deal, Cheryl Sallee, Susan Sagawa, and Patti Zook ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth; Allan Keimig, Keimig & Associates; Marjorie Rommell; Shaleen Dumas The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Contract for Editorial/Reporting Services. Planning Director Krauss advised that the contract was refined and details finessed. The proposal is within budget guidelines. He briefly described the duties and hourly rate. The Auburn Reporter might go bi- monthly similar to what is done in Kent and Renton. The contract was reviewed by the Legal and Personnel Departments and is acceptable to them. Staff recommends approval of the contract. A contract with the Auburn Reporter will also be needed and that will be coming through shortly. Chairman Borden asked for clarification of the budget. Planning Director Krauss explained that a former staffperson had one-half duty of the newsletter. The specific line items in the funding memorandum are related to PublkSation and exClusive' of Ms. Rommell's salaryi The budget line items are already in the budget. Steve B°tkin was on contract previously to perform the editing duties. The printing costs are whether Kinkos or in-house services are used. The editing fee was "beefed up" because of the staff change. The City is requesting itemized billing from Ms. Rommell and services are on a not to exceed basis. Councilmember Lewis indicated his pleasure about the contract. Councilmember Singer indicated that she is also pleased. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval of the contract. Chairman Borden concurred. 2. Resolution No. 3091 - Interlocal Agreement with Pierce County Planning Director Krauss presented the staff report and explained that Auburn is obligated to do a land capacity analysis and show it is on track for absorbing development. The State allocated some money through the County on a per capita basis. The allocation from King County will come through later this year. Counciimember Singer asked if the work is performed in-house. Planning Director Krauss indicated that staff may bring in an intern for the data gathering and data assembly because this project pulls staff off other projects. Councilmember Lewis made~a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval of the resolution. Chairman Borden concurred. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 24, 1999 Ordinance No. 5239 - Growth Management Act- Development Regulations Consistent with Comprehensive Plan Planning Director Krauss presented the staff report and explained that it is a bureaucratic obligation which confirms development regulations are consistent with the Growth management Act. State agencies require that this statement be in place for grant applications. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval of the resolution. Chairman Borden concurred. 4. Resolution No. 3087 - Senior Center Travel Agreement Parks and Recreation Director Deal explained that this agreement is on a very tight schedule. No comments were expressed by the Committee. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval of the resolution. Chairman Borden concurred. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. Potential Emergency Amendments to Comprehensive Plan Planning Director Krauss eXplained that thei-e-are twO:proPosed ComPrehensive Plan amendments. One is for the Transportation Plan Level of Service (LOS) for the intersection of" A" Street and Ellingson Road. The second is for policies dealing with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The A Street/Ellingson intersection is failing due in part to Hwy. 167 failing. There is a 40 percent increase in traffic through the intersection in the last two years and is considered a LOS F intersection. The City is in the position of having to deny developments because of the situation at this intersection. The intersection capacity has been used by non-Auburn projects. The City cannot wait to amend the Comprehensive Plan during its annual amendment process at the end of the year. If the problem is not addressed, the City would need to start denying development consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and could be in violation of the GMA regulations. The City does not often participate in Pierce County development reviews because the City is not consulted or notified. He mentioned the development reviews on hold because of the intersection problems. He gave an anecdote from an experience at an Issaquah intersection and the time delay involved there. Auburn's approach is different from other cities and is fairly unique. Other jurisdictions are not having to deny development, but are making developers pay for traffic improvements. Staff knows the next problem is probably the intersection of M and Auburn Way. He mentioned four options to address the A Street/Ellingson Road problem. He mentioned that the long term solution might be a corridor or district LOS. Planning Director Krauss remarked that the corridor LOS is in the City Transportation Plan, but currently it has no official standing and is not used to review development proposals. The City currently uses SEPA mitigation impact fees to accommodate issues. The long term solution is go to corridor LOS in conjunction with an impact fee. He spoke about the need to do an individual analysis for impact fee program that is based on the City's Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). He confirmed that most jurisdictions have traffic impact fees. Councilmember Lewis admitted that he likes the corridor LOS idea. Auburn's citizens are not causing the increased traffic. The corridor LOS might promote the use of different routes. Councilmember Singer thinks the completion the HOV lanes on Hwy. 167 will,help. The completion of 8th Street should also help. Councilmember Lewis stressed that Public Works staff has to get to work on the traffic impact fee schedule. Councilmember Singer suggested that the City see what other cities are doing. Planning PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 24, 1999 Director Krauss stated that the Public Works transportation section has been preparing the traffic impact fees. Council indicated that it wanted all impact fees to go forward. Councilmember Lewis requested that Planning Director Krauss encourage Public Works staffto move forward on the traffic impact fees. Chairman Borden asked what happens to the traffic impact fees if the Planning Commission denies the ~ emergency amendment. Planning Director Krauss informed the Committee that the amendments would come to the City Council with a staff recommendation and a Planning Commission recommendation. Both recommendations are presented to Council and Council has the final authority. He mentioned the Planning Commission's recent recommendation on gambling which was different from staff's recommendation. Chairman Borden said it appears that in the information presented that Pierce County is not working with Auburn. Historically this has been the case remarked Planning Director Krauss, but it has gotten better recently and he spoke about the Lakeland development in Pierce County. The City and County need to proactively work together. In the past, City input has been ignored. Planning Director Krauss remarked that the second emergency Comprehensive Plan amendment concerns the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The current Comprehensive Plan policies are well thought out and do a fairly effective job of laying out obligations regarding fish habitat and water quality. There need to be some specific policies regarding the ESA. He briefly reviewed the proposed policies. Chairman Borden asked about the next process. Planning Director Krauss advised that the City knew the ESA designation was coming, but its effects are still unfolding. A regional response is still being developed. He then mentioned the 4D rule. Chairman Borden stated her support of both issues going to the Planning Commission and then to City Council. She is uncomfortable about lowering the LOS at the aforementioned intersections. The City should be more proactive about the corridor approach and traffic impact fee issue. Planning Director Krauss advised the issue will be a public hearing at the June Planning Commission meeting and probably the second Council meeting in June. 2. 1999-2000 BRAVO Series Funds Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented a brief background on the series funding and the need to secure performers for the season. Cultural Program Manager Sagawa distributed a handout and explained the first part of the program year is already approved. For the year 2000, performers need to be booked. She mentioned the artists coming to town during the series. Councilmember Lewis affirmed that he likes the schedule. 3. Summer Arts Update Cultural Program Manager Sagawa described the Shades of Summer performances scheduled and their hope that attendance will continue to increase. If the Committee does not halve concerns, Parks and Recreation Director Deal will ensure the contracts are prepared. Mayor reminded Committee that funding for year 2000 cannot be committed yet. INFORMATION ITEM: 1. Funding Available for Auburn Newsletter This item was discussed previously in connection with item 1 under Action Items. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 24, 1999 OTHER BUSINESS: Chairman Borden informed those present that she and Councilmember Lewis were contacted by Shaleen Dumas regarding her proposed day care site. The 1,300 square foot house is zoned commercial. ~ Improvements are being made to the site that maybe she really does not have to do. She asked Ms. Dumas to present information tonight to the Committee. Ms. Dumas thanked the Committee for allowing her to come tonight. She showed the site plan for her site and indicated it is located next to/south of the Burger Ranch restaurant. There are five parking stalls on the site; two compact spaces are depicted instead of one. She received a letter from the City saying that she could not do the layout for parking because it reduced the required landscaping. She admitted that the site is tight. The house will be used for 20-25 kids as a day care center. She referred to a letter received from Paul Krauss which said the project could not be done. She had three different drawings and meetings with staff. Planning Director Krauss asked Ms. Dumas who she spoke with and she indicated that she spoke with Lynn Rued, Assistant Planning Director. Ms. Dumas then showed another site plan with the five parking spaces and a smaller play area. Planning Director Krauss described the joint parking agreement contract process to Ms. Dumas. Chairman Borden believes that the first site plan is a better design. Ms. Dumas said that the first site plan is the preferred site'pian. Sh~ believes:ihi~ compaCt:Parking SPace is the real issue which she thinks is ridiculous. She pointed to an area on the site plan where she wants the three parking places to be. The play area on the second site plan is much too small. The required trenches are in and she is waiting for the asphalt to be laid. Planning Director Krauss explained that the City Council adopts ordinances to administer its policies. If a development proposal is inconsistent with the ordinance, then the applicant can change the plan or apply for a variance. Ms. Dumas indicated that she was discouraged from applying for a variance. Planning Director Krauss agreed that the information she received about a variance is correct. A variance cannot be granted for a self-generated problem. Mayor pointed out that maybe the project is too large for the site and the second site plan seems more reasonable. Planning Director Krauss pointed out that the Councilmembers in attendance tonight do not have the authority to approve variances. Variances are approved by the Hearing Examiner if they meet certain criteria as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance. The Committee cannot offer relief to Ms. Dumas tonight. He will talk with staff and see what can be done to assist her. Allan Keimig mentioned the joint parking agreement process and gave Ms. Dumas his business card. Ms. Dumas then provided a background on the fire protection system and her meeting with the Fire Marshall, her architect, and a representative from Grennell, to resolve' issues. She was very angry that the Fire Department had not looked at the plans prior to the meeting. She stated her project is no longer profitable. Ms. Dumas then elaborated about discussions with the Department of Health and the Public Works Department relating to discrepancies between their requirements for toilets. She said the process with these two agencies has been a nightmare. Planning Director Krauss indicated that he can look at the parking and landscaping issues. The fire code application is administered by the Fire Department and needs to be discussed with them. The issue is converting a 1,300 square foot single family house to a day care center for 20 to 25 children. The building PAGE 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 24, 1999 With no needs to be made as safe as can be. Some of Ms. Dumas' comments were distressing. One thing seems to be compounding another thing at this site. Ms. Dumas then spoke about another submission to the Fire Department relating to smoke detectors and their comments indicated that they had not even seen the site. She spoke about their requirement relatiqg to alarms on doors. Mayor advised that the site chosen by Ms. Dumas does have constraints. This is the first complaint/problem with the Fire Marshall that he is aware of. Chairman Borden acknowledged that the size of the building at 1,300 square feet seems small for 20 to 25 many children. Ms. Dumas said the State licensing agency has seen the building and they did not have a problem with the size and number of children. She then explained how the State calculates the permitted number of children in a building. Chairman Borden appreciates what Ms. Dumas is doing in trying to have a day care business. The ordinances must be applied equally to all in the City. The City Council has supported reducing parking requirements. Mayor indicated the need for a load and unload area, parking for employees and visitors, and that Ms. Dumas could make arrangements for a joint parking agreement with the Burger Ranch. Councilmember Singer indicated this is the third instance recently that she has heard about a remodel that has caused these kinds of problems. She wondered if something needs to be changed and why is Council hearing about these problems. Planning Director Krauss advised that major rehabs of a building for a use that it was not designed for is expensive. A different occupant load is triggered. He used the example of Msl Dumas? Single family house for four people now being converted to a day care for 20 to 25 children. :There are significant code standpoint issues, as well as state and health department issues. The 50 percent rule was explained and he spoke about the different thresholds. The problem is trying to accommodate something that cannot be accommodated. Chairman Borden asked Councilmember Singer about other examples. Councilmember Singer mentioned the hair salon on Main Street. Planning Director Krauss advised that the problem is reconfiguring another building for another use. Ms. Dumas said the problem is the Fire Department saying one thing and the fire sprinkler company saying something else. Councilmember Singer acknowledged a problem with areas being zoned commercial that were previously zoned residential. Planning Director Krauss remarked that these opportunities were created, but no one has done an assessment on a case by case assessment. A pre-application meeting would have indicated that sprinklers were needed, but the code goes into more detail. Mayor remarked that a conversion of a residence to a commercial use has an advantage in that water/sewer are usually already in. However, a disadvantage of the conversion is that additional requirements are needed to meet the different use. further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. PCDC\MINX5B-99 PAGE 5