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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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