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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-1999MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held September 13, 1999 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis STAFF PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Dick Deal, Shirley Aird, and Patti Zook Mayor Booth; Pat Amato, Human Services Committee The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. WSC0017-98 - Porter Chairman Borden opened the public hearing. Planning Director Krauss presented the staff report. The project is located in the Lea Hill area and will contain 13 single family homes. Access will be via a cul de sac on 116th Avenue SE. The site is ¼ mile from the City line, and it is not appropriate at this time for annexation. He then mentioned the deviation from City street standards. He reviewed and explained the four conditions. Chairman Borden asked the reason for the radius standard. Planning Director Krauss advised that the standard is in place so that fire tracks can negotiate the streets. There is a potential problem with moving vans negotiating the street, but it appears not to be a major problem for fire trucks. There was no public testimony and the public hearing was closed. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to close the public hearing. Chairman Borden concurred. There was no further discussion on this item. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. ACTION ITEM: 1. Consolidated Plan Planner I Aird remarked that Pat Amato is no longer the HSC chairman. The new chairman is Dan Shields. The changes are reviewed as part of the five year update which does not correspond to the census process. She stated the Plan's position that Auburn needs quality affordable housing, not low incgme housing. New goals were established in Chapter 5 to address this. HUD wants to see outcomes and actual results from the goals set. Councilmember Singer referred to the bottom of page 5-2 the figure of 607, and asked what it is based on. Planner I Aird remarked that the figure is based on the County-wide Planning Policies and reminded the Committee that the 37 percent language had been removed. The figure of 1,640 is based on building permits from the past five years. The sections in this chapter are divided by HUD statutory requirements. New housing cannot be constructed with block grant funds; therefore, there is not a strategy for this. Existing affordable housing can be preserved. New strategy 3-6 on page 5-5 was reviewed and discussed. Councilmember Lewis referred to figure 4.18 on page 4-20. Planner I Aird explained that the table applies specifically to Auburn and was prioritized five years ago. Councilmember Lewis expressed concern about a few infrastructure needs such as flood drain improvements, fn'e stations/equipment, and water/sewer PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 ' ~' - · improvements being rated low, and believes that they should be higher. The Mayor agrees that these should be rated higher. Councilmember Lewis asked about historic preservation in the listing. Planner I Aird said the object must be eligible for national/state historic listing and tied to an economic development project that benefits low income people. Councilmember Lewis would like to see a higher need level for tree planting and that non- residential historic preservation also be moved up in the need level. Councilmember Lewis asked about funding for employment opportunities. Planner I Aird advised that no block grant funds are for employment opportunities. Councilmember Lewis then asked about any basic job skills programs. Planner I Aird remarked that the City works with WWEE which also received a general fund grant. Children's Home Society works with parents through the healthy families program. Providers have mentioned th~'need to provide instruction in very basic skills such as appropriate attire, work hours, hygiene, etc. Mayor mentioned that the school district has some programs that address these issues, such as career pathways. Kids who do not complete high school is the large problem. Chairman Borden announced that she likes employment policies such as strategies 6-1 and 6-2. Planner I Aird pointed out new strategy 4-4 and explained why it is needed. Planner I Aird reviewed strategy 5. Strategy 6 contains new element - 6-3. Block grant funds can be used for code enforcement in low income neighborhoods. If revitalization of a neighborhood, can do additional block grant items that usually are not permitted. Planning Director Krauss mentioned the "A" Street neighborhood plan which has been funded in the past few years, but not developed due to staffing shortages. Councilmember Singer referred to page 5-9 and wondered if the annual accounting of buildable lands is a new requirement. Planning Director Krauss remarked that this is because of realtors and builders attempting to say that state would be better off if urban growth areas were expanded. Realtors and builders believe that cities are over-estimating the amount of land available for development which contributes to higher housing costs. This accounting amounts to another unfunded mandate. Planner I Aird said that the City has to provide the information each year on the base level by taking the building permit data, short plat and subdivision data, and density achieved and zoning. Eventually, there will be a system to automatically tabulate the land within the urban growth area. Chairman Borden asked what incentives are involved in strategy 7-2. Planner I Aird replied that the words "waiving development fees" was deleted and not replaced with anything else. Planning Director Krauss pointed out the need for equity in treatment. Councilmember Lewis wondered why this strategy is necessary. Planner I Aird gave an example of density bonuses, such as forgiving on setbacks for example. Councilmember Lewis remarked that he has concerns about using the words "develop incentives" if there is no way to do it. It might be a target if the City cannot provide it. Planner I Aird stated that a press release will be distributed tomorrow, a public hearing to be held on October 42, and she would like to have a second public hearing on the actual YR 2000 block grant budget at the second Council meeting in October. Councilmember Lewis remarked that one hearing on October 18 would look best. Staff and the Committee concurred. Chairman Borden referred to fair housing as mentioned in 5-11, and concerns about the position taken by the City of Bellevue. Planner I Aird spoke about the HOME Consortium and King County's update of their plan._ King County has said that if a city is not in compliance, the city will not get funds. Chairman Borden stressed that Auburn has always taken its fair share, and the City's position has not changed. Some cities are setting up distances around these homes and zoning them out. Planning Director Krauss affirmed that Auburn has taken its fair share and then some. Any concentration of these homes changes the PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 character of a neighborhood. Chairman Borden finds it objectionable that some agencies have bought several lots/homes in neighborhoods. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend a public hearing on October 18, 1999. Chairman Borden concurred. DISCUSSION ITEMs: 1. Parks Budget Parks & Recreation Director Deal distributed the budget and indicated there were no major changes. Councilmember Lewis wondered about the decrease in salary in the Arts Commission budget. Parks & Recreation Director Deal said that two new persons were hired at a lower wage. Councilmember Lewis referred to the drop in other services/supplies and professional services. Parks & Recreation Director Deal said that in the past they had money for engineering/design in professional services line item. However, the State says that if it is tied to a capital project, the amount must be shown in capital projects. Another shift was from office/operating supplies to repair/maintenance. Councilmember Lewis wanted to know why there was a large increase in the miscellaneous category. Parks & Recreation Director Deal replied this is for outside printing such as tickets that the City printer cannot do. Parks & Recreation Director Deal then reviewed the parks administration budget. The consultant money is for the Green River access, Fenster Property and for site plan development. Councilmember Lewis asked about the drop in salaries/benefits. Parks & Recreation Director Deal replied that some of the secretary's time is for the golf course and cemetery, and this impacts the enterprise funds slightly. Parks & Recreation Director Deal reviewed the senior citizen services budget and pointed out that the pool table is being replaced. Professional services line item contains funds for contract instructors. Parks & Recreation Director Deal then reviewed the recreation services administration budget for staff that coordinates activities. Councilmember Lewis asked about the addition to staff. Parks & Recreation Director Deal replied that there was no tumover, many staff are moving up in the steps, no additional employees are to be hired. Councilmember Lewis then asked about the large drop in the professional services line item. Parks & Recreation Director Deal spoke about the grant money from Americorps. Parks & Recreation Director Deal then reviewed the museum budget which is smaller than last year. Some funding was transferred to the historical society budget. It appears this amount may be too low, and he will check with the Finance Department. Next, Parks & Recreation Director Deal reviewed the recreational facilities budget which includes a mowing unit and an equipment lift. This prompted a brief discussion of various locations in town that need attention and clean up. Councilmember Lewis referred to page 8 which has an increase in salary/wages, but the amount for uniforms drops out. Parks & Recreation Director Deal advised that he will check on this. Councilmember Lewis pointed out that the miscellaneous budget jumps again. Parks & Recreation Director Deal remarked that printing is listed under miscellaneous, and he will check. Councilmember Lewis advised that he does not like to see the miscellaneous category increase in funds. Park__s & Rec~reation Director Deal spoke about the proposed program improvements. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 2. Planning Budget Planning Director Krauss distributed the budget and indicated that the amount of staff remains the same. The professional services line item changes because of grants received, such as those for the assistance of a consultant. He provided information relating to the Auburn Reporter and a contract with Marjorie Rommell for reporting/editing services. He spoke about the economic development program which recently started and the line item now which supports this endeavor. Councilmember Lewis referred to the sheet on public services and asked why there is a decline in salary. Planning Director Krauss replied that the PSR sheets allocate the percent of funding, and under this Bill Mandeville is funded largely out of general fund and his salary is the City's match for AmeriCorps. Part of Shirley Aird's salary is funded by CDBG. A1 Hicks' salary was removed from this fund. The cumulative sheet is consistent with the same number of staff and salary. The City has to account for what it pledges to block grant and Americorps. Planning Director Krauss referred to program improvements and the Department is again trying to establish a gateways program which was not funded last year. 3. Interlocal Agreements with King County Planning Director Krauss referred to his memorandum attached to the PAA interlocal agreement. He recommends that the City not do anything at this point relating to the second step of the process. Chairman Borden asked what is the downside of not moving forward with the second agreement. Planning Director Krauss advised that if annexation is protracted, in the interim the area will be fully developed by King County. The City and King County standards do not mesh, and the County ignores the need to develop streets and parks, and the problem is getting worse. If the service agreement is reached, it would avoid some of these problems. From a tax standpoint, the Finance Director says that it is much better to annex early instead of later due to sales and real estate excise taxes. Chairman Borden suggested keeping the matter on hold and discuss in detail further. Councilmember Singer suggested that a decision on this be delayed. INFORMATION ITEM: I. Lea Hill Pre-annexation Rezone Planner I Aird provided an update on this annexation process. A work session with the Planning Commission is scheduled for September 21st. A Memorandum of Understanding with Fire District 44 is being developed. Councilmember Lewis asked if the 65 percent of signers resulted from an agreement with the owners of the apartment complexes. Planning Director Krauss explained that staff organized certain people to obtain signatures. Some individuals solicited signatures on their own. It took a coordinated effort from Legal and the Mayor's Office to get the apartment complex to sign the petition for annexation. The City retained the services of Patty McDonald to go door to door to resolve issues. He advised the Committee that an appeal of the annexation is probable. With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. PCDCSMIl~9A-99 PAGE 4