HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-1999MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 8, 1999
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held November 8, 1999 in the
Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis
STAFF PRESENT:
Betty Sanders, Dick Deal, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Booth; Bob West, West & Collins; Nancy Krause, ADA Executive Director
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEAR1NG:
1. WSC0010-99 - Elmer Hautala
Planner I Sanders presented the staffreport and reviewed the Findings of Fact. She reviewed the revisions
necessary to make the project consistent with City standards. The five conditions were reviewed.
Chairman Borden opened the public hearing. There was no public testimony. Councilmember Lewis
made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to close the public hearing. Chairman Borden
concurred.
Planner I Sanders explained that there were conversations between the City and King County relating to the
granting of water/sewer certificates. The City indicated that it would update the sewer comprehensive plan
because the County said that it would not accept new certificates until the plan was updated.
Mayor mentioned that Public Works Director Engler met with King County and a reasonable solution was
reached. He contacted the County Executive regarding this matter. The County Executive understands the
matter and directed his staffto process the certificates. He believes the timeline for completion of the
comprehensive sewer plan is six months.
Chairman Borden asked how the situation affects this development. Planner I Sanders advised that this
situation does not affect projects already in the process.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Resolution 3127 - Auburn Downtown Association (ADA) Contract
Planner I Sanders presented the staff report. Discussion occurred recently about changing the ADA budget
year to match the City's budget year. As this is a transition year, staff recommends extending the contract
to the end of the current fiscal year. This is a new contract versus extension of an old contract. The City
budget process will then take over the processing of the contract. Besides the change in date,
Councilmember Lewis asked if the contract changed anywhere else. Planner I Sanders said a change was
that the annual report is now due December 31st.
Ms. Krause distributed the ADA annual report and reviewed the points. She then reviewed the vision
statement. She spoke about the work plans and goals. A field trip to Redmond Town Center and an
adjacent townhouse development is planned. All ADA sponsored promotions were in the black. She then
spoke about the many upcoming promotions for the holidays. They revamped their data base and
coordinated the BIA numbering with the City's. Collections have become easier to administer. She
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITFEE
NOVEMBER 8, 1999
provided information on the downtown merchants who have accumulated funds to buy the Penneys
Building. She spoke about the ADA's financial stabilitY.
Councilmember Singer asked how the ADA will replace the SuperMall funding. Ms. KraUse has
information on Main Street communities and where they get their funding. Auburn is the only city that
does not contribute to its downtown association. It appears that the GSA may try to give some money back
to the community.
Chairman Borden asked about other cities that provide funds to downtown associations. Ms. Krause said
that she would obtain the information for the Committee.
Mr. West remarked that the~, are not coming to the City now with a request for funds. Part of their work
plan will entail setting up a task force with the ADA to include past officers and City representatives to go
through and look at this issue for permanent funding and sources. There is a need to clearly understand the
City's constraints relating to funding apart from 1-695. Information provided to ADA shows that some
cities are providing some sort of funding for downtown associatiOns. The end of SuperMall funding will
have an impact. They anticipate that by mid-2000 being able to formulate needs and justifications to
discuss what benefit the CitY will receive from funding the association. He then thanked the CitY for its
cooperation with the ADA. They have tried to refocus and spread out responsibilities within the ADA and
hope to adopt a new work play by January 1st.
Planner I Sanders indicated that SuperMall funds have gone to pay for a part-time employee who'recently
resigned and there is a question about refilling the position. Mr. West remarked that some technology was
recently added to assist the Director.
Chairman Borden indicated her interest in seeing what other Main Street agencies are doing.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
Councilmember Singer thanked the ADA for their help on the downtown mater plan.
2. Final Pay Estimate No. 4 for Skate Park
Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staff report. The project was completed within budget,
but took longer than expected because of equipment delays. The park was dedicated and is now open.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
DISCUSSION ITEM:
l i Jacobson Tree Farm Update
Parks and Recreation Director Deal used a colored site plan and pointed out the parcels of land owned by
the Auburn School District and King CountY Parks. The Jacobsen Tree Farm is a 30 acre site owned, or in
the final stages of acquisition, by King CountY Parks. The site is bordered by 50 acres of property owned
by the Auburn School District. In addition, the CitY of Auburn acquired a 7-acre site from the developer
south of the tree farm to provide a linear park for improved access to the tree farm property.
Chairman Borden asked who was negotiating the property purchases for the CountY. Parks and Recreation
Director Deal was not able to confirm who was making final arrangements for the purchase. Parks and
Recreation Director Deal pointed out that other adjoining properties will probably be developed in the
future and will provide opportunities to further enlarge the park site.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 8, 1999
Parks and Recreation Director Deal than presented a schematic plan from the Auburn School District
showing the proposed layout for the new high school to serve area residents. The facility will be similar to
the Aubum Riverside High School campus with classroom space for approximately 1,600 students and
adequate athletic field space and parking for students and faculty. Hawing the school site and park site
adjacent to each other provide great opportunities for shared facilities such as parking and athletic field
space that could benefit both facilities. Chairman Borden asked the size of the City's two largest parks.
Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that the developed portion of Game Farm Park is 53 acres
and Brannan Park is 23 acres. The School and Tree Farm sites total 80 acres and provide a great
opportunity for parmering with the City and School district to develop facilities.
Councilmember Lewis appreciated seeing the schematic layout and area map. Parks and Recreation
Director Deal commented that this is a large parcel of property to have in public ownership and the
development could be a win/win for the City, School District, and citizens of Lea Hill. Councilmember
Lewis asked if impact fees were in place could they be used for the development of this site. Parks and
Recreation Director Deal thought they could be used, but would check with the consultant who drafted our
impact fee ordinance.
Councilmember Lewis asked about the time frame for the new high school. Parks and Recreation Director
Deal believed that the School District was interested in having the new school ready for the 2003-2004
school year. Chairman Borden commented about the need for a large park on Lea Hill. Director Deal
remarked that this would be the best opportunity for that type of facility. Councilmember Singer Observed
that the parking area for the school was quite a distance from the athletic fields and park site. Parks and
Recreation Director Deal said that the parking was sited to best serve the school building. However, when
the park site is developed parking cohld be placed nearer the athletic fields to benefit both the school and
park users. The School and Park site is large enough to have space for both active and passive recreational
opportunities.
INFORMATION ITEM:
Correspondence from King County Executive regarding Water/Sewer Certificates Process in relation
to Sewer Comprehensive Plan
Planner I Sanders advised that Planning Director Krauss was going to provide information on this topic;
however, he is not at the meeting. She has not heard about Public Works Director Engler's discussions
with King County. There are several water/sewer applications in process.
Councilmember Lewis remarked that the City's franchise ended on March I, 1998 and the only thing
holding up the new franchise is the comprehensive sewer plan. Mayor said this is correct. The person
responsible has begun the water plan and the franchise is in order. Councilmember Lewis wanted to
confirm that it will be approximately six months before the comprehensive sewer plan is in place. The
Mayor replied yes. Chairman Borden wanted to confirm that this only affects development outside the
City. The Mayor replied yes.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
PCDC~vIIN\ 11 A-99
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