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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-2000MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APPalL 24, 2000 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held April 24, 2000 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Fred Poe STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Al Hicks, Dick Deal, and Patti Zook ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: Main Street Pub - Liquor License Jade House Restaurant - Liquor License Home Plate Tavern - Liquor License Planning Director Krauss began by providing background information. An extension was requested, but the City has only 30 days to respond to Liquor Control Board (LCB). He wanted to bring the liquor license renewal information to the Committee tonight and if the Committee is comfortable with staff's recommendation, then it would be brought to City Council. He will be contacting the LCB on Tuesday to relate the Committee's action. He wanted to see what concerns the Committee has regarding the proposed renewals. If the Committee wants, the owners and Auburn DoWntown Association and Chamber could be invited to the Council meeting. He needs direction from the Committee for his telephone call to the LCB. The LCB has indicted that it needs to take action by the end of the week. They apparently failed to respond to the City's request for a time extension. Councilmember Poe asked where staff is headed with this topic. Planning Director Krauss remarked that staff has made recommendation on the three liquor license renewals. Staff is recommending that the LCB not renew these liquor licenses. If the Committee is comfortable, he will relay this to the LCB and forward to the Council. The City would also participate in the LCB hearing process. Chairman Borden asked how police and fire calls to these businesses compare to calls to other bars/restaurants in town. She suggested that someone look at this data and state clearly that these businesses appear to be a significant problem. Economic Development Manager Hicks affirrned that information could be obtained from the police and fire. The police stated that BB McGraws is also active for fights. However, there are more calls in this congested area downtown, in fact an impressive number of calls are made to the police and fire. The level of activity is great for the bars in this downtown area. Other parts of the City will not have the "congested" factor. " Planning Director Krauss confirmed that McGraws is occasionally a problem. In fact, before it was McGraws, it was a real problem. Freddies' does not seem to be much ora problem. He has not heard of other places being a problem, only anecdotal reports from police and fire regarding other businesses. The police and fire can directly point fingers at these three businesses as the cause of problems. Chairman Borden offered her support for where staff is headed on the issue. However, questions will be asked. The City needs to come up with solid data on the businesses. Planning Director Krauss affirmed that the police can run the data. Councilmember Poe suggested that information be obtained for all tavern businesses on Main Street, and zero .in on ones that are a problem. Economic Development Manager Hicks remarked that the Jade House is very active for police calls. Planning Director Krauss advised that Main Street Pub is requesting a different kind of liquor license. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APRIL 24, 2000 They are trying to upgrade their license in order to serve hard liquor. The owner says that he runs a clean place, but there are lots of arrests at that business. Councilmember Singer commented that the information presented is a good reason to inform the surrounding businesses and neighbors. They have been waiting to complain about these businesses and should have an opportunity to speak against them. Councilmember Poe expressed much concern about these businesses not paying their gambling taxes and believes there should be stronger penalties for not paying. Chairman Borden asked if the taxes are paid directly to Auburn. Councilmember Poe believes a percentage goes to Auburn and he thinks the businesses pay the State and then the City. Mayor agreed that there is concern about the Jade House. The City needs to know more about statistics on different establishments for comparison purposes. Chairman Borden commented that even with the data that comes up, the City could still make case because of density of taverns that these are problems. Planning Director Krauss stated that staff can provide data to the Council next week. He then spoke about Pioneer Square and that the LCB did deny a liquor license because of its of proximity to other establishments. He wants to alert LCB that these are not good establishments and cause many problems, are behind on taxes, and have large number of arrests. Planning Director Krauss commented that the question is does the City evaluate liquor licenses or not and by what standards. It will require about three to four months to establish policies. If the City does not intervene in some way by end of week, the City loses its ability to comment. Councilmember Singer ' remarked that staff could work on the policies a bit later; these are issues now because of the density of taverns downtown. Planning Director Krauss suggested that rather than a recommendation of denial, express serious concerns about these establishments. Councilmember Singer remarked that the City is supposed to have some influence with the kind of businesses issued liquor licenses. Councilmember Poe suggested that criteria be developed and within some parameters and establishments meet the criteria or recommend denial of liquor license. Staff should work together with police department to set performance criteria. Councilmember Singer commented that the citizens have been begging for something to be done about these establishments. Chairman Borden asked about the Main Street Pub. Economic Development Manager Hicks does not think it is appropriate for them to seek to operate as a restaurant. Planning Director Krauss commented,that if they were going for a renewal of their current license, it might be approved. However, they are now seeking to push hard liquor with the upgrade of the liquor license. Economic Development Manager Hicks cautioned that the Main Street is now asking to become a restaurant. Planning Director Krauss said it is not appropriate for them to be seeking an upgrade to their liquor license. Mayor likes Councilmember Poe's idea of setting up criteria to be met and what happens if criteria is not being met. Councilmember Singer believes that the City was going to do this. Mayor remarked that in the past he met with some tavern representatives and had some agreements reached. They were warned that if they did not clean up their act, the City would move against them: The City needs to see statistics on Radens and McGraws also. Chairman Borden believes that stats need to be reviewed from these establishments also. Mayor directed staff to work on developing standards as he agrees with Councilmember Poe. A discussion occurred relating to the types of violations, number of arrests and assaults at the three taverns. Councilmember Singer offered that it should not be a shock to the business owners that the City is not pleased with these establishments. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APRIL 24, 2000 Planning .Director Krauss reminded Committee that staff is proposing Zoning Ordinance changes, and developing policies by which to review liquor licenses. If staff does Councilmember Poe's idea, LC.B would look into closely because of the volume of arrests, and outstanding taxes should not go forward until taxes are paid. This is reasonable. Regarding the Main Street Pub, staffdoes not have problem with operating as they do now; however, there are many concerns about Main Street expanding their liquor license. Mayor remarked that Planning Director Krauss is looking at stats on class H liquor license that a certain menu be required and area devoted to food. State is saying essentially that if you have a microwave, you are a restaurant. Councilmember Poe likes the mention of gambling taxes unpaid and the need for these to be paid: Chairman Borden agrees that the tax issue is clear, and recommended denial to anyone that has outstanding taxes. Let them know right off that the taxes must be paid. Mayor expressed concern about no criteria in place and no warning issued to the businesses. Chairman Borden commented that the City is not 'denying the license because the City is not the authority. Planning Director Krauss remarked that all the LCB needs to know the Committee recommendation and concern and relate this to the City Council. The City should take position of raising concerns because of the number of arrests, recommend that liquor license not be granted until all taxes paid. Chairman Borden said the criteria is if taxes are not paid then no liquor license renewal. Councilmember Poe stressed the need to collect the gambling taxes which are owed the City. He spoke of the need to cite statistics for the bars and have homework in order. Economic Development Manager Hicks mentioned the need to have a mechanism to prevent the businesses fi.om them fi.om not paying their taxes. Mayor suggested that pressure be placed on those business not paying their taxes and let them know that if 5 days late or 10 days late, then send to collections. The City Attorney could write up something. Planning Director Krauss recommended that LCB take a serious look at these establishments, a problem with concentration of these establishments, and Main Street requesting a hard liquor license. Two of the businesses are behind on taxes and licenses should not be renewed until these outstanding taxes are paid. Mayor believes there will be a better chance of success if the City shows due process and expresses concern to LCB now. There is no excuse for not paying taxes. Planning Director Krauss also spoke about telling LCB that the City is developing zoning amendments and Criteria related to these types of establishments. Mayor requested staffto look at statistics on McGraws, Radens, Andies, and Jack's Tavern. Councilmember Poe suggested having year by year trends listed and a matrix would help in reviewing the information. Councilmember Poe made a motion, to recommend saying that the City has serious concerns with the three applications because of the number of arrests. It is recommended that Main Street and Home Plate liquor licenses not be renewed until their taxes are paid. It is recommended that the Main Street liquor license upgrade be denied because of facts sited in staff report. The Main Street liquor license should be kept the same as it is now. Planning Director Krauss that he will chat with Chief Kelly and come back to the Committee. Economic Development Manager Hicks advised that the LCB needs a reason for them to investigate. It appears that something only happens when someone calls the LCB. Councilmember Poe believes that the LCB should investigate the Jade House because of the significant amount of calls to police and fire which is more than the other establishments. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APRIL 24, 2000 Councilmember Singer seconded Councilmember Poe's earlier motion. Chairman Borden concurred. DISCUSSION: 1. Muckleshoot Amphitheater Traffic Planning Director Krauss advised that the Committee received a copy of the referred-to letter and remarked that it is probably appropriate for City Council to prepare a resolution. The resolution would question the traffic study and stating the City's position because they want to close 62 Street and revise the traffic light pattern on Auburn Way South. Councilmember Singer b?lieves a resolution is a good idea. Councilmember Poe agreed. Chairman Borden confirmed that the resolution would be on May 1st City Council agenda, and Planning Director Krauss confirmed this. OTHER BUSINESS: There was a brief discussion on retail prospects for the parking garage and Sound Transit bus service at commuter rail station. With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. PCDC~IIN~04B-2000 PAGE 4