HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-2000MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JUNE 12,2000
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held June 12, 2000 in the
Council Chambers. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Fred Poe
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Al Hicks, Shirley Aird, Dick Deal, Jeff Roscoe, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Booth
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 7:05 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. ANX0003-99 - Steelhead District
Planning Director Krauss presented the staff report. The City received an annexation petition for property
located south of East Main Street along the Green River. This area is bounded on 100% of its perimeter by
the City and contains 52 parcels. Staff recommends the request be forwarded to City Council to authorize
the circulation of the 60% annexatiofi petition.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Poe, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
2. ANX00-0004 - Robert M. Holt
Chairman Borden explained to the audience that this is not a public hearing. The Committee will receive
information from staff. She will hear fi'om one or two spokespersons and the matter will be forwarded to
City Council.
Planner I Aird used an overhead to depict the annexation process. She distributed an annexation flow chart
to those in the audience. She spoke about the State law and the annexation process. She explained the
steps involved in annexation. Preliminary boundaries were drawn for this annexation. She then reviewed
the annexation flow chart. She explained logical boundaries and how those boundaries are decided upon.
Staff received a request to annex property located east of the Green River and south/southeast of the golf
course. The 101 parcels include a portion of the Cobble Creek subdivision and surrounding properties.
The proposed annexation includes a portion of the Hazelwood Heights Water Association. Staff proposes
to amend the boundaries of this annex petition because the water district is split. The boundaries should be
redrawn to include the entire district or remove the entire district.
Planner I Aird then showed an overhead depicting what does not change upon annexation such as school
district, zip codes, County Council district, State/Federal legislative district, etc. The service boundaries
remain the same. The City boundaries have no effect on septic systems or water systems. She spoke about
what does change upon annexation such as police and fire services, decrease in fees for parks and
water/sewer, etc. She then explained the Lea Hill zoning designation.
Planner I Aird provided information on the Lea Hill Task Force which wanted to preserve the residential
atmosphere. The Lea Hill zoning district is basically a duplication of King County zoning standards. She
then explained the Potential Annexation Area (PAA). She then showed an overhead that depicted what
Auburn gets from annexations. King County has different development standards than Auburn. The
longer annexation is prolonged, the more development takes place at standards that do not meet Auburn's
criteria. She then showed an overhead which depicted the next steps in the annexation process.
Planning Director Krauss stressed that the audience needs to realize that the PAA boundaries established by
Kent, King County and Auburn have been in place for 10 years. Everything up to the current Kent line
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Will eventually become part of Auburn. King County is pulling away from providing services to
unincorporated areas. The City Council has proposals from staffregarding annexing ali of Lea Hill.
Delayed annexation means roads are not developed to City standards, subdivisions are not built to City
standards. King County is collecting park money from developers, but no parks were established on Lea
Hill. King County is collecting money for road improvements, but no road improvements have been done
on Lea Hill. The cost to the City to fix these problems could be substantial. Eventually all of Lea Hill will
be part of the City. Council has expressed concem about the cost of annexing the hill.
Chairman Borden wanted to hear from Mr. Holt or his designee. Bob Holt, Cobble Creek resident,
explained that their subdivision wishes to become part of Auburn. He attend a couple meetings regarding
this. He wants City services and City government. He feels that he is already part of the City. They want
the police and fire services. Cobble Creek wants to continue the annexation process.
Chairman Borden wanted to hear from Hazelwood designee. Harold Lamont, resident of Hazelwood water
area, provided a memo with signatures to the Mayor and Council. He feels the water association should
not be split and should either be all in or all out. They have wells and septic and with annexation comes
the prospect of water lines, sewer lines and new roads. He is concemed about the costs. The cost factor is
their driving concern. He then provided estimated figures about the cost of new water lines and sewer lines
and roads that would be transferred to them. He then spoke about connecting fees and permits which all
would be cost prohibitive. Destruction of private property would occur with the installation of lines. He
believes the bill to them would be $5,000-$15,000 per home in addition to assessed costs.
Planning Director Krauss advised that staffmet with Mr. Lamont several times and advised him of the
annexation process and that he would not be forced to connect to water and sewer. The entire area is
within Auburn's water/sewer district and has been for decades. Sewer Utility Engineer Roscoe commented
that the area is within Auburn water/sewer district. Their wells appear to be functioning and their septic
appears to be functioning. The City will not force them to connect. If drainfields fail, they will have to
connect. The City plans to extend sewer in this area eventually. Sewer Utility Engineer Roscoe said that if
lines are extended at City expense, people will not be charged until they hook up. He spoke of when
reimbursement is required. He spoke of the LID process in some detail. He provided information on the
costs per lineal feet. Councilmember Singer mentioned that it would be difficult to change existing policy
regarding proactively forcing people to hook up to Auburn's water and sewer services. The policy is in the
Comprehensive Water Plan which can only be changed once a year after public hearings.
Councilmember Poe remarked that some areas in the City are quite old and are still on septic and have not
been forced to have sewers. He appreciates their concerns about costs, but does not see this happening. He
does not remember a road LID being required.
Chairman Borden asked to hear from staff regarding pros/cons of Hazelwood being removed from this
annexation. Planner I Aird pointed out boundary of Hazelwood water district. Planning Director Krauss
spoke of City obligation to provide legitimate boundaries. You cannot pick and chose which parcels are to
be annexed. At this point, Hazelwood can be segregated out. Some people south of Hazelwood want to be
added to this annexation which makes the task of finding legitimate boundaries difficult. Police services
now cover a portion of Lea Hill. The City has a contract with Fi're District 44 and eventually Auburn will
take over the fire district. With the Cobble Creek and environs annexation, Auburn will serve directly.
Person from audience announced that he wants to be added to this annexation and fully supports
annexation. He suggested the boundary come down 1.08th and take in all of the southern area. He
acknowledged that it might be confusing to police and fire because they are in "no man's land". Planning
Director Krauss advised that City Council can modify the annexation boundhry because there is still time to
modify. City Council substantiates the 10% petition and might be able to include this area to the south.
Ron Claudin, is not in annexation area, but suggested that the City go all the way to the most recent Lea
Hill annexation and get done with the whole thing. Fire District 44 provides good service, but he wants to
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JUNE 12, 2000
be in Auburn. The annexation should not be done piece meal. Planning Director Krauss remarked that
when the City received the 10 % petition and another annexation petition called "Miller", Council was
informed of the annexation requests. There are problems in taking in small annexations. Staff proposed to
Council to go ahead with Cobble Creek and Miller annexations and work to complete annexation of Lea
Hill within a couple years. Council requested financial information before actually committing to
annexation the rest of Lea Hill.
Person from audience spoke of four years of frustration with King County trying to develop I 1 acres. It's
been over one year trying to get permits from King County. He wants to be annexed to Auburn.
President of Water Association spoke. He heard that most people do not want to be part of Auburn, but it
is appropriate for the Hazelwood district to become part of Auburn. The services are much better. He
expressed concern about the Water Association if it is split between Auburn and King County. He wants to
be sure the Water Association will remain intact.
Mr. Hill reiterated that he does not want to be part of Auburn. He said this previously during the Evans
annexation process and his reasons have not changed. It will cost him more if he is Auburn. His property
is rural in nature. A logical boundary is taking all of Cobble Creek and all or none of Hazelwood. He has
been tacked on to property completely different from his and he does not want to be included.
Councilmember Poe acknowledged previous discussion on this topic and believes Mr. Hill was told that
when Cobble Creek came in he would be included in that annexation. Regarding Hazelwood, either
include all of it or none of it. It is just a matter of time until it becomes part of Auburn. He does not
believes the cost will change.
Councilmember Singer suggested that Hazelwood be excluded from this annexation and Councilmember
Poe seconded with the coveat that the next time Hazelwood will be included. Planning Director Krauss
commented that property owners to the south have been heard from and they seek to be annexed. He asked
if staff will seek to find a reasonable boundary that moves the annexation further to south and bring this
forward to the Council. Chairman Borden replied yes.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Poe, to forward the annexation
excluding the Hazelwood district, to City Council. Chairman Borden concurred. Councilmember Singer
told the audience to contact staffwith suggestions for a reasonable boundary.
ZOA0008-00 - Amendments to the City of Auburn Zoning Code Chapters 18.04~ Definitions; 18.26, Light
Commercial District; 18.28, Central Business District; and 18.30, Heavy Commercial District regarding
brewpubs, restaurants, and taverns
Planning Director Krauss reminded the Committee that this was reviewed with them previously. Staff
want to strengthen the ordinance regarding regulations on taverns and licensed premises. The City had an
ordinance that prohibited taverns in downtown, but that ordinance was deleted years ago. The existing
taverns predated this ordinance. Staffwould like to reinstitute the ordinance. Therefore, when liquor
licenses are approved, they would be approved as part of restaurants not free standing taverns. The
Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and supported staff's recommendation wholeheartedly.
The City has not approached taverns regarding the ordinance because the proposal leaves the existing
taverns in place, but they become nonconforming. They can still sell the tavern and perform repairs on a
nonconforming use. The use is legitimized, not the owner. Regarding the first information item, the
Liquor Control Board (LCB) sent correspondence and basically ignored the City's concerns about three
taverns. Staff had a long meeting with LCB enforcement person who is also a City resident. A means of
reporting incidents was instituted. Apparently, the LCB does not care about the number of arrests for drug
possession, for example. The LCB cares about a complaint they process which was found to be valid, and
if a certain number of complaints received in a certain amount of years.
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Councilmember Singer commented that it is good to know how LCB determines what tavern is a nuisance.
She confirmed that the City should work in political arenas to have comments addressed. Planning
Director Krauss agrees that the issue must get back into the legislative arena and he checked with Patty
McDonald to see if she can bring the matter up for discussion with the AWC and other organizations. If
the LCB is treating Auburn's concerns this way, it is treating other cities the same. Across the street from
City Hall, the former Mandarin restaurant is under new management and they have installed windows. The
new business is a legitimate restaurant. Staffinchding Police Officer Bob Lee met with the owner. It was
suggested that windows be installed and the owner is also doing substantial renovations to the interior.
This should be a good addition for downtown. Apparently, the Pastime Tavern has been sold. David
Allen, owner of Longhorn BBQ, wants to establish a Rock Pasta restaurant on the first floor with banquet
rooms and condos on the site. He wants to purchase parking in the Sound Transit garage.
Ecoaomic Development Manager Hicks remarked that the amendments are fairly straightforward.
Definitions for brewpubs, restaurants and taverns are being added. Taverns are being eliminated as an
allowed use with conditional use permit in the C-I and C-2 districts. Brewpubs to be allowed as a
permitted use with conditional use permit in the C-1 and C-2 districts. Brewspubs to be allowed in the C-3
district. Chairman Borden recommended that the second paragraph in the agenda bill be clarified.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Poe, to recommend approval
Chairman Borden concurred.
Pastime Tavern - Liquor License Renewal
Planning Director Krauss remarked that comments related to Pastime Tavern may be moot because it
appears the tavern was sold. Staff wants to make sure that the City consistently responds to the LCB on the
renewals. The City has not been notified that the renewals is suspended. He encouraged the Committee to
act on this so concerns are on the record.
Councilmember Poe referred to criteria to have as a basis for recommendation that LCB would listen to.
Planning Director Krauss cautioned that the LCB may never listen unless something happens on the
Legislature level. Unless a complaint goes through their process, evaluated by their agents, and ajudicated
by their Board, it does not appear to count.
Councilmember Singer wondered if commenting is worth the bother. Planning Director Krauss replied that
the LCB keeps asking for City comments. The issue may have to be addressed through the political arena.
The City wants to continually, fairly and consistently bring issues to the LCB so they can be documented.
This will provide more substantiation to the Legislature to do something.
Councilmember Poe made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to affirm the staff
recommendation. Chairman Borden concurred.
Resolution 3216 - Sister City Policy
Councilmember Singer advised that this was postponed pending additional information.
City Park - Veterans Memorial
Parks and Recreation Director Deal said this was added as an action item. The veterans memorial will
begin construction in July. The park is a memorial park to veterans in different wars. For example, nine
trees were planted to memorialize 9 veterans who died in World War I. The Park Board checked about
renaming the park and decided the name could be changed without stirring anyone's ire. The Park Board
proposed the name "Veterans Memorial Park.
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Councilmember Singer and Councilmember Poe like the new name. Councilmember Singer commented
that something needs to be done with the building located at the park. Parks and Recreation Director Deal
remarked that Jim Weeks did not want to tear down the building. The building does not meet current ADA
or building standards. ; announce 4th of July when new name
Chairman Borden asked if the Park Board considered any other names. Parks and Recreation Director
Deal said that very little discussion was held regarding the actual name. He commented that reaching
consensus on a name was difficult.
Councilmember Poe would like to see something like a plaque at the Park which identifies what is there -
such as the nine trees planted in memory of nine killed in WWI. Perhaps the plaque could be placed in the
memorial structure.
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Poe, to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Correspondence from the Washington State Liquor Control Board
Charlie Wong Restaurant (18 West Main Street)
No direct discussion was held on these topics.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
PCDC\MIN~06A-2000
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