HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2002 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COIVlMITIEE MARCH I 1, 2009
The regular meeting oftbe Planning and Community Development CommiRee was held March 11, 2002 in
Conference Room 1. Those members in attandance were as follows: ..
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Stacey Brothers
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Lynn Rued, Aaron Nix, Shh'ley Aird, Daryl Faber and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT: Katherine Johnson, Jim Vinzant, Darrel Namack, City of Kent Housing Repair Program
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 5:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING: (in Council Chambers)
1. WSC02-002 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Chairman Borden opened the public hearing.
Planner Aird presented the staffrepert and described proposal. The church plans to eous'a'uct an education
facility and are requesting water and sewer availability cextifieates from Auburn.
Brian Vilasky, Infom architect, 12330 120t~ Avenue NE, Kirkland, said the project is simple end is
approximately 3,300 square feet in size end will contain offices and classrooms.
Councilmember Brothers wondered if the intent of the new building will be similar to building on 4t~ Street
and Ma'. Vilasky replied yes. Tom Evans, project manager, 1100 SE 6t~ Street, Issaquah, said it is an
edueatiunai facility. He believes facility on 4t~ Street is for high school students.
No one else spoke to this matter. Councihnember Singer made a motion, seconded by Counciimember
Brothers, to dose the public hearing. Chairmen Borden concurred. Councihnember Singer made a
motion, seconded by Councilmember Brothers, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden euneurred.
The raeett)~g was recessed at 5:15 and reconvened in Conference Room I for the remainder of the agenda.
ACTION:
1. Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2002 Meeting
Couneihnember Singer made a motion seconded by Councihnember Brothers, to recommend approval of
the minutes. Chairmen Borden conenrred.
2. 2001 CDBG Performance Report (CAPER)
Planner Aird distributed the report and pointed out a summary on page 2. She pointed out the table on
page 9 end explained. The report will be released to the Human Services Committee tomorrow. The
report is submitted annual to meet HUD requirements. The City Council will hold a public hearing on this
April 15, 2002.
Couneilmember Brothers asked about the Home Site purchase assistance program and Planner Aird said
the program provides down payment assistance for low income people and the contract was approved in
1999. The program is intended to increase home ownership. The program subsidizes the purchase price of
a home and it depends on where the home is located. They work with families regarding job stability,
development a budget, home maintenance, etc.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2002
Councilmember Singer asked why A S~'eet is not referenced and Planner Aird commented that staffmet
with the neighborhood in December, 2001 and staffis working on this. Strategy 3-2 will be updated to
reflect this.
Councilmember Brothers made a motion seconded by Councilmember Singer, to call for the public
hearing. Chairman Borden concurred.
3. ZOA01-0007 -- Zoning Ordinance Amendments related to Height of Wireless Communications Facilities
in P-l, Public Use Zone
Assistant Planning Director Rued remarked that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on March
5 and recommend approval of the changes. There are no changes to the documents from what the
Committee has reviewed earlier. Once cell tower company representative raised two issues. One issue is
related to the issue of the moratorium and existing provisions of Zoning Code. The Planning Commission
did not make any changes based on her suggestions but were reception to her suggestions related to
microcells. He explained the changes related to inclusion of panel antennas which can be installed on
s~eet light poles or utility poles in neighborhoods. This allows another alternative for microcell antennas
in residential zones. The other issue had to do with proposed setback of cell towers in residential areas.
Planning Commission recommend 2:1 setback from residential zones and she thought this was too
restrictive and that this might not be consistent with the Telecommunications Act. Staff believes the 2:1
setback does not prohibit towers and is not inconsistent with the Act. He showed a map which showed
only a fringe area abutting some residential zoning that would have the 2: I setback. He anticipates the
changes being adopted prior to moratorium deadline.
Councilmember Singer wondered if the cell representative complained about not having enough property
available. Assistant Planning Director Rued is not sure the representative understood the provisions that
when towers are adjacent to residential proper~ then the 2:1 setback is required. The representative still
thought it was too restrictive even though there are many areas available for tall towers.
Councilmember Singer made a motion seconded by Councilmember Brothers to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred. Chairman Borden appreciates Assistant Planning Director Rued's work on
the Zoning Ordinance changes.
4. Surplus Equipment
Councilmember Singer made a motion seconded by Councilmember Brothers to recommend approval.
Chairman Borden concurred.
DISCUSSION:
1. King County R-1 Zoning Changes
Planning Director Krauss reminded the Committee that this was discussed briefly at the last meeting. KC
undertook a study of their RI designated propriety with the goal ofiocrensing development density. The
City recently became aware of the study and was contacted by Paul Reitenbach who contacted affected
jurisdictions. Mr. Reitenbech was upset that KC staffhad not contacted Auburn or other jurisdictions. KC
is proposing to increase density in areas that have creeks end Irthataries end lower density on areas that are
easier to develop. This is inconsistent with the urban separators. He spoke to Mr. Reitenbach and there is
a similar situation in SeaTac and Tukwila. Mr. Reitenbach is to recommend to County Executive Sims to
drop the idea of rezone to R1 in areas in the Potential Annexation Area. There is no issue in the near term
for future annexation. If Mr. Reitenbach can pull this off, there will not be an issue. At a recent meeting
related to growth targets, KC had idea of'dumping' in the PAA again. He wanted the Committee to be
aware of the issue in case it comes up again.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 11~ 200?
Chairman Borden appreciates Planning Director Kxauss making the Committee aware of the issue.
INFORMATION:
1. Housing Repair - 2001 Performance
Planner Aird inu'oduced representatives fi.om the City of Kent Housing Repair Program: Katherine
Johnson, Jim Vin?~nt and Dan'el Namack.
Ms. Johnson provided a background on the program and mentioned that Kent took over the housing repair
program and it has been easier for them to spend down the money. The program in Kent has been around
for 20 years. She spoke of similarities between Auburn and Kent. Mobile homes take a special knowledge
to address their particular repair needs. It is important to make the mobiles energy efficient and to make
sure they are maintained. She has received thank you letters fi.om clients.
Mr. Vinzant agreed that the problems related to needs of bousing repair clients are similar between Kent
and Auburn. He then spoke of a particular family whose situation was very depressing. They did not have
a working furnace for three years and heatied with the stove, there were holes in the floor, roof leaked, and
only one faucet gave warm water. They put a rubber membrane on the roof first to protect fi.om further
leaks and damage, the furnace was fixed, an overlay of floorthg was done through the residence. The
family said they could finally wash with hot water. This was a mobile home and this type of hnusing is
important to maintain. He showed the Committee pictures of hnuses and thee types of repairs made.
Councilmember Brothers wondered if the maintenance crew does the work or if it is contracted. Mr.
Vinzant said the work is done mostly in-house. Ifa certified electrician is need, for example, he is hired.
He ~en explained his construction background and that of Mr. Namack. He gave the cost of repairs to the
house used in their example above. Councilmember Brothers thinks the cost of repairs to that particular
residence were quite a bargain. Mr. Vin?ant reiterated that health and safety of clients is their number one
objective.
Counciimember Brothers asked about a study of what future needs might be. Planner Aird responded that
the most recent study was done for the Comprehensive Plan in 1995. The census data will speak to the age
of housing and length of stay in that housing Mobile homes of 20 years will have serious repair issues.
The census report should be received by the end of the year and this will help to update the housing
element in the Comprehensive Plan. Housing repair clients hearing about the service via word of mouth.
Seniors contact various agencies and are referred to the City for assistance. The City does not go out and
solicit clients for the program.
Ms. Johnson offered that the crew also tries to do visual assessments of what the client's other needs might
be in order to provide referrals to other agencies. Councilmember Brothers believes the housing repair
program is a wonderful program and he appreciates the good work done by the City of Kent employees.
He likes that they are able to identify problems and help to fix the problems. It is gratifying that Kent is
willing to help and take on the program.
Chairman Borden thanked the Kent staff for their fmc work.
2. Environmental Regulations Update
Environmental Compliance Manager Nix presented a PowerPoint presentation of what is coming and
spoke of the need to look at resources and identify how people are affecting them. He is impressed with
Auburn's natural resources and said that businesses want to locate in areas where natural resources are well
maintained and managed.
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MINUTES OF PLAlqlqlNG AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 11,200?
He spoke of the need to understand what legally is going on in this area. The Endangered Species Art has
not dealt with issues in urban areas and there need to be an adjustment in Federal rules rcgarding this. Thc
March 2003 deadline is for national pollution discharge elimination system phase 2 and the City must
begin, moving on this because they arc behind at this stage. Thc City must be involved in establishing total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and then explained the City's plan. In response to questions from
Counciimember Brothers, Environmental Compliance Manager Nix indicated that bull trout are also be
listed on thc ESA list. Studies are going on related to pollutants in the area. It is his experience with
regulators that they appreciate having their burdened lessened. The EPA says that the areas around the
County have come a long way, bm says there is still a long way to go. Salmon are considered an indicator
species and an indicator of health of the environment. Decision making now will impact the future and
spoke of the need to be proactive and deal with this in-honse.
In response to Councilmember Brothers's questions, Environmental Compliance Manager Nix said that the
City does not have any contracts with firms doing studies in this area. Grant money is available to identify
streams and wetlands in the City.
Planning Director Kranss mentioned that the City is finishing the Storm Drainage Plan that has been in
work for some time. He is concerned is it deals with flooding issues and alleviating flooding issues and
deals less with water quality issues and does not deal at all with fish habitat. Environmental Compliance
Manager Nix will do a similar presentation to the Public Works Committee on March 25.
Chairman Borden is concerned that the expensive Storm Plan does not deal with these critical issues and
Planning Director Kranss confirmed that the Plan's emphasis is on alleviating flooding issues. He spoke
about inspecting basins that were built to make sure they work because some of them do not work and the
City does not have a good enforcement effort unless there is a flooding problem.
Councilmember Brothers inquired if a storm facility is intended to be dredged periodically, and if there is
an analysis of silt content. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix replied that the facility should be
dredged periodically. In Redmond, they looked at private storm systems and removed sediment. State law
dictates that material removed from such facilities not be contaminated and dealt with in a certain way.
There are independent vendors who can handle waste products from storm facilities.
Environmental Compliance Manager Nix spoke of the need to develop a comprehensive natural resources
management program in Auburn to include stormwater/groundwater. He is working on a map of City-
owned property for the Committee's review. He spoke of the need to insist on programs that are
accountable with reports to the City Council yearly. Councilmeurber Brothers suggested reviewing the
reports every six months.
Coancilmember Singer asked if staffis working with the Parks Department regarding the use of chemicals
for weed control. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix replied that pesticide use is a program that is to
be identified and people are not yet familiar with how to handle this. He will be working with the Parks
Department.
Parks and Recreation Director Faber commented about making retention areas special versus just Public
Works Depar~unnt projects. School District facilities are next to rivers and this has come up in the past.
E. nviron~, ental Compliance Manager Nix mentioned that Kitsup County has done a good job related to
signage unprovements and installing native plants in detention areas. Auburn has open water habitats that
work well and should provide plenty ofpntential. He spoke of the need to start to identify liabilities about
what the City is doing and to look at water quality issues and how to fix. Staffis currently working on the
Sensitive Areas Ordinance. Counciimember Singer likes the idea about using and integrating with parks.
Chairman Borden sees a disconnect between what Planning and Public Works and Planning and
Community Development Committee and Public Works Committee thinks. She suggested having a
Council workshop to discuss environmental issues and resources. Planning Director Kranss responded that
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMi'ITEE MARCH 11,200?
staff is working in this director and Environmental Compliance Manager Nix has met with Parks and
Public Works staff. He is learning where the City is deficient and how to address this.
Councilmembcr Singer referred to ouffall in river and wondered if the City will have to build s~'etchers and
decontaminate. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix said that the City is heading in this direction, but
with good management we can make this more cost effective in the long run. He spoke of the need to
identify problems and get matching funds from Federal or State agencies to make the projects happen.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Submitted by Pa~icia Zook, Planning Secretary
Approved by the Planning and Community Development Committee on March 25, 2002.
PCDC~v~03A-2002
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