HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-2002MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 9, 2002
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held December
9, 2002 in Conference Room 1. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Stacey Brothers
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, David Osaki, Shirley Aird, Aaron Nix, Bill Mandeville, Daryl
Faber, Dan Scamporlina, Larry Dahl, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT:
Company
Mayor Lewis; Randy Young and Bill Henderson of Henderson Young and
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 5:00 p.m.
ACTION:
1. Approval of Minutes of November 11, 2002 Meeting
Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brothers, to approve the
minutes. Chairman Borden concurred.
DISCUSSION:
1. Lea Hill Annexation Study
Randy Young, Henderson Young & Company, said that annexation the balance of LH does not
pencil out positively for the City because the costs are more than the revenue received. He is
comfortable with the numbers in their study and with the methodology. The lowest reasonable cost
estimate is a 1.5 million dollar gap. He spoke of their efforts in doing traditional methodology to test
and compare. He spoke of the incremental additional cost of serving the area if it is annexed.
What are the GMA issues if the area is annexed? Should Auburn annex the area in order to
change the City's demographics? It important to note that the annexation does not work financially.
Another question is whether the Auburn citizens should all bear the cost of bringing Lea Hill into the
City. City would have to conduct a Sales pitch to its current residents as to why the City should
annex the area.
Mr. Young then spoke about the possibility of creating special districts that would tax themselves
via a special levy. A number of services could be carved out as a sPecial levy, but not for police or
fire services which are big ticket items. The special district would have levy authority to recognize
services and area residents would be willing to pay. Residents would pay more than the cost to
provide services. He spoke about the level of service comparison.
Councilmember Singer mentioned that the Lea Hill area is being developed rapidly and if Auburn
proposes more commercial uses for the area in order to have a tax base, how much commercial
area would it take. Planning and Community Development Director Krauss said the commercial
uses would be services to the area residents and would not bring much in much tax revenue. Mr.
Young talked about a similar study done for Federal Way and the need to consider all the
alternatives to neighborhood commercial and how to succeed in developing such.
Councilmember Brothers is pleased that Mr. Young did this study which he believes is well done.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss commented on some factors to keep in
mind. One, is that approximately 8-9 years ago, he was directed by City Council to work on the
major issue of Auburn not having centers of affluence. Auburn had 52% of its housing as Iow to
moderate income. The new subdivisions on Lea Hill have higher incomes and improves Auburn's
demographics. Annexing the first phase of Lea Hill improved the City's demographics. He wants
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DECEMBER 9. 2002
Committee to keep in mind that the numbers in the Mr. YoUng study are grim. There was Council
acceptance to annex Lakeland Hills and parts of Lea Hill resemble Lakeland Hills and there is not
much in the way of capital infrastructure for renovation for decades. Planning and Community
Development Director Krauss continued that different portions of Lea Hill are already annexed.
These are a couple factors to look at that may be an impact over the next couple years. He verified
that Kent is investigating selling off its watershed which could be developed with 500 to 700 single
family homes. Kent's staff is talking about what would be permitted on the property such as high
income housing. He mentioned that the Mayor has ideas about fire service in the future which
might change some of the cost structure. A number of the of forums in which staff participates look
at how to deal with public financing and deal with GMA 10 years on. Having PAAs that fail to
'pencil' is becoming very common. The annexation process was broken even before the State
Supreme Court made the recent changes.
A discussion occurred regarding the cost of maintaining the parks.
Mr. Young said that departments were asked to think precisely of what they needed in order to
provide the level of service on Lea Hill that current Auburn residents enjoy. Departments
determined that it would be $1 million for Police and $1 million for Fire. In response to Chairman
Borden's questions, he said that Lea Hill residents did not call the King County Sheriff because it
took so long to respond. People know that now they will get immediate service and there will be an
overnight increase in police services. Planning and Community Development Director Krauss
mentioned that the per capita rates for officers on Lea Hill should be lower. Auburn has high per
capita demand for police services on the valley floor and may have similar rate of calls on Lea Hill.
Chairman Borden does not see the annexation of rest of Lea Hill ever happening if Auburn has to
provide this level of service with the current economic situation. Mr. Young confirmed that the
annexation of the rest of Lea Hill does not pencil out.
Councilmember Brothers wondered if the City is losing money on the Lea Hill annexations already
completed. Planning and Community Development Director Krauss said there really is no way to
break out Lea Hill once it is part of the City. The Lakeland Hills annexation was 600 acres. No
police officers were added specifically for Lakeland Hills because it was virtually undeveloped, but
there are expected to be incremental increase in police.
A discussion occurred regarding the level of service for fire protection services on the Lea Hill
including the fire insurance rating, the average response time, and types of calls. Lea Hill has both
full service and volunteer professional firefighters.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss commented that Auburn is not currently
charging for transport to medical centers by the Fire Department. Mayor said this will be changing.
The question is whether Auburn is going to take over all the service or just for transport. Currently,
for three-fourths of the calls, Auburn does transport. A decision is whether to transport all versus
private service. The difference is that Auburn has not been charging and this costs $250,000 a
year. If the City's income gets better, the City could look at Lea Hill again because of its rapid
growth of multi-family development King County is putting there. The City cannot afford to do this
now.
2. Text Amendments to the Auburn City Code
This will be discussed in January.
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3. Surface Water Manaqement, Proposed Water Quality Monitoring and Compliance Program
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss reminded Committee that the last
discussion had a bit of tension and staff had tried to work out differences for a month prior, but
failed. Planning staff felt strongly and came to the Committee. Now the scenario has changed
significantly and staff believe they have achieved acceptance for notions of moving ahead with
water quality monitoring in the context to handle this in-house and to do affordably. AN has put
together a program with his expertise and with staff support from the storm people. With an
investment of $30,000-40,000 to get water quality up and running and to get important data. The
City needs to determine where the problems are and how to address the problems and begin an
inspection program too for private storm facilities. The City has been requiring private developers
to build their basins and assumed that the basins would work properly. The City is proposing to
use the Code Compliance program in terms of administrative set up for the inspections. The basins
would be inspected and to see if they are operating properly. If not, the City would contact the
property owner and work with the owner to bring the basin into compliance. The City could contract
to fix the basin and then place back on the property owner as a lien. Staff now has the concurrence
of the Public Works and the Storm Utility and will embark on the program. The Committee has
been very supportive.
Councilmember Singer wondered if a new employee must be hired to conduct the compliance and
AN said there will be no new employees. The City will utilize its existing resources and this is more
of a management move. The City's GIS program is second to none and they will play an integral
part. The City also has several water quality specialists or technicians on staff and the City will
utilize and hone their skills. The water quality staff will be doing inspection duty versus compliance.
If there is a problem, then the code compliance staff become involved. Planning and Community
Development Director Krauss announced that in addition to AN, additional staff include Tim Thorn,
Bill Shreder, and Tim Carlaw, and field inspectors.
Discussion occurred regarding who checks the storm water basins, the monitoring program, and
who is responsible. The private property owner is responsible and he must submit documentation
through the City. Planning and Community Development Director Krauss said that about seven
years ago, the City took drainage easements over basins so it would have right of entry if need.
City will work with the property owner for compliance through education.
Councilmember Singer expressed concern about the City going to the private sector and telling
them what they need to do and the City not doing the same.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss provided information on the Eastpointe
pond situation in which the Mayor requested Environmental Compliance Manager Nix to be
involved. This publicly owned basin in Lea Hill had foul algae growing, and staff concluded that the
design model for basins is not optimal. The design may work from a technical design standpoint,
but Eastpointe pond did not have any landscaping and the lack of rain contributed to tremendous
algae growth. He described the improvements that were done at the pond, such as water being
pumped out, new water added which is colder and cleaner. Staff is working with landscape
architect in Parks to come up with options such as appropriate trees around the pond.
Environmental Compliance Manager Nix spoke about the community involvement of residents in
which he mailed out 50 letters and 20 people responded. The idea was to get the community
involved and seek help in planting native plants and shrubs. In response to Councilmember Singer
questions, Planning and Community Development Director Krauss said staff is working with Tim
Carlaw and Chris Thorn on new basin designs that incorporate the newest technologies and come
up with options that look better and function well, and then make these standards available to
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developers to use. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix said the monitoring will help in
designing storm facilities.
4. Neighborhood Matching Grants (NMG)
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss mentioned that staff received comments
from Committee about the NMG program, and the need to target the program in certain ways. Staff
is proposing modifications to get to the targeted efforts.
Planner Mandeville wondered what types of physical improvements should staff focus on, and how
aggressively to market the program. Councilmember Brothers said that what the Committee wants
from the NMG program has been reviewed in detail over several occasions. He wants tospeak
about where the program is now and where they want the program to go. Planner Mandeville said
if Committee wants physical improvements, he has to revise the management memo and water
down the social/youth component. The changes would include removing language pertaining to
youth services, parenting classes, etc., and removing the Human Services Committee from the
screening process. Chairman Borden said that the Committee agreed that the Human Services
Committee should not be reviewing the NMGs.
Councilmember Singer wants to have as the top priority physical improvements to neighborhoods
and gave an example. Secondary level would be an activity issue, not something available to the
whole community that would create neighborhood attachment and neighborhood pride. If there is a
program or activity of benefit, it should not be eliminated from the process. Infrastructure should
come first and if funds are available later, there could be an activity for a specific area. If someone
has great idea, come to Council, and Council should have the option to be made aware of the idea
and have option available.
Considerable discussion occurred regarding street lights in neighborhoods.
Councilmember Brothers believes any lighting standards should be applied City-wide, not just to
neighborhoods that are better organized. Street lights should not be funded through the NMG
program. The Committee has given direction of infrastructure improvements, 'bricks and mortar'
types of improvements in neighborhoods, not something basic like street lights. It is the
expectation of government to provide lights and roads and sidewalks. He is not supportive of
limited money being applied to street lights. If there are potholes the City has an obligation to fix
the road.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss understands what Councilmember Br°thers
is saying, but wonders how this is this different from neighborhood saying a park does not have
sufficient equipment. Residents could say that the City developed the park and why should
neighborhood pitch in for equipment that the City maintains. For instance, Terminal Park is a very
old park with substandard equipment. City is adding something tangible that organizes the
neighborhood. The street light issue may go away. Auburn owns lights and pays for them, but
many communities have PSE install lights and own the lights. The City requires lights in new
developments. In older neighborhoods like Terminal Park some streets present particular problem
with safety issue. If streets are lighted, then crime would not feel comfortable.
Chairman Borden wanted to know if a neighborhood needs street lights, why isn't the City installing
the lights? Planner Mandeville spoke of issue of street light funds. Councilmember Singer said
that if the City does street lights, then the neighborhood should be required to start a Block Watch
program.
Chairman Borden likes that one way to get people to apply is to tell them what you want. She is
concerned about having problems marketing the program and wonders if there are five components
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· MINUTES OF PLANNING AND C~)MMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DECEMBER 9, 2002
does this make the program harder. Planner Mandeville said that if the City went with specific
types of improvements, then offer workshop or education component on how to organize.
Workshops could market the program.
Discussion occurred on example of funding tree planting for specific neighborhood and requiring
residents to learn how to maintain the trees.
Planner Mandeville commented that several cities have multiple requests for applicants, spoke
about what Seattle does, and explained the difference of small project fund versus large project
fund. He suggested that Auburn have an ongoing application process or at least have more
frequently each year. Councilmember Singer suggested that the City entertain applications as they
come in, forward to the Committee, and when funds are exhausted docket the applications for the
next year.
Chairman Borden asked if staff puts out a brochure for people describing the NMG program.
Planner Mandeville replied no, but he puts an advertisement in the Auburn Reporter and in South
County Journal. The main marketing is a one page request for proposals sent to 150 individuals
and agencies. Chairman Borden remarked that several organizations on his mailing should not be
receive this mailing such as the King County Housing Authority because they are not neighborhood
groups. All Block Watch groups should be notified. Planner Mandeville countered by saying that in
the past he was told by the Police that Block Watch group information is proprietary. Mayor
clarified that if the use is by the City for use by citizens, the information can be used. Planner
Mandeville needs to ask the Police Department the appropriate questions.
Councilmember Singer agrees that Planner Mandeville's mailing list contains outdated material.
Chairman Borden wants the advertisement redone so that it is more noticeable.
Planner Mandeville agreed to revise the NMG program to focus on physical improvements, look at
marketing improvements, update the mailing list, look at workshops to promote projects and how to
use the NMG program, and more frequent request for proposals.
Committee decided to tie street lights to the Block Watch program.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss spoke about the sidewalk program that
received City and CDB funding and somehow the projects were getting funded. The money kept
being rolled over and then the funds were appropriated to housing repair.
5. Lakeland Hills Pedestrian Staircase
Parks and Recreation Director Faber reminded Committee that they have discussed this twice
before. The quality of work on the staircase is not very good. They looked at the rise of the steps
and took photos. The staircase is a connector of neighborhoods down a very steep slope and then
connects to a park. The staircase will have six foot high cedar fences on both sides and this
creates a 'tunnel'. He wonders if the staircase is a viable project, if the developers should
reconsider, and what is the benefit versus risk? He likes the idea of linking neighborhoods, but is
concerned about the staircase.
Construction Manager Dahl commented that the staircase was an issue during the preliminary plat
process, but Council said it should be built. The contractor completed the staircase about six
months ago, and for four months has been spent discussing the failure of the product. Staff told the
contractor to remove and contractor presented staff with different method of repair. There is still
time to revisit the issue if it is still Council's desire to move forward.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DECEMBER 9, 2002
Parks Development Manager commented that other trails in this development are at grade or at
smaller slopes. The intent of neighborhood connection is good. Six foot high fences on both sides
of the long staircase will be a maintenance nightmare. Parks and Recreation Director Faber said
the staircase is 12 inches and there should be some kind of edging on the staircase's lower side.
Mountain bikes have been using the staircase and have damaged it.
Chairman Borden remembered that the developed had requested not to do the staircase and there
was an outcry from the residents who wanted access. Council received numerous telephone calls
and Council looked into the matter and voted to go ahead with requiring the staircase. Only one
family objected because of concerns of people on the stairs looking into their property. Staff then
brought the matter back to Council, she made telephone calls and the residents had not changed
their attitude. If there is a change regarding the staircase, the residents need to be notified.
Chairman Borden visited the stairs about two months ago and agrees that the concrete job is
terrible. Councilmember Singer agreed that the residents need to know about the current ideas and
informed of the maintenance costs.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss commented that plat had conditions
specific to the staircase. Any revisions to the plat or the staircase may require a public hearing.
Chairman Borden suggested not deciding the matter today and have the Committee visit the site.
Construction Manager Dahl said that the developer has been talking with staff for four months and
contemplating if they should remove the staircase and repair the staircase, but they came back with
an alternative. Developer wants to put four inches of concrete over all the steps in order to reform
the staircase to City standards and configuration. This is much cheaper for the developer than
tearing out the stairs and rebuilding. The City has not responded to the contractor pending
discussing with the Committee.
Councilmember Brothers wants to get the residents' input and see what can be done to make the
best of the situation, and look at the alternatives. Parks and Recreation Director Faber will put
together a list of the number of homes in quarter-mile, have a meeting at the community building to
inform residents of the issues such as long term maintenance and operation issues. Chairman
Borden agrees that having a meeting with the residents is important.
INFORMATION:
1. Joint Meeting with Human Services Committee on December 10, 2002
SA briefly talked about the meeting.
2. Revised Language on Transmittal Forms to City Departments Pertaininq to Development
Proposals
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss mentioned that he is working with
Councilmember Poe to create 'one stop shopping' for permits. When development proposal are
received, they are circulated in house, and Planning has had difficulty receiving timely responses
from other departments. The revised transmittal form makes it clear that staff must respond in
writing to what the issues are and the conditions to be imposed. They cannot present comments
later on.
OTHER BUSINESS:
1. December 23 meeting
The December 23 meeting is cancelled.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DECEMBER 9, 2002
2. Stakeholders Group for City's Tag Line
Community Development Administrator Osaki showed the new logo to the Committee. Mike
Harbin, a sign maker, was comfortable with the letters being in upper case.
Chairman Borden wondered if the tag line will always be used and Planning and Community
Development Director Krauss said the consultant is producing a manual that tells when and how to
use the tag line. Mayor said the tag line will not be used for Police or the Cemetery.
Chairman Borden and Councilmember Brothers did not like the past tense of 'imagined', but the
Mayor said that the stakeholders very much liked the word in the past tense and also the colors and
design.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 pm.
Submitted by Patricia Zook, Planning Secretary.
Approved by the Planning and Community Development Committee on
PCDC\MIN\I 2A-2002
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