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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2003MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2003 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held February 10, 2003 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Tdsh Borden, Sue Singer and Stacey Brothers STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Daryl Faber, David Osaki, Jeff Dixon, Aaron Nix and Patdcia Zook The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 5:00 p.m. ACTION: 1. Approval of Minutes of January 13, 2003 and January 27, 2003 Meetings Councilmember Brothers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to approve the minutes. Chairman Borden concurred. 2. Case No. ZOA02-0005 -Amendments to ACC Chapter 16.05, Environmental Review Procedures Community Development Administrator Osaki provided background on the proposed amendments. The State has categorical exemptions for minor new construction with flexible thresholds. The City is proposing to utilize flexible exemption (b)(iv) which allows the threshold for parking lots for automobiles to be increased to 40. This would allow the SEPA threshold to be increased and no SEPA review would be required. He then explained the rationale for the amendment. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommend approval of the amendments. In response to Councilmember Brothers' comments, Planning and Community Development Director Krauss confirmed that the developer would still have to build to City standards. Staff often finds that SEPA is a de facto review process and SEPA is not intended to be redundant of already existing standards such as landscaping and traffic safety. Over a certain size project could be an environmental impact, and under certain levels SEPA does not add much additional projection just additional review. In response to Councilmember Brothers' comments, Planning and Community Development Director Krauss confirmed that SEPA review would add nothing in addition to what the City already requires. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brothers, to recommend approval of the amendments. Chairman Borden concurred. 3. Surplus Parks Department Vehicle Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brothers, to recommend the surplus of a 1988 GMC S-15 pick up truck. Chairman Borden concurred. 4. Ordinance No. 5737 - Grant for Baseball/Softball Field at GSA Balifield Complex Parks and Recreation Diractor Faber presented the staff report. A King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Youth Sports Facility grant was awarded to the City of Auburn for the Phase 1 development of one new youth baseball and softball field within the existing GSA Ballfleld Complex. Contract D32899D awards an additional $50,000 for the Phase II development of this youth baseball and softball field at GSA Park. The contract is for January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2004. This project is a collaboration between the City of Auburn and Auburn Little League. The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department will design, develop and maintain the facility. The City of Auburn will provide a $4,375 cash contribution as well as in-kind labor and design. As partners, the Auburn Little League will provide cash, materials, or volunteer labor equal to $14,325 for this project. The total cost of the Phase II Development is $114,500. Auburn Parks and Recreation will schedule the facility in collaboration with PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2003 Auburn Little League. A shared parking arrangement between the City and the School District needs to be worked out for the parking lot adjacent to the park. Councilmember Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brothers, to recommend approval of the ordinance. Chairman Borden concurred. DISCUSSION: 1. Wetland and Stream Inventory Community Development Administrator Osaki reminded the Committee that the City received $35,000 grant from the State to inventory and map the wetland and stream resources. He briefly reviewed the memorandum. Many benefits will be derived from this inventory. Councilmember Brothers inquired about the term 'existing potential wetlands' and wanted clarification if these are wetlands or might be wetlands. Planner Dixon said the designation is shown in order to identify areas meeting the criteria for wetlands. The designation shows where areas exist that may be wetland, but not precise boundaries. Planning and Community Development Director Krauss explained that wetland delineation must meet certain factors and there are known areas of the City that get wet. As of now the yellow outline captures all potential wetland areas; however, this could change in 10 years. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix showed how the maps are organized using GIS layers and how the sections are correlated with the maps. He detailed work associated with this such as monitoring. In response to Chairman Borden's inquiry, Environmental Compliance Manager Nix explained how a developer would use the inventory. Councilmember Brothers asked about obtaining one large map instead of several smaller maps and Environmental Compliance Manager Nix said this could be done. Community Development Administrator Osaki remarked that the next step is to update the City's Comprehensive Plan maps and GIS database. The updated maps will be brought forward during the annual Plan update process. The new maps identify potential cdtical areas. The information will assist people in making land use decisions. In response to Chairman Borden's inquiry, Planner Dixon said that the next step for adoption of the Sensitive Areas Ordinance is to conduct open houses, present the draft ordinance to the Planning Commission, get their feedback, schedule public headng before the Planning Commission, with adoption of the SAO this year. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Sidewalk Discussion Councilmember Singer expressed concern with the lack of sidewalks near Dick Scobee Elementary School. She was contacted by the school principal and requests that the City talk with him about forming an LID. She also suggested getting the PTA involved. Chairman Borden recalls an issue about a sewer LID in the neighborhood in 1991. She does not recall anyone from the neighborhood coming in regarding sidewalks. Councilmember Brothers was curious why sidewalks were not built and Chairman Borden said the sidewalk program was delineated by Frank Currie, former Director of Public Works. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2003 Chairman Borden requested that someone from the Public Works Department provide maps showing where sidewalks were constructed. The issue on K Street was installing sewers which provoked a huge outcry from the neighborhood. Planner Dixon offered that the target area must meet certain income levels for CDBG funding. Chairman Borden recalls the R Street neighborhood having a large sidewalk program in the past. She wants further discussion of the sidewalk issue at the February 24 Committee meeting. INFORMATION: 1. American Planning Association Planning Northwest Article The Committee complimented Planner Sean Martin on the excellent article which appeared in this publication. They also complimented the Planning Department for being proactive in the Safeway, Inc., project at the Boeing site. ADJOURNMENT: With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm PCDC'WIIN~A-2003 PAGE 3