HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2005
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
May 23, 2005
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25
West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee members present were:
Member Gene Cerino, Member Nancy Backus. Also present were
Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss,
Community Development Administrator David Osaki, Parks and
Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Development Services Coordinator
Steve Pilcher, Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix, Planner
Bill Mandeville, Cultural Arts Manager Lori Patrick, Project Engineer
Scott Nutter, Utilities Engineer Duane Huskey, Mayor Pete Lewis and
Assistant Planning Secretary Carolyn Brown. Also, in the audience,
was Stephanie Knutson.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. May 9, 2005 Meeting
The minutes stand approved as read. Member Cerino made
the motion to accept the minutes. Member Backus seconded.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0
III. ACTION
A. RESO NO 3859 - Acceptance of grant funds from King County
to improve water quality resulting from car washing activities.
Mr. Nix presented a brief background on the King County Splash
Grant program. He stated that at the beginning of the year the City
applied for a King County splash grant and from that grant money
the City was able to purchase three car wash kits. With this money
staff will also be able to distribute out-reach materials to schools and
other groups. It is a free program and the car wash kit can be
checked out and returned. The kits will direct waste water to the
sanitary sewer system. Mr. Nix stated there is also a video to view
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and he will be available to provide information and to meet with any
groups that request the kit. Chair Norman asked if staff would
provide a demonstration to the committee.
Councilmember Cerino moved to accept, and Member Backus
seconded the motion to approve Resolution Number 3859.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0
B. ORD NO 5913 - Off Street Parking Surfacing/Locational
Requirements for Single Family and Duplex Residential
Dwellings.
Mr. Osaki discussed items related to the previous PCD Committee
meeting. The four points he covered were: 1. remove the statement
that no "vegetation" can grow through the gravel surface and only
specify that this performance standard applies to "weeds" 2. revise
the proposed code language to require driveways serving non-
required off-street parking areas to also meet surfacing
requirements; 3. apply the requirements to duplexes in addition to
single family dwellings; and 4. there had been discussion about
requiring setbacks for vehicles but based on committee direction
this is not incorporated into the ordinance.
In addition, Mr. Osaki referenced a new comment letter which was
received following the latest PCD Committee meeting; noted that an
issue had been raised about whether boats of any size should be
subject to the proposed ordinance and stated that there as been a
comment by an individual stating that the term "gravel" is too broad,
so an alternative would be to use the term "compacted rock".
Mayor Lewis indicated that the proposed ordinance should also be
reviewed by the Public Works Committee.
There was a brief discussion on the different types of gravel and
how a citizen would know they are using the right type. Mayor Lewis
stated as long as the person is putting the gravel on their property
and keeping it clean the city won't cite the person. The Committee
briefly discussed different scenarios as to driveway access and
discussed duplex lots and how they vary in width. Member Backus
had questions about the minimum amount of paving (800 square
feet) allowed for duplexes. Mr. Osaki will look at some properties for
reference and will come back to the committee.
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PlanninQ & Community Development Committee Minutes
Chair Norman stated that she would like the Director to have some
discretion. Member Backus asked if a small duplex yard such as one
that has only SOO square feet of front yard area would be allowed to
devote the entire front yard to paved off-street parking and is that
what the City wants to see.
It was agreed that there should be some provision to ensure that a
property owner cannot pave the entire front yard. Also, the issue of
boats in the front yard was discussed by the Committee. It was
decided if a boat was big enough to be trailered and will remain on a
trailer, the boat should be subject to the requirements regardless of
size. Smaller boats not on trailers should be stored elsewhere
besides the front yard.
Stephanie Knutson, in the audience, stated that staff should not
worry about the type of gravel, because in her neighborhood and
others she is sure that the neighbors will be the "police". Mr. Cerino
reiterated that the front yard parking issue has to be in ordinance
form and then the code enforcement department will respond.
Mr. Osaki stated that the PCD committee need not take action tonight
as he will be taking the ordinance to a future Public Works
Committee meeting.
C. Application for Annexation for the Stipp property located along
South 32Sth Street between 56th Avenue South and 5Sth Avenue
South.
Mr. Mandeville presented a brief background on the annexation
request. The site map included with the agenda bill shows parcel
boundaries. The Public Works Department is requesting that the
annexation include certain road boundaries. When the property
develops, the road will need to be brought up to city standards. Mr.
Mandeville is requesting that the Committee consider the annexation
and, if approved, he will prepare a petition to be sent to the property
owner. Chair Norman asked for clarification that the petition is
asking that 5Sth Avenue South be annexed. Mr. Mandeville answered
yes and Mr. Krauss stated the Boundary Review Board will ask the
City to take the right-of-way, too.
There was a brief discussion on other annexations in the area and
Mr. Mandeville gave a brief description on these other requests. Mr.
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PlanninQ & Community Development Committee Minutes
Cerino questioned access for fire and police. Mr. Mandeville said
one needs to go outside of the city limits in order to access this
property and provided a map to show the exact location of roads.
The Public Works Department would like the developer to improve
the road to city standards, however the Mayor stated that the City
cannot require the developer to upgrade the road as part of the
annexation. The Mayor added that the City cannot put conditions on
an annexation.
Mr. Mandeville added that this development will be a long plat and
long plats will come back to the City Council for approval. Mr. Osaki
added that the property could, however, always be sold and a new
owner could change the plans for the property so the City cannot
necessarily rely on a long plat taking place.
Mr. Krauss stated he will write into the agenda bill a sense of what
the PCD wants to go to the Council. Mr. Mandeville said he will be
sure the language is in the agenda bill regarding the road right-of-
way.
Mrs. Backus stated she would like to see the agenda bill before it is
routed to the City Council packet.
Councilmember Cerino moved to accept, and Member Backus
seconded the motion to approve the Stipp application for
annexation.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0
D. Final Pay Estimate #5 to Contract 04-06
Mr. Faber said this payment represents work that could not be
completed until now with the better weather.
The Committee briefly discussed the pay estimate chart. Mr. Faber
provided an explanation of certain information in the chart. Mr.
Faber said approval of the final pay estimate would be placed on the
next City Council consent agenda.
Councilmember Cerino moved to accept, and Member Backus
seconded the motion to approve Final Pay Estimate #5 to
Contract 04-06.
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IV. DISCUSSION
A. Update Status of West Main Street
Mr. Nutter provided graphics showing a proposed section of West
Main Street. The proposal is to remove parking from the north side of
West Main Street. The south side will have an 8 foot-wide sidewalk.
The City also proposes to switch out the aluminum light poles with
concrete standards. With the removal of parking on the north side of
the street the City will be able to widen the sidewalk. Mr. Nutter said
funds have been moved from the Auburn Way North fund and non-
motorized fund and combined to make a larger non- motorized fund.
Trees, landscaping, and widening sidewalks are on the agenda.
Crossing and safety at the Interurban Trail and the existing crossing
by the West Campus High School are concerns.
Mayor Lewis was curious to know if all departments are reviewing
the proposed street improvement at this time. Mr. Nutter stated he
intends to coordinate the proposed street improvement with the Art
Commission, Tree Board and Way Finding staff members but was
waiting for the design to be more complete before doing so. Mr.
Nutter said that also staff is trying to finalize the alignment of the
streets in order to decide what to do with the sidewalks as there is
no room on the south side for trees.
Mr. Krauss asked what is the advantage of having two bike lanes.
Mr. Nutter answered that it is the laws of the roadway to have a bike
lane going the direction of the traffic. Mr. Krauss commented that the
lanes seem extra wide and the Mayor asked if they could be
narrowed down. The Committee discussed the idea of a joint trail on
the sidewalks and it was stated that most bike riders do not like that
idea. Mr. Krauss asked about crossing C Street SW to provide
continual bicycle access to the transit center and Mr. Nutter
answered that some of the problems have not been worked out. At
this point on Main Street bikers will have to get back into traffic at
that location. There followed a discussion regarding access to A
Street SE.
B. Urban Art
Ms. Patrick discussed the direction of the Arts Commission with
respect to art in the downtownl urban center. There is an opportunity
now to reassess where the City wants to be next year. It will be
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possible to integrate art with a public works project, i.e. the Auburn
Way South Rail Road overpass. This year they are committed to work
with Public Works on the F Street intersection with the Auburn Way
South project.
Chair Norman mentioned that 10 years ago there was a project
started for the railroad bridge. Chair Norman asked Ms. Patrick for
an update on what the project would cost to complete. Ms. Patrick
had a copy of the art that was going to be put up on the railroad
crossing and Mr. Faber said that money would not be spent on
design as the art has been drawn. Right now there is a 60-40 split
between downtown and community art. Chair Norman would prefer
to use sites that are currently available.
There is a meeting planned on the West Auburn project and Ms.
Patrick stated she will provide more information at that time. Chair
Norman asked her to come back to PCD with a firmed-up concept.
Mr. Faber said it could be included with the West Main Street
enhancement. Mayor Lewis asked that they come back to the
Committee with a firm amount.
C. Downtown Design Standards - Steve Pilcher/Mitzi McMahan
This has been postponed until a future meeting.
D. Homeless Encampment - Paul Krauss
Mr. Krauss provided background on the Homeless Encampment
issue that has developed over the past 16-18 months. The Seattle
Housing and Resource Effort (SHARE) and the Women's Housing,
Equality and Enhancement League (WHEEL) are groups with a lot of
support from King County and the King County executive. Mostly the
encampments have been in the eastside cities. King County has put
together the task force to study the issue. A number of cities have
put an ordinance in place.
Chair Norman asked what prevents just anybody from starting an
encampment outside the organized group. Mr. Krauss said there is
really nothing to prevent this from happening. The other aspect is
that the county could allow the camps on county owned lands. Mr.
Krauss would the City Attorney attend a future PCD meeting and talk
about the Religious Land Use act. Right now the City has a
moratorium regarding Homeless Encampments, that was put in
place around the beginning of this year.
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The Committee added this topic to its June 13 agenda and staff will
invite City Attorney Dan Heid.
E. West Hill Annexation Joint Committee
Mr. Osaki gave a brief update on the committee noting that the last
meeting was cancelled and will be rescheduled. Mr. Krauss
reiterated that this is a pilot program to have the county adopt City
development standards in order to facilitate future annexations and
could work as well on the Lea Hill area.
V. INFORMATION
A. Work Plan
B. Mr. Krauss, Mr. Heid and Mr. Osaki are scheduled to meet with
Futurewise before the next (June 13) PCD meeting.
C. Chair Norman asked what is happening with the Auburn Way
North triangle property. Mr. Krauss said he will check but that
to date the land owner has only removed the fuel tanks.
D. The Committee would like to invite Mark Hinshaw to speak at a
future meeting regarding development and design in the
downtown core.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Mr. Nix held a brief discussion on the farmers market issue.
The Federal government may take some of the subsidies
offered to large scale farmers and provide funds toward
smaller local farmers.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and
Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:42
p.m.
1PPROVED TH
DAY OF ~.V\.L .C;((}-O-~
C4/1~&rh"~
Carolyn Brown, Secretary
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