HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-2006
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
June 26, 2006
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 Community
Development Administrator David Osaki, Economic Development Planner
AI Hicks, Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Development Services
Coordinator Steven Pilcher, Economic Development Manager Dave
Baron, Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix, Mayor Pete Lewis
and Planning Secretary Carolyn Brown.
Planning Commissioners present were: - Chair Judi Roland, Peter Di
Turi, Dave Peace, Kevin Chapman, Joan Mason, and Darci Bidman,
Citizens: Bruce Alverson, owner of Sunbreak Cafe.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of the June 12, 2006 Meeting were approved as read.
Member Backus moved to accept the minutes, Member Cerino
seconded.
Motion approved unanimously. 3-0
III. ACTION
None.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. A joint meeting with the Planning Commission was facilitated by
Community Development Administrator David Osaki. Planning
Commissioners introduced themselves and provided a brief background
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of their interests and length of time on the Planning Commission. Chair
Norman also asked the Planning and Community Development
Committee members to introduced themselves with a brief synopsis of the
other committees they belong to and the length of time on the City
Council. Chair Norman emphasized the importance of the committees
that council members are on. Mayor Lewis also listed his memberships
and meetings that he attends.
Mr. Osaki emphasized the importance of the inter-relationship between
City boards and commissions and elected official. All staff that were
present introduced themselves, also.
Mr. Osaki discussed and summarized the Economic Development
Strategies document. When the document was developed the City looked
at areas with potential for development and redevelopment. There are 6
strategy areas recognized in the document:- 1) The North Auburn
strategy area, 2) The "Golden Triangle" which is near the Les Gove Park
area; 3) the Urban Center (downtown); 4) Auburn Environmental Park
(AEP) ; 5) A Street SE from 6th Street SE to Lake Tapps Parkway; and, 6)
15th Street SW and C Street SW SuperMall area. Many of the specific
recommendations in the document call for comprehensive plan and
zoning changes to implement the potential these areas have.
Chair Norman added that these areas are crucial to the vision of the City,
and not only staff but citizens helped to develop the document.
Mr. Osaki stated four years ago the City Council identified priorities as part
of the Council Vision. This Vision was mapped and depicted in the
Council Chambers. The City Council again identified elements of its
vision at their retreat earlier this year. There are now 49 items that have
been included on an updated map plus other items that are goals and
strategies that couldn't be mapped.
Mr. Osaki identified many of the items on the map. Economic
Development Strategy areas are identified. Also, the annexations of the
West Hill and Lea Hill areas are part of the vision for the next 10 years.
The City is looking at possible additional commercial zoning on Lea Hill.
The City would also like to see commercial dollars being spent in Auburn.
Mr. Osaki stated that the expansion of City's urban growth area into
Pierce County is also identified.
Member Cerino added that Pierce County does not have a PAA as such,
but instead calls it a potential area of urbanization. The majority of the
area around the end of Lake Tapps is already designated rural.
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Mr. Osaki briefly spoke about the AEP and the extension of the Urban
Center, as the City would like to encourage residential and commercial
development in certain areas.
Mr. Osaki said the vision also reflects many issues throughout the City,
such as park trails and street improvements.
Chair Norman said there will be a smaller version of the map that will
eventually be available. Member Backus added that a lot of the ideas
came out of the City Council retreat. Member Cerino stated that probably
by 2016 the City will have an influx of population and ideas and direction
will have to change to meet the need. Areas will have to adapt to
accommodate the population.
The PCD Committee and the Planning Commission discussed the choices
ahead for the City and how to take the City in the direction that is
envisioned, especially along the downtown core.
Mr. Peace asked for an idea of the reasoning behind considering
annexation near Lake Tapps. Mayor Lewis said one reason is to better
manage issues related to levees along Lake Tapps. Mayor Lewis added
since all most all of the people travel north, the City would like to be able
to control traffic and utilities.
The PCD Committee and the Planning Commission discussed
responsibility for controlling growth in the south Lakeland area. They also
discussed how Bonney Lake, Sumner and Auburn are working together
to decide who will supply water and sewer to this area on the plateau.
Ms. Bidman asked about guidelines the City uses to keep Auburn under
control instead of allowing random development. Chair Norman stated
the City hired a consultant to better plan and design development that
supports the City vision. Mayor Lewis added that the City is looking at
developing commercial zones while ensuring residential areas are
buffered. Chair Norman reiterated that the AEP area is being kept as a
green district with environmental friendly development in that area.
The group also discussed how the City is investing money downtown, in
order to see a return on the investment to the City and citizens through
development of the downtown area. Mayor Lewis added that the City has
been meeting with developers and taking input as to amenities and what
interest the developers have.
The group commented on downtown Kent and the development in that
area. Dave Baron added that Kent is very different. It is twice the size of
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Auburn and had a large area in the downtown area to redevelop. Also,
because downtown Auburn has many small parcels and is mote
fragmented, it requires more planning so the City (Auburn) needs to follow
a slightly different path.
Joan Mason commented on the Auburn Way South area. The group
discussed how to encourage people to stop and shop along the street and
not just a pass through as commuters.
Judi Roland asked about the west side of A Street SE. Chair Norman
said the City has a moratorium for the property on the east side of A
Street. The railroad owns and controls the property on the west side of A
Street and the city has limited land use authority there.
Mr. Peace asked for information regarding development at Emerald
Downs and what is being envisioned. Mayor Lewis answered that a hotel
or business park or something of that nature could possibly be developed
in that area. Also, the City is looking at different options such as RV
centers and boat centers.
The group briefly discussed annexations.
Mayor Lewis reiterated that the City will get the Planning Commission a
copy of the Vision map and the legend. He noted that a larger version
will be hung in the City Council chambers.
Chair Norman thanked the Planning Commission for attending and for
their work and the team effort along with staff and the City Council. She
added that the PCD is planning more such joint meetings as the year
progresses.
B. 2006 Comprehensive Plan Amendment information was presented
by Mr. Osaki. Mr. Osaki displayed a map of the City that had the locations
of proposed map changes identified to date. He added that the deadline
for privately initiated Comprehensive Plan amendment applications was
Friday, June 23 and the City received no new applications.
Mr. Osaki said the City is taking a look at some of the industrial
designated lands and making a proposal for heavy commercial.
Mr. Osaki said he will return to the next meeting after the PCD Committee
has a chance to consider amendments it would like to propose and have
referred to staff.
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The PCD Committee discussed the general vision of the City Council. Mr.
Osaki added he will make sure the other City Council members see the
map. Mayor Lewis suggested the map be put in the Council work area.
C. AEP Goals and Objectives Discussion presented by Environmental
Protection Manager Aaron Nix, were combined with agenda item D.
D. Low Impact Development and Sustainable Community Goals was
discussed by Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix
Mr. Nix read a definition of sustainable communities. The PCD
Committee discussed the definition.
The PCD Committee discussed sustainability in context of the Puget
Sound Regional Council's VISION 2020 update growth scenarios. One
alternative is to rely on existing growth targets extended to 2040. Mr. Nix
stated that in all cases the list of sustainable community goals is melded
to Auburn itself. Mayor Lewis stated that he would like item number 7 to
be more localized, such as environmental impacts upon Auburn.
Mr. Nix asked the Committee whether it felt the list should have city-wide
application or whether it should apply to the Green Zone specifically.
Member Backus added that it should apply to any area within Auburn.
The PCD Committee discussed city wide applications and where the
policies might fit best.
The PCD Committee discussed what some of the energy groups, such as
Puget Sound Energy, do to be involved.
Mayor Lewis instructed that the PCD Committee does not need to take
action on this tonight.
Mr. Nix lead a discussion on low impact development. Low impact
development has less impact on natural water systems. Mr. Nix said that
there are mechanisms and ways to incorporate low impact development
techniques into development. For example, smaller storm retention areas
might be possible if green areas are designed to promote water
absorption. Vegetative strips, swales and aesthetics are all part of the
idea. This is a way of thinking outside the traditional way.
Mr. Nix provided an example of an area in North Seattle that implemented
this thought process. The project was capable of reducing the stormwater
leaving the site by 60%. The volume of water that would go towards a
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traditional storm water pond was significantly reduced. The PCD
Committee discussed different cities that have worked with this process.
Chair Norman stated that Mr. Nix seems to be heading in the right
direction and this appears to be what the Council wants to see.
V. INFORMATION
A. PC DC Status Matrix
Mr. Osaki will revise the matrix and prioritize by department.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and
Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51
p.m.
APPROVED THE/(!) '6 DAY OF ~e2rJ-o b
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