HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2007,{
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PLANNING ~ COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
February 26, 2007
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER - 5:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
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: Chair Lynn Norman, Member Backus and Member Wagner. Also present were
Planning, Building and Community Director Michael Davolio, Community Development
Administrator David Osaki, Development Services Coordinator Steve Pitcher, Planner Stacey
Borland, Economic Development Planner AI Hicks, Senior Planner Jeff Dixon, Economic
Development Manager Dave Baron, Parks Director Daryl Faber, Mayor Pete Lewis and Planning
Secretary Kirsten Reynolds.
Audience Members included: Keith James, Daniel Stoner
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.. February 12, 2007
Chair Norman submitted a wording change in the February 12th minutes on page three,
under the "B" bullet point. The sentence stated the following: "Mr. Stoner addressed the
Committee concerning the current demand for affordable housing in the area." The
change was to correct "affordable" to "low income" housing.
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the February 12, 2007
meeting with the above correction, seconded by Member Wagner.
Minutes approved unanimously with the change indicated 3-0.
111. ACTION
None
IV. DISCUSSION
A. North Auburn Senior Apartments -Keith James with Legato Consulting and Daniel
Stoner from Parkstone Investments came to discuss the Renaissance atAubum senior
housing project. James and Stoner showed a PowerPoint and discussed a few of the
upgraded design standards and use of quality materials in their project.
Discussion took place regarding talks with Public Works regarding the utilization of the
adjacent retention pond and green space. Questions about parking and density came
from Member Wagner. The applicants reviewed calculations showing that with 1.1
occupants per unit and parking at 0.7 spaces per dwelling unit, there was more than
adequate parking being provided. This facility does not have an assisted living program,
creating a lower need for parking. Director Michael Davolio spoke about this new
Development Agreement process in efforts to inform the Committee what staff will be
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
February 26, 2007
looking at during this project review period. The Committee shared some general thoughts
and direction towards the overall project.
B. Wayfinding Update -Economic Development Planner AI Hicks updated the committee on
the status of wayfinding signs. All the necessary paperwork is done and the environmental
survey turned in to Department of Transportation. The entire job will include the fabrication
and installation of the signs. The work can not be done completely in house due to "bid
laws". The committee discussed cutting costs. Other issues raised were the look of the
signs and use of established poles. The committee would like to bring the signs and/or
other supporting documentation to their retreat for a final discussion; staff is waiting for a
sample sign to be produced.
C. Buxton Report -Economic Development Manager Dave Baron handed out an up-to-date
Buxton Report Scorecard. Staff recently received the Hebert Resource Inc. study; the
report supports there is a need for more retail in Auburn. Baron reported that the
Robertson Property and the Wal-Mart property (once they have built the new location) are
key to drawing more retail. There are currently six businesses pending a response for
moving to Auburn, three are interested, seven have replied they are not interested and four
others are pending until they receive the Hebert Report information.
D. Auburn Golf Course Name -Parks Director Daryl Faber talked about the limited time for
renaming the course due to other activities that are happening. Discussion on the
importance of keeping the name simple, not an extended name and7or slogan. There were
other concerns regarding a close by facility with a similar name (being proposed) using the
Olsen Creek name. The Committee expressed support for keeping the current name,
Auburn Golf Course.
E. Industrial Code Amendments (Residential Uses) -Planner Stacey Borland
presented draft ordinance text addressing concerns the Committee had about locating
residential uses in industrial zones, which also permit sexually oriented businesses.
In November 2006, the Planning Commission reviewed this ordinance and recommended
approval of a code amendment to allow residential uses in industrial zones, with a few
changes. The recommendation was that residential uses should not be permitted in the
M2 (Heavy Industrial) in any form. The sections highlighted in the draft-ordinance
displayed the recommended text to be removed.
The meeting was moved to the Council Conference Room due to another community
group booking the Council Chambers. The meeting was reconvened at 6:32 p.m.
Staff s recommendation was to include this ordinance in the upcoming zoning code
amendment process. The Committee agreed that would be fine but would like to revisit
this topic of sexually oriented businesses on their matrix beforehand. There were
concerns with 18.32.040 Uses Requiring Conditional Use Permit, item E; the Committee
would like to see it completely removed. They would also like to move forward on
18.32.020 Permitted Uses, item S. Members were in agreement to accept the Planning
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
February 26.2007
Commission's recommendation and delete all sections highlighted in the draft ordinance,
ensuring that residential uses would be permitted in the M1 zone and not in M2.
F. Auburn North Special Area Plan/Building Orientation -Senior Planner Jeff Dixon
referred to the staffs memo and related some background on the Auburn North Special
Area Plan and the development of buildings which has occurred in this specific area with
regards to their placement in relation to front and street side property lines. He described
the purpose of the sub-area plan and cited a few of the design. policies that relate to the
orientation of the buildings to the street. Discussion took place regarding examples of
building exhibiting good design under the plan's design guidelines and bad examples.
There was discussion regarding front door orientation to the street and the importance of
on-street parking providing a buffer from pedestrians from car traffic. When there is no
buffer people will not travel to the destination comfortably on the sidewalks. This area is
not functioning because it is orientated like a Downtown Core. It was suggested that
parking should not have to be located behind buildings. The discussion suggested there
be incentives for locating parking behind the building but to not prescribe its location.
Council member Norman read a portion of policy AN 2.8 and indicated that flexibility
already exists by this policy. Staffs recommendation was to take away the requirement for
the front door access in areas that are not located in the Downtown Core. The design
elements should allow for parking either in the front or back of the business.
The Committee asked for staff to examine this plan carefully and come up with some
allowances that will work well for this type of area. A suggestion was made to treat this
area with standards more similar to a "mall" design standard.
V. INFORMATION
PCDC Status Matrix
• The Olson Farm will be presented on in May 2007.
Director Michael Davolio reported that the Ace Project drawings have been submitted but
were considered incomplete. The documents from the structural engineer were also incomplete.
Staff is meeting with Mark Hinshaw regarding downtown sidewalk design. Mr. Hinshaw also
designed the sidewalks at Redmond Town Center. -
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
APPROVED THE ~ ~ .
DAY OF iii
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Lynn N m ,Chair
aye v