HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-2007~~ ~,;
CITY OF
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-~- WASHINGTON
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
September 10, 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 Councilmember Cerino (sitting in for
Member Wagner). Also present were Interim Director, Planning, Building and Community
Department David Osaki, Development Services Coordinator Steve Pitcher, Senior Planner
Jeff Dixon, Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Building Division Manager Jim Tinner,
Traffic Engineer Laura Philpot, City Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director Dennis Selle,
Economic Development Manager Dave Baron, Mayor Pete Lewis and Planning Secretary
Kirsten Reynolds.
Committee Members absent were: Member Wagner
Audience Members included: Janet Koch, Mickey Fassbind
I1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 27, 2007
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the August 27,
2007 meeting as submitted, seconded by Chair Norman.
Minutes approved unanimously 2-0 (Councilmember Cerino abstained.
III. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4235 -Address Assignments at the Airport
Building Division Manager Jim Tinner discussed the historical and proposed addressing
of buildings located at the airport. Mr. Tinner indicated the request for addresses was
originated by the City's Finance Department. He noted that the proposed new
addresses and address corrections were discussed with the Airport Advisory
Committee; there weren't any issues or disagreements. A public hearing is proposed.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4235 on to Full Council
for consideration; seconded by Councilmember Cerino.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
September 10, 2007
IV. DISCUSSION
A. 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP - 2008 through 2013)
Traffic Engineer Laura Philpot asked Committee Members to bring their previous TIP
packets to the Meeting for review. Ms. Philpot explained that the TIP has been reviewed
twice by the Public Works Committee. Revenue plans/projects and annexation projects
will be added to the list of projects in 2008. All projects and funding must be balanced
during the first three years. There were a total of twelve new projects added this year,
including the truck route program. The arterial preservation program was also explanded
to reflect the real system needs rather than limiting the project to funds available. Staff is
working with the Arterial Task Force who will draft up a proposal and bring both projects
back to the Council for funding considerations.
Ms. Philpot reviewed all the non-motorized projects and gave brief updates on each which
included: Skinner Road to 3`d Ave. (Auburn Pacific Trail Phase 2), BNSF/East Valley Hwy.
Pedestrian Undercrossing, A Street SE Pedestrian Improvement (Stair by-pass for ADA
accessibility), White River Trailhead (Roegner Park to East Valley Hwy), 37~' Street SE/R
Street SE Connector (Olympia Street to R Street SE), Academy Drive Multi Use Trail,
Aubum Way South Pedestrian Crossing (Near Dogwood), Olympic Middle School Safe
Routes to School and Aubum Way North Pedestrian Crossing.
Some of the in-depth discussions that took place around the BNSF/East Valley Hwy.
Pedestrian Undercrossing. BNSF is planning to put in a third rail which makes the City's
project 7 million dollars more than originally anticipated. Several grant funds were received
for 2008 projects, including the AStreet/stairs under Hwy. 18 project and the Safe Route to
Schools. Bond money should. be available to utilize for implementation on the White River
trail project in 2008 also.
All this information will be presented to Full Council on September 17, 2007.
Chair Norman expressed appreciation for the readability of the project layout.
B. Kersey III Landscape Buffer
City Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director Dennis Selle distributed copies and
reviewed the original Kersey III Divisions 1 and 2 landscaping/buffer plan with the
Committee. He also laid out a diagram of the future reconfigured street intersection.
The intersection at 53`d and Kersey Way, also known as the new "Evergreen Connection",
was reviewed on a larger scale to examine the alignment of the intersection, the resultant
grading, re-vegetation and natural buffers. He pointed out areas of the site where existing
vegetation would be retained but noted that most of the areas shown as vegetated
represent areas proposed to be graded and then revegetated. The grading was necessary
associated with the road widening. There were two community residents were invited to
the table to review Mr. Selle's presentation.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
September 10, 2007
Mickey Fassbind lives at 5220 Kersey Way SE. Ms. Fassbind came to the table to discuss
her perception of the ongoing construction of the plat and the surveying being done. She
suggested that the surveying is off by approx. 60 feet and so construction is not occurring
where intended. She expressed concerns that her driveway would have to be moved a
second time to accommodate this project. Mr. Selle explained the intended operation of
her driveway and its connections to the street system. He said he plans to verify the
surveying, and if there is a problem, the construction will be stopped until it can be re-
designed and implemented as originally approved by Council; the results will kie reported
back to Ms. Fassbind and to the Full Council. Further discussion between Ms. Fassbind
and Mr. Selle took place about the "berm" across the street from her property. She inquired
about this landscape berm that is supposed to be installed to shield. her house from vehicle
headlights. There was discussion about the location of the berm and that the berm design
is intended to provide both shielding from headlights while al{owing visibility around the
intersection.
Mr. Selle reported that underground improvements are being done, surface improvements
will be the second phase of work happening. Temporary mitigation can be implemented to
block the car headlights for the residents.
Janet Koch lives at 2815 53`d Street SE. Ms. Koch asked if the intersection improvements
that are planned will occur on the south. side as she had previously. understood. Mr. Selle
confirmed that the widening is planned to the south. She related her concerns regarding
the impact on the south side of the street where there will, be a turn lane. All questions/
concerns will be verified and addressed back to the residents and Full Council. The Mayor
asked that the response be provided to him and he would disseminate to the Council.
C. Utility Vault Development Agreement (moved up on the agenda by Chair Norman)
Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain reviewed the proposed development agreement.
During the 2006 Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle, the City proposed to change the
Utility Vault property from Heavy Industrial to Heavy Commercial. Utility Vault appealed the
SEPA determination issued for the comprehensive plan amendment. To settle the appeal,
the City was willing to enter into a development agreement. The proposed agreement
before the committee is a result of the negotiations between staff and Utility Vault. Mr.
Venn and Mr. Green, Utility Vault representatives, were invited to the table during the
PCD meeting in order to answer any questions the Committee had.
Ms. Chamberlain explained that a notice of application was already sent out to the
surrounding community and a SEPA decision will be issued after an initial review and
discussion by the Planning & Community and Public Works committees. Ms. Chamberlain
highlighted key provisions of the agreement. Section 3 of the agreement states it shall
remain in effect for seventeen (17) years and the renewal of the current lease could
potentially go for an additional twenty-five (25) years. Ms. Chamberlain reviewed the
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes -
September 10, 2007
permitted uses under section 3.6; this text was modeled after the M-2 Industrial section
from the City Code. Future development of the site will be allowed to continue as an M-2.
Vested rights vvere discussed regarding development standards i.e. setbacks and building
heights.
Chair Norman inquired about the provision for future driveway access to 29t" Street SE.
Mr. Gary Venn with Utility Vault clarified the difficulty with the current truck access to the
property via A Street SE and how future truck access to 29t" Street could utilize the traffic
signal. There were some general concerns of traffic safety. at this site. Ms. Chamberlain
noted that under sub-section h, any access to 29t" Street SE shall meet Auburn Design
Standards and Construction Standards.
Member Backus made a motion to support the Utility Vault Development Agreement,
Councilmember Cerino seconded.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
D. Proposed zoning for Lea and West Hill Annexation Areas
Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain reviewed maps that represented the current King
County (KC}, City of Auburn Comprehensive Land Use Map, and Auburn's proposed
zoning changes. The discussion examined the West Hill first, then later the Lea Hill
annexation area.
West Hill -The City's current comprehensive plan designations established follows closely
to existing uses. There are no changes to the land use map proposed on West Hill; the
City plans to only establish zoning. The proposed zoning is as follows:
1) Single Family Residential (R-1}would be implemented for the majority of West Hi[I with
the exception of five parcels in the southern portion of the annexation area proposed to be
zoned RS. The RS zone allows for 35,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size and R-1 allows for 8,000
sq. ft. minimum lot size.
2) Light Industrial is implemented by Light Industrial (M-1) for the area in the northwest
portion of the annexation area.
3) Public/Quasi-Public and Open Space is implemented by Public Use (P-1) and the four
parcels proposed for this designation are a school, water tank site, and two open space
tracts.
Discussion took place regarding potential issues such as traffic back ups at 51St and 317t"
and accidents from speeding up the hill on Terrace Drive. Interim Director, Planning,
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
September 10, 2007
Building and Community Department David Osaki stated there were three potential
community issues he was aware of: having existing residential uses in light industrial area,
having properties zoned R-1 verses R-6 designations and property owners on the south
side of Hwy. 18 may ask for higher density levels. There was discussion that this vicinity
has roads in disrepair and steep slopes.
Lea Hill - Ms. Chamberlain referred to the maps applicable to the Lea Hill Annexation
area. The current comprehensive plan designations established by the City follow closely
to existing uses. A significant amendment proposed is to change the areas designated
High Density Residential to Single Family Residential at 124t" and SE 3121h. Another major
amendment proposed is to have an additional commercial node located at the NE and SE
corners of 124t" Avenue SE and SE 3041h Street; this would provide more basic commercial
service needs such as grocery, dry cleaner and restaurants for the residents. There was
an additional area discussed for retail space, approx. two acres surrounded by roads on
all sides near 304t" and 132nd. Another area located at Lea Hill Road SE and 104t" is
proposed to be changed from high density to single family residential. There are two
institutional zones that consisf of one church on 124t" and the Green River college campus.
Mayor Lewis stated there could be potential community push back regarding lowering
the residential density in certain areas. Staff briefly discussed the two Citizen Advisory
Committee meetings the council is invited to attend.
V. INFORMATION
A. Off-Street Parking Standards -The Committee decided that this topic should be
held off for further discussion until Member Wagner returns.
B. PCDC Status Matrix -Chair Norman indicated the committee is waiting until Member
Wagner returns to further discuss the Council's Vision 2016 topics and determine which
items to add to the PCDC Matrix.
C. Follow Up -
Dave Baron informed the Committee that he will be attending a retailer's convention
in San Diego along with the Robertson's Property Group Representatives.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
iAPPROVED THE `~~ ~ ~ DAY OF_ .~ "~`
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