HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-2008AOBURN F n PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON
February 11, 2008
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 Cindy Baker, Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs
Manager Steve Pilcher, Director of Human Resources/Risk and Property
Management Brenda Heineman, Storm Drainage Engineer Tim Carlaw,
Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Environmental Protection Manager Aaron
Nix, Sewer Utility Engineer Bob Elwell, Water Resources Tech Diane Klavano,
Economic Development Manager Dave Baron, Mayor Pete Lewis & Planning
Secretary Kirsten Reynolds.
Audience Members included: Wayne Osborne, Shaun Schuller, Ron Harpel
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 28, 2008
Discussion/Clarification: Under the 2008 Save Our Streets program there was
one correction in the language to state " Chair Norman inquired about the total
miles". Under Electronic Message Boards the correction was that the signs
would not be allowed in the DUC zone at all.
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the January 28, 2008
meeting as amended, seconded by Member Wagner
Minutes approved unanimously 3-0.
III. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4306 - BLRB Agreement for Community Center -
Human Resources Director Brenda Heineman explained this agreement
for Les Gove Campus expansion including a Community Center and
Gymnasium has been discussed at Finance and the Community Center
Committees. Member Wagner clarified there were no further changes
made to the budget.
Member Wagner asked about the plan for parking and traffic studies
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February 11, 2008
based on the space needs already identified. Ron Harpel with BLRB
Architects spoke about the first step is to get through pre-application
process with site planning/development. Parking required by the City
still needs to be determined. There was language in the pre-application
about shuttles, satellite or joint use parking within walking distance.
Chair Norman pointed out a subtotal under the signage section that
did not match up.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4306 to full
Council; Member Wagner seconded.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
B. Ordinance No. 6161 - Amending Chapter 15.68 of the Auburn City
Code relating to flood hazard areas -
Storm Drainage Engineer Tim Carlaw answered questions from the
Committee regarding the Flood Hazard Areas.
Member Backus asked about 15.68.060 letter E - the question was
asked what to do about daylight basements. Mr. Carlaw stated most of
the language came from the State's mode; he will research the question
and report back.
Interpretation of language throughout the Ordinance was discussed.
Member Wagner asked staff to make sure all the language regarding
daylight basements were copasetic throughout the Ordinance. Other
topic of clarification made by Member Wagner included:
• "FIRM" = Flood Insurance Rate Map was clarified
• Manufactured Homes - If less than 50% renovation, the rules do not
apply. Substantial improvements were defined as 50% under Item R.
• Compensatory storage requirements - If adopted, Mr. Carlaw
explained citizens would get extra points if required (5% reduction on
insurance rates for people in the floodplain). Class 5 would be a 25%
reduction if this is moved forward by the City. It was stated that
although the City is doing this in code it has been done in practice.
Compensatory storage requirements - If adopted, Mr. Carlaw
explained that under the National Flood Insurance Program, the
City receives extra points from this requirement which may result
in additional insurance discount for policy holders in the City (5%
reduction on insurance rates for people in the floodplain per class).
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February 11, 2008
The City is currently a Class 5 under this program.
Discussion took place about filling floodplains. During the 1980's
the State's responsibility was transferred to the local jurisdictions.
Chair Norman commented that she did not feel comfortable with the
statement that this was the "best available information", but agreed that
since there was a process to define this statement in ACC 15.68.150B,
that it would be acceptable.
Member Backus moved to forward Ordinance No. 6161 to full
Council; seconded by Member Wagner.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
C. Ordinance No. 6166 - Electronic Message Boards
Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher came
to the table to further answer questions from the Committee. Members
asked to amend the following items:
• Remove all references throughout the agenda bill and draft code
allowing changing message center signs within the DUC zone.
• Amortization - clarify in the agenda bill both "lighting and display" to
be subject to amortization.
• Height - Allow changing message center signs to be the same height
as allowed for other signs in any zone.
• Chair Norman asked staff to send the final version to the Ad-Hoc
Committee and let them know when it will be moving forward to
Council.
Backus moved to forward Ordinance No. 6166 as amended on to
full Council; seconded by Member Wagner.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Farmers Market -
Councilmember Peloza talked about the Farmers Market Committee
meetings, which have been taking place. Some key partners include, but
are not limited to representation from King County Agriculture, Auburn Public
Health, local business owners, Algona and Pacific Councilmembers, a local
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attorney and other volunteers.
The mission statement has been completed and a timeline developed. There
is a model business plan to build on from Frazer B.C. the Committee will be
utilizing. Phone calls have been made to local farmers/stake holders to gage
the interest in this concept. Currently the group has only contacted 20% of
the farmers/stake holder list; of that 20% half of the comments received from
the limited farming community polled have been good comments and a lot of
interest. Councilmember Peloza stated until there is full blown interest from
the farmers this will not move forward. At the next Farmers Market meeting
on March 3, 2008 they hope to have contacted all the identified farmers.
There are a couple of opportunities for grants - Farmers Market Promotion
Program (FMPP) due on March 24th; staff will be working on meeting the
deadline with the help of the Committee. Another possible grant opportunity
is through WIC - Women, Infants and Children. Also being researched is the
opportunity to become a satellite market of another market in the area. There
has been some outreach for a market manager. There was discussion
around inviting the Pea Patch group to be involved.
The mission statement for the Algona, Auburn and Pacific International
Market is: Providing a variety of healthy locally grown products to area
residents; a profitable marketplace for local farmers and artisans. A vibrant
gathering place for the community to enjoy in Downtown Auburn.
Councilmember Peloza will place the Frasure B.C. Business Plan in the
Committee's boxes.
B. Ordinance No. 6154 -
Transportation Planner Joe Welsh talked about the commercial loading zone
located on A Street NE. This is a public zone that could possibly be used by
multiply businesses. Cascade has found the situation to be difficult to have
both a loading zone and have there business operate. The City has focused
on getting other businesses to have a loading zone especially car dealers.
Mr. Welsh is doing research on how to best handle loading zones in the
downtown core. Cascade has asked for a site adjacent to their site on A
Street NE just south of 3rd Street. Mr. Welsh asked for the Committee's
perspective on this. Loading zones are not used as parking stalls and takes
up 60 feet on average; they can range from 30 - 100 feet. Member Wagner
would like to see a definition designed for Auburn's loading zones since there
isn't one nationally.
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February 11, 2008
Chair Norman asked to have loading zones added to PCD Matrix; what
should loading zones would look like.
Mr. John Schuler was present from Cascade Orthopedics. Mr. Schuler
talked about the space in this loading zone does not taking up developable
space because it used to be an entrance from the previous lot.
Mr. Welsh was asked to check on Item B and D that are marked "reserve"
The Committee gave their support of Ord. No. 6154.
C. Fats, Oils, & Greases (FOG) Control Program -
Sewer Utility Engineer Bob Elwell and Water Resources Tech Diane Klavano
talked about the FOG program; the FOG Control Program aims to reduce
fats, oils and greases output from large commercial kitchens through adoption
of individualized control plans.
Mr. Elwell explained when FOG that enters the City's sewer system it can
reduce the capacity of the pipes, causing maintenance and backups. Crews
have been good at identifying the common back up lines and have performed
frequent cleanings. Backups have been identified in the Counties lines which
could come back to the City with increased rates.
The objective is to reduce the about of FOG that enters the system. Ms.
Klavano did research at neighboring jurisdictions; Tacoma, Puyallup, Bellevue
and Seattle are other jurisdictions that have implemented this same program.
Each place of business will have to have a control plan. The City would do
inspections to make sure the plans are being followed. The timeline for
implementation is to have a FOG control plan during the next round of
business license renewals (2008). In 2009 the businesses would have to
have an approved FOG control plan to get their business license renewed;
if the plan is not approved code enforcement would be brought in. There
would be no cost for the inspections but staff time will increase. Ms. Klavano
clarified there are currently 285 sites that would require these plans and
inspections.
Discussion took place around how the inspections would be funded and the
possibility of self certifications was a possibility, i.e. an independent contractor
could sign off on the inspections. Further discussion took place around how
the grease currently gets emptied and put in the garbage/landfill. The
Committee felt there needs to be more options for the removal and disposal.
Committee felt that this program should also be enforced with temporary
businesses, such as festival food stands.
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V. INFORMATION
A. Director's Decisions:
A minor adjustment was determined for the preliminary plat of
Lakeland Area 9 by Director Baker. The revised map was displayed
showing the new access. The Committee was interested in getting
more information on the differences between "hammerhead" and
"panhandle" shaped parcels.
B. Other Information:
Chair Norman asked staff to provide more information on the following
topics:
o Urban Separators - more information
o PODs - not meant for permanent structures
o BIA RCW's - provide hardcopy
• Chair Norman asked what citizens should do about air pollution from
fireplaces - Staff responded that citizens should contact the County
or the EPA if there are concerns.
• Mayor Lewis showed appreciation to the Councilmembers for new
ideas to preserve the neighborhoods around the downtown area but
ensuring that the actual downtown area is to have higher density.
C. PCDC Status Matrix:
The matrix was reviewed and updated.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
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APPROVED THE DAY OF /11141 Kirstejn Reynolos,
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