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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2008AUBURN WASHINGTON PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE March 10, 2008 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER - 5:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS Chair Norman called the meeting to order at 5:03 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 Norman, Member Backus and Member Wagner. Also present were Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher, Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix, Director of HR/Risk and Property Management Brenda Heineman, City Attorney Dan Heidi, Director of Finance Shelley Coleman, Financial Planning Manager Karen Jester, Mayor Pete Lewis and Planning Secretary Kirsten Reynolds. Audience Members included: Jay Thorp 11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 25, 2008 Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2008 meeting as submitted, Member Wagner concurred. Minutes approved unanimously 3-0. III. ACTION A. Resolution No. 4323 - One Percent for the Art - Director of HR/Risk & Property Management Brenda Heineman and City Attorney Dan Heid were present to talk about Resolution No. 4323. Mr. Heid reported that the dollar amounts and overall definition can be modified at any time in the future; the whole document is flexible. Member Backus made a couple of recommendations to change language under section one to include hazmat, but it was included under "soft costs" already. The Oakland document was very detailed and the Committee liked it as a comparison. Chair Norman stated the plan was to cover projects that are coming down the pike now and come back later to word smith. There was discussion around language that would allow for funds to be pooled for purchasing a more substantial piece of art. Mr. Heid suggested the language change as "the amount of the one percent can be combined with other such amounts to accomplish the purposes of this resolution". Member Wagner asked to change the $10,000 tracking threshold to the $50,000.; also added was language regarding remodeling that will read "new or remodeled public facilities". Page 1 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 10. 2008 Discussion took place around how to address maintenance issues. Chair Norman stated it would be best to leave this for the overall revamping when Laurie Rose can be present. Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4323 to Council; Member Wagner seconded with the addition of the new remodel threshold, change of $10,000 to $50,000 and shorten the overall language. Motion was approved unanimously 3-0. B. Resolution No. 4307 - Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) - Human Services Planner Michael Hursh introduced the annual performance and evaluation report as a way to report how the 2007 Block Grant money was spent. There were minimal changes made to the document. The main points were discussed which included: a. 2007 federal funding was not received until mid June so it was rolled over to 2008. The projects are on track and all the money will get spent this year. The City has already received the 2008 funds. b. The South King County Multi Service Center Employment Training Program started in 2007 has been going well. c. Public Works used money for traffic calming for the SE Main Street project; the money wasn't all spent so money it got rolled over and will be spent on 2008 projects. Member Wagner asked if the money could be spent on transitional housing. Mr. Hursh stated that could be an amendment made to the 2008 Plan to include using money for homeless and/or transitional housing. Chair Norman talked about the relocation funds. The Committee discussed the need to use these funds better by addressing connectivity, transitional needs and keeping people in their homes. Mr. Hursh talked the importance of following what the City really wants to do i.e. let it continue to be promoted by word of mouth or outreach promotion. Member Backus moved to approve Resolution No. 4108 (4108 is the old Res. No. the new number assigned by the City Clerks is Res. No. 4307) and forward to Council; Member Wagner concurred. Motion was approved unanimously 3-0. IV. DISCUSSION A. Ordinance No. 6168 - Director Shelly Coleman asked if there were any questions from the Committee; there were no questions from the Committee. Page 2 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 10. 2008 B. Issaquah Zero Energy Demonstration Project- Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix handed out a newspaper article regarding sustainability to go along with packet materials. Mr. Nix asked if there were questions regarding this project that is attempting to utilize green-built technologies to the fullest extent possible and evaluate the cost effectiveness of their approach. City of Issaquah is putting together a set of design standards that may help; the solar energy components create energy during the summertime. This energy is used in the wintertime for a net zero gain or loss of energy for each house throughout the year. Mr. Nix reported that PSE has not shown interest in this type of project within the Auburn Environmental Park District; they have been more interested in larger projects. The Committee showed interest for the project to move forward. There were comments that the public private partnership is great especially for the initial startup. Mayor Lewis asked staff to add some language regarding specific use of local products within the Auburn Environmental Park Zone. Mr. Nix talked about sustainability, the academic definition vs. what it means for the residents of the City of Auburn. Mr. Nix handed out information on grant opportunities from eCivis for the committee to review. Next steps: Member Wagner and Aaron Nix will do some research; Member Wagner is planning to do a presentation on sustainability. C. Comprehensive Plan code amendment - Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher proposed that the Committee consider adopting a new Chapter 14.22 to the Auburn City Code concerning the Comprehensive Plan and the annual amendment process. Several other jurisdictions' codes were reviewed, including Puyallup, University Place, Bonney Lake and Kent. In the long term, formalizing the City's process in code will provide better protection for the process of considering amendments. Mr. Pilcher reviewed the differences between docketing and filing for a plan amendment. Docketing is a no cost way for people to suggest changes; an amendment application would require the payment of a filing fee, but ensures that individuals will have their amendment heard. The Committee had concerns regarding staff spending significant time on new suggestions submitted to the docket. Mr. Pilcher explained the intent of the docket is to provide a free method for having an idea initially considered. If the Council (or PCD Committee) feels an idea has merit, it would then be reviewed as a formal amendment, with a thorough staff evaluation. Language will be added regarding the need of having an official form to file to submit an item for the docket. The Committee requested to change the language from "proposed amendments on the docket" to "suggested amendment on the docket". Page 3 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 10, 2008 The Committee expressed its concurrence with proceeding forward with this code amendment in order have the comprehensive plan and annual amendment process be more formalized. Staff will make the changes suggested and bring this back to the Committee for further review. D. Code Update Process - Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher noted that the City is working with the consultant firm of BHC in this process. In late January, a series of "focus group" meetings were held to gather input into what in the existing codes works well and what could use improvement. These groups included city staff, architects, engineers, surveyors, realtors, small businesses and builders. Analysis tools have been designed and a consistency report will be produced by the end of April. A complete draft code will be done this summer. The intent is to have the code amendments adopted by the end of the 2008. Staff clarified why small business and small builders were being targeted. The smaller businesses and builders are more likely to do the work themselves and the big businesses/builders are likely to use consultants. Mayor Lewis added that other meetings have been taking place with the Master Builders on a quarterly basis to help them with any of their issues. Follow up will be given in late April. E. Business License Fees - Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Mr. Pilcher reviewed the analysis results regarding potential fee increases for business licenses. Results included staff time in processing the applications and other jurisdiction's costs as a comparison. Mr. Pilcher put a list together that demonstrated 1 % hours (collectively) is spent on the review and processing of initial Business Licenses applications. Concerning other jurisdictions, it appears some are using their fees to generate revenue; many have lesser fees for home occupations. Currently Auburn's fees are $50 for both new licenses and renewals. Staff proposed an increase in the fees as follows: $75 for a new license, $25 for renewals, which would allow only for cost recovery. A lesser fee of $50 could be charged for Home Occupations; however, home occupation licenses take as much reviewing time as a new business. Member Wagner expressed his support for a reduced rate for home occupations and lower fee for renewals. Mayor Lewis expressed there does not appear to be a need to change the current $50 fee for both new licenses and renewals. Although the $50 application fee doesn't cover the initial review costs, the City makes it up on subsequent renewals. The Committee expressed that they would like to keep all licenses at $50, as it currently is. Page 4 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 10. 2008 F. Urban Separator - Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain gave the Committee more information on how the Urban Separator requirements work. Ms. Chamberlain started with an extensive history - started in 1979, it was originally called Soos Creek and flowed east to west and it was and still is focused around low density development. Ms. Chamberlain talked about when the area officially became an urban separator and the process one would have to go through to amend the urban separator. The County sent mailings in the 70's and again in the 90's; they held public meetings in the Lea Hill area around the urban separator. Ms. Chamberlain explained that other jurisdictions were consistent with what Auburn is currently requiring i.e. lot clustering and 50% of open space. The Countywide Planning Policies two-step amendment process was reviewed. Countywide amendments can be done at anytime but the King County Comprehensive Plan Amendment process only takes place once every four years. The current County Council likes the Urban Separators. Jay Thorpe came to the table to speak on the record regarding his ongoing project and neighboring property owners that approached Mr. Thorpe asking his to purchase their property, which in located in the urban separator. He wanted to explain the situation and why staff was approached to find this information. The 14 acre family owned property is inaccessible other than through Mr. Thorpe's property. There is no provision to allow for trading land a net loss and King County will not support changing the boundary of any part of the Urban Separator. The Committee was pleased with staff's report and amount of work put in on this topic. V. INFORMATION A. Director's Official Decisions - none to report at this time B. Planning Commission (PC) Update - Steve Pilcher gave a quick update that PC voted to recommend approval on the rezone of the South 2771 Street property to light industrial. They did act on the supportive housing with one minor change to be 1,000 foot. C. PCDC Status Matrix - Chair Norman recommend waiting to do an extensive update of the matrix until the Council Retreat has been fully recapped and for Director Baker to come back. Several items were taken off the matrix including the Urban Separator and the Friendship Center. D. Community Center Report - Councilmember Rich Wagner announced at the next Community Center Committee meeting on 3/11/08 there will be 3-D pictures of what the area could look like. E. ACAP Update - Councilmember Rich Wagner handed out an aerial picture that displayed a new layout. Member Backus had concerns regarding costs associated with moving the buildings around and the City potentially having to pay for it. Chair Norman Page 5 Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 10. 2008 expressed a few concerns regarding removing green space and the physical condition of the existing buildings. The ACAP lease agreement was discussed and there were concerns regarding the amount being charged. F. Follow up on the Heritage - Chair Norman shared Patricia Cosgrove's letter she wrote to King County representitive Julie Koler regarding the Post Office, Carnegie Library and the Ballard home. The response was given to Committee Members and Staff in an e-mail format and stated that there could possibly be some grant monies available for the preservation of the properties. G. Director's Report - Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain asked what the Committee would like to see the residential zoning look like. Topics included how to address Critical Areas to naming the zones. The Committee was interested in the design standards for multi-family and all other comments addressed by staff at the Council Retreat. Once the Retreat notes are collated there may be other areas of interest. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. i APPROVED THEr? DAY OF ? . Lynn Noknan, Chair i Page 6