HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-2008PLANNING & COMMUNITY
AOBURN F *
DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON COMMITTEE
March 24, 2008
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER - 5:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Chair Norman called the meeting to order at 5:05 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: Director of
Planning, Building & Community Cindy Baker, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Policy,
Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher, Environmental Protection Manager
Aaron Nix, Mayor Pete Lewis and Planning Secretary Kirsten Reynolds.
Audience Members included: Faith Richie
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 10, 2008
Discussion: the following corrections were asked to be made: Dan Heid & Jay Thorp's
names needed to be corrected, under Resolution No. 4323 Member Backus was not
asking for the language to be shortened but she was asking if hazmat should be included.
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2008 meeting
with corrections, Member Wagner concurred.
Minutes approved unanimously 3-0.
111. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4329 - Auburn Environmental Mitigation Bank -
Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix reported that the City is getting half a million
dollars from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office with the City's
match money to start work on the AEP. There was a short discussion regarding the post
evaluation project summary and AEP's poor ranking. AEP did not rank very well as there
was concern among Recreation and Conservation staff in using public money to fund
a private wetland mitigation bank.
A cost estimate for a Birding Tower and trail design of the southern section of AEP
was received from Susan Black, an architect out of Seattle that does landscape design;
they've estimated the design and the construction management of the trail and birding
tower at approximately $50,000. The committee recommended forwarding the grant for
approval from the full City Council.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4329 to Full Council; Member
Wagner seconded.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
Page 1
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
March 24, 2008
B. Ordinance No. 6167 - Zoning Code Amendments relating to Supportive Housing -
Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher reviewed the Planning
Commission's (PC) public hearing held on March 4, 2008; the Commission recommended
approval with two minor amendments. Staff had also made some recommended changes
to the text last reviewed by the Committee. The first change was some clarifying
language regarding permanent occupancy, acknowledging individuals would be able
to stay as long as they would like (as opposed to "transitional" housing). Chair Norman
questioned what is meant by permanent housing and invited Faith Richie from Valley
Cities Counseling located at 2704 1 Street NE to discuss the meanings of transitional and
permanent housing. Ms. Richie stated that transitional housing is intended for 18 months
to two years and permanent housing is anything beyond two years. The Valley Cities
project is meant to be permanent housing. The Committee asked staff to put both
transitional and permanent housing definitions in the proposed ordinance.
Also discussed were additional requirements if units were turned into conventional rental
units and density regulations. Mr. Pilcher commented that based on fair housing laws,
housing for homeless individuals and/or families could occur in any zone, as long as the
density requirements for that zoning district are met. It was confirmed the Valley Cities
project will be designed for individual adults. Density language will be added to the
definition to make it clear units per acre are being discussed.
The Planning Commission recommended using a density standard of 1,200 sq. ft. of lot
area per a unit instead of the having the density of a project being determined through
a conditional use permit process. The Commission also recommended reducing the
required proximity to social services from 1,500 ft. to 1,000 ft.
Chair Norman felt that the separation standard for projects housing registered sex
offenders should be increased to 1000 feet. Staff indicated it would research this issue,
as it believed the City Attorney had advised that no greater distance than 880 feet can
be imposed (State pre-emption). Faith Richie commented there are agreements in place
with the surrounding schools not to allow sex offenders in their proposed facility. Chair
Norman also suggested moving the language under section C to another location so as
to not lose these standards.
Requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) had been recommended to ensure the
management plan could be reviewed by the Council. Staff also noted that if an agency
was not following the plan the City would have a tool via code to ensure the agreement
was followed. There was further discussion regarding the original intent of not requiring a
CUP for supportive housing projects. It was suggested to eliminate the CUP requirement,
but using CUP enforcement language to ensure the management plan is followed.
Member Wagner inquired about converting unit sizes and/or converting a project into
condos. Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain talked about exploring and solving
conversion issues through the code update process.
Page 2
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
March 24, 2008
A comment from the Planning Commission was to cap the size of a supportive housing
project, to not allow projects larger than the one proposed by Valley Cities. Director Baker
stated this could be changed to limit the number of units per the facility. Chair Norman
expressed she liked a specific limit per acre. Committee members agreed on the
following language to be added: "not more than 24 units per acre and not more than two
acres per a five mile radius". Other revisions that the Committee would like to see drafted
before taking action on the Ordinance include:
- code allows for 1,000 feet separation for any project housing registered sex offenders
- Max. lot area language
Staff will draft changes and bring back at the next meeting for final review.
C. Ordinance No. 6166 - Zoning Code Amendments relating to Changing Message
Center Signs -
Mayor Lewis gave a quick report from Nancy Wyatt, who stated she was sorry that she
could not attend the meeting tonight and sent word that she hopes the Committee hears
their concerns regarding allowing message center signs along Auburn Way North and
South within the DUC zone. Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve
Pilcher talked about a meeting that took place with members of the sign industry
professionals on March 11, 2008. He noted attendance was light and the main concerns
were to allow these signs along Auburn Way North & South within the DUC zone. He also
noted the PW Committee had planned to submit a friendly amendment to the ordinance to
require a scrolling message to have the entire message be readable within five (as
opposed to10) seconds. Mr. Pilcher also noted there was some discussion of the
usefulness of the "nits" standard for measuring light intensity and that some of the sign
professionals at the meeting had noted that the particular shade of color can influence
how bright a sign appears. Staff was recommending sticking with the current draft
language, noting that most light intensity complaints are likely to occur at night and that
the sign industry representatives had not objected to the maximum 500 nit standard for
hours of darkness.
The main topic of discussion was whether to allow these signs along Auburn Way North
and South in the DUC zone. Chair Norman shared that she felt strongly about not allowing
these types of signs in the DUC zone. Chair Norman stated the disappointment in the
amount of teeth in this revision.
Director Baker suggested the possibility of allowing them, but requiring their size be
reduced by 25% and when development in the downtown starts picking up, possibly
facilitating the movement of auto-oriented different area which would allow for their large
electronic signs. Another idea offered was to allow for these types signs now, but if the
property was sold, the signs would need to be removed. Mr. Pilcher discussed current
code allowances and the Committee discussed street frontage and size of the signs.
Member Wagner expressed that he felt business should be allowed the opportunity to
have signs.
Page 3
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
March 24, 2008
Member Backus moved to forward Ordinance No. 6166 to Full Council with the specific
issues regarding staff to cross reference the DUC and sign code and to inform Council
of any snags before coming the Council meeting; Member Wagner seconded.
Motion was approved 2-1. Chair Norman expressed her disappointment in the
results.
D. Ordinance No. 6172 - New Chapter 14.220 ACC Regarding the Comprehensive Plan -
Policy, Codes & Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher reviewed the new code
section relating to the Comprehensive Plan and its amendment. Staff would like to get
this in gear for the annual process. There were no further questions from the Committee.
Member Backus moved to forward Ordinance No. 6172 to Full Council; Member
Wagner seconded.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
IV
V
DISCUSSION
A. Matrix -
Director Baker and Chair Norman agreed to work together to review the minutes and
materials from the Council Retreat then update the PCD Matrix.
B. Les Gove Community Center Update -
Councilmember Wagner talked about the LEED checklist and what could qualify for credits.
The last Community Center meeting was utilized for design. The next step is to have a few
staff / group meetings to work out details. There will be one more meeting of the whole
committee on April 24th and on May 8th an open house.
INFORMATION
A. Housing Repair Funds -
There was a brief discussion around using CDBG funds for transitional moves instead
of maintenance on mobile homes. Director Baker suggested having Michael Hursh
come after the CDBG audit on April 15th to talk about this as an option and answer
questions with the Committee.
B. Schedule for Committees -
According to the Matrix all Committees were to come early in the 2008 year. Chair
Norman asked for the following Committees to be scheduled: Human Services
Committee at the first meeting in May (same time as Michael Hursh gives report),
Planning Commission and the Hearing Examiner at the 2nd meeting in May (same time
as Planning Commission to talk about roles, legal to be present, this will need to be a
Page 4
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
March 24, 2008
special meeting) and the Parks Commission 2nd meeting in June.
C. Information -
Chair Norman shared a news article that discussed a new trend of movie theaters luring
viewers with luxury; this could be an up and coming opportunity for Auburn to be aware
of.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. then reconvened at 6:45 p.m. for the Director's report.
C. Code Update -
Director Baker talked about a new comparison table the consultants have been working
on that show different jurisdictions and what they are doing. The Committee was asked to
contribute to "the list" staff has created which includes any and all concerns; this is an
ongoing tracking list of items of interest. The Comprehensive Plan docket items will be
placed on the list then be transferred. All the Planners systematically going through the
code, they are starting with residential and linking changes with CRW.
Member Backus asked about how parades will pass by the pedestrian island installed on
East Main at Washington Elementary School, she stated that it appears too narrow for the
floats to pass by.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
APPROVED THE DAY OF
l
"'0 MALU,
Lynn N r an, Chair
Page 5