HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-2008x
CITY OF
WASHINGTON
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
May 12, 2008
MINUTES
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
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Planner Stacey Borland,
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Cultural Arts Manager Laurie Rose, Community
Services Manager Duanna Richards, Cultural Diversity Liaison Leslie Lehnhoff, Mayor Pete
Lewis and Planning Secretaries Kirsten Reynolds and Renee Tobias.
Audience Members included: Susan Zoccola, Wayne Osborne, Amanda Flanery, Tanya Rottle
and Pat Gallagher.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the April 22, 2008 meeting as submitted,
seconded by Member Wagner
Minutes approved unanimously 3-0.
Ill. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4345 - Commitment to Communities
Community Services Manager Duanna Richards introduced Leslie Lehnhoff as the new
Cultural Diversity Liaison to the PCD Members. Ms. Lehnhoff talked about Auburn's future
partnership with the National League of Cities' (NLC). This partnership will be focused
towards building inclusive communities and promoting awareness of diversity in our
community; only seven cities in the State of Washington are currently members in the NLC's
Partnership of Inclusive Communities. It was clarified that no costs will be associated with
joining this partnership and they will be giving the City a free sign to put up identifying
Auburn as an inclusive community.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4345 on to full Council for approval;
seconded by Member Wagner.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
Before moving on to the next action item, Mayor Lewis and PCD Members had a brief
discussion regarding the length of time the City has been waiting for the Hwy. 18 signs.
These signs have been needed for a long time, the Committee was happy they will be
installed in the near future.
B. Resolution No. 4347 - Authorize the application to aid in financing the White River trail
extension
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber requests permission to apply for grant money
from State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Board for Washington Wildlife &
Recreation in the amount of $154,000. Director Faber explained in 1999 King County gave
the City money for a parks project; the White River Trail was chosen but the money didn't
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
May 12, 2008
cover the total project costs. Director Faber reported if the Trails Grant is successful the
King County money would serve as a matching grant and allow for the White River Trail
project to be completed.
Director Faber reported that the Danner Corporation property easement, proposed to be
part of the trail improvement, was purchased nine months ago. There was discussion about
what kind of surface materials would be included in the grant. We will be notified on the
status of the grant in the fall and the project will be done early 2009.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4347 on to full Council; seconded by
Member Wagner.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
C. Ordinance No. 6178 - Traffic Impact Fee Exemption in Downtown Catalyst Area
Planner Stacey Borland talked about the history this exemption has traveled through and on
June 30, 2008, the codified sunset date will expire. Planner Borland stated some options
could be to extend the sunset date for an additional two or- five year period. The traffic
impact fees are paid at the time building permits are issued. The Committee discussed that
the City would be covering approximately $3 million for the four block area.
Chair Norman questioned how changing this would affect current negotiations. Mayor Lewis
recommended the sunset date be extended for a two year period due to the sense of
urgency to get downtown projects going right now. There was further discussion about what
the best option would be. The Committee was in agreement that the two year extension
would be best and this needs to be viewed as an investment, not a cost. Staff will take this
forward to the next PW Committee, then on to Council.
Member Backus moved to forward Ordinance No. 6178 on to full Council for approval
with the two year extension; seconded by Member Wagner.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Golf Course Public Art Project Proposal
Cultural Arts Manager Laurie Rose introduced artist, Susan Zoccola. Ms. Zoccola presented
a model of her proposed project to the Committee. The largest piece is proposed to be
10'ft. tall; it is a representation of the movement of a golf swing.
The Committee discussed concerns of safety and if the design would be examined for its
sturdiness by an engineer. Ms. Zoccola has had other experience in producing large scale
pieces for public places and is familiar with the importance to ensure strength and safety.
The golf course has already been wired for lighting of these structures; it was commented
that during evening events hosted at the restaurant the lighting will increase the dramatic
look and feel to the piece. The Committee was in support and very pleased with the
proposed art structures.
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May 12, 2008
B. Overall Code Update Process
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain and Principal Planner Jeff Dixon talked about the
work happening with the consultant; both the consultant and staff have been reviewing
Auburn's code against State law. This code update has morphed in to a more extensive
update because of qusi-judicial matters; the consultant has been put on hold until priorities
have been established.
Staff developed a table for the Committee to start discussion around the main priorities. Mr.
Dixon spoke about importance of identifying the quasi-judicial matters and identifying
the key topics for both immediate action and long-term action.
The Committee discussed each section of the document that included Title 18-Zoning, Title-
17 Subdivisions and Public Works Design Standards, picking out their individual top ten
priorities. Staff received feedback regarding what the Committee thought had not been fully
addressed in code yet. It was determined that there were several items should be
addressed in groups such as the residential zones. Mayor Lewis asked staff to gather all
the projects reviewed by Council over the last four-five years and identify the items of
concern Council had with the projects.
There was some concerns regarding the Hearing Examiner's interpretation of City Code;
it was expressed that Council would like to ensure that the Hearing Examiner understands
the purpose and criteria clearly.
Chair Norman asked about clarification on the business park zone, what it should look like,
when was the last time it was updated and what the status is currently. Another priority area
is the Administrative and Conditional Use Permits code section and the criteria for permit
approval. Staff will discuss how Council can provide comments to the Hearing Examiner
with City Attorney Dan Heid.
The Committee's code lists were collected and will be returned to their boxes.
V. INFORMATION
A. Director's Official Decisions - None
B. Director's Report - in Director Baker's absence, Principal Planner Elizabeth
Chamberlain asked if the sustainable development model code could be bumped to
the next PCD meeting; the Committee was OK with that decision.
Graffiti
Principal Planner Chamberlain gave a quick account of what Director Baker learned
at the national planning conference regarding graffiti regulations. She reported it
could be beneficial to keep spray paint behind a counter or locked up requiring
individuals to be over 18 years old to purchase this product in efforts to stop graffiti.
The Committee expressed support for staff to examine this further; staff was asked
to put together a draft Ordinance to review.
C. Personal on Demand Storage (PODS)
The Committee reviewed the City's allowances and expressed support for staff to examine
having limits on the PODS. The Committee would like to see restrictions such as not
blocking sidewalks, but to not be as restrictive as Kent was in the information provided.
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May 12, 2008
D. Electronic Sign Code
Chair Norman asked if there has been anything included in code when signs are
deserted/abandoned. Who would be responsible for the sign and what would the City be
able to do about it if it was causing problems. Principal Planner Chamberlain explained that
a deserted/abandoned sign would be examined by Code Enforcement and determine
whether the sign is conforming with code.
E. Auburn Way and Auburn Avenue Triangle Area
Chair Norman reported this area needs to be cleaned up. There has been increasing
collection of trash in the area surrounding the building. Staff reported there was a pre-
application meeting to have a mini-market, but it is now for lease again. Mayor asked staff
to send Code Enforcement by this site.
F. PCDC Status Matrix
Chair Norman stated she will not review the entire matrix document line by line anymore
because of the length of the document; if other Committee Members had questions or
concerns about the Matrix they were asked to give their input.
G. H Street Community
Member Backus and Mayor Lewis reported hearing from a resident in the "H" Street
community; this resident has been asking for additional speed limit signs, a traffic study or to
have speed bumps/pillows installed. The Mayor reported there have been three community
meetings since he's been in office in that community. Mayor will check into the residents
concerns with Public Works staff.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m.
APPROVED THIS DAY OF
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mirsten meynlf as, -ecretary
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Renee S. Tobias, Secretary
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