HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2009
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CiTY OF
" PLANNING & COMMUNITY
BUIR, ~ DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON
~February 9, 2009
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
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, Vice Chair Nancy Backus and
Member Rich Wagner.
Staff members present included: Director Cindy Baker, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon,
Senior Planner Chris Andersen, Planner Angelique Moser, Project Engineer Robert E.
Lee and Planning Secretary Renee Tobias.
Audience Members included: Laura Hidgon, Jennifer Matson, Faisal A. Khan, Jessie
Cheon, Ashley Horton, Ray Keasey and Gil Cerise.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Januarv 13, 2009
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2009 meeting as
submitted, seconded by Member Wagner.
Minutes approved unanimously 3-0.
Januarv 26. 2009
Member Wagner noted a scrivener's error in the motion for Resolution No. 4441
.baseba// field that is being improve to reflect baseball field that is being improved.
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes as amended from the January 26, 2009
meeting as submitted, seconded by Member Wagner.
Minutes approved unanimously 3-0.
III. JOINT MEETING - PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber introduced Laura Higdon and Jennifer
Matson to the Committee.
Ms. Higdon gave a brief report on the emphasis areas and activities of the Board. A
citizen on-line survey was implemented regarding smoking in parks; the decision was
made that people would be encouraged not to smoke via signs. Approximately 90
community garden plots, formerly Pea Patch, are for sale at this time.
Mr. Faber distributed a Year in Review report and reviewed the highlights with the
Committee. Jennifer Matson reported on the activities of the Youth Council; there are
approximately 25 student members.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes February 9, 2009
Pet Palooza is a well attended community event and Committee asked if the policy of no
dogs allowed in parks has been revisited. Mr. Faber responded that this has not, but
staff do receive inquiries about an off-leash dog park. Committee asked about the
number of dog parks in other jurisdictions. Mr. Faber responded to Committee's
question on the number of off-leash dog parks in other jurisdictions.
A. Boundless Playground
Chair Norman clarified that the update for the Boundless Playground would be heard
after the Task Force is formed.
IV. ACTION
There were no action items.
V. DISCUSSION
A. Gateway Signs
Project Engineer Robert E. Lee reviewed the current, proposed and future locations
of gateway signs. The new sign will be located northbound East Valley Highway at
the intersection with the ramp to Lake Tapps Parkway (SE corner); project should be
completed by October, 2009. Design will follow Peasley Canyon's gateway sign, but
will be larger.
Committee asked about the difference in costs between 2008 and 2009. Mr. Lee
stated that the design engineering consultant costs are higher due to the structural
design for grading the hill and site preparation. Construction estimate is higher due to
the location of the sign which will require slope engineering.
B. Storage Containers
Planner Angelique Moser provided background information on previous Committee
discussions regarding portable storage containers. Ms. Moser explained the findings
of the review done by the Planning, Building and Legal staff. Committee asked
about containers used by schools for emergency storage. Staff responded that this
would be considered a shipping or cargo-type container which are considered
structures and are regulated by codes. The previous Buitding Official created
Building Policy #04-02 that determined the containers as structures.
Staff highlighted input from code enforcement, the building official and legal.
Committee discussed various lengths of time for the use of portable storage
containers for moving a household and during house remodeling. Committee felt
that $10 -$15 is a reasonable fee for the permit and 30 days should be the
maximum allowable time. Committee wants to include wording regarding requests of
extensions over 30 days for hardship reasons and language that such requests
would be reviewed administrativety with a possible additional fee.
Staff recommended that the amended building policy would be interim until the
zoning code could be changed through the code amendment efforts underway.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes February 9, 2009
C. Code Development Update
Senior Planner Chris Andersen updated the Committee on the activities of the Code
Working Group. Gil Cerise from ICF Jones & Stokes provided a brief summary of
the draft technical memorandum on development intensity recognition.
Committee discussed the topic of intensity and density recognition at length.
Committee is supportive of density recognition approach that subtracts out critical
areas, infrastructure and right of ways, and provides some percentage of density
recognition for critical area buffers. Committee wants to see density on valtey floor
and in areas where infrastructure is available to support it. Committee directed that
density approach needs to consider stormwater run-off and provide some recognition
for architectural character preservation.
D. Stimulus Package Overview
Mayor Pete Lewis provided an update on the Federal Stimulus Package, stating that
it was just passed out of Committee and it will be going to the full Senate for vote
tomorrow. What this means for the country is unclear at this time.
On the $760 million transportation portion of the package that the State of
Washington may receive, the State made the decision to keep $500 million and give
the remainder to all cities through municipal planning areas such as Puget Sound
Regional Council.
Total projects for Auburn is $136 million and would put approximately 2,500 people
back to work within a 90 day period. Directors have met to discuss how to
accomplish being ready to move forward on the projects within 90 days. A copy of
the Main Street Economic Recovery Survey for Auburn was distributed.
Puget Sound Regional Council has determined that maintenance and repair projects
are last on the list and new lanes and roads would come before repairing the
infrastructure. Washington State is asking the federal government to change the
requirement to 180 days and have the monies be disbursed through the State.
Mayor Lewis stated that if the package is approved and Auburn receives a portion of
the projects, Council would be required to meet several times each week for 2-3
months to pass the required ordinances.
VI. INFORMATION
A. Director's Official Decisions and Report
• None
B. PCDC Status Matrix
• Item 30 - Farmer's Market. Committee asked that sufficient time is afforded
to Councilmember Peloza to discuss the Farmer's Market in March.
C. Information
• Chair Lynn Norman reported that she will be on vacation for the PCDC
meetings on March 23, April 27 and possibly May 26.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes February 9, 2009
Vii. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 23rd DAY OF February, 2009
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Lynn tr man, Chair ee S. Tobias, Planning Secretary
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