HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-2009
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
CITY OF
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
~ WASHINGTON March 23, 2009
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Nancy Backus 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: Vice Chair Nancy Backus and Member Rich
Wagner. Chair Lynn Norman was excused.
Staff members present included: Director Cindy Baker, Assistant Director Kevin Snyder,
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Building Official
Rick Hopkins, Environmental Protection Manager Kelly McLain Aardal, Senior Planner
Christopher Andersen, Senior Planner Karen Scharer, Joe Welsh Public Works
Engineering Aide Amber Mund, and Planning Secretary Renee Tobias.
Audience Members included: Wayne Osborne, Pamela K. Schmidt, Bill Morchin, Karen
Morchin, Peter Vukshich and Branka Vukshich.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Wagner moved to approve the minutes from the March 9, 2009 meeting as
presented, with the following modifications.
Page 2, last sentence to read:
The Arts Commission will work with Planning staff and Arts staff to draft a process
regarding the creation, p/acement, and review of privately sponsored artwork for the
Council's review and adoption.
Page 3, insert new paragraph after paragraph one:
The Committee agreed to consider a Council Resolution in the near future that would
provide guidance for the process. Member Wagner will work with Attorney [Dan]
Heid fo draft such a Reso/ution for Commiftee consideration.
Minutes approved unanimously 2-0.
III. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4462 - Address Correction
Building Official Rick Hopkins reviewed the citizen-initiated request for address
change from current address of 1202 A St SE. Staff recommends establishing a new
address of 106 12th St SE Suite 101 and 102 as the access face s 12`h St.
Member Wagner moved to forward Resolution No. 4462 on to full Council for
approval; Vice Chair Backus concurred.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 23, 2009
Motion was approved unanimously 2-0.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Resolution 4455 - Right of Way Vacation #VI-09
Public Works Engineering Aid Amber Mund stated that this Resolution sets the public
hearing date for street vacation on May 4, 2009, which is for the remainder of the
alleyway where the Auburn Professional Plaza is being developed. Ms. Mund
clarified for Committee that the vacation document will be shared at the Public Works
Committee on April 6, 2009.
Committee had no further questions for Ms. Mund.
B. Shoreline Master Program Update
Environmental Protection Manager Kelly McLain Aardal presented the five comments
received from the required Department of Ecology's (DOE) comment period and
public hearing. The amended Shoreline Master Program will come back to
Committee for action on April 13, 2009 and will include the City's responses to these
comments.
Committee asked how to address historic public river access and if these accesses
violate the Shoreline Master Program. Ms. McLain Aardal responded that the
Program requires access to the rivers when developing four or more units on a piece
of property. Under both Auburn City Code and the Shoreline Master Program this
does not preclude the city from requiring an easement on a single family new
construction.
C. Washington State Open Space Taxation Act
Senior Planner Karen Scharer introduced the state law and processes for review of
open space taxation requests of properties within that portion of Auburn in Pierce
County. This Act allows property owners to have their open space valued by the
County Assessor at its current use rather than valued at the highest and best use.
It was confirmed that RCW 84.34.037(5) indicates that Council acting upon this
would not be as a quasi Judicial role but rather a legislative determination.
Committee asked that the chairs of Finance, Public Works and Planning &
Community Development Committees serve on the JDA and an alternate will be the
chair of the Municipal Services Committee.
Committee complimented Ms. Scharer on her presentation and inclusion of RCWs
into the packet materials.
D. Environmental Park Zoning District Code Amendments
Staff analyzed potential applications against the current standards and found that
absent major modifications of current parking standards, it will be difficult to achieve
75% maximum lot coverage. Analysis shows that some properties could achieve
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 23, 2009
65%, but the combination of parking, landscaping and building set back requirements
hinders the ability to achieve 75%.
ACC 18.33 Proposed Environmental District Amendments
Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder reviewed the proposed amendments to the
Auburn City Code (ACC) 18.33 Environmental Park. Committee had previously
discussed looking at potential reductions in building setback standards in this zone to
get some of the properties up to 65% maximum lot coverage. It was noted that the
setbacks in the current code are more consistent with industrial zoning and the
requirements for setbacks in those zones. The proposed code amendments would
provide increased flexibility to promote environmental oriented development in this
district.
Committee raised the question on using the assessed value of existing structures in
the definition of major renovation. Committee asked that the wording reflect 50% of
appraised value, with the cost of appraisal paid by the applicant.
Several options were reviewed to increase the lot coverage standard. One option
could be to allow the building of structured parking, which may require a change to
the maximum building height. Another option would be reducing the parking
standards provided that a developer or business operator agrees to provide
alternative forms of transportation.
Committee and staff discussed the parking requirement and the maximum number of
employees given various scenarios of maximum lot coverage. City Attorney Dan
Heid offered to review a"latecomers agreement" option.
Staff will create a project rating worksheet or toolbox matrix and bring back to
Committee.
ACC 18.50 Landscaqing & Screenina
Committee reviewed and concurred with proposed amendments to the current
landscaping and screening codes that would promote additional flexibility within the
standards, allowing for innovative site design and more flexibility for the Director's
decision-making.
Committee asked that staff change wording to specify that a substantial portion of
the irrigation source for sodded lawns be from recycled on-site water.
Committee asked staff to obtain photographs from the Portland Pearl District,
showing overhang landscape parking and present at the next special PCDC meeting.
ACC 18.52 Off-Street Parkina & Loadina
Purpose of the proposed amendments is to deemphasize the construct ion of
additional surface parking that would promote the use of impervious surfaces.
Committee expressed concern about the proposed "up to 100% of parking spaces
being constructed as compact parking spaces" and parking infractions for larger
vehicles. City Attorney Dan Heid stated that infractions can be given only for parking
in a fire lane and handicap identified parking spaces on private property.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 23, 2009
LEED Platinum Certification
Mr. Snyder reviewed information on the potential value of LEED Platinum
Certification in response to Committee's request at its February 23, 2009 meeting. It
was noted that the value of LEED rating is a potential marketing tool for future
building users; rebate on all certification fees by the US Green Building Council; and
lower long-term operating costs. Committee does not want to apply too much
emphasis on the LEED certification system, but rather emphasize what the
opportunities are for Platinum LEED certification.
Staff will prepare additional refinements to the proposed amendments for
Committee's review and comment.
E. Conditional Use Permit Moratorium
Planning Director Cindy Baker provided a background history on the moratorium.
The intent of the moratorium was not to stop development, but rather allow Council
time to create a code addressing specific criteria in three residential zones (R-2, R-3
and C-1). Committee reviewed and discussed the map showing properties affected
by the Conditional Use Permit Moratorium.
City Attorney Dan Heid responded to Committee's question about the procedure for
changing the moratorium, stating that the moratorium can be modified or extended at
any time during the six month period without a public hearing. A new public hearing
would be required to extend the moratorium beyond the original six month period,
which ends May 3, 2009.
Staff reviewed the timeline for completing Phase 1 of the Code Update Project
(Residential and Subdivision codes); will be completed at the end of May 2009.
There is a 60-day review requirement by CTED and the Council cannot take action
until the 60 days have elapsed. Phase 2 of the Code Update Project will cover non-
residential and will not require a moratorium.
Mayor Lewis asked Mr. Heid to prepare a resolution modifying the moratorium for the
next Public Works and PCD Committees.
F. Ordinance No. 6231 - Residential Conversions to Commercial Code
Amendments
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain introduced the amendments, stating that
they apply to three different zoning chapters addressing converting a single family
home to a non-residential use. A public hearing on these proposed code
amendments was held at the March 3, 2009 Planning Commission meeting. The
Commissioners made a recommendation to Council to approve the amendments.
The City has seen an increase in these applications and current code can make the
conversion process challenging for citizens. Mayor Lewis asked the Committee to
consider having one focal person, i.e., client manager, to assist public through the
process for both Planning and Public Works.
Ms. Chamberlain brought the Committee's attention to proposed amendment in
Chapter 18.52.010 relating to parking area. Staff built in flexibility for counting
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 23, 2009
residential parking where the property is being used as both a residence and
business. Staff answered Committee's questions about responses to Mr. Morchin's
suggestions.
Committee asked Mr. Bill Morchin, 1345 E. Main, to join the meeting to discuss his
written comment regarding temporary use permit. Mr. Morchin clarified that the
purpose of item #5 is to expedite approval or denial of the application. Staff
responded to Committee's question about the time frame for an application to move
through the Planning, Public Works and Fire Marshal process; which is
approximately 4-6 weeks. Staff will research a phased development process to
address this issue, including financial bonds and implement through administrative
procedures. Staff will bring back the ordinance to Committee for action on April 13,
2009.
Vice Chair asked if there were any other audience comments; there were none.
G. Ordinance No. 6230 - Amendments to Downtown urban Center Zone
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain provided a brief background on the
proposed amendments. The proposed amendments change the exemption levels
for improvements to existing structures that front designated pedestrian streets within
the Downtown Urban Center zone.
The Planning Commission received no public testimony at the March 3, 2009 public
hearing on the proposed amendments and recommended approval.
Staff will bring back to Committee for action April 13, 2009.
H. Population Targets Discussion
Planning Director Cindy Baker responded to Committee's question about annexation,
stating that the annexations will assist in achieving population and housing units.
Committee had no other questions.
V. INFORMATION
A. Director's Official Decisions and Report
• Assistant Director Kevin Snyder informed Committee that the Code Update
requires a 60-day review by CTED and sought permission to submit now to meet
this deadline. Committee agreed. Mr. Heid advised that CTED does not have a
formal review process for this particular review and revisions can be submitted at
a later date.
B. PCDC Status Matrix
• No changes were made.
C. Information
• None.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 23, 2009
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Vice Chair Backus adjourned the meeting at 6:59 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 13TH DAY OF APRIL 2009.
^19MU.- A -
Nanc ackus, Vice Chair Renee S. Tobias, Planning Secretary
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