HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-20009 Special
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* C1TY OF
A N PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
'WASHINGTON
March 24, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 5:30 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: Assistant Director Kevin Snyder, Principal Planner
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Assistant City Attorney Steve King,
and Planning Secretary Renee Tobias.
Audience members present: Consultant Gil Cerise with Jones & Stokes Associates and
Billy Ray.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Code Update Project
Residential Desiqnations Conversion Table
The proposed redesignation of residential zones was discussed. The existing and
proposed designations for predominantly single family zones are similar in terms of
allowed uses, densities, and development standards. The existing R3 and R4 zones
have been proposed to be redesignated befinreen three multi-family zones with
allowed densities of 10, 16, and 20 dwelling units per acre, respectively. The
proposed changes better align with the City's Comprehensive Plan in relation to the
City's density goals. Committee concurred with the proposed changes and feel the
zone designations are more user-friendly.
Residential Development Standards Oations
Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder distributed a revised Development
Standards for Proposed Residential Zoning Designations table and reviewed the
changes with the Committee.
The proposed densities were developed based on the currently adopted density
provisions specified in the Comprehensive Plan. Committee discussed the proposed
changes and provided direction to staff.
Cluster Subdivisions
Consultant Gil Cerise presented information on cluster subdivisions, including
conceptual definition and how cluster subdivisions are different. Cluster subdivisions
in neighboring jurisdictions were reviewed. Committee asked staff to develop
different standards for cluster subdivisions inside and outside the urban separators.
Committee asked staff to identify developers who specialize in cluster subdivisions
and obtain their feedback on possible incentives.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes March 24, 2009
Committee felt that the RC and R-1 would be appropriate zones to begin a pilot
program for cluster subdivisions.
B. Group Residence Facilities
As a follow up to the Committee's discussion on March 3, 2009 about group
residence facilities permitted only in proposed RM-16 and RM-20, Assistant City
Attorney Steve King offered the following.
WASHINGTON LAW
While there are a number of state and federal laws that constrain the regulation of
group homes for the disabled under local zoning codes, the basic rule under
Washington law is set out in the Washington Housing Policy Act (WHPA), as codified
in RCW 35A.63.240:
No city may enact or maintain an ordinance, development regulation, zoning
regulation or official control, policy, or administrative practice which treats a
residential structure occupied by persons with handicaps differently than a
similar residential structure occupied by a family or other unrelated individuals.
As used in this section, "handicaps" are as defined in the federal fair housing
amendments act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3602).
When dealing with a single family dwelling, a group home with handicapped
residents must be treated as any other swing family dwelling use. Subsection (h) of
42 U.S.C. Sec. 3602 provides a definition of handicap.
III. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Vice Chair Backus adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 11`h DAY OF May, 2009.
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Nancy B , Vice Chair Ren e S. ~Tobias, Planning ~Secretaryy
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