HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-2008A
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WASHINGTON
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 13, 2008
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:01 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: Mayor Peter Lewis, Planning Director, Cindy Baker,
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Assistant Director Planning Kevin
Snyder, Economic Development Planner Al Hicks, City Attorney Dan Heid, Human
Services Manager Michael Hursh, and Assistant Planning Secretary Carolyn Brown.
Audience Members included: Jim Kleinbeck, Robert Whale, Bud Schorr, Judy Schorr,
and Wayne Osborne
Planning, Building and Community Assistant Director was Kevin Snyder was introduced.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Backus moved to approve the minutes from the September 22, 2008 meeting
as submitted, seconded by Member Wagner. Chair Norman concurred.
Minutes approved unanimously 3-0.
III. ACTION
A. Resolution No. 4407 - Southend A Regional Coalition of Housing (ARCH)
Interlocal agreement.
This item was moved up to go first on the agenda. Human Services Manager
Michael Hursh presented the request to adopt the southend A Regional Coalition of
Housing (ARCH) Interlocal agreement.
Mr. Hursh stated the City Council has wanted to establish an entity to serve as a
basis to discuss housing issues especially affordable housing issues. Mr. Hursh
stated the resolution is similar to an agreement used by 15 cities on the eastside of
the county, but Auburn would like to do something a little different in the south end of
the county. The agreement for the south end includes the cities of Auburn, Algona,
Enumclaw Federal Way and Pacific which have met to discuss and would like to
manage and reclaim some of the properties to help residents with affordable
housing. HUD has released $3.9 billion for Community Revitalization Act. The State
of Washington received $28 million and has not yet determined how to disperse the
funds. The south end group will be a coalition of 5 cities coming together as one
group to discuss with the state various problems.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes October 13, 2008
Member Wagner asked Mr. Hursh if the ARCH was measured after the east side
ARCH agreement. Mr. Hursh said it was. Committee discussed the power of the
executive board and taking on debt, how eastside is not taking on the task of being
an owner of properties and dues and how assessment will have to come back to the
City Council. Member Wagner would like the City to have Risk Management take a
close look at the liability issue and come back to the PCDC with some answers.
Discussed other issues of liability, alternative member selection and how that is
designated. There are other minor changes in wording that will be corrected.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4407 to City Council, Member
Wagner seconded, with the expectation of answers within the next month. Chair
Norman concurred.
Motion was approved 3-0.
B. Resolution No. 4403 - 4Culture Grant
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber presented the information on a
resolution for acceptance of a "4Culture" grant in the amount of $17,000.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4403 on to full Council for
approval; seconded by Member Wagner. Chair Norman concurred.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
C. Resolution No. 4404 - Dorothy Bothell Park
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber presented the information on a
resolution regarding the dedication and naming of the new Lakeland Hills Park as
"Dorothy Bothell Park", based on recommendation of the Parks Board.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4403 on to full Council for
approval; seconded by Member Wagner. Chair Norman concurred.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
D. Resolution No. 4406 - Contract Agreement with Community Center Public
Artist
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber provided a resolution to move forward
the contract agreement with Virginia Paquette, Community Center public artist, to full
City Council. The Committee members discussed the budgeted amount. The City
Council directed the amount to be $85,000. Chair Norman wanted to note that the
City is appreciative of the artist working with the City and adjusting as needed.
Member Backus moved to forward Resolution No. 4403 on to full Council for
approval; seconded by Member Wagner. Chair Norman concurred.
Motion was approved unanimously 3-0.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes October 13, 2008
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Theater Plan
Bud Schorr, Barnett Schorr Architects, presented a pre-design study, a concept and
cost of redeveloping and rehabbing for the Auburn Avenue Theatre. Initially the
partners worked with staff to find what was desired by the City. Committee
discussed the possibilities of the theater as a place to meet, changes to the interior
of the theater and the budget as of February, 2008. Prices today could be a little
lower, but materials are still high. The City could explore the possibility of using the
site for conferencing. The building could be eligible for government grants for a
historical building. Also culture grants could be applied for use in updating the sound
system. The Committee discussed the possibility of purchasing the building next
door or a portion of it for stage amenities, but all are contingent upon funding.
B. Multi-Family Tax Abatement
Economic Development Planner Al Hicks led the discussion concerning changes in
the Washington State Statute permitting a property tax exemption for multi-family
housing in urban centers.
Mr. Hicks noted that in 2007 the legislature rewrote the ordinance. The ordinance
emphasizes affordable housing rather then redevelopment. Mr. Hicks said at the
direction of the Committee, staff contacted the City of Charleston, because they were
believed to utilize different income criteria for different neighborhoods. Charleston
was found to use the same criteria as other cities using federal funds. Mr. Hicks
provided a matrix from the City of Charleston showing the programs implemented by
the City and the income requirements. If non-federal funding is involved, the funding
entity can establish its own standards. Mr. Hicks stated he will do more research on
the program. Committee discussed the matrix that was included in the packet and
affordable housing that will be an asset to the community. Mayor Lewis stated that
the City needs to start drafting an ordinance.
City Attorney Dan Heid said the City will have to comply with state requirements.
Mayor Lewis would like to see staff bring an eight year ordinance to City Council right
away and then have the City Council work on a 12 year ordinance. The Committee
agreed they would like to see a model ordinance right away.
C. Code Update Project
Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder presented a report from Staff on the Code
Update Project. Mr. Snyder said this project is a priority for the City Council and
underlying with 3 key goals: 1) Easier readability and more user friendly, 2) More
visually oriented and more graphics, 3) Increased coordination between different
sections of the zoning code.
Another goal is to develop consistency between internal and external, such as with
state and regional agencies. The code will be revitalized and vague terms and
processes will be removed. The Code will be more efficient, with significant
modifications to the content. Staff are working with Public Works and with the
Design Standards.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes
October 13, 2008
The City has contracted with BHC Consultants to help with this project and there will
be a staff member in house 2 days a week.
V.
VI.
The City will engage in the formation of a community advisory group of about 34
people. Mr. Snyder stated the group would like to have the first community meeting
around the end of October and probably during the day. Staff will be calling people
to poll the date and time. Committee discussed having a half day time frame.
Public workshops are planned for early December and January and would like to
bring to the City Council by March 2009. Committee would like to see the code not
be open to interpretation, but yet give the Director the ability to make decisions ..
Director Baker added staff is going to address the variance process. Staff will look at
the intent and what the code is meant to state.
D. Fenster Park Update
Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber provided pictures showing the work
being done along the Green River. The levee along the water is gone and has been
replaced with woody debris for salmon habitat. Volunteers are coming to the site to
plant riparian and aquatic plants. The end result will be a passive park with a walk to
view salmon and picnic tables. To the north there will eventually be a bridge to the
Green River trail (8t" NE) and south and east to the Green River Bridge.
INFORMATION
A. Director's Official Decisions and Report
• Birding Tower. Ms. Baker said the birding tower went out to bid October 7, but
the City did not receive any qualified bids. Staff will make some adjustments and
give applicants longer to respond. The plan is for completion this year.
B. PCDC Status Matrix
• Chair Norman noted there have been a few updates and the matrix will be
adjusted during the agenda meeting.
C. Information
• None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
Lynn rman, Chair
APPROVED THIS (0 - DAY OF
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Carolyn Bro , Assistant Planning
Secretary
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