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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-2002MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2002 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on September 4, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS: Dave Peace, Peter DiTuri, Ronald Douglass, Renee Larsen and Yvonne Ward STAFF: David Osaki, Aaron Nix, Tim Carlaw, Michael Fuess and Patti Zook The following members were absent: Garna Jones and Karen Ekrem The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Dave Peace. APPROVAL OF MINUTES · Minutes of August 6, 2002 Meeting Commissioner Ward requested changes to the third paragraph on page 4 and the minutes were approved with the changes as discussed. CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING · 2002 Comprehensive Plan Amendments (CPA02-0001) Community Development Administrator Osaki distributed binders containing the 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendments and the public hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2002. One Comprehensive Plan Map amendment (CPM) is privately initiated and another CPM is City initiated. The Kent and Auburn School District Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) are adopted each year. Policy/Text (P/T) amendments 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are City initiated which either staff or Council requested changes. Two PIT amendments deal with the issue of truck routes - one is privately initiated which deals with truck routes on Lakeland Hills Way. The other is City-imitated and requested by Council. Commissioner Douglass wondered if it makes sense to have 12th Street designated as a thoroughfare without a traffic signal. There are delays getting out to A Street and sight distance issues also. Transportation Engineer Fuess believes the City wanted to share traffic distribution and Icad and the intent of truck routes are for regional traffic. Truck routes are used by vehicles without an actual destination in Auburn. If more than 10 trips per day are made on a given street then a permit must be obtained and be subject to route restrictions. He then distributed a copy of the Code section to the Commissioners. Staff will be updating the Transportation Plan and then updating the Code and the City will revisit the entire truck route system next year. The TP refers to truck routes as does the Comprehensive Plan. The TP needs to match the City Code. Commissioner Peace has noticed signs about truck routes and wondered about the reason for putting up 'local delivery' only signs. If road is not identified as a truck route, but is used as a truck route, the City cannot enforce? Transportation Engineer Fuess advised that local delivery means destination in Auburn, but not necessarily in that neighborhood. Commissioner Ward inquired if there is any method to preclude large vehicles from residential neighborhoods? Is there any mechanism to ensure that residential streets do not become de facto truck routes? Is there a mechanism to limit trucks having a destination in Auburn, to restrict trucks from residential streets? Transportation Engineer Fuess spoke about this being hard to enforce and lack of resources to enforce. Transportation Engineer Fuess advised that transportation staff are not recommending approval of the amendment to PT 1. He said that collector streets funnel to arterial streets. Lakeland Hills Way is an arterial street as is 12th Street and 17th.Street. In response to Commissioner Ward's questions, -l- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2002 Transportation Engineer Fuess said that some cities have defined what local deliveries are within certain miles. He spoke of the need to accommodate reasonable access to State routes. Commissioner Ward inquired if Lakeland Hills Way is a collector street since it is in a residential area. Transportation Engineer Fuess responded that Lakeland Hills Way is in fact an arterial street which will function as an arterial street and will be built as four lanes. It was always designated for arterial usage and houses should not have been built along the street. The road will soon be restriped to accommodate site distances. Commissioner Ward inquired about roundabouts for Lakeland Hills Way and Transportation Engineer Fuess said roundabouts need to be large and are very expensive. In response to questions from Commissioner Douglass, Transportation Engineer Fuess explained the purpose of arterial streets and how they perform. He then explained the purpose of collector streets and residential streets. He spoke of the need for the City to accommodate commerce. Community Development Administrator Osaki said the current transportation plan is being revised and will be reviewed and adopted next year and at that time all truck routes will be reviewed. Council requested changes to 12th and 17th Streets because of the Terminal Park Plan. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that PT 5, the Storm Drainage Plan, was reviewed about two years ago and the Plan was processed and went through PC with recommendation to Council. Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw commented that in 2000 the City was progressing toward adoption of the Plan, but was delayed because of the moratorium enacted by Council. The Plan is now ready for adoption by PC and CC this year. The majority of the Plan is identical to the version reviewed earlier. The P Basin section was revised and staff/consultant looked at undeveloped areas and annexed areas This is planned to be a regional facility to serve downtown and was reflected in the Downtown Plan. The text is written generically until location for basin is identified. The document gives background and program identification. The NPDES is a Federal permit and must be approved by Federal authorities. This is not an overall program management tool - just water quality problems in the sub basins. He spoke about the technical appendices. Staff and consultant are working with the Public Works Committee to prioritize the projects. Commissioner DiTuri asked why the cost estimates are based on 1998 figures. Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw replied because in 1998 the cost estimate was put together and over 60 projects were recommended. He spoke about the index of inflation and gave the formula. Commissioner DiTuri asked if the staff/consultant adjusted the schedule based on funding. Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw said no because they were asked to look at the two issues independently and to look at capital needs and look at funding and go from there. They are working with the Finance Department to do projections that show rate increase needed for 2004. Community Development Administrator Osaki mentioned that the Storm Drainage Plan may be reason enough for PC to have a work session because of the document's size. Community Development Administrator Osaki introduced Environmental Compliance Manager Nix for PIT 8 which are amendments to Chapter 9. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix commented that the local governments have not gotten a lot of direction about efforts from State and Federal agencies. The proposed amendments are suggestions from staff. Commissioner Larsen asked about the status of the Sensitive Areas Ordinance and Environmental Compliance Manager Nix replied this will be a component of the Comprehensive Plan. Policy EN 25 and EN 26 are proposed for revision. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix spoke about maintenance problems with culverts. Ideally, bridges are the most beneficial, but long term maintenance of culvert and cost of bridge balances out. Developers want to build projects that utilize the most space. He talked about policies to identify wetland corridors. He spoke of pathways for wildlife and the need to identify areas and have clusters instead of patches which provides more habitat. -2- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2002 Environmental Compliance Manager Nix referred to page 9-9, bottom, EN 33 and said that State law says how to handle noxious weeds and he distributed copies of Chapter 16-750 - State Noxious Weed List and Schedule of Monetary Penalties. The City has been aggressively trying to remove noxious weeds from wetland areas. Commissioner DiTuri inquired about the costs to mitigate or remove noxious plants and if this is substantial cost to enact. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix mentioned that the City is aggressively trying to deal with these noxious plant species and is working with KC staff. They are trying to eliminate as many noxious plants as possible. Environmental Compliance Manager Nix pointed out Policy EN 88 which is revised. There has not been much direction from regulatory bodies regarding how to deal with development related to ESA. This policy will allow flexibility in helping the development community make the best decisions. Community Development Administrator Osaki advised that by 2004 Auburn must do substantial amendments to the Comprehensive Plan related to GMA requirements. Council is also requesting changes the Comprehensive Plan map and making designations parcel-specific. Community Development Administrator Osaki gave background on CPM 1 map change and that the proponent wants to purchase property and expand car lot. The lot is 22,000 square feet and no controversy is expected over the request. Community Development Administrator ©saki said that Council requested the CPM 2 amendment. The parcel is one acre in size, vacant and designated as light commercial on Comprehensive Plan map. The property owner was notified regarding the proposed change and is not in favor. There are access issues at the site related to any commercial development. He suggested that PC take a look at the site. Community Development Administrator Osaki commented that PT 2 deals with the Auburn North Business District (AND) and gave a brief Plan background. He pointed out the language to be amended and the reasons for discouraging drive-through establishments in this area. The Plan has policy stating that drive-in facilities must be attached to 5,000 square foot building. Mr. Oliphant wants a 3,000 square foot bank in the area and wants to reduce the requirement. 'Commissioner DiTuri referred to the senior housing project and amenities in area, and asked what is the purpose of the Plan when the area is not really pedestrian oriented. Has the City given up on the ideas in the Plan? The area is not really pedestrian friendly, City now saying it is okay to have drive-up facilities and now a hospital facility. Commissioner Larsen agrees that the area is not now pedestrian friendly. Commissioner DiTuri asked if there is a way to increase pedestrian traffic in the Plan? He asked about any additional housing to support the pedestrian traffic. He is concerned about intent of the Plan. City has approved drive-in facilities for Fred Meyer gas facility and the Valley Bank drive through. The area was supposed to be pedestrian friendly, but what is built now does not seem to support pedestrians. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that PT 3 and PT 4 are amended annually and the City has interlocal agreements with both School Districts and collects impact fees and Districts provide their Capital Facilities Plans. School District representatives will be at the public hearing. These two amendments are considered routine and staff recommends approval. The Derreinger School District has not been diligent in providing their CFP information which is to their advantage. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that PT 6, Airport Master Plan, was approved about five years ago. It is a fairly routine document that discusses forecasts, alternatives and development opportunities, and financial plans. The Airport Advisory Board has been involved in preparing the Plan. There have also been open houses at the Airport. Community Development Administrator Osaki stated that PT 10, the Six Year Transportation Program, is adopted every year and a summary sheet is in the Transportation chapter of Comprehensive Plan. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that PT 7 is related to urban centers. The stapled section in the binder are amendments to Chapters 1, 2 and 3 in support of Urban Center designation. He explained the concept of an Urban Center. Some cities, such as Kent, Federal Way and Renton, are -3- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2002 designated as urban centers and have criteria for the designation such as transit center. There are density requirements as part of Urban Center designation which were explained. Grant programs and transportation funding decisions are prioritized to Urban Center cities and money is being set aside for those Urban Centers. Auburn is losing out on funding opportunities because it is not designated as an Urban Center. Commissioner Larsen is concerned about requirement of additional housing and additional jobs that Auburn would need to provide as Urban Center designation. Community Development Administrator Osaki commented that some cities are designated as Urban Center, but will never meet their targets. The Puget Sound Regional Council, which produced the Urban Center concept document, will revisit the density requirements. Commissioner DiTuri commented that the issue of Urban Center designation came up when he joined the Downtown Task Force and was debated. The issue was how to get the required number of people downtown in the available space. Some people thought Auburn should not seek the Urban Center designation because they like the feel of downtown now. Others thought that additional residents and jobs would be an improvement to the City. Some Councilmembers were concerned about Auburn being or not being designed as an Urban Center. He spoke about money provided to Renton because of its Urban Center designation. The adopted Downtown Plan suggests that Auburn be designated as an Urban Center, but did not want the excessive growth because infrastructure could not support this. The City now has a transit station and other development and wondered if this enough for Auburn to be designated an Urban Center. Commissioner Ward inquired about the benefits of Urban Center designation. Community Development Administrator Osaki said at the top is Urban Center, then Activity Center, then Town Center, and all of these have their own density requirements and goals. Auburn is now an Activity Center with lower housing and population requirements than Urban Center. He will have maps available showing different Urban Centers in the area and will show the criteria. Commissioner Douglass wondered if any plans indicate how tall buildings would have to be to achieve the population requirements. Community Development Administrator Osaki replied not really; some cities did population estimates on based on imaginary density calculations. Some cities are not getting or reaching their housing requirements, but are getting Urban Center benefits. Council supported the Downtown Plan and some Councilmembers support Urban Center designation. The amendments propose replacing the Activity Center language with Urban Center language. INFORMATION · Planning Commission Tentative Work Plan A brief discussion occurred. OTHER BUSINESS: The Commission decided to have a work session on Tuesday, October 1, 2002 at 7:00 pm in conference room 1 to further discuss the 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendments. ADJOURNMENT: With no further items to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. PC MIN09-2002 -4-