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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2002MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on October 8, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS: Garna Jones, Dave Peace, Karen Ekrem, Peter DiTuri, Ronald Douglass, Renee Larsen and Yvonne Ward STAFF: David Osaki, Aaron Nix, Duane Huskey, Mike Fuess, Tim Carlaw, and Patti Zook The meeting was called to order by Chairman Karen Ekrem. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was concurred by the Planning Commission that the minutes of the September 4, 2002 meeting be approved as mailed. Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner DiTuri, to approve the minutes. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARING · Case Number CPA02-0001: City of Auburn Year 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendments Chairman Ekrem opened the public hearing. Community Development Administrator Osaki mentioned that in the past staff gave a presentation on each amendment followed by public testimony taken on each, Planning Commission questions, and then Planning Commission deliberations. There are two Comprehensive Plan map amendments and ten policy/text amendments this year. All were previously discussed during work session and previous meetings. He suggested reviewing the two Comprehensive Plan map amendments first, then PIT 2 and P/T 3 as representatives for those policy/text amendments were in the audience. Planning Commission agreed. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP AMENDMENTS: CPM #1 - To amend the Comprehensive Plan Map from "Heavy Industrial" to "Heavy Commercial" for property located on 26th Street NE (north side) just west of Auburn Way North. The applicant is requesting a Comprehensive Plan map change from "Heavy Industrial" to "Heavy Commercial" for property currently used as a construction storage site. The property is located on the north side of 26th Street NE just west of Auburn Way North and is approximately 26,100 square feet in area according to King County Assessor records. This is a straightforward request. The applicant wants to purchase property and expand his car dealership. Staff recommends approval. CPM#2 (City-Initiated) - To amend the Comprehensive Plan Map from "Light Commercial" to "Single Family Residential" for property located at the NW corner of West Valley Highway and Mt. View Drive. The subject property is located at the northwest corner of West Valley Highway and Mt. View Drive. It is approximately 48,510 square feet in area according to King County Assessor records and is vacant and vegetated. A review of topography maps for the area show that the property has a limited level area near the corner of Mt. View Drive and West Valley Highway and then sharply slopes upward to the west. -1- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 Community Development Administrator Osaki said that Planning Commission received a letter from Bob West tonight before the meeting. This amendment was initiated by the City. The rationale for single family designation versus light commercial is that the site is heavily wooded and has steep topography constraints. The sensitive areas map shows an erosion hazard designation on the property. West Valley Highway has a significant amount of traffic and Mt. View Road is a steep curved road. He described the light commercial designation and its uses from the Comprehensive Plan. The site does not lend itself to light commercial uses. Staff recommends changing the Comprehensive Plan designation. Commissioner Ward believes the erosion hazard designation would affect the building of houses on the site too and Commissioner Larsen agreed with Commissioner Ward's comments. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that the single family designation is for four units per acre with a minimum of 8,000 square foot lots. There are going to be site constraints for either light commercial or residential development. Single family development would have less of an impact compared to commercial development that also requires off-street parking and generates greater traffic. Community Development Administrator Osaki said the City has concerns about the amount of traffic on West Valley Highway and site distances on Mt. View Drive. Transportation Engineer Fuess advised that West Valley Highway is a principal arterial and he explained what is meant by arterial roads. He then explained collector roads. Access to West Valley Highway from the property would be a challenge and access from Mt. View Drive would be difficult. Residential development would have fewer vehicle trips and could have a shared access point. No formal traffic study for the site has been done. Commissioner Ward wondered if houses are built, where would the access be and Transportation Engineer Fuess explained the idea of shared access..The issue is traffic volume and how to get across Mt. View Drive and turn left. West Valley Highway is already over capacity and chances of widening that road are very slim. She believes the site has the same access problems as does Lakeland. There are also potential landslide problems. Commissioner Larsen confirmed that traffic on West Valley Highway is often backed up to Smith Brothers Dairy. She does not think anyone will want to actually live on the site. Commissioner Peace thinks the difference is that in Lakeland the drives front on an arterial. Community Development Administrator Osaki said there is no specific proposal for the site. He believes that at one time there was a store on the site and the property has carried the light commercial designation since that time. The Comprehensive Plan was updated in 1995 and the site does not meet the criteria for light commercial designation. Bob West, attorney, represents the property owners for the subject site and submitted a letter which summarizes his clients' position. He believes there should be a requirement for technical substantiation for changing a long standing Comprehensive Plan designation as well as the zoning designation. He cannot figure out why the proposed change from light commercial to single family residential is being suggested. There are development challenges such as site hazards and environmental issues, topography with a 150 foot rise from the valley floor to the plateau with a fairly substantial rise, and a large portion of the site is not developable. He anticipates development something like a mixed use facility such as a higher density apartment complex or light commercial retail with condos or apartments on the upper floors. This use is not permitted in the single family zone, but is permitted in the light commercial zone. The height -2- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 restrictions will keep multi story building below site lines. Light commercial zoning allows apartments with conditional use permit. Clients do not have specific development proposals, not trying to sell the property, no buyer is lined up. The site has had a long standing light commercial designation and clients want to keep their options open. The light commercial designation allows the most flexibility for his clients. He recommended that the Planning Commission deny the change. He thinks comments by Community Development Administrator Osaki and Transportation Engineer Fuess are unsubstantiated. There was no other public testimony. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICY/TEXT (P/T) AMENDMENTS P/T#1 Lakeland Hills Way Truck Route (Privately Initiated) - Request to have Lakeland Hills Way designated as a non-truck route with specific limitations consistent with the Auburn City Code in regard to Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the vehicle and local deliveries. Mr. Brown's request is actually quite consistent with existing City policy and Code. Lakeland Hills Way is not deSignated as a truck route in the Comprehensive Plan. City Code does place limitations on vehicles with respect to gross vehicle weight. Local deliveries are allowed. Community Development Administrator Osaki sent Mr. Brown notice about tonight's meeting and also e- mailed him and forwarded a copy of the agenda bill. Staff is sympathetic to his request, but his request is what the City currently has in Code. Lakeland Hills Way is not designated as a truck route and Code places limit on vehicle weight. Staff recommends no change to the policy. The City is hiring a consultant to prepare the new Transportation Plan. As part of that process the City will look at many issues including truck routes. The City will also look at how transportation affects neighborhoods as part of the Transportation Plan. Transportation Engineer Fuess confirmed that he also spoke with Mr. Brown and explained that what he wanted was already in the City Code. Commissioner Ward wants staff to let Mr. Brown and people he represents to know that City is responsive to his request. Community Development Administrator Osaki indicated that the City is currently doing restriping and traffic calming measures throughout the City. Commissioner Jones wondered if Mr. Brown is concerned that there is no signage saying 'no truck route' and did he want such signage? Transportation Engineer Fuess said that such signage would not change anything. He spoke that the Code does not match Transportation Plan. He spoke about truck with origins or destinations in Auburn. P/T#2 Auburn North Business Area Plan Amendment - Amend the Auburn North Business Area Plan to reduce the 5,000 square foot minimum buildinq size for land uses with drive through facilities, except for fast food restaurants. Jeff Oliphant has requested an amendment to the text of the Auburn North Business Area Plan. Adopted in 1992, the Auburn North Business Area Plan is a subarea plan for an area north of the Auburn downtown and west of Auburn Way North. Mr. Oliphant's request is: "AN1.7. Except as allowed by Policy AN1.11, service stations and automobile sales and/or leasing will not be permitted within the Planning Area. Automobile drive-in facilities (the person remains in the vehicle to conduct their business at a drive-in facility), shall only be permitted when clearly incidental and subordinate to pedestrian access to the building -3- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 The drive-in facility: J) must not interfere with pedestrian access and (ii) shall be attached to the buildinq which either: (a) must be a minimum of 2,000 square feet and not used as a restaurant or facility selling prepared food or beveraqes for off-premises consumption; or (b) must be a minimum of 5,000 square feet." (Applicant's submittal) Community Development Administrator Osaki stated that staff recommends amending the Auburn North Business Area Plan Policy AN1.7 as follows: "AN1.7. Except as allowed by Policy AN1.11, service stations and automobile sales and/or leasing will not be permitted within the Planning Area. Automobile drive-in facilities (the person remains in the vehicle to conduct their business at a drive-in facility), shall only be permitted when clearly incidental and subordinate to pedestrian access to the building. The drive-in facility shall be attached to the building which must be a minimum of 5,000 square feet in size for restaurants and a minimum of 3,000 square feet for all other uses. and Drive in facilities shall not interfere with pedestrian access." Community Development Administrator Osaki mentioned that this Plan has been discussed many times before, but gave a brief description of the Plan for benefit of new Planning Commission members. He described pedestrian orientation. Auto-related uses were prohibited as well as drive throughs unless 5,000 square feet in size because the City thought they would be inconsistent with pedestrian oriented uses. Auburn Marketplace Investors want to develop a bank in the Plan area and needs an amendment to one policy that speaks to 5,000 square foot minimum requirement. Mr. Oliphant proposal has language regarding the change and staff has suggested different language. Staff looked at the subject property and basically concurs with the applicant's proposal. The intent of the 5,000 square foot language was to prohibit the proliferation of drive through establishments when the area had vacant land and now land is mostly developed and uses are known. Jeff Oliphant spoke and indicated that Auburn Marketplace Investors developed most of the Plan area and built A Street, Lowe's, Valley Bank, day care, and the proposed MultiCare facility. He wants to figure out the best use of the property. North of site is 'fast food row' and he does not have problem with limiting fast food restaurants in Plan area. Commissioner Peace suggested language prohibiting any fast food restaurants. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that proposed language as currently written does not distinguish between any uses, and different types of land uses can have drive through such as a pharmacy which could locate there as well. P/T #3 Incorporate Auburn School District 2001-2002 through 2007-2008 Capital Facilities Plan adopted July 22, 2002 into the City Comprehensive Plan The Auburn School District has provided the City with its annually updated capital facilities plan. The CFP was adopted by the Auburn School District School Board on July 22, 2002. Information contained in the School District CFP serves as the basis for the City's collection of school impact fees on behalf of the school district. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that the CFP is provided annually to the City for incorporation into the -4- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 Comprehensive Plan as part of the interlocal agreement with ASD in order to collect impact fees on their behalf. Staff recommends approval. Mike Newman, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Auburn School District, spoke of the need to collect impact fees which allow ASD to continue planning process for future development of schools. The high school project has been before voters four times and not approved. He spoke of impacts from Lakeland Hills and Lea Hill growth. The need for an additional high school is immense. The growth has to be accommodated and put somewhere. If the bond issue passes, it will be two years before a high school is built. ASD appreciates the City collecting impact fees on their behalf. They are not asking for any increases in current rates. Planning Commission did not have questions. PIT #4 Incorporate Kent School District Capital Facilities Plan 2002-2003 to 2007-2008 into the City Comprehensive Plan The Kent School District has provided the City with its annually updated capital facilities plan. The CFP was adopted by the Kent School District School Board earlier this year and has been subject to SEPA review and a DNS. Information contained in the School District CFP serves as the basis for the City's collection of school impact fees on behalf of the school district. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that staff recommends approval. Planning Commission did not have questions. P/T#5 2002 Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan The City of Auburn has prepared a new 2002 Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan outlining the needs for new and improved storm drainage facilities. The proposed 2002 Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan would, if approved, replace the Comprehensive Drainage Plan currently in effect that was adopted in 1990. Community Development Administrator Osaki mentioned that original plan was before Planning Commission in 2000, was withdrawn, and is now before Planning Commission again. Plan provides inventory and identification of existing and future facilities and satisfies GMA requirements and provides six year financial plan. Staff recommends approval. Planning Commission did not have questions. P/T#6 Auburn Airport Master Plan Update 2001-2020 The City of Auburn Airport is a self-funded enterprise. The last Airport Master Plan process began in 1993 and was completed in 1996. By the year 2000, the Auburn Airport had found that it had achieved many of the goals set forth in that Master Plan. Community Development Administrator Osaki mentioned that the Plan was reviewed by the Airport Advisory Board, open houses were held and newsletters sent. Notice of public hearing was mailed to property owners adjacent to the Airport. The Plan contains an inventory of facilities, forecasts, future plans, and a finance plan too. -5- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 Commissioner Jones asked if by adopting the Plan, does this give a stamp of approval that Airport is accommodating growth. The Airport is a big issue in the City. She thinks there should have been a public hearing on the Airport Master Plan separate from the rest of the Comprehensive Plan amendments. She expressed concern given the Airport's location and proximity to businesses, proximity to downtown and located in heart of town. She is concerned that people need to know about any future plans of the Airport for its development and expansion. Expansion means more hangars, more planes and more traffic. Commissioner Larsen said that the plans for hangars are so that people using the tie downs can have their planes under shelter. No runway expansion is planned. Commissioner Jones expressed opposition to closing the public hearing on this amendment and wants to see the public hearing on P/T 6 continued and more notice given to citizens regarding the Airport Master Plan. She believes this could be controversial and has been a big issue over the years. The Plan should not get lost among the other Comprehensive Plan amendments. Commissioner Ward said that Planning Commission could close the public hearing on all Comprehensive Plan amendments except P/T6, the Airport Master Plan. Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to leave the public hearing open on PIT 6. The motion passed. P/T#7 Amendments to Chapter 1 (Plan Background), Chapter 2 (General Approach to · Planning) and Chapter 3 (Land Use) and inclusion of a proposed new Map 3.3.A to support the designation of a City of Auburn Urban Center The Puget Sound region's multi-county (King, Kitsap, Snohomish, and Pierce counties) growth management strategy is presented in the Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC's) adopted VISION 2020 document (and as recently updated/amplified upon by Destination 2030). VISION 2020, adopted in 1995, is the regional growth, transportation and economic strategy which calls for preserving and developing compact communities, redeveloping urban transportation corridors, and directing employment and housing growth into "centers" that support walking, biking, and transit use. Destination 2030, adopted in May 2001, is a more focused and updated transportation component to VISION 2020 and includes further provisions for improved linkages between land use and transportation planning. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that to implement Downtown Plan the proposal is to designate Auburn as an urban center with new policies added. The proposed text reaffirms the policy direction of the Downtown Plan. Staff recommends approval. In response to Commissioner Douglass questions, Community Development Administrator Osaki explained that the household targets need to be pursued. He provided information on membership of the Growth Management Planning Council and its duties to oversee growth management strategy for King County. P/T#8 Chapter 9 - Environment Chapter - Amendments addressing existing and pending environmental regulations and providing additional guidance for habitat protection. Chapter 9 of the Comprehensive Plan is the City's Environment Chapter. The Environment Chapter specifies policies for the protection of natural resources and preserving the area's quality of life through the protection of unique, sensitive and productive natural resources. Community Development Administrator Osaki commented that amendments will address environmental regulations and provide additional guidance for habitat protection. Included are -6- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 new policies to protect wildlife corridors and connectivity between the corridors. Amendments will further implement requirements of the ESA. Commissioner Jones inquired whether there is a staff person who looks at noxious weeds and calls for their eradication. Aaron Nix, Environmental Compliance Manager, explained that several people respond to the problem which is attacked from two fronts. The Maintenance and Operations staff actually do the maintenance work of eradicating the weeds. A King County representative (specialist on noxious weeds) keeps City up to date on which weeds are considered noxious. At the last Planning Commission meeting he distributed a noxious weed list. There are some State laws in place to deal with this issue. The problem is also being dealt with during the development review process. The City is trying to reintroduce native species and get rid of noxious weeds. P/T#9 Truck Route Designations. (Figure 2.5, Auburn Transportation Plan, 1997; Figure 7.4 "Freight Routes" Auburn Comprehensive Plan) The proposal involves considering amendments to existing truck route designations associated with: a) 12th Street SE (consider removing truck route designation; A Street SE to M St. SE); b) 17th Street SE consider removing truck route designation - A St. SE to Auburn Way South); and, c) C Street SW (consider adding truck route designation - Ellingson Rd to 15th Street SW). Staff was asked to review the truck route designations (or lack thereof) for the above referenced street segments. 12~ Street SE and 17th Street SE are both located in the Terminal Park neighborhood. Mention of truck route designations on these streets occurred during the course of the Terminal Park neighborhood plan stakeholder meetings. C Street SW, from the Ellingson Road SW City limits to 15~ Street SW is not a designated truck route. A determination of whether a truck route designation is appropriate emerged during the course of review of the Safeway Distribution Center project. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that staff is recommending that Planning Commission defer consideration of truck route issue to the 2002-2003 Transportation Plan process. Commissioner Douglass objects to not having traffic light from 12t~ Street onto A Street. It is very hard to turn onto A Street and there is poor visibility to A Street. Transportation Engineer Fuess said that just because a road is at an arterial intersection does not ensure a traffic light. Lights cost $250,000 and light are based on warrant. Lights do increase traffic accidents. He then spoke about accidents at intersections with lights. The City does not have many signals in the budget now because the program is very small next years. They do not reclassify streets because of no light. Commissioner Douglass pointed out that lights are on 6~ Street and 17th Street, why not on 12th Street? Transportation Engineer Fuess spoke about the warrant study. In response to Commissioner Ward questions, Transportation Engineer Fuess said that 12th Street is not ranking as a high accident location. High accidents rates are on Auburn Way North near 8~ NE -7- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 Street and Auburn Way South by McDonalds. He cautioned that if street is removed from truck route list it is very difficult to reinstall that street as a truck route. P/T#10 Chapter 7 - Transportation Element (TIP Summary, Figure 7.3) Annually, the City of Auburn amends the Comprehensive Plan to include an updated summary page of the City's most recently adopted six year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) into the Comprehensive Plan as Figure 7.3. The Auburn City Council approved the 2002-2007 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) in September 2002. P/T#10 is a summary sheet of that adopted TIP and its inclusion into the Comprehensive Plan is appropriate. Staff recommends approval. Planning Commission did not have questions. DISCUSSION/DELIBERATIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: CPM #1 Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peace, to recommend approval. Motion passed. CPM#2 (City-Initiated) Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Chairman Ekrem, to recommend denial and leave Comprehensive Plan designation as light commercial. Motion passed. P/T#1 Lakeland Hills Way Truck Route (Privately Initiated) Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to defer consideration of truck route issue to the 2002-2003 Transportation Plan process. The motion passed. P/T#2 Auburn North Business Area Plan Amendment After a discussion, Planning Commission consented to 3,000 square feet requirement for drive through facilities that are not restaurants, and 5,000 square feet for those that are restaurants. Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner DiTuri, to recommend approval of the staff language. The motion passed. Commissioner Peace thinks singling out restaurants is too exclusive and goes too far. He does not want to see any more fast food restaurants in the area. P/T #3 Incorporate Auburn School District 2001-2002 throuqh 2007-2008 Capital Facilities Plan adopted July 22, 2002 into the City Comprehensive Plan Commissioner DiTuri made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to recommend approval. Motion passed. PIT ~ Incorporate Kent School District Capital Facilities Plan 2002-2003 to 2007-2008 into the City Comprehensive Plan -8- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 Commissioner Larsen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner DiTuri, to recommend approval. Motion passed. P/T#5 2002 Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan Commissioner DiTuri made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peace, to recommend approval. Motion passed. Commissioner DiTuri appreciates efforts work in the work session. P/T#6 Auburn Airport Master Plan Update 2001-2020 Commissioner Jones made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Douglass to continue the public hearing open on this policy/text amendment to the November 6 Planning Commission meeting in order to allow additional notification to adjacent businesses and citizens. The motion passed. Commissioner Jones commented that because of the Airport's history and relevance to downtown, citizens and businesses, there should be specific notification to all individuals that there is a new Airport Master Plan under consideration and there should be broad review other than just an open house. There should be notification of public hearing separate from the rest of Comprehensive Plan amendments. Community Development Administrator Osaki suggested that staff could do an individual mailing again to the adjacent property owners. If Planning Commission wants a broader notification area, he would like direction. Commissioner Jones has not seen anything in the newspapers regarding the Airport Plan or hints of expansion. About five years ago there was discussion about no expansion of the Airport in its present location because of its proximity to downtown. Now the City wants an urban center in downtown. The flight pattern is over Auburn High School, City Park, etc., and this affects lots of property and all citizens. There could be an increase in plane traffic and more flights over downtown. This is a deterrent to people living in downtown. She believes that more hangars mean more planes means more traffic. Commissioner Larsen commented that the Airport is changing tie downs to hangars 'and moving from one part of Airport to another. Commissioner Peace believes that plane traffic will increase by adding more hangar space and purchase of property for additional hangars. Commissioner Jones believes the Plan needs to be reviewed by as many people as possible. Action on the Plan needs to be postponed until the November meeting. Staff should try to arrange for an article in the paper about the Plan before the next Planning Commission meeting and provide additional notification to citizens and the Chamber. She wanted to know when the open houses were held, who was invited, and who attended. Chairman Ekrem suggested using the same types of notification that was done for the SCTF issue. She recommended that staff get in touch with the newspapers, maybe place an ad in newspaper, and mailing to downtown residents. Community Development Administrator Osaki commented that the issue of SCTF was glamorous enough that the papers picked up on it and -9- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 were more than willing to run an article. The Airport Advisory Board reviewed the Airport Plan, it was reviewed by Airport tenants, three open houses were held at the City Hall and at the Airport. Commissioner Douglass then mentioned the City's potential purchase of the 15t" Street park and ride lot and agreed with Commissioner Jones' concerns. The park and ride lot is being diverted to the transit center and will no longer be used by Metro. He believes the Pea Patch is going to be phased out by the Parks Department. Commissioner Peace affirmed that Commissioner Jones has valid concerns and that the reviewers of the Airport Master Plan were probably pro-Airport folks. He is unsure of the mind set of those who attended the open houses. People who may have concerns about the Airport do not know about the Master Plan update. Commissioner Jones wants to ask Planning Director Krauss questions and seek clarification on some issues. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that staff can prepare a memo outlining the Master Plan process for the Planning Commission. Commissioner Jones made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ward, to continue the public hearing on the Airport Master Plan to the November 6 meeting, Auburn City Council Chambers at 7:00 pm. P/T#7 Amendments to Chapter 1 (Plan Background), Chapter 2 (General Approach to Planning) and Chapter 3 (Land Use) and inclusion of a proposed new Map 3.3.A to support the designation of a City of Auburn urban center Commissioner DiTuri made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peace, to recommend approval. Motion passed. P/T#8 Chapter 9 - Environment Chapter - Amendments addressing existing and pending environmental regulations and providing additional guidance for habitat protection. Commissioner Larsen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peace, to recommend approval. Motion passed. Commissioner Jones welcomed Environmental Compliance Manager Nix to the City and is excited that he is on board. P/T#9 Truck Route Desiqnations. (Figure 2.5, Auburn Transportation Plan, 1997; Figure 7.4 "Freight Routes" Auburn Comprehensive Plan) Commissioner Peace understands Commissioner Douglass' concerns about traffic on 12th Street SE. Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jones to accept staff recommendation to defer consideration of truck route issue to the 2002-2003 Transportation Plan process, and to defer B and C, and to reassess A (12th Street SE) as a truck route. Commissioner Jones believes the City should consider the whole issue and look for a balance and determine where truck routes are more acceptable. On 12th Street, the neighborhood is being disrupted. Commissioner Peace wondered if the truck route designation is taken off 12th Street, would there really be a difference and Transportation Engineer Fuess said there really is no difference. -10- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER fl, 2002 Chairman Ekrem restated the motion. Commissioners voting no: Commissioner Larsen, Commissioner Peace, Commissioner Douglass, Chairman Ekrem. Commissioners voting yes: Commissioner Ward, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner DiTurri. The motion did not pass. Commissioner Peace made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Larsen, to undertake review of the truck route designations as part of the Transportation Plan. Unless the truck route ordinance is changed, taking streets off the truck route designation does not change anything today. Commissioner Larsen spoke of the need for the City to look at the broader picture. The motion passed. Transportation Engineer Fuess said when the City changes the City Code, it could rewrite the truck route ordinance. If 12th Street SE and 17th Street SE are taken off the truck route list, and then the City tries to re-establish them as truck roUtes, the City will have problems with the neighborhood. Commissioner Ward does not see an impediment to asking the Public Works Department to draft the ordinance because there is no reason to wait another year. This is a separate issue from the Transportation Plan. There should be vigorous public debate on the truck route issue. She is curious about what the Terminal Park people want and what they are saying. Commissioner DiTuri said that most Terminal Park residents do not live on 12th Street SE, but in the northern part of the neighborhood. This is a transitional area from residential to business. The residents on 14~' Street are concerned about speed limits. He has not heard anything about trucks or the truck route issue. He has heard their concerns about speeding and reckless driving on streets. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that Terminal Park Plan is not finished. Residents have talked about speeding as a big issue. Planning Commission will eventually look at the entire Plan. He is unsure if the residents have recommendations about truck routes, but believes that they want to look at the matter. Commissioner Douglass spoke about businesses on 12~ Street SE by A Street parking their trucks and vehicles on the street and blocking site distances to A Street. The problems on 12th Street need to be fixed now, not in one year. Planning Commission wondered how much truck traffic would be removed. Commissioner Ward wants to hear from Terminal Park residents, review language in the truck route ordinance, origin and destination of the truck route traffic. Commissioner Jones said Terminal Park residents did not have an issue with trucks, but with speeders and general traffic, site distances, debris, and other issues. Community Development Administrator ©saki said the only technical preclusion is that the City cannot change the Comprehensive Plan more frequently than once per year, but can always modify or amend the ordinance or regulation. Planning Commission's lengthy discussion will be presented to City Council. Commissioner Larsen commented that some communities have signs that say 'local deliveries only' and this means that local deliveries are only for the homes or businesses on that street. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that the Terminal Park Neighborhood Plan will be to Planning Commission in January or February and can be considered outside the annual Comprehensive Plan amendment process because it is considered to be a special plan. -11- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 Commissioner Douglass commented that the City can change the truck route designation and this will not have any effect on gravel trucks. Commissioner Peace would like to recommend some action to resolve these issues as soon as possible. Commissioner Ward said the whole point is the origins and destinations issue and the need to change the ordinance. Chairman Ekrem recommended wording to be included in the amended motion. She also recommend that Council look at the issue of origins and destinations of truck routes. Transportation Engineer Fuess suggested Planning Commission emphasize that they want Council to review the truck route ordinance. Commissioner Ward made a motion seconded by Commissioner DiTuri, to defer consideration of the truck route issue to the 2002-2003 Transportation Plan process. Planning Commission wanted City Council to review the truck route ordinance in order to mitigate issues associated with gravel trucks on 12th Street SE. Planning Commission also recommended that City Council review language in truck route ordinance pertaining to truck traffic origins and destinations to determine if there are better ways to control local truck traffic through the local street system. The motion passed. P/T#10 Chapter 7 - Transportation Element (TIP Summary, Figure 7.3) Commissioner DiTuri made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to recommend approval. Motion passed. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT INFORMATION · Article from Tacoma News Tribune No discussion occurred. ADJOURNMENT: With no further items to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm. PC~AGND\MIN 10-2002 -12-