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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-2004 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 4. 2004 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on May 4, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. The regular meeting was preceded by a study session that began at 6:30 p.m. Those in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS: Dave Peace, Renee Larsen, Yvonne Ward, Kevin Chapman and Joan Mason The following members were absent: Ronald Douglass and Karen Ekrem STAFF: David Osaki and Patti Zook 6:30 PM STUDY SESSION . Zoning Code Amendment - Proposed Amendments to Auburn City Code (ACC) Chapters 18.32 (Light Industrial District) and 18.50 (Landscaping and Screening) related to Outdoor Storage Community Development Administrator Osaki advised that this item may be a public hearing before the PC in June. City Council directed staff to review the M1 zone outdoor storage requirements. He provided a background on the matter. The allowable amount of outdoor storage is tied to the building floor area and he reviewed three points. He spoke about the landscape and screening requirements in the existing code. He reviewed Type I, Type II and Type III landscape requirements. He reviewed the proposed changes to Chapters 18.50 and 18.32. There is a new section 18.50.080 which allows flexibility for modifying landscape requirements if a superior design is presented. He referred to the memorandum from Public Works related to storm drainage requirements for gravel storage areas. Commissioner Ward arrived at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Peace suggested that staff prepare language so that the storage is only related to the on-site business. In response to Commissioner Peace's inquiries, Community Development Administrator Osaki pointed out page 9, which speaks to landscape requirements adjacent to zoning districts. If PC wants to make changes to the landscape requirements, review and see if they want to revise. Commissioner Chapman spoke about other uses in M1 such as professional offices and restaurants, and day care could be allowed with an administrative use permit. However, a day care on one property next to a storage yard are not compatible uses. Commissioner Larsen thinks day cares are more likely to be in other districts versus M-1. Discussion occurred about the amount of available land zoned M1 and M2. Commissioner Peace is concerned about a contractor leaving inoperable equipment on site because it is too costly to remove and how to address this. It would be alright for contractor to move equipment in and out, but not leave it there forever. Commissioner Mason left at 7:15 p.m. 7:00 PM REGULAR MEETING APPROVAL OF MINUTES . Minutes of March 2, 2004 . Minutes of April 6, 2004 Commissioner Ward made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Larsen to approve the minutes. The motion passed. - 1 - MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 4. 2004 DISCUSSION (continued from study session) . Zoning Code Amendment - Proposed Amendments to Auburn City Code (ACC) Chapters 18.32 (Light Industrial District) and 18.50 (Landscaping and Screening) related to Outdoor Storage In response to Commissioner Ward inquiries, Community Development Administrator Osaki advised that all administrative interpretations are appealable to the City's Hearing Examiner. . Zoning Code Amendment - Off-Street Parking in Residential Zones Community Development Administrator Osaki mentioned that this is an issue that PCDC have discussed for over a year. Staff brought different proposals to PCDC and staff is seeking PC input tonight which will be forwarded to PCDC. In single family residential zones there is no limitation on the number of operable vehicles that can be parked in a single family dwelling's front yard. He reviewed three questions: 1. In residential zones, where should vehicles be allowed to park? 2. Should there be surfacing requirements for parked vehicles associated with single family dwellings? 3. Are any requirements needed for certain type of vehicles such as recreation vehicles, trailers, boat trailers, etc? Commissioner Ward never noticed this problem and wondered how big a problem. Commissioner Larsen said this is a big problem in downtown neighborhoods. Cars park over the sidewalks and in front yards because there is no parking spaces on the street. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that some neighborhoods have covenants and are self policing, some neighborhoods have lots of cars parking on the street and then cars park in the front yards. Community Development Administrator Osaki said that generally each dwelling unit should have two off street parking spaces. Commissioner Peace commented that some houses have four to five cars with kids and family. He mentioned a business owner who has pick up trucks parked in the street in addition to his personal vehicles. Commissioner Ward prefers warnings to the property owners. If the City wants an ordinance with penalties, change the law and then issue warnings first. For lower income neighborhoods, she wants warnings and then tickets so that they can modify their behavior without financial penalty. People should have the chance to change their actions first. Commissioner Ward inquired about recreational vehicles and campers right next to houses. Community Development Administrator Osaki commented that the PCDC talked about parking cars in front yards and then touched on RVs and campers being parked right next to houses. He will ask Code Enforcement how many complaints were received about this. Discussion occurred about parking on approved surfaces so that gravel and mud are not tracked onto City streets. Commissioner Peace doesn't see a problem with parking an RV next to the house if the same setback as the house is maintained. Commissioner Larsen spoke about doing something to fix the problem for the whole City. Expensive developments have covenants and homeowner associations to prevent. Commissioner Ward remarked that there needs to be a clear reason, whether for aesthetics or tearing up yards, to make sure the City is not unfairly impacting certain areas and that the regulations are applied evenly. - 2- MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNMENT With no further items to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. PC\AGND\MIN 05-2004 - 3 - MAY 4. 2004