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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-2005 * ¿Ø'-~*/ ~CITYOF ~__<~. é <l;I£I3RN ; «7' WASHINGTON MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 7,2005 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on June 7, 2005 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, Ronald Douglass, Renee Larsen, Yvonne Ward, Joan Mason and Judi Roland. The following member was absent: Kevin Chapman STAFF: David Osaki, Community Development Administrator; Aaron Nix, Environmental Protection Manager; Jennifer Dvorak, Project Engineer; Tiffin Goodman, Transportation Planner; Dan Scamporlina, Parks Development Manager; and Patricia Zook, Planning Secretary The meeting was called to order by Chair Peace. STUDY SESSION @ 6:30 · Auburn Way/Main Street Intersection - Update Ms, Dvorak provided background information, spoke about expanding sidewalks on Auburn Way, additional landscaping, modifications to the signal, bulb outs at the corners, and expanding landscape and medians as funds are available. No pedestrian 'refuge' islands are planned. The changes are planned for 4th Street NE to 4th Street SE. Signal timing should be adjusted in the summer and the bulb outs six months later depending on the weather. She continued saying that there is the perception that pedestrians can't cross Auburn Way and Main Street. She confirmed that the Auburn Downtown Association helped generate support for the project and also expressed their opinions. Commissioner Mason suggested that the City look at signal timing coordination along Auburn Way. Ms. Dvorak described in detail the improvements to Auburn Way South near Les Schwab. REGULAR MEETING @ 7:00 APPROVAL OF MINUTES · Minutes of May 3, 2005 Meeting The minutes were approved as mailed. PLANNING/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UPDATE Mr. Osaki provided information on what is going on in town. The new owner of the former Charlie Wongs building is doing interior work. Project Ace's second phase land use notice boards are up now for the hotel/condo complex. City staff met with Futurewise's attorney and discussed the City philosophy about the Hidden Valley area, and a tentative hearing is next month. June 30 is a neighborhood planning meeting for the SE Main Street neighborhood. He spoke about the Jack-in-the Box project on A Street SE and 6th Street SE. DISCUSSION · 2005 Comprehensive Plan amendments Mr. Osaki remarked that the City is moving into the annual Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle and is seeking applications from the public. The deadline is June 24. He is seeking Planning Commission ideas for amendments. MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 7, 2005 · Transportation Plan - Update Ms. Goodman distributed handouts and provided an overview and said that staff is writing key chapters. The plan is already programmed into the Transportation Improvement Program. She spoke about the BNSF undercrossing and West Main Street. She spoke about 'intelligent transportation system' on Auburn Way corridor which is Phase 1. This system can monitor traffic and alter sign timings when necessary. This phase is fully funded. The area involved is Auburn Way South/SR 18 intersection to the southern City limits due to the additional traffic of the Amphitheater. Phase 2 is 277th improvements. Phase 2 is half funded and the City is waiting to hear about Federal funding. This phase is for fiber optic cable, the traffic management center, and installation of technical infrastructure between SR 18 and the casino. Planning Commission expressed concern about the Level of Service (LOS) which seems to get worse each year. Ms. Goodman doesn't see the LOS changing from last year and believes it will be based on the same level as last year. She mentioned the SR 164 study that is being performed by the State. · Arts, Parks and Recreation Plan Mr. Scamporlina remarked that the Plan CDs were provided to the Planning Commission for their review. Staff has been working on the update for the last 15 months. He spoke about the six year window for State funding. He provided a PowerPoint presentation which showed an overview of the existing parks, current park policies, needs assessment survey, public comment, prioritization of projects, the capital facilities plan, and what park users want. He reviewed the current park goals, and assessment of current facilities and future opportunities. He reviewed the population and housing unit growth inAuburn and showed a spreadsheet of the current park inventory. He explained the difference between a neighborhood park and a community park. He spoke about parks capacity projects and non-capacity parks projects. The park standard will stay at the current rate of 6.03 acres per 1,000 residents. Commissioner Larsen suggested that Auburn have a dog park and a possible location would be the 'bend in the river' area for the park. This would bring lots of people to the City. Mr. Scamporlina said that Auburn is partnering with SeaTac and Kent for the dog park located off Military Road. Mr. Scamporlina reviewed the trails in Auburn. He showed a spreadsheet of the facility needs such as recreation facilities, existing inventory, existing inventory development, unmet need and future need. He spoke about the possibility of another skateboard park. He spoke about park impact fees. Commissioner Ward commented that Auburn has great parks and the City should keep up the good work. · Auburn Environmental Park Mr. Nix described the innovative project in detail and distributed color renderings. An open house is scheduled on June 16 from 3:00-4:00 pm at the Truitt Building. A kick-off meeting is scheduled for June 16. The wetland delineation and assessment are complete. The park is still in the preliminary stages as far as defining the project. What does the public and electeds want at the Auburn Environmental Park? The park is a unique opportunity to address water quality issues. There are new innovative engineering practices to help clean up water and store in the park itself. He spoke about salmon restoration and there are funds available for this. Mr. Nix provided information on grants received for land acquisition. The City is working to obtain the last remaining piece of property which is 30 acres located south of 15th Street NW. Mr. Nix stressed that Auburn is breaking new ground by the notion of bringing in a park component with a stormwater component with an economic development component. The regulatory community's reaction has been very positive. He spoke about the Mill Creek SAMP and the AEP was a wetland deemed to be saved and enhanced. He spoke about the Thormod site which was the wetland mitigation site for Emerald Downs. The intent is for the AEP to integrate with Thormod. -2 - MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Planning Commission believes the project is very exciting. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. PCIAGNDlMIN 06-2005 - 3 - JUNE 7. 2005