HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-2005
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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.
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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
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JUNE 7. 2005