HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-2005
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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 9. 2005
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on November 9, 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, Kevin Chapman,
Joan Mason and Judi Roland
STAFF: Paul Krauss, Planning, Building & Community Development Director; David Osaki,
Community Development Administrator; Steven Pilcher, Development Services Coordinator,
Stacey Borland, Planner; Jeff Dixon, Senior Planner and Carolyn Brown, Planning Secretary
The meeting was called to order by Chair Peace.
STUDY SESSION - 6:30 pm-7:00 pm
. Homeless Encampment
Mr. Krauss provided information on the Homeless Encampment resolution. He also
discussed what has been happening in other communities, such as Bellevue, Woodinville,
Bothell, and Kirkland. The City has been relied on the year or two of experience in other
communities. Usually a community has very little time to react and can even be approached on
a Monday with a request for an encampment Mr. Krauss provided a brief background on how
the camps are set up typically on church property. He stated the Freedom of Religion Act and
said municipalities have found they do not have jurisdiction over a camp. Ms. Roland asked if
the church is responsible for the actions of the tenants. Mr. Krauss answered nobody is
responsible for the tenants except the homeless group and they have a kind of self governance.
The Commission discussed the responsibility of the host
At this time, the City of Auburn has a moratorium against homeless encampments. King
County has property in Auburn, which theoretically could be used as a camp, but it is located
off of West Main Street in a wetlands. At this time 15 to 20 cities have adopted a regulatory
framework to address this issue.
Mr. Krauss has a provided a copy of a resolution developed by Sea Tac and which the
City of Auburn would like to use as a model. The Commission reviewed the resolution and the
need for submittal of a security plan, basic life safety standards, adequate sanitation, and no
open fires, Mr. Krauss stated the City will have to extend the moratorium until an Ordinance is
in place. The City will need to have a Public Hearing in order to extend the moratorium.
The Planning Commission will need to hold a Public Hearing. Mr. Krauss said staff will
come back to the December meeting to discuss the Ordinance and then take it to a public
hearing in January. Mr. Krauss said the City will notify the faith community and SharelWheell
Focus group that it would be an ordinance that limits the area.
The Commission discussed variations of who is considered homeless. Mr. Krauss said
there is always a flux and homeless people coming and going. There was also the question of
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
November 8. 2005
what would happen after a major disaster. Mr. Krauss said the Mayor has authority to declare
an emergency and that changes the structure of any ordinances. The ultimate goal is to find a
permanent solution for the homeless.
REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 PM called to order by Chair Peace.
. Approval of Minutes of October 11, 2005 moved to the end of the meeting
Commissioner Ward made a made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Roland, to approve
the September minutes, which omits the second meeting minutes. The motion passed.
Commissioner Douglass made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ward, to approve the
September 7'" minutes. The motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The public may comment on any item not scheduled for public hearing this evening. No public
in attendance at this meeting.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
DISCUSSION
. Homeless Encampments
The discussion will continue at the next meeting and staff will provide the Ordinance. Mr.
Chapman said the public perceives this will encourage more homeless. Mr. Krauss said the
homeless encampment does not usually include the regular street people. City staff finds
homeless camps all over and the City requires the home owner to clean up the site. KC, the
DNR, PSE, all clean up their property when necessary. The City has had site problems also,
especially near the airport. Ms. Roland stated there is a need to address what happens when
local people stay in an area but need help. Mr. Krauss said there is some options for housing
that are available.
. Off-street commercial vehicle parking ordinance
Mr. Osaki provided the background. Staff introduced the topic tonight for the Commission to
study and review. Staff will come back in a few months with the code changes. Mr. Osaki said
the City of Federal Way has gone through the same issue of how to address the parking of
large trucks. If large trucks can't park legally on the streets you will find more and more parking
around a city.
Ms. Borland added the zoning code has no restrictions at this time for parking on residential
streets. This code amendment would limit and restrict parking in the residential zones. Staff
has reviewed the Ordinance that was passed by the City Council regarding parking of oversize
vehicles on certain streets.
Ms. Ward asked if the intent is to regulate over size commercial or over-size and commercial.
The ordinance should be clear if over size commercial vehicle is the intent Mr. Osaki said it is
not intended to target RV's. Hummers, Monster trucks, etc. Ms. Borland added that the Public
Works Committee went with 80 inches, but Planning staff went with 84" wide. Mr. Osaki said
the change will be reflected in the zoning code with a new definition based on size and use.
Also, will target vehicles parked in the specific zones.
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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
November 8. 2005
The Commission discussed where trucks could be allowed to park at this time. Also, they
discussed the difference between what was already adopted by City Council in September and
what staff is proposing now. They discussed parking in the back yard of a house and Mr.
Krauss stated that when you bring commercial vehicles into a residential neighborhood it is
against the zoning. They discussed The Commission discussed the various types of
commercial vehicles, such as vans, box vans, large pickups, small trucks - 1 ton, 1 % ton and
the width of such vehicles. They talked about parking on cul-de-sacs and also, the issue of
businesses out of a house. Mr. Krauss said the City fields calls everyday regarding parking of
large vehicles in neighborhoods.
Ms. Ward added that under the Commercial Vehicle definition - perhaps tighten up the
wording and also, whether they can park in a large garage on the property. Mr. Osaki
answered that is a distinction that will need to made by the Planning Commission. The
Commission stated they would like to see some photos of areas in question.
Mr. Krauss said that staff will come back to the next meeting with illustrations.
. Short plat regulation amendments
Mr. Pilcher provided the background as how short plats are submitted. Staff would like the
submittals to be more standardized, such as code changes would be on the drawings and the
technical wording, also, definitions of a lot and an original tract Mr. Pilcher provided an
example, how someone who owns the land in an area where lots are smaller, now don't require
the original plat and if many parcels were connected it could circumvent the plat process. Mr.
Pilcher said the code requires the original legal description and to write the new legal in a metes
and bounds format With this amendment it would do away with the metes and bounds legal
description and it would require an up-to-date title report. Also, this amendment provides the
City the authority to deny the application. However, often time another way can be found to
make the application work, such as a variance or a modification to the requirement Also an
applicant would have to wait 5 years to plat again and if someone had a large piece of property
they could subdivide off a piece. The City sees that there is a need to regulate adequate
access and turn around room for fire trucks.
Mr. Pilcher stated he will probably send out for comments from some of the local surveyors and
return to a future Planning Commission meeting with additional information. Language that
relates to the discretion of staff or the Public Director also will keep the pre-application process
working. Ms. Roland asked if there was a time line to complete this. Mr. Osaki said as soon
as possible but there is no time line.
. Sign Code
Mr.Osaki provided history on the sign code review. It is still a work in progress. An ad hoc
committee worked on the sign code and the Planning Commission was also involved in the
discussion. The issue were content issues and content neutrality. Additional time was spent
waiting until some court cases over signs were working through the system. The Commission
needs to work on the code as the current law exists and will be working towards a content
neutral sign code. A few areas that are issues are real estate signs and political signs.
Mr. Osaki pointed out a few highlighted items in the draft code for the Commission to review.
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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
November 8. 2005
1. On page 2 - delete specific reference to political or real estate signs. Moving away from
specific
2. Removed the whole section on real estate signs.
3. Mr. Osaki will try to provide an older version which has the old language.
4. A key element of the new sign code is on pages 5 & 6. It also refers to temporary signs.
A table is used as a tool to show different areas of use. The table discussed the
number of signs that can be used. The table tries to be true as to the provisions for real
estate signs.
5. Page 7 of 14. some of the exemptions are not content neutral. The Commission
discussed some of the issues with exemptions and also discussed limiting to zone. The
limitations appear excessive and potentially a problem. Mr. Osaki added that this is a
point of reference. The Public Works Committee had a few comments about sandwich
boards and signs in the pathway. The Commission discussed signs such as no
trespassing, beware of dog, monitored by a security system and also how many signs
could be on a piece of property
Mr. Osaki said the City would like to move quickly on the sign code and plan on scheduling a
hearing in the near future. It was asked if the Planning Commission should scale it back or
broaden it and Mr. Osaki replied it is probably easier to broaden. Mr. Osaki said he would also
like to get input from a sign company. Staff will send out copies and probably expect some
comments in the future.
Ms. Ward said one issue is that would be nice to run the Sign code past the City Attorney, that
by deleting, from ordinance, any reference to political signs, does that limit political speech.
Chair Peace asked if a political sign now falls under temporary sign. Mr. Osaki stated there is
some discussion going on right now as one approach to that question. There is a need to find
the definition as to commercial speech and non-commercial speech. Ms. Roland asked if it
can be added to specify signs need to be picked up. Chair Peace acquired about large signs
and Mr. Osaki said life safety issue needs to be addressed. The Commission also discussed
garage sale signs and the length of time they can stay up. If the sale is over a few days, the
sign needs to come down and then be put back up.
Mr. Osaki said the Sign Code is the number one priority of the Planning Commission and staff
would like to take to a Public Hearing in January. Mr. Krauss stated once the Public Hearing is
over, it can be voted up or down and then move on to the City Council.
The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be on the Homeless Encampment and Sign
Code. Mr. Osaki said staff will make the changes to the large vehicle Ordinance and bring
pictures back to the meeting.
They also could have a Public Hearing on the short plat change. This has already had peer
review and no one has commented that this is a bad idea.
The homeless encampment moratorium could be extended, but the Sign Code needs to go
forward.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further items to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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