HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-2007~ .~-~
CITY OF _.,.J
• ~ WASHINGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 --- 7:00 P.M.
AUBURN CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
25 WEST MAIN STREET
MINUTES
The regular meeting of the Auburn Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at
7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall.
Those in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Judi Roland, Vice Chair Kevin Chapman, Peter Di Turi,
Dave Peace, Renee Larsen and Darci Bidman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Joan Mason (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Interim Director, Planning, Building & Community Department David
Osaki, Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Senior Planner Chris
Hankins, Financial Planning Manager Dawna Truman and Planning
Secretary Kirsten Reynolds
REGULAR MEETING:
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the April 3, 2007 meeting.
Commissioner Di Turi moved to approve the minutes from the April 3, 2007 meeting;
Commissioner Bidman seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously 6-0 and the minutes were adopted as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Virginia Haugen who lives at 2503 R Street S.E. spoke about a dilapidated house in her
neighborhood. Ms. Haugen stated that she has reported on the rundown condition of the
house to the City a total of four times and nothing has been done.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Interim Director David Osaki updated the Planning Commission that on April 12th the King County
Boundary Review Board (BRB) approved Auburn's annexation boundaries. The date to file an appeal
ends on May 14, 2007. If the annexations are passed by the voters, implementation is anticipated to
begin January 1, 2008.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 8, 2007
Osaki reported that the Super Wal-Mart is planning to break ground later this
summer.
The Planning Commissioners were invited to attend the Planning and Community Development
(PCD) Committee meeting on June 11tH
The Planning Department hired a new Senior Planner. Chris Hankins was introduced to the
Commissioners; Mr. Hankins came from the City of Kent's Planning Department.
The City's annual "Clean Sweep" flyer was handed out. The event is scheduled to occur on May 12tH
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain introduced proposal CPA07-0001. CPA07-0001 is an
amendment to the City of Auburn Capital Facilities Plan 2007-2012. The proposed amendment
consists of including Project No. CP0639 titled Fire Station Relocation. The proposal involves the
study of fire station needs for the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA), specifically at 4910 A Street
S.E:
Ms. Chamberlain reported that typically capital facilities plan amendments are done once a year as
part of the overall comprehensive plan amendment process. Because this amendment is happening
simultaneously with a budget amendment the City is able to take action outside of the once a year
amendment process permitted under GMA. The current Capital Facilities Plan was adopted in
November of 2006. The 4910 A Street S.E. location has been identified as ideal for a Fire Station;
impact fees would be used to study and confirm this.
Questions from the Commission were answered by City of Auburn Financial Manager Dawna
Truman. Ms. Truman explained that the money would include all necessary studies for a fire station
at that specific location; fees would also cover the project management portion. Impact fees are
budgeted to be used for design and impact fees. Algona and Pacific are not helping to pay for the
proposed studies because the fees were originally collected before the VRFA was formed.
Chair Roland closed the Public Hearing at 7:13 p.m.
There were no further questions or discussion from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Chapman made a motion to forward CPA07- 0001 on to City Council for
acceptance, seconded by Commissioner Peace.
The motion passed unanimously 6-0.
Interim Director David Osaki introduced proposed amendment ZOA07-0001, an amendment
to Auburn City Code Chapter 18.56 (Signs). The proposed amendment establishes specific
performance standards for changing electronic message board signs. The proposed development
regulation amendment addresses where such signs would be allowed, the number allowed, their
size, display/lighting characteristics, and other considerations.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 8, 2007
Mr. Osaki presented a PowerPoint slide show where he reviewed the definition of a changing
message center signs, what the amendment would address, where signs would be allowed,
sign face area allowed, display allowances i.e. frequency of messages, vibrancy, light levels
and advertising limitations.
Mr. Osaki pointed out a correction in the staff report; the correction should read as follows
(underlined items to be added): 18.56.030 delete E.1.(c) E.1.(d)(1)
Discussion took place around allowances in "Public" and "Institutional" zones versus allowances in
Commercial zones. Mr. Osaki stated these revisions were modeled after the City of SeaTac's sign
code; Sea Tac adopted this after discussions between the city and sign representatives.
Public testimony:
Steve Bunstead lives at 216 Park Ave N. Renton 98057. Mr. Bunstead owns Pixel Fire Productions
Sign Company and has does sign production throughout the United States. He informed the
Commission that case law has proved that signs are protected speech and cannot be outlawed.
The proposed restrictions must have a substantial public interest. Mr. Bunstead recommended the
Commission research the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to see the requirements
he spoke to. He stated there is no proof that electronic message boards cause or even increase
accidents.
Chuck Kline owner of Major Auto Brokers LLC dealership at 1344 17 Street S.E. spoke about the
large amount of revenue car dealerships generate in the Auburn area. He stated there should be
more respect for the car dealers and allowances to promote local products.
Brian Hess, a resident of Auburn, lives at 332 Park Ave. spoke about the negative impact these
electronic signs have on his neighborhood and home.
Tom Matson, owner of Tom Matson Jeep. Mr. Matson spoke about the large amount of revenue
generated from car dealerships. Mr. Matson stated that car dealers are trying to keep business
here in Auburn and prevent people from going to Puyallup to purchase cars. These signs allow for
marketing to take place 24 hours a day. There are bigger distractions on the road than these signs.
Michael Tilton works for a sign manufacturer in Tacoma at 423 61St Street Tacoma WA. Mr. Tilton
handed out a two page document from the United States Small Business Administration website that
discussed electronic message center signs being safe and legal. Mr. Tilton talked about costs of
other advertising versus the electronic message boards being much more. He suggested retailers
need to be engaged in future discussion. Some proposed amendments/suggestions made in
reference to background color limitations need to be more specific. Larger sized messages on the
face should be allowed with a percentage for a decorative facade. Mr. Tilton would like to help the
City find some regulations that will serve the city and their customers.
Dave Bowman lives in the City of Auburn at 3933 B Street N.W. He talked about the market area of
Auburn Way staying consistent. The sign manufacturers are trying to stay within what the city allows
for technology. Retailers are utilizing these electronic signs because they are so visible for
advertising.
Nancy Wyatt, President of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce talked about the current code
excluding the C1 (Light Commercial) zone; Ms. Wyatt's recommendation was to allow signs in the C1
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 8, 2007
zones just as they are allowed in C2 zones. Colors help customers recognize the company's image;
by not allowing certain colors some companies may not be able to display their. company logos.
Other statements from Ms. Wyatt included that the mitigation was reasonable regarding the lighting
in residential zones, the size allowances for static edges and changing messages inside these edges
needs to be reexamined. Ms. Wyatt said the tax revenue is important and the safety issues seem to
be non-existent.
Joe Bauman, a representative from John L. Scott located at 514 Auburn Way North, stated his
company was contacted by Auburn's Code Enforcement Officer regarding residential complaints.
Mr. Bauman came to the meeting to show they are trying to be a good neighbor and is willing to
work with the residents. Mr. Bauman stated that the sign has increased visibility and walk in traffic
for the real estate company.
Ron Claudon from Valley Pontiac Buick GMC located at 3141 Auburn Way North spoke about
increased customer traffic. Mr. Claudon stated these electronic message board signs help
increase customer traffic to his dealership.
Heath Rasche lives at 12415 93~d Place in Kirkland and works for Daktronics Sign Company.
Mr. Rasche stated as a manufacturer they try to make it easy for customers to utilize the signs.
Virginia Haugen lives at 2503 R Street S.E. She thanked the Commission for having this public
hearing. Ms. Haugen believes these signs are not clutter and that they help keep the car
dealerships in Auburn.
Steve Bunstead with Pixel Fire Productions spoke a second time regarding a market analysis the
electronic signs draw in. The tax revenues are typically drawn from two, five, and ten mile radius.
Mr. Bunstead stated by using these signs it is the best way to utilize advertising dollars in a local
community.
The Public Hearing was closed at 8:32 p.m.
Chair Roland made some comments from her own research and observations of the signs she found
in the local area. Chair Roland recommended that the Commission get together for further discussion
and study of this matter.
Commissioner Peace talked about the need for finding a balance for this new code implementation.
Mr. Peace stated there should be a reasonable allowance for the signs and agreed that the
Commission should come together for further discussion and study.
Commissioner Bidman asked the car dealerships and other representatives in the crowd to share
what the most important part of the sign code would be to keep and/or change. There were general
comments made from the crowd that the content, messages, 50% rule and movement were all vital to
retain without restrictions. Setbacks are also important for drivers' safety; by placing the signs closer
to the road drivers won't be tempted to look further off the road. Placing signs more in the line of
sight would be safer.
Commissioner Chapman motioned to table the recommendation for further discuss and that a
committee be established to come up with more solutions. Commissioner Bidman seconded.
Motioned passed 6-0
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 8, 2007
Interim Director Osaki recapped the process and asked for everyone present to sign the designated
sheet for further notification. The Planning Commission will ultimately make a recommendation to the
City Council.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Planning Commission adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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