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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 4 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 5 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. 6