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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-2007C[TY OF * , <~ . .~. AUB~J~~° WASHINGTON CITY OF AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, November 7, 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 Wednesday, November 7, 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, Darci Bidman, Renee Larsen, Peter DiTuri and Joan Mason MEMBERS ABSENT: Dave Peace STAFF PRESENT: Planning, Building and Community Director Cindy Baker, Community Development Administrator David Osaki, Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain and Planning Secretary Kirsten Reynolds. AUDIENCE PRESENT: Julie Venn, Don Harpter and Steve Ling 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 October 2, 2007 meeting. There were a couple of corrections regarding addresses and individuals' names that testified. Commissioner Mason moved to approve the minutes from October 2, 2007 meeting with the minor changes as discussed, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. PUBLIC COMMENT • None PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT Update on Planning Department Activities: • Community Development Administrator David Osaki introduced the new Planning, Building & Community Director Cindy Baker. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 7, 2007 • Mr. Osaki provided a status update on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) from the Commission's annual work program. The SMP has been delayed going to the City Council due to the slow progress on the Department of Ecology's comments. Mr. Osaki reported on other items coming up on the Commission's work program. Staff has spent a great deal of time dealing with appeals on 2006 land use issues. Details of the ongoing appeals could not be discussed; City Attorney Dan Heid was present to assist the Commission with understanding their roles. Mr. Heid affirmed that the appeals are not the fault of the Commission. Mr. Heid continued to explain one major role of the Planning Commission is to ensure public records are complete. Chair Roland asked for clarification around what they could do to ensure that the records are clear and complete. Mr. Heid's response was as if someone who has never heard the case before, listened for the first time, and the record should be clear. The record includes everything that goes into the decision making process, which includes: compliance with City Codes, compliance with the Growth Management Authority (GMA) regulations, staff prepared packet information and documentation, public testimony and submitted documents. Mr. Heid said he would come back for a debriefing in the future to discuss the other side of the 2006 land use appeals. PUBLIC HEARINGS • Deliberation ZOA07-0002 Chapter 18.45 Lea Hill District Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain summarized the previous monthly meeting where the Commission reviewed the Lea Hill District zoning code chapter and the urban separator. More information was distributed to Commissioners, including a map of the Lea Hill area showing the urban separator borders where the majority of land is located in the northern region. Ms. Chamberlain explained that the urban separator area transitions into the rural area of King County; this creates the least amount of impact and maintains the largest area for open space. The Commission reviewed the City of Renton, King County and Auburn's urban separator designations. The Inter-Local Agreement between King County and Auburn was also reviewed. Ms. Chamberlain explained the Commission would be acting on the proposed text changes to Auburn City Code Chapter 18.45.090 addressing an increase of open space by 50 percent. Lots would be able to be developed by clustering, allowing more open space. King County currently allows one unit per acre and requires clustering of lots. Auburn proposed keeping the same allowances and requiring clustering and keeping the same amount of open space. Averaging density was discussed. The Urban Separator area has the same boundaries designated by King County and will stay the same with Auburn. Staff and the Commission discussed the NW area's issues of power lines, topographical variances and concerns regarding development. King County owns most of the land in question because there is little opportunity for build out. Commissioner DiTuri moved to adopt ZOA07-0002 amendments to the zoning code; seconded by Commissioner Bidman. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 7, 2007 • ZOA07-0003 Senior Housing Parking Amendments Planner Stacey Borland explained that the code required .25 parking stall per unit in senior housing developments. To prevent future issues, the Commission recommended adding one space of parking per unit, one space per employee on the largest scheduled shift and one space per unit for visitors. There were modifications made defining the types of housing, such as Nursing Home Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities. These new code amendments would not affect any existing facilities. Ms. Borland confirmed the Comprehensive Plan supports the parking increases being proposed and that the amendments have been given to the State for review. Differences between the employee parking regulations for Senior Housing verses a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility were discussed. There were concerns with the employee parking at the Nursing Homes; staff proposed one space per every four beds, down from the one space per three beds. Director Baker commented to the commission that staff would make phone calls to the facilities to justify the parking space recommendations and also recommended changing language regarding the distance to feet rather than distance to feet rather than blocks for the reduction. Staff reported that all the parking requirements were for off street spaces; on street parking was not a factor in the proposal. ADA accessibility parking spaces were also discussed. This code amendment would not reflect any ADA requirements as those are required by the building code. This proposal is increasing the current City Code requirements. The Public Testimony was opened at 8:09 p.m. Steve Ling lives at 2708 M Street SE. Mr. Ling inquired if this affected Adult Family Homes. Chair Roland answered that Adult Family Homes were not in this category. The public testimony was closed at 8:10 p.m. After discussion and deliberation the Commissioners decided to make a motion without further staff time spent on calling facilities. A short discussion took place regarding transitional facilities, for example Wesley Homes where there are some houses and apartment type living. Parking requirements would be portioned out to ensure adequate parking. The Commission concluded the following modifications: Nursing Homes -require one employee parking space per employee shift and leave the requirement of one space for each three beds as is. Assisted Living Facilities should remain as proposed by staff. For Senior Apartments the recommended distance is 500 feet instead of "two blocks" for the reduction. Commissioner DiTuri moved to adopt the ZOA07-0003 Senior Housing parking with the amendments to read as follows "ACC 18.52.020.A.7, required parking per unit may be reduced by 25% if the facility is within 2 blocks of public transit, community services, parks, and shopping centers, as determined by the Planning Director; and ACC 18.52.020.D.1 convalescent, nursing and health institutions: one parking space for each employee per employee shift, plus one space for each three beds"; seconded by Commissioner Bidman. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. • ZOA06-0001 Home Occupation Amendment Planner Stacey Borland explained that the City Code requirements for home occupations have not changed in the last 20 years. These home occupation amendments would add PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 7, 2007 more flexibility and protect neighborhood quality. The review process for Special Home Occupation permits would change from the Hearing Examiner to an Administration Decision made by the Planning Director. Neighbors would still be notified of any Home Occupations within their neighborhoods. Ms. Borland reviewed a list of additional changes but stated it would not affect home businesses already functioning. Ms. Borland reported there was a SEPA review completed on the proposed amendments in 2006, it was sent for the 60-day State review period and it was advertised in the press. The Commission brought up a question about job sharing situations. Staff reported there would be only one outside employee allowed. The Commission recommended that the language should clarify that the one employee should be equal to one Full Time Employee (FTE). Discussion took place around the use of personal commercial vehicles, which would not include the United States Postal Service CUSPS) or any personal residential vehicle. The Commission recommended that there be two commercial vehicle deliveries permitted per day. Public testimony was opened at 8:42 p.m. Julie Venn lives at 1430 A Street SE. Ms. Venn is self employed and would like to open a Bed & Breakfast Business out of her home. Planner Borland commented these amendments would simplify the process for persons interested in operating a home business. Ms. Borland reviewed the square footage of the house that could be used and that this would be an Administrative Decision with an appeal process. Other topics discussed included hours of operation, signage and business deliveries. Public testimony was closed at 8:55 p.m. Ms. Borland recommended that the floor area and hours of operation should not apply to a bed & breakfast business. Daycares were discussed as being separated out from other types of home businesses. The one square foot sign was discussed as being inadequate. Any home business that cannot meet all the requirements would require a Special Home Occupation permit and would still have to meet 11 of the 13 requirements. The Commission concluded the following modifications: Insert up to one FTE non-residential employee under Item A. Add an exception for B&Bs under Item C. Commercial deliveries will be allowed twice a day under Item E. Larger signs will be allowed, but shall not exceed 18"x24" under Item G. Employee and customer visits would be Monday -Friday 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Saturday -Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and federally recognized holidays (except for B&B's). Commissioner Bidman moved to adopt ZOA06-0001 Home Occupation Amendment; with amendments, seconded by Commissioner DiTuri. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. OTHER BUSINESS • None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Planning Commission adjourned at 9:18 p.m.