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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-2007CITY OF .AV._ R.l`~T - WASHINGTON CITY OF AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, December 11, 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, December 11, 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, Renee Larsen and Joan Mason MEMBERS EXCUSED: Darci Bidman and Dave Peace STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Cindy Baker, Development Services Coordinator Steve Pitcher, Senior Planner Chris Hankins and Planning Secretary Kirsten Reynolds. REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and gave a brief preface to this public meeting for the audience. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the November 7, 2007 meeting. Commissioner Chapman moved to approve the minutes from November 7, 2007 meeting as submitted; seconded by Commissioner Di Turi. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment from the audience. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT Director Cindy Baker gave an update on staff's involvement with the following topics: Economic Development, the Annex Building layout and drainage issues in King County. Director Baker reported there was no new information on the annexation census data; results will be sent out as soon as we have the official 10,000 mark/count. The State Office of Financial Management (OFM) has done a tremendous job in assisting the City to get an accurate count. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 11, 2007 Director Baker discussed a new organization chart and explained the new roles of individuals in the Planning Department. She explained that Principal Planner, Elizabeth Chamberlain is now in charge of the Lea Hill and West Hill Annexation and Downtown Areas; Jeff Dixon is now in charge of the Greater Auburn Area; Steve Pilcher is now in charge of City Code, Code Enforcement and Environmental topics; and Darcie Hanson is responsible for the Administration and Permit Center. Two additional Planners will be hired if the annexation is accepted. The Commissioners asked staff various questions, including the timeframe for destruction of the "tavern block", the downtown parking count, the reason for the White Knight locksmith business move, concerns of pedestrian safety around the Washington Federal Savings Bank (too close to the intersection), and future annexation areas; which none have been discussed. Director Baker announced that December 17, 2007 is the deadline to review the annexation census data. If Lea Hill comes in under 10,000 people, neither Lea Hill nor West Hill annexations will be accepted by the City Council PUBLIC HEARINGS • Electronic Message Boards Development Services Coordinator Steve Pilcher reviewed that last May the Planning Commission held a public hearing to establish more specific requirements for electronic message board signs. During the summer, the Chamber of Commerce and staff helped organize an Ad Hoc Committee in order to develop sign code amendment recommendations. The proposed amendment address: where such signs would be allowed; the quantity of signs allowed; allowable sign face area for display; allowable lighting levels; and amortization. The outcome in the revised code allows Changing Message Center signs in the I, P1, C3, DUC, C2, M1 Light Industrial zones. Provided that, in the DUC zone, changing message center signs shall only be allowed oriented and facing toward the Auburn Way North/Auburn Way South arterial and shall not be oriented toward Main Street. Other changes proposed include: • Changing message center signs shall not constitute more than seventy-five percent of a sign's total sign face area. This requirement shall not apply to the P1 (Public Use) zone and I (Institutional) zone. • The display of the sign shall not change more rapidly than once every one and one-half (1.5) seconds. No scrolling message shall require more than ten seconds to be displayed in its entirety. • Changing message center signs shall only advertise on premise products and services, or display public service messages or messages on behalf of not-for-profit organizations. • A copy of the manufacturer's operating manual shall be provided to the City upon request. Discussion took place regarding electronic message board signs only be allowed to face North or South Auburn Way. This would ensure signage is orientated towards traffic traveling on Auburn Way North/South, not on Main Street. Mr. Pilcher read the definition of electronic message board signs and clarified that the adopted Downtown Design Standards envision indirectly lit pedestrian scale size signs. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 11, 2007 Further discussion took place regarding enforcement for Institutional uses located in neighborhoods to ensure lighting be directed away from the residential zones. Public Hearing opened at 7:47 p.m. Tom Matson, from Matson Dodge, voiced concern regarding the height restrictions. Mr. Matson said his current sign is 35 feet tall; it is not an electronic message center but expressed disagreement with the proposal to restrict electronic message board sign height to 25 feet. He inquired whether the City Code Enforcement Officers would have nit meters to measure lighting intensity. Mr. Matson spoke on behalf of Mr. Steve Small who owns the Short Stop; Mr. Small had to put in a monument sign and has had many issues with vandals because of the location of his sign. Mr. Matson stated the recommendation of amortization was unreasonable; existing signs already approved and installed should be grandfathered. Mr. Matson was concerned with the proposal to not allow these signs in the C-1 zones. It was clarified that electronic signs do have the ability to turn their brightness down during specific hours. The zoning was reviewed along Auburn Way, which showed C-1 Light Commercial is often located next to residential zones. The provision on amortization was clarified that only sign displays proving to be out of compliance would need to conform to any newly adopted standards, excluding the brightness of the sign. Audience member Dave Bowman stated he was representing the sign industries. Mr. Bowman served on the Ad Hoc Committee and explained that the signs do have dimmers on them and are becoming more advanced with other options; the signs can be turned off. Mr. Bowman asked the Commission to think of the business person when they make a recommendation; signs help these individuals make a living. Nancy Wyatt with the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce thanked the Commission and staff for allowing the Ad Hoc Committee process to occur. Ms. Wyatt stated that initially the Chamber had major concerns with not allowing signs in the C-1 zones; there are C-1 zones and C-3 zones just across the street now have an economic disadvantage. Ms. Wyatt recommended allowing the signs in the C-1 zone. Commercial vs. Institutional signs were discussed during the time the Ad Hoc Committee met; there wasn't any objection towards allowing the Institutional signs. Staff and the Commission discussed issues associated with allowing electronic message board signs in the C-1 zone. Also discussed was the topic of institutional messages and churches. Public testimony was closed at 8:25 p.m. Senior Planner Chris Hankins spoke about how the use of symbols and pictures verses text was addressed at the Ad Hoc Committee. It was determined that there would be some acceptance made with just slowing down the rapid movement of the symbols and animations. Director Baker affirmed to the Commission that staff would address any specific issues and topics they would like to see worked on. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 11, 2007 Commissioner Larsen moved to remand the Electronic Message Board changes back to staff with a handful of issues that were discussed for staff to return back to the Commission, which include: • Look at the issue of Institutional zones being situated within residential areas; • Explain why changing message center signs are not allowed within C1 zone; • Summarize discussion of Ad Hoc Committee and/or PCD regarding color of lights; • Clarify where signs would be allowed within the Downtown area, specifically along Main Street; • Explain reason for 25 ft. height limitation; • Expand amortization to include lighting intensity (e.4); • Identify which signs will become non-conforming if C-1 zone and other zones are excluded; • Consider allowable hours of operation for signs when directly adjacent to "R" zones. The motioned was seconded by Commissioner Di Turi. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Commissioner Chapman commented that their concerns were to make sure that residents are kept happy. • West Hill Annexation Code Amendments Development Services Coordinator Steve Pilcher discussed the West Hill Annexation Code Amendment, which will be forwarded to the City Council only if the annexations are accepted. The West Hill annexation area is approximately 1.8 square miles in size with approximately 4,500 residents. There are some unique conditions pre-set from King County. The overlay zone would allow for the existing King County approved lots to continue using their current setbacks. Mr. Pilcher confirmed there are currently plats in with King County for processing. Another issue of farm animals was addressed to allow the owner property rights and not create any hardships for residents. Mr. Pilcher stated that excluding goats and swine are typical for city code. There was discussion regarding the exclusion of goats; the Commission asked staff to look into why goats would not be allowed in this amendment. Public Hearing was opened at 8:56 p.m. No one spoke to this issue. The Hearing was closed at 8:56 p.m. The Commission asked if the home owners were made aware of this amendment. Staff did answer questions during the annexation outreach period and this public hearing was advertised in the Seattle Times. It was determined that animals would be allowed to stay as individual non-conforming uses. Commissioner Chapman moved to recommend approval to the City Council the West Hill Annexation Code Amendments; seconded by Commissioner Mason. Commissioner Chapman stated in light of lack of public comment that this amendment seems appropriate and that the City is looking out for the future citizens on the City as well as development standards. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 11, 2007 OTHER BUSINESS • Scheduled 2008 meeting dates The meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of every month except for September and November, meeting will be held on the first Wednesday. • Planning Commission representation for 2008 Director Baker stated that the Mayor asked staff and the Commission for recommendations for additional names of people who may be interested in sitting on the commission. Chair Roland asked staff to relay the importance of these meetings on to any of the new people that may come on board. There were some concerns that the current terms are only three years. This makes for an uneven distribution of the term expiration dates that should be addressed. Staff will check the letters of appointment with the Mayor's office as well as the three year term limit. Commissioners also asked for an updated matrix after PCD picked their top ten items to focus on. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Planning Commission adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008