HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2008CITY OF * M
~~~U, RN
WASHINGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
March 4, 2008 7:00 P.M.
AUBURN CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
251MEST MAIN STREET
M I N U T E S
The regular meeting of the Auburn Planning Commission was held on Tuesday,
March 4, 2008 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, Dave Peace,
Peter Di Turi, Ron Copple, Bob Baggett and Michael Hamilton
MEMBERS ABSENT: (Joan Mason excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Senior Planner Jeff Dixon, Karen,
Chris A
Planning Department Secretary Carolyn Brown
AUDIENCE PRESENT:
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
After the Planning Commission's study session Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at
7:04 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 5, 2008
Commissioner Chapman moved to approve the minutes from February 5, 2008 meeting as submitted;
seconded by Commissioner Copple.
The motion passed unanimously 7-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 4, 2008
Policy, Codes, Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher reported the City Council held their
annual retreat last week. More information will be shared with the Commission after the Council and
staff have a debrief.
Only one subdivision has been filed in the newly annexed Lea Hill area. Mr. Pilcher reminded the
Commission of projects initiated through King County will continue through their approval process;
if they require a public hearing, the City of Auburn will have its Hearing Examiner hold one.
There is a building moratorium on the north end of West Hill to make sure drainage issues are
addressed. As of the last City Council meeting (March 3, 2008), homeowners will be allowed to do
small additions up to 10% of the area of existing buildings.
Mr. Pilcher answered a question about the Marvel Grocery submitting an application to move into the
old VFW Hall on C St. SW. Nothing will happen until late summer because of their current lease.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
• Supportive Housing -
Chair Roland opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m.
As the staff report was presented during the 6:30 p.m. study session and all the audience present
was in attendance, there were no objections to moving forward with testimony.
Faith Richie from Valley Cities handed out a packet of information that included pictures from
other supportive housing projects in between Auburn and Seattle. Currently, there are no any
homeless shelters in Auburn and any transitional housing that is in the city are regular apartments;
these apartments do not require code changes. Ms. Richie talked about the code changes,
necessary finances and the application process Valley Cities needs to go through to make this a
successful program/facility.
Ms. Richie explained that written Management Plans are required by all their funders, which
include the State and County; Auburn has also asked to review the Management Plan before
approval. The total budget is $5.8 million to get their project completed. Chair Roland clarified
that the City of Auburn has been asked for $50,000 for funding, so that is why they have asked to
review the Management Plan.
Ms. Richie stated the intent of their project is to provide permanent housing; support of the
proposed code change would allow this project to proceed. She recommended the Commission
to take a definitive position regarding density standards for these uses, as it is important for any
agency's planning purposes. The project is proposing to serve 24 single adults; of the 24
individuals half would be veterans and the other half would be adults with mental health problems,
some of which may have substance abuse problems. Sex offenders will not be eligible for
housing. The program is primarily available to local Auburn homeless individuals. $2.8 million
has been committed of the $5.8 million total project cost, $3.5 million will be asked of the County
and $50,000 from the City.
Dan McDougall-Treacy - works for Valley Cities at 2704 I St. NE; Mr. McDougall-Treacy is the
Director of homeless services for families. Mr. McDougall-Treacy talked about the one night count
of homeless individuals that has occurred in King County for the last 26 years. 2008 is the first
time the Auburn has been participated in the count. The group counted 40 people that night but
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 4, 2008
there are known to be more; many peopie were sleeping in their cars that night because of the
harsh cold conditions that night.
Commissioner Chapman asked if there was a more accurate estimated count. There was no
answer that could be given because this was the first year doing the count.
Scott Swaim - works for Valley Cities in the Veteran Services Program. This project will serve
50% veterans, of which Mr. Swaim himself is one. 30-40 % of the homeless counted are vets.
The count showed 15-20 of the individuals counted were veterans. Mr. Swaim talked about how
he has been tracking individuals who have served in the military. They are here in Auburn and
this facility can help these individuals.
Chuck Booth - 505 R Street NE - Mr. Booth talked about his work with the Valley Cities since
1970. This proposal is not a typically housing project; it is planned for single individuals including
veterans. Emerald Downs did open their facility during the winter when they were not using the
race tracks, but now they have to stop that service as their season is picking up. Mr. Booth
expressed this is an extremely important project to support.
Commissioner Copple asked if there are job opportunities available to the people who may be
living there. Mr. Booth replied that individuals will be helped with all the coaching and support to
find jobs.
Walt Bishop lives at 32525 110t" Ave. SE. Mr. Bishop currently lives right next to a facility that
offers services to teenage girls and is familiar with how a facility such as this operates. Mr. Bishop
talked about providing comprehensive services and the key location of the facility on a commercial
street, not in the middle of an established neighborhood. Even though the units will only be 400
sq. ft. this gives the individuals the sense of security.
Barbara Muczynski lives at 108 T Street NE - has been on the board of Valley Cities for 15 years
and spoke to the honesty and good treatment that Valley Cities has provided. Ms. Muczynski
expressed she has been pleased to be a part of Valley Cities.
Chair Roland asked for more clarification from Ms. Richie. Ms. Richie explained that if the
clients/residents have behavior issues, the standards laws regarding landlords and tenants will
be followed. She explained that Valley Cities can not require individuals to follow a treatment
plan, but staff has found that with motivation and support, individuals typically want the services.
The population identified as needing "assertive community treatment" need a lot of staff support
because they are not used to living in a regular "normal" community. The reason why Valley
Cities are choosing to serve only 24 clients is the need for the project to "fit the community", they
are not looking to serve a greater population than 24. Ms. Richie answered questions regarding
outreach to the local community. Valley Cities staff has gone door to door informing neighbors
about the project.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:56 p.m.
The Commission discussed the testimony. Commissioner Chapman was concerned that by
approving this code amendment it would open the flood gates to more development of this nature
strictly because of affordable land. Commissioner Peace stated he hopes the County would not
make decisions on land costs and focus more on serving the population where they are. Mr.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 4, 2008
Pilcher talked about the possibility of putting separation standards in the code that would limit
potential locations in Auburn. Commissioner Baggett stated there are several areas that currently
allow for these types of services, the Commission and/or staff may want to
re-examine this. Commissioner Copple talked about the large financial magnitude of this type of
project and the unlikelihood of agencies coming to Auburn to build these types of facilities. Chair
Roland stated Valley Cities would be offering a variety of services including the need for
supportive housing. Mr. Pilcher answered questions regarding possibilities to limit the number of
units as code criteria; suggested reducing the area/distance where allowed; and evaluate on a
case-by-case basis.
Commission Peace moved to recommended approval of the proposal to City Council using the
minimum lot area per unit of 1,200 sq. ft., with the recommendation to revise the maximum
distance to required support services within 1,000 ft. instead of 1,500; Commissioner Copple
seconded the motion.
Discussion: Michael Hamilton made a friendly amendment and recommendation for City Council
to consider a maximum cap of units allowed for the Valley Cities project. All Commissioners
agreed to the friendly amendment to cap Valley Cities development.
All were in agreement, the motion passed 7-0
Rezone of surplus city property at B St. NW (south of 277tn) _
Public Hearing was opened at 8:17 p.m.
Policy, Codes, Environmental Programs Manager Steve Pilcher displayed a map just south of
277tn and explained the property was originally acquired for the 277th Street Public Works project.
The property is zoned Public Use and everything to the S.E. is zoned Light Industrial. The City
was approached by an individual wanting to purchase the property after the project was
completed and there was no further use for the property. In recognition of that, the
Comprehensive Plan was amended last year to redesignate the property from "Public/Quasi-
public" to "Light Industrial." Staff is recommending approval of the zone change because it is in
line with the comprehensive plan. Mr. Pilcher explained the reason why the Planning Commission
was reviewing this rezone is because it was being initiated by the City, rather than by a private
individual. Commissioner Baggett noted it may prove beneficial to the City to solicit more bids on
the property.
Commissioner Hamilton motioned to accept rezoning from Public to Light Industrial;
Commissioner Copple seconded the motion.
All were in agreement, the motion passed 7-0
OTHER BUSINESS
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
Commissioner Chapman talked about the new dragonfly sculptures and asked staff to pass on
gratitude to the Arts Commission; the art is great but the street lights are very dim and do not
illuminate the artwork.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Planning Commission adjourned at 8:3_ 0 p•m.