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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.