HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-1997 Special Council Mtg AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 13. 1997
Mayor Booth called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
I. Introduction
Those in attendance included Mayor Charles A. Booth, and Councilmembers Jeanne
Barber, Stacey Brothers, Trish Borden, Fred Poe, Gene Cerino, Fred Poe, and Rich
Wagner. Staff in attendance included Planning & Community Development Director
Paul Krauss, Design Engineer Jack Locke, Senior Planner Bob Sokol, Contract Project
Engineer Les Brattain, Finance Director Diane Supler, Senior Engineer Dennis Selle,
Traffic Engineer Steve Mullen, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Public Works Director
Frank Currie, City Attorney Michael J. Reynolds, and City Clerk Robin Wohlhueter.
Guests included some property owners and property owner representatives.
II. Presentations
Paul Krauss. Planning & Community Development Director
Planning & Community Development Director provided a brief overview and background
of the purpose of tonight's meeting. This meeting is provide the Council with a brief
history, identify the project location and existing uses, and to see if there is an interest
among Councilmembers in pursuing further action in putting together a multi-year
process for a planned development in northeast Auburn, and to seek support for a
proposed LID for street and utility improvements.
The proposed site is formally known as Riverbend. It includes approximately 400 acres
of property located in northeast Auburn. A portion of the property was developed and
the remainder of land was split up, subdivided and sold to various property owners.
Two years ago the City adopted a Comprehensive Plan, recently amended designating
the area as a special planning area. Potential annexation of Lea Hill combined with
development of the Riverbend area presents a unique opportunity for property owners to
work with the City to put together a planned development. Property owners are seeking
City support for proposed LID for street and utility improvements.
During the last two years Auburn experienced significant regional development with the
opening of the Casino, Emerald Downs, and the Supermall. Because of these
developments there is an increasing demand for residential growth. Construction of a
new bridge at South 277th will connect Lea Hill to State Highway 167 providing access
to the Riverbend special planning area. Future planning for development of streets,
water, sewer and storm drainage utilities, and land uses will be reviewed and approved
by the Council.
The Port of Seattle approached the City looking for a wetland mitigation site for the third
runway. The EIS for the third runway identifies property within the Riverbend area as
the site for mitigation. A regional storm water basin is required to to serve this area of
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January 13, 1997
Page No. 2
the city. According to surface water design regulations, floodplain cannot be filled
unless additional floodplain is relocated. If an agreement can be reached with the Port,
staff will recommend, through an interlocal agreement, that the Port relocate a
floodplain, pay for street and utility improvements for development of the Airport
wetlands, build the retention basin, and deed the land to the City.
Potential land uses for development in the Riverbend special planning area are
unknown at this time. The Council will be reviewing and considering land uses through
a special areas planning process. Staff is currently working on a concept of land use for
this area.
A Comprehensive Plan amendment will be required and will be accompanied by a
programmatic environmental impact study (EIS). This will allow Council an detailed
review of the development where impacts are identified. Property owners wishing to
develop, once the EIS is complete, will not have to go through the SEPA process.
Jesus A. Moulinet
Mr. Moulinet is a Principal Planner with Landmark, a planning, engineering, and
surveying firm. Mr. Moulinet introduced other property owners present this evening.
They include Auburn Properties, Fairfield Development, Golden Homes, Bristol
Development, Gentra, and Port of Seattle. Represent seventy-five percent of the total
development. The goal is to create an opportunity, not available in a normal planning
process in Auburn, to create a special planning area where flexibility is built into the
process. This program will support neotraditional planning concepts that are being
developed throughout the country such as a urban villages, zero lot lines, and
developments that include a mix of uses. Emphasis would be to create an opportunity
to create design and development guidelines that will control the quality of development
in the entire area.
Illustrated on map, Mr. Moulinet identified the location of the proposed Local
Improvement District (LID). The LID will reconfigure I Street, and the regional storm
water facility will be relocated. Mr. Moulinet discussed property exchanges and
configuration of maintaining identified conceptually as wetland properties that will make
up for the regional storm water facility. Agreements will be developed as the process
moves forward to ensure no net loss to the developable land. Attributes to the
development of the property include the Green River, South 277th, Port of Seattle,
Auburn Way and the location relative to the undeveloped land within the area, There
are considerations of present and future land uses and advantages of major
thoroughfares both east and west.
There is opportunity in the northwest corner of the development for higher densities, 10-
20 units per acre with 20-30 for congregate care and retirement housing because of the
services that would be available and its location. Another area of the proposed
development may include mixed use designations that will incorporate the uses
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January 13, 1997
Page No. 3
permitted except low density. Commercial designation, size undetermined at this time,
will serve day to day needs of the community and residents on the hill.
When Riverbend split up, the Port of Seattle purchased a piece of property within the
proposed area for wetland mitigation. The Port of Seattle independently approached the
City in seeking wetland mitigation for the third runway. At the Airport the land is scarce
and FAA regulations prevent wetland mitigation within a certain designated area of the
Airport.
In conclusion, concepts will be refined as the proposed LID progresses, developers will
be working closely with the Planning Commission to develop the special plan area with
the support implementation with respect to design, development standards, and design
guidelines.
Jack Locke. City of Auburn Design Engineer
In December, the City Council established a special planning area. Mr. Locke reported
on two public meetings that have already occurred with regard to the proposed LID for I
Street N.E. It is anticipated the Planning process will take approximately one year. The
proposed improvements will include participation in development of South 277th,
regional trunk sewer will be brought in by Metro, I Street NE development, development
of a regional storm water system, signalization, 49th Street, and an environmental
impact study. Mr. Locke discussed the method of assessing property owners on the
proposed Local Improvement District.
Should the Council encourage staff to move forward on the proposed LID, a work
program will be presented to the Public Works Committee to form the LID.
Councilmember Borden questioned the interaction and coordination of the proposed
LID, the planning and EIS process. Mr. Locke responded that the EIS generally is
completed prior to formation of the LID. In this case, staff may recommend formation of
the LID giving the property ownere the assurances the City will construct the
improvements providing the EIS and planning process proceeds.
III. Discussion
City Attorney Reynolds limited discussion to the conceptual idea of the proposed
development. Mr. Reynolds recommended Council and staff not engage in discussion
that may be in violation of the planning process which will occur in due course.
Councilmember Brothers questioned what the City's participation is relative to the total
cost. Mr. Locke responded that the costs are significant but will be fully supported by
the property owners.
In summary, Mayor Booth noted this issue will come before the Planning Commission
and then to the City Council.
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January 13, 1997
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IV. Ajournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Approved on this ~ day of February, 1997.
Charles A. Booth Robin Wohlhueter
Mayor City Clerk
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