HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-2001sp SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 18, 2001 4:30 PM
COUNCIL WORK AREA
DOWNTOWN PLAN
MINUTES
I. Call to Order
The special meeting of the Aubum City Council to discuss the Auburn Downtown
Plan/Draft EIS was called to order at 4:40 PM in the Council Chambers located
in Auburn City Hall. Mayor Charles A. Booth and the following Councilmembers
were present: Rich Wagner, Pete Lewis, Sue Singer, Trish Borden, and Stacey
Brothers. Councilmembers Jeanne Barber and Fred Poe were excused. Staff
members present included: Principal Planner David Osaki, City Engineer Dennis
Dowdy, Public Works Director Christine Engler, Planning and Community
Development Director Paul Krauss, Associate Planner Shirley Aird, Fire Training
Officer Dan Bosch, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Storm Drainage Engineer
Tim Carlaw, and Deputy City Clerk Cathy Richardson. Also present were
Attorney Andrew S. Lane with Foster Pepper Shefelman and Citizens Downtown
Task Force Member and Planning Commissioner Peter DiTuri.
II. Downtown Plan Presentation
Mayor Booth stated that the purpose of this evening's meeting is to review the
Auburn Downtown Plan.
Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss commented that
many changes have occurred within the city over the last ten years including the
construction of the Transit Station and funding for the FAST Corridor. Many
more projects are under construction or will begin in the near future. A great deal
has been accomplished by the City since the Auburn Downtown Plan began.
Director Krauss reported that the Downtown Plan and the implementation of the
interim C-2 zoning have been used as a guideline for development in the
downtown area. One of the primary goals of the downtown revitalization plan
was to not only plan for the vision of what downtown could become, but to also
facilitate the plan. The development of downtown has created many challenges
for the City and developers. Director Krauss cited examples pertaining to the
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Page 2
storm drainage and water quality program, traffic level of service in the downtown
area, allowable density, and environmental requirements.
Principal Planner David Osaki distributed materials pertaining to the Downtown
Plan. Mr. Osaki thanked Mr. Peter DiTuri for attending the Council meeting and
noted that Mr. DiTuri was on the Citizens Downtown Task Force and is a
member of the Planning Commission.
Mr. Osaki explained that a portion of the materials distributed is a summary of the
layout of the Downtown Plan that may be used to assist in the navigation of the
Plan. The balance of the materials makes reference to those items that Council
expressed a desire to review in greater detail. Mr. Osaki noted that all
correspondence received by the City during the process of compiling the Plan is
attached.
Mr. Osaki explained that the regional transportation and land use system is
based on a hierarchy of centers such as Urban Centers or Activity Centers. It is
a concept of high density developed areas interconnected by a high-capacity
transit system. Many jurisdictions are currently engaged in downtown planning
and are trying to implement the downtown regional vision of a downtown mixed
use area supported by bus transit and/or heavy or light rail. Mr. Osaki displayed
an overhead of general concepts for downtown planning that included the
following points:
· Mixed Use Development
· Increase Residential Development -
More Activities
Nighttime Activities
· Emphasize Non-motorized Uses -
Limit Auto-oriented Design
· Emphasis on Physical Design -
Pedestrian Oriented
Facade Improvements
· Gateways
· Pedestrian Access Within -
Linking Access From Neighborhoods
· Pedestrian Amenities -
Public Art
Wayfinding/Signage
Landscaping
· Streetscape Improvement- Key Streets -
Sidewalks
Lighting
Street Trees/Landscaping
Signage
· Encourage Transit/Non-motorized Transportation
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Page 3
· Improve the Business Climate and Image
Media Campaign/Cooperation
· Off-street Parking Strategy -
Shared Parking
Parking Garage
· Historic Preservation
· Focus on Key Sites
Mr. Osaki noted that a community must determine its assets and build upon them
and must identify and remove its constraints.
Mr. Osaki explained that the Auburn Downtown Plan is a combined. plan and
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) document. The Department of Ecology
encourages this format so that it is an integrated document to reduce
redundancy. There are basically three parts to the plan which include the plan
itself, which provides background, goals and policies, and implementation
strategies. Parts two and three include the EIS summary and analysis and
focuses on the impact of the Downtown Plan on the environment. The
Downtown Plan also includes Appendices that include the market and
transportation analysis, information on public art, and other works completed by
the consultant.
In response to an inquiry by Councilmember Singer, Mr. Osaki reported that the
marketing analysis consultant recommended conducting a new market study
rather than an update of the previous study. They further recommend that the
study be postponed so that it can include impacts of the Transit Station.
Discussion followed regarding the benefits and scope of information included in a
market analysis and the costs of updating the existing study. Director Krauss
stated that Auburn has more amenities located within the city, such as Emerald
Downs Racetrack and the Transit Center and parking garage since the last
analysis was completed. Director Krauss reported that there has been developer
interest in the downtown area as well as other areas within the city.
Mr. Osaki referred to page two of the documentation and reviewed the
recommended Downtown Plan Policies and Actions titles including strengthening
Main Street, diminishing blighting influences, transportation policies, street
improvements, parking strategies, the expanded downtown public art program,
and adopting downtown design guidelines or standards.
In response to questions from Councilmember Brothers, Director Krauss stated
that there are many landholders in the downtown area. The City has
endeavored to bring public awareness in a variety of ways, including holding
open houses, speaking at various downtown associations, and meeting
individually with a number of property owners. It is hoped that the retail area in
the new parking garage will encourage other property owners to improve their
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Page 4
properties. A great deal of discussion has occurred with regard to the
preservation of the residential neighborhoods located in the downtown area. The
City has attempted to insure that development in this area is sensitive to the
residential needs. Close proximity to the commuter rail station should make the
downtown neighborhoods a desirable area. Commuter rail has been extremely
successful in Auburn and is only constrained by the number of parking spaces
available and the number of trains running at this time.
III. DISCUSSION
Urban Center Designation Policy:
Director Krauss stated that one of the benefits of being designated as an urban
center includes prime access to transit services.
Discussion followed regarding the merits and disadvantages of having an urban
center designation. Director Krauss stated that cities with urban center
designations receive prioritization with regard to transportation, expenditure on
social service funds, Metro bus routing, and other County programs.
Councilmember Borden pointed out that additional density would be a concern if
the anticipated funds or services were not received.
Mr. Osaki reviewed the Downtown Plan districts and implementation measures.
The study area is divided into ten districts based on land use patterns and
defining characteristics. Each implementation strategy describes the strategy
and outlines its benefits, problem solutions, and coordination and steps required.
There are four implementation category types including policies and regulations,
transportation street improvements, public facilities, and catalyst projects. Mr.
Osaki presented an example using the Downtown Gateways project.
In response to questions from Councilmembers Brothers and Wagner, Director
Krauss explained that the cost of the Gateways project includes a design effort in
the first year with a construction effort in the second year. The gateways could
include landscaping and artwork and, in some cases, will require land acquisition.
The gateways have yet to be designed.
Councilmember Singer stressed the need for a gateway at the interurban trail.
Director Krauss pointed out that the City is in the process of seeking funding for a
bike trail connection from the interurban trail to the train station. The train station
will include bike lockers. It is hoped that this will encourage those using the
interurban trail to visit the downtown area.
Councilmember Lewis expressed a desire for more gateways such as the
landscaping used at the entrance to Game Farm Park.
Councilmember Wagner referred to page 181 of the Auburn Downtown
Plan/Draft EIS with regard to corrections of the funding under estimated cost.
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Page 5
Mr. Osaki stated corrections, revisions, or recommendations made by the
Planning and Community Development Committee or staff will be submitted to
Council prior to call for a public hearing.
Mr. Osaki reviewed the formal process and public comment procedures
implemented with regard to the Downtown Plan. Four letters were received
within the EIS comment period. One was received after the comment period
closed. All letters and staff responses will be included in the draft EIS.
In response to questions from Councilmember Wagner, Public Works Director
Christine Engler stated that staff will review the stormwater section of the EIS to
ensure it references appropriate quantity as well as quality treatment to provide
regional facilities wherein redevelopment and development share in those
systems in accordance with Auburn City Code.
Councilmember Wagner requested that the downtown plan include downtown as
a gathering place for the City's cultural celebrations.
Mr. Osaki referred to page 176 of the Auburn Downtown Plan/Draft EIS regarding
the urban center designation policy strategy and the excerpts regarding urban
centers from King County Countywide Planning Policies included in the packet
distributed. Mr. Osaki explained that urban centers are defined as areas of no
more than one and one half square miles in area. The comprehensive plan
should be adjusted to achieve the targets of 15,000 jobs within one half mile of
the transit center, a minimum of an average of fifty employees per gross acre,
and a minimum of fifteen households per gross acre. The objective of an urban
center is to have dense employment and residential centers.
Councilmember Borden requested that staff compile employment statistics within
Auburn city limits in comparison to surrounding jurisdictions with regard to the
urban center designation requirements.
Making Auburn Way More Pedestrian Friendly:
Mr. Osaki reported that another category of the of the Downtown Plan/EIS is the
street improvements to Auburn Way on page 178, Auburn Way is a key corridor
and entrance way into the City. Auburn Way presents a poor introduction with
minimal landscaping, pole signs, utility lines, curb cuts that discourage pedestrian
travel, and no landscape barriers between the curb and sidewalk. Suggested
improvements strategies include additional landscaping, decorative lighting, utility
line undergrounding, access management on curb cuts, improved signage, and
downtown artwork. The goal is to improve aesthetics and provide more
pedestrian amenities.
In response to questions from Councilmember Wagner, Mr. Osaki stated that
pole signs tend to be oriented towards the automobile and draw the eye upward.
Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2001
Page 6
The are inconsistent in height, create visual clutter, and encourage competition of
signage.
In response to questions from Councilmember Brothers, Mr. Osaki reported that,
if the proper tree is selected and flexibility is allowed with the placement of signs,
landscaping would not conflict with monument signage,
Minimum Height Requirement for Buildings, Historic Preservation
Implementation, and Current R-4 Zoning in West Auburn and West of City
Park/Auburn High:
Mr. Osaki reported that a Historic Preservation Implementation Strategy will be
presented as a separate staff recommendation. Some competition exists in the
urban center designation which promotes multi-family facilities in the downtown
area, and the preservation of those downtown historical residential areas which
would fall within that area. King County suggests rezoning to encourage
appropriate density increases and design standards to manage the conversion of
residences to multi-family use. The Downtown Plan recommends developing
design standards for these areas, but not a zoning change.
Mr. Osaki stated that the Downtown Plan recommends that in addition to having
no maximum height requirement, minimum densities be established to
encourage density in the downtown area such as structures with a minimum of
two stories in height.
Councilmember Lewis commented that the area designated in the Downtown
Plan with regard to structure height is too broad and should be confined to Main
Street, if implemented at all.
Transportation Impact Fees:
Mr. Osaki reported that the Downtown Plan recommends considering waiving
traffic impact fees in the downtown area. Director Krauss stated that it is
beneficial to the City and to developers to develop a set process with regard to
traffic impact fees, whether the City decides to waive fees or discount fees.
Areas can be segregated with regard to the impact fees, but each property within
that area must be treated with equality.
Councilmember Singer requested that staff compile a list of developer incentives
contained in the Downtown Plan. Councilmember Singer suggested that Council
might consider waiving transportation impact fees for a five year period.
Downtown Gateways:
Mr. Osaki reviewed the locations of the proposed Gateway locations.
Transit Routes:
Mr. Osaki reported that a letter was received from King County Metro Transit
Division during the comment pedod on the EIS. King County stated that the City
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Page 7
should identify key transit routes resulting from the service anticipated in relation
to the Commuter Rail Station. Metro identified those streets in downtown Auburn
as follows;
· 2"d Street SW
· 1 st Street NW
· "A" Street NW
· "A" Street SW
In response to Councilmember Lewis, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh stated
that Metro does not intend to move routes to Auburn until the parking garage is
completed. Metro typically moves routes at designated times of the year when
they update schedules.
Director Krauss pointed out that the City contractually bound Metro to wait until
the garage is completed.
City Engineer Dennis Dowdy requested that Council review Policy 21-3 on page
'100 of the draft Downtown Plan/EIS. Public Works Department recommends
deleting Policy 21-3 in light of recent events that indicate this policy is no longer
needed.
Councilmember Wagner requested that Policy 21-3 and alternatives be brought
before the Public Works Committee for review.
IV. Adjournment
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM.
~ej/~ day f May, 2001,
Approved the gee"~ ' CathyR ha~
Charles A. Booth, Mayor Clerk
2001 rn04-18special