HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2007 Special Meeting~ ~,
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CITY OF ~
WASHINGTON
CALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
October 16, 2007 7:00 PM
A. Flag Salute
Mayor Peter B. Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and
led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call
Mayor Lewis and the following Councilmembers were present:
Rich Wagner, Gene Cerino, Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, Roger
Thordarson, and Lynn Norman. Councilmember Sue Singer was
excused.
Staff members present included: Chief of Police Jim Kelly, City
Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain,
Community Development Administrator David Osaki, Senior
Planner Jeff Dixon, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, and City
Clerk Danielle Daskam.
CITIZEN INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS 8~ CORRESPONDENCE
A. Public Hearing
Prior to receiving the staff reports and opening the public hearings,
Mayor Lewis apprised the audience of the hearing procedure and
announced that an additional hearing is scheduled for November
20, 2007.
Mayor Lewis modified the agenda so that the hearing on REZ07-
0003, the West Hill Annexation Area Proposed Zoning, could be
heard first to accommodate the smaller group of West Hill residents
in attendance.
Page 1
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
1. Application Number REZ07-0002: Lea Hill Annexation
Area Proposed Zoning
The City of Auburn is proposing certain zoning designations
for the Lea Hill Annexation Area in anticipation of an
effective date of January 1, 2008. Specifically, the City
proposes LHRS for the urban separator, LHR-1 for the
majority of Lea Hill, and Light Commercial (LHC1) at the
intersection of 124th Avenue SE and SE 304th Street and at
the intersection of 132"d Avenue SE and SE 304th Street.
(For clarification purposes, the following portion of the
meeting. was conducted immediately following Item II.A.2 of
these minutes.)
Senior Planner Chamberlain presented the staff report for
Application No. REZ07-0002, utilizing PowerPoint slides.
Ms. Chamberlain stated that the City held several
community outreach meetings prior to the annexation vote
as well as an open house on the proposed zoning.
Throughout the meetings, the City maintained its purposes
for annexation of the West Hill area: manage growth within
the annexation area, retain and enhance the single family
residential character in the annexation areas, preservation of
the Urban Separator on Lea Hill per the agreement with King
County, limit the amount of multi-family development on Lea
Hill, and look for some small opportunities for some
additional commercial on Lea Hill.
Ms. Chamberlain explained that there are two zoning options
for Lea Hill that will be presented this evening. Option 1
includes the zoning as presented at the open house. Option
2 includes changes prompted by comments received by staff
since the open house.
The proposed residential zones on Lea Hill include:
• LHRS for urban separator, which is 35,000 square foot
minimum lot sizes (one unit per acre)
• LHR1, Single Family Residential (8,000 square foot
minimum lot size) for the majority of the Lea Hill
Annexation area.
• LHR2, Single Family Residential for the developed area
near Green River Community College, which is currently
zoned R6 by the County.
Page 2
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
• LHRMHP, for ,two manufactured home parks that
currently exist on Lea Hill.
The proposed commercial areas on Lea Hill (Option 1)
include:
• SE 304t" and 124t" intersection (8 parcels)
• Island parcel at SE 304t" and 132nd near the existing
water tower
• Four corners at SE 312t" and 124t"
The Public and Institutional zones are:
• The four public schools (Public)
• Green River Community College and existing church
(Institutional)
Lea Hill Proposed Zoning Option 2 includes the addition of
the fire station and Hazelwood Community Center under the
Public zoning designation. Also, Commercial designations
are modified to remove the light commercial designation for
the area on the north side of 3041h. Under Option 2, further
LHR1 is proposed for areas that had been proposed for
LHR2 in Option 1.
Mayor Lewis opened the hearing on Application REZ07-
0002 at 7:37 p.m.
Cory Forsberg, 30103 126t" Court SE, Auburn
Mr. Forsberg questioned the placement of commercial areas
throughout the annexation area. He expressed opposition to
any additional commercial development on Lea Hill as there
is insufficient buffer for the residential areas. He spoke in
favor of less density on Lea Hill.
Jeff Jacobsen, 18818 SE 287t" Street, Kent
Mr. Jacobsen requested that his property be designated as
R-1 rather than RS Urban Separator. Mr. Jacobsen spoke in
favor of designating the Hazelwood Community Center as
Public under Option 2.
John Norris, 2053 Faben Drive, Mercer Island
Mr. Norris of Norris Homes advised that he is the owner of
the 31 lot plat located at the corner 124t" and 304t" across
from the City of Kent property. Mr. Norris indicated that he
has slowed development of the site in case the City zones
Page 3
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
the property commercial. Mr. Norris also spoke in favor of
6,000 square foot lots to provide more affordable housing
and to meet the Growth Management Act goals.
Mike Jacobsen, 37308 174t" Avenue SE, Auburn
Mr. Jacobsen expressed support for Option 2 with a change
to designate a small sliver of property south of 304t" R-1
rather than RS. He also expressed support for the Public
designation for Hazelwood Community Center, which was a
small one-room school house in the late 1900's and where
his parents attended school and where his grandfather was
a School Board member.
Leslie Lomax, 30039 125t" Court SE, Auburn
Ms. Lomax expressed support for zoning designations under
Option 2. She expressed opposition to the proposed
commercial area on 124t" under Option 1. Ms. Lomax
stated that under Option 1, her property would border
commercial development. Ms. Lomax urged the Council to
not rush to make zoning changes on Lea Hill.
Joseph Matthew, 10606 SE 293~d Street, Auburn
Mr. Matthew stated .that he owns approximately 1.5 acres
proposed for RS. Mr. Matthew requested that the Council
designate his property as R-1. Senior Planner Chamberlain
advised that Mr. Matthew's property is within the Urban
Separator area designated by King County.
Community Development Administrator Osaki explained that
the Urban Separator is a land use area established through
a regional countywide planning process and adopted under
the King County Comprehensive Plan, and accepted by all
King County cities and towns through the countywide
planning process. Any change in the Urban Separator,
requires application through the Growth Management
Planning Council as well as obtaining approval from the King
County Council and all the cities and towns of King County.
Janis Welsh, 30221 127t" Place SE, Auburn
Ms. Welsh agreed with comments made earlier by Mr.
Forsberg and Ms. Lomax. Ms. Welsh expressed concern
with the commercial areas proposed under Option 1 and
with any commercial development adjacent to her property.
Page 4
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
She expressed opposition to any additional commercial
development due to its impact on traffic and property values.
Jimmy Gee, 30248 129t" Avenue SE, Auburn
Mr. Gee stated that he was a proponent for annexation. Mr.
Gee expressed support for the City's outreach messages
and support for zoning designations proposed by Option 2.
He expressed opposition to commercial development at
304t" and 1241h; however, he expressed support for
commercial development in the vicinity of the existing fire
station. He expressed concern with the needed
infrastructure to serve any additional density.
Doyle Dulin, 30227 127t" Place SE, Auburn
Mr. Dulin spoke in favor of Option 2. Mr. Dulin advocated
placing commercial development near highway access and
at major intersections. Mr. Dulin also spoke in favor of
additional park development on Lea Hill.
Randy Smythe, 12024 SE 310t" Street, Auburn
Mr. Smythe reported that his property is zoned R12 under
the County's zoning. Mr. Smythe requested that the City
designate his property with similar zoning. He explained that
his property abuts multi-family units on three sides. Mr.
Smythe questioned the status of the Planning Commission
recommendation regarding Lea Hill zoning designations as it
appears that the Planning Commission recommendation
does not appear as either option presented this evening.
Liz Harris, 28022 118t" Avenue SE, Kent
Ms. Harris stated that the neighborhood between 288th and
280t" and 116t" and 120t" was developed nearly forty years
ago as two and one acre parcels. The City's proposed
zoning designations divide the area into two different zones.
The northern area is designated as R-1 while the southern
area is designated as RS. Mayor Lewis explained that the
Urban Separator was established by King County several
years ago. Ms. Harris spoke in favor of zoning the entire
area as RS.
Scott Tenner, 30027 125th Court SE, Auburn
Ms. Tenner expressed opposition to commercial
development adjacent to single family residential
Page 5
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
neighborhoods. He expressed support for Option 2 and
minimal light commercial development.
Bob Baggett, 12809 SE 301St Street, Auburn
Mr. Baggett expressed opposition to the commercial zoning
designations outlined in Option 1. He expressed support for
Option 2.
Leslie Clark, Short Cressman & Burgess, 999 Third Avenue,
Seattle
Ms. Clark spoke on behalf of Auburn Hills Mobile Home
Park. The current zoning under King County for Auburn Hills
is R12. Ms. Clark referred to her October 15, 2007 letter
faxed earlier in which she outlines three points in opposition
to designating the site as LHRMHP and in which she
requests the Council designate the property as high density
residential with R-4 zoning. (Ms. Clark provided color copies
of the same letter just prior to the hearing.) Ms. Clark stated
that by designating the property as Mobile Home Park, the
City imposes a burden upon the property owner to maintain
the property as a mobile home park and prevents the mobile
home park from redeveloping as any other use. She
expressed support for the Planning Commission's
recommendation for a Moderate Density Residential
designation and R-3 zoning.
Roger Gillette, 30527 124th Avenue SE, Auburn
Mr. Gillette previously submitted a letter dated September
16, 2007 in opposition to the light commercial designation at
304th and 1241. He expressed concern with the additional
traffic that would result from further commercial
development. Mr. Gillette stated that adequate commercial
development exists near the existing fire station. He also
suggested that if additional commercial area is contemplated
that the Council consider sites on 124th nearer the fire
station. Mr. Gillette also proposed designating the parcel
south of the fire station as Public for future fire station
expansion.
Nicole Patrino-Salter, 31021 132nd Way SE, Auburn
Ms. Patrino-Salter requested that her property and five other
families' properties, consisting of fifteen acres, retain zoning
similar to the existing King County zoning of R6. She stated
Page 6
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
that the properties adjacent to her property have already
been developed
Travis Bass, 701 5th Avenue, Suite 5500, Seattle
Mr. Bass, of the Williamson Law Offices representing Robert
and Greta Pfaff, spoke in favor of both Options 1 and 2. Mr.
Bass distributed a map identifying the Pfaff property. Mr.
Bass stated that the Pfaff property has never been
designated urban separator by King County and the property
is completely surrounded by development.
Eric Pfaff, 29414 124th Avenue SE, Auburn
Mr. Pfaff expressed support for the Public designation for
the Hazelwood Community Center. Mr. Pfaff also spoke in
support of redeveloping the Lea Hill Homes area located
north of Green .River Community College. Mr. Pfaff also
proposed commercial designation where other
apartments/low income housing exists. Mr. Pfaff also
suggested the Council impose a moratorium on
development until the current permits are built out.
Rudy Terry, 31011 132"d Avenue SE, Auburn
Mr. Terry concurred with comments made earlier by Ms.
Petrino-Salter to retain comparable zoning for his property
which is currently zoned R6 by King County.
Ray Bojarski, 12717 SE 301St Street, Auburn
Mr. Bojarski expressed opposition to commercial
development in the vicinity of 128th and 304th Street. Mr.
Bojarski also recommended that if commercial development
does take place on Lea Hill, the type of commercial
development should be limited.
Morris Dagley, 12530 SE 304th, Auburn
Mr. Dagley proposed that the sites at 124th and 304th are
feasible for commercial development. He expressed
support for zoning Option 1 and developing his property as
commercial.
Robert Kuvara, 1316 Central Avenue South, Kent
Mr. Kuvara spoke on behalf Jim Lea, vuho owns 8.5 acres
north of the Highway 18 off-ramp. Mr. Lea supports the
designation of his property as commercial to serve Highway
18, Pacific Raceways, and the Lea Hill residents.
Page 7
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
Richard Stevens, 12511 SE 304tH Avenue, Auburn
Mr. Stevens stated that he lives on the south side of 304tH
across the street from Mr. Dagley, who spoke earlier. Mr.
Stevens spoke in support of Mr. Dagley's comments and in
favor of larger commercial area.
John Potts, 23175 224tH Place SE, Maple. Valley.
Mr. Potts spoke on behalf of the ownership of the "triangular"
piece of property proposed as commercial. Mr. Potts
expressed support for the commercial designation for the
property due to its proximity to Highway 18, SE 304tH, and
132"d Avenue.
Karen Campbell, 31049 129tH Place SE, Auburn
Ms. Campbell spoke in support of her neighbors, Ms.
Petrino-Slater and Mr. Terry, and retaining comparable
zoning for her and her neighbors' properties that are
currently zoned R6 by King County.
James Bell, 1525 Rosario Road, Orcas Island
Mr. Bell stated that he is president of the board of the
Northwest Parks Foundation, which is constructing a 40-acre
park adjacent to Pacific Raceways at the corner of 148t" and
304tH. The park will be open to the public. Mr. Bell also
advised that he is a commercial and land specialist with
Windermere Commercial. He has lived in south King
County for over 35 years. He spoke in favor of creating of
affordable housing, including allowing 6,000 square foot
residential lots.
Lucy Stevens, 12511 SE 304tH Street, Auburn
Ms. Stevens stated that her property is proposed as
commercial. She requested that if her property is not zoned
commercial, that the Council allow 6,000 square foot
residential lots.
Randy Smythe, 12024 SE 310~n Street, Auburn
Mr. Smythe submitted a letter on behalf of his neighbors,
Ron and Cheryl Seek.
Cory Forsberg, 30103 126tH Court SE, Auburn
Mr. Forsberg responded to comments made earlier this
evening. He agreed with comments made by Ms. Lomax.
Page 8
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007 .
Mr. Forsberg agreed with Mr. Pfaff regarding the location of
commercial areas. Mr. Forsberg stated that he would prefer
to wait and see the type of commercial development that will
take place on the City of Kent owned property prior to
designating any further commercial areas on Lea Hill. Mr.
Forsberg spoke in favor of retaining traditional R-1 zoning.
John Norris, 2053 Faben Drive, Mercer Island
Mr. Norris spoke regarding the need for affordable housing.
Jean Sullins, 11644 SE 286t" Street, Kent
Ms. Sullins stated that she was opposed to annexation to
the City of Auburn. She expressed opposition to further
commercial development on Lea Hill.
Megalene Drinnon, 11642 SE 288t" Street, Kent
Ms. Drinnon expressed opposition to commercial
development on 304t" and the additional traffic it would
create.
Dixie Strobetl, 11029 SE 291St, Auburn
Ms. Strobetl expressed opposition to commercial
development on Lea Hill and the additional traffic it would
create. She suggested that if any commercial areas are
designated, they should be limited to 3121h, 124t" and near
Highway 18.
There being no further comment, Mayor Lewis closed the
public hearing at 9:03 p.m.
Mayor Lewis responded to comments made earlier
regarding the status of the Planning Commission
recommendations regarding Lea Hill zoning. Mayor Lewis
explained that the Planning Commission is a volunteer group
appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. The
Planning Commission performs planning and land use
functions in an advisory capacity to the Council. Mayor
Lewis also commented regarding the Growth Management
Act and proposed commercial development on Lea Hill.
2. Application Number REZ07-0003: West Hill Annexation
Area Proposed Zoning
The City of Auburn is proposing certain zoning designations
for the West Hill Annexation Area in anticipation of an
Page 9
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
effective date of January 1, 2008. Specifically, the City
proposes R-1 for the majority of West Hill. There is also
proposed Light Industrial is the northeastern portion of the
annexation area.
(For clarification purposes, the following portion of the
meeting was conducted prior to Item II.A.1 of these
minutes.)
Senior Planner Chamberlain presented the staff report for
Application No. REZ07-0003 utilizing PowerPoint slides.
Ms. Chamberlain noted that RCW35A.14.340 requires two
public hearings at least 30 days apart on annexation zoning.
The next public hearing is scheduled for November 20,
2007. The City Council will consider and act on the
proposed zoning in December 2007.
Ms. Chamberlain stated that the City held several
community outreach meetings prior to the annexation vote
as well as an open house on the proposed zoning.
Throughout the meetings, the City maintained its purposes
for annexation of the West Hill area: manage growth within
the annexation area and retain and enhance the single
family residential character in the annexation areas.
Using the slide titled West Hill Proposed Zoning, Ms.
Chamberlain pointed out the four zoning designations that
are proposed:
• RS Single Family Residential (35,000 square foot
minimum lot size) for six parcels in the southern portion
of West Hill.
• R-1, Single Family Residential (8,000 square foot
minimum lot size) for the majority of the West Hill
Annexation area.
• P-1, Public Use for the Meredith Hill Elementary School,
Lakehaven Utility District water facility, one public storm
pond and one public open space tract.
• M-1, Light Industrial for twenty-one parcels within the
northern portion of the annexation area. Ms.
Chamberlain noted that in 2000, the property owners for
the area approached the City for a Comprehensive Plan
map amendment to change the use to Light Industrial in
anticipation of annexation and M-1 zoning designation.
Page 10
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
The proposed industrial area is on the valley floor and is
separated topographically from adjacent single family
properties.
Mayor Lewis opened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m.
Cass Moodley, 23623 148th Avenue, Snohomish
Ms. Moodley of Prudential Northwest Realty spoke on behalf
of the Burt family that owns property at 6033 South 296th
Street. Ms. Moodley presented a written letter and
information for the Council requesting that the Burt property,
and the adjacent property owned by Mr. Kondratyev, be
zoned R-2 to allow more density and the construction of
townhomes. The property is currently zoned R-4 under King
County.
Mark Robbins, 32235 56th Avenue South, Auburn
Mr. Robbins submitted a written letter to the Council. The
Robbins family owns three parcels of land that make up
approximately six acres. The City's proposed zoning is R-1.
Mr. Robbins requested that the City zone his property R-2,
which most closely matches the current County zoning.
Bill Mercier, 29713 53rd Place South, Auburn
Mr. Mercier stated that his property is currently zoned R-6.
He requested that the City zone his property R-2.
John Norris, 2053 Faben Drive, Mercer Island
Mr. Norris spoke as a representative of Norris Homes. Mr.
Norris spoke in favor of higher density for the areas
proposed for R-1 designation in order to provide more
affordable housing. He expressed support for the smaller lot
size of 6,000 square feet. Mr. Norris asserted that the
smaller lot size and higher density will more closely meet the
intent of the Growth Management Act.
Craig Gartner, 30814 55th Avenue South, Auburn
Mr. Gartner spoke in favor of less density and preservation
of the single family neighborhoods.
Bob Rutherford, 30214 54th Avenue South, Auburn
Mr. Rutherford spoke in favor of less density and
preservation of the existing single family neighborhoods. He
Page 11
City of Auburn Council Special Meeting Minutes October 16, 2007
also spoke regarding the impact of additional density on the
schools in the area.
Daniel Igielski, 32615 56th Avenue South, Auburn
Mr. Igielski spoke in favor or less density, and urged the
Council to retain the character of the existing
neighborhoods.
There being no further comments regarding Application No.
REZ07-0003, Mayor Lewis closed the hearing at 7:26 p.m.
III. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
APPROVED THE ~~"~~DAY OF NOVEMBER 2007.
r
P ter B. Lewis, Mayor Dani a Daskam, City Clerk
A second public hearing on the above applications will be held Tuesday
November 20, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
City Council agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's
Office, on the City websife, and via a-mail. Complete agenda packets are
available for review at the City Clerk's Office.
Internet: http://www.auburnwa.gov
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