HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM III-A
DRAFT
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
July 13, 2009
MINUTES
I.CALL TO ORDER
A. ROLL CALL
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Committee members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Nancy Backus
and Member Rich Wagner.
Staff members present included: Mayor Pete Lewis, Director Cindy Baker, Assistant
Director Kevin Snyder, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner
Jeff Dixon, Senior Planner Chris Andersen, Environmental Protection Manager Kelly
McLain Aardal, Environmental Planner Jennifer Shih, Finance Director Shelley
Coleman, City Attorney Dan Heid, City Engineer Dennis Selle, Transportation
Planner Joe Welsh, Transportation Planner Tiffin Goodman, M&O Operations
Manager Randy Baileyand Planning Secretary Renee Tobias.
Audience members present included: Gary Yao, Wayne Osborne, Robert Whale,
Nicole Petrino-Salter, Suse Hauck, and Domique Gomez of Cascadia Consulting
Group.
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Norman announced that she would be leaving the meeting at
approximately 6:30 p.m. Vice Chair Nancy Backus would assume leadership of
the meeting at that time.
Discussion of Item G, Light Commercial Zoning District – Multi-Family
Moratorium, would be heard after Item C.
II.CONSENT AGENDA
A. Meeting Minutes – June 22, 2009
B. Meeting Minutes – June 30, 2009
C. Meeting Minutes – July 8, 2009
Vice Chair Backus moved and Member Wagner seconded to approve the consent
agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
III.ACTION
There were no items for Committee’s consideration.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 13, 2009
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Carbon Footprint Project)
City of Auburn joined ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and agreed to
conduct a baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory covering both municipal
operations and community emissions. The conduct of the inventory will also assist
the City as it pursues federal and state grant funding opportunities. After interviewing
three consultants on the MRSC’s consultant roster, City staff selected Cascadia
Consulting Group, Inc. (Cascadia) to conduct the City’s greenhouse gas emissions
inventory. City staff from different departments held a project scoping meeting with
Cascadia on June 15, 2009, and the greenhouse gas inventory is currently
underway.
Following the project scoping meeting, Cascadia proposed a methodology and data
collection strategy for conducting the City’s baseline greenhouse gas inventory.
The City and Cascadia will adhere to accepted protocols and standards to conduct
the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and will follow the Local Government
Operations Protocol. The basic methodology, data collection steps, and next steps
were reviewed and discussed with the Committee by Cascadia Consultant
Dóminique Gomez.
The municipal greenhouse gas inventory will include City building energy use
(electricity and natural gas), City fleet vehicles mileage and gas usage, energy use
from streetlights, traffic signals, and water pump stations, solid waste from City
facilities (and from street sweepers), employee transportation (commuting and
business travel) and refrigerants associated with the city fleet. A sample of the data
collected for City fleet vehicles and building electricity usage was distributed. For the
community greenhouse gas inventory, data collection will include residential and
commercial energy use (electricity and natural gas), vehicle miles traveled on roads
within the City’s boundaries and residential, commercial, and industrial solid waste.
Committee asked about the Fire Department data included in the sample report;
since this department has been replaced by the Valley Regional Fire Authority
(VRFA); would it skew the numbers? Staff noted that this data was from 2007 when
Fire was still a part of the City and that some VRFA vehicles still use fuel at the City’s
M&O station. Consultant and staff will review this data before it goes into the final
inventory.
In response to Committee’s question, Ms. Gómez stated that one of the ways to deal
with the population growth is to set some of the reduction goals based on per
employee or per capita and attempt to shrink that number. As Auburn grows, the City
will be able to show a per employee or per capital reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions.
The goal is to complete all data collection efforts by mid-July 2009. The inventories,
reduction goals, and climate action recommendations are scheduled for completion
by the end of September 2009. Cascadia and City staff will provide another update
on progress at the Committee meeting on August 24, 2009.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 13, 2009
B. Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update
Transportation Planner Tiffin Goodman reported that the Public Works Committee
and the Transportation, Transit and Trails Advisory Committee have been working on
the Comprehensive Transportation Plan update for approximately eighteen months
and anticipate adopting the Plan by the end of 2009 with the regular Comprehensive
Transportation Plan Amendments. The plan update is focused on the Lea Hill and
West Hill annexation areas; other areas were updated three years ago. The Plan will
update the pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths and lanes, transit maps, policies and
roadway projects covering all modes and chapters.
At the previous meeting, the Committee discussed issues and challenges for looking
beyond the 20 year planning period to correspond with Puget Sound Regional
Council’s (PSRC) Vision 2040. Staff responded that they started the modeling effort
in 2007 and it takes two years to complete. If the City were to wait until Destination
2030 is updated next year, it would put the plan out a minimum of 2 more years. The
further out, the less accurate the model becomes. This is also consistent with what
other jurisdictions are doing in the region.
Staff reviewed maps that note current and future bike routes and trails, which will be
included in the Plan. For the bicycle map, the Committee noted that West Valley
Highway from 15th Street NW to Main Street should be designated as a bicycle
facility. In the current Plan, the City does not have a list of sidewalk projects and it is
a challenge, from an implementation perspective, to fund sidewalk projects. By
identifying priority projects in the plan, it will be easier to program and seek grants for
these projects. Staff focused on arterials, collectors, and areas near schools that had
significant gaps for pedestrians when selecting the proposed project areas.
During the neighborhood meetings for the Lea Hill and West Hill annexation areas,
discussion occurred about trails and paths. Committee asked about citizen
comments regarding sidewalks. Staff responded a lot of the corridors identified were
based on these public comments. For West Hill, comments were about the collector
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streets, such as 46 and 51st. Citizens on Lea Hill indicated a need to address
arterial roads. Mayor Lewis stated it might be good timing to start an informational
campaign informing them of the Local Improvement District (LID) process and the
match that the City has done in the past for sidewalks.
C. Lea Hill Transportation Issues
Dennis Selle, City Engineer, and Joe Welsh, Transportation Planner, distributed a
Lea Hill Transportation Issues briefing paper to the Committee. The key issue
discussed between the Committee and staff was the long queue of traffic that
impacts both access to adjacent properties and general traffic circulation in the
vicinity of Green River Community College. These queues occur repeatedly during
the morning just prior to the start of each sequence of college class sessions.
There are two primary reasons for the queuing of the public street system. The most
significant reason is due to the inability of vehicles to enter and move through the
college campus at a rate that would prevent queuing on the public street system.
Also, some additional capacity to the public street system is needed. Approximately
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two-thirds of the south-bound traffic on 124 Avenue is going to the College (920
a.m. peak hour trips) which cannot be readily accommodated with a single lane.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 13, 2009
Staff presented short term solution options that could be implemented relatively
quickly, medium term options that could be implemented within a 1-2 year time
period and long term options. It was noted that the City has not approached the
College with these options. Staff plans to work with the College to implement the
identified short term options and to also address longer term options including a
Master Plan to improve the pedestrian access, traffic circulation and parking
improvements on the campus. This would compliment the efforts made by the City
on the adjacent public street system. Since the College is a public agency, the City
may be able to assist in their efforts.
Chair Norman excused herself from the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. Staff will review
Item G with Chair Norman at a later date.
G. Light Commercial (C-1) Zoning District – Multi-Family Moratorium
Assistant Direct Kevin Snyder distributed a background information sheet on this
moratorium. At the July 8, 2009 meeting, the Committee directed staff to follow a
prioritized work schedule for completion of the Code Update Project. Tier 1 priorities
for the Code Update included addressing the moratorium on Conditional Use Permits
for multifamily residential development in the C-1 Light Commercial District.
Committee reviewed and discussed the seven options staff presented to address the
land use issues underlying moratorium. Staff noted that all of the options could be
applied city-wide or to certain geographic areas. Committee concurred on combining
Options 4 and 5 to address resolution of the current moratorium on a citywide basis.
Staff will review this decision with Chair Norman.
Staff will evaluate the potential effects of the Committee’s proposed approach to
amending the zoning code, including the potential for a resultant increase in the
number of existing non-conforming land uses, and bring the analysis and draft
language to the Public Works Committee on July 20, 2009 or August 3, 2009 and to
the PCD Committee for action on July 27, 2009.
D. Ordinance No. 6246 – 2009/2010 Budget Amendment
Finance Director Coleman briefed the Committee on this ordinance. This mid-year
budget amendment’s main focus is to adjust beginning fund balances to actual and
budget any grant funds that the Council accepted during the course of the year. The
amendment also includes budget adjustments that reduce revenues as a result of
the economic downturn and expenditures as a result of union concessions,
unaffiliated reductions and the reduction in workforce.
E. Resolution No. 4502 – Local Revitalization Financing
Finance Director briefed the Committee on this resolution. Resolution No. 4502
designates a revitalization area in the City and authorizes the Mayor to apply with the
State Department of Revenue for Local Revitalization Financing. =Local
revitalization financing is a reallocation of property and sales and use tax imposed by
the State and participating taxing districts and local governments. It is not a tax
increase to the identified revitalization area. Under Second Substitute Senate Bill
5045, the City of Auburn has been identified as a demonstration project and eligible
to receive $250,000 per year for a period of 25 years from the State in order to
finance public infrastructure that promotes community and economic development.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 13, 2009
In response to Committee’s question, Director Coleman responded that Initiative
1033 focuses mostly on property taxes or fund balances in the general fund. It refers
to if the City is accumulating fund balances and moves the funds over to the capital
projects fund or to the accumulative reserve instead of assigning it. For the monies
discussed with Council in connection with the demonstration project, the State is
guaranteeing up to $250,000 provided the City spends $250,000 on debt service and
debt has been issued. Director Coleman explained that this is why the
recommendation has come forward to use real estate excise tax because it is a
capital revenue stream that does not go into the general fund. It is a general tax but it
is restricted for capital only.
The City must apply before September 1, 2009. The City will hold a public hearing on
July 20, 2009 as required by this legislation, prior to the adoption of this resolution. A
successful application and project are anticipated and the City should have a reply
within 60 days.
F. Federal Emergency Management Agency/National Marine Fisheries Service
Floodplain Moratorium Status
Environmental Protection Manager McLain Aardal briefed the Committee on the
status of the moratorium and federal regulatory efforts. On September 22, 2008, the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) completed their formal consultation with
FEMA regarding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This consultation
(Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act) was required following a 2004 court ruling
inNWF v. FEMA.
The consultation found that the NFIP, as administered, is harmful to Puget Sound
Chinook, Chum, Steelhead, and Southern Resident Killer Whales (orcas). These
species are all protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The decision
listed 7 elements that FEMA is required to implement to protect endangered salmon
and orcas. One of the seven elements is new restrictions on development within
floodplains.
Staff distributed copies of the 2009 King County Buildable Lands Working Map and
Preliminary FEMA Flood Zone map. Staff reviewed the information, and answered
Committee’s questions on how the City’s current regulations meet the minimum
requirements specified in the NMFS decision. Committee provided policy direction
and guidance to staff for future review of a model ordinance from the federal
agencies.
Environmental Protection Manager McLain Aardal reported that the valley cities have
made a concerted effort to discuss urban concerns with FEMA and NMFS. Ms.
Aardal stated that flood plain habitat in the upper watershed should be protected in
King and Pierce counties, but the flood plain in the valley cities are not always
adjacent to a river.
Environmental Protection Manager McLain Aardal will be compiling all comments
from City Councilmembers and will provide the Council with a summary of those
comments in early August 2009.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 13, 2009
V.INFORMATION
A. Director’s Official Decisions and Report
There was no report.
B. PCDC Status Matrix
There were no changes to the matrix.
C. Information
Loading Zones in Downtown
Within downtown Auburn, there are eight (8) commercial loading zones with
seven (7) signed and described in city code or by ordinance. One commercial
loading zone adjacent to City Hall on Division Street is described in city code but
not currently signed. Limitations to consider when looking at loading zones within
downtown are the vacation of alleys for redevelopment, narrow right-of-way
combined with on-street parking, and full block redevelopment where loading
zones will need to be incorporated into the development or on-street. Committee
reviewed the map showing the commercial loading zones’ location.
There are several ways to address commercial loading zones within a downtown.
Communal commercial loading zones, timed commercial loading zones, a permit
system, adding a requirement to the Downtown Urban Center Design Standards
that loading zones shall be incorporated into new projects and locations
approved by the City (similar to what is already required for the Auburn Junction
project). Committee will provide comments to staff for further development.
VI.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
APPROVED THIS ________ DAY OF JULY 2009.
Lynn Norman, Chair Renee S. Tobias, Planning Secretary
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