HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-2009
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
A-tJ,BU,-
WASHINGTON Y OF
June 22, 2009
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:02 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: Director Cindy Baker, Assistant Director Kevin Snyder,
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Senior Planner
Chris Andersen, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, City Attorney Dan Heid, and
Planning Secretary Renee Tobias.
Audience members present included: Hearing Examiner Phil Olbrechts, White River
Museum Director Patricia Nicole Petrino-Salter, Karen L. Campbell, Rudy Terry, Virginia
Haugen, Wayne Osborne and John Partridge.
II. HEARING EXAMINER ANNUAL REPORT
Committee asked the City's Hearing Examiner, Phil Olbrechts, to share his perspective
on the recent city code changes that removed the City Council from quasi-judicial
decision-making. Mr. Olbrechts stated that with the change in the code, his decisions are
now final rather than recommendation to the City Council. The number of cases has
decreased in the past year, but the cases he has heard were of a policy nature that he
did not feel he needed Council's input; the code is pretty clear on the matters presented
by staff.
Mr. Olbrechts reported that he is the Hearing Examiner for twelve jurisdictions and has
always felt that Auburn's code was good even before the recent changes. One issue
was with conditional use permit criteria being a bit vague which has been addressed.
The other issue is with the criteria for variances. These criteria are dictated by state law
and there is not much the city can do to change the criteria.
Mr. Olbrechts asked the Committee if they wanted more detail of the testimony given
during the hearing now that the Hearing Examiner renders final decisions and not
recommendations. The Committee agreed that they would like to see the testimony
summarized in the decisions; this would also help indicate what the Hearing Examiner
thought was important in making his decision. Director Baker noted that with the new fee
schedule that Council approved, the Hearing Examiner hourly costs are paid by the
applicant. Mr. Olbrechts stated that Auburn has one of the best planning departments
who produce very thorough staff reports and that staff are well prepared at the hearing.
The recent Auburn City Code update, adopted by the City Council on June 1, 2009,
includes new flexible development standards. The Committee asked staff how the
Hearing Examiner would be conversant on these. Director Baker responded that the
staff report would include the information about development flexibility credits earned or
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes June 22, 2009
not earned. In response to the Committee's question, Mr. Olbrechts stated that he has
dealt with planned unit development matrixes and believes that Auburn is on the cutting
edge by using them in other areas.
Staff is currently developing options for circulation planning requirements for the
Committee's review at a later date, which is not limited to aspects of a traffic study. The
Committee suggested that staff may want to have Mr. Olbrechts review potential
circulation planning regulations early in the policy development process to get his input.
After discussion about receiving the Hearing Examiner's decisions, the Committee asked
staff to ensure that the written decisions are clearly identified when left in the Council
work area.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2009
B. Meeting Minutes - June 16, 2009
Member Backus moved and Member Wagner seconded to approve the consent
agenda.
MOTION CARRIED 3-0
IV. ACTION
A. Population and Employment Targets
At the June 8, 2009 meeting, the Committee acknowledged that there is a disconnect
between infrastructure needs and GMA
The challenge remains that the State requires the population and employment target
numbers for Growth Management Act, but does not provide funds for cities to build
the infrastructure to support higher population. The Committee agreed that a
statement reflecting this would be included on any correspondence to Suburban
Cities Association and/or the City's support of any proposed targets. Staff prepared a
draft statement addressing the Committee's direction, which was distributed to the
Committee for review.
Director Baker clarified that the 8,400 population target did not include the West and
Lea Hill annexations, as previously discussed with the Committee. In addition,
Auburn is to assume a potential 2,500 units more. Other jurisdictions joined Auburn
in expressing their concern to the Suburban Cities Association about the additional
numbers and the omission of annexation information. It was noted that jurisdictions
must send their concurrence of the target numbers to the Association by mid-July
2009.
The Committee discussed the caveat statement presented by staff as well as various
options to accept or reject the target population numbers. It was noted discussion
surrounding the issues will continue and be addressed with the Suburban Cities
Association before the July 2009 deadline.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes June 22, 2009
The Committee agreed that at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 29,
2009, the Council would review information authorizing the Mayor to acknowledge
the proposed population target range of 8,000 to 8,900 for the Auburn community
with the caveat that additional local infrastructure funding must be available. The
Growth Management Planning Council takes action on the targets at their September
16th meeting. Once the King County Council takes action on the amendment to the
Countywide Planning Policies then Auburn has 90 days to take action; either ratify or
not to ratify.
V. DISCUSSION
A. Resolution No. 4497 - Principle Services Consulting Agreement
Finance Director Shelley Coleman stated that this resolution renews the existing
contract with the firm which provides representation before various governmental
agencies and political subdivisions. Director Coleman noted two changes.
Specifically, Article 2.2 - the monthly retainer fee will be $4,650 per month, an
increase of $150. The additional $150 represents an average of past year's small
reimbursements and was at the recommendation of the auditor. Secondly, Article
2.3., all expenses will be documented. The Committee suggested that the results of
the consultant's work be shared with Council; Director Coleman agreed.
B. King County Historic Preservation Office
Director Cindy Baker provided a briefing on historic and cultural preservation as it
relates to Chapter 15.76 of the Auburn City Code and the Interlocal Agreement for
landmark Services with King County.
The rules and procedures for required Certificates of Appropriateness were reviewed
and discussed. Auburn's historical data is incomplete both spatially and temporally.
Survey data is from 1977 to 1986 with a supplement in 1996 for Main Street. The
limited time horizon is pre-1942. Director Baker reviewed future tasks for both
historic and cultural preservation.
White River Valley Museum Director Patricia Cosgrove answered the Committee's
questions about the King County Landmarks & Heritage Commission and their
processes. Mrs. Cosgrove also stated that the City has had experience with historic
and cultural preservation through the Mary Olson Farm. Mrs. Cosgrove suggested
that the City complete a pre-emptive archeological investigation in the downtown
redevelopment area prior to demolition and construction.
Mrs. Cosgrove noted that often on a site, an archeologist or a trained monitor with
authority to halt construction is required. Mrs. Cosgrove suggested having a building
inspector attend the required four day training to oversee construction.
C. Energy and Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Strategy Document
Staff briefed the Committee on the key components and elements of the City's
application for the Energy and Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). The
EECBG is administered by the US Department of Energy, which is funded by the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARAA) of 2009. The City will receive a
direct formula grant of $235,500.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes June 22, 2009
Three projects have been identified for the $235,500 grant: new energy efficient
lighting at Game Farm Park, Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and participation in the
Puget Sound New Energy Solutions (PSNES). If the PSNES does not go forward, an
alternate project would be to purchase an electrical vehicle, with a charging station,
for use by staff on in-city business.
The Committee asked if the $235,500 grant would open the door to compete for a
portion of the $400 million nationwide competitive grant. Assistant Director Snyder
responded that the competitive grant is funded by the Department of Energy and
would be a separate process. The Department of Energy has stated that projects of
a regional orientation would be considered. Staff anticipates the DOE award
announcement would be made by early fall.
In response to Committee's question, Assistant Director Snyder explained the
importance of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory, stating that receipt of the federal
EECB Grant requires the City to report on actions that increase or decrease
greenhouse emissions. Many of the grants the City is applying for ask questions
about greenhouse gas impacts and reductions associated with the project proposed
for funding. The City does not have a greenhouse gas baseline that can be used for
comparison and analysis, and having this baseline would make the City competitive
for future grant funding.
Mayor Lewis reported that in Deputy Mayor Sue Singer's recent meetings with
participating entities for the Puget Sound Regional Council's Prosperity Partnership
program; the discussion has been about incubators for business, medical
technology, weatherization, energy development and veterans retraining. Mayor
Lewis noted that in conversations with federal staff, they knew about three
jurisdictions' projects, and Auburn's was one of them. Mayor Lewis noted that
Councilmember Wagner's contact and work with Washington State University has
significantly contributed to the awareness of the City's proposal.
D. Comprehensive Plan 2009
The City updates its Comprehensive Plan annually and processes city-initiated
amendments and private-initiated amendments. Four private-initiated amendments
were received - one text and three map amendments. Staff distributed an updated
table of map amendments to Committee.
Principal Planner Chamberlain stated that the docket is comprised mostly of policy
text amendments related to the recent update of Title 18 (Zoning). Additional
changes include minor revisions to the City's shoreline policies and regulations to
address the re-adoption of the Shoreline Master Program.
The Committee briefly reviewed the proposed docket and changes, and provided
staff with recommendations and changes.
E. Phase II - Code Update Project
Staff distributed and reviewed the revised draft of substantive issues to be addressed
as part of the Phase 2 effort, which will focus on the non-residential portion of the
Auburn City Code. These issues were identified by the Committee, the Code
Working Group and staff.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes June 22, 2009
The Committee agreed that the priority of issues would be for staff to start focus on
the following: C-1 Moratorium, Temporary Uses, Administrative vs. Conditional Uses,
Expanded Uses in Light Industrial Zoning District, Environmental Park District, and
Sustainability. Staff will also add resolution of the current C-1 Moratorium to the list
and make it a priority. The Committee asked staff to identify the approximate hours
required for each issue to further assist in prioritization. The Committee stated it
would finalize its direction at its June 30, 2009 special meeting and directed staff to
add this item to the special meeting agenda.
VI. INFORMATION
A. Director's Official Decisions and Report
None.
B. PCDC Status Matrix
None.
C. Information
• Comprehensive Transportation Plan: The Committee would like staff to present
the Plan at the July 13, 2009 regular meeting. The Committee discussed issues,
options and challenges for looking beyond the 20 year planning period to
correspond with Puget Sound Regional CounciPs Vision 2040.
• C-1 Zoning Multi-Family Moratorium: The Committee asked that this item be
brought to the July 13, 2009 regulation meeting and requested that staff from
planning, legal and public works develop options on approaches for resolving the
moratorium prior to this meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 7:22p.m.
APPROVED THIS DAY OF JULY 2009.
~
Lynn an, Chair enee S. Tobias, Planning Secretary
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