HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-2009C]TY OF
A
I
RN
WASHINGT'ON
CALL TO ORDER
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 8, 2009
MINUTES
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in Room 3 located on the
second floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee
Members present were: Chair Lynn Norman and Vice Chair Sue Singer. Member Gene
Cerino was absent.
Staff present included: Interim Planning, Building & Community Director Kevin Snyder,
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, and
Planning Secretary Renee Tobias.
Audience Members present were: Mel Maertz and Spence Alpert
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Meeting Minutes - November 24, 2009
Member Singer moved to approve the consent agenda items as presented; Chair
Norman concurred.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2-0
III. DISCUSSION
A. Auburn Junction
At the November 24, 2009 meeting, the Committee began a review of a comparison
matrix that identified items from the Auburn Junction Alpert Vision Memo against
current code or standards and the Auburn Junction development agreement. Chair
Norman indicated that this meeting is a continuation of this discussion.
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain reported that staff met with the Alpert
Design Team (Team) on December 4, 2009 for the purpose of updating them with
the Committee's discussion on the comparison matrix. Staff and the Alpert Team
spent considerable time focusing on the connection between historic and new Main
Street. The following points were clarified during this meeting.
Intersection and Gateway Elements
Item 3- Plaza 2 SE corner of 2"d Street and A Street SE
Item 4- Plaza 3 NE corner of Main Street and A Street SE
Rather than plazas, these are the gateway elements into the overall development.
Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes December 8, 2009
Vehicular and Pedestrian Streets
Item 6- 68 foot right-of-way vehicular streets (perimeter)
Item 14 - 72-78 foot right-of-way pedestrian streets (interior)
Staff had indicated that the wider right-of-ways (ROW) would be acceptable, but that
the street would need to be aligned with the standard 60 ft. ROW. The Alpert Team
confirmed that the center line would remain the same; the wider streets would be
from on the sidewalk side. Staff will review the Design Standards to add flexibility
that would allow for a no curb option on 1 St Street and other identified needs.
Spence Alpert stated that they understood that the plaza on Main Street, introduced
by the Mayor's Institute on City Design, was a preferable gathering spot than the one
his team had proposed next to the transit station. Mr. Alpert stated that a key to the
economic analysis of this plaza is if they are able to attract tenants and users that will
contribute. Committee agreed.
Committee confirmed that prior discussion dealt with a very limited space and
development of green space, plaza area and other amenities is very appealing to
them. Committee wants to ensure that there is adequate retail, living space and
other important aspects in the project. Committee and the Alpert Design Team felt
that it was too early in the process to design the plaza and will remain flexible in the
size and location.
The group discussed the use of brick in parking or pedestrian crossings. There is
concern about maintenance of the brick and it was suggested to use a textured
concrete pattern.
Chair Norman noted that at the November 24, 2009 meeting, there was quite a
discussion about 1 St Street. Staff's analysis indicated that with the plaza ending at 1 St
Street and not at Auburn Avenue, the direct line of site from historic Main Street into
the Auburn Junction project would be lost. Committee agreed to keep the design
standards and guidelines the same and requested a pedestrian connection to this
corner with a line of site from the development to old downtown, or added enticement
to make people curious as to what is on the next street. The pedestrian connection
to Safeway is a real plus for people living in the area. Committee felt that there was
a way to do both by configuring the building with setbacks and graduated height so
as not to have a wall between the development and old downtown.
There was discussion about businesses located north of Safeway enhancing the
back of their building to draw people in from the development.
There was discussion about Auburn Avenue becoming a 2-way street with two lanes,
one lane in each direction; traffic ramped down and traffic calming measures
required to allow for safe pedestrian crossing from the development to Safeway and
old downtown. Ms. Gaub noted that diverting the traffic to Auburn Way and C Street
from the A Street corridor would not have significant reduction in traffic flow. Traffic
would then cut back to A Street on 3rd or 6th Streets. It was noted that this topic had
been discussed at the August 25, 2009 meeting. Committee asked that staff bring
the traffic study back for discussion and review.
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes December 8, 2009
Mel Maertz reported that at Friday's meeting, the group discussed allowing some
flexibility on securing retail space if the central plaza is developed in the northeast
block of Auburn Junction. The group discussed the possibility of capturing air rights
and actually building over the 1St Street right-of-way. Mr. Maertz stated that truck
traffic could be prohibited from using 1 St Street. This would then allow for the use of
brick pavers as there wouldn't be a concern about trucks degrading the roadway
materials.
Standard Street Lights
Member Singer reported on her recent discussion with a lighting company
representative. This company has another technology similar to LED, but is less
expensive and super energy efficient. The company offered to do a demonstration
for the Committee and staff.
Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub stated that the Committee had selected the style
of the,light poles for the downtown area. Ms. Gaub r,eported that staff is working with
Kim Lighting to install an actual light with dual heads behind Safeway for Council and
staff assessment. Staff will review the new technology that is similar to LED lights as
mentioned above.
Sidewalks
Ms. Chamberlain noted that the only matrix item not found in the current code or
standards or Auburn Junction development agreement is the kiosks. The Committee
previously supported, and continues to support, having some type of kiosk in the
project to provide directional signage for pedestrians. Discussion about what the
kiosks may look like will be discussed later in the project.
Ms. Chamberlain reviewed the Mercer Island pictures that showed examples of no-
curb sidewalks with the Committee. Committee agreed that the examples shown
looked very pedestrian-friendly and welcoming. Ms. Chamberlain noted that Mercer
Island did not start out pedestrian-friendly and was very much vehicular-oriented; it
took time for blocks to redevelop and they are to become pedestrian oriented.
The no-curb concept is very similar to how 1St Street will function with parking on one
side of the street. Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub stated that the only concern
with a no-curb street would be a safety feature. A clear zone would be required in
situations that do not have a vertical curb. Should a vehicle travel outside of the
roadway area, the clear zone would provide a recovery area and mitigate liability for
the City. Ms. Gaub stated that depending on the size of tree growth, trees could be
an obstruction; staff will want to ensure that trees are not placed right up against the
roadway. Committee briefly discussed items that could be used to clearly identify
pedestrian and vehicular areas. The specifics of this will be worked out later when
the group moves into design details.
Public Open Space
Item 33 - Transit Plaza
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain stated with the information provided by the
City's transportation section indicated that it is unlikely that bus traffic will be re-
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes December 8, 2009
routed in the future. Staff recommends removing this from the Auburn Junction
Design Guidelines. Ms. Chamberlain noted that the City cannot speak for Sound
Transit. Spence Alpert expressed concern about removing the concept of a plaza at
this location. His group felt that this area could be used as a gathering spot such as
a Jameson Park (Portland, OR) concept. Ms. Alpert suggested that the guidelines
be changed to reflect utilizing the most economically feasible property for a gathering
spot. Should the Transit Plaza be determined as the best place for a public open
space, the group could then focus on what will be done about bus traffic and other
issues. Mr. Alpert indicated that his team would be happy to take the lead in talking
with Sound Transit regarding transit center bus routes.
Chair Norman noted that Sound Transit would need to reroute the buses during the
Auburn Junction construction, which might lead to an opportunity to talk about
rerouting buses permanently. A lot of the buses currently access the transit station
via 2"d Street and a thought was that Sound Transit could change the direction
around the building so all would use 2"d Street.
Item 36 - Main St Plaza and Main Street Market
Ms. Chamberlain stated that the Committee and staff were not clear on the Alpert
Team's vision of a Main Street Market and how that would play into the Farmer's
Market.
Spence Alpert replied that the idea of a Main Street Market started with the Mayor's
vision of Auburn becoming an international melting pot of citizens. The working title
is Main Street Market which will be changed due to the current business, Auburn's
Main Street Market. The concept is a play on Seattle's Pike Place Market, with
smaller scale and unique market shops that would provide great pedestrian scale.
Mr. Maertz stated that this international market would be a great addition to the City
Hall Plaza. Committee agreed that these shops would be a good draw for the
Farmer's Market and might be the enticement that brings people through both sides
of downtown.
Items 1-15 in memo
In response to staff's request for clarification, Mel Maertz stated that the 15 items
associated with the Main Street Plaza is meant for background once the group
begins discussing elements at 5,000 feet or less. Committee agreed that the Esther
Short Park in downtown Vancouver, WA is a good combination between hard space
and green space, use of a water feature that is safe and sane and that the scale is
closer to what they are looking for. Staff confirmed that the Esther Short Park is a
managed place while Portland's Jameson Park is a spontaneous space; both have
different uses.
Chair Norman noted that the City is building a 30,000 square foot barrier-free
playground in the Les Gove Park, scheduled for completion spring 2011. Mr. Alpert
reminded the Committee that his group has always felt it was critically important to
have connectivity between the Auburn Junction and Les Gove Park. There was
discussion about street improvements and bicycle routes already in the
Transportation Plan for this connection.
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes December 8, 2009
Regarding Item 15 of the memo, Spence Alpert mentioned that his staff worked with
the City's Finance Director Shelley Coleman to develop an economic impact study.
This economic impact study looked at a$178 million tax benefit to the City and was
utilized to help with the legislation for the LIFT program. This economic study came
out of the question of whether it was economically feasible for the plaza. Once his
team reaches the point of talking to potential users of the plaza, it would be a
collaborative economic discussion rather than an analysis or study.
Staff will meet after the holidays with the Alpert Design Team to review the Design
Guidelines for any adjustments needed based on tonight's discussion.
IV. INFORMATION
A. The December 26, 2009 meeting will be cancelled.
B. Signal Control Boxes
Committee asked about the status of the Signal Control Boxes as discussed at the
October 27, 2009 meeting. Staff will check the minutes from previous meetings to
see what next steps were.
C. Auburn Junction Signs
Member Singer questioned the status of signs on the Auburn Junction announcing
the plans for the property. Staff responded that the site plan might change and it
would be premature to place any signs at this time. Mayor responded that once the
Promenade is completed, the City may put a sign up to build value and anticipation
in the project.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m.
APPROVED THIS C4) DAY OF JANUARY, 2010.
,
Lynn man, Chair ee Vobias, Planning Secretary
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