HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-2009
CITYOF
AV-BU PLANNING COMMISSION
~ WASHINGTON August4,2009
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Vice Chair Kevin Chapman,
Peter DiTuri, Michael Hamilton, and Dave Peace. Commissioners Bob Baggett and Ron
Copple were excused.
Steff present included: Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder, Principal Planner
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Senior Planner Chris Andersen and Planning Secretary Renee
Tobias.
Audience members included: Susan Hauck, Nicole Petrino-Salter and Karen L.
Campbell.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES •
Commissioner DiTuri moved and Commissioner Hamilton seconded to approve the
minutes from July 7, 2009 meeting as submitted.
The motion passed unanimously 6-0.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
Nicole Petrino-Salter, 31021 132nd Way SE, Auburn, WA 98092, wished to impress
upon the Commission how negatively she and her neighbors have been impacted by the
CUP application moratorium for the Lea Hill.
Karen L. Campbell, 31049 1291" Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092, concurred with statements
made by Ms. Petrino-Salter.
Susan Hauck, 31110 1291h Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092, concurred with statements
made by Ms. Petrino-Salter.
IV. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain reported that the City Council did not receive
any public comments at the July 20, 2009 public hearing on the creation of the Auburn
Revitalization Area. The purpose of the Auburn Revitalization Area is to secure the
financial means for making key infrastructure improvements in downtown Auburn in the
vicinity of the Downtown Transit Center. Council approved the resolution to create the
Local Revitalization Zone, which is the Urban Center boundary, and authorizing the
Mayor to submit the application for Local Revitalization Funding (LRF). The deadline for
the application is September 1, 2009.
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August 4, 2009
The companion piece to the LRF is the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
grant for the Promenade is moving forward and the application is due September 1,
2009 as well. The Department of Revenue has 60 days to take action on LRF
application. The City has been told that most likely we would be funded in their fiscal
year 2010, which begins October 2009 and expect to receive the funds second quarter.
Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder announced that the Bird Viewing Tower at the
Environmental Park is open.
City's application for the Energy and Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) has
been submitted. 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.
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.
Staff updated Commission on pending projects and new development.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Amendments to Chapter 18.04 (Definitions) and Chapter 18.26 (C-1 Light
Commercial District) of the Auburn City Code.
Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder provided background information on this
item and reviewed the exhibits with the Commission. Staff distributed the following
additional exhibits.
Exhibit replacement for Page 11 of Exhibit 2, Proposed Text Amendment -
Chapter 18.04 (Definitions)
Exhibit 8, Area Circulation Plan, Concept Summary
Exhibit 9, Development Status C1 Light Commercial District map
The Auburn City Council passed Resolution No. 4357 on May 19, 2008 establishing
an initial six-month moratorium on the filing of applications for conditional use permits
(CUPs) for multifamily development in the previously adopted R-2 Single Family
District and R-3 Two Family (Duplex) District and currently adopted C-1 Light
Commercial District. The Council passed this Resolution in response to its questions
and concerns about how to apply conditional use permits in the aforementioned
zones. The resolution directed Council and staff to evaluate potential changes to the
conditional use permit status of multi-family development in these zoning districts.
Resolution No. 4357 was subsequently extended by Resolution No. 4412 on October
28, 2008 and again by Resolution No. 4472 on April 20, 2009 that expires on
October 20, 2009.
The existing moratorium is limited to the land use impacts of multi-family
development in the C-1 zoning district. Land use impacts, in this instance, apply to
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concerns of the appropriateness of multi-family land uses, compatibility with other
permitted and/or conditional uses, scale and type of development and impacts on
surrounding land uses.
On July 8, 2009, the Planning and Community Development Committee directed
staff to follow a prioritized work schedule for completion of the Code Update Project.
Tier 1 priorities, which included addressing the moratorium. The Planning and
Community Development Committee provided direction on text amendment options
presented by staff for Title 18 (Zoning) that would address the moratorium.
At the July 13, 2009 Planning and Community Development Committee meeting,
staff prepared draft text amendments for Chapter 18.04 (Definitions) and Chapter
18.26 (C-1 Light Commercial District) of the Auburn City Code. The text
amendments propose to:
• Establishment of a new definition (Section 18.04.625) for Mixed Use
Development Chapter 18.04 (Definitions);
• Establishment of Mixed Use Development as a permitted use in Section
18.26.020 (Permitted Uses) in the C-1 Light Commercial District - Section
18.26.020. KK;
• Establishment of an allowance for multi-family development only as part of a
mixed use development as a permitted use in Section 18.26.020 (Permitted
Uses) in the C-1 Light Commercial District- Section 18.26.020. LL; and,
• Removal of apartments as a conditional use in Section 18.26.030 (Uses
Requiring Permit) in the in the C-1 Light Commercial District
Senior Planner Chris Andersen reviewed Exhibit 9, Development Status C1 Light
Commercial District map with the Commission. The map indicated vacant and
redevelopable parcels inside the C1 zones, as well as Lea Hill, West Hill and Urban
Separators overlays. Staff confirmed for Commission that there are relative few
parcels and relative small accumulative area that is zoned C1. The map does not
consider vacant or redevelopable parcels that may have terrain or other constraints.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the Auburn
City Council the proposed amendments to Chapter 18.04 (Definitions) and Chapter
18.26 (C-1 Light Commercial District).
Staff responded to Commissions' question about ways to ensure that changes to or
increases in traffic patterns, that may not have been apparent at the time of the
application, are addressed after the development is completed and ensure that the
traffic changes will not preclude future developments,
Traffic or transportation studies usually have a validity period to them. The City
Engineer could attach conditions requiring study updates if it was felt that the validity
period would not be upheld by the length of the phasing process. The City has the
authority under SEPA and discretionary authority given to the City Engineer and
Planning Director.
Chair Roland opened the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m.
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Nicole Petrino-Salter, 31021 132nd Way SE, Auburn, WA 98092
Ms. Petrino-Salter stated that there is one 15 acre section remaining on Lea Hill that
is redevelopable, which belongs to her family and two neighbors. Due to the
moratorium, two real estate contracts were voided. The proposed Mixed Use
amendment would have the flexibility needed to acquire a buyer that will not be
dismayed by onerous requirements to build. Ms. Petrino-Salter stated that she
wants to sell her property so her family can move to a rural area.
Karen L. Campbell, 31049 129th Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092
Ms. Campbell concurred with Ms. Petrino-Salter and expressed her fondness for
Auburn until the development occurred around her property and the rural feeling was
lost.
Susan Hauck, 31110 129th Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092
Ms. Hauck spoke in favor of the amendments to Chapters 18.04 and 18.26 and
concurred with comments made by Ms. Petrino-Salter and Ms. Campbell.
Chair Roland closed the Public Hearing at 7:53 p.m.
Commissioner DiTuri moved to recommend to City Council the adoption of the
amendments to Chapter 18.04 Definitions and chapter 18.26 C-1 Light Commercial
District. Commissioner DiTuri amended the motion to substitute the relevant
components of Exhibit 7 to replace those in Exhibit 2. Commission Hamilton seconded
the full motion.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Review of the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Transportation Project Manager Tiffin Goodman presented a briefing on the 2009
Comprehensive Transportation Plan utilizing a PowerPoint presentation. The major
focus has been to incorporate Lea Hill and West Hill annexation areas into the Plan.
Other updates include sidewalk priorities/projects; bicycle facilities; transit; policies
and Intelligent Transportation Systems. Ms. Goodman reviewed various related
maps with the Commissioners.
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain reviewed the draft 2009 Comprehensive
Plan map and text amendments with the Commissioners and answered questions.
There will a public Open House on August 18, 2009 between 6 pm and 8 pm in
Council Chambers. The draft Comprehensive Plan amendments will be available
with a focus on the Transportation Plan and Utility Plan.
At the public hearing on September 9, 2009, the City map amendments 1-4, the City-
initiated policy text amendments (school district, capital facilities plan, policy text
amendments and water comprehensive plan).
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B. Options for Amendments to Signs/Outdoor Sales Displays/Seating Areas for
Food/Beverage Establishments to Support Local Businesses
The City has received numerous requests from businesses to increase and expand
the use of signage in an effort to increase business activity and revenue. Staff
developed a decision matrix that was reviewed by the Planning and Community
Development (PCD) Committee at their July 27, 2009 meeting. Three options were
considered by the PCD Committee, which were 1) Expand the allowance of portable
and temporary signs; 2) Expand the allowance of outdoor sales displays; or 3) Allow
outdoor storefront seating for food and beverage establishments.
Staff compiled the PCD Committee preferences into matrices for Commission's
review. At the Commission's request, staff briefly reviewed the areas of concern
identified by the PCD Committee. Commission will indicate their individual
preference in the space provided on the matrix and return the information to staff at
the August 11, 2009 meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
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