HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-2009
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ACTY OF_
V BU lltl ~I PLANNING COMMISSION
~ WASHINGTON NOVEMBER4,2009
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor of Auburn City Hali, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Bob Baggett, Ron Copple,
Peter DiTuri, Michael Hamilton, Joan Mason and Dave Peace. Vice Chair Kevin
Chapman was excused.
Staff present included: Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Assistant Director
Kevin Snyder, Senior Accountant Michelle Surdez, and Planning Secretary Renee
Tobias.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Peace moved and Commissioner Copple seconded to approve the
minutes of the October 6, 2009 meeting as submitted.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
IV. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain updated the Commission on recent flood
protection measures completed by the City, which include excavation, sandbags and
Hesco barriers. The levees are part of the King County Flood Control District and as
such, the City of Auburn is working as their agent. The protection measures are for the
13,900 cfs level event which is what the Army Corps of Engineers has authorized King
County to protect against. Ms. Chamberlain noted that the majority of the funds for this
operation come from the King County Flood Control District, with the City providing the
remainder of the costs. Staff confirmed that the measures would stay in place for three
years or until the Howard Hanson Dam is repaired.
The finishing touches, such as street lamps, sidewalk and landscape, are being installed
at the One Main Street building. The completion date of this project was initially slated
to occur before the Veteran's Day parade; this will not be met. Tenant improvements for
the City's portion of the building are underway; it is anticipated that staff will move in
after January 1, 2010. KeyBank's tenant improvement permit application has not been
submitted. Ms. Chamberlain did note that the drive-up window for the bank will be
underneath the building, with the entrance on 15` Street. Due to costs, the planned sky
bridge connecting City_Hall building and One Main Street will not be included at this time.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 2009
In response to Commission's question regarding the new Wal-Mart, Ms. Chamberlain
stated that the building permits are ready. The City was waiting on the boundary line
adjustment and the transfer of property between the Super Mall and Wal-Mart which has
been completed. The agreement (Resolution No. 4080) between the City, Wal-Mart and
Glimcher, the owner of the Supermall, requires the existing Wal-Mart building to be
removed with a certain timeframe and redeveloped into a life-style center which would
include restaurants and retail.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. City of Auburn Capital Facilities Plan
A Capital Facilities Plan is one of the comprehensive plan elements required by
Washington's Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA requires that a Capital
Facilities Plan (CFP) include an inventory of existing facilities showing the locations
and capacities, a forecast of future needs, proposed locations and capacities of new
or expanded capital facilities, and a minimum of a six-year plan to finance capital
facilities with identified sources of funding. The CFP is adopted as part of the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain noted two items that were not included in
the agenda packet. The public hearing notice was published in the Seattle Times on
October 23, 2009. The City issued an "adopt an existing environmental
determination" document for the CFP and that was issued on October 21, 2009.
Projects that were completed or had changes in project titles and/or priorities were
removed from the previous year's CFP (2009-2014). The new projects added to the
2010-2015 CFP are a result of the updates to the comprehensive plans previously
reviewed by the Commission, such as water, sewer, storm and transportation.
The Commission discussed the Level of Service statement on page 5 of the CFP
that indicates an increase as a result of the CFP. Senior Accountant Michelle
Surdez will review and clarify in the final CFP.
Ms. Chamberlain responded to the Commission's question regarding the $21 million
for the M Street Grade Separation as listed on page 22 of the CFP. This is a
substantial project that will change the at-grade railroad crossing and making it an
underpass; vehicular traffic would not have to stop when a train heads east. The
Public Works staff held a public meeting on this project and at that time, staff stated
the design is about 90% funded. Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition is an element that
is not completely funded and the City is still looking for funding; construction is about
30-40% funded. Part of that includes requesting additional federal funds as there are
federal funds dedicated to the project. If funds for the ROW acquisition come
through, the City will try to get those accomplished in 2010.
Concern was expressed by the Commission on the close proximity of the M Street
Grade Separation Project to the potential Green River flooding. Ms. Chamberlain
explained that this has been considered and is part of the design. Staff is also
working through the environmental aspect of the project now. Besides NEPA, the
City's SEPA process will analyze soil conditions, geotechnical reports and the
structural integrity of the road.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 2009
Commissioner Baggett asked who should residents that are living adjacent to
Green River contact for permits and plans for backflow prevention devices. Staff
stated that Public Works would have the as-built information. There are some
instances where citizens are installing the backflow devices at the street when as-
built details are available; others are installing the device at the house. Staff
recommends that citizens hire qualified professionals to do the work properly.
Citizens can contact the Permit Center and staff will assist them with any questions.
Staff answered Commission's question regarding REET 1 and 2 as related to Parks
and Recreation. The Real Estate Excise Tax 1 (REET 1) can be used for the
acquisition of parks and REET2 can be used for capital expenditures.
Commissioners questioned why operating funds were not listed on page 4 for the
2011 year. Senior Accountant Michelle Surdez stated that staff will enter
operations/ expenditures for on-going maintenance once a project is completed.
She will review the information again with Parks & Recreation staff and will clarify in
the final CFP if needed. Ms. Surdez will also clarify maintenance expenditures on
the Impact on Future Operating Budgets as listed on page 186 for the Auburn
Community Center.
Assistant Director Kevin Snyder reported that at the November 2, 2009 Public
Works Committee meeting, it was stated that the primary funding for the Auburn
Community Center is new market tax credits, which is a federal funding opportunity.
In order to accomplish this, there may be the potential that a stand alone non-profit
entity may need to be established to operate and maintain the Center during the
first seven years; this is a federal requirement. Mr. Snyder thought this may be why
operating funds are not listed in the year 2011.
Ms. Chamberlain clarified for the Commission that the City owns the fire station
properties and structures and leases them to the Valley Regional Fire Authority.
This is the reason for an entry on the Facilities Inventory (page 192).
Commission asked staff to speak about the Mohawk Plastics Site Mitigation Project
as listed on page 200. Ms. Chamberlain explained that the project is part of what is
known as the A/B corridor, which is a new road extending north of 3~d Street. The
developer constructed the entire road rather than just the required half street
improvement. The trade-off for this is that the City is assisting with the wetland
mitigation for the impact for that construction.
The Commission discussed with staff how previous capital funding projects were
identified and funded, as well as projected costs versus actual costs.
Ms. Surdez stated that the CFP is a planning document that identifies projects the
City wishes to complete. Many projects are contingent on obtaining grant funding; if
the funding does not come through, then that project more than likely will not occur.
Ms. Surdez gave an example of Transportation, stating that they work diligently to
ensure that impact or mitigation funds are used, as well as keeping grant
opportunities in the works for at least the next few years. The projects are known,
and staff is always looking for additional funding.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 2009
Commission asked for a few examples of past projects' budget-to-actual costs.
Staff will confer with Public Works staff and provide the information to the
Commission at a future meeting.
Chair Roland opened the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. There being no one in the audience who
wished to speak the hearing was closed
Commissioner DiTuri moved and Commissioner Copple seconded to approve the
2010 - 2015 City of Auburn Capital Facilities Plan with the planned amendments and
clarifications that were discussed.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0
Chair Roland asked staff to provide the Commission with the City Council's action on
the comprehensive plan amendments, once taken.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Commissioner Peace asked about Commissioner expiring terms. Staff will send
the information to the Commission via email.
B. Staff reported that there are currently no items for Commission's consideration at
the regularly scheduled meeting on December 8, 2009. Should an item come
forward, staff will notify the Commission. Secondly, if the meeting is held, it would
need to be moved to December 1, 2009 since the Council Chambers are booked
for a prior event. Staff will update the Commission as soon as possible.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
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