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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2005 : CITY OF - PLANNING & COMNiUNITY * WASHINGTON DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ~NOarch 28, 2005 MiNUTES - I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Sue Singer called the meting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Couneil Chambers :located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Aubum, WA. Committee members present were: Member Lynn " Norman, Member Nancy Backus; Also present were Planning and . Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Community Development Administrator David Osaki, Planner Bill Mandeville; . Environmental Protection Manager Aaron Nix, Senior Planner Mitzi McMahan, Parks , Planning and Development Manager Dan Scamporlina, Senior Planner Jeff . Dixon, Development Secvices Coordinator Steve Pilcher, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Tiffin Goodman, Secretary Carolyn Brown and Mayor Pete Lewis. Other present Debbie Luce ADA, Garrett Huffman, Sam Pace, and Mark Hancock II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A., March 14, 2005 Minutes . Stand approved as read. Member Norman moved to accept the minutes. Member Backus seconded. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0 011. ACTION A. RESOLUTION 3845 - Annexation IVo. 04-0002 Certification of , Sufficiency for Evergreen Tucci. Member Norman moved to recommend to City Council approval ' of Resolution No. 3845. Member BacKus seconded. Page 1 . . , ; Planninq & Communitv Develoament Committee Minutes MOTION CARRfED UNANIIIAOUSLY. 3-0 B. RESOLUTION 3846 - Annexation No. 05-0001 Certification o# Sufficiency for Val Vorozhko at 32214116th Avenue SE. Member Norman moved to recommend to City Council approval ofResolufion No. 3846. IlAember Backus seconded. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0 C. ORD 6894 - Critical Areas Ordinance Committee continued discussion on the best.available science and if it would allow adequate discretion by the Director. Mr: Krauss and Mr. Osaki atbended a conference where #he Department of Ecology staff talked about buffer ranges. The Departrnent of EcoVogy has suggested thaf jurisdictions not pick the lowest range of buffers as this would not be allowed by . the State. Mr. Krauss stated that it is probably best #he City develop an ordinance _and establishing an acceptablerange. Chair Singer stated she is in favor of having the reasonable size buffers and flexibility to add to the buffer by the director. The Committee sees. the -0rdinance as protection for the environment Also a new ordinance will give more guidance for staff. Mr. Krauss added that instead of relying on high impact and low impact land uses select something within the range. The Committee then discussed exemptions and requirements - for submitting critical areas reports: Mr. Krauss said staff will include language in the Ordinance stating that the requirement for a critical areas report applies to areas where staff believes critical areas exist Mr. Krauss said the proposed code will , establish standards ` and if the additional flexibility is needed through a variance process then a request would go to the Hearing Examiner. The Committee discussed. whether or not Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) language could be used to protect the City in the future. There was additional Committee discussion on wetlands habitat and tertiary habitat Mr. Dixon added that the City also has guidance on mitigation ratios in the SAMP Page 2 : Planninq & Communitv Develooment Committee Minutes study, but that only covers part of the valley floor, which generally works very well for the City. The Committee continued the discussion from its March : 14; . 2005 meeting on the high impact and the low impact land uses and trying to develop a range for wetland and stream tiuffers. Mr. Krauss discussed how it will work with the best available science and the range was„ suggesfed by the best available science. Mr. Osaki discussed the percentages and changes that could be made #o the Ordinance. The bufFer width (iro feet), discussed by the Committee at iYs prior meeting, are 100', 75', - 50', and 25' for category 1,11, III and IV wetlands respecfively). Chair Singer asked if the minimums can be maintained at the first draft level of 100', 50', 25'; 'and 25'. Mr. Osaki will add another column that provides the upper limits of the wetland buffers. Mr. Krauss said the range will not be based on the specific land use, but will be based on the site specific design and operational features of the land use. To review Chair Singer stated that the Ordinance appears ready to go to the Cety Council, with the minimum buffer widths of 259,25',.50' and 100' on wetlands, and a possible increase up to 300, 50', 100', and 200' depending on site specific conditions. An applicant will have the ability to request a reduction of the buffer width by 35 % and to have buffer enhancements take the place of the buffer width depending on site conditions. Mayor Lewis discussed road ditches as opposed to non-fish . bearing streams. He asked why the Ordinance has a higher buffer system on streams. Mr. Nix answered because it is a transport system, which can get filled up with sediment, silt runoff, etc. With an incceased buffet Mr. Nix said this gives a, greater chance for a stream to heal itself. Mr. Krauss would like it to refer back to the BAS. Staff will add an additional exemption for buffers associated with intentionally created drainage ditches. Mr: Osaki would like to return to committees (PW and PCD) in the future with the changes discussed tonight D. RESOLUTION 3847 - To Rafify Amendments to King County Countywide Planning Policies Page 3 : Planninq & Communitv Development Committee Minutes Member Norman moved to recommend to City Council approval of Resolution No. 3847. Member Backus seconded. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0 E. ORDINANCE NO. 5908 - Amendment. to Auburn City Code 16.06.055, SEPA Categorical Exemption thresholds. Member Norman-moved to recommend to City Council approval of Ordinance No. 5908. Member. Backus seconded. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0 IV. DISCUSSION A. Downtown Design, presented by Ms. McMahan. IIAs. IIAcMahan introduced Debbie Luce with the Auburn Downtown Association. She noted that the Chamber of Commerce was not in attendance at the meeting. Ms. McMahan frst asked the Committee to decide what' the City is trying to accomplish with design standards and asked whether or not Main Street should differ from #he rest of downtown. The Downfown Plan called for the creation of design standards. Ms: ilAcMahan said they would like to . apply the storefront project concepts to the Downtown Plan and. see how might it affect the original concept . in the current downtown plan. Chair Singer asked in what way do the designs differ from the Downtown Plan. Ms. McAAahan said the policies in the Downtown Plan are only for guidance. For instance there is the idea of every 25 foot modulation, which is the "breaking up" of , the surface and the regulation of the storefronts. The new Project Ace should have the same feeling as the existing Main Street The Storefront Studio students actually put a few more elements into their projects and at that time wanted to know if the City wanted to continue the 254oot element There followed some discussion by the Committee regarding Project Ace. Chair Singer would like to see standards on AAain Street and not just guidelines. Ms. McMahan asked if the Committee wants it to extend beyond Main Street Chair Singer stated that she could see having two tiers, which would _ be a Main Street list of standards and a second set for areas zoned commercial. Page 4 . Planninq 8 Communitv Develooment Committee Minutes Chair Singer asked IIAs. Luce if any ADA members have . commented as to how far off Main Street they would like to see the desogn standards applied. Ms. Luce had no comments. Chair Singer asked if the City wants something, that Iooks like . Main Street or do we want more setbacks on the streets outside the Main Street corridor. Member Norman added that we do need some sort of vision and more than just guidelines. Mr. Krauss stated that the City could put the requirements into the form of an .Ordinance and they would be enforceable. The Committee then discussed each component of the Store Front Studio's draft report. #1. Main Street setback. Mr. Krauss said that setback provisions are already in the Ordinance for the C2 zone, which is throughout much of the downtown. Mayor Lewis added that the term Urban Center is a definable designation, which already defines an area. Member Backus stated that there should be a vision as to what the City wants the Urban Center to do. Discussed the future the area around the downtown core and the possible growth and proposed development Member Norman stated that the City. needs to determine what the heights of building will be. Nlayor Lewis said he would tike to see the standards apply to the designated Urban Center. #2. Main $treet. Land Use. The Committee would like to see . retail and services continue as permitted uses along Main Street Lynn Norman stated that she wanted to make sure we included entertainment as a use for Main Street #3. Street Wall to have One and Two Story Parapet Height - Commitfee discussed that flat roofs or slightly sloped roofs are hard to maintain. The Committee discussed the use of flat roofs for new construction within the Urban Center. Chair Singer discussed the off Main Street application. The . Committee suggested that the area of IVlain Street to D Street to the Tracks would include flat roofs. Paul Krauss discussetl the City of Berkeley's open space requirements that can be met with roof-top gardens and spaces. The Committee- discussed the option of requicing new construction to include open spaces within the Urban Center. #4. Build to a Continuous Street Wall. : Committee wants to see this on Main Sweet only. Page 5 . Planninq & Communitv Develooment Committee Minutes #5. Encourage Retail Frontage to Iwaintain Historic Parcel Widths. Historic parcel sizes on Main Street lent itself to having - storefronts 25 feet in width. There was discussion about whether to have similar width modulation in order to break up the building size. The Committee discussed whether breaking up storefronts in a difFerent width range w611 sfill' give the modulation. The Committee discussed the exisfing Main Street buildings and the ilAayor stated that the C'sty really does not have the 25 foot storefront modulation anywhere except for . about a'/Z block area on Main Street IUlember Backus would like to see a term that would require modulati on within so many, feet and not strictly 25 feet In the retail frontage area Mayor Lewis said the City could encourage neon as artwork and as an architectural feature for the downtown. #6. Retain Historic Window Divisions. Cha_ir Singer stated that this could be throughout the designated Urban Center. V. Retain Retail Entrance Rhythm. AAember Norman asked that the City not allow, a non-entrance on Main Street Ms. McMahan . discussed recessing the doors on store-fronts. The Committee discussed the door element and said it should be applied to the Urban Center. #8. Incorporafe Architectural Features in Sidewalls off AAain Street Also, include throughout the Urban Center. ; #9. Building Materials and Color. Should Reflect Heritage Character and Highlight Architectural Features. Discussed letting the architects know what needs to be done and letting them arrive at the desired affect Discussed murals and art work. Mayor. Lewis stated that the City could make the statement that the City has final approval over art work. Would go througli the Arts Commission to City Council. Staff will ' research and come back. #10. Highlight Architectural Detail with Lighting. Discussed the use of neon fo'be used not only in signage but for architectural details. #'i 1. Provide Pedestrian Weather Protection that Reflects the Character of Traditional Canopies and Awnings. There is a 5 foot designation in the Downfown Plan. Mayor Lewis 'said we need to find out what the Fire Departrnent standard is. Staff will check with Public Works to determine the maximum projections allowed. Discussed sky walks and the fact that a permit would _ be needed as it bridges the City right-of-way and an applicant would need to seek City approvaL Page 6 . Planninct & Communitv Development Committee Minutes #12. Encourage .Vernacular Painted Murals and Provide Building Scale 3ignage. Discussed vinyl banners. The new sign code has been wratten and is now on the Planning Commission agenda, before it can go to City Council. Staff will review the new sign code and to ensure that as the standards are developed they won't conflict with the proposed sign code. 413. Provide Pedestrian Scale Signage. Some discussion on this item and the desire to have interesting signage. #14.. Parking Lots and Utility Areas Should be Located off Main Street and Screened ftom View. Committee is okay with this , element throughout the Urban Center. IIAs. Luce will return to a future meeting with comments from ADA members. . . : B. The Auburn Environmental Park update was presented by Aaron Nix and Mitri McMahan. The Phase 1 final reportshould . be complete 6n 2 to.3 weeks. This wiU provide a scope of the overall project 3taff is constantly working to identify funding opportunities for the Project Staff discussed how there will be interchangeable:funding components. Ms. McMahan said staff: will have a map showing the possibilities for features , associated with:the Auburn Environmental Park. AAr. Nix added that a lof of work has been done, but that a lot still needs to be done including, as an example, a wetlands delineation, which' could be compete in about a month. . The Committee discussed different amenities wi#h parking . areas and perhaps a fishing area. One concept has a birding tower and an interpretive center. Member Norman suggested letting the comrnunity know the ways this is being.funded. Mayor Lewis added that staff should not be limited in their , thinking. The Committee discussed funding.opporfunities and involving the City Council in the process. Ms. McMahan discussec9 the role the.OPM committee plays in the finding of resources for funding. Also, allowing the general public to be more involved 'inn the process was discussed. Mr. Nix gave the Hylebos Park in Federal Way as a good example of a park with an elevated trail around the lake. He also stated that he is currently working on hiring a consultant to perform a wetlands delineation at fhe site. Page 7 . Planninq & Communiiv Develooment Committee Minutes The Committee discussed industrial storm water filtering and addressing storm water quality.. Staff w611 have to determine . ways to improve water quality prior to it reaching wetlands areas, i.e. the Auburn Environmental Park. Ms. McMahan stated.th:at ttie next step is to complete the wetland delineation,, get the graphic work done and go out to the public. Staff will advertise fo the public and then go to the resource agencies. Other partners could include the Green River Community College and Pacific Lutheran llniversity. Staff needs to identify funding sources and hopes for some construction to begin by next year. A gateway could be a start as well as the construction of a short walk way. C. Proposed Parks Plan Goals continuation was presented by Dan Scamporlina. Member Norman asked if there were any new , changes coming from Parks Deparbnent Mr. Scamporlina answered only wha# the Committee asked for at the.last meeting. The Cornmittee had some additional discussion on the open space definifion as open space is part of the Growth Management Act With the addition of the glossary the proposed Plan appears ready to move forward to CounciL Merraber Norman moved to approve. Member Backus seconded. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0 V. INFORMATION A. 2005 PCDC Work Plan VI. OLD BUSINESS A. None . VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjoumed at 7:40 p.m. - APPROVED THE DAY OF ~ ~c ue Singer; C ir Carolyn Br , Secretary Page 8