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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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#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
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#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
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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
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