HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM II-A
*
C[?Y OF * * DRAFT
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
WASH INGTON
June 8, 2010
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1, located
on the second floor of One East Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee Members present
- were: Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Sue Singer, and Member Nancy Backus.
Staff present included: Mayor Pete Lewis; Interim Planning & Development Director Kevin
. Snyder, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Parks, Arts & Rec Director Daryl Faber, .
Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, and Admin Support Clerk Tina Kriss.
NoAudience Members were present.
I.I. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Meeting Minutes - April 13, 2010
Member Singer moved and Member Bacus seconded to approve the consent agenda
items as presented.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
III. ACTION .
A. Downtown Street and Pedestrian Lights
The Downtown Sidewalk Standards were originally adopted December'2007,
Subsequent amendments were made to the standards and appcoved by the Downtown
Redevelopment Committee on February 10, 2009. Staff has been working with the
Committee on a new combined pedestriaNstreet light standard. A sample light was
installed to confirm the selection made by the Committee. The Committee discussed
variations of the light placement; height and basket placement, as well as the safety of
the placement as presented by Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub.
After discussion the Committee concurred to approve the lights but determined there
would be no action or motion at this time.
Ms. Gaub stated that staff will bring the Sidewalk Design Guidelines back for action at
the June 22"d meeting.
Page 1
Downtown Redevelooment Committee Minutes June 8. 2010
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain presented photographs of open space
concepts, and provided information about research by John L. Crompton of Texas A&M
University, leader in parks ancJ open space on this subject.
Committee discussed various examples from other jurisdictions and the benefits of
having a gathering place orcourtyard with open spacethat is public where citizens can
come and gather. A place provided that is friendly, welcoming and inviting for the public
to meet, drawing people to the downtown area. Research has shown an increase in
land value due to the proximity to open space, and an economic value that open space
brings to a community bydrawing both the public and developers to the area. This
' would be another advantage, or incentive to develop in our downtown area: '
Ghair Norman pointed out as much as it is about economics drawing in business is an
affect; the cause is creating an environmenf where people wanf fo come, not necessarily
for the shopping initially, but #he friendly; welcoming environment where downtown
employees and the public can gather.
Ms. Chamberlain pointed out MAKERS will be providing finro concept designs to for the
expanded City Hall Plaza.
At this time committee members concurred they really like the idea of extending the .
plaza, and determined they would be talking about this in the future as progression
continues with other elements of the city hall plaza and promenade.
B. DRC Status Matrix
Chair Norman opened discussion on the Matrix; noted that item 2 needs to be updated
to reflect currenf status.
Chairman Norman requested an update on item three, the EDA Grant. Ms. Chamberlain
discussed the interviews that were held with four consultant teams. They selected KPG
to do the project; KPG has worked on similar projects for the City ofBurien and recently
an EDA project with the City of Snoqualmie. She added the EDA will continue to review and approve our eventual contract with the consultant.
Members also discussed submitting this project for future awards to the Puget Sound '
Regional Council.
Staff will update the matrix to reflect the Committee's discussion and requests from
today's meeting.
C. INFORMATION
Staff Snyder presented informa#ion about a meeting held with PSE on partnership
opportunities with PSE regarding the downtown and environmental park area. He
presented information discussed at 4he meeting aboutthe services they offer to
Page 2
Downtown Redevelooment Committee Minutes June 8. 2010
developers such as assisfance in planning and'design for energy efficiency, building
design and orientation; and-the usage of all efficiency elements fhey: offer in their service
offerings.
Members and 8taff discussed the concept of an energy efficiency.district and follow-up
discussions, ideas of taking the urbanized downtown district heat waste and converting it
into operational energy for 6uildings. We discussed the green zone and our
environmental park as well as future charging plug in stations.
Chair Norman confirmed the June 22, 2010 will be the date of the nezt meeting.
V. ADJOURNMENT , There being no further business to come before.#he Downtown Redevelapment .
Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meetingat 5:03 p.m.
APPROVED THIS DAY OF
Lynn Norman, Chair Tina Kriss, Administrative Support Clerk
Page 3