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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-2010 CITY OF_-~~s~~ * DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT COMMtTTEE )WASHINGTON 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 floorof 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. No Audience Members were present. IL 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 approved by the Downtown . Redevelopment Committee on February 10, 2009. Staff has been wo►-king with the , Committee on a new combined pedestrian/street 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 thaf sfaff will bring the Sidewalk Design Guidelines back for action at the June 22"d meeting. . Page 1 . . Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes June 8. 2010 IV. DISCUSSION A. Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain presented photographs of open space coneepts, and provided information about research by John L. Crompton of Texas A&M University, leader in parks and open space on this subject. Committee discussed various examples from other jurisdictions and the benefits of haying a gathering place or courtyard with open space that 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 fo a community by drawing bofh the public and developers to the area. This would be another advantage, or incentive to develop in our downtown area. Chair Norman pointed out as much as it is about economics drawing in business is an affect, the cause is creating an environment where people want to come, not necessarily for the shopping initially, but the friendly, welcoming environment where downtown _ employees and the public can gather. Ms. Chamberlain pointed out MAKERS will be providing two 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 ofithe city hall plaza and promenade. B. DRC Status Matrix Chair Norman opened discussion on the Matrix; noted that item 2, Aubum Junction, needs updated to reflect the current 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 forthe City of Burien 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. A. INFORMATION Staff Snyder presenfed information about a meeting held with PSE on partnership opportunities with PSE regarding the downtown and enyironmental park area. He presented information discussetl at the meeting about the services they offer to developers such as.assistance in planning and design for energy efficiency, building design and orientation; and the usage of all efficiency elements they offer in their service offerings. ~ Page 2 . Downtown Redeveloament Committee Minutes June 8. 2010 Members and Staff 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 buildings. The green zone and environmental park were also suggested as charging plug-in stations. Chair Norman confirmed the June 22, 2010 will be the date of the next meeting. V. ADJOlDRN9ME9VT There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 5:03 p.m. A PROVED THIS 2 2 DAY OF + 4_~ ~ Lynn 'rman, Chair Tina Kriss, dministrative Support Clerk ~ Page 3