HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM III-A
*
CI'iY OF * * DRAFT _
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
' DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
~ WASH[NGTON
. Septembec 27, 2010
" MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair.Lynn: Norman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Annex Conference Room
1 located on#he second floor of One Main Building, i Easf Main Street, Auburn; WA.
Committee members present were: Chair Lynn Norman; Councilmember Rich Wagner ;
and Councilmember John Partridge substituting.for Nancy Backus who was excused. - • Staff members present`included: Mayor Pete Lewis, Director Kevin Snyder, Planning
Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Numan Services Manager Michael Hursh,
Developmenf Services Manager Jeff Tate, Environmenfal Protection Manager Chris
Andersen, Project Engineer, Ryan Vondrak, and Adminisfrafive Support Glerk Tina
Kriss.
Audience members included: Spencer Alpert of Alpert Capital; Mel Maertz of M2
Architects; Mike Homer and SfeVe Crantz of Pacific Real Esfate Partners; bebbie
Christian, Auburn Food Bank; Jim'Blanchard, Aubum Youth Resources; Faith Richie,
Valley Cities Counseling; Councilmember Bill Peloza;. and Wayne' Osborne. Human
Services Committee Membets included: Suzanne Cimric, Bette Van Gasken, Barbara J.
Derda, Mayor Chuck Booth, and Lela Brugger.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Agenda Modification submitted and accepted to add `Action Item C. Permission to award
Contract 10-28 to the lowest bidder, Game Farm park Project No. CP1001.
. Councilmember Backus is excused for this meeting, Councilmember Partridge will be
sitting in'on her behalf. _
III. CONSENT AGENDA
A. , Minutes -,September 13, 2010 .
Member Wagner moved, Gouncilmember Partridge seconded TO APPROVE THE
Consent Agenda as presented; Chair Norman concurred: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
IV. HUMAN SERVICES UPDATE
A. Joint Session with Human Services Committee .
Human Services Manager Michael Hursh. and the Human Services Committee
members provided an update on their work including the additional agencies that
were funded this year; which provide the community with serVices throughout.
Auburn. Human Services Committee stated'the new approach of receiving results
based updates from the agencies, especially the new, agencies has been helpful to :
the Human Senrices Committee.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010
The new electronic application submittal process for this year has been extremely
helpful. Seventeen cities share the joint application submittal process; this provided
additional agencies the opportunity to apply which we would not have typically
received. Evaluations were performed on 71: applications; representing both old and
new programs. The ability to cover all the services has expanded with the
assistance and support of Planning and Community Development Committee;
showing concem for the needs of the Human Services Committee as well as
providing support to the community of Aubum which enables the Human Services
Committee in assisting satisfying needs.
The Human Services Committee stated they have made great strides forward and
will continue to.push for agencies to ieport on their results in the categories
committee has prioritized. Human Services also stated they will be working towards
bringing on additional members of tfie Human Services Committee which can bring
. more diversify; it has been difficult to bring in additional members due to the time
commitment required.. B. Collaboration Study _
Human Services Manager Michael Hursh discussed the decision months ago to
creafe a one-stop center for human services to increase referrals by multiple
agencies: Mr: Hursh stated due to the working, relationships; information sharing _
(sensitive to confidentiality), and a clearer undersfanding of local services available
at sister agencies for refeRal, the City has been able to provide broader senrices to :
more clients in the community. The process is not as quantifiable as it will be in the
future but the reports being received weekfy by agencies supports an increase in
referral and services.
Representatives Jim Blanchard from Aubum Youth Resources (AYR); Debbie
Christian of the Aubum Food Bank; and Faith Rich'ie of Valley:Cities Counseling all
shared encouraging examples of their agencies and others providing an increase in '
community=based serVices and referrals due to their interageney coordination.
Weekly coordination meetings with three agencies have provided a systematic
approach to increase,an inventory of homes for the hameless community. The
housing inventory went from 15 homes to 30 and will shortly increase by an
additional 15. Each agency provides a unique serviee which when combined will
increase the ability to provide services to their clients.
Mr. Hursh feels with the inter-agency coordination and one-stop human services
center they will continue to increase in senrices and an increase in reporting
ultimately meeting the goals outline by the Human Services Committee.
V. ACTION .
A. Ordinance No: 6328
Development Services Manager Jeff Tate briefed the Committee on the issues
mounting due to the influx of abandoned and/orforeclosed properties.
Mr. Tate stated the increase of unmaintained properties has also increased. Properties located within well maintained neighborhoods have become eyesores due
to, lack of vegetation control, unmowed yards, 6roken and/or boarded up windows
and graffiti tagging which has caused a spike in code compliance cases filed under.
Chapter 8.12. ~
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010
On September 13, staff provided the Committee with the first iteration of this draft
ordinance to this Committee. The draft ordinance provided a third option for how we
pursue compliance. It is important #o reemphasize our starting point is always with a
Notice of Correction and to work with the property owner to get a piece of property or.
violation rectified and into compliance. When the objective and policy, is not able to
be remedied and challenges exist in owner absence, where research indicates the
inability to find a contact person, this ordinance will assist us in moving past the
Notice of Correction in an initial effort to gain compliance through the one on one
interaction.
The third compliance option basically adds the ability to assess a civil penalty to a ,
piece of property and have an ongoing daily accrual of penalty until a violation is
remedied. .
, In the last discussion PCDC provided direction to move forward with this ordinance.
but had a couple comments and suggestions. 'Staff has made changes in response
to those comments.
One additional change at the suggestion by the City Attorney's office to add secEion
four which cross references chapter 8.20: to include the vegetation section of City
ordinance; making it consistent when talking about properties that are unmainfained
from a vegetation poinf of yiew. Member. Wagner moved, Councilmember Partridge seconded the motion to forward
Ordinance 6328 to full Council for approval; Chair Norman concurred.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
B. Ordinance No. 4647, Cify of AuburNPierce County Puyallup/White River
Interlocal Agreement
Environmental Protection Manager Chris Andersen briefed the Committee on
Resolution No. 4647; United Sfates Congress authorized a Corps of Engineers
General Investigation New Sfart (GI) for the PuyallupNVhite watershed a"rea dated
June 21, 2000. Staff reviewed the sequence of events leading to the federal interest
in pursing a feasibiliiy phase study to plan for flood damage reduction and fish and
wildlife habitat restoration of the Puyallup River Basin.
Pierce County has agreed to perform the role of "Local Sponsor" with support from
the other participafing agencies which will provide reyiew of GI materials and actively
participate in the process through the Pierce County Rivers Executive Task Force, in
addition to providing financial support. The Gity of Aubum has determined that the
potential for significant flooding associated with the Lower Puyallup River is a:threat:
to the City's regional economic interest. The City's participation is $25,000 oversix
years.
Committee asked how we got a cost of $6M when the exhibit shows a cost of around
. $4M: Mr. Andersen answered committee stating the cost of $6M is an updated,
more recent estimate performed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Committee asked .
if the City commits to this amount will we be requited to financially commit in the next
phase. Mr. Andersen stated the agreement was specific to the feasibility study and a
new agreemenf would then need to be proposed' and accepted.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010
Member Wagner moved and Councilmember Partridge seconded the motion to
forward Ordinance 4647 to full Council for approval; Chair Norman concurred.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
C. Permission to award Contract 10-28 to the lowest bidder, Game Farm Park
Project No. CP1001
The purpose of the project is to install Musco Green Lighting on the two Turf Soccer
Fields located atAubucn's Game Farm Park. These lights will allow for more fields to
be utilized at night; take advantage of energy efficienf lighting systems, and get the
' City one step closer to systemizing the City's parks lighting.
Bids will be opened on September 28, 2010. After bid opening staff will evaluate the
apparent low bidder and provide a revised agenda bill and bid tabulation af the
Council meeting scheduled for October 4, 2010.
The project is funded by a Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant,
321 Grant Fund. The project has a credit of $70.00 remaining.
It was moved by Member Wagner, seconded by. Councilmember Partridge to bring
before full City:Council contract 10-28 for permission to award to the lowest bidder,
Game Farm park Project No. CP1001, Chair Norman concurred.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
VI. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. Downtown Development Efforts with Master Developer Spencer Alpect, Alpert
Capital
Mayor Lewis discussed the possibility of the City adding performance measures to
the future development agreement which is about to expire as efforts continue to
develop Aubum Junction: The Committee may want to think about what specific.
measures council may want and how they would be addressed in an.agreement.
Spencer Alpert of AlperC Gapital introduced members of his team, Mel Maertz of M2
Architects, and Mike Homer and Steve Crantz of Pacfic Real Estate Partners. Mr.
Alpert then provided the Committee with a Current Status Report dated September
23, 2010, which includes the 2008 binder with several reports and maps.
Alpert stated #hey have put a team together to move the project forward and Auburn
is ready and the stage is set; with the current amenities the feam feels they can
attract a hotel, cinema, a boutique grocer, a mix of smaller shops or neighborhood
services, a diversity center or cultural center.
~ Committee asked how the team expects to merge or connect Historic Main Street
with the four block development. Mr. Alpert stated pedestrians will wander to Historic
Main Street by being drawn by other development Mr. Alpert stated from a practical
standpoint the finro blocks owned by the City will mostlikely be the first to kick off
development. He believes.the southwest block has the connection to the frans"it
center and would be a good starting point to develop. Page 4
Pianning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010
Mr. Alpert stated Main Street is a huge amenity because of the historic buildings and
the look and feel that is appealing in working into an urban project; the City also
hosts the Veterans Day Parade, the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi which
is anofher amenity. These factors fit nicely with developing shops with the same
look and feel as Main Street.
Committee asked if there was an interest in bringing in federal governmental
facilities., Mr. Alpert answered committee stating yes we believe an office elemenf
connected to the hospital like federal or govemmental buildings would be prudent at
this time. Gommittee emphasized thinking past the current economic situation and
the next five years to broaden development possibilities.
Committee and Mr. Alpert ` discussed the design plan changes. Mr. Maertz stated the
design is all driven by future tenants and what types of uses will ;be looked at as well
as the people that will synergize this development: This plan is a generic master
plan that has not been set; it is a more organic block by block approach.
Mr. Alpert added there are not developers who specialize in mixed-use; it is
residential or commercial: We do not want to make the same mistakes as other
cities where you go forward with a plan without really thinking through the practical
aspects of where you are fieading and what happens next.
Committee asked if the market analysis provided from 2008 is relevant given the
cuRent conditions and how it will affect the City. Mr. Alpert stated the report was
provided to show what Alpert has accomplished in the past and is ouf of date. Mr.
Alpert stated they will provide a current market analysis in the future which will
include information from the new design finished in April 2010:
Committee stated their concem that the design looks like a massive project verses a
block by block approach with sidewalks, lighting and infrastructure making it a
cohesive unit that is tied together; Committee.feels it wobld be more prudent in this
economy to get individual developers for a block by block approach since it appears
banks wiU not provide loans for a complete four block development.
Mr. Alpert stated there is no possibility of having the massive project approach, the
possibility is gone.. The design was intended to show a completed master plan
showing'/4 blocks,'/2 blocks, or a flexible block by block.long term plan. Mr. Alpert
stated loans are not even being given for those,types of projects we are in the
planning stages. Committee asked Mr. Alpert what his personal benchmarks for success will be in the
next year.. Mr. Alpert stated 2011 will be.a planning year and he does not expect to
see a closing for development: He stated 2012-2013 is when the economy should
improve and people who do the planning will start e.ffectuating their plan.
Committee asked Mr. Alpert, beyond selling properties what would be the
- accomplishments and personal benchmarks for you in the next year. Mr. Alpert
responded to be the best positioned within the next year.
Mr. Alpert then asked Steve; and Mike from Pacfic Real Estate Partners to talk about
the market since it is market driven. Mr. Crantr stated he feels Mr. Alpert has
articulated adequately what the market condition is so far and he and his partner Page 5
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010
would only have something to explore in a more detailed manner if the tenant were
set to move forward and accomplish something in 2012 - 2013.
Mr. Crantr addressed the Committee's question on a benchmark for this project, he
stated a benchmark for both he and Mr. Homer would be obtaining non-binding
letters of intent tiy a developer, restaurant; retailer or land buyer; the intentto
purchase the property under certain terms andconditions. Mr. Homer stated this will
also help aid financing.
Mr. Alpert stated we have a concept plan that Mel has put together and it needs to
be refined in the context of the market which requires input from Mr. Crantz and Mr.
Homer.
Mr. Alpert reemphasized he feels a reasonable,way:fo approach this is to look at
2011 as a planning year. A portion of the City's infrastructure will be going in and ,
Alpert;can get a real updated study of what the economics are of the project and
start getting the tenants. Mr. Alpert stated he feels in 2012 and 2013 is when
development will start.
Mr. Homerstated they are excited about this project and want the City to understand
they will not be paid until the end of the project after everything comes togethec.
They will be spending:a lot of time and effort and be very proacfive up front because
they are very specific about the projects they pick: They pick projects they will be
successful with and projects where they leave something for the commun,ity for
generations to come.
Committee stated there were nine projects from Pacific Real Estate Partners (PRER)
here in Aubum and it appears they are all industrial. Mr. Horner confirmed. Mr.
Alpert talked about a limited number of brokers who specialize in_ large mixed-use
, deVelopments so Mr. Homer and Mr.'Crantz have participated in PREP projects that
are industrial but also have 'retails experience.
Committee and Mr. Alpert discussed the Sunbreak Caf& being part of the plan and
- Mr. Alpert concurred.. :Committee stated they would like to see the facmers market
and the gathering spot at the train station integrated into the drawing. Mr. Alpert
concurred.
B. Site Plan Review Process & Procedures
_ _
In 2003, the Cify of Au_bum commissioned an outside third party review by Shockey
Brent, Inc. of its development approval process. This report recommended the City
adopt a site plan review process. In 2007; fhe City commissioned the same firm to
conduct a follow up analysis to review implementation of its 2003 recommendations
and identify needed.improvement areas. A key recommendation of both review efforts was the implementation of a site plan review process. Site plan review is a development review process used in many cities and counties
to provide early on review of proposed deVelopment in advance of#he preparation of
detailed building and/or engineering plans. Site plan review can help identify and
address key concems and identify options pertaining to land use, environmental,
transportation and utilfies impacts. In most instances, site plan review is applied to
commercial, indusfrial, institutional multi-family and mixed use development. Often;
local govemments will establish size or scale thresholds for these types of projects
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Pianning and Community Development Committee Minutes September 27, 2010
that require site plan review. In many instances, site plan review is conducted as an
: administrative review process subject to public noticing.
Committee was supportive:of Jooking into this process but wants staff to consult with
WCIA to make sure it meets the scrutiny of the insurance industry. Director Snyder
stated he will check with risk management and report back to the Committee.
Committee also stated `it may be beneficial from a marketing standpoint due to the
:economy to have` a site plan review. Committee also asked howvesting would be
` impacted.. Director Snyder answered stating under Washington State Law within 120 days a decision musf be made for all land use decisions. Committee also stated
they are not in favor of an administrative approval buf hearing examiner decision: . Mr. Snyder stated staff will look into some of the details ofthis process and concems
of the Committee and report back to the Committee.
C. PCDC Status Matrix
Chair asked committee to contact staff if they had any questions or changes to the
PCDC status matrix.. ; .
V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business fo come before the Planning and Community
Development Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at p.m. •
APPROVED THIS DAY OF
Lynn Norman, Chair Tina Kriss; AdministratiVe Support Clerk.
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