HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-2011
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CI_TY OF_ * * DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
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WASHINGTON March 1, 2011
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in Conference Room 2, located
on the second floor of One East Main Street, Aubum, WA. Committee Members present
were: Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Sue Singer, and Member Nancy Backus.
Staff pcesent included: Planning & Development Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Project Engineer Ryan Vondrak, AssistantCity Engineer Ingrid
Gaub, Economic Development Manager poug Lein, and Planning Secretary Tina Kriss.
Audience Members present: Jeif Oliphant, Gail Spurrell and Ronnie Roberts
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Meeting Minutes - February 8, 2011
Committee would like the following item lll. B. Downtown Pedestrian Kiosk, second to
the last paragraph, to read as follows:
Chair Norman stated she is concemed with the kiosk creating too much visual
pollution or clutter wifh the narrow right-of-way and pole mounting. Chair Norman is
concemed about being able to tie historic Main Street and the kiosk design. Chair
Norman also had questions about the size of the kiosk.
Member Backus moved and Member Singer seconded to approve the consent agenda
items as amended.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
III. ACTION
A. City Hall Plaza Improvement Project
Planning Manager Chamberlain provided a revised agenda bill and budget status sheet
to the Committee members, Ms. Chamberlain then reviewed the staff report on change
order No. 2 to Contract Number 10-24 for Project No. CP0922, City Hall Plaza
Improvement. Committee and staff discussed the details of the budget status sheef.
There is a contingency amount of $244,073 remaining in Fund 330.
Member Backus moved and Member Singer seconded to move forward Change Order
No. 2 to Contract Number.10-24 for Project No. CP0922 to City Councif for approval.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes March 1, 2011
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Downtown Urban Center Design Standards
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain provided the staff report on the changes to the
Downtown Urban Center Design Standards. A previous amendment to the design
standards changed the sfreet designation for a portion ofi North Division Street between
Main Street and 1s` Street NE from a Pedestrian I street to a Pedestrian II street. During
the review of this amendment, the Downtown Redevelopment Committee (DRC) and
Planning and Community Development Committee (PCDC) sfated that a goal of the
design standards is to focus retail/commerciaf uses on the ground floor along Main
Street and South Division Street (the promenade) and that other uses such as medicaL
office could be located on the ground floor along other downtown streets.
An inquiry into the vacant Key Bank Building, at Aubum Avenue and 1St Street NE, about
establishing medical office at this location was made. In reviewing the design standards,
Auburn Avenue between East Main Street and 1st Sfreet NE is still designated a
Pedestrian I street which does not permit medical offiee uses.
Committee states Pedestrian II gives more options for Aubum Avenue. Member Singer
stated she is supportive of the Pedestrian II designation as long as it does not include
the intersection of Main Street and Aubum Avenue. Committee emphasized the comers
on Main Street are to be retail/restaurant; Pedestrian I street.
Committee is supportive of this change.
B. Downtown Pedestrian Kiosks
Planning Manager Chambeclain reviewed the map provided to the Committee on the
possible kiosks locations within tHe downtown area. Staff and Committee reviewed a
mock pedestrian kiosk to determine potential locations and if the size of the kiosk would
work.
Committee suggested some signage where Aubum Avenue and Aubum Way split
directing people to downtown. Director Snyder this is a possibility with the new signage
that will be installed at this location adjacent to tittle Caesar's. The intersection of A
Street and Auburn Way North is not used by as much foot traffic as vehicular traffic.
Audience member Ronnie Roberts stated the height of the mock kiosk would work well,
if a car is parked near the'kiosks blocking the lower portion you could still determine the
proper direction by viewing the top portion, Audience member Gail Spurrell stated there
are many people who have a difficult time reading certain wayfinding signs dueto their
small lettering so it is nice to see the larger letters.
Audience Member Jeff Oliphant stated it.is important to make sure both pedestrian and
vehicular traffic have different signs. Chair stated they will be discussing auto traffic
signage at a tater meeting tiut Committee has been ha"ving an ongoing discussion on
pedestrian wayfinding.
Chair asked members to bring the map showing potential locations to the next meeting
to use to during the walking tour for a determination of kiosks locations. Committee
stated they would like to see a narrower kiosk; it feels too bulky or massive.
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Dowritown Redevelopment Committee Minutes March 1. 2011
V. INFORMATION
The next meeting will be the 8"' of'March. Committee would like to do the walking tour
weather permitting.
VL ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment
Committee, Chair Norman adjoumed the meeting at 3:53 p.m.
PROVED THIS DAY OF Z~//
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L nn rman, Chair ' Tina"Kriss, P nning Development
Secretary
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