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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-2011 � Pianning and Community cn,�oF. -.�°� Development �. _ — October 10, 2011 - 5:30 PM wnsHiNCTON Annex Conference Room 2 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 5;30 p.m. in Conference Room No. 2, Iocated on the second floorof One Main Street building, One East Main Street, Auburn, Washington. A. Roll Call Vice-Chair Backus and MembgrPartridge were present. Chairman Norman was excused. Also present were.Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning and Development Director Kevin Snyder;-fconomic Development Manager poug Lein, Contract Economic Development Pianner William Thomas, Principal Planner Jeff Dixon, Assistant Ciry Attorney Steven Gross, City Engineer Dennis Selle, and Planning & Development Secretary Tina Kriss. Members of the public in aitendance included: Wayne Osborne; Terry Daynsh of Dorsey & Whitney LLP; representing Robertson Properties Group (RPG); and Robert Whale of the Auburn Reporter. B. Announcements There were no announcements. C. Agenda Modifications There were no agenda modifications. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes - September 26, 2011 (Snyder) Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Backus seconded to Approve the September 26, 2011 minutes, as amended. Vice-Chair Backus suggested clarifying the location of the meeting as Conference Room No. 2, located on the second floor of fhe One Main Street building, One East Main Street, Aubum, Washington. Motion Carried Unanimously. 2-0. III. ACTION A. Resolution No. 4756 - Auburn Gateway Project - Draft Development Page 1 of 5 Agreement (Dixon) Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Backus seconded to Approve Resolution No. 4756 to full City Council for review and approval. Planning & DevelopmentDirector Kevin Snyder informed Committee Council's conside�ation of the development agreement for Auburn Gateway proposed by Robertson Properties Group is a quasi-judicia� action conducted in a open and transparentmanner subject to the appearance of fairness doctrine. If there are any conflict of interest or any ex parte communication (conversations outside the normal public arena between members of Ciry Gouncil and interested parties including the applicant) those need to be divulged prior to any decision making. Any decisions must be based on specific criteria specified by Auburn City Code 14.21.010.B. Assistant City Attorney Steven Gross provided op4ions Committee may want to consider for making a future decision. He noted that staff can heip craft the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for the packet for full Councii based on tonight's presentation or waiYuntil the public hearing that is set forOctober 17, 2011 to have this conversation with the errtire City Council. Vice-Chair Backus and Member Partridge stated they have no concerns in having a public discussion. Principal Planner Jeff Dixon provided the staff report. Mr. Dixon stated staff is asking for Committee action in the form of forwarding a recommendation on Resolution Na 4756 to full City Council. The development agreement is scheduled for'Public Hearing on October 17, 2011. Mr. Dixon pointed out new documentation within the pacKet. Mr. Dixon described the history of Council committees' discussion of the draft development agreement. He advised that a summary of the Publi6Works Committee's Octo6er 3, 2011 discussion is included in this meeting packet. Mr. Dixon also explained that the development agreement and planned action ordinance were discussed at the October 10, 2011 Municipal Services Committee. He indicated that there was not time to provide a written record from this meeting that occurred earlier in the.day: Mr: Dixon therefore described key questions and answers from staff that were discussed at the Municipal Services Committee meeting. . Vice-Chair Backus requested staff to discuss the highlights or importance of the materials in the packet and Committee will ask any relevant questions in response. Committee and staff discussed funding gaps to Transportation/Utility/Infrastructure Improvements. Director Snyder stated the City recognizes there wili likely be a funding gap between the ultimate cost of these improvements and what RPG is legally responsi6le to contribute. RPG has a certain responsibility and tfiis has been pointed out; the City will need to work together with developer in the future to address these funding gap issues and that Page 2 of 5 there is no obligation or commitment of funding in the development agreement. Director Snyder pointed out to Committee the negotiations for any funding gaps will be factually based on the environmental review documents and traffic analysis provided for this project. Principal Planner Dixon noted that an important point is the proposed changes by the Public Works committee. He provided a one-page handout that high�ighted the two changes requested by the Public Works Committee from their discussion held on October 3, 2011. Principal Planner Dixon stated in the interest of Council having full information, on the record, a decision should be made on whe#her to share the information on the nature of changes and content of discussion at Publia Works Committee held October 3, 2011. Director Snyder stated the Committee can review the criteria for approval of the development agreement contained in the meeting packet and provide its thoughts and ideas about compliance to ali or a portion of these criteria. Director Snyder noted and Assistant City Attorney Gross confirmed that the Council is not required to find that all of the criteria haye been met in order to approve the development agreement. Principal Planner Dixon noted that staff has provided a summary of public benefits and compliance to the criteria beginning on page 50 of 192. It was discussed that the Committee can determine if they agree with the written comments provided tiy staff as provided in the packet and if Committee concurs the comments can be used to draft the Findings of Fact. Any additional thoughts, ideas, comments or language can be added to those statements to formulate the Findings if the Committee agrees. Vice-Chair Backus asked staff if there is any areas staff has responded to, in reference to the four decision-making criteria, thaYStaff has concerns with or needs to be highligMe.d? Planning & Development Director Snyder responded that there are no areas of concern.. Director Snyder stated the DA is structured to ensure and protect any current or future City Council from an obligation to expend any City funds until a policy conversation takesplace and the City.Council approJes.a funding allocation. Vice-Chair Backus confirmed these will all continue to be City projects unless the developer voluntarily agrees to construct. Staff concurred and Director Snyder pointed out it would not mean the developer could not make a business decision to complete certain improvements of their own volition and seek a payback agreement as currently allowedfor in City code: Vice-Chair Backus and Member Partridge requested staff prepare the draft Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law if recommended for approval to the full Page 3 of 5 City Council. Motion Carried Unanimously. 2-0. B. Ordinance No. 6382 - Auburn Gateway Project - Draft Planned Ordinance (Dixon) Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Backus seconded to Approve Ordinance No. 6382—Aubum Gateway Project— Draft Planned Ordinance inclusive of the staff proposed amendment. Principal Pianner Dixon provided the staff briefing on Ordinance No. 6382. Ordinance No 6382 establishes a new section in the zoning code for the Aubum Gateway project and sets up the review and administration processes for subsequent permits and applications submitted to the City. Mr. Dixon noted that a key advantage of the planned action ordinance for the applicant is the removal of the need to go through additional environmental review if future development applications are found to comply with the planned action ordinance. , Mr. Dixon presented a staff proposed modification to the draft Ordinance; Director Snyder stated any motion to:approve should include this recommendation by staff if the Committee is inclined to accept the amendment. Principal Planner Dixon stated that the amendment would add an additional chart under the Transportation Section of ACC 18.08.040. Vice-Chair Backus asked Member Partridge if he had any questions. Member Partridge stated he had no questions or any issues with any of the documents submitted. Director Snyder stated staff will be presenting the Draft Development Agreement, Resolution No. 4756, to full City Council Monday October 17, 2011 to conduct the apPropriate public hearing, Resolution No. 4756 and Ordinance No 6382 will then be brought before full City Council for consideration, likely at the City Council's November 7, 2011 regular meeting. Director Snyder explained the Planning Commission will subsequently be working through changes to fhe North Aubum Special Area Plan and be developing recommendations that staff'will bring to Council as part of the 2011 Annual Comprehensive Plan updates. Director Snyder stated that it is expected the recommendations will be brought before Council for their meeting the first week in December, 2011. Motion Carried Unanimously. 2-0. IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Director's Report (Snyder) Page 4 of 5 Planning Director Snyder stated the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Management Plan inventory is complete except for the on-street parking component.Staff has been working with Transportation Planner Joe Welsh on the compilation of this data. Director Snyder advised that staff will present a report on its findings to the Committee at its October 24, 2011 regular meeting. Director Snyder advised that staff is also continuing to work on the,stakeholder's position of the project and has. met with tFie Mayor and determined stakeholders to be interviewed and the ques;ions to be asked of these stakeholders as well as the questions for business and property owners and the gene�al community. B. PCDC Status Matrix (Snyder) Committee and staff reviewed the matrix and addressed various upcoming agenda items. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning & Community Development Committee, the meeting was ad'oumed at 6:15 p.m. APPR4VED THIS � � DAY OF ��� L n n, C air Tina Kriss, Plannin & Development Secretary Page 5 of 5