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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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