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Home My WebLink About02-13-2012 ` . * Planning and Community " c�,voF_ *�°'� • Development February 13, 2012 - 5:00 PM wnsHin+cTON: Annex Conference Room 2 MINUTES I. CALL70 ORDER A. Roll Call Chair Backus, Vice-Chair Partridge and Member Holman were'present. Also present Planning and Development Department Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Temporary Pianning Intern Gary Yao, Environmentai Protection Manager Chris Anderson, Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Art Faber, Contract Economic Development Manager poug Lein, Contract Economic Devetopment Planner William Thomas, Jamie Kelley and Kim Truong and Pianning and Development Secretary Tina Kriss. Members of the public in attendance included: Kathleen Keator, Executive Director of The Auburn Downtown Association. B. Announcements There were no announcements. C. Agenda Modifications There were no agenda modifications. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes - January 23, 2012 (Snyder) Counciimember Holman moved and Councilmember Partridge seco�ded to to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0. III. ACTION A. Resolution 4803 - Authoriiation of Grant Aa;eptance (Faber) Director Faber pointed out a change is needed in the Resolution No. 4803 language (header and Section 1). Delete "WASHINGTON STATE ARTS COMMISSION" and insert "KING COUNTY 4CULTURE". Director Faber _ explained the grant, in the amount of $1D,000.00, was awarded by the Office of Cultural DevelopmentAuthority of King County 4Culture to install an exterior performance:stage cover in Les Gove Park that would allow additional outdoor conce.rts and a variety of uses. Page 1 of 5 � � ' Committee shared their support of the grant money being directed to install the exterior performance stage cover. Councilmember Holman moved and Councilmember Partridge seconded to approve Resolution No. 4803. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0 B. Ordinance No: 6397 =Temporary Signs (Yao). Planning lntem Gary Yao stated Ordinance No. 6397 is a procedural ordinance extending the Temporary Sign provision staff discussed with Committee on January 23, 2012. The extension would be for two (2) years through March 15, 2014. This item went before Public Works Committee and no further questions or comments were made. Committee had no further questions. Counalmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman seconded to approve Resolution No.6397. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0. C. Resolution No. 4793 - City of Auburn Small Business Development Assistance Pilot Program (Snyder) Director Snyder stated this item was brought for discussion at the Committee's January 23, 2012 meeting; Resolution No. 4793 is intended to help small businesses with 20 or fewer full time equivalent (FTE) employees start, move, or relocate in the City of'Aubum. Resolution No. 4793 wouid enable staff to set up a separate fee structure for certain fee types; it is a pilot program and would expire as proposed tiy staff December 31 st, 2013. Committee and staff reviewed the examples provided showing businesses thaYmay have benefited from this tool. Director Snyder noted a correction in the resolution provided at the last meeting; the fire plan review and insPection fees have been removed. Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) establishes and sets their fee sctiedules (Ciry staff implements those fee sVuctures). Chair Backus asked if the ten percent (10°/a) variance regarding the number of FTE discussed at the previous mee4ing was"included. Director Snyder responded it was not included but will be c.orrected by adding a separate section to the resolution. Member Holman Shinks this is a good incentive;the reduction in costs to small Page 2 of 5 y , . business is minor compared to the overall benefit (publicity, marketing, potential tax dollars) which will more than pay for the economic costs. Chair Backus concurred; it reflects a tangible incentive forsmall business in addition to good will. Member Partridge expressed his caution with the potential offset of cost recovery. Director Snyder stated the fees will be decreased with a small loss to the City's general fund. Committee and staff discussed the overall permit fees and cost recovery. Member Partridge suggested further review of the City's fee structure and also suggested maybe ailowing businesses who have beemin operation within the City for a year to be eligible. Director Snyder stated the City has received many comments and questions regarding the City's incerrtives from customers prompUng staff m generate additional tools as market incentives and feels. Committee and staff discussed how the program would be tracked to determine the success for any potential extensions or changes. Director Snyder stated shouid Committee decide to move this forward as an action item the following amendments are requested by staff to the drafted Resolution No. 4793: • Remove referencesto fire plan review and fire.inspection fees (page one (1) of the resolution) • Add a reference to the proposed variance 6etween current section four (4) and five (5) that would read "the planning director shall be authorized an additional4en percent (10%) variances for businesses that satisfactorily demonstrate that such variance will substardially conVibute to their ability to start, move or expand in the City of Auburn. Councilmember Holman moved and CouncilmemberPartridge seconded to Approve Resolution No. 4793 as amended by staff. Motion Carried Unanimously, 3-0. IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Briefing on Growing Transit Oriented Communities Workshop (Holman) Councilmember Holman shared with Committee that on Wednesday, February 2, 2012 he attended a workshop called Transit Oriented-Communities at University of Washington-Tacoma, co-hosted by Futurewise (Washington State's premier smart growth advocacy organization). One presenter, Dayid Cutler AIA, NCARB Senior Associate of GGLO (a Pacific Northwest architecture/design firm) discussed best practioes for how communities in Pierce County and South King Courrty can plan and build transit-orierrted communities. The workshop paid Page 3 of 5 special focus on the current activities of the Growing Transit Communities program of the Puget Sound Reg'ional Council. Member Holman suggested that Mc Cutler attend a Committee meeting to provide the same presentation. Committee and staff discussed the potential formats and committees this presentation couid take place. Staff stated they will coordinate with Chair Backus, Member Holman, and other City staff to bring this presentation to the City. B. Amendment to Agreement WCC1 t-16-008 for the Aubum Environmental Park Wetlands Boardwalk Trail Project (Andersenlfruong) Environment Protection Manager Chris Andersen provided photos updating Committee on the construction progress of the Auburn Environmental Park Wetlands Boardwalk Trail Project. The boardwalk trail has been substantially constructed; however, additional funding is necessary for completion. The primary reason for this increase is unexpected construction challenges resulting from significant wet conditions in the Park. Staff requested the Committee to consider Washington Conservation Corps Contract AmendmenYNo.:3, Agreement No. VVCC11-i6-0008 for a$10,000.00 increase in the proje.c[ budget to $55,Od0.00 and forward the amendmerrt to full City Council for review and approval in an effort to meet projected deadlines. This increase is accounted for in the project contingency and there is no budget impact. Committee and staff discussed the current process and schedule. Committee stated this is a wondertul asset to the Community and is supportive of the increase. Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman seconded to Approve Amendment No. 3 to Agreement WCC11-16-008 for the Auburn Environmental Park Wetlands Boardwalk Trail Project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0 C. Downtown Market Analysis (Snyder/Chamberlain) Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain stated'as part of the master development agreement with Alpert International negotiated in 2010 the City agreed to conduct a marKet analysis for the four block redevelopment.area known as Aubum Junction. The primary purpose of the market analysis was to review market conditions and forces affecting the redevelopment, particularly given the economic recession and`its resultant effects. Gardner Economics was selected to provide the market analysis. Committee and staff reviewed several of the key points of the analysis. Director Snyder stated staff did not feel there was anything new or surprising but confirmed the effects of the market conditions. It will lay a better foundation for the Council Page 4 of 5 and Community to understand the direction of the market forces for downtown and what is likely to occur for the next several years enabling the City to plan. Staff thought the analysis was helpful and will be used as the City markets Auburn Junction; it is also helpful to let the City know how they compete in the market locally and within the Puget Sound Region. This will be a great tool to assist the real estate broker with realistic expectations to broker Auburn Junction. Committee felt the report was helpful and will aid the.City in future planning. D. Pierce County Regional Council Center of Particular Local Interest (Snyder/Chamberlain) On February 5, 2012, the City of Auburn received a letter from Glen Hull, Chair of the Pierce County Regional Council (PCRC) that was transmitted to all participating jurisdictions in Pierce County. Mr. Hull`s letter advised that the PCRC is seeking expressions of interest by local jurisdicfions for Centers of Particular Local InteresYthat is a new designation. Committed staff discussed 4he location of Lakeland HillsSouth as a Center of Particular Local Interest. At this time the City would be submitting an expression of interesYonly. No financial, policy orresources will be commitment. The specific deadline for submitting information is February 17, 2012. Committee was supportive of staff proposing Lakeland Hills South as a Center of Particular Local Interest and submitting a letter of interest. E. Director's Report (Snyder} Director Snyder updated Committee on the master plan parking plan. Staff is currently working on the parking web survey and one-on-one stakeholders surveys. Shortly thereafter staff pfans to schedule a public open house to obtain more public information. F. PCDC Status Matrix (Snyder) Committee had no questions or comments on the matrix. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further busine.ss to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, Chair Backus adjaumed the meeting aY6:12 p.m. APPROVED THIS ��'1 day of�=71�'��+* 2012 . �t..-.--L� ancy B c Chair ina Kris - PI nning Secretary Page 5 of 5