HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2012 *
, Ci�nr oF �� � PLANNING COMMISSION
March 6, 2012
WAS H I NGTON MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at7:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on 4he frst floor of Aubum City Hall, 25 V11est Main Street, Aubum,WA.
Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Vice Chair Kevin Chapman,
Ron Copple, Joan Mason, Dave Peace, and Yolanda Trout. Commissioner Ramey is
excused..
Staff present inciuded: Flanning Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth
Chamberlain, PlannerStuart Wagner, and Planning and DevelopmentSecretary Tina
Kriss.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. February 7, 2012
Commissioner Baggett recommended the foilowing corrections be made: The word
human on page three (3)and four(4) should be changed to Humane.
Commissioner Peace moved and Commissioner Baggett seconded to approve the
minutes from the March 6, 2012 meeting corrected.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no pubiic comments on any item not listed on the agenda for disucssion or
public hear.
IV. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Planning ManagerElizabeth Chamberlain let the Commission know the Aubum
Environmental Park is near completion and wilf have a grand opening April 5th, 2012;
Ms. Chamberlain will update Commission on the time when it has been selected. Ms.
Chamberlain explained tfie King County Housing Aufhority 'is refur6ishing the exterior
and interior of their units off M Street; construction will take place tHrough the summer.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Interim Sign Controls=Real Estate Signs
Planner Stuart Wagner reviewedthe current proposalto Aubum City Code Section
18.56.025 on Real Estate Signs. On April 18,2011 the Aubum City Council passed
Ordinance No. 6360 that established one(1) year iriterimzoning corrtrols pertaining
to the real estate signs to promote and market new developments in the area. Those
interim sign coMrols haye been in affect for about a yeac The ordinance provided
forwork sessions to discuss these signsaswe have done here previously at
Planning Commission meetings. One key purpose was to assist loql economic
develapmeM associated with the sale and deyelopment of real estate. Staff feels the
current economic situation warrants these signs and continued flexibility. The real
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2010
estate indusVy is important for the C�y ofAubum as a job creator provision for
additional property tax, real estate excise tax and development impact fees. In
balancing that staff has received cancems by local residence which were included in
the packet.
Staff proposes the regulations be effedive urrtil April 13, 2013 unless extended by
the City Council. Mr. Wagner described the handouts provided tonigM to
Commissioners (emails and letters in favor of and against the changes to the real
estate signs as uvell as Affidavits of Publication). Wrthin the handout he also
provided an emaiUletter provided from the Washington State Depa�tment of
Transportation (WSDOT) reminding us of the ReVised Code of Washington RCW
47.42.080(5) explaining signage regulations on state highways.
Commission and staff discussed the City's monitoring ofthese signs by code
enforcement and street department staff emphasizing the goal is to make sure there
are no safety issues and the signsare in compliance Hrith zoning code. Mr. Wagner
expiained additional regulatioris are built into the permit approval and review
process.
Commission membec Copple recommended staff change the word exercise to excise
tax on page three (3) of six (B) under G1.
Commission and staff discussed the state Scenic Vista's Act enaded in 1971, RCW
47.42.080(5). Washington State Department of TransPortation retains control on
approving the locations of signs in the state on public right-of-way. If it is City owned
public right-of-way or private property the City will be looking at issues of safety
hazards, sight-distance interterence, and other issues that could cause damage to
other persons or property. .° °
Chair Roland opened the publiahearing at 7:17 p.m, to receive comments about
proposed amendment to Sedion 18.56.025- Real Estate Signs, of the Auburn City
Code.
Rich Faires, Lakeland Home Owners Associations HOA, 5801 Lakeland Hills Way,
Auburn, WA 98092. Mr. Fa"iresdiscussedwith Commission the various signs
in the area of Lake Tapps Parkway and Kersey Way. Mr. Faires stated most
of the signage that is seen going up the hill is on Lakeland property which is a
Planned Unit Development established with n]les to uphold property values
not sell homes. The Lakeland HOA is fighting to uphold the values of homes.
Commissioner Baggett asked if special provisions were in the governing
documents of the Lakeland HOA for the deyel,opment allowing the builder
certain flexibilities regarding advertising for'ttieir products until they are built
out. Mr. Faires-answered; yes there are proyisions for their particular
properties and the signage. Commissioner Baggett asked if the provisions
provide the ability to have that type of signage in the locations on the
roadways and everything. Mr. Faires ansinrered yes fortheir property and
builders; The HOA isn't entirely against other parties' signs but the quantity,
size and overabundance is of concern.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2010
Commissioner Baggett understands what the Lakeland HOA is going through
but there are certain things that seem to be contained in these documents
that allow certain rights until the deve�opment is fully built out.
Commission,staff and Mr. Faices discussed the location of the signs and the
responsibilities of the City to provide.regulations in maintaining the City's
public right-of-way. DirgctorSnyder clarified the Gity can approve signs
within the public right-of-way and on private prbperty with property owners
authorization. The Gity has authorized and approved the signs through the
permit approval process on Lake Tapps Parkway and Kersey Way through
various City departments with public safety in mind. The City can't legally
authorize signs plac.ed outside the right-of-way unless a property owner in
Lakeland or other owners of record authorize the instillation. Absent of that
authority we could not approve a sign permit. In Lakeland the majority of
the streets are public right-of-way owned by the City of Auburn.
Chair Roland thanked Mr. Faires for his comments.
Ron Rutherford, Lakeland HOA board member, 5619 Highland Drive SE, Aubum,
WA. Chair Roland and staff discussed the public hearing procedures with Mr.
Ruthertord. Mc RuEhertord expressed his thought that the proposed amendmerit had
changed from the previous amendment adopted by City Councii on April 18, 2011
(Mr. Rutherford referenced a document with strikeouts and underlines). Director
Snyder clarified staff is not recommending mod�cation to the language approved by
Council last year and no changes to that speafic language are being proposed.
Mr. Ruthertord stated he and his wife moved to the Lakeland Hilis because of the
strong sense of community; he emphasized understands 4he importance and impad
of real estate signs to developers, residence and the City. If the City is exploring an
extension he asks the City to not limit one developer or another, over another but
rather the City level the play'ing feld among the developers. In the ordinance he
suggests defining what"similar purposes" means. Mr. Rutherford also expressed his
concem that temporary may mean another yearbut asked if it means six (6) to 12
months or even five (5) years; are we going to do this every year. Does temporary
mean six (6) months, 12 months or five (5) years? While the City expiores ways to
bring in new residence it would be helpfui 'rf 4hey would piease take into consideration
the residence that they already have. Thank you.
Chair Roland thanked Mr: Rutherford.
With no other parties to come forvvard for public tes;imony Chair Roland closed the
public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
Commissioner Baggett pointed out that the preponderance of emails in the packet
supplied by staff we�e from Lakeland Hills' residences. Most were negative and
asked that the signs be restricted. Commissioner Baggett stated, if he understands
the issue corredly, the signs Lakeland home owners are complaining about are
mostly on private property and not necessarily in the public right-of-way and the City
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETMGMINUTES March 6, 2010
has no jurisdiction over those signs. Commissioner Baggett suggested the HOA or
property managers deal with 4he developers to work out these issues.
Commissioner Peace stated he is tom between weighing out the bigger
preponderance of the signs being an eyesore wRh the current economic fadors and
hopes the City sees the extension as temporary. Commissioner Peace recommends
the City reduce the quantity and size in the relative near term and emphasized "ff
there are no corrtrols on the City and a builder wants a sign don't always say yes,
maybe we can make a compromise with builders and reduce the number of signs°.
Commissioner Mason stated she would like to see beginning and ending dates and
requests a temporary extension for only one year.
Commissioner Chapman moved and Commissioner Chapman seconded to move the
forward to Council proposed amendments Aubum Gity Code Section 18.56.025 on
Real Estate Signs for one more year.
MOTION APPROVED—&1
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Proposed Amendment to the P-1, Public Use District
Planner Stuart Wagner stated the City of Aubum Gity Council has previously
authorized a contrad with the Auburn Valley Humane Society for the provision of a
public animaf shelter services at 4910 A Street SE, a Gity owned property. This
property is currently zoned Public Use (P-1). Current zoning regulations for the P-1
zoning distrid do not specify public animal shelter services as a permitted use in this
zone. In order to support the intended public animal shelter services at this property
staff has determined the need to amend the Au6um City Code. At the previous
meeting Commission asked if shelters were public or private so staff added public to
the language with the intent that the P-1 zoning district be publicusesfor public
purposes only.
Commission and staff discussed the review process for all impacts and the services
provided by the contract between the Aubum Valley Humane Society; a ceR�ed
501-3C non-profd institution.
Commission recommended.staff darify within the d�nkion or language the animal
shelter is for dogs and cats verses a varie.ty of animals or household pets. Director
Snyder stated staff will add clarifying language.
Staff stated a public hearing will be held on this item at the next meeting tentatively
scheduled for March 20"'.
B. Proposed Zoning Code Amendment to ACC Section 18.31.200 related to
Architectural and Site Design Review Standards and Regulations
Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberfain stated the City has architectural and site
design standards in effed that apply to three distinct geographical areas of the City
and another set that apply throughout the errtire City based the specific land use
type. The purpose of thesearchitectural and site design standards is to provide an
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2010
administrative process for evaluating the design and arrangemeM of buildings and
site developmerrt to ensure quality design of the buift environment. The authority for
the architedural and site design standards (Design Standardsj were previously
adopted by the City Council and are consisteM with, and implement the poliaes of
the Comprehensive Plan.
The Design Standards applicable to each geographic area is unique and found in a
separa4e documenY that applies onfy to that area or type of land use project. The
requirement for implementation of the Design Standards is found in various sedions
of the zoning code.
As these Design Standards were adopted at different times and over a period of
years there is not uniformity in the set of regulaHons to administer the Design
Standards. The Design Standards themselves are not proposed to change but
provide uniformity by bringing them all together: Ms. ChambeAain and Commi§sion
discussed the ways the amendments to code would benefit the City.
Staff will be bring this item as well as the proposed amendments to the P-1, Public
Use Dis4rict to pubiic hearing on March 20'" or the first meeting in April.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjoumed the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
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