HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2012 *. Planning and Community
crii�oF_ =��. • Development
� ' March 26, 2012;= 5:00 PM
wnsH`iNCTON Annex Conference Room 2
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at<5:00 p.m. in Annexation Conference
Room 2 located on the second floor of One Main Building, 7 East Main Street, Aubum,
Washington.
A. Roll Call
Chair Nancy Backus, Vice-Chair John Partridge and Member John Holman were
present. Also presertt were Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning and Development
Director Kevin Snyder; Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Economic
Development Manager poug Lein, Planner Stuart Wagner, Risk Manager Rob
Rosco, City Attomey Dan Heid, Building Official Rick Hopkins, Development
Services Manager Jeff Tate, and Planning and Development Secretary Tina Kriss.
Members of the public in attendance included: Valley Regional Fire Authority
Administrator Eric Robertson, Police Chief Bob Lee, Senior Associate of GIGLO
David Cutler; Joanne Martin; Patrick Taylor, GloriaTaylor, and Scot Pondick.
B. Announcements
1. Presentations
Transit Oriented Communities Workshop Presentation - David Cutler
with GGLO will provide his preserrtation on transit oriented
comr►iunities that he presented at the 1'ransit Oriented Communities
Workshop.
Member Holman introduced staff, Committee and David Cutler of GGLO.
Senior associate of GGLO David Cutler provided a presentation focusing on
, :-. .
connecting people to placesin transit communities. Mr. CuUer pointed out
how density support§neighborhood services within walking distance and
reviewed the vario.us district sizes. Committee will considering reviewing
these concepts for areas within the�City. Mayor Lewis asked Mr. Cutier if he
could provide his materials to staff and Committee.
C. Agenda Modifications
There were no agenda modifications.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
Page 1 of 7
A. Minutes;- March,8,�2012 (Snyder) :
Vice-Chair Partridge exp�essed liis concems (outlined in a letter submitted by
Vice-Chair Partridge dated,March 26, 2012, include.d below) regarding
the consent agenda approval of the February 27, 2012 draft minutes at the March
8th meeting:
Date: 03/26/2012
TO: Chair Nancy Backus
From: Vice-Chair John Partridge
RE: PCDC March 8th Minutes review of the February 27th 2012 meeting
I need to put on the record some comments regarding item II Conserrt Agenda
section A Minutes. There are items I dispute and would like added to the record.
#1 In regards to the referencemade to the March 8th 2012 minutes approval
as amended with grammatical, spelling and scrivener error corrections.as Vice-
Chair, I stated that the minutes given to us for the reView of the 02/28/12 meeting
were in addition inaccurate. incom I°ete•and therefore did note accurately
communicatethe unique verbatim request of th@ mayor as noted on page 11 of 62
in tonighYs packet. Often weare reminded on the value of staff time. Since the
mayor reviewed this issue and the documenting minutes with the level of
importance to devote staff time and effort, I believe that they needed to meet a
verbatim standard. In my opinion, they were clearly not ready. I spent a number of
hours preparing corrections thatwere sent to the mayor. I have not seen those
corrections as a today's meeting..
#2 Second, I stated that I was told by city attomey Dan Heid that in his opinion
that verbatim minutes are highly irregular, not reguired or advisable to attempt for
the purpose of committee meeting minutes. Attomey Heid told me he would call
director Snyder about this issue and it was confirmed by director Snyder at this
meeting that he received that cail but not noted. It was further referenced by Chair
Backus that when she had last seen verbatim minutes used were in quasiyudicial
type proceedings.
#3 Third and most importanUy, 4he record states that the motion carried 2-0
giving the appearance that I was not:there or had nothing to say in regard to the
matter. I was clearly opposetl and it should be noted as a 2-t vote. At the vote, I
decided to not entertain fhe motion by ChairBackus.to approve the minutes as the
vice-chair hoping that one of my feliow councilmembers would supportmy
concern with the minutes and force them to be corrected before approval. Member
Holman did not agree with the level of my concern, made the motion and Chair
Backus seconded. I was disappointed by the committee's action not
acknowledging my concerns 6ut even more so not to be recognized in the
minutes.
Page 2 of 7
Sincerely,
John Partridge, cauncilmember
Vice-Chair Partridge stated he had spent a number of hours preparing corrections
that to date have not been addressed and Mayor Lewis:stated he did receive the
corrections but was unable to see the attachments/corrections. �ce-Chair
Partridge stated that if the items of concem could be addressed, at some level, he
would be willing to make the motion to approve the minutes.
Chair Backus asked that the'letter be included in the record and that the
adjustment be made showing the Consent Agenda approvai of the February 27,
2012 minutes be 2-1.
Mayor Lewis stated he had talked with City Attomey Heid as well regarding
verbatim minutes and City Attorney Heid did not.say verbatim minutes were highly
irregular ar not advisable but not required and the reason I asked that verbatim
minutes be done is that fire and police were asked to attend a meeting and I
thought this was a reasonable request. Mayor Lewis stated if the opinion was that
they were irregular and not required he agrees; Vice-Chair Partridge stated he
would accept that adjustmertt.
Chair Backus asked that we note for the record the letter Vice-Chair Partridge
submitted contains not what specificaliy took place during the consent agenda
approval at the March 8, 2012 meeting but addresses his concerns.
Vice-Chair Partridge stated he had not seen the amended minutes from the
February 27, 2012 meeting and that he would be resending his changes and
corrections to Mayor Lewis and Pianning and Development Secretary Tina Kriss.
Chair Backus asked that�ce-Chair Partridge also forward those corrections to
her.
Vice-Chair Partridge moved and Member Hoiman secondedYO approve the March
8, 2012 minutes and incluiie the letter submitted by.Vice-Chair Partridge dated
March 26, 2012 striking fhe word hiahiv and advisable referred to in paragraph#2.
Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Resolution No. 4770 (Tate)
Review proposed changes to physical addresses recommended by the City
of Auburn Addressing Committee and reviewed and approved by City
Directors and the VRFA Administrator.
Mayor Lewis briefed the Committee, staff, and audience members on the history
of City of Aubum address changes. Director Snyder provided a petition
referenced but not induded in the pa_cket (dated March, 2041)and introduced
Police Chief Bob Lee and Vailey Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) Administrator
Page 3 of 7
Eric Robertson.
Police Chief Lee provided examples of officers' concerns locating addresses
within the 4th PL NE community causing delayed response times. Police Chief
Lee emphasized the point that officers do train new recruits on unique addressing
situations around the City but if time passes before a call comes in and if
something serious takes place having consistent addressing would be very
important.
Administrator EriaRobertson explained VRFA staff provided information that two
out of five calls to the area had been delayed. Administrator Robertson explained
that he reviewed the previous concerns of the residence and wanted to point out
that 75% ofall calls are not the buming houses but medical calls where someone
may be having a heart attack within a home;firemen do not have the benefit of
having a visual beacon.to lead them to a residence. Addressing concems have
been going on for some time and staff has worked closely with police and fire, with
public safety first and foremost in mind, to identify each address of concern. The
proposed address changes wiil not make ttie City absolutely pertect but will be the
best they can be so 4his will be done once.
Gommittee and staff discussed allowing an opt out option or graduated approach
for those who do not want a change of address. Staff did not"advise on this
approach since it would be difficult to track creating a hardship for police and fire
responders which may delay response times.
Vice-Chair Partridge asked staff how much risk is based on an address; are there
different risk levels? Police Chief Lee stated no, there are not different levels of
risk when it comes to addressing. Administrator Robertson explained risk factors
change depending on who may be visiting your home: If you haye an elderly
visitor or someone walking buy your home the risk factor may go up. Fire and
police do not recommend placing a degree of risk on theaddress changes.
Committee and staff discussed the draft administrative police.for a public safety
address change assistance program. The final draft is being reviewed by the
state auditor's office for consensus and approval.
Committee received comments from residents in the 4th PL NE community..
Chair Backus stated this will be brougM badc before Committee and is not an
action item this evening. � ,
B. Local Revitalization Fund Additional Project List Modification
(SnydedChamberlain)
Review staff proposal to modify the Loc.al Revitalization Fund Additional
Project List. This list was previously approved by the former powntown
Redevelopment Committee.
Mayor Lewis, staff, and the Committee discussed a list of projects the Downtown
Page 4 of 7
Redeyelopment Committee (_DRC) had considered pertaining to additional Local
ReVitaliiation Funds (LRF)._These additional moneys were the result of the bids
for South Division Stree4 Promenade coming in under the engineer's estimate
which allowed addRional projects within Downtown to be considered.
During the planning and design for the City Hall Plaza and South Division Street
Promenade projects,.the Council and staff discussed multiple times the desire for
an iconic design feature that community members and visitors would associate
with Downtown, e.g. "IeYs meet at the.." S_taff has continued to explore
opportunities for this iconic feature and recently identified a feature that has been
used in other communities that staff believes would be appropriate for powntown
Aubum.
Staff proposes this iconic design feature repiace the improvements proposed for
the North City Hall Plaza through the reallacation of existing LRF funds to this new
project (no budget impact) and recommends moving forward with a Request for
Proposal (RFP) to obtain information.
Committee discussed if approval is needed to move this forward for a RFP and
staff stated it is not necessary since no contract would be awarded. The RFP
would oniy provide information;the cost wouid only be for advertising.
Member Holman stated he is'in strong support and believes,along with economic
development, establishing a branding identity is important Having a shelter from
the rain and a meeting place is an additional benefit.
Vice-Chair Partridge is concerned about installing something without the ability to
see what the future downtown improvements will look like and stated he is not
comfortable supporting redirecting funds alloca#ed for the North City Hall Plaza
improvements without going ihrough City Council.
Committee and staff discussed any safety concems the Downtown
Redevelopment Committee may have had concerning the North City Hall Plaza.
Staff stated there were no safery issues that caused the Downtown
Redevelopment Comm'ittee to determine the North Flaza was a priority project last
year. Gommittee and staff discussed not needing to have a motion to go fonvard
with an RFP since it is for information gathering only and the associated costs are
far advertising. If a contract needs to be awarded it would k go befare City
Council. Vice-Chair ParVidge stated he is not personally excited about a tent,
permanent in nature, and would like to see more choices. Vice-Chair Partridge
also stated he is not comfortable voting in favor of the RFP and believes the North
City Hall Improvements should, still be the focus since there is not enough
evidence that the funds should be shifted and would like to see other things that
have been discussed to accomplish this goal. He expressed a "no"vote and
would like more time to consider options.
Mayor Lewis stated he thought it would be good to bring before this Committee
Page 5 of 7
based on previous work that was doneby the Downtown Redevelopment
Committee butno approval is needed.
Member Holman would like to move to see what some of these tents look like and
Chair Backus concurred sfating she would like to see what can be brought
forward.
,
Vice-Chair Partridge and Member Holman asked forinformation from the
Downtown Redevelopment Committee to assist in laying a foundation from the
previous work completed:
C. Phase II Zoning Code Update - Group 2 (Wagner)
Committee to discuss land use policies related to the Phase II, Group 2
Zoning Code Update. '
At the March 8, 2012 Planning and Community Development meeting, planning
staff held a coilaborative work session with Committee members on a series of
policy questions related to the Phase 2, Group2 of 4he code update
project. Staff discussed the following follow up items:
1. Committee and staff discussed muiti-family development in a C3, Heavy
Commercial Zoning District and reviewed potential changes as shown in the
exhibit drawing provided by staff. Committee supports the proposed changes.
2. Committee and staff discussed the outdoor displays and sale (by retail
operators). Committee and staff discussed the locations of these operators and
determined they like the aesthetics of the black fencing but desire to see
equipment storage limi#ed to fence height.
3. Outdoor storage as stand alone use in the M-2 zone. Committee confirmed
they are not supportive of this use after review of a map provided by staff.
D. Proposed Amendments to Section 18.56.025 - Real Estate Signs of the
Aubum City Code (Z�Al2-0001) (Wagner)
Committee to review Planning Commission's recommendation to the Ciry
CounciL
Planner Wagner discussed the one (1) year inferim zoning controls pertaining to
the allowance, dimensions, and location of real estate signs passed by Auburn
City Council on April 18, 2011. Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing March 6, 2012 recommending the extension of the one year extension
with the changesspecified in the proposed Ordinance.
Committee and staff discussed the number of'signs that appear in the Lakeland
Hills area and Vice-Chair Partridge asked if it wasa possibility to compromise and
reduce the number of signs. Director Snyder stated if there is a substantial change
in the proposal this wouid needto go back before Planning Commission delaying
the process and the one-yearinterim zoning regulations expire April 21, 2012.
Page 6 of 7
Director Snyder also explained that ali sign permits go through an application
process with an administrative;approval if the regulations change then the existing
signs approval may have to be modified. •
Member Hoiman was supportive of allowing the extension and believes it would
corrtinue to,encourage�real'estafe gron!th�on;new homes. Chair Backus stated
she is supportive of the one-year extension. '
Committee took action on this,item. Vice-Chair Partridge moved and Member
Holmari seconded to rriove Proposed Amendments to Section 18.56.025 - Real
_
Estate Signs of the Aubum City Code (ZOAl2-0001) to full City Council for review
and approvaL
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0.
E. Director's Report (Snyder)
Director Snyder informed Committee the Aubum Environmentaf Park grand
opening will be held April 5, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
F. PCDC Status Matrix (Snyder)
Staff discussed some of the upcoming timelines.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at
8:49 p.m.
T !��!,p�i'c.�O-
APPROVED this � � day of��—, 2012.
�� .
ancy Qkus Chair Tina Kriss PI nning and Development
Secretary
Page T of 7
. . • �
i
Date: 03R6/2012 �
To: Chair Nancy Backus
From: Vice-Chair John Partridge
RE: PCDC March 8'�Minutes roview of the Febivary 27'�2012 meeting .
I need to put on the record some comments regara'wg item II Consent Agenda secfion A
Minutes.There are items I dispute and would like added to the record.
#I In regards W the reference made to the March 816 2012 minutes approval as
amended with gra_n+m�c�cal sgglling ar�scrivener error corrections.av Vice-Chair:I
stated that the minutes given to us for the review of the:02/28/12 mceting were in
addition inaccurate.i�omoleta and therefore did note accurately communicate the ;
unique ver6atim request of the mayor as noted oa�ge l l of 62 in tonighYs packet.
Often we are reminded on the value of staff time. Sinoe the mayar viewed this issue and
the documenting minutes with the level of importance to devofe staff Gme and affort,I ;
believe that they needed to meet a verbatim standard.In my opinion,they were clesrly ��
not ready.I spent a number of liours preparing correcdons that were sent to the mayor. I �,
have not seen those corrections as a today's meering. I
#2 Second,I stated that I was told by city attomey Dan Heid that in his op¢uon thai
verbatim minutes are higlily irregular,not required or silviseble to attempt for the purpose ;
of committee meeting minutes.Attomey Heid told me he wouid cal] director Snyder i
about this issue and it was confirmed by director Snyder at ihis meeting that he received ;
that call but not noted.It was further referenced by Chair Backu§that when she had last
seen verbatim minutes used were in quasi judicial type proceedings. !
#3 Third aad most importanUy,the record states ttiat the motion carried 2=0 giving
the appearance that I was not there or had nothing to say in regard to the matter.I was
ctearly opposed and it should be noted as s 2- 1 vote.At the vote,I decided to not
entertain the motion by Chair Backus to approve the minute.s as the vice�chair hoping that
one of aiy fellow councilmembeis would support my concam with the minutes and force �
them to be comcted before approval.Member Holmen did not agrce with the level of my I
concem,made the motion and Ghair Backus seconded.I was disappointed by the
committee's action not acknowtedging my concerns but even more so not to be
recognized in the minutes.
Sincercly, .
7ohn Partridge,councilmember
.