HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2012 * �* PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF_ --� . «
September 5, 2012
WAS H I N GTON MINUTES
,
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor of Aubum City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Aubum, WA.
Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Vice Chair Kevin Chapman,
Commissioner Copple, Commissioner Mason, Commissioner Peace, Commissioner
Baggett, Commissioner Trout and Commissioner Ramey ,
Staff present included: Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner Jeff
Dixon, Planner Stuart Wagner, Financial Analyst Consuelo Rogel, and Planning and
Devetopment Support Clerk Bobbie Hodgkinson.
Audience Members PreseM: Christopher Cushing, Scout Master with B.S.A. Troop 401,
and sons Joseph and Tyler
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. August 21, 2012
Commissioner Trout moved and Commissioner Peace seconded to approve the minutes
from the August 21, 2012 meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0
111. PUBLIC COMMENT
None provided during this portion of the meeting.
IV PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Planning Manager EI¢abeth Chamberiain stated that since updating the Commission
two weeks ago on recent activities, nothing has changed. In response to questions from
the Commission, Ms. Chamberiain wnfirmed that the commercial laundry facility that
provides services for area hospitals broke ground last week, and the original estimated
construction schedule was 9 to 11 morrths. Ms. Chamberlain also responded that there
is nothing new to repoR on the Cavanaugh property
V PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearings scheduled.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Code Update Project—Phase II, Group 2(Wagner)
Planner Wagner provided a brief overview of the Code Update Project, Phase II Group
2, and explained the mark-ups to the new code sections to assist the Commission in
understanding where the changes came from and why these are new sections or
chapters in the City's codes. Plenner Wagner also descxibed in detail the new Land Use
Table fortnat in Chapter 1823, Commercial and Industrial Zones. The Commission
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 5, 2012
reviewed each section and Planner Wagner responded to questions and provided
clar�cation.
In Chapter 18.04— Definitions, the Commission asked ff there is a reason why"Building
Contractor Services" and "Construction Corrtractor Services" are separate. Planner
Wagner stated that individual uses are a little different. The construction contractor
services is more high intensity (e.g., highway construction work) and the other is more of
the general trades (e.g., painting, HVAC, plum6ing, etc.). Following a discussion
conceming how a small business could have a large impact, Planner Wagner stated
staff will look at these definitions again to better distinguish them.
Chapter 18.57.025 - Recreation, Education and Public Assembly, the Cammission
discussed whether the 300-foot restriction near a residential zone is practical and
whether some type of sound study might be considered. Planner Wagner stated that
possibly some code language could be added to state this number could be reduced 'rf a
sound study is submitted, and he will work with planners to see if there is a better
standard that can be chosen.
Chapter 18.57.035, Retail - Building/Landscape Materials, the Commission discussed
whether different heights should be allowed depending upon where the property is
located.
Chapter 18.57.050—Car Washes/Detailing distance 50-foot restriction from a
residential zone was discussed and the potential noise from car speakers. Planning
Manager Chamberlain confirmed.that the City has a noise ordinance but it does not
specify hours and dces not cover car speakers which would be nearly impossible to
regulate. Manager Chamberlain suggested taking a look at a distance requirement or
some other mechanisms to address noise issues with car washes near residential
zones.
Chapter 18.57.050-Vehicle Sales and Services, Other Zones Where Pertnitted. The
Commission discussed the 20-foot height restriction and asked whether there is a
standard height for canopies. Planner Wagner responded that this covers fueting
stations and may need to be clarifed to read "the station canopy"
In connection with the Hearing Examiner Chapter 2.46, Planner Wagner stated that he is
curreMly working with Legal to see if this chapter needs changes, primariiy chapter
section numbers, and Planner Wagner will make sure it is clear if what is presented at
the public hearing is different from what the Commission currently has.
Prior to the next Planning Commission meeting, Planner Wagner will provide a brief
memo to the Commission with answers to the questions and issues that were raised.
B. 2072 Comprehensive Plan Amendments (Dixon)
Principal Planner Dixon provided background on the City's Annual Comprehensive Plan
Amendments processes and iritroduced two policy and text amendments that were not
covered in the last Planning Commission meeting for discussion purposes: 1) P!f#5—
City of Auburn Capital Facilities Plan 2013-2018 and 2) PT#7—Chapters 14,
Comprehensive Plan Map Economic Strategy Areas.
Page 2
P�LANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 5, 2012
Principai Pianner Dixon stated that the Capital Facilities Plan.is an important document
for identifying the City's'level of service standards for the different types of facilities in the
City He also noted that included with the paGcet is a memorandum produced by the
Finance Department that explains the changes that have occurred from last years
Capital Facilities Plan.
Principal Planner Dixon clarified that on TableT-1 of the City's Draft Capital Facilities
Plan the level of service standard is the City's published standard in tertns of what the
City is trying to maintain as an adopted performance standard for that carridor The City
has intersection level of service and a corridor level of service where the level of service
is averaged over the length of that road's segment. A level of service is usually a
measure of how that roadway pertorms for one hour at the p.m, peak hour and relates to
how much capacity that roadway can handle.
In response to a question regarding "downtown furnkure" listed as deleted in the Finance
Departmerrt Capital Facilities Memorandum, Planning Manager Chamberlain explained
that a project had been identfied for some additional improvements downtown but due
to project funding that need could not be met and the item is listed as deleted.
Prinicpal Planner Dixon stated that staff is working on providing an additional map to the
Comprehensive Plan of the economic development strategy areas to illusVate these
locations and to make ft easier to follow.
Staff will make a cortection to the spelling error noted on Page 1425 and insert hyphens
for clarity on Page 1427 of Chapter 14.
The Commission will not meet on September 1 S"' and will condud two public hearings in
October The Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Planning Commission
meeting at 7:00 p.m. on October 2ntl and October 16'"for a quick study session. Chair
Roland confirmed that the Planning Commission November 6"' meeting will be moved to
November 7"' due to election nigM.
Audience member, Christopher Cushing, asked the Commission 'rf people want to live on
top of where they work. He stated that most light industrial and manufacturing requires a
warehouse setting which makes a soft structure and asked ff the City is prepared to take
on the challenges of making seismic studies. Prinicpal Planner Dixon responded that
there are a lot of industrial buildings that are built to Intemational Building and Fire Code
Standards based upon the height of the building and its occupancy When there are
residences, they have differer�t standards.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjoumed the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Page 3