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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-2013 PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT SESSINO WITH PCD COMMITTEE* DENOTES ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED IN COMMITTEE AGENDA PACKET Planning and Community Development Committee/Planning Commission Special Meeting Joint Session February 5, 2013 AT 5:00 PM Annex Conference Room 2 AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call B. Announcements C. Agenda Modification II. JOINT STUDY SESSION – PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION* Summary: Planning and Community Development Committee and the Planning Commission to review and discuss ideas and other issues regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update and Building Codes Update from the joint 2013 – 2014 work plan. III. ADJOURNMENT 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Councilmember Nancy Backus, Chair, Planning and Community Development Committee Councilmember John Holman, Vice Chair, Planning and Community Development Committee Councilmember Largo Wales, Planning and Community Development Committee Judi Roland, Chair, Planning Commission Planning Commission Members CC: Mayor Lewis FROM: Kevin Snyder, AICP, Director/Elizabeth Chamberlain, Planning Manager/Jeff Dixon, Principal Planner, Planning and Development Department DATE: January 31, 2012 RE: JOINT STUDY SESSION: Comprehensive Plan Update PLEASE NOTE: Please bring your copy of the City’s current Comprehensive Plan to the meeting. PURPOSE: To discuss issues, ideas and approaches pertaining to Item No. 1 (Major Comprehensive Plan Update) from the Planning and Community Development Committee/Planning Commission 2013-2014 Work Plan (Exhibit 1). Please note that any discussion of updating the Comprehensive Plan should include an understanding that some or all of the City’s development regulations might need to be updated concurrently with the updated Comprehensive Plan to insure effective implementation of the vision, goals and strategies of this Plan. BACKGROUND: The current City of Auburn Comprehensive Plan provides the following description of what a Comprehensive Plan is: A comprehensive plan is a policy statement adopted by the City to guide decisions affecting the community's physical development. A comprehensive plan indicates how the City envisions the community's future, and sets forth strategies for achieving the desired community. A plan generally has three characteristics. First, it is comprehensive: the plan encompasses all the geographic and functional elements which have a bearing on the community's physical development. Second, it is general: The plan summarizes the major policies and proposals of the City, but does not usually indicate specific locations or establish detailed regulations. Third, it is long range: the 2 plan looks beyond the current pressing issues confronting the community, to the community's future. The City of Auburn adopted a Comprehensive Plan in 1986 and made amendments and additions in the following years. The State of Washington adopted the Growth Management Act (GMA) in 1991. Most communities required to plan under the Growth Management Act worked on their plans between 1992 and 1995. In 1995, the City of Auburn adopted a GMA compliant Comprehensive Plan and associated development regulations. Since 1986, the City of Auburn has conducted substantive amendments to its Comprehensive Plan (Exhibit 2). The most significant update of the Comprehensive Plan last occurred in 2001 with the adoption of the Downtown Plan. Since this last significant update, the City has grown substantially in population and area through the annexation of Lea Hill and West Hill. In addition, the City Council has developed the concepts of Economic Development Strategy Areas and Manufacturing Village Districts. In addition, the City Council has also taken preliminary legislative action through comprehensive plan amendments to place restrictions on future development of warehouse and distribution land uses in response to concerns regarding Streamlined Sales Tax, low employment production and impacts on public infrastructure, particularly, the public street system. Because of these and other factors, the current update of the Comprehensive Plan is likely to be substantive and far-reaching in terms of setting policy direction for the next 20 years. RCW 36.70A contains provisions pertaining to compliance with the Growth Management Act including preparation and update of a Comprehensive Plan that must plan for a minimum of 20 years of growth. Every county and city in the state is required to conduct a periodic update, though the obligation varies depending on whether the jurisdiction is fully or partially planning. Per state law, fully planning counties and cities must complete the periodic update for their entire comprehensive plan and development regulations. “Fully planning” means that a city or county must meet all GMA requirements, including adoption of a comprehensive plan and a complete set of development regulations implementing the plan. The City of Auburn is a fully planning city as are other cities in King County and Pierce County. Many communities amend their comprehensive plan annually and regularly adopt changes to the development regulations that implement them. In addition to these regular amendments, GMA requires counties and cities to periodically conduct a thorough review of their plan and regulations to bring them up to date with any relevant changes in the GMA and to respond to changes in land use and population growth. This mandatory “periodic update” takes place for most communities at least once every eight years. The City of Auburn along with most other communities in the region was scheduled to complete its Comprehensive Plan update in 2012. However, because of impacts to local economies and local governments resulting from the Great Recession, the Washington State Legislature approved a bill in 2011 that extended the Comprehensive Plan update schedule to June 2015. The “periodic” updating of a Comprehensive Plan is a significant work effort involving the City Council, City Administration, the Planning Commission, community stakeholders, residents and businesses. GMA imposes a significant expectation of public involvement. Staff has prepared an illustrative flowchart (Exhibit 3) to highlight key elements of this significant update effort. RCW 36.70A specifies required Comprehensive Plan Elements and Components comprised of: 1. Land Use Element that is consistent with countywide planning policies (CWPPs) and RCW 36.70A.070(1) inclusive of: 3 a. A future land use map showing city limits and urban growth area (UGA) boundaries. [RCW 36.70A.070(1) and RCW 36.70A.110(6)] b. Consideration of urban planning approaches that increase physical activity. [RCW 36.70A.070(1), Amended in 2005] Note: Approaches may include mixed use community centers, bicycle and pedestrian networks or other means to include physical activity in daily life. c. A consistent population projection throughout the plan which should be consistent with the Office of Financial Management forecast for the county or the county’s sub-county allocation of that forecast.[RCW 43.62.035] d. Estimates of population densities and building intensities based on future land uses. [RCW 36.70A.070(1) e. Provisions for protection of the quality and quantity of groundwater used for public water supplies. [RCW 36.70A.070(1)] f. Identification of lands useful for public purposes such as utility corridors, transportation corridors, landfills, sewage treatment facilities, stormwater management facilities, recreation, schools, and other public uses. [RCW 36.70A.150] g. Identification of open space corridors within and between urban growth areas, including lands useful for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails, and connection of critical areas. [RCW 36.70A.160] h. If there is an airport within or adjacent to the city: policies, land use designations (and zoning) to discourage the siting of incompatible uses adjacent to general aviation airports. [RCW 36.70.547, New in 1996)] i. Where applicable, a review of drainage, flooding, and stormwater run-off in the area and nearby jurisdictions and provide guidance for corrective actions to mitigate or cleanse those discharges that pollute waters of the state. j. Policies to designate and protect critical areas including wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat protection areas, frequently flooded areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, and geologically hazardous areas. In developing these policies, the city must have included the best available science (BAS) to protect the functions and values of critical areas, and give “special consideration” to conservation or protection measures necessary to preserve or enhance anadromous fisheries [RCW 36.70A.030(5), RCW 36.70A.172, BAS added in 1995] [See WAC 365-195-900 through -925] k. If forest or agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance are designated inside city: a program authorizing Transfer (or Purchase) of Development Rights. [RCW 36.70A.060(4), Amended in 2005] 2. A Housing Element to ensure the vitality and character of established residential neighborhoods and is consistent with relevant CWPPs, and RCW 36.70A.070(2) inclusive of: a. Goals, policies, and objectives for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. [RCW 36.70A.070(2)(b)] b. An inventory and analysis of existing and projected housing needs over the planning period. [RCW 36.70A.070(2)(a)] c. Identification of sufficient land for housing, including but not limited to, government- assisted housing, housing for low-income families, manufactured housing, multifamily housing, group homes and foster care facilities. d. Adequate provisions for existing and projected housing needs for all economic segments of the community. [RCW 36.70A.070(2)(d)] e. If enacting or expanding an affordable housing program under RCW 36.70A.540: identification of land use designations within a geographic area where increased 4 residential development will assist in achieving local growth management and housing policies [RCW 36.70A.540, New in 2006] f. Policies so that manufactured housing is not regulated differently than site built housing. [RCW 35.21.684, 35.63.160, 35A.21.312, and 36.01.225, Amended in 2004] g. If the city has a population of over 20,000: provisions for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be allowed in single-family residential areas. [RCW 36.70A.400, RCW 43.63A.215(3)] 3. A Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) Element to serve as a check on the practicality of achieving other elements of the plan, covering all capital facilities planned, provided, and paid for by public entities including local government and special districts, etc.; including water systems, sanitary sewer systems, storm water facilities, schools, parks and recreational facilities, police and fire protection facilities. Capital expenditures from Park and Recreation elements, if separate, should be included in the CFP Element. The CFP Element must be consistent with CWPPs, and RCW 36.70A.070(3), and include: a. Policies or procedures to ensure capital budget decisions are in conformity with the comprehensive plan.[RCW 36.70A.120 b. An inventory of existing capital facilities owned by public entities. [RCW 36.70A.070(3)(a)]Note: The inventory should include references to facility plans, include a brief summary of the plans, indicate location of facilities, and show where systems currently have unused capacity. Public services and facilities are defined in RCW 36.70A.030(12 and 13) c. A forecast of needed capital facilities. [RCW 36.70A.070(3)(b)] Note: The forecast of future need should be based on projected population and adopted levels of service (LOS) over the planning period. This section should consider sufficiency of water rights, sewage treatment, and other needed public facilities to support the plan’s projected 20- year growth. It may also consider system management or demand management strategies to meet forecasted need. d. Proposed locations and capacities of expanded or new capital facilities. [RCW 36.70A.070(3)(c)] e. A six-year plan (at least) identifying sources of public money to finance planned capital facilities. [RCW 36.70A.070(3)(d) and RCW 36.70A.120] f. A policy or procedure to reassess the Land Use Element if probable funding falls short of meeting existing needs. [RCW 36.70A.070(3)(e)] g. If impact fees are collected: identification of public facilities on which money is to be spent. [RCW 82.02.050(4)] 4. A Utilities Element which is consistent with relevant CWPPs and RCW 36.70A.070(4) and includes: a. The general location, proposed location and capacity of all existing and proposed utilities. [RCW 36.70A.070(4)] 5. A Transportation Element which is consistent with relevant CWPPs and RCW 36.70A.070(6) and includes: a. An inventory of air, water, and ground transportation facilities and services, including transit alignments, state-owned transportation facilities, and general aviation airports. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iii)(A)] b. Adopted levels of service (LOS) standards for all arterials, transit routes and highways. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iii)(B), New in 1997] 5 c. Identification of specific actions to bring locally-owned transportation facilities and services to established LOS. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iii)(D), Amended in 2005] d. A forecast of traffic for at least 10 years, including land use assumptions used in estimating travel. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(i)] [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iii)(E)] e. A projection of state and local system needs to meet current and future demand. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iii)(F)] f. A pedestrian and bicycle component. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(vii), Amended 2005] g. A description of any existing and planned transportation demand management (TDM) strategies, such as HOV lanes or subsidy programs, parking policies, etc. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(vi)] h. An analysis of future funding capability to judge needs against probable funding resources. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iv)(A)]. i. A multiyear financing plan based on needs identified in the comprehensive plan, the appropriate parts of which serve as the basis for the 6-year street, road or transit program. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iv)(B) and RCW 35.77.010] j. If probable funding falls short of meeting identified needs: a discussion of how additional funds will be raised, or how land use assumptions will be reassessed to ensure that LOS standards will be met. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(iv)(C)] k. A description of intergovernmental coordination efforts, including an assessment of the impacts of the transportation plan and land use assumptions on the transportation systems of adjacent jurisdictions and how it is consistent with the regional transportation plan. [RCW 36.70A.070(6)(a)(v)] 6. Provisions for siting essential public facilities (EPFs), consistent with CWPPs and RCW 36.70A.200. This section can be included in the Capital Facilities Element, Land Use Element, or in its own element. Sometimes the identification and siting process for EPFs is part of the CWPPs. a. A process or criteria for identifying and siting essential public facilities (EPFs). [RCW 36.70A.200, Amended in 1997 and 2001]. Notes: EPFs include those facilities that are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities, state or regional transportation facilities, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities, and in-patient facilities including substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities, group homes, and secure community transition facilities (SCTFs) defined in RCW 71.09.020(14). Cities should consider OFM’s list of EPFs that are required or likely to be built within the next six years. Regional Transit Authority facilities are included in the list of essential public facilities [RCW 36.70A.200, amended 2010] b. Policies or procedures that ensure the comprehensive plan does not preclude the siting of EPFs. [RCW 36.70A.200(5)]. Note: If the EPF siting process is in the CWPPs, this policy may be contained in the comprehensive plan as well. 7. An Economic Development Element establishing local goals, policies, objectives, and provisions for economic growth and vitality and a high quality of life. The element shall include: a. A summary of the local economy such as population, employment, payroll, sectors, businesses, sales, and other information as appropriate. b. A summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy defined as the commercial and industrial sectors and supporting factors such as land use, transportation, utilities, education, workforce, housing, and natural/cultural resources. 6 c. An identification of policies, programs, and projects to foster economic growth and development and to address future needs. A city that has chosen to be a residential community is exempt from the economic development element requirement of this subsection. 8. A Park and Recreation Element that implements, and is consistent with, the capital facilities plan element as it relates to park and recreation facilities. The element shall include: a. Estimates of park and recreation demand for at least a ten-year period. b. An evaluation of facilities and service needs c. An evaluation of intergovernmental coordination opportunities to provide regional approaches for meeting park and recreational demand. RCW 36.70 also requires the following for Comprehensive Plans: 1. Consistency is required by the GMA: a. All plan elements must be consistent with relevant county-wide planning policies (CWPPs) and, where applicable, Multicounty Planning Policies (MPPs), and the GMA. [RCW 36.70A.100 and 210]. Note: Suggested that CWPPs be referenced in each element, or be appended to the plan to clearly show consistency. Some jurisdictions use a table b. All plan elements must be consistent with each other.[RCW 36.70A.070 (preamble)] c. The plan must be coordinated with the plans of adjacent jurisdictions. [RCW 36.70A.100], Note: Adjacent jurisdictions should be provided with proposed plan and SEPA documentation. 2. Public participation, plan amendments and monitoring. Note: House Bill 2834, passed in 2012, eliminates the requirement for cities planning under the GMA to report every 5 years on its progress in implementing its comprehensive plans. a. A process to ensure public participation in the comprehensive planning process. [RCW 36.70A.020(11), .035, and .140]. The process should address annual amendments (if the jurisdiction allows for them) [RCW 36.70A.130(2), Amended in 2006], emergency amendments[RCW 36.70A.130(2)(b)], and may include a specialized periodic update process. Plan amendment processes may be coordinated among cities within a county [RCW 36.70A.130(2)(a)] and should be well publicized. b. A process to assure that proposed regulatory or administrative actions do not result in an unconstitutional taking of private property. RCW 36.70A.040 specifies that development regulations (e.g. zoning codes, subdivision regulations) must implement adopted Comprehensive Plans. As such, any changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan must be reflected in the City’s adopted zoning regulations either concurrently with the changes in the Comprehensive Plan or in a reasonable time following the legislative body’s adoption of an amended or updated Comprehensive Plan. RCW 36.70A.080 (Comprehensive Plans-Optional Elements) specifies that a comprehensive plan may include additional elements, items, or studies dealing with other subjects relating to the physical development within its jurisdiction, including, but not limited to conservation, solar energy and recreation. In addition, this subsection specifies that a comprehensive plan may include, where appropriate, subarea plans, each of which is consistent with the comprehensive plan. For example, the current City of Auburn Comprehensive Plan has optional elements including Historic Preservation and Urban Design. 7 RCW 36.70.090 (Comprehensive Plans-Innovative Techniques) specifies that a comprehensive plan should provide for innovative land use management techniques, including, but not limited to, density bonuses, cluster housing, planned unit developments, and the transfer of development rights. DISCUSSION: To assist the Committee and Commission in discussion of this item, staff offers the following questions: 1. What questions or information needs do the Committee and Commission have regarding a general or specific aspect of the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update Project? 2. What level of public involvement do the Committee and Commission believe should be implemented for this Comprehensive Plan Update Project? For many of its planning efforts, the City has typically conducted public open houses, posted of information on its web site (general or specific web pages) and issued press releases. In some instances, the City has formed task forces or citizen advisory committees representing a broad cross section of the community. Other public involvement options could include direct meeting with different stakeholders and interest groups (e.g. faith community, business community, specific ethnic groups, homeowner associations); developing a “toolkit” for residents to use in small group meetings (i.e. “coffee hours”) whose results would be transmitted back to the City; use of on- line social gaming tools (e.g. Community Planit) that invite residents to participate in community planning through game playing that exposes them to local issues and collaborative problem-solving; establishment of a significant social media presence through Facebook, Twitter and other mediums to garner direct and unfiltered feedback; and visual preference surveys – combination of ranked photos and questionnaires. 3. What should the overall presentation and format of the City’s next Comprehensive Plan be? For example, staff believes that the current Comprehensive Plan has gotten to be somewhat unwieldy. While still meeting statutory requirements, staff would propose that the Comprehensive Plan be more action-oriented in nature. One possible approach would be to develop in each Element of the Plan a limited number of goals to be accomplished, strategies to implement the goals and actions developed around a near term (0-5), short- term (6-10) and long-term (11+) orientation. 4. What optional elements would the Committee and Commission like to see in the City’s next Comprehensive Plan? 1 CITY OF AUBURN PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE & PLANNING COMMISSION 2013 – 2014 WORK PLAN Project Related City Council Goal Staff Commitment/Departments Involved Timeframe/Priority 1. Major Comprehensive Plan Update • Community Health Planning • Visioning workshop with the Planning Commission • Potential sub-area plans for Auburn Way South and Environmental Park District • Strategy areas for Population/Business/Employment • Align key business sectors with capital investments • Auburn as a 21st Century city • Mayor’s Office • Planning and Development • Public Works • Parks, Arts, and Recreation • Multimedia • Finance (Capital Facilities Plan) • Community Services (public outreach) • Begin in 2013 and continue into 2014; must be completed by June 30, 2015 • High priority 2. Agritourism Expansion • Economic Development • Planning and Development • Work on in 2012 and may continue into 2013 • Medium priority 3. Food Truck/Food Cart Ordinance • Economic Development • Flexibility in development • Planning and Development • Public Works • Work on in 2012 and may continue into 2013 • Medium priority 4. Mobile Incubators/Virtual Center • Economic Development • Planning and Development • Mayor’s Office • Work on in 2012 and may continue into 2013 • Medium Priority 5. Mixed – Use Development in all zones • Strategy areas for Population/Business/Employment • Align key business sectors with capital investments • Auburn as a 21st Century city • Planning and Development • Public Works • 2014 into 2015 • High priority once major update to comprehensive plan is complete 6. Arts/Cultural District • Livability strategy • Economic development • Linked with “Auburn as an Entertainment Center” • Planning and Development • Public Works (art in ROW) • Parks, Arts, and Recreation • 2013 • Medium priority Project Related City Council Goal Staff Commitment/Departments Timeframe/Priority 2 Involved 7. Planning Commission and PCDC joint meetings • Continued collaboration with the boards and commissions that support the City Council • Planning and Development • On-going; every six months • High priority 8. Auburn as an Entertainment Center • Livability strategy • Economic Development • Mayor’s Office • Planning and Development • Parks, Arts, and Recreation • Coordination with the Auburn Tourism Board and Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce • 2013 and 2013 • High Priority 9. Strategy Areas – high density residential and business development • Strategy areas for Population/Business/Employment • Align key business sectors with capital investments • Auburn as a 21st Century city • Also linked with mixed-use development in all zones project • Mayor’s Office • Planning and Development • Public Works • 2014 into 2015 • High priority once major update to comprehensive plan is complete • Potential future sub-area plans 10. Building Code Update • Auburn as a 21st Century city • Planning and Development • Valley Regional Fire Authority • 2013 • High Priority; required to complete within 6 months of the state adopting the 2012 international codes Mu l t i - D e p a r t m e n t Ki c k - O f f De t e r m i n e S c o p e of U p d a t e Da t a Ga t h e r i n g Bu i l d a b l e La n d s An a l y s i s Pr e p a r e D r a f t Co m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n & A s s o c i a t e d De v e l o p m e n t Re g u l a t i o n s Re v i e w D r a f t P l a n & R e g u l a t i o n s wi t h C o u n c i l & Pl a n n i n g Co m m i s s i o n Pr e p a r e S p e c i a l St u d i e s / R e p o r t s (e . g . 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T h e r e a r e m a n y d e t a i l e d w o r k ta s k s t h a t w i l l n e e d t o b e c o n d u c t e d t o s u p p o r t t h i s e f f o r t . T h e fl o w c h a r t i s o n l y i n t e n d e d t o s u m m a r i z e k e y e f f o r t s . Su b m i t A p p r o v e d Co m p r e h e n s i v e Pl a n / D e v e l o p m e n t Re g u l a t i o n s t o D e p t . of C o m m e r c e