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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2013 4-8-2013 Planning and Community CITY 01' Development I D'URN April 8, 2013 - 5:00 PM V 'I I I N AS (-;T0 N Annex Conference Room 2 MINUTES I. .......... ....... .....................­.­............... ...... ... CALL TO ORDER Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Annex Conference Room No. 2 located on the second floor of One Main Professional Plaza, One East Main Street, Auburn, Washington. A. Roll Call Chair Nancy Backus, Vice-Chair John Holman, and Member Largo Wales were present. Also present were Mayor Pete Lewis, City Attorney Dan Heid, Interim Planning and Development Director Jeff Tate, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Economic Development Manager Doug Lein, and Planning and Development Secretary/Scribe Tina Kriss. Members of the audience present included: Citizens Tim Secrest and Austin Cole. B. Announcements C. Agenda Modifications CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes - March 25, 2013 (Tate) Vice-Chair Holman moved and Member Wales seconded to approve the March 25, 2013 minutes as written. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3-0 DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Student Rental Housing (Tate/Chamberlain) Discuss a series of questions, existing regulatory standards, and options for potential modification. Planning and Development Interim Director Jeff Tate began the discussion by providing background information on Student Rental Housing as it relates to rental housing in the Green River Community College (GRCC) area located on Lea Hill. Staff met with representatives from GRCC so they could provide information on the Page 1 of 4 college housing program. Committee and staff reviewed the GRCC housing programs and the application package provided to potential property owners. Staff explained the application is used for all of the off campus housing programs. Staff pointed out that GRCC may release a property owner from the program due to non-compliance and in some cases the property owner will continue to rent to parents or students while representing that the home is still in the program. The issues and concerns by the community may not necessarily be due to actions of GRCC and their student housing program associated with the college; the issues are likely with the property owners providing student rentals who are not affiliated with the college program. Residents who live in the single family residential communities that are located nearby GRCC have expressed many concerns as student rental homes in their community increase. Mayor Lewis stated that this topic was discussed today at the Municipal Services Committee meeting and that Committee suggested that staff hold ongoing meetings with GRCC representatives to continue to address both student rental housing and planning issues. There are inconsistencies in the code that City Council will need to address. It was the intent of Council, at the time, to provide code that addressed issues during that period; the current code is no longer working and needs to be reviewed to correct and address the inconsistencies. Committees suggested assembling a Student Housing Advisory Board and include GRCC representatives, local community members, and staff to in order to hold discussions to address the issues and provide solutions to address health/life safety issues and needed code updates. Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain compiled some examples of other jurisdictions that have had similar issues and the programs they used to address them. Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) provided information on these programs. Staff presented examples of some of these options. Staff recommended inserting the data into a matrix to compare the programs from other jurisdictions. Chair Backus opened the floor to public comment. Tim Secrest, 11850 SE 323rd PI., Auburn, Washington. Mr. Secrest asked if the advisory board at GRCC requires the property owner to provide furniture, or multiple beds and refrigerators for Page 2 of 4 multiple people living in a house. Planning and Development Interim Director Tate stated GRCC has requirements that are in the program that speak to that issue. Mayor Lewis stated that the standards GRCC requires in their program may be different from other rentals that are not part of the GRCC housing program. Mr. Secrest asked if the GRCC housing program is in violation of City Code. City Attorney Dan Heid pointed out that the housing program by GRCC may be providing more than the requirements of Auburn's code. Mayor Lewis explained that the Auburn City Code regarding rental housing may be in conflict with the requirements of the GRCC program and that is what City Council, the advisory board and staff needs to address. Committee emphasized that the responsibility of the Council will be to address the inconsistency and to reconcile all of the issues in order to provide an ordinance the City can work with that will maintain safety and resolve the issues. Mr. Secrest clarified "what I am hearing is that the two are in conflict with one another", Committee concurred. Chair Backus and the Committee stated the issue of student housing is important. The topic is a top priority and it is the goal for the Committee to work to address and provide solutions to the issues. Austin Cole, 11821 SE 323rd PI., Auburn, Washington. Mr. Cole asked Committee how community members can track what is moving forward. Chair Backus explained that the agendas are published the Friday prior to Committee meetings and can be viewed on the City website. Committee and staff also encouraged Mr. Cole to send an email to any of the staff or Committee members and a response will be provided. Mayor Lewis stated that the Municipal Services Committee members will be providing additional feedback to staff by sending additional questions and comments. Staff stated they will compile Committee questions and answers in addition to a matrix comparing options currently implemented by other jurisdictions to be shared at future meetings. Staff will also begin working with the Mayor to assemble a Student Housing Advisory Board. B. Director's Report (Tate) Planning and Development Interim Director Jeff Tate stated the City is continuing to experience a high-volume trend in permit activity. As of April 8, 2013 midway through the day, the following permits were issued (in comparison to the previous year): *Last year 54 new single family home permits were issued, this year 112 were issued. Page 3 of 4 *Last year 58 commercial permits with a construction value of $10,545,075.00 were issued, this year 74 permits have been issued with a construction value of $81 ,771 ,069.00. These are issued permits only. The City has a high number of permits that are finished and ready to be issued, picked up, or in the review process and almost complete. C. PCDC Matrix (Tate) There were no changes or additions to the matrix requested by Committee. The Committee announced that the Auburn Downtown Association is planning a birthday party for the City June 14, 2013. Vice-Chair Holman asked if the City was able to negotiate Broadband Infrastructure for the City as a condition of the Franchise Agreement with the Zayo Group L.L.C. Mayor Lewis will check with staff and report back to Committee on the negotiations. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. ; .� 1;7"n DATED THIS - day of -=��' �� ' , 2013. Nancy B" c us - Uhair Tina Kriss - Plann-ing Secretary Page 4 of 4