The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09-23-2013 Planning and Community 0Aer �' ?d�' Development , : September 23, 2013 - 5:00 PM \VASIIINGTON Annex Conference Room 2 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in Annex Conference Room 2 located on the second floor of One Main Professional Plaza, One East Main Street, Auburn, Washington. A. Roll Call Planning and Community Development Committee Chair Nancy Backus, Vice-Chair John Holman and Member Largo Wells were present. Also present were Planning and Development Director Nancy Welch; Finance Director Shelley Coleman; Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber; City Attorney Dan Heid; Economic Development Manager Doug Lein; Planning Services Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain; Environmental Services Protection Manager Chris Andersen; Administration and Business Services Manager Darcie Hanson; and Planning Secretary Tina Kriss. Members of the audience present: Robert Whale of the Auburn Reporter; Brett M. Jacobson of Plan A. Development LLC; John Walker of Teutsch Partners; Thomas Souers; John Brekke; Councilmember Partridge, Councilmember Peloza, and Councilmember Osborne. B. Announcements Chair Nancy Backus opened the meeting for public comment: John Brekke, PO Box 287, Medina, Washington. Mr. Brekke expressed his concern that the current King County Transfer and Waste Management Plan review underway is limited and flawed. He believes King County is pushing for the same plan provided earlier this year (adding three additional transfer stations, including south King County) and stated that if King County rushes the study without reviewing the available options the outcome may not benefit the City of Auburn. Mr. Brekke listed the alternatives not being included in the study, for example, using private service providers, adding recycling, yard waste, and emergency storage space by utilizing the King County property adjacent to the Algona Transfer Station; using the Enumclaw Page 1 of 5 station since it is in close proximity to Algona; and using the Cedar Hills Transfer Station as a regional direct haul destination. Mr. Brekke emphasized that the King County Transfer and Waste Management Plan being considered will extend to 2040, it is important to conduct the study correctly. C. Agenda Modifications There were no agenda modifications. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes - September 9, 2013 (Welch) Vice-Chair Holman moved and Member Wales seconded to approve the September 9, 2013 Planning and Community Development Committee minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. 3-0 III. ACTION A. Ordinance No. 6480 (Faber) City Attorney Dan Heid distributed an updated Ordinance No. 6480. The revised ordinance includes recommendations by the Municipal Services Committee for consideration by the Planning and Community Development Committee listed below: • Page 2 of 8 - Include language that the documents are available through the Auburn City Clerk and the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department. • Pages 4 and 8 of 8 - Change the word "City" to "City Council". The Committee concurred with the recommendations and requested staff update the proposed ordinance and also requested that if the ordinance is adopted by the City that staff add the application to the online forms. The Committee also recommended adding language to the application requesting any available drawings at the time an application is submitted. City Attorney Heid confirmed he would add the additional language to the application form. Vice-Chair Holman moved and Member Wales seconded to recommend City Council adopt Ordinance No. 6480 as amended. Motion carried unanimously. 3-0 IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS Page 2 of 5 A. Theater Lease (Coleman) Finance Director Shelley Coleman explained the Auburn Avenue Theater financial information was first presented and discussed by the Finance Committee and is being presented before the Planning and Community Development Committee. Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber provided a PowerPoint presentation to exhibit the 2012 revenue, expenses, and programming of the Auburn Avenue Theater. After discussion, the Committee asked staff to add the Auburn Avenue Theater topic to the Planning and Community Development Committee Matrix for future planning efforts. B. Business Licensing 101 (Hanson) Administrative and Business Services Manager Darcie Hanson provided an overview of the City's Business License program Staff discussed solicitor and home businesses license requirements and asked if staff could provide outreach to City residents so they understand they have an option to request proof of an active solicitor's license from a solicitor. Staff discussed the procedures taken if a business is operating without a Business License. In response to the question asked from Ms. Hanson, does the City want to allow a non-licensed business to continue operation if they are actively pursuing a business license, the Committee answered that it is the goal of the City to be "business friendly" and they would prefer that a business be allowed to continue operations as long as they are actively pursuing a City of Auburn Business License. After discussing the benefits of having a City Business License the Committee asked staff if they could provide a list of benefits an owner receives by having a City Business License. The Committee reviewed State Business Licenses requirements and asked staff if they could provide an overlay comparing the State and City Business Licenses when it is available. C. City of Auburn Floodplain Management (Andersen) Environmental Services Protection Manager Chris Andersen presented the fifth and final staff briefing to the Committee regarding floodplain management in the City. Mr. Andersen explained that the principle objectives of floodplain management activities in the City of Auburn is to protect human life, health, and property by mitigating the level of flood risk to the people who live and work in the City. Committee and staff discussed some of these activities. Page 3 of 5 Mr. Andersen explained some of the key City of Auburn policies and plans that address or affect floodplain management in the City. D. Proposed Code Amendment to Chapter 3.94, Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (Chamberlain) Planning Services Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain reviewed the proposed code amendment related to property tax exemption program. The City received a request from the applicants developing within the downtown catalyst blocks asking the City to lower the minimum investment per unit in order for the project to perform, from $200,000.00 to $130,000.00. Chair Backus invited audience members wishing to make a public comment to the table: Brett M. Jacobson of Plan A. Development LLC, 2711 West Valley Hwy, N, #200, Auburn, Washington. Mr. Jacobson asked the Committee to consider that the tax abatement program allows the developer to build a better product that they might otherwise be able to bring forward. Mr. Jacobson explained that when Landmark developed property in the City of Lakewood using the abatement program without a minimum investment, it allowed his company to bring a product to the market achieving in excess of 30- percent better rent than anything in the marketplace. The average rents in downtown Auburn are lower. To the average tenant at the Trek Apartment the exemption would be worth about $1 ,000.00 per year. John Walker of Teutsch Partners, 2001 Western Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, Washington. Mr. Walker stated that Teutsch Partners would like to bring forward a Seattle Urban type project for Auburn with quality finishes (i.e., amenity decks, roof decks, common space, and secure parking). He stated the Auburn rents ($1 .80 per square foot) are not as high as the Seattle rents ($3.00 per square foot). Mr Walker stated the developers are collectively excited about the projects and realize that in order to provide higher quality units without charging higher rents they would need the tax exemption program through the City; it would be critical in assisting the developer in accomplishing their goal within downtown Auburn (along with the other incentives the City has provided). Should the City lower the threshold minimum investment Teutsch Partners would select the 8 year program. After discussion, the Committee determined that they would like to revise the current ordinance, updating the 8 year Multifamily Property Tax Exemption within the DUC to a zero minimum dollar investment Page 4 of 5 requirement and look at a minimum unit threshold. The Committee also asked staff to change the language in the ordinance requiring the applicant to submit the application for a multifamily property tax exemption prior to occupancy. The Committee asked staff to bring this ordinance back as an action item at the next meeting. Committee would like to have a minimum investment for the 12 year exemption option and a unit threshold. For a future discussion, the Committee asked that staff bring back a recommendation for a unit threshold for outside the Downtown Urban Center (DUC) zone but within the urban center. E. Director's Report (Welch) Planning and Development Director Nancy Welch reported the Marijuana Cannabis item has been added to the PCDC Matrix. The Comprehensive and Strategic Plan update, consultant selection interviews will be concluded September 24, 2013. F. PCDC Matrix (Welch) The Committee has requested that staff add the Theatre Lease to the PCDC Matrix. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning and Community Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.M. / DATED this day of ( DG�t l �� 2013. 1 c'LII�c0 0- ktl 1 Nancy Backus- Chair Tina riss - Pla ning cretary Page 5 of 5