HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-2019 A
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1 OF
PLANNING COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
March 5, 2019
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
a.) ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Planning Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Commissioner
Mason, Vice-Chair Lee, Commissioner Stephens, Commissioner Khanal, and
Commissioner Moutzouris.
Staff present included: Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon, Planner II Alex
Teague, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Tina Kriss.
Members of the public present: Ricquel Cardoza, representative of PSERN,
Commander Jamie Douglas, and Jeff Watson.
b.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGENCE
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. January 23, 2019, 2019
The Commission asked staff to update the language under Section V.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, changing the word "off' to "on" in Paragraph 3, 1st
sentence. The Paragraph should read as follows:
"Staff reported that the former Heritage building on Main Street has been partially
removed after experiencing the fire damage."
Commissioner Moutzouris moved and Vice-Chair Lee seconded to approve the
minutes from the January 23, 2019 meeting as amended.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-0
III. PUBLIC HEARING
No items were brought forward for public hearing.
IV. OTHER BUSINESS
A. PSERN — Emergency Wireless Communication Facility (ZOA18-0001)
Planner II, Alexandria Teague, provided the staff report for PSERN, ZOA18-0001.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 5, 2019
Planner Teague regarding the proposed facility and code amendment by PSERN
provided an overview. She described the function and purpose, the proposed facility
and summarized the amendments to Auburn's Zoning Code.
PSERN stands for Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network and is intended to
replace the current King County (KC) E-911 Emergency Radio Communications
System. First responders to communicate during emergency incidents will use much
of the King County (KC) E-911 Emergency Radio Communications System, and the
proposed facility in Auburn is part of the system used by all jurisdictions in King
County.
The applicant proposes to amend the City's Zoning Code, Title 18 to allow the use
and siting of emergency community WCFs within the I, Institutional Zoning district to
accommodate their self-supporting, 180-foot, unmanned, wireless communications
facility. Under the current city code, the proposed project would not be allowed, so
code changes are being requested.
The three sections of the code to be amended are 18.04, "Definitions", 18.31,
"Supplemental Development Standards", and 18.35, "Special Purpose Zones" which
contains the use and zoning development standards for the I, Institutional zoning
district.
Staff shared information in response to Commission questions from the last meeting.
Staff reported that the lease term for PSERN is approximately 20 years with renewal
options. To answer the question if the WCF tower proposed is needed for adequate
emergency coverage in Auburn, staff showed comparison maps and explained that
existing gaps in communication signal coverage will be mitigated with the proposed
PSERN tower. This site would be one tower in the network for King County
completing the coverage in Auburn and the vicinity.
The Commission and staff discussed the footprint of the tower and area of base
station and parking area. Staff explained that each side of the three-sided tower is
approximately 14 feet long. The parking area is approximately 60 x 70 feet, or
approximately 4,200 square feet. For comparison, staff recounted that the minimum
standards for a typical R5, Residential zoned lot allowing for 5 dwelling units per acre
within the zoning district, is 4,500 square feet.
The Commission and staff discussed the height, siting, and collocation standards
recommended by staff. A discussion was held regarding the administrative use
permit process, conditional use process to authorize increases in height and the
public comment opportunities associated with each land use approval process. The
question was asked if a site-specific approval for this proposal could be allowed, or if
the option must be open to other sites with similar zoning.
Staff explained, that approval of this proposal is requested through a code
amendment process. Generally, code amendments are not made on a site-specific
basis. Amendments are proposed through the land use and zoning designations
which provide a certain fairness to all property owners with similar circumstances
and within the same zoning district.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 5, 2019
Staff noted that the approach discussed in this case, making it exclusive to the
circumstances of a facility proposed by a public agency for emergency
communication purposes, and including a significant restrictions can effectively
reduce the likelihood of similar requests in the future.
The Commission and staff discussed having a cap height maximum of 185 feet.
Members of the Commission asked staff to bring back an amendment proposal that
provides a height cap of 185 feet with no land use approval process for increases in
height beyond this cap. Staff also explained certain Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) pre-emptions for what are considered minor
increases/expansions to wireless communication facilities that the city cannot
preclude.
A discussion was held regarding collocation of non-commercial entities. The
commission sought clarification of what was meant by non-commercial and it was
clarified that these include Federal, State, or Local public governments or agencies.
The Commission asked staff to provide language that highlights the specific FCC
definition of non-commercial collocation which only includes Federal, State or Local
public governments or agencies.
The Commission asked staff to return with language within the code amendment
providing the following:
• A height cap limit of 185 feet with no land use approval process for increases.
• Collocation of non-commercial Local, State, and Federal public agencies only
(include specific Federal Communication Commission (FCC) noncommercial
collocation language)
• Allow the minimum facility changes for expansion of equipment under FCC
Section 6409
o Require an Administrative Use Permit (land use process) for any
request for collocation
Staff asked if the Commission would be comfortable if staff brings back draft,
language to hold a public hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting of April 2.
The Commission concurred.
B. Modification of Rules of Procedures
Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon explained that at the January 23, 2019
Planning Commission meeting the Commission recommended changes to the
adopted June 5, 2018, Planning Commission Rules of Procedure.
Staff indicated that their packet this evening, includes strikethrough and underline
changes for the Commission based on the changes that were requested. The
Commission concurred on the recommended changes as proposed by staff to
Section II. Meetings, 4. Special Meetings with changes to the 1St sentence and
replacing the word "shall" with "may".
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 5, 2019
After discussion and review, the Commission took action on the proposed
amendments to the Rules of Procedure.
Vice-Chair Lee moved and Commissioner Stephens seconded to adopt the amended
Rules of Procedure with the updated language to Section II. Meetings, 4. "Special
Meetings" as follows:
"Special meetings of the Planning Commission may be called by the Chair.
Special meetings of the Planning Commission may also be called by any three
members of the Commission. A minimum notice of 24 hours shall be provided for
special meetings in accordance with State Law."
Staff will provide a copy of the March 5, 2019 adopted Rules of Procedure to the
Commission Members at the next meeting.
V. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Planning Services Manager Dixon explained that staff would like to schedule a joint
meeting between the Planning Commission and City Council at their May 13, 2019 City
Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m.
Staff explained that in the past the Commission has routinely met with Council to discuss
operations, the comprehensive plan, and other matters. The meeting would be
informational; the Council transacts no business during their Study Session Meetings.
Staff explained, if there are specific subjects the Commission would like to discuss, it
would be advantageous to inform staff so that each body can be aware of discussion
expectations. The Planning Commission joint meeting would be the first part of the City
Council meeting and include other subjects for discussion by the City Council.
A formal presentation is not necessary, yet if the Commission would like to discuss
specific topics and have a presentation by staff, staff can prepare. The Commission and
staff will discuss Commission member availability, potential topics, and format at their
next meeting.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
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