HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-06-2011 . � 1 .
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C�TY OF � x
PLANNING COMMISSION
WASHINGTON DECEMBER 6, 2011
MINUTES
I. 6ALL TO ORDER .
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Kedin Chapman,
Bob Baggett; Ron Copple, Joan Mason,Dave Peace„Yolanda Trout, and Mark Ramey.
Staff present included: Planning Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth
Chamberlain, PlannerStuart Wagner, and Planning Support Clerk Bobbie Hodgkinson.
There were no audience members in attendance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
For the record, Pianning Director Snyder stated that the two new Pianning Commission
members who were not members and not present at the November 9, 2011 meeting
have to abstain from voting.
Commission requested staff amend the minutes by deieting the duplicated words on
page one and replacing "her"with "she" on page two.
Commissioner Copple moved and Commissioner Baggett seconded to approve the
minutes from the November 9,2011 meeting as amended.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5-0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no members of the public present to comment.
IV. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Planning Manager Chamberlain stated that at the December 5,2011 City Council
meeting, the Councii passed the 2011 Comprehensive Plan Amendments along with the
Plann'ing Commission's recommendations an all but the bike boxes; they did go wifh
bicycle task force recommendation since it was a pilot program. They virere concemed
that it only be a pilot program.to see how it works. The Council also passed adding
industrial to the Studc River Road sub-area plan:as a use but with some parameters and
some additional guidance for§taff as work begins on the sub-area pian.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Phase2 Code Update, Group 2
Planner Stuart Wagnerprovided the Planning Commission with an overview of the Code
Update Projed, Phase 2, which will be presented to the Rlanning Commission in early
2012 for discussion, Mr, Wagner noted there are two focusareas: Non-residential
Zoning Districts and Non-conforming Uses and Administrative Processes.
Pianning Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2011
Planner Wagner described the anticipated outcomes resutting from a review of all the
zones listed which include multiple commercial zones, multiple industrial zones,
institutional zone, and the public use district: 1) Converting the listed uses as they are
naw in the code into a 4abular format showing permitted versus non-permitted uses and
indicate if an administrative or cond8ional use peRnit is required, 2) delete outdated uses
and add uses not previously iclentified, 3) e�and Non-Industrial Uses in the Light
Industrial Zoning Distrid, 4) add new definitions, 5) convert development standards from
a text format to a table format, and 6) improve development code readability and ease of
use.
Staff will evaluate the Non-cor�forrning use section of the code and applicable
administrative processes including the Hearing Ezaminer chapter and`possible slight.
changes to Temporary Uses; Home Occupations;and Administrative and Conditional
Use Permits. Planner Wagnernoted he is also working closely with the Parks Diredor
on the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan and will tiring forward some of those
changes at some point during 2012.
Planner Wagner reiterated that the second grouping of code amendments will be
brought before the Planning Cammissian for discussion in February 2012 with hearings
planned for March 2012.
B. Other 2oning Code TextAmendments
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chambehain summarized zoning code changes that staff
worked on during 2011 beyond those Planner Wagner described as part aFthe Phase 2
Code Update:
• Inclusion of micro-breweries and distilleries in certain zones adopted in July of
2011.
• Creation of a Master Plan Process adopted in November 21, 2011.
. Allowing electric vehicle charging stations adopted in June 2011.
• Expanding the keeping of urban farm animals within residential zones adopted in
August 2011.
. Phase 2 Code Update—currerrtly taking this through the Planning and
Community Development Committee and scheduled to go forvvard to the Council
on December 19, 2011 for action.
• Creation of new code language related to Agri-tourism (private initiated
amendment from Mosby Farms) adopted June 2011.
Additional Zoning Code Amendments planned to bring forward to the Planning
Commission in 2012, include:
• Cottage Housing—carry over from Phase 1 Code Update work. Planning
Manager Chamberiain noted thaY staff received addRional poticy direcdon from
the City Council and is ready to bring badc some code language for the
Commission to review and discuss. Diredor Snyder described for the benefit of
new Commission members the cancept of Cottage Housing.
a Cluster Subdivisions-carry over from Ph"ase 1 Code Update`woi�k. Staff
received additionaf policy direction, and Planning Manager Chamberlain
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Planning Commission Meetine Minu�s December 6; 2011
explained the cluster subdivision concept for new members.
• Coilective Gardens— Planning Manager Chamberlain stated that the City has a
moratorium currently in place urrtil regulations can be developed to guide
collective gardens and described collective gardens as cannabis (medical
marijuana) grown in a central location. This item wili most likely move forvvard
first due tb the expiration date af August 3, 2012.
• Sign Code—Planning Manager Chamberlain stated the City Council enacted
irrterim zoning code regulations related to rea(estate signs primarily for
resident'ial subdivisions to expire April 26,:2012 unless extended. This item wiil
move forward fordiscussion rather quickly since there is a Iooming expiration
date; however, there are provisions within the interim corrtrol ordinance to aliow
extending this date.
Commissioner Peace asked about the status of temporary sign permit
regulations to allow A=frame signs. Planning Nlanager Chamtie�lain responded
that this has been extended twice and is effectiye through March2012; staff will
be asking the Flanning and Community Development Committee if these
regulations should be extended for an additional year. Director Snyder noted
that staff will seek future guidance from fhe Gommission on how to bring
developers along with otfier interested parties into this conversation.
Commissioner Chapman asked how effectiveness is measured. Planning
Manager Chamberiain commented that we might engage the developers who are
using those signs for feedback. Director Snyder added we have gotten
compliance to the standards and we.have not received a large number of citizen
complaints about them and we have also not had;any partie§ come in and not go
through compliance with us. On 4hose levels, we've performed well stated
Director Snyder, but the question is do we implement this as a permanent part of
our zoning code. "
• Agri-tourism—Planning Manager Chamberlain explained that during the
amendment process fo�the Mosby Farm's code amendment, the City Council
requested that staff explore expanding agri-tourism iMo other areas zoned
Residential Conservancy. Manager Chamberlain explained agri-tourism as it
relates to agricultural g�owing and clarified tRat it is more of a commercial
enterprise. Commissioner Peace asked whether there is a market for this other
than Mosby Farms. Director Snyder stated that the interest from the Councif was
perhaps more at the residenUal level, and part of the conversation with the
Commission will be doesthis make sense and in what corrtext.
• Design Review Gode Amendment— Planning Manager Chamberlain stated there
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are design standards for the downtown urban center as well as multi-family and
mixed use design standards and most recently the passage of the Auburn
Gateway Project. 3taff will be bringing forvvard code changes that outline 4hose
three separate design standards and how applications are processed.
. Food Carts—Planning Manager Chamberlain stated we would.like to explore the
possibility of allowing foad carts in a more permanent basis. Commissioner
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Planning Commission MeeUng Minutes December 6, 2011
Peace asked about the types of food carts, and Planning Manager Chamberlain
responded that this would be reviewed as part of tFie code development to
determine what might be best for Aubum. Commissioner Ramey asked how
local restaurateurs would react. Director Snyder responded that in just about
every jurisdiction that is ari issue between the brick and mortar businesses
versus the transitory food carts; you want to recognize the irnrestment the brick
and mortar businesses haVe made and inVite them into the conversation and
perhaps get spacing distances between them so they are not overly competing
between each o4hec
• Cell Antennas—Planning Manager Chamberlain stated that we have an
extensive wireless comrimunications code; however, it lacks regulations requiring
stealth design when a carrier waMs to co-locate on an existing building. If fhe
Council desires work on this code, then staff will start bringing forward discussion
items for the Commission to consider.
• Housekeeping Amendments-This is a catch-all that staff has considered
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implementing annually for on-going housekeeping amendments that come up
during development reyiew; perhaps a current code that needs to be changed, or
to clarify some of 4he defnitions firom the Phase 1 code update work with the
residential zones.
Director Snycler invited all Commission members to contad staff if they have any
questions, need ir�forrnation;or not sure about something and encouraged new
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members to come in and meet with staff.
Director Snyder also reminded,the,Commissioners to reserve the third Tuesday of each
month in case we do need addi6onal meetings; Commissioners will be notified well in
advance if that is necessary.
Chair Roland stated that Commis§ion will not be meeting on the third Tuesday of
December and, due to the holiday; the Planning Commission will be meeting on
Wednesday, January 4,2011.
At the requesf of Chair Roland, staff will provide Commissioners with updated calentlars
and staff phone numbers in the new year.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no furtherbusiness to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjoumed the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
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