HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2012 *
C�TV oF �� * PLANNING COMMISSION
JANUARY 4, 2012
WAS H I fVGTO N MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to orderat 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers
located on the first floor ofAubum City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Aubum, Washington.
Commission Members present were: Chair Judi Roland, Vice-Chair Kevin Chapman,
Ron Copple, Joan Mason, Dave Peace, Yolanda Trout, and Mark Ramey.
Commission Member Robert Baggett was excused.
Staff present included: Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Planner Stuart
Wagner, and Planning Support Clerk Bobbie Hodgkinson.
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Mason stated she was absent at the November 9, 2011 meeting, and the
approval of the minutes for the December 6, 2011 mee4ing should refled motion carried
5 yes and 1 abstention.
Commissioner Peace moved and Commissioner Ramey seconded to approve the
minutes from the December 6, 2011 meeting as amended.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no members of the public present to comment.
IV. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Planning Manager Chamberlain updated the Commission regarding current projeds.
Two new Auto Zones are coming into Aubum: one nezt to the Pick Quick off Aubum
Way North and a second that is in pertnit review is going in on A Street SE near the Pink
Elephant Car Wash. HCSA Laundry Facilky, a 145,000 sg. ft. industriai laundry facility
located on a vacant property near Emerald Downs, is moving forward with permits next
week with an aggressive schedule to open by the end of,this year to take advantage of
tax credits. Planning Manager GhambeAain provided an update on the Promenade and ,
stated 4he project is going into suspension due fo winter weather. The gateway sign, i
which will be lif at night, was installed the week before Christmas. Second Street is back
open but Division Street will remain closed.
Member Mason asked about the M Street SE Project schedule, and Planning Manager
Chamberlain responded that current work is pre-utility and the entire project is going out
for bids fairly soon.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2012
Chair Roland asked aboutithe old Wal-Mart building, and Planning Manager
Chamberlain stated Coastal Fartns based out of Oregon will be taking over the entire
building and arrticipa4e submiftal of their tenant improvemerrt permits next month.
Member Peace asked about additional plans for Lake Tapps Center near the Chase
building. Flanner Stuart Wagner stated that the developer of the eMire site came in for
environmental and site plan �eviews, and there areiour other pad buildings which do not
have specific users committed at this time.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Election of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair
Chair Roland called for nominations for the election of Chairperson for the City of Aubum
2012 Planning Commission. �ce-Chair Chapman nominated Chair Roland as
Chairperson seconded by Member Copple. No other Commissioners were nominated.
By majority vote of Commissioners, 7-0, Chair Roland was re-elected as the Pianning
Commission Chairperson for 2012.
Chair Roland called for nominations for the election of Vice-Chairperson for the City of
Aubum 2012 Planning Commission. MemberMason nominated Uce-Chair Chapman
as Vice-Ghairperson seconded by Member Trout. No other Commissioners were
nominated.
By majority vote of Commissioners, 7-0, vice-Chair Chapman was re-elected as the
Planning Commission �ce-Chairperson for 2012.
Chair Roland reminded the Commission to be discrete regarding discussing Planning
Commission activities autside of ineetings and to con4act staff with questions rather than
other Commission members. Staff will email a copy of the Planning Commission's Code
of Conduct to each Commissioner or bring copies to the next Planning Commission
meeting. Chair Roland asked the Commissioners to contabt staff when they are unable
to attend meetings and stres'sed 1he importance of attendance in order to conduct
business.
B. Interim Sign Controls - Real'Estate Signs
Planner Wagner provided background information and coVered the major points outlined
in his Memorandum for the purpose of discussing off:premise real estate signs and
interim zoning controls and whetherthey should cardinueas is or be modfied. Planner
Wagner stated that the inte�im CoMrols have been in place for about eight months and
so far they seem to be working. Planner Wagner added that the height and the area of
the signs are more oriess controlled, and the developers and builders like what has
been provided. So far, there have not been any complaiMs about the large signs except
for the manager of Lakeland Homeowners AssociaUon who indicatetl that Lake Tapps
Parkway has more than ks share of off-premise signs. Planner Wagner showed
examples of variaus developers'wa�nding and direcfional signs. The Commissioners
were interested in sign dimensions, and PlannerWagner stated that signs 8' x 4' or S' x
8 'are typical and meet the current interim sign code which is a maximum of 64 sq. ft.
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�lanning Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2012
Planning Manager Chambertain asked if the Commission would like to limit the number
of off-premise signs per development since currently the interim controls do not have a
limit or keep it more flexible on a case-by-case basis. Members expressed concem
about sign glut and public safety and discussed limiting the number of signs and the
distance befinreen signs.e.specially in high density areas. vice-Chair Chapman suggested
a total square footage per applicant for all signs com6ined; the number of larger signs
would limit the number of signs displayed.
vice-Chair Chapman asked if there is a proximity distance for signs from the
development and isthe numberof signs allowed a developer comparable to the number
of signs that a business can haVe. Planner Wagner stated there is not a distance
regulation'in the interim sign controls, and we are fairly flexible with the commercial and
.industrial business community regarding temporery sign provisions: �ce-Chair
Chapman asked how long the signs can be displayed. Planner Wagner responded that
all the approvals to date have been conditional with a sunset date at which time they
would need to Yeapply. Member Ramey commented that one of the main controls is
complaints from people who liye in and around an area and asked if there is a number
on these complaints.
Planner Wagner explained how nearby jurisdictions regulate these types of signs.
Planning Manager Cham6erlain described Rerrton's real estate sign kiosk pilot program
in partnership with the Master Builders Association and described the kiosks. Planning
Manager Chamberlain statetl fhat k is a completely different program from the interim
sign controls we have developed, and they are eMirely two separate paths.
Member Peace recalled Supreme Court issues in the past conceming the rights of real
estate businesses more so.than other businesses to put up signs and was concemed
how this would affed us. Planning Manager Chamberlain responded that our existing
real estate code exempts real estate signs but was not sure they were exempted
because of case law and will check with legal.
The Commission agreed to meet one more time for discussion prior to the March
Hearing. Chair Roland stated there will not be anotherJanuary meeting, and the next
meeting of the Planning Commission will be Tuesday; February 7.
Staff will provide an updated City calendar to the Commission members at the nexYmeeting.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no furtherbusiness to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjoumed the meeting at7:55 p.m.
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