HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2016 UntitledCITY OF
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PLANNING COMMISSION
May 3, 2016
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Judi Roland called the meeting to order at 7:00 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, Vice -Chair
Copple, Commissioner Mason, Commissioner Lee, and Commissioner Smith.
Staff present included: City Attorney Dan Heid, Assistant Director of Community
Development Jeff Tate, Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon, Development
Services Manager Jason Krum, Senior Planner Thaniel Gouk, Inspector Kelly
Kosko, Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) Deputy Fire Marshal Karen Stewart,
and Administrative Assistant Tina Kriss.
Members of the public present: Shirley Chittenden
b. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. March 8, 2016
Commissioner Copple moved and Commissioner Lee seconded to approve the
minutes from the March 8, 2016 meeting as written.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5 -0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments on any item not listed on the agenda for discussion or
public hearing.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
No items were brought forward for public hearing.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
A. ACC Title 15 Revisions, Building Code Update
Development Services Manager Jason Krum provided background information in
reference to the proposed ACC Title 15 building code update. The Washington State
Building Code Council will be adopting updated building code and related standards
as well as updating associated amendments, effective July 1, 2016. These updates
occur every three (3) years in response to code updates published by the
International Code Council. In response to the updates at the state level, the city
also updates its codes to incorporate the latest code revisions. The City also may
have some ability to modify to fit local circumstnaces.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 3, 2016
Staff reviewed the proposed revisions of Title 15 of the Auburn City Code (ACC) Title
15 with the Commission. The vast majority of the changes to ACC Title 15 are
housekeeping items with a few substantive changes, staff reviewed the substantive
changes.
The Commission and staff discussed Chapter 12, K. International Swimming Pool
and Spa Code and item M. International Green Construction Code. A discussion
was held regarding Chapter 15.36A.025, Section 105.6A. regarding mobile food
vehicles.
Commissioner Smith asked if he could have more information regarding Chapter
15.06.010 M. International Green Construction Code. Commissioner Smith
explained that without a better understanding the current code and the proposed
changes it would be difficult to recommend updates. Assistant Director Tate
explained that this code section is not required but is optional code section for a
contractor to implement and that staff will transmit to the Commission the language
that is in the International Green Construction Code that speaks to it being an
optional path for construction in addition to providing other information regarding the
code.
The Commission had no further questions. Staff stated this item will be returning
before the Commission for a public hearing May 17, 2016.
B. Proposed Amendments Related to the Keeping of Animals
Senior Planner Thaniel Gouk provided the staff report on the proposed amendments
related to the Keeping of Animals in follow up to the discussions with staff at the
February 2, 2016 and March 8, 2016 planning commission meetings.
Staff reviewed the updates with the Commission, explaining that the purpose was to
improve ease of use and clarify the code by combining the two existing sections of
code into one and also includes some additional items that Staff has encountered in
the past such as requests for keeping honey bees.
The Commission and staff discussed the definition of pigeons and asked that
pigeons be specifically listed under the definition at 18.04.325, "Domestic Fowl ".
The Commission and staff discussed the definition of medium sized domestic
animals and the specifics of size and weight of 24 inches and 150 pounds. The
Commission thought it would be beneficial to add language "or similar size" to the
definitions of 18.04. Sections 4, 5, and 6 in order to include other animals that might
not be specifically listed.
A discussion was held regarding miniature horses and animals, specifically what
category they would fall under for height and weight. The Commission asked staff to
consider drafting language that would include miniature animals under the definition
of medium domestic animals. Staff will research the size and weight details of
miniature animals and return to the Commission with updated language.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
May 3, 2016
A discussion was held regarding ACC 18.31.220 'Permitted Animals ", and
specifically, Section A. 2. "Small domestic animals'. The allowable number noted is
four (4); the Commission raised concerns that if a household has fish, gerbils, cats,
dogs, and birds it would be over the limit of small domestic animals (4) based on the
currently proposed definition —and questioned if that was the intent of the code .
The Commission and staff discussed the intent of the code and the Commission
recommended that staff add language that would clarify the intent, adding language
that would exclude fish and other types of small domestic animals which were not
intended to be considered within this definition such as, fish, birds, and gerbils,
hamsters. Staff confirmed they would work to draft language for this definition and
return with a proposal for updated language to clarify the intent of the code.
The Commission and staff discussed set backs for coops and runs relating to
domestic fowl and City Attorney Heid provided examples of draft amortization
language to address pre- existing nonconforming uses. The Commission
recommended providing a period of time for violators to become compliant should
the city or Code Enforcement staff find a citizen out of compliance after the effective
date of the amended code, even beyond the 30 days past from the effective date of
the adoption of the ordinance. City Attorney Held confirmed that he will work with
staff to draft language that would provide amortization language for the ordinance.
The intent is to generally provide this opportunity for any individual to bring his or her
conduct or activity into conformity with the amended code within 30 days.
The Commission and staff discussed code violations on excessive domestic animals
and the types of complaints for the past five (5) years. Staff confirmed that they will
bring back to the Commission information on the available historical records on code
violations regarding exceedance of the number limits for domestic animals.
A discussion was held regarding the practical difficulties in enforcing noise limits with
reference to various animals. The difficulty is in both witnessing the actual
occurrence of the violation and the imprecision in calibrated equipment to measure
the actual noise levels to enforce noise limits. Staff explained that providing space
separation through the setbacks proposed within these regulations would assist to
mitigate noise issues
VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Assistant Director Tate reported that Chair Roland, Director Snyder and he
conducted interviews for the vacant Planning Commission positions. After
conducting the interviews, recommendations were passed forward to Mayor
Backus, the recommendations were accepted. On May 16, 2016 the Mayor will
be bringing forward recommendations to appoint additional Planning Commission
members at the May 16, 2016 regular City Council meeting. He indicated that
there were three highly desirable candidates and they are recommending
appointment of three members to bring the Planning Commission to eight
members as allowed by code.
Assistant Director Tate provided a brief video on the City's Downtown Fagade
Improvement Program which began in 2015 and will be continuing through 2016.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
3, 2016
On January 4, 2016 the City adopted a one -year moratorium on retail marijuana
establishments because of the uncertainty regarding the State licensing,
administrative procedures and rules regarding retail establishments. Due to
additional challenges the City was working through with the Washington State
Liquor and Cannabis Board, the City adopted Ordinance No. 6595 prohibiting
production, processing and retail outlets and sales of marijuana in all zones of
the City, and terminating the moratorium implemented pursuant to Resolution No.
5194. The City is concerned about the regulatory instability at the state level and
will be continuing to work through these issues as they proceed forward in
determining the city's regulatory process moving forward.
Recently the City issued the permit for "The Estates at Hillside Gardens ", it is a
125 -unit senior housing community off Howard Road SE. There are grading
activities proceeding for The Promenade project, a 294 -unit mixed use project on
SE 312'h ST on Lea Hill.
Another mixed use project is "The Reserve" project west of Lowes Hardware,
containing 297 senior units and 295 multi - family units with 11,000 square feet of
commercial, continues to progress and get closer to having all city approvals.
Multicare Auburn Medical Center is continuing to make significant investments in
downtown; they are currently working on a 12 million dollar emergency room
renovation project at the existing Multicare facility and also recently acquired five
parcels west from their site.
A new micro - brewery restaurant is working through the process to open a new
location on Main Street East.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
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