HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2017 MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
May 2, 2017
MINUTES
CAL� 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, Commissioner
Mason, Commissioner Stephens, Commissioner Copple, Commissioner
Moutzouris, and Commissioner Smith. Commissioner Shin and Commissioner Lee
were excused.
Staff present included: City Attorney Dan Heid; Director of Community Development
and Public Works Kevin Snyder; Assistant City Attorney Jessica Leiser; Assistant
Director of Community Development Services Jeff Tate; and Administrative
Assistant Tina Kriss.
Members of the public present: Kirk Edwards, Philip Dawdy, and David Osgood.
b.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGENCE
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. April 4, 2017
Commissioner Copple moved and Commissioner Smith seconded to approve the
minutes from the April 4, 2017 meeting minutes as written.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public present for comments.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
No public hearing items were brought forward.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Proposed Ordinance No. 6642, Regulations of Marijuana Related Business and
Cooperatives within the City of Auburn
Assistant Director Tate provided background information on proposed Ordinance No
6642. He reminded Commission that at the April 4, 2017 meeting the Commission
asked staff to return to the next meeting (May 2, 2017) with additional information on
the marijuana business regulation survey and to report on any actions taken by the
Washington State Legislature during the 2017 legislative session.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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Staff explained that the next steps are to hold a public hearing on draft Ordinance
No. 6642 when the Commission is comfortable moving forward. Staff asked the
Commission to consider a public hearing date of June 6, 2017 after holding tonight's
discussion if the Commission feels they are ready to go forward.
Assistant Director Tate stated the marijuana business regulation survey remained
open until today. An updated report was compiled today, May 2, 2017, staff
distributed the current survey results. Mr. Tate explained that approximately four (4)
additional responses were noted since providing the last survey report, March 21,
2017 and there was a siight variation to the results which were similar to the March
21, 2017 report.
Assistant City Attorney Jessica Leiser reported that the 2017 Washington State
Legislature is in special session and based on information from the Association of
Washington Cities (AWC) the special session is expected to run into July, 2017. Ms.
Leiser stated, currently the budget appears to be the item moving forward and that of
the marijuana bills introduced to the legislature, only one appears to have made it to
the finish line, predominately housekeeping in nature. It is theoretically possible to
see language that effects local marijuana regulations resurrected in the form of a
substitute bill but because the focus is on the budget it is unlikely. She added, it is
fair to say that at least for the next year we do have legislative certainty that the
landscape will not change in the Washington State Legislature although rule making
from the Washington State Liquor Cannabis Board (WSLCB) may take piace but it
does not appear that those rules will affect local regulations.
Staff reviewed additional proposed modifications to Ordinance No. 6642 based on
the Planning Commission's March 21, 2017 recommendations.
1. Page 11 (5.20.250.B.4) — add to the business license chapter of city code a cross
reference to ACC 18.59.110. ACC 18.59.110 is the section of the draft
regulations that outlines when a public review meeting is required and the
standards for how it is noticed and conducted.
2. Page 29 (18.04.120) — the prior version of draft Ordinance No. 6642 provided a
new definition for "Game Arcade". Upon further review, Chapter 18.04 already
utilizes and defines "Arcade". Rather than creating a new definition, staff
proposes to modify the existing definition of "Arcade".
3. Page 33 (18.59.020.6) — adds language that a retail establishment no longer
operating under a State or City license is grounds for determining that a retail
establishment has lost its standing as one of the authorized retail activities.
4. Pages 34 — 35 (18.59.030.C) — for each of the 3 separation options, consolidate
items #1 and #2 that distinguish between public and private schools. Also, add
language that requires schools that are planned for construction be considered
when applying the separation standards.
5. Page 35 (18.59.030.D) — clarify that a right-of-way line can be used when
measuring distance under the separation requirements.
6. Page 35 (18.59.030.E) — moving this section to 18.59.090 because it does not
pertain to separation requirements.
7. Pages 35 — 36 (18.59.050) — modify term for consistency with rest of chapter.
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8. Pages 36 — 37 (18.59.060 and 18.59.O60.G) — add a section related to "non-
conforming uses." Section G clarifies that legally established, existing uses are
not "non-conforming uses" as that term is used in ACC 18.54.
9. Page 37 (18.59.090.6) — further clarify that existing producers and processors
that are less than 4,000 square feet are legal conforming uses.
10. Page 38 (18.59.100) — clarify that the permitting milestone for the pre-application
conference is that prior to submittal of a business license (as opposed to other
types of licenses and permit applications).
11. Page 38 (18.59.110.A) — clarify that the public meeting requirements are also
applicable to existing businesses seeking to relocate to a different tax parcei.
12. Page 38 (18.59.110.C) — clarify that the public review meeting must occur prior to
submittal of a business �icense (as opposed to other types of licenses and permit
applications).
13. Page 38 (18.59.110.E) — require that the subject matter of the meeting be
included in the notification of the public meeting.
14. Page 39 (18.59.110.J) — clarify that atl of the public meeting information must be
submitted with the business license application (as opposed to other types of
licenses and permit appiications).
The Commission and staff discussed the public notification process for a Public
Review Meeting under 18.59.110.A. and E. Staff explained that a public review
meeting would be required and the meeting would need to be held in a publicly
accessible location within one (1) mile of the proposed business site as proposed in
the ordinance.
Staff also explained that the existing businesses do not need to reapply or renotice
irrespective of the separation requirements as they would be considered, under
proposed Ordinance No. 6642, to be legal, existing, and conforming.
A discussion was held as to which policies an existing or conforming marijuana
business would be subject to. Staff explained that policies laid out under proposed
Ordinance No. 6642 would be applied to new marijuana business activities but
clarified it does not mean that existing businesses would not have to be subject to
City of Auburn code such as public nuisances as an example. Under Auburn City
Code, Chapter 8, Public Nuisances, if an existing business is contributing to a public
nuisance the City would still have the ability to approach that business and seek
resolution of that nuisance. The same would be true for City of Auburn zoning
ordinances.
The Commission and staff discussed the City of Auburn legislative history of I-502
and the merging of the medical and recreational marijuana businesses within the
State of Washington and how the WSLCB made the determination to move the
allowance of two (2) marijuana retail licenses to four (4) for Auburn. Staff pointed out
that as the WSLCB has a better understanding of what and where the needs are the
state may increase the number of licenses at a future time.
Commissioner Mason asked if there were any additional statistics to show if the city
has experienced any additional health risks to our youth, or negative impacts to the
city's public health since legalizing and allowing marijuana retail businesses to
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operate. Director Snyder stated that specific data from school districts and medical
facilities has not been gathered and at this point in the process the data would be
subjectively observational or antidotal verses factual.
Director Snyder stated that Assistant Police Chief Pierson provided information to the
Commission at previous meetings addressing the legalization of marijuana and
potential impacts. Assistant City Attorney Leiser explained that a link was provided
to the Commissio� in the memorandum provided in the March 21, 2017 meeting
packet to The Washington State Marijuana Impact Report by the NoRhwest High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Ms. Leiser stated the reports do not provide enough
data and precision to the data coilected to determine specific impacts to the
community. Mr. Snyder stated that he will reach out to local folks to see if any other
factual data is available and report to back to the Commission prior to the pubiic
hearing.
The Commission and staff discussed the current number of marijuana related
businesses located in the City and the number allowed by the WSLCB. Director
Snyder explained to the Commission that they are not under any legal obligation to
recommend a specific number of licenses allowed in the City. He stated that the
Commission, as part of their recommendation to City Council, can concur with staff's
recommendations on the number of marijuana related businesses allowed, decide to
recommend a specific number of licenses within the City, or can decline to
recommend any number as part of their specific recommendation leaving it up to City
Council.
Assistant Director Tate reported that the maps depicting options 1, 2, and 3 within
proposed Ordinance No. 6642 continue to be refined to include parcel specific
information. They will be transmitted to the Commission by May 12, 2017, several
weeks prior to the public hearing if the Commission is comfortable with that timeline.
The Commission concurred to hold the public hearing June 6, 2017 and asked staff
to provide the maps ahead of the public hearing.
B. Planning Commission Rules and Procedures
Assistant Director of Community Development Services, Jeff Tate, reviewed the
modifications to the proposed Rules and Procedures made per the recommendations
of the Planning Commission at their April 4, 2017 meeting.
City Attorney Dan Heid recommended that under section XII.E. CONFLICT OF
INTEREST, the word "heard" be changed to "reviewed" to read: "No member may
participate in any decision if the member had not reviewed the staff reports and
testimony presented at the hearing on the matter".
Commissioner Mason moved and Commissioner Moutzouris seconded to approve
the 2017 amended Planning Commission Rules and Procedures as amended.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-0
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C. Discussion on Planning Commission Email
Chair Roland asked if the Planning Commission could receive a formal Planning
Commission email address through the City of Auburn. Assistant Director Tate
stated staff is working on this request.
2017
VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Assistant Director Tate reported that the 2015 Comprehensive Plan is being compiled
into an e-book format making it more functional for those that want to review those
documents electronically. A professional editor has finished with the document and
electronic and hard copy versions will be provided to the Commission Members shortly.
At the May 1 st, 2017 City Council Meeting Mayor Backus announced that the City of
Auburn, Valley Cities Counselling, and the Auburn Food Bank will be opening day and
night services for the homeless and underserved in Auburn at the end of May, 2017.
The facility will be located at I Street NE and 26w Street NE. The property located at 915
26'" Street NE, The Phoenix Rising Group Residence Facility common buiiding, is
proposed to be utilized to provide nighttime services. The propeRy to the south across
the street from the Phoenix Rising Group Residence Facility is proposed to be utilized to
provide daytime services by adding a temporary, portable building that provides shelter
and services.
Staff explained that Valley Cities Counseling owns the property, the Auburn Food Bank
and Catholic Community Services will separately run the day and night services.
Director Snyder stated future conversations will continue to be held as the program
continues to operate and provide an opportunity to assess the operations, needs, and
ability to see what other partnerships become available. The Temporary Use Permit is
approved for 24 months.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
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