HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2017 Minutes Ci'nroF� * � �** PLANNING COMMISSION
February 7, 2017
� � ��- WASHINGTON MINUTES
I. 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 CALUESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Planning Commission Members preseMwere: Chair Judi Roland, Commissioner
Lee, Commissioner Stephens, and Commissioner Moutrouris, and Commissioner
Smith, Vice-Chair Copple and Commissioner Shin. Commissioner Mason arrived
after the Approval of Minutes.
Staff present included: City Attorney Dan Heid, Assistant Director of Community
Development Jeff Tate, and Planning Administrative Assistant Tina Kriss.
Members of the public present: Jeff Oliphant.
b.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGENCE
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. January 4, 2017
Commissioner Stephens moved and Commis.sioner Lee seconded to approve the
minutes from the January 4, 2017 meeting as written.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public present for comments.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Citizen Initiated Proposed Code Amendment— DUC Map Amendment
Assistant Director Tate presented the staff report on the proposed DUC Map
Amendment to amend the "Pedestrian Street" map fhat is incorporated into
the City of Auburn Design Standards for the Downtown Urban Center zone.
On November 8, 2016 an applicant submitted a request to change a portion
of the west side of Auburn Avenue between Main Street and 1St Street NE
from a Pedestrian I classification to a Pedestrian II classification. Staff
informed the Commission that since transmitting the original materials for the
meeting, which included conditions, the applicant and staff met to work
through and refine the conditions for the mutual benefit of the applicant and
city. The updated modified staff conditions were distributed to the
Commission.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 7, 2017
Assistant Director Tate explained that if approved, the vacant former Key
Bank building at 15 Auburn Avenue NE would change from a Pedestrian I to
Pedestrian II classifcation. The effect of this change focuses on what the
allowed ground floor uses are in a building. Pedestrian I classification allows
ground-floor uses that are retail, restaurant, and personal services. A
Pedestrian II classification allows for the same uses but also allows for office
and residential use to be located on a ground floor. The amendment would
allow the vacant building to be utilized for office uses and particular medical
types uses.
Assistant Director Tate stated that the building has been vacant for some time
despite efforts to lease the building. Staff explained that they do not believe
this request conflicts with adopted downtown urban center policies or
objectives and the range of allowable uses will continue to ensure a
harmonious transition from Main Street to the regional hospital facility. A
discussion was held with the Commission on the Pedestrian I and II
classification and parking challenges.
Chair Roland opened the public hearing at7:13 p.m. on ZOA16-0008, DUC
Map amendment.
Jeff Oliphant PO Box 1294, Auburn
Mr. Oliphant thanked the Commission for their time and explained that the
vacant old Key Bank building/property was originally purchased just before
construction began at Auburn Professional Plaza and was not incorporated
into the overall plan at Auburn Professional Plaza because it was purchased
later.
Mr. Oliphant stated he has been involved in retail development in the
Washington and California area for years and finding retail tenants for the
ground floor retail space at Auburn Professional Plaza has been difficult, until
Multicare leased space the building sat vacant for 7 years. He stated that
prospective tenants felt the lack of projected retail revenue and staff overhead
costs deterred them from leasing unless 4he landlord paid for improvements
and supplemented the tenants cost, Recently Gosanko's Chocolate leased
ground floor space, the tenant improvements paid by the landlord with the
cost equal to 10 years of rent. Mr. Oliphant stated he believes there is not a
great demand for retail space in the downtown urban center which has made
it difficult for occupancy at One Main Professional Plaza. He stated the same
would be true for the vacant, old Key Bank building.
Mr. Oliphant explained that the old Key Bank building is off a commuter street
which has heavy fraffic, less pedestrian traffic and minimal parking. These
conditions are not beneficial for leasing or using retail space. If a Pedestrian
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 7, 2017
II classification were allowed it would provide for medical uses. Recently
Wound Care & Hyperbaric Services occupied space at One Professional
Plaza, the lease was possible because it met the requirement of having a
doctor within 250' at the emergency room in Multicare Hospital.
In working to lease the space out at the vacant Key Bank building discus.sions
have been held with folks interested in medical space but these conversations
halted because the space is retail and limits medical use. In an effort to
resume these discussions a Pedestrian II classification is needed to allow
medical uses.
The Commission asked if the property could be developed as a multi-story
building with ground floor parking. Staff explained that the current parking
around the surface of the building can be utilized and does not believe it
would benefit fhe developer to utilize the space with ground floor parking and
such a sma.11 footprint. Mr. Oliphant explained that he is unsure if the building
will be improved and used or taken down and rebuilt, as his team considered
options for developing the property a multi-story approach wifh ground floor
parking was considered along wi4h o4her options but none of them were
beneficial or cost effective.
The Commission and staff discussed the access points of the property and if
the access points would change, staff explained that fhe access points would
not be changed.
The Commission and staff discussed the Pedestrian I and II designations and
if there were any other designations proposed for the DUC. Staff explained
there is only a Pedestrian I and II designation and no other designations.
Staff discussed other options instead of a third designation.
With no other questions from the Commission, Chair Roland closed the public
hearing on ZOA16-0008, DUC Map amendment at 7:40 p.m, and the
Commission deliberated.
Commissioner Copple moved and Commissioner Moutzouris seconded to
approve ZOA16-0006, Citizen Initiated Proposed Code Amendment— DUC
Map Amendment with the updated modified conditions provided by staff on
February 7, 2017.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8-0
V. OTHER BUSINESS
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 7, 2017
A. Election of O�cers
Chair Roland called for nominations for the Election of Chairperson for the City of
Aubum 2017 Planning Commission.
Commissioner Copple and Commissioner Lee nominated Commissioner Roland as
the Chairperson. No other Commissioners were nominated.
By majority vote of Commissioners, 8-0, Commissioner Roland was elected as the
Aubum Planning Commission Chai�person for 2017.
Chair Roland called for nominations for the Election of Vice-Chairperson of the 2017
Auburn Planning Commission.
Commissioner Mason and Commissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Copple as
the Vice-Chairperson. No other Commissioners were nominated.
By majority vote of Commissioners, 8-0, Commissioner Copple was elected as the
Auburn Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson for 2017.
B. Modification of Rules and Procedures
Assistant Director Tate provided background information on the Planning
Commission Rules and Procedures; last revised March 8, 2016. He explained that
each year the Planning Commission has an opportunity to review and revise the
Rules and Procedures.
Staff introduced ir�formation that was distributed to the Commissioners to provide
examples of language from otherjurisdicfions regarding conduct at Planning
Commission meetings.
Mr. Tate explained that previously a discussion held with the Commission regarding
circumstances where there may be a disruptive situation or audience member at
future meetings and how bestto control the decorum. The Commission and staff
discussed different options to provide orderly conduct at meetings and the
Commission thought that it would be beneficial to maintain continuity between the
Council and Planning Commission rules.
The Commission will review the materials and staff will bring this item back for further
discussion.
Items C-F below:
Assistant Director Tate explained that due to the weather conditions staff would like to
continue items C-F to a future meeting. He stated that staff would also like to hold the
tentative second meeting in February 22ntl, 2017 to discuss Regulations of Marijuana
related Businesses and Coopera4ives. He reminded the Planning Commission that the
city currently has a moratorium on marijuana. Chair Roland requested that sfaff provide
police presence at future meetings on the discussion regarding Regulations of Marijuana
related Businesses and Cooperetives. Staff confirmed those arrangements would be
made.
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PLANNING GOMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 7, 2017
Chair Roland continued items C-F below to a future meeting.
C. Discussion of C7, Light Commercial Code Changes
C. Temporary Uses, Mobile Vendors and Food Trucks — Draft Code Changes
D. Discussion of Open Space Zone
E. Discussion of Mixed Use Zone
VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Staff reviewed the scheduled me.e.tings moving forward and asked if the Commission
was open to hold a public meeting at its tenfative meeting March 21", 2017 over the
discussion item being held February 22, 2017 on Regulations of Marijuana related
Businesses and Cooperatives after discussing.
The Commission confirmed the meeting schedule for the February and.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair Roland
adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
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