HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Land Use and Planning Board - 10/26/1998 CITY OF
M
• Jim White, Mayor
Planning Department (253) 859-3390/FAX(253)850-2544
James P Hams,Planning Director
LAND USE & PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
Public Hearing
October 26, 1998
The meeting of the Kent Land Use and Planning Board was called to order by Chair Brad Bell at
7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 1998, in Council Chambers of Kent City Hall.
LAND USE & PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brad Bell, Chair
Sharon Woodford, Vice Chair
Steve Dowell
Ron Harmon
Jon Johnson
David Malik
• Terry Zimmerman
PLANNING STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
James P. Harris, Planning Director
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager
Kevin O'Neill, Senior Planner
Linda Phillips, Planner
Pamela Mottram, Administrative Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board member Terry Zimmerman MOVED and Sharon Woodford SECONDED a motion to approve
the May 26, 1998 minutes MOTION carried
ADDED ITEMS TO THE AGENDA
None
COMMUNICATIONS
Planning Director, Jim Hams announced that upcoming elections for the Land Use and Planning
Board Chair and Vice Chair would be held at the November 23 public hearing meeting
NOTICE OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
None
220 4th AVENUE SOU]H / KENT,WASHINGTON 98032-5895/TELEPHONE (253)859 1300
• Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 2
#CPA-98-3/#ZCA-98-5 AMENDMENTS RELATING TO MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
Semor Planner Kevin ONeill stated that mixed-use zoning has been discussed at the Land Use and
Planning Board workshops in July and September. He said that the City Council adopted a
comprehensive plan under the provisions of the Growth Management Act in 1995 Mr O'Neill
explained that the comprehensive plan supports mixed-use development both in the land use plan
and the goals and policies of the land use element. He defined mixed use as development where
commercial and residential uses can be combined in the same zoning district. Mr O'Neill indicated
the areas within Kent that are currently designated as mixed-use
Mr O'Neill explained that staff, along with a consultant, prepared zoning code amendments to
implement the comprehensive plan and policies relating to mixed-use development. He stated that
the City Council adopted the ordinances after hearings held by the Land Use and Planning Board in
November 1996 which did the following:
• established mixed-use overlay, and
• amended the permitted uses and development standards within that overlay.
He explained that the City Council adopted an overlay provision whereby the zoning code
amendments would apply only to certain areas within the areas designated as mixed-use in the
. comprehensive plan. Mr. O'Neill explained this as a new concept of allowing residential
development to existing commercial areas
Mr. O'Neill spoke at length on the criteria that the Board and the Council looked at in determining
where the mixed-use overlay areas should be applied and how the permitted uses were changed
within those overlay areas Mr O'Neill explained that development standards were developed to
establish a way in which commercial and residential development can be regulated in a common
manner.
Mr O'Neill explained that the Mayor and City Council asked the Land Use and Planning Board and
planning staff to consider amendments to zoning as it relates to the way mixed-use development is
regulated in the(GC) General Commercial zoning district, and to consider if multifamily residential
development in the GC zone should be required to be combined with a commercial use, similar to
the way it is regulated on East Hill
Mr. O'Neill explained that the Mayor's request would also necessitate amending the comprehensive
plan map and policies.
Mr O'Neill explained that mixed-use is used as a strategy to pinpoint areas that could accommodate
future housing development with the benefit of combining residential and commercial uses in close
proximity to each other permitting closer access to services, employment and transportation
alternatives. He stated that every city in the county is obligated to accommodate a certain number
of future housing units over a 20-year time frame as indicated in the comprehensive plan
Mr. O'Neill said staff is requesting consideration of amendments to the comprehensive plan and the
zoning code to order to standardize the mixed-use classification as opposed to having two separate
and distinct classifications. He spoke at length on how staff would work to amend the zoning
regulations. Mr O'Neill stated that it is staff s recommendation to standardize development within
the three mixed-use overlay zones.
Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 3
Mr. O'Neill described how development standards differed within the three mixed-use zones of
General Commercial, Office and Community Commercial He explained that development standards
include floor area ratios, site coverage, building height, setbacks and off street parking.
Mr. O'Neill explained that mixed-use overlay provides incentives for mixed-use development as it
increases commercial site coverage, for example, from 40% for stand-alone commercial to:
• 60% in (0) Office and (CC) Community Commercial zones, and
• 75% in (GC) General Commercial zones.
Board member Terry Zimmerman asked Mr O'Neill to estimate how many housing units have been
developed since the adoption of the comprehensive plan and mixed-use overlay in the Valley and
on East Hill. Mr O'Neill stated that he is aware of only one 160-unit housing project developed on
North Central Avenue
Mr. O'Neill responded to Ms. Zimmerman's concerns about developers being deterred from
developing property based on requiring an office or other type of commercial component combined
with a housing complex by stating that he felt development that combines uses is a challenge but not
detrimental
Board member Steve Dowell asked Mr O'Neill whether a building currently under construction
would become a legal nonconforming use if the proposed amendments were approved. Mr. O'Neill
stated that if the project was an existing stand-alone residential project in the GC zone, the
development is and would continue to be legal but nonconforming, if the proposed amendments
were adopted.
Mr. Dowell asked that if a property owner wanted to improve or add to their units within a General
Commercial zone would he need to comply with current development standards as they are approved
or with the development standards in place at the time of the original request?
Mr O'Neill responded that any expansion needs to comply with new standards. The only way to
allow expansion of a non-conforming use is through a conditional use permit, as allowed by the
zoning code.
Mr Dowell voiced concern that financing for these projects would prompt additional scrutiny as a
legal nonconforming use than these projects would if they were permitted outright. Mr Dowell
stated that developers would confront difficulty in obtaining financing for future improvements or
additions They would also experience difficulty in complying with the code requirements of the
GC zone as they were before mixed-use zoning was in effect
Ms. Zimmerman requested clarification of her understanding that the Growth Management Act
requires the City of Kent and all municipalities to make room for the growth of more residential
units within the city limits She questioned if the effect of the zoning change is to diminish the
number of multifamily residential units built in Kent and will it have an effect on the cmty's ability
to accommodate growth
Mr. O'Neill concurred that tlus was an important question and explained that the intent of applying
mixed-use in the first place was, in part, to increase the potential housing supply of the city Mr.
Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 4
O'Neill said that when analyzing the city's zoning capacity,the total number of units that the city can
accommodate is compared to the total land area the city has.
Mr. O'Neill stated that accommodating the city's targets would be difficult without incorporating
mixed-use development. Mr. O'Neill said that the City Council was compelled to look at mixed use
as a means to accommodate growth as well as combining residential and commercial uses to create
a more lively urban fabric.
Mr. O'Neill emphasized that the proposed amendment still allows for residential construction within
a mixed-use configuration.
Ron Harmon MOVED and Steve Dowell SECONDED a motion to open the Public Hearing.
Motion tamed unanimously
Manuela Ginnett, 1215 Central Avenue South, Suite 209,Kent,WA 98032 stated that she works
with the South King County Multi-Service Center which provides emergency shelter, transitional
housing and low-income housing apartments for homeless individuals and families She voiced
concern that affordable, low income housing options would diminish as a result of developers being
required to develop housing with a commercial component. Ms. Ginnett stated that she believes the
homeless situation in Kent could escalate.
Pat Crockett, 10326 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA stated that she owns the creamery
building located at the corner of First and Meeker Street in Kent She questioned staff if the
intention of the proposal was to create a commumty where manufacturing, business, schools and
housing would be combined within the same locality. Ms. Crockett asked what methods are used
to rent both residential and commercial property simultaneously.
Board member Terry Zimmerman read a letter from Catholic Community Services which was
entered into the record as Exhibit 1. The letter communicated concern that the amendment to the
City's comprehensive plan could mean less affordable housing within Kent.
Ron Harmon MOVED and Steve Dowell SECONDED a motion to close the public hearing. Motion
earned unanimously
Mr. Dowell stated that focusing on growth in the valley makes sense for businesses and for the rail
use. He stated his believe that approving the amendments before the Board relating to mixed-use
would mean that the city would be downzoning.
Board member Ron Harmon questioned Steve Dowell's definition of downzoning. He stated that
his understanding was that mixed-use intent is to combine commercial and residential development
and that currently the city does allow for stand-alone development.
Mr Dowell explained that under current zoning you have stand-alone, commercial or a combination
• of both types of development He explained that under the requested amended plan you lose the
stand-alone portion for residential development and would be required to combine commercial and
residential development. Mr Dowell stated that in effect you have less space on your property for
residential development. This form of development would be financially unfeasible Mr Dowell
expressed downzoning as a method of restricting what can be developed.
. Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 5
Planning Director James Hams concurred with Mr. Dowell's definition of downzoning. He
elaborated upon Mr. Dowell's definition saying if a developer came into the Planning Department
they currently have options in the General Commercial versus Mixed-Use zoning districts
Ms. Zimmerman concurred with Mr Dowell's statements She explained that she represents the
Land Use and Planning Board on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Kent Rail Station Ms.
Zimmerman stated that it is significant for the City to support the new rail station as it emerges in
Kent by working towards making downtown vital and connected to the new rail station by promoting
mixed-use in the downtown area of the valley.
Board member Harmon concurred with establishing mixed-use in the downtown area.
Board member Jon Johnson stated that he concurs with and supports Mr. Dowell's motion to
encourage more housing in the valley, with the intention of drawing people closer to their center of
work and alternate transit facilities.
Steve Dowell MOVED and Terry Zimmerman SECONDED a motion to recommend to the Council
to leave the mixed-use zoning as it currently exists without changes. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Manager Fred Satterstrom requested clarification from Chair Bell that since the Board has
• made a determination to recommend to the City Council that there not be changes in the zoning for
mixed-use, that the Board would concurrently reflect no change to the comprehensive plan Chair
Bell stated that they concurred with this request.
#ZCA-98-4 RETAIL USE IN (DCE) DISTRICT
Chair Bell described this as a request to clarify permitted uses in the pedestrian overlay of the
Downtown Commercial (DC)district and extend the pedestrian overlay to portions of the Downtown
Commercial Enterprise (DCE) district.
Chair Bell presented a memo from City Attorney Roger Lubovich addressing a conflict of interest
that Chair Bell is experiencing with this issue It was entered into the record as Exhibit 2
Chair Bell stated that he has a conflict of interest with this issue and could personally benefit
depending on the ruling of the board He stated that Assistant City Attorney, Laurie Evezich has
advised him that according to the RCW's this does not preclude him from running the meeting,but
does preclude him from voting or being involved in deliberations.
Assistant City Attorney Ms. Evezich clarified that the Land Use and Planning Board's Bylaws
addresses that the Vice Chair can act when the Chair is absent from a meeting Ms Evezich stated
that the specific statute in question is RCW 35, Chapter 35. 22, Subsection 030 Ms Evezich
defined this statute as indicating that "if there is a conflict of interest, the appointing authority of the
municipality may appoint an alternate in place of the person who needs to excuse themselves" Ms.
Evezich said for this purpose Leona Orr,President of the Council and Mayor Pro Tem has authorized
such an appointment as needed
Chair Bell recommended Vice Chair Woodford as designate to reside over the meeting.
Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 6
Planner Linda Phillips said that planning staff received a request from the Kent Downtown
Partnership (KDP) to:
• review the pedestrian use overlay that exists in the city's zoning code,
• to review and clarify the permitted uses in that overlay,
• to review the uses that are not permitted
• to extend the commercial use overlay into the (DCE) Downtown Commercial Enterprise zone
on streets directly adjacent to the Downtown Commercial zone.
Ms Phillips described the relationship between Downtown Commercial and Downtown Commercial
Enterprise zoning. She stated that both zones were established as a result of the 1989
Comprehensive Plan, as areas where mixed use would be allowed with few restrictions on
development Ms. Phillips explained that "enterprise" is meant to encourage a variety of mixed-use
including residential, office, retail and service oriented uses
Ms. Phillips stated that this proposal addresses a special overlay district. There are several streets
within the (DC)Downtown Commercial zone that are considered appropriate for a special limited
mix of uses intended to encourage intense pedestrian use and offer interesting activities intended to
entice people from their cars.
• Ms Phillips stated that the intent of this proposal is to extend the pedestrian overlay to an area along
Fourth Avenue north of Harrison Street, continuing east along Smith Street to the east side of
Railroad Avenue She said the overlay would continue from Railroad Avenue and extend to Titus
Street; including the side streets of Meeker to Central and from Railroad to Central The overlay
would include the side streets from the Burlington Northern Railroad on Gowe Street to Railroad
Avenue.
Ms Phillips stated that this proposal is consistent with the design review that addresses development
standards relating to design as well as the design overlay along Railroad Avenue and the adjoining
side street. Ms Phillips stated the proposal remains consistent along Fourth Avenue with very
intense pedestrian streets but not along Smith Street from Fourth Avenue to Railroad
Ms. Phillips explained that the proposal is intended to increase retail space and generate tax revenue
within the DC and DCE areas She stated that the language within the zoning code would remain
the same with the exception of"residential" as it applies to retail use Ms Phillips referred to the
Draft Revision of Chapter 15 04 District Regulations in outlining the substance of the proposal
including deletions and additions to the text.
Ms. Phillips stated that mortuaries and stand-alone residential multifamily housing would be
eliminated within the DC zone.
Ms. Phillips said that the KDP proposal was reviewed in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan
policies and goals and found to be consistent. She said that one of the policies:
• promotes and encourages retail uses that serve the residential population in and adjacent to the
downtown area, and
• promotes orderly and efficient commercial growth within the existing commercial districts in
order to maintain and strengthen those districts,
Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 7
• to minimize cost associated with extension of facilities, and
• to allow businesses to benefit from their proximity to one another.
Ms Phillips stated that these points are important in that retail and service uses attract a similar
customer base. A synergy develops so that retail use becomes stronger and more viable where retail
and service uses are found together
Ms. Phillips said that staff recommends approval of#ZCA-98-4 regulatory review request with the
exception of the area located along Fourth Street north of Harrison and Smith Street from Fourth
Avenue, east to Railroad Avenue. These streets are high traffic arterials that might not attract the
same kind of pedestrian retail and service uses that the other proposed streets would.
Vice Chair Sharon Woodford questioned why the north side of Harrison Street is not included as part
of the proposal Ms Woodford stated that the north side of Harrison Street is more suitably designed
for pedestrian usage than Smith Street Ms Phillips stated that Harrison Street is definitely related
to the DC pedestrian use overlay area She stated that staff would not object to the inclusion of
Harrison Street.
Ms.Zimmerman stated that she understood that the proposed changes indicated that buildings within
the downtown commercial district must maintain the first floor area for retail uses and that the
• second floor levels and higher would be utilized for other types of office use Ms Phillips explained
that KDP's proposal does not disallow residential or office usage on the same floor of a one or more
story building, as long as there is useable space that will provide for pedestrian retail or a service
business adjacent to the street and the sidewalk.
Ron Harmon MOVED and Terry Zimmerman SECONDED a motion to open the public hearing
Motion earned.
Bruce Anderson, Post Office Box 3821, Bellevue, WA 98004 stated that he is a property owner
in the downtown core He said that he recently built the Meeker Street Law Building located at
Fourth and Meeker This building was designed to house two law firms with retail space provided
on the ground level. He stated that he aware of the process and problems encountered in creating
a pedestrian oriented retail building with service use Mr. Anderson stated that a pedestrian oriented
building creates a synergism and value that property owners look for in a downtown core Mr.
Anderson said that he has service oriented and retail tenants coexisting in most of his projects with
80%retail, 10% office and 10%industrial.
Mr Anderson stated that the Kent Planning Department had told him that a law firm would not be
considered a pedestrian oriented retail use Mr. Anderson stated that he felt that this information was
an anomaly because in developing a downtown core you are attempting to create a synergism in the
downtown area. He said in the normal development of economics in a robust core you need to bring
people into downtown and retail will follow. Mr. Anderson said that office could take over ground
floor levels during initial stages of a downtown core's development. During the natural progression
• of development in downtown cores,office personnel and clientele will generate more retail business.
Retai I tenants will move in and displace the office space moving them up a floor or two
Mr. Anderson said that if Kent attempts to limit development to some selective retail uses in the
downtown floor areas of these buildings it would impose a tremendous risk on developers..
a`
• Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 8
Mr. Anderson spoke at length on the logistics and cost factors involved in developing business in
Kent under the current Planning department standards He stated that by forcing retail tenants into
the core and forcing developers to build out retail space he does not believe that there is enough
synergism in Kent's market place to warrant the rental rates necessary to break even on the
development of new construction in the downtown area. Mr. Anderson expressed his desire to see
the city open its market place to less restrictive uses in the downtown area.
Alan Gray, 112 Railroad Avenue South, Kent,WA stated that he is a Certified Public Accountant
by profession with his business located in downtown Kent. As a property owner he disagrees with
the aspect of excluding professional, administrative and financial offices from the ground floor
levels Mr Gray stated that he currently works within an area that houses a mix of service and retail
oriented businesses that coexist well together
Mr. Gray said that restricting the use of buildings along Railroad Avenue would be prohibitive as
it would- 1) eliminate the possibility of selling his building to an owner who would want to turn it
into a retail establishment 2)necessitate that a new owner compensate for the additional cost to turn
the business from an office setup to a retail establishment and 3)create the potential for more vacant
retail space in downtown Kent. This is reflected by the Dragness Office Supply store, which has
been vacant for one and one-half years at the corner of Meeker and Railroad.
• Mr. Gray stated that if this proposal is accepted, a grandfather clause needs to be implemented to
protect established businesses.
Bill Stewart, 28203 160th Avenue Southeast, Kent, WA stated that he is a property owner in
downtown Kent. Mr Stewart concurred with the first two speakers whereby restricting uses in
downtown would be detrimental to the vitality of downtown and limit the opportunities for
landowners to rent their properties.
Pat Williams, 21205 110th Avenue Southeast, Kent, WA stated that she has owned a retail
business in Kent for 22 years She voiced her concerns over maintaining downtown as a pedestrian
friendly area. She expressed appreciation for the new retail building on the corner of Fourth and
Meeker Ms. Williams said that the one drawback to the building is that it creates a wall along
Meeker Street without an accessible entrance to the building, limiting pedestrian appeal with the
exception of Starbucks Ms. Williams voiced her concern that if businesses are not accessible at the
ground level, this will destroy the vitality of businesses within the downtown area.
Linda Johnson, 16605 264th Avenue Southeast, Kent, WA stated that she represents the Kent
Downtown Partnership and facilitated the proposal under discussion. Ms. Johnson explained that
the proposal was generated as a result of the dead spaces occurring in the core area of downtown
Ms. Johnson symbolically compared downtown Kent to a shopping center such as South Center but
owned by many property owners She stated that the value of downtown is probably triple what the
value of South Center is in infrastructure, streets,the actual businesses and residences as well as the
• activity generated to Kent. However, in a shopping center there is no dead space. There are people
who manage the facilities for the right tenant mix to attract people.
Ms Johnson explained that the intent of KDP's proposal is to enable pedestrians to effectively utilize
the entire district in the downtown area. Ms. Johnson addressed Ms. Woodford's concern about the
deletion of Harrison Street She stated that Harrison Street was inadvertently left off the proposal
i
Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 9
and she concurs that Harrison Street should be included as part of the proposal. Ms. Johnson concurs
with Planning staff that Smith Street is a high traffic arterial and may not attract pedestrian retail and
pedestrian service uses.
Ms Johnson said that it has been difficult to fill the downtown area with vital business but has
observed that Kent is engaging better quality business each time there is a turnover. She voiced
concerned about the need to have businesses grandfathered to allow a merchant to remain in the
existing business. Ms Phillips responded to Ms Johnson's concerns by ensuring that if a business
remains in its location and remain current on renewing their leases, they will be allowed to stay.
Ms. Johnson reiterated that the proposal recognizes that service and office oriented uses are very
important to the downtown area..
Jim Bitondo, 106 East Titus Street, Kent, WA stated that he is a property owner and has operated
a business in Kent for 18 years. He concurs with the facts that the other property owners have
brought forth Mr. Bitondo said that he is in favor of the Kent Downtown Partnership proposal as
presented by planning staff and Linda Johnson
Mr. Bitondo explained that Kent was fairly derelict 18 years ago until the City Planning department
• stepped in and esthetically changed the image of downtown with the use of landscape trees, street
design contouring and street lights. Mr. Bitondo related how these improvements fostered more
pedestrian traffic. He said that the grandfather clause has given him the opportunity to be in
business
Mr Bitondo expressed his believe that Kent is experiencing change with the inclusion of the
Regional Justice Center and the rail station implementation He stated that the property values of
Kent are experiencing an upswing Mr Bitondo stated that part of the nature of Kent centers around
a downtown that has remained unmarred by high-rises. Mr Bitondo voiced his opinion that future
development in Kent will occur in the form of renovation of existing buildings to create more
revenue and not in the construction of new buildings. Mr Bitondo said that he supports the
implementation of the proposal to extend the pedestrian overlay.
Morgan Llewellyn, Post Office Box 902, Kent, WA stated that he has been a life long resident of
Kent and has been employed in Kent for 18 years. He said that as a graduate of the University of
Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning he brings sensitivity to this issue Mr.
Llewellyn stated that he has been active in the sale, development, management, ownership and
brokering of downtown Kent real estate markets since 1983 He stated that he has worked for
property owners as well as businesses arriving in this market
Mr. Llewellyn expressed confidence in having a sense for where the market is and stated that he
currently manages 160,000 square feet in the downtown core consisting of, offices,mixed use,retail,
residential and retail space exclusively Mr. Llewellyn stated that he is opposed to extending the
. pedestrian overlay into portions of the downtown area, as it would create a negative impact for the
downtown area by restricting uses arriving in this market He expressed concern that this proposal
would not be good for the vitality of the community nor for people working downtown. Mr.
Llewellyn stated that restricting use restricts revenue.
• Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 10
Mr. Llewellyn said that an office could be determined to be a pedestrian oriented use. People come
into town for the purpose of using those businesses He stated that he has leased 22,000 square feet
in the past 90 days of which 16,000 square feet has been for office use. Mr. Llewellyn explained that
more revenue is generated from leasing space for offices enabling property owners to maintain
upkeep on their buildings as well as receive a fair return on their investments.
Mr. Llewellyn reminded the Board and staff that recently constructed buildings in Kent have
included the Centennial Center, the Meeker Law Building and the Phoenix Plaza which have been
built for office use. He urged the Board to vote against extending the pedestrian overlay areas
Sharon Senn, 402 West Meeker Street, Kent, WA stated that she resides on East Hill and runs a
business at 402 West Meeker Street She explained that she moved her business from East Hill to
downtown Kent four and one-half years ago. Ms Senn said that she has noticed a tremendous
improvement in the appearance of downtown over the last few years She stated that the volume of
people shopping in Kent has increased due to its small town feeling and variety of unique shops.
Ms Senn stated that it is necessary to retain retail space in the downtown core to attract a repetitive
customer base Ms. Senn said that the more retail businesses that are generated,the more synergism
is created Ms Senn stated that she supports extending the pedestrian overlay into portions of the
downtown area.
• Sharon Woodford MOVED and Terry Zimmerman SECONDED a motion to close the public
hearing. Motion carved.
Mr. Dowell questioned why offices would want to locate in the downtown core area rather then in
an established office zone with other offices. Mr Hams deferred to Bruce Anderson stating he was
not an authority in this area. Mr Satterstrom responded to Mr. Dowell's question by describing the
zones throughout the city that allow for office usage
Mr. Satterstrom stated that much of this proposal clarifies a policy already in place and said that
existing policy state that retail and pedestrian service uses must be located on the first floor.
Mr. Satterstrom said that in enumerating the kind of uses that are pedestrian oriented and those that
are not, the KDP recommends in their proposal that the first floor retail extend into other areas of
the Downtown Commercial Enterprise district. Mr Satterstrom stated that in reference to the
extension along new street frontages, this is a new policy proposal.
Terry Zimmerman asked planning staff to provide her with a list of the business names, locations
and professions that exist along the proposed overlay area along Railroad Avenue for her to make
an adequate decision. Ms Zimmerman stated that she did not see the significance of including
Fourth Avenue north of Harrison and Smith Street up to Railroad Avenue as part of the downtown
commercial zone. She voiced her concern over the certified public accountant located on Railroad
Avenue who could be in danger of losing his business by converting the downtown zoning to retail
• use.
Linda Phillips stated that the accountant located on Railroad Avenue could sell or transfer his
business to another accountant as long as that business is not abandoned for longer then six months
Business operations can continue as a nonconforming use Linda Phillips stated that she would
provide a list of nonconforming businesses within the proposed overlay area at a later date
F
r
Land Use and Planning Board Minutes
October 26, 1998
Page 11
Mr. Harmon requested that this item be continued to the next workshop meeting of November 9 Mr.
Satterstrom asked the Board what additional information staff could provide in addition to the
requested information on the kinds of uses allowed in the areas where the policy is being extended
Mr. Dowell asked Mr. Satterstrom about the feasibility of scheduling a tour of the areas in question.
Mr. Satterstrom encouraged the Board to tour the area during the workshop with Planning staff
providing photographs of the area.
Ms Evezich stated that she needed to clarify procedural issues. She stated that when an issue is
under discussion during a public hearing, it is not permissible to continue discussion or deliberation
of this issue outside the public forum at a workshop. Ms Evezich reiterated that this item needs to
be continued at a public hearing Ms Evezich further stated that the Board has the right to,
• request clarification of the information they are seeking on the issue of nonconforming uses, and
whether or not a sale can be executed within a six months limitation period , and
• request the number and identity of businesses along Fourth Avenue and Harrison.
Terry Zimmerman asked Planning staff to explain why it would be advantageous to include Harrison
Street as part of the DC zone when the recommendation excludes Fourth Avenue and Smith Street.
• Mr. Hams stated that a motion has been made to continue discussion of this issue to a workshop.
He questioned Ms Evezich as to why she stated it is not permissible to continue the discussion to
a workshop. Mr Hams stated that the Council sends items of discussion back to committees to be
discussed outside of public hearings and that the Board has the right to determine where this issue
will be heard.
Steve Dowell MOVED and Terry Zimmerman SECONDED a motion to continue the hearing of
#ZCA-98-4 Retail Use in(DCE)District to the next regularly scheduled meeting of November 23
Motion Gamed.
Ron Harmon MOVED and Steve Dowell SECONDED a motion to adjourn. Motion carried. The
meeting adjourned at 9 00 p in
Respectfully Submitted,
James P Harris
Secretary
•