Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Land Use and Planning Board - 10/26/1987 S P • KENT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 26, 1987 The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Byrne at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 1987, in Kent City Hall , City Council Chambers. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: James Byrne, Chairman Robert Badger, Vice Chairman Anne Biteman Russell E. Dunham Greg Greenstreet Linda Martinez Nancy Rudy Carol Stoner Raymond Ward PLANNING STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: James P. Harris, Planning Director Dan Stroh, Assistant Planner • Lois Ricketts, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioner Stoner MOVED that the MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 Planning Commission minutes for September 28, 1987, be approved as pre- sented. Commissioner Biteman SECONDED the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Harris stated that there would be a task force meeting after the public hear- ing is closed. Regulatory Review #87-3 Dan Stroh presented the request submitted Limited Commercial in by Bill and Sharon Goodwin to expand Professional and Office District the principal uses permitted outright in the Professional and Office District to include a number of limited commercial or retail uses. Kent Zoning Code Section 15.04. 150, 0, Professional and Office District, lists currently permitted uses. This district is intended to be a buffer for single family and multifamily residential areas. The applicant proposes expansion of principal uses permitted in the 0 District to include low-intensity or limited commercial uses mixed with office uses such as the following: barber shop or beauty salon; professional pharmacy; candy, sandwich and/or deli shop; dress and/or clothing store; tanning salon; picture framing store. The applicant feels • that limited commercial uses would provide an excellent transition between commer- cial centers and adjacent residential districts. Kent Planning Commission Minutes October 26, 1987 The Planning Department offers three options for Planning Commission review: 1 ) no action, 2) major expansion of principal uses, 3) minor modification of principal and conditional uses. The Planning Department does not recommend a major expansion of uses in the Pro- fessional and Office District but recommends adoption of Option 3 which is a "fine tuning" of the existing code. This option involves the following minor additions to the principal and conditional uses permitted in this zone: 1 . Designation of business and professional services as a principal use. Examples are duplicating and photographic services. 2. Designation of personal services as a conditional use subject to being part of a planned development at least 50% occupied by office uses. Examples are a beauty salon or barber shop. Mr. Harris pointed out that any regulatory review change would apply to all of the office-zoned area in the city. Robert E. West, Jr. 960 East Main, Auburn, Washington 98002, agreed with the Planning Department's recommendation of Option 3; however, he suggested that • some performance standards be adopted which would include criteria to determine the type of business which could be included without listing each, so that the code could be more flexible. He considered the conditional use process to be rigorous, expensive and time consuming. Many new types of businesses that are coming into the area are not addressed in the present zoning code, such as com- puter software and video stores. He felt these would not generate much traffic and the office tenants and residents in the area would benefit. Mr. West felt that it was inappropriate to go through the conditional use process for a beauty salon or barber shop. He also suggested the adoption of a standard which would allow 15-25% low-intensity retail or commercial use to be permitted outright without the conditional use process. Mr. Stroh responded that the use of performance standards would be a different approach to the zoning code than has been used in the City of Kent. If the approach were changed for this zone, it should be changed for all the zones in the city. This zoning district is intended for business and professional ser- vices. Personal services could attract additional outside traffic and could result in a very different use in the area. The conditional use process would be appropriate in these instances, he felt. If retail uses were allowed, it would be appropriate to add some personal services. Both would have some impacts that could be mitigated through the conditional use process. If computers and software provided a service to the area, it could be permitted outright. The uses allowed should involve the kinds of activities needed to support the busi- nesses on the site. Stenographic and duplicating services, and perhaps advertis- ing, may be appropriate in some instances. -2- i . Kent Planning Commission Minutes October 26, 1987 The performance standard approach would not be used except to address the special environmental problems of noise, vibration, dust, etc. Discussion followed regarding the definition of personal and professional services. Mr. Stroh explained that professional services usually involve an appointment rather than an impulse or drop-in call . The image of the beauty salon and barber shop has changed with the times, and now they seem to be closer to a professional service than in the past. Rehabilitation is currently considered a medical refer- ral and would be allowed in this zone. Commissioner Stoner MOVED that the public hearing be closed. Commissioner Biteman SECONDED the motion. Motion carried. Commissioner Badger MOVED that this issue be tabled until January 1988. Commis- sioner Stoner MOVED to adopt Option #3 with staff preparing a list of uses to present to the Commission at the November meeting. Commissioner Badger SECONDED the motion. Discussion followed regarding the need for a philosophical statement to clarify business/professional services and personal services and principal or conditional uses. Commissioners Badger and Stoner withdrew their motions. Commissioner Stoner MOVED that the Planning staff be directed to give to the • Planning Commission at the November meeting a list of uses that fit into Option #3. Commissioner Rudy SECONDED the motion. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Martinez MOVED to close the public hearing. Commissioner Ward SECONDED the motion. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jame P. Harr s, ecretary • -3-