HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 07/16/1996 4-
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Jim White, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
July 16, 1996
Planning Committee Members City Attorney's Office
Leona Orr, Chair Roger Lubovich
Connie Epperly (standing in for Jon Johnson) Tom Brubaker
Tim Clark, absent
Planning Staff
Jim Harris
Margaret Porter
Brian Swanberg
Other
Paul Mann(former City Council member)
COMPARISON OF KENT'S JUNK AND JUNK VEHICLE REGULATIONS WITH
FEDERAL WAY AND WASHINGTON STATE (J. Harris)
Planning Director Jim Harris explained that Federal Way had recently revised their zoning code in
order to get a better handle on junk. Mr. Harris reviewed the pertinent code sections from
Washington state, Kent and Federal Way. He states that Kent's code is more comprehensive
referring to section 8.01 as an example of Kents detail. Mr. Harris indicated that the state has the
ability to remove an "abandoned junk vehicle" after 15 days whereas Kent processes violations
through the Hearing Examiner with an unspecific timeframe.
Assistant City Attorney Tom Brubaker stated that the Kents code was in compliance with the state's
statutes at the time the code was written. However, the State has since relaxed the standard for
defining a"junk vehicle." The state also eliminated the requirement that a vehicle had to be without
a valid, current registration plate in order to be considered a "junk vehicle."
Code Enforcement Officer Brian Swanberg explained the current process for identifying and
enforcing the City's code involving "junk vehicles." Swanberg stated that Kent's code does not
include a definition for "inoperable" vehicles. He also identified a need to add additional verbiage
to Kent's code to address issues involving commercial vehicles parked in residential areas,residential
tractor trailer parked in yards, and how long an inoperable vehicle can be stored.
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Comparison of Kent's Junk and dunk Vehicle Regulations with Federal Wary and Washington State
220 4[h AVE.SO. I KENT WASHI.NGTON 98032 5895/TELEPHONE (200)859-3300/FAX 4 8.5 -3334
City Council Planning Committee Minutes
July 16, 1996
Page 2
Mr. Paul Mann(former City Council member) encouraged the Committee to consider this issue and
recommend an amendment to bring Kent's code in compliance with the state regulations, as well as,
consider the language used in the Federal Way Ordinance. Mr. Mann also voiced his concern
regarding the clarity for the penalty invoked.
Chair Leona Orr questioned whether the City had the ability to actually confiscate these vehicles if
a problem arises. Swanberg explained that there could be an issue regarding inadequate staff to
comply with a shorter resolution.
Mr. Harris questioned whether this issue should be brought before the City Council Safety
Committee. Ms. Orr indicated that she would bring this item to their attention at the next safety
meeting.
Mr. Brubaker stated that under the State law the City has the right to impose the cost of reclaiming
the vehicle or towing the vehicle and storing or destroying it against either the registered owner or
the private property land owner that the vehicle was discovered or removed from. He explained that
this is not always possible when the violator doesn't have the means to pay.
Chair Leona Orr requested that the planning staff get the appropriate departments involved in this
• issue and put together a proposal. She asked for the proposal to include recommended changes to
the code, any budgetary figures for any costs that would be incurred, and any recommendation for
additional staff to enforce the code changes.
Harris pointed out that the subject would be brought back, at least for the begining of action, on the
20th of August.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
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Comparison of Kent's Junk and Junk Vehicle Regulations with Federal Way and Washington State