HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic and Community Development - 09/12/2011
ECDC Minutes
September 12, 2011
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ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
Committee Members Committee Chair Jamie Perry, Elizabeth Albertson, Deborah Ranniger.
Chair Perry called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Albertson Moved and Councilmember Ranniger Seconded a Motion
to approve the July 11, 2011 Minutes. Motion PASSED 3-0.
2. Follow-up to City Council Discussion of the Copper Ridge Plat
Deputy City Attorney Pat Fitzpatrick spoke on behalf of City Attorney Tom Brubaker stating
that Council requested that this issue be brought before the Committee. He stated that
subdivision preliminary plat expirations are governed by Kent City Code 12.04.221 and gives
the Planning Manager authority to either grant or deny extension of plats in one year
increments. The applicant is required to submit a written letter requesting an extension 30
days prior to the plat expiration date and the applicant did not meet the criteria.
Planning Director Fred Satterstrom responded to questions raised by the Committee and
stated that the Copper Ridge applicant received a lot line adjustment in 2010. Satterstrom
submitted two letters to the Committee for their review; (1) a letter dated July 22, 2011 from
Hans Korve with DMP, Inc. seeking status on the Copper Ridge approval period; and (2) a
response letter dated August 10, 2011 from Fred Satterstrom indicating that the preliminary
plat remains valid through November 5, 2011. Fitzpatrick stated that a State Senate bill
approved in February 2011 extended plat expirations to 7 years versus 5 years.
Council members voiced their desire for staff to create a more efficient tracking system for
plats that are nearing expiration and to ensure that what occurred with Copper Ridge does
not occur in the future.
Satterstrom stated that amending Kent City Code to reflect the change in the plat expiration
period from 5 to 7 years would require a code amendment and ordinance which staff will
work towards implementing.
Jack Kastien, 20609 94th Ave S, Kent, WA spoke in support of Legal’s assessment that the
Copper Ridge Plat did not use their 5-year period given to them; therefore the plat expired on
Oct 6, 2009 as DMP did not meet the requirements for extension .
Councilmember Perry stated that the Committee does not have executive authority to change
the Copper Ridge decision with Council members Albertson and Ranniger opining that staff
violated code by not following it.
3. Amendments to Regulations & Standards for Development, Title 15
Planner Katie Graves stated that these amendments do not add any substantive changes but
adds language to clarify existing code and eliminate inconsistencies. Graves defined “Special
Life Safety Feature” in response to Albertson’s inquiry.
After deliberations, Councilmember Ranniger Moved to recommend to the City
Council approval of amendments to Title 15 of Kent City Code as recommended by
the Land Use & Planning Board. Councilmember Albertson Seconded the Motion.
Motion PASSED 3-0.
4. Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens
Satterstrom stated that City Council held a public hearing July 19, 2011 declaring a 6 -month
moratorium on Medical Marijuana Gardens to allow staff time to proceed with developing
criteria and explore code and regulatory options. The Committee has been tasked with
handling the proceedings in lieu of the Land Use and Planning Board which includes a public
hearing to consider several options proposed by staff. This meeting is considered a workshop
for discussion of legal issues and regulatory options that reflects the Council’s sentiments.
ECDC Minutes
September 12, 2011
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Assistant City Attorney David Galazin spoke about adopted Senate Bill 5073 and how it
affects local jurisdictions authority to regulate and dispense medical marijuana from
collective gardens. He spoke about several options that could be considered by City Council
including declining to regulate it and allowing the Federal Government to exercise their
authority to control marijuana as it is a federally controlled substance
Graves reported on what other jurisdictions have done stating that some cities have
amended their business license codes to regulate medical marijuana. Graves directed
attention to her report and the zoning districts map that indicates where staff believes
collective gardens should be allowed.
The Committee voiced support for more restrictive zoning and possibly regulating gardens
through business licensing. They spoke in favor of adopting regulations on an interim basis in
view of the possibility that future legislative decisions including overturning or amending the
currently adopted Senate Bill could occur.
Satterstrom stated that staff will, develop several zoning options, complete SEPA review,
submit a 60-day notice to Commerce, submit a request for expedited review, and return to
the ECDC for a public hearing on October 10, 2011, then move the Committee’s
recommendation to City Council on November 1st.
For Informational Purposes Only
5. Economic Development Report
ECD Director Ben Wolters stated that staff may submit a City Center project agreement to
City Council for review at their September 20th meeting.
Wolters reported that in 2010 he and Kurt made 100 business contacts, retained 250 jobs
and recruited an additional 200 jobs. Staff projects that by the end of 2011, staff will have
made 200 business contacts. Staff has assisted Kent businesses in retaining 400 jobs (a 60%
increase) and has recruited from 200 to 350 new jobs.
Wolters stated that within the last 6-9 months staff has recruited: Asernio Sausage Company
from Seattle-representing 35 employees; Orbit Energy-representing 20 employees; and
There Again Company-representing 30 employees. Kent has retained Sysco Food Services
who is doubling the size of their facility-retaining 400 employees and initially creating 88 new
job positions with more job positions expected. Rottler Manufacturing is expanding-retaining
40 jobs and creating an additional 44 jobs.
Wolters stated that Josh Hall filled the new Economic Development position in 2010 and has
since been conducting site visits with companies, helping them connect with resources to
grow their businesses. Wolters stated that All Flight, a local aerospace company is increasing
their employment. Josh connected the company to the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship
Council. The company will be training and hiring several employees through that program.
Exotic Metals is expanding up to 800 employees and adding 35-45 new employees per
month. Staff has connected them with the Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Puget Sound
and the State Department of Commerce to identify training opportunities for their existing
employees, thereby creating more entry level jobs to help fuel the company’s growth.
Staff collaborated with the Green River Community College’s Small Business Assistance
Center to create a “BizGrow” program that to assist businesses grow to reach $1 million in
sales or greater. Staff is working to recruit six small businesses into that program. Wolters
noted that Josh is working on East Hill Revitalization, with the Kent Downtown Partnership
along with the Kent Historic Society to develop a plan for future use of the Kent train depot
building, and on development of a downtown revitalization program .
For Informational Purposes Only
Adjournment
Committee Chair Perry Adjourned the Meeting at _____ p.m.
_____________________________________________
Pamela Mottram, Secretary
Economic & Community Development Committee