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Home My WebLink AboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 09/12/2011 ECDC Minutes September 12, 2011 Page 1 of 2 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 Page 2 of 2 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 7:05 p.m. _____________________________________________ Pamela Mottram, Secretary Economic & Community Development Committee