CCMIN020315 - Laserfiche WebLink

Vice-Mayor Brown asked which method of allocating growth management, the permit or the PUD process, staff believes will control growth better. Mr. Bocian stated that the PUD process is preferable in terms of the administrative burden as well as clarity for both the public and Council. Mr. Dolan said he felt that over a period of time the two methods are equally effective. However, the administrative burden of the permit method is extraordinary. Mr. Bocian referred back to Councilmember Pentin's earlier question regarding the financing of affordable housing projects. He recalled the Promenade mixed-income project which was actually granted growth management over multiple years. The Council at the time actually bundled the affordable units into one agreement, thereby allowing the developer to claim all of the entitlements and improvements need to obtain the tax credits to develop the project. Mr. Bocian concluded his presentation by summarizing the features of the GMO to which no change is proposed: the formula process, exemptions, the Council's flexibility to prorate or reorganize the allocation, fees, or the requirement for project and growth management approval prior to the issuance of a building permit. Mayor Thorne noted there were no speakers to address this item. The Council discussed the recommendation to allocate growth management with the PUD process. Councilmember Narum expressed her support, stating that she felt it painted a much clearer picture for the public. It would also avoid a situation where, following a period of economic improvement, a flood of permit applications come forward and create the impression that the Council has suddenly approved a massive amount of development. Mayor Thorne and Councilmember Olson concurred. Vice-Mayor Brown commented that projects can sometimes take a year or more to come forward following actual approval. In that period of time the city might find itself in the middle of a drought or facing other unexpected variables and have no avenue to control that growth. Mr. Dolan reminded her that under the right set of circumstances the Council could institute a moratorium to supersede the growth management allocation. Mr. Bocian pointed out that the current building permit oriented process would result in the same situation. MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Olson to accept the staff recommendation to tie growth management to the PUD process. Motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Narum, Olson, Pentin, Mayor Thorne NOES: None ABSENT: None The Council discussed the recommendation to grant the Zoning Administrator with the authority to issue growth management for those projects approved under the authority of the Zoning Administrator. Councilmember Pentin supported the concept, provided the Zoning Administrator was limited to an annual allocation of 10 to 15 units per year. He asked, however, that the Council have the opportunity City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8 February 3,2015