City Council Approves Code Changes and Agreements for Auburn Gateway Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2011

Contacts:

Kevin Snyder, AICP, Planning Director, City of Auburn
253-931-3090
Email Kevin Snyder

John Manavian, A.I.A, Executive Vice-President, Robertson Properties Group
310-855-8484
Email John Manavian

AUBURN, Wash. – November 30, 2011 – Capping several years of negotiations and study, the Auburn City Council, on Nov. 21, approved changes in City code and adopted a long-term agreement with Auburn Properties, Inc. for the future development of 70 acres known as Auburn Gateway located east of the intersection of Auburn Way North and 277th St. NE.

Auburn Gateway, current home to the Valley 6 Drive-In Theater, is planned for 700,000 to over 1 million square feet of retail or office uses and potentially up to 500 multifamily dwelling units. Auburn Properties, Inc. is affiliated with Robertson Properties Group, the owner of the Valley 6 Drive-In that has worked in other communities to convert its drive-in properties into more commercially productive uses as the drive-in theater industry has declined.

“We have appreciated the opportunity to work with the City of Auburn throughout the planning process to insure a zone change that focused on an integrated mixed use commercial and residential development,” said John Manavian, Executive Vice President, Real Estate, Design & Development for Robertson Properties Group. “We are extremely pleased in the City Council’s support of our vision for a sustainable, smart-growth, master-plan. We look forward to bringing a unique mixed-use community to Auburn.”

The City worked with Auburn Properties, Inc. on policy changes and agreements to provide flexibility to allow it to proactively respond to changes in the economy over the planned 15-year development period. The City Council approved a planned action ordinance will help expedite the review process for future development by relying upon a previous environmental impact study effort. The Council also approved a development agreement that provides Auburn Properties, Inc. with certainty over a 15-year period for certain development regulations.

In addition, the approved agreement insures that the City will receive a higher quality development through the requirement to comply with specific building architectural and site design standards. Finally, the approval of the development agreement formalizes a change in zoning for the site passed by the City Council several years ago that was conditioned upon obtaining an approved agreement.

“The City Council’s approval of the code changes and the development agreement is a major economic development milestone,” says Mayor Pete Lewis. “Through the hard work of the City Council, City staff and representatives from Auburn Properties, Inc., we will see new businesses and services rise on the site of the Valley 6 Drive-In over the next several years.”

ABOUT ROBERTSON PROPERTIES GROUP
Robertson Properties Group is a privately owned real estate firm specializing in the development and redevelopment of retail and mixed-use properties. The firm’s history in Washington dates back to the 1940’s when its parent company operated theater and drive-in facilities throughout the Northwest. Now based in Los Angeles, Robertson Properties Group owns and manages approximately 5 million square feet of developed commercial projects and has an additional 10 million square feet of developable land holdings. Retail Traffic Magazine has recognized Robertson Properties Group as one of the nation’s top 55 Owners and Managers of Real Estate.

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City of Auburn
25 West Main Street
Auburn, WA 98001
253-931-3000
www.auburnwa.gov

CONTACT

Auburn City Hall
25 W Main Street
Auburn WA 98001-4998
Phone: 253-931-3000

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