Planning 2015-06-25 Minutes - Public Hearing - 2015 Comprehensive Plan: Housing and Residential Neighborhoods Elements

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Public Hearing Minutes June 25, 2015 Cascade View neighborhood. He said they appreciation and support the following policies, 3. 1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.6 as well as 7.3 and 7.4 for residential neighborhoods. He also said they were in agreement with the development strategies mentioned by the Bellwhether Housing representatives. Commissioner Mann asked Mr. Manning if they were to build a 35 unit development how could they assure that it wouldn't look like a project but blend into the neighborhood. Mr. Manning said they have many strategies and the utilization of fantastic designs would prevent it from looking out of place. He said they could write enforcement mechanisms in the home owner's association agreement to ensure it is integrated into the community. Amy Gore, Sustainable Community Instructor, Futurewise, said they are requesting a specific and clear affordable housing development and preservation program in the Comp Plan. She said they urge the City to include language for the following three issues in the Draft Housing Element that will better address the need: 1) Add a policy which addresses the risk of displacement of low income communities, particularly in proximity to transit; 2) Include additional tools such as density bonuses, impact fee exemptions, reduced parking, and housing trust fund under policy 3.2. They urge the City to ensure that any incentives provided by the City be tied directly and explicitly to public benefits like affordable housing, 3) Ensure that all affordable housing preserved or developed with City resources have long term affordability requirements and be offered at below market rate rents. Kayla Schott Bresler, Policy Manager, Housing Development Consortium, King County, requested that a policy is added to the Comp Plan specifically addressing the housing needs for folks making less than 30% of the area median income. She said it is critical that the redevelopment strategies are coupled with affordable housing incentives to ensure Tukwila can meet the needs of current and future residents as housing prices increase. She expressed appreciation for the preservation policy and implementation strategies in the Housing Element. She urge the City to look at both qualitative and quantitative measures of evaluating housing needs such as, adequate size housing stock for families, healthy conditions, near transit, and permanent affordability requirement. Hyojin Whitford, citizen, said she is proposing that the current lot size be reduced from 6500 sq. ft. to 6000 sq. ft. because current lot sizes are limiting. She said reducing the lot size will allow for new development and maximize the property value by having new quality and attractive housing for the residential neighborhoods. She asked that the Commission seriously consider her request. Todd Smith, citizen, expressed concern that the housing element and the way housing is being looked at is not cohesive. He asked why the City can't partnership with groups that have good development ideas. Paula Cabunoc, citizen, said that she is opposed to reducing the current lot size, and she does not want dense housing. She also said the community should be able to provide input. There were no further comments. The public hearing was closed. Page 3 of 4