Planning 2011-01-27 Minutes - Board of Architectural Review - Taco Time at 15037 Tukwila International Boulevard

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BAR PC Hearing Minutes January 27, 2011 Site Plan The applicant is proposing to construct the building as close to TIB as possible with no parking between TIB and the building. Access off the property can be off both TIB and Militaiy Road. The applicant is proposing a plaza area to the northeast side of the building directly along TIB, and a small outdoor dining area. The front of the building is facing north, which will provide a prominent visual focus when moving south onto the Blvd. TN 2 landscaping on the south side of the propel ty will provide a visual screen to help separate the drive thtu lane. Architectural Layout The applicant proposed building elevations. The building has three entrances, one on the north, west, and east side of the building. There will be tower elements to emulate the front door. There is currently no landscaping on the site and the applicant is proposing a site plan that complies with the City's landscaping requirements. For safety reasons the Police Department requested that some of the landscaping be scaled back so they could see without a visual barrier on TIB and the adjacent property. A black chain linked fence will nin along the north and south property line, which will be transparent. The fence vvas requested by the Police Department. The fence will be 6 feet lugh on the south side of the property but on the north side, it will drop down to 4 feet at the plaza area, and will denote ownership, wluch the Police Department considers veiN important. Parking Variance The applicant has requested to provide 28 parking stalls on the site. It is the applicant's expectation that sixth percent of the customers will be using the drive thru window. Ten stacking spaces for parking have been provided for customers using the drive thtu window. The average number of parking stalls on site at most of the applicant's existing restaurants is 18 stalls. City Staff contacted three other Cities to inquire on their parking ratio and any issues with parking at their site. It Avas determined that the City of Tukwila parking ratio is higher than the other three Cities, and there have been no problems at the other cities restaurants. Item Number 4 of Sea Tac's letter states objections to the Parking Variance, due to concerns related to Militaiv Road. Staff commented that if this project was built in the City of SeaTac it would actually exceed SeaTac's parking standards. Staff recommends approval of the Parking Variance with two conditions as listed in the 1/27/11 staff report. Signage, the applicant will be installing four wall signs. Also the applicant qualifies for one monument sign, wluch they are proposing to erect on TIB. Staff addressed questions and concerns from the Commission. Commissioner Strander asked for clarification on the Case Number. Staff clarified that the correct Case Number for the project is L 11- (_)(_)4. The Commission raised concerns on the building design. Howard Kimura, HG Kimura Architects PLLC, for the applicant, said that they are excited about the location for the project, and to be in the City of Tukwila. Mr. Kimura commended Mr. Miles on his presentation and stated that they agree vvith the conditions of the prOJect. In response to Commissioner Peterson's comments regarding the difference in the fence height, Mr. Kirmura said if staff is not opposed, he's in agreement for the fence to be 4 feet high on the north and south side of the property. The purpose of the fence is for security from the drive thru traffic. Regarding the Parking Variance, Mr. Kimura said that the parking ratio in Tuk vila is one of the highest he has seen in Washington and Oregon. He said with 28 stalls that they feel vet comfortable that the site is going to be successfid and will work, and it is their interest to make the site work. Chris Tonkin, family representative for Taco Time, complimented Mr. Miles on his presentation and said that he agreed with eveiN -thing he said. Mr. Tonkin also provided some lustoiy on Taco Time. Testimony: Sharon Mann, Representing herself and The Tuk vila International Blvd Action Committee, (TIBAC), said she would like to applaud Taco Time for investing in TIB. Ms. Mann expressed concern with the proposed presentation along TIB, for one window and canopy on the building. She said that she would like to see a more pleasing presence along the Blvd. She raised concerns regarding the p arking lot on the north side of the building, and said she is in favor of lowering the fence along the Blvd to 4 feet. Ms. Mann asked if the building would be Page 2 of 4