2017-11-27 Community Development and Neighborhoods Minutes

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Community Development & Neighborhoods Minutes November27, 2017 Bellwether's goals for Tukwila, and directed staff to negotiate a development agreement with Bellwether on a different site in the Tukwila International Boulevard neighborhood. Bellwether has the option to purchase a new site and their acquisition funding is dependent on this DA. They would also like to take advantage of King County funding intended for affordable housing projects in transit oriented areas. Variations from the existing zoning in the draft DA include the areas of height, parking, recreational space, unit density, front yard setback, side setback, maximum length, and development area. Staff sent postcards to property owners within 500 feet of the site to invite them to a December 11 public hearing and open house for more information about the project. In addition, per council suggestion, staff spoke with the Tukwila School District and Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee (TIBAC) about the proposed development agreement. Staff recommends approval of the conditions of the DA due to the public benefit, and because once the TIB zoning is updated as an outcome of the Comp Plan it will have similarities to this proposed project. Councilmember Hougardy asked for clarification of height and what is proposed on the first floor. Bellwether staff clarified that the first floor would be a mixture of parking, two live/work units and a lobby. The height would be six stories. Councilmember Hougardy asked for additional information on the right -sized parking studies and the data behind them. In addition, she requested that Bellwether bring their experience with parking at other locations to the Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmember Seal reminded the group that previous studies have provided insight as to the parking standards in the City as it relates to high density housing and transit access. Staff agreed to provide additional information. Councilmember Kruller asked about the neighborhood park discussed in the packet. Staff clarified that this is from the PROS plan and is a parklet, though no projects are included in the CIP and that the Bellwether development will include play spaces for kids, as well as other amenity spaces. Councilmember Hougardy asked why the development includes less recreation space than is currently required and this needs to be addressed at the Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmember Hougardy asked why there is no maximum for unit density. Staff reminded the committee that the current standards were developed in the 1970s and adopted in the 1980s and are more suburban. However, the comprehensive plan lays out more dense, transit oriented goals and the City is behind in updating its standards. Councilmember Hougardy clarified that she is asking for the data behind the decision to deviate from the standards. Councilmembers Seal and Kruller agreed that our code has not caught up with our current goals. Councilmember Hougardy asked for clarification on the mayor being able to make amendments and staff indicated that the mayor was only able to make minor amendments that don't change the scale of the project. The Committee asked why staff and the developer were asking that this item is moving so quickly. Bellwether indicated that they are under a tight timeline due to options expiring as well as funding sources being contingent on the development agreement being approved prior to December 21. Councilmember Kruller indicated that the Council needed to determine whether there are any deal breakers in the agreement. Councilmember Hougardy indicated that she would be reaching out to Bellwether for more information and will share any insights with the committee. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO DECEMBER 11, 2017 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.