2018-02-27 Community Development and Neighborhoods Minutes

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Community Development & Neighborhoods Minutes February27, 2018 play in 2018 is equal to the past two years' average, the increase would yield approximately $40,000 in revenue. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO MARCH 5, 2018 REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA. D. Tree Code Ordinances Staff is seeking Council approval of ordinances to amend Tukwila Municipal Code Chapters 18.06 and 18.54 to implement new urban forestry Comprehensive Plan goals and policies and add definitions that address modern urban forestry and landscaping terminology. This update has been a lengthy and thorough process, beginning with a reconvening of the Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee, which drafted regulations for Planning Commission review. Community input was also sought and incorporated into the proposed ordinances. The proposals primarily impact single family zones, as commercial zones were addressed by the Landscaping Code update adopted in 2017. Currently there are no restrictions on the number of trees that can be removed from a single-family home unless sensitive areas are present, but since the Comprehensive Plan outlines goals for retainingthe City's tree canopy, these new regulations would establish more restrictions. The City would require a permit for removing a tree within a Critical Root Zone, pruning more than 20% of the existing crown of a Heritage Tree, removing a tree over 8" in diameter, or removing more than the number of trees allotted in a 36 -month period. Since the last Committee discussion, staff identified several additional changes and a new recital as described in the February 21, 2018 memo. Committee members asked clarifying questions and decided it is ready for Committee of the Whole deliberation. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO MARCH 26, 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. E. Foster High School Reader Board The City Council received public comment at the February 5, 2018 Council meeting to consider granting a variance for the Foster High School pole sign, which is non -conforming. In residential zones the height limit for signs is 5 feet and the maximum area is 30 square feet per face, and the Foster High sign is 14.5 feet tall and has a face of 36 square feet. To conform to the sign code, the School District could lower the existing sign or install the reader panel on the side of the building. The Sign Code Advisory Committee included representatives from the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the residential and business community, and disallowing pole signs was a key recommendation for the revised sign code in 2010. The Foster High sign was in a 10 -year grace period but immediate compliance was triggered when the Foster High remodel/expansion went through design review last summer. At that time, the District asked for a sign variance but put the request on hold when informed that DCD would not recommend approval on the grounds it would not meet the variance criteria in TMC 19.28.030. If the City Council were to amend the sign code the changes would need to apply to all signs in residential zones. Chair Kruller mentioned that there is a limited number of churches and schools who would take advantage of such a change. Because this was raised at public comment at a Council meeting, Chair Kruller requested that staff put together a list of policy options to be emailed to the full Council in case there is interest in pursuing anything further. DISCUSSION ONLY.