Planning 2019-08-22 Item 3 - Adoption of 6/27/19 Minutes

Browse Search

Page 2 Public Meeting Minutes June 27, 2019 o There was a noise study provided as part of the application, which looked at the consistent noise throughout the day. o The applicant assured the neighbor that the sirens will not be employed until the fire trucks hit 65th Avenue South. RECOMMENDATIONS: • Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit with no conditions. • Staff recommends approval of the Design Review application with two conditions, and two informational items that will need to be addressed prior to issuance of the development permit, as listed in the staff report dated June 14, 2019. Emma Nowinski, Project Manager, Weinstein A+U, for the applicant gave the presentation. She said the City commissioned a professional response time study that determined once Fire Station 51 moved southward to its new location on Southcenter Parkway that Fire Station 52 also needed to move south in order to continue to provide good service both north and south of I-405. She said of the potential sites one of the reasons the current site was chosen was because it was the only one that exited directly onto 65th, which is relatively quiet opposed to the very busy Southcenter Blvd. She pointed out several qualities of the site and provided a detailed overview of the building design, access, parking, etc. She noted the update change to concrete for the perimeter retaining wall. There was extensive discussion regarding safety issues at 65th and Southcenter Boulevard. Following are some of the issues raised: Commissioner Simmons expressed concern with the amount of foot traffic up 65th street with a wall obscuring the visibility from exiting fire trucks, and not having a lot of time to get out of the way. She suggested notification for foot traffic. Commissioner Strander asked if caution signage would be erected, and if pedestrians would be alerted of exiting fire trucks. She also asked if there will be a traffic indicator at the stop sign at 65th Avenue South and Southcenter Boulevard to quickly stop traffic for fire trucks. The applicant said not at this time. Jason Konieczka, Tukwila Fire Fighter, said 65th did not meet the traffic study criteria for a traffic light. He said maybe another study could be completed. Hari Ponnekanti, City Engineer, Public Works, explained there was a traffic study conducted as part of the project. He said as it stands currently without Fire Station 52 the existing conditions do warrant a signal at 65th Avenue South, adding the fire station is not trigging the need for a signal. However, the City will monitor 65th Avenue South and Southcenter Boulevard, take traffic counts, and closely observe these figures to determine if further action is necessary for safety. At the driveway at 65th there will be a fire signal that will be activated when fire trucks are exiting.