Planning 2020-04-23 Minutes - Auto-Oriented and Lodging Land Uses Zoning Code Amendment

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PC Public Hearing 4/23/20 Page 4 Whit Hamlin, property owner, SRO, located east of the Rental Car Center said they have been working with DCD for a year on a potential TOD on their property. He shared what their organization has been working on in the interim. He said they are requesting modifications to the proposed zoning code language. Adul Yusef, General Manager for Eastside for Hire, said COVID-19 has changed a lot of things and he wanted to emphasize that with the restrictions of the zoning changes, businesses may not make it after COVID-19. He said this might be the right time to renew the moratorium for six more months so discussions between the community and the PC can take place. He also requested the public hearing be cancelled, he said voices are breaking up during the virtual meeting, and they are only able to comment on two of the zoning code changes as they have not heard about Options 3 and 4. Traci Granbois, property owner, said her written public comments were read by staff, but she wanted to emphasize that the public hearing was being held in the middle of a global pandemic. She questioned how much public comment would be received tonight, and whether it was fair to Tukwila citizens. She said to the best of her knowledge she has never received a proposal on any of the changes and learned of them through other property owners. She commented on the duration of the moratorium and said the CC is warranted to not renew again because it will likely cause a lawsuit. She said part of the area recommended for rezone is across the street from the rental car facility, which will always have car usage, and suggested using a scalpel rather than a hatchet. She said there can be room for growth and new development and transit -oriented development while maintaining uses that are associated with the biggest uses in that industry. Jack McCullough, McCullough Hill Leary, said that staff read the written comments that he submitted. He said SRO had concerns regarding the impacts on their property and its ability to pursue the TOD vision. He said in order to pursue the TOD they need to be able to maintain a viable economic use on the property. He said staff presented a new addendum to the staff report, which includes an Option 3 that addresses some of the issues they raised. He said that SRO endorses staff's recommendation for Option 3. Harman Bual spoke on behalf of Dr. Sidhu who is considering building a hotel in the area. She asked if there would be legislation in the future that would allow modifications to the current height restriction so business owners would be allowed to construct a hotel in the area without requiring 100 rooms, a restaurant and a 24-hour reception if approved. She asked if amended later what would be the steps taken to modify the height restrictions and requirements. Staff said the PC will be considering development standards in the future, and height restrictions will be part of the consideration at that time. Sunny Raj, property owner, said he is planning to construct a franchise hotel, and inquired on whether there are any other standards besides requiring a 100 rooms, a restaurant and a 24-hour reception that would apply to constructing a hotel in the future. Staff said development standards will be revised in the future. There were no additional public comments. Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov