Planning 2025-08-28 Item 4 - Approval of 7/24/25 Minutes

Browse Search

Planning Commission Minutes 7/24/25 Page 2 Regional Commercial (RC) and Neighborhood Commercial Center (NCC) zoning districts. At the 5/22/25 meeting it was deteiiuined this is a priority project for the City, with a final decision scheduled to be made by the City Council (CC) in early November. Mr. Gloor stated that, at the 6/24 meeting, the PC provided valuable feedback on the proposed standards and requested staff explore some proposed changes. Staff used that feedback to return to the PC with a more refined proposal. Mr. Gloor conveyed that the goal of the 7/24/25 meeting is to receive additional feedback from the PC and further refine the proposed standards to draft a final proposal for the public hearing to be held in August, at which the PC will make a recommendation that will be forwarded to the CC. Commissioner Strander stated that she felt that one element of the proposal in the Staff Infoiivation Memo, the proposed Residential Displacement (RD) program, is a policy issue that should not be in the PC's purview. Mr. Gloor responded that the topic of the Residential Displacement program would be discussed later in the meeting; Ms. Strander indicated that delaying that conversation was acceptable to her. Key Points in the 7/24/25 PC Packet Information Memo (and Other Related Proposals): • Removal of the special height and urban renewal overlays within the TIB neighborhood. • Adoption of new multi -family and mixed use building design standards. • Changes to the parking minimums and the table of allowed uses. • Adoption of a development incentive program. • Discussion regarding a tenant displacement program. • Retention of the commercial re -development area. o Mr. Gloor stated that this proposal was made too late to be reflected in the 7/24 packet. • Discussion regarding the benefits and legality of point access (i.e., single stair) blocks. o Mr. Gloor stated that Tukwila will adopt the updated State Building Code in 2026, which will likely legalize point access blocks up to six (6) stories. • Staff is recommending keeping the proposed baseline building height of 65 ft., for the areas in the RC and NCC zoning districts north of S. 148th St., to incentivize developers to participate in the development incentive program. PC members agreed unanimously. • Staff proposal no longer includes a 130 ft. building width limit. Mr. Gloor stated that the proposed multi -family and mixed -use design standards will mitigate any potential impacts of buildings greater than 130 ft. wide. PC members agreed unanimously. • Mr. Gloor responded to a question regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking asked at the 6/26/2025 meeting, stating that ADA stalls are required when parking is provided. However, where no parking is offered, ADA parking stalls are not required. Staff noted that it could mean there will be no accessible parking spaces for some buildings if the developer chooses to construct a building with no parking space, but that this does not mean that such buildings would not be accessible. • Staff investigated, at the PC request, an option for incentives for small scale retail. Mr. Gloor conveyed that an option was added to the Development Incentive Program that would allow greater heights to be achieved if developers build retail spaces that are equal to, or less than, 3,000 sf. Eligibility would be based on a credit point system, with each retail space being worth 0.25 points, and a minimum of one -point required to gain compliance with the program. • Mr. Gloor responded to comments from the 6/26/2025 meeting regarding the proposed development incentive options, including: o The Living Building Program compliance option: Mr. Gloor stated that the 2 Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov