Planning 2012-06-28 Minutes - Work Session - Book 2 of Draft Southcenter Plan / Southcenter Design Manual

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PC Worksession Minutes June 28, 2012 Revision: Blank Wall Commissioner McLeod suggested revising the language "foursides of the building" to "not limited specifically to four sided buildings Recommendation: Weather Protection Commissioner McLeod recommended emphasizing the shopping experience. Revision: Weather Protection Commissioner Shumate asked if translucent awnings could be permitted if quality material that is less translucent is used. Staff said they would revise the language to clarify the allowance of quality material. Commissioner Hansen inquired about the public hearing notification process, saying that the notice is critical, because there is a lot of information to digest. Staff stated that a notice was published in the newspaper, which stated that the public hearing will be held one week prior to the normally scheduled meeting. The notice informed the public that there will be an informational open house on the Southcenter plan materials on July 17 A public notice was also mailed to property owners and residents in the Urban Center. In addition to the mailing, there have been email updates to a database of "interested parties and there is a website where the drafts can be reviewed. Following some discussion staff said, they will look into having the notice placed on channel 21. Commissioner Hansen also inquired whether there was an intersection between the Strategic Plan and the Southcenter Plan. He suggested making sure the ideas are being intersected because some of the same things are being discussed in both plans. He also said that he is in agreement with Commissioner McLeod's recommendation requesting to revise the language, "four sides of the building Commissioner Shumate said that the plan is good, and will help developers, but expressed concern with the possibility of it looking monotonous and stifling innovation if the plan is followed to the letter. Commissioner McLeod said that he is concerned with the district name, "Work Place District," He said the name does not designate where it is located in the Urban Center, and suggested staff considers changing the name. Commissioner McLeod asked if on -line shopping will change anything. He also said there needs to be more destinations. He said the map on page seven shows a road right next to the pond, which he thinks in order to make a destination in the area that Tukwila Pond Park needs expanding. He suggested making the pond a place where people will want to hang out and also suggested using the pond to entice people to come into the Urban Center. He said that the pond could be one of the crowning jewels to the Urban Center, and that it should be part of the vision. He also said that the Commission needs to be provided with some history of past City Council decisions on the Urban Center, which will help the Planning Commission to make decisions and recommendations. He asked if there is a way to better understand the history or decisions that have been made, or the tone that has been set regarding the Urban Center and the vision. He also asked how the PC ties into some of the work that has already occurred; in order to be more harmonious with what's currently happening with the plan. Commissioner Strander said that she agrees with Commissioner McLeod's comments, and that it would be very helpful to receive background of intent, where the plan is now, and the history of the plan. She said that she would be very open to receiving background documents. Page 2 of 4