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 Staff said that they will provide the Commission with links to the laserfiche records of past City Council meetings pertaining to the Urban Center so they can retrieve and review copies of the minutes. The minutes will reflect discussions from status briefings, and joint City Council and Planning Commission worksessions. Staff also noted that the City Council has not formally reviewed any version of the draft plan. Staff also said that the Commission can access a matrix of past public comments on the website, and see how the comments were dealt with in the re- write. Commissioner McLeod offered those in attendance at the worksession the opportunity to speak and share thoughts that they would like for the Commission to hear and consider. Jamie Durkin, Landuse Consultant/Lobbyist, said that getting people to live in the core starts with a vibrant community and also a work force. He said the key for it to work is to have residents in and amongst the commercial development. He said, therefore, the manuals, particularly the proposed code needs to be favorable to developing residential development within the Urban Center. Mr. Durkin suggested that the following sections in the proposed code are reconsidered, 1) 18.28.620.B.5.a. Pedestrian Walking distance, the proximity to the Transit Station at Longacres site. He said that in the current draft there is no parking requirement within 600 ft. of the site, which is not very big; 2) 18.28.020.C. the number of units that can be built before Design Review is triggered. Mr. Durkin said up to 28 -30 units should be allowed before Design Review is triggered. He suggested encouraging developers to build 25 -30 unit condos with retail below them, and making it as easy as possible for developers to create residential facilities within the area Chuck Parrish, citizen/past Planning Commission Member shared some of his recollections on the Urban Center and the City Council and stakeholder's positions in the past. He said that some of the triggers and thresholds were perhaps a bit too strict in the past. He suggested that the triggers and thresholds may be something to take a look at during review. Commissioner Strander said that she is interested in the 600 ft. walkable distant, and said if walking and living in the Urban Center is being encouraged, it makes sense to expand some of the regulations. Staff said that the Commission could certainly choose to recommend extending the pedestrian walkable distance. Commissioner McLeod said that is valid and that it should be givens some further thought. Addition to Matrix: The decision was made to add the comment to increase the pedestrian walking distance in the matrix and bring it back to the Commission after the public hearing. Commissioner Strander also raised the issue regarding the threshold for the number of units allowed before Design Review is triggered. Discussion followed. Commissioner Shumate asked how much of a financial burden it would be for a developer to go through Design Review. Staff said that time is the main issue. Commissioner Shumate reported that he and Commissioner Hansen are on the Tukwila Strategic Plan Steering Committee and described the purpose of the plan. He said there is a survey on the City website that everyone, including City employees and individuals that do not live in Tukwila can complete, and encouraged spreading the word. Director's Report Volunteers are needed for the Tree and Environment Advisory Committee. They will meet 6 8 months to make policy recommendations. Next, the PC will review the new standards for the Tree Ordinance and Landscape Code. The PC was informed that Commissioner Frangello- Anderson has resigned from the board. Adjourned: 8:30 PM Page 3 of 4