Planning 2012-10-25 COMPLETE AGENDA PACKET

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TUKWILA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Southcenter, Tukwila's Urban Center 3) Supporting existing businesses and attracting new; and, 4) Creating opportunities for residential development in appropriate areas. It was proposed that an initial catalyst of public investment in key areas would be needed to leverage this vision of enhanced and diversified economic vitality. The policies set forth in this Comprehensive Plan element support and extend the qualities of the existing center that have been responsible for its economic success in the past, and expand on these characteristics. Land use polices focus on flexibility in and diversity of uses. Urban design policies provide a vision for the community, to be achieved through public and private sector initiative and cooperation. Transportation and circulation policies emphasize accessibility as a key factor, as well as choice in transportation modes and routes. These policies will reinforce future competitiveness and will create an urban center that gives identity to the City for the surrounding neighborhoods and for the region. ISSUES The area comprising Southcenter currently provides regional comparison shopping, major discount shopping, major facilities for incubator businesses, entertainment, and a full range of professional services. It encompasses more intensely developed areas such as Westfield Southcenter Mall and Andover Industrial Park, transportation facilities such as the Sounder commuter rail /Amtrak station, and natural features and amenities such as Tukwila Pond, Minkler Pond, and the Green River. Retail uses dominate Southcenter; Westfield Southcenter Mall, in the northwest corner of the center, is the largest regional shopping mall in the Seattle area. Warehouse uses are more prominent in the area to the south. A goal of growth management is to integrate housing and job growth in order to reduce the need for long commutes, and to keep living and working communities easily accessible to each other. Southcenter is considered a significant employment center within the Puget Sound region, providing jobs to residents and nearby communities. However, considerable residential development is needed in the urban center to meet the City's housing targets. Consequently, the vision for Southcenter responds by expanding opportunities for housing, accommodating the majority of the City's projected housing needs, and addressing the types of amenities and infrastructure needed to attract quality housing. The vision for Southcenter takes into account the King County Countywide Planning Policies criteria for urban centers and has been formulated by recognizing that "the intent of the Countywide Planning Policies is to encourage the growth of each urban center as a unique, vibrant community that is an attractive place to live and work, will support efficient public services including transit, and responds to local needs and markets for jobs and housing" (King County Ordinance No. 11446, Section D2, lines 25 -28). The goals and policies of this element recognize that Southcenter's path for higher- density growth will take place during and beyond the 20 -year horizon of the Countywide Policies. While urban centers play an integral role in the regional vision, the Countywide Policies clearly delineate that 2 W. long Range ProjectslSouthcenter PlanlPlan 20111FINAL PC RECOMMENDED DOCS Oct 20121FINAL Ch10 -TUC PCVersion CLEAN 10.16.12.docx Rl