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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2004-07-26 Item 3B - Ordinance - Limit Parking on Single Family Residential Property COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS .................................. Initials ................................. ITEM No. Meeting DaieS. l O.04 Pre~ared bYkasMay/,o~,f, eview~ ~ ..~ L'~aC°u~cil review~7/ , ITEM INFORMATION CAS NUMBER: 04-66 I ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 05-10-04 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Proposed adoption of an Ordinance addressing parking and storage of vehicles on single family residential property. ;ATEGORY [] Discussion [] Motion!][--] Resolution][] Ordinance [] Bid Award I[~ Public [] Other SPONSOR [] Council [] Mayor [~AdmSvcs [~DCD []Finance []Fire [-~Legal []P&R []Police [~PW SPONSOR'S The proposed new Ordinance will limit parking on single family residential property tc SUMM~a~Y an approved durable, uniform surface; address parking of recreational vehicles, and specify the size of the parking surface. REVIEWED BY [] COW Mtg. [] CA&P Cmte [] F&S Cmte [] Transportation Cmte [] Utilities Crate [] Arts Comm. [] Parks Comm. [] Planning Comm. DATE: COW 5110/04; CA&P 4113/04 & 7113/04 RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. (7/26/04) Review proposed ordinance & forward to 8/2/04 Reg. Mtg COMMITTEE Same as sponsor ]COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE] EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED Sn/a Sn/a Sn/a Fund Source: n/a Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 5/10104 COW - Remanded to CA&P for further discussion MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 5-10-04 Memo from Jack Pace dated 5/5/04 with attachments Proposed draft ordinance from 5/5/04 COW meeting CA&P minutes from 4-13-04 7-26-04 Memo from S. Lancaster dated 7/20/04 with attachments A-E Revised draft ordinance TO: Tukwila City Council Comnfittee of the Whole ~L~'~ FROM: Steve Lancaster, Director Department of Community Development DATE: July 20, 2004 SUBJECT: Vehicle Storage Regulations Background: April 13, 2004 CAP original review, in combination with Junk Vehicle Ordinance Referred without recommendation to COW. May 10, 2004 COW reviewed Parking Ordinance. Referred back to CAP for fuither review. July 13, 2004 CAP reviewed Parking Ordinance (Minutes - Attachment D) Referred to COW with recommendation for approval. During discussions at the CAP meeting held on June 29, 2004, the committee members had an opportunity to discuss SeaTac's parking ordinance with members of SeaTac's staff present for another issue. (Attachraent B). They stated that SeaTac's ordinance was developed with the help of a citizen group, which had worked with city staff to define what percentage of a yard or front property should be used for parking. They reported no real public outcry from citizens over the more strict regulations and that they had given about 6 months "education" time before enforcement actions began. The City of SeaTac is proactive in their code enforcement department relating to junk vehicles and parking. Tulcwila's Code Enforcement receives many inquiries and complaints regarding vehicles on private property. These inquiries are not limited to junk vehicle complaints, but may include questions about the number of cars allowed in residential areas and where those vehicles may be stored. . · Current Tukwila regulations do not limit the number of vehicles parked on private residential property. · Current Tukwila regulations do not specify the location of the parking on private residential property. · Adjacent jurisdictions place various limits on the number of vehicles permitted and/or the location of parldng in residential areas. These are outlined in the attached table as Attachment A. Proposed New Parkinu Regulation: 1. Applies only to property devoted to single family residential usc. 2. Limits parking on private property to an "approved durable uniform surface" as determined by Tukwila's Public Works Department. These would include paved driveways, grasscrete, or gravel surfaces or the like. 3. Limits parking in the f~ont or side-yard setbacks to driveways which provide access to an approved parking location (garage, carport, or parking pad). This essentially prohibits parking on the front lawn. 4. Specifies that RVs, boats, and other recreational vehicles must be parked on the driveway if in the front yard. RVs, may be parked in the side or rear yard setbacks provided that the area is served by an approved driveway, and the parking of such vehicles does not prevent access by emergency responders to all sides of the structure. 5. Specifies a maximum size of the parking surface to be 1200 square feet OR 10% of the property's total surface area, whichever is greater. 6. Specifies that no more than 50% of the front yard or 800 square feet, whichever is smaller can be "approved durable uniform surface". Conclusion 1. Vehicle-related complaints comprise 25% of all complaints received by Code Enforcement. Out of 100 vehicle-related complaints, 25 or so concern "too many cars", "car repair business", and other such items that cannot be addressed with our current codes. See Attachment C-1 and C~2 (photos). 2. Esthetically, implementing reasonable limits on the location and/or number of vehicles parking on residential property will improve the appearance of our neighborhoods. (Attachment C-l, photos 1-3). 3. Improved appearance can lead to improved property values, more community pride and greater stability of our residential areas. 4. Recommended implementation date of six months after adoption to provide an adequate period for communication and education. 5. Tukwila's proposal is based on SeaTac's ordinance adopted last year. 6. Some of the smaller lots, particularly in Allentown or Duwamish neighborhoods may not be able to meet the requirement for no more than 50% of the front yard be improved. (See Attachment C-3, Photo 8). Tukwila may want to consider a special provision for these smaller lots. CA&P members were divided on this issue. 7. There is a provision in the proposed code to "grandfather" lots that currently have exceeded the size of the improved surface, but not permit any further expansion. · 8. Alternatively, Tukwila may want to consider limiting the total number of vehicles parked outside a garage or carport, as do City of Ranton and King County. Options · Recommend no change. · Recommend adoption of the proposed ordinance. · Modify the ordinance. Next Step · COW forward their recommendation to either the August 2, 2004 or August 16, 2004 Regular Council Meeting for discussion and adoption. Attachments: A: Neighboring Jurisdictions comparison B: CAP Minutes from June 29, 2004. C: Photos D: CAP Minutes from July 13, 2004 E: Drawing of sample lot Attachment A Community and Parks Committee June 29, 2004 Present: Pam Linder, Chair; Joe Duffle, Dave Fenton Kathy Stetson, Erie Boykan, Jack Pace, Steve Lancaster, Lynn Miranda, Lucy Lauterbaeh; Tom Gut and Don Monahan Sea Tac Public Works 1. Interlock/! re CDBG and Home Investment Programs The City receives CDBG and HOME housing investment program funds through King County, which uses a Joint Recommendations Committee (JRC) to advise the County on allocations. The JRC'duties and composition are spelled out in the interlocal the cities and county sign for the distribution of funds. Representation on the JRC is being changed to allow more suburban representation. Taking one County representative off and adding 2 members each from south and north/east suburban King County is the change being addressed. The Cbmmittee supported the amendment to the interlocaL Recommend iqterlocal amendment to Council. 2. Dollar Rent-A-Car Signs Dollar Rent-A-Car is located on S. 160th/TIB at the boundary 0fSea Tae and Tukwila. Sea Tac is now improving TIB at this location, and in the construction process one of Dollar's signs was damaged beyond repair. Tukwila's sign code requires nonconforming signs (which these are) to be made conforming when the sign is relocated or modified. Two options were presented: either change the boundary to give the business to Sea Tac, which would allow two signs; or pass a waiver to allow the busines.~ to have two signs placed just outside the right of way. The Sca Tac staff· members were relieved they did not have to condemn the signs, which could have cost the city up to $1 m. Recommend resolution to' COW 'and Regular Meeting: 2a. 'Junk Cars & Property MaintenanceThe Committee members asked Don and Tom about their code enforcement of the Sea Tac junk car and property raaintenanee ordinances. The ordinances for junk cars are strictly enforced in the fi'ont and side yards visible from the street. A citizen group had worked with city officials to define how much (what percentage) of a yard or front prgperty could be used for parking vehicles. Another law they passed did not ailow the freestanding tents (a tent roof on four 7' poles) in front yards unless it has no walls. Both said it was going very well, with no public outcry from citizens over the more strict regulations. When asked if they'd given residents a year to get used to the new codes before they were strictly enforced, Tom said he didn't think it was that long, though he thought it could have been six months. They said they advertised their new standards for about six months in their city newsletter. Information. 3. Ordinance Renewing TOD Moratorium The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area offof Interurban has had a moratorium since 2002, when the City decided to have an integrated plan for this area. The planning has proceeded with public input through several stages, but is not quite done yet. The Council did approve an amendment to the original moratorium ordinance, adding uses allowed there. An applicant has asked for a broadening of those uses, but the staffand Committee members agreed that was not appropriate now. The Committee chose to~ renew the moratorium for six months, hoping work will be done by then to be able to remove it. Recommend resolution extending moratorium to COW and Regular Meeting. 4. Charles River Contract Dan Brand of Charles River has helped the City in its negotiations with Sound Transit over parking issues. Issues have changed since his work first started, and his expertise is still needed to respond to Sound Transit's proposals. This can be done through a contract extension, ATTACHMENT B adding $30,000 to the current contract. The Committee SUl~ported this proposition. Recommend contract extension to COW and Regular Meeting. 5. International Property Maintenance Code The Committee had considered this Code in April, and it went to the Council, where many questions about its implementation and effect were asked. Further consideration was recommended, and the Committee again reviewed the Code and the impacts it would have on Tukwila citizens. Staff had prepared a memo asking and answering some of the questions that had come.up previously. They went over some of the thorny issues previously discussed. The new code will work with the new International Building Code as well as other new Fire, Mechanical, and Residential Codes. It covers topics not covered in the. 1997 Housing Code, though some subjects that have raised concem are already in the Housing Code. It can be used to clean up rental houses, as well as buildings that are not houses The new code could address these issues in apartments as well as in houses. CDBG funds are available for people to address some home improvements needed for health and safety. The Committee discussed the item about no. major car repairs in carports. After discussion about the need to have a place to work on cars, as well as the aesthetics and potential hazard major car repair could entail, the Committee decided that a person working on one car even for major work would probably not be cited (unless neighbors reported the car work as a problem). It is the continuous working on several cars of friends and families, often with multiple cars on the property at once, that is the target of' the' new Code. One of the things Sea Tac did was limit parking at single family homes as a way to address a very · ..... large number of people living in one house. Pam L had estimated that her large house could legally hold 14 people, with potentially 14 cars. It is the cars that cause the neighborhood problems. Sea Tac addressed this by limiting the number of cars a house can park. It is one way to address the issue of overcrowding in homes. Kathy will devise charts of both small and large homes and how many people can legally reside in them. Dave asked about the pool and spa provisions. He has to meet stringent King County Public Health codes, and he is meticulous about keeping his pool in compliance year round. The Ben Carol pool, on the other hand, is a public danger as the muck tums the water thick green and nothing under the surface can be seen all winter. The new code would allow this to be addressed. Dave wanted to be sure the provisions in the ~MC did not conflict with the Public Health roles. The Committee members felt that though everyone might not like all the provisions in it, the new IMPC was worth passing intact. As Steve L said, it is a matter of policy for the Council to decide how they want the City to look. Joe thought that since several cities around us had passed the Code, Tukwila should keep up with them. Recommend International Property Maintenance Code to Council. Committee chair approval- Attachment C-1 Attachment C-2 Attachment C-3 Community and Parks Committee July 13. 2004 Present: Pam Linder, Chair; Joe Duffle, Dave Fenton Kathy Stetson, Steve Lancaster, Bruce Fletcher, Lucy Lauterbach; Grant Richardson-Boundless Choice Proposed Ordinance re Parking on Private Property One of the issues the Committee had discussed at their last meeting was how Sea Tac regulated the number of cars at a house as a way to regulate how many adults with cars live in one house. Kathy presented a memo with pictures and a draft ordinance regulating cars on private property. Kathy had listed the main controversial provisions of the ordinance, and the Committee went though those first. The first item prohibited car parking on front lawns; vehicles can park in the front yard only on a graveled, paved, or other durable surface pad. Para L clarified that people can park in a driveway even if it doesn't lead to a garage or carport. She also wanted the memo to clarify that a driveway could go to an approved parking surface rather than to a garage. No more than 50% of a front yard can be paved, although there is a grandfather clause for pavement already put in. One issue the Committee tackled was how to address the new houses on small lots that do pave the entire small front yard in order for the home to have parking for more than one car. Our current code allows this. Joe thought that was ok for future small houses, too, though Pam thought they might find some room for something green there, too. One option is to have a narrower paved driveway and park two cars with one if front of the other. Kathy will get pictures of the new homes to give an idea how a paved front yard looks. Dave and Joe wanted to adopt the same regulations Sea Tac did. Para pointed out Tukwila sits among surrounding cities and the County that do regulate parking. Pam suggested and Joe and Dave agreed the City did not want to limit the number of cars someone has, as long as they can park them on a durable surface legally. Most other cities and the County regulate parking either by requiring an impervious surface in some manner or by limiting the number of cars that can be parked per dwelling unit. The Committee agreed they should advertise the new rules for 6 months before enforcement. Pam asked that the actual number of complaints about cars compared to total code complaints be included. The Committee realized the new provisions could be controversial with some people, but said it was a matter of how they want the community to look. Steve L said driving Tukwila one could see many houses that had too many cars and trash placed haphazardly around, making the community more unattractive than it could be if it were cleaned up. In the pictures of houses with multiple cars in the front yards was also trash that the cars somewhat hid. The Committee supported working to improve the appearance of the City by putting cars on pavement or other approved surface. Recommend ordinance to COW. 2. Inclusive Recreation Bruce introduced Grant Richardson, who was a physically active youngster until a motorcycle accident broke his back and he lost the use of his legs. He later lost the use of an arm as well. When he moved to the Seattle area in 1980, he began to work on the Attachment D. Community and Parks July 13, 2004 Page 2 issue of making recreation programs accessible to all. The physical act of making buildings accessible he said, is sometimes easier than the work of integrating people with any kind of disability into most of the rec programs. Grant said inclusiveness means being able to play with others and to have equal access and choices. Everyone in the community participating does enrich the community, he said. He gave an example of a parent with an autistic child walking into the Community Center and asking what programs her child could join in on. It takes time to both train staff'and find ways to include disabled into most of the activities done at the Center. Grant said the services that work for specific disabilities can be very helpful to finding ways to include disabled people in activities and programs. The goal of inclusive recreation, he said, is for it to be invisible. Just as all Metro buses can pick up wheelchairs, all programs would ideally be able to incorporate the disabled into their play, whether it be dancing or exercises or a field day. Funding is available for adopting such programs. With a small city like Tukwila, it may make ~ense to join with other nearby small cities so together we Can offer a broader range than any one city could. Grant said Brace was the most responsive and enthusiastic Parks Director he'd spoken to. The Committee thanked Grant for educating them on this issue. Information. ~'~/Committee chair approval 72' " Front Yard ATTACHMENT E :. .~ AN ORDINANCE OF THE crrY COUNCIL OF THE crrY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR VEHICLE PARKING AND STORAGE ON PROPERTY DEVOTED TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL USE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; A_ND ; ~ ESTABLISH]NO AN EFFEi;rlVE DATE. .. :.,,: WHEREAS, parking or storage of vehicles on lawus or other inappropriate areas of property devoted to single-family resideittial use can diminish the value and desirability of neighboring properties and dimims'hes the aesthetic qualities of Tukwila's neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, appropriate parking areas for recreational vehicles would ensure ~' '" accessibility to all sides of a structure /or emergency responders' equipment and vehicles; NOW, TH~/tEFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS; ' '~ ' Section 1. Regulations Adopted. Regulations for vehicle parking and storage on proper~y devoted to single-family residential use are hereby adopted, to read as follows: ;.-~ CHAPTER 8~5 . ;:<;:~;.,. VEHICLE STORAGE AND PARKING - "' :~'~ ON SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 8.25.010 Definitions ' '., 8.25.020 Parking Limitations -': 8.25.010 Ddinitions. #Approved Durable Uniform Surface" is a durable uui[orm surface approved for the storage of vehicles by the City of Tukwila's I%blic Works Department. 8.25.020 parking Limitations. : A. The requirements of this ordinance apply te the storage end parking of vehicles .;,. on properties devoted to single-family residential use. ' '; B. Motor vehides on property devoted to single-family residential use shall be · *' parked on an approved durable uniform surface. Motor vehicles, other than those ":'~: ~' specified in TMC 8.25.020 B, shall not be p~ked in setbacks except in front yard or side ' ";~' street setbacks when in a driveway that provides access to an approved parking . ~'.;~'~;;~ location and is in conformance with TMC Title 18, as that title currently exists or as it ' " .' may be subsequently amended, . C, Recreational vehicles, boats or trailers shall be parked, kept or stored on an ~ pproved durable uniform surface end shall not be parked, kept or stored in required front yard setbacks, except for a driveway. Recreational vehicle parking in the side or rear yard setbacks is allowed, provided no recreational vehicle is parked so as to prevent access by emergency responders to access all sides of a structure. D. Approved durable uniform surfaces outside of structures on-site may cover a maximum of 1,200 square feet or 10% of the lot surface, whichever is greater. E. No more than 50% of the front yard or 800 square feet, whichever is smaller, can be approved durable uniform surface. An approved durable uniform surface exceeding this requirement on the effective date of this ordinance may be maintained, but shall not be expanded. Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to be invalid o2 unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or tmconstitutionalitv shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this or--ce or its application to any other person or situatior, Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five days after passage and publication as provided by law. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUICvVILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2004. A'r l'~b-T/AUTHENTICATED: Steven M. Mullet, Mayor Jane E. Cantu, CIVIC, City Clerk Filed with the City Clerk: APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Passed by the City Council: Published: Effective Date' Office of the City Attorney Ordinance Number: