HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2026-05-28 Item 4 - Approval of 4/23/26 MinutesCity of Tukwila
Department of Community Development - Nora Gierloff, AICP, Director
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Hybrid Meeting - via Microsoft Teams / Public, In -Person Attendance, and
Council Chambers, 6200 Southcenter Blvd., Tukwila, WA 98188
Call to Order
Chair Durant called the Tukwila PC meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call
The PC Secretary took roll call.
PC Present: Chair Ann Durant; Vice Chair Alex Kaehler; Commissioners; Louise Strander,
Richard McLeland Wieser, Jacob Halverson, Jessica Parra, and Kyle Upton
Staff: Department of Community Development (DCD) Director Nora Gierloff, American Institute of
Certified Planners (AICP); Senior Planner Neil Tabor, AICP, DCD; and PC Secretary
Wynetta Bivens, DCD
Appointment of PC Officers
• Chair Durant appointed Commissioner Kaehler as the 2026-2027 PC Chair, according to the
revised PC Bylaws.
Chair Durant appointed Commissioner Halverson as the 2026-2027 PC Vice Chair,
according to the revised PC Bylaws.
• The PC officers assumed their roles immediately, and Chair Kaehler chaired the remainder
of meeting.
Amendment of the Agenda
No changes to the agenda were requested.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Durant moved to adopt the 3/26/26 Minutes. Commissioner McLeland
Wieser seconded the motion. Commissioner Stander abstained; she was absent. Motion
passed.
Written General Public Comments
There were no submittals.
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukwilaWA.gav
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Planning Commission Minutes
4/23/26
Page 2
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
1. PC Procedures Training, Nick Morton, Assistant City Attorney
• An overview was given on the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 2.36 PC
scope of work and duties to serve on the PC advisory board. The PC serves the Mayor
and City Council (CC), and the CC delegates workload to the PC.
• The PC were informed that Quasi-judicial decisions are no longer part of the PC scope of
work.
• The Robert's Rules Parliamentary Procedures governs PC meetings.
• An overview was provided on the revised PC Bylaws.
• Annual PC training was conducted on PC Protocols, Roles of the PC, Open Public
Meetings, and Public Records.
2. Tukwila Housing Overview, Nora Gierloff, DCD Direct()'
Director Gierloff provided a presentation on how housing has changed over time in Tukwila, how
development of housing is regulated, and the types of housing in the City. She said the takeaway she is
hoping PC will get from the presentationis how significant the changes arethat have come to the PC
and been supported by the PC. And what a real and immediate impact it has on people's lives, the
number of people that can live in Tukwila, the types of housing that are available to them, and whether
they can stay in the community as a senior when they are ready to downsize. She stated, at one point
there was no senior housing in Tukwila due to regulations and unintended regulations, which did not
work with the rules in place.
Some Key Points:
• Tukwila has a small population, has become very diverse in the past 30 years, is land locked,
built out, predominantly rental, and becoming more rental.
There is a housing crisis, the number of units needed for growth has not been produced.
Explanation was provided regarding what changed and why, such as several code changes, and
streamlined design review, which Director Gierloff said PC played a vital role in vetting the
changes, etc.
A total of 2,160 units have been built since 2014, which was a huge increase for a city the size
of Tukwila. Development included single-family houses, ADUs, townhouses, and apartments
built through development agreements and zoning changes, several of which were rent -
controlled affordable units.
• The TIB corridor was rezoned for greater density and flexibility in 2025.
• The Middle Housing Standards were adopted for the new Community Residential Zone in
2025.
• There was a walkthrough of some development projects that some of the PC had an
opportunity to tour, as well as a project under construction.
Director's Report
• Director Gierloff said that staff are working with Parks and Recreation on their Recreation
and Open Space Plan. Hopefully it will be ready and on the agenda in May.
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Phone: 206-433-1800 • Entail: MayerTukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
4/23/26
Page 3
• Neil Tabor handed out information on the Critical Area Ordinance update and upcoming
public outreach events.
• Director Gierloff thanked the new PC officers for agreeing to serve.
• There was discussion regarding PC members engaging in and being active community
members, which is fine as an individual, but PC were cautioned not to act on behalf of the
board.
Chair Kaehler thanked Commissioner Durant for serving as PC chair for the last year and her
amazing work, Commissioner Durant said it was a pleasure, it was a lot of work, and she is pride
to be serving.
Commissioner Kaehler moved to adjourn. Commissioner McLeland Wieser seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
Adjourned: 8:15 p.m.
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens, PC Secretary
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Erttait: fwiayor Tukwila A.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov