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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2013-06-27 Item 3 - Adoption of Minutes - 4/25/13, 5/21/13 and 5/23/13111111111 ir Date: Time: City of Tukwila Planning Commission Planning Commission Hearing Minutes April 25, 2013 6:30 PM to 8:15 PM Location: City Hall Council Chambers Present: Thomas McLeod - Chair, Brooke Alford, Mike Hansen, Sharon Mann, Cassandra Hunter and Miguel Maestes Absent: Louise Strander - Vice -Chair Staff: Nora Gierloff - Deputy DCD Director, Rebecca Fox - Senior Planner, Moira Bradshaw - Senior Planner, Robin Tischmak — City Engineer Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM. Motion: Commissioner Alford made a motion to approve the 3/28/13 minutes. Commissioner Maestes seconded the motion and all were in favor. Board of Architectural Review Hearing — Sound Transit Master Sign Program Chair McLeod opened the public hearing for case S13 -006, request for BAR approval of a Master Sign Program for Tukwila Station, a Sounder Commuter Rail and Amtrak Cascades facility at 7301 Longacres Way. Ms. Bradshaw asked the appearance of fairness questions of all Commissioners. No one declared a conflict or ex -parte contact and no objections were heard from the audience. Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner with the Department of Community Development, gave the staff presentation. She described the location of the permanent station to be constructed between Longacres Way and Strander Bl /SW 27th St extension. Access to the site will be from the NW and SE corners. As an essential public facility the station meets the requirements to apply for a master sign program. The only buildings on site are the bus shelters, the canopies over the platforms, the canopy over the stairs and the Amtrak service building. Sound Transit is requesting installation of two grand monument signs under the Master Sign Program provisions near the site entrance at Longacres Way. One other freestanding sign is proposed that is not regulated because it is not visible off -site. There are over a hundred directional signs that do not require BAR approval. NG Page 1 of 5 06/20/2013 Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ 4-25-13PC_Hearing_Minutes.docx PC Work Session Minutes The Board asked questions regarding sign code regulations, site lighting, the requirement to display the site address on signs and the how the proposed sign could meet the definition of monument sign. The applicant testified that the proposed signage met Sound Transit's system -wide standard design. Staff recommended that the Board approve the Master Sign Program subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the requirement for showing the site's address on the sign; and 2. Modification of one of the three panels such that it extends down and touches the base. There was no public testimony. Commissioner McLeod closed the public hearing. Motion: Commissioner Alford made a motion to approve the application with the two proposed conditions for showing the site address on the sign and modifying one of the three panels to extend down to the base. Commissioner Hansen seconded and all were in favor. Planning Commission Public Hearing — Capital Facilities and Utilities Elements Chair McLeod opened the public hearing for cases L12 -037 Capital Facilities and L12- 048 Utilities Elements updates to the Comprehensive Plan. Rebecca Fox, Senior Planner, with the Department of Community Development, gave background on the development of the 1995 version of the Comprehensive Plan by the 16 member Tukwila Tomorrow Committee. This was required by the passage of the State Growth Management Act. The Plan is used to meet State and Regional requirements as well as being a statement of local values. The current update is not intended to change the overall vision and goals but to reflect changed conditions and incorporate the Strategic Plan. In addition staff has tried to consolidate and reorganize to make the document easier to use. Commissioner Alford asked about the review cycle for the Plan. Ms. Fox explained that it was intended to be a 7 year cycle but that it had been extended by the legislature due to the fiscal crisis. Amendments to the Plan are generally limited to once a year so all of the proposed changes will be acted upon by the Council at one time. Commissioner Mann asked why a specific funding source was not identified for the Residential Streets Program. Robin Tischmak replied that there was no dedicated source, money is allocated from the general fund. Tukwila is unusual in this as many other jurisdictions do not fund residential streets directly, instead using local NG Page 2 of 5 06/20/2013 Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ 4-25-13PC_Hearing_Minutes.docx PC Work Session Minutes improvement districts. Commissioner Hansen suggested that language be added stating that residential streets were funded through the general fund. Commissioner Mann thought that there should be funding priority for safe routes to school locations. Ms. Bradshaw replied that 94% of general capital facility funding came from grants and very few of those are available for residential streets. Mr. Tischmak stated that the City has received a safe routes to school grant for upcoming work on S. 150th Street and the Council has approved improvements to 42nd Avenue S. Ms. Bradshaw pointed out that proposed policy 14.1.23 does prioritize residential streets with safety issues. Commissioner Mann asked what vision was referenced in utilities policy 12.1.34. Ms. Fox clarified that it referred to the Comprehensive Plan as a whole. Commissioner McLeod asked about whether Puget Sound Energy has plans to generate wind power in Tukwila. Ms. Fox replied that they have not identified any local wind turbines in their capital facilities plans. Commissioner McLeod asked if there was any plan to consolidate water districts. Ms. Fox replied that the Growth Management Act originally encouraged consolidation but that has received less emphasis. Coordination between districts remains a high priority. Mr. Tischmak said that Tukwila has taken over smaller provider districts in the past and would consider future consolidations. There was no public testimony. Commissioner McLeod closed the public hearing. Ms. Fox went over the Utilities element language the Commission asked staff to develop: Issue 1 p. 2 — Revised language that restores the struck language about residential priority Motion: Commissioner Mann made a motion that under Issues on p. 2 staff has reworded the verbiage under Residential Neighborhood and Sub -Area Vitality to change to "City planned utility improvements and extensions place priority on improving and sustaining residential neighborhood quality and livability. Utility investments affect neighborhood quality of life and the ability to realize established visions for specific sub - areas." Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion and all were in favor. p. 11 - A new policy added after Policy 12.1.17 NG Page 3 of 5 06/20/2013 Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ 4-25-13PC_Hearing_Minutes.docx PC Work Session Minutes Motion: Commissioner Mann made a motion that we accept the new wording as provided by staff regarding goals and policies under residential neighborhoods and subarea vitality to be added after policy 12.1.17 the verbiage "Give priority to residential neighborhoods for city - planned utility projects and extensions in order to improve and sustain neighborhood quality and livability." The motion was seconded and all were in favor. Issue 2 p. 9 - A new policy added after Policy 12.1.15 New Implementation Strategies • Provide training for City staff on tree retention, • Use manuals for best management practices to protect tree roots during trenching • Develop Urban Forest Management Plan Motion: Commissioner Alford made a motion that we accept the policy and implementation strategies provided by staff to be added after policy 12.1.15 "Consider Tukwila's Urban Forest together with other infrastructure systems during utility planning, design, installation and /or maintenance to ensure that trees are protected." And then the three implementation strategies that follow. Commissioner Maestas seconded and all were in favor. Issue 3 p. 14 - A new policy added after policy 12.1.26 p. 15 — New Implementation Strategy • Investigate programs that provide financial incentives through the Surface Water Utility to property owners who maintain or enhance their tree canopy. Motion: Commissioner Alford made a motion to accept the policy and implementation strategy proposed by staff to "Encourage the retention and planting of trees for their beneficial effects on surface water runoff including flow attenuation, water quality enhancement, and temperature reduction " and the following implementation strategy to be added after 12.1.26. Commissioner Hunter seconded and all were in favor. Then the Commission moved on to items raised during the hearing. Motion: Commissioner Mann made a motion to amend Policy 12.1.34 under telecommunications under the Utilities element to read "Provide telecommunications infrastructure to serve growth and development in a manner consistent with Tukwila's NG Page 4 of 5 06/20/2013 Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ 4-25-13PC_Hearing_Minutes.docx PC Work Session Minutes vision as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan." Commissioner Alford seconded and all were in favor. Capital Facilities Element p. 2 General Government Facilities Funds, 1St bullet Motion: Commissioner Mann made a motion to approve new verbiage to read "The Residential Streets Program Fund for transportation related projects specifically identified for street improvement in residential neighborhoods and includes lane widening, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, illumination and undergrounding utilities. Said funds shall come from the City's general fund." Commissioner Hansen seconded and all were in favor. Staff requested an amendment to the second to the last implementation strategy in the Utilities Element p. 11: Il ed: . �if� im ntif�:.wine„r, at public facilities, especially for p p �. n ����n m�, euse and rec a,,, high- volume non - potable water uses such as parks, schools, and the golf course 2s„ Motion: Commissioner McLeod made a motion to accept that amendment to the strategy under 12.1.16 to the paragraph beginning "Require water reuse and reclamation ". Commissioner Hansen seconded and all were in favor. Motion: Commissioner Alford moved that the PC approve the recommendation on the Comprehensive Plan updates made by staff to the Capital Facilities and Utilities chapters along with the changes that we passed tonight. Commissioner Hansen seconded and all were in favor. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Next month the PC will be reviewing the Transportation Element with a work session on a Tuesday followed by the hearing on Thursday. In June we are proposing something different. The Tree and Natural Environment Committee would like to present their recommendations to a joint PC and CC meeting on June 24th in lieu of the June work session. HANDOUTS Printed Copy of the Comprehensive Plan Minutes By: Nora Gierloff NG Page 5 of 5 06/20/2013 Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ 4-25-13PC_Hearing_Minutes.docx 111111111 ir Date: Time: City of Tukwila Planning Commission Planning Commission Work Session Minutes May 21, 2013 6:35 PM to 7:50 PM Location: City Hall Council Chambers Present: Thomas McLeod - Chair, Louise Strander - Vice - Chair, Mike Hansen, Cassandra Hunter and Miguel Maestas Absent: Brooke Alford, Sharon Mann Staff: Nora Gierloff - Deputy DCD Director, Lynn Miranda—Senior Planner, Rebecca Fox - Senior Planner, Cyndy Knighton - Senior Program Manager (Transportation), Robin Tischmak - City Engineer ISSUE Updates to the Comprehensive Plan Southcenter/Urban Center and Transportation Elements DISCUSSION Nora Gierloff explained that this work session was a continuation of the phased review of Comprehensive Plan elements for the 2015 Comprehensive Plan update. Southcenter/Urban Center Element: Lynn Miranda reminded the Planning Commission that they had seen the Southcenter /Urban Center Element, Southcenter Plan, Design Manual and revised TMC in October, 2012 and forwarded them to the City Council. Since then, Tukwila has contracted with Berk to refresh and edit the Comprehensive Plan. Few changes have been made to this element since the Comprehensive Plan was approved in 1995, so this update is an opportunity to edit for greater conciseness and clarity. Lynn went through the element, highlighting changes. The "Purpose /Issues /Vision" section was reorganized to emphasize consistency with Vision 2040, and to highlight that this is a centers plan. Linkages with Tukwila's 2012 Strategic Plan are made. Bullets are added for greater readability. Some redundant policies have been deleted, and others have been relocated to more appropriate parts of plan. Starting, with Goal 10.2, on Page 10 implementation strategies have been grouped according to specific Goals and Policies, rather than all implementation strategies being placed at the end of sections. New wording has been added to Policy 10.2.2. per Fire Department request: ...Ensure that street design 444 eliminates potential conflicts, etlifi promotes safety for all modes of travel and maintains emergency services response capabilities Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ 5-21-13--Work_Session_Minutes.doc PC Work Session Minutes Starting with page 16 of the strikeout /underline document, transportation and parks policies have been deleted, and relocated to other sections. New policy 10.2.10 addresses economic development, and incorporates information in the EcoNorthwest study as follows: "Work collaboratively with Southcenter property owners, businesses and community members to implement the vision for Southcenter, assess the potential to catalyze development in the Southcenter area, and form an economic redevelopment strategy. Commissioner Strander asked for an explanation of the redevelopment strategy: "Establish a lead redevelopment entity on the public side to coordinate implementation of an urban center redevelopment strategy and provide it with people, resources, and tools to succeed." Who is that entity? Lynn Miranda explained that there is nothing in place now, but in the future it might be desirable to form an economic development administration to coordinate public /private partnerships, potentially develop tool boxes and tax strategies and take the lead to implement Comprehensive Plan policies. Commissioner Strander wanted to know if the entity would be the City's Economic Development department or the Community Development Department? Where would people go to implement new development? Lynn Miranda explained that there is no intention to implement this now, but that it could be a good idea in the future. Nora Gierloff commented that the approach would probably be similar to what had been done for Tukwila Village to attract a development proposal, and work with private developer and make a partnership between the public and private sides to facilitate growth. Commissioner Maestas commented that the Southcenter Plan and Vision 2040 show the Southcenter area will grow significantly, and will take the majority of the City's population and housing growth. Lynn Miranda explained that Tukwila is required to demonstrate that it can accommodate its growth targets. Single family areas don't have room, and would need to be upzoned to take more growth. By definition a regional growth center brings together jobs and housing. So, the new Southcenter plan allows that growth to happen. Commissioner Maestas asked whether there will be plans to ensure that housing will be affordable to people who live and work in the Southcenter area, as the area develops further. He is concerned about the ability to walk to work, and the need to reduce cars in the area. 2 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes Lynn Miranda indicated that there has not been much talk about housing affordability. There is a lot of affordable housing in the City already, and the direction has been to explore all kinds of housing in the Southcenter area. Commissioner Maestas expressed concern that as the Southcenter area develops, it could become too expensive for the majority of people who live in the area. There might be a lack of walkability for people who work there. Commissioner McLeod questioned the viability of area workers being able to buy condos since most of Southcenter jobs are retail and perhaps part time. Nora mentioned that staff had thought about reconsidering zoning regulations to handle topics like the large Circuit City redevelopment, and said that zoning might be a way to address affordable housing. Since incentives for such things as frontal improvements, etc. are now built into the code, an additional incentive could be an affordable housing provision. If desired, perhaps staff could provide some options for affordable housing incentives. Commissioner McLeod asked about the difference between affordable and low- income housing. Nora explained that these types of housing are usually based on a percentage of area median income, and might provide different tax credits. Lynn said that affordable housing would be discussed next year in the Housing element, which the Planning Commission will review next year. Commissioner Maestas encouraged staff to develop the option of zoning incentives for affordable housing and for development including some affordable housing. He would like a discussion of affordable housing around Southcenter, and cautioned that affordable housing can decrease around light rail stations as economy improves. Nora said that the Growing Transit Communities project is looking at growth around light rail and rapid transit from Tacoma to Lynnwood, and considering issues such as how equitable transit - oriented development can be built so that benefits of transit are shared. The Growing Transit Communities work will ultimately result in jurisdictions being asked to make commitments toward affordable housing and economic development. Planning Commission concerns over affordable housing are very timely. Commissioner Hunter expressed her long -term concern for affordable housing. She also requested options for implementing different rates of affordable housing, and indicated her desire to see and study alternatives. Nora said that staff would provide a link to the Growing Transit Communities Strategy report from the PSRC website. The website contains evaluation of conditions of 3 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes different centers. Some can do inclusionary housing i.e. you must make 10% of housing affordable. South King County has different market conditions and so incentives will be more appropriate. Lynn concluded discussion of the Southcenter /Urban Center element by reporting that an update of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Southcenter Plan is being prepared, and must be completed before the Planning Commission sees the Development Regulations again. Once the Planning Commission approves changes, the entire Southcenter Plan /Development Regulations /Design Manual package will go to the City Council. Transportation Element: Nora introduced Cyndy Knighton of the Tukwila Public Works Department. Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program Manager provided background on the Transportation Element, including how it was developed and, Growth Management Act (GMA), regional requirements and other concerns. As background to the current update of the Transportation Element policies, staff prepared detailed modeling projections with Public Works and Planning working closely to see what will happen in the future. The GMA requires Tukwila to update its Transportation element, and to assess where we are and where we want to be. Our big concern is funding. The Transportation Element is a tool to implement the City's vision, including city growth and regional growth, and other City plans, including the Strategic Plan, Commute Trip Reduction, sub -area plans, and GTEC. Tukwila must also provide infrastructure for non - motorized facilities. The Transportation Element is lock -step with land use. We have already established Level of Service (LOS) for all locally -owned facilities, but are affected by state -owned facilities even though we don't control them. Transit LOS is required even though we don't control the agency. We need to work cooperatively with other agencies. Financing CIP projects is also key. New regional requirements mean that policies must be tweaked, for example, to include a multi -modal LOS for pedestrian, bicycle and transit. We must evaluate our financial capabilities and recognize that the projects we propose to achieve this are fiscally constrained. Multi -year financing plan goes with budget, and raises questions of how additional funding will be raised. GMA requires balancing growth with capacity. Concurrency /Level of Service standard allows us to say that we have to have adequate capability to meet growth targets and where the growth will happen. Tukwila must be able to balance growth, capacity and funding. In 2005, the City established Level of Service Standards, including mostly LOS E in commercial areas, and LOS D for larger residential intersections. Commissioner McLeod asked for an explanation of the LOS lettering system. 4 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes Cyndy explained that LOS A means very little traffic, and LOS B has a few more cars. LOS C and LOS D have progressively more congestion. LOS E is considered to be at capacity and LOS F is failure or breakdown of the traffic flow. Multi -modal LOS (MMLOS) must be developed. We got a grant for $70,000 with federal stimulus funding to study and implement new MMLOS using the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual, incorporating information from the Walk and Roll Plan. Tukwila was among the first to use this new method in the country, but when completed, the method didn't meet the City's needs. We need to do additional work to customize the method, and will return to this topic in future work plans. We have language that METRO and Sound transit have set for their LOS and headways. We do not control this, although we want to support these agencies' efforts. We have transit priority streets, and perhaps in the future will have different levels of service on these streets. Tukwila staff is working King County METRO to include transit signal priority at signalized intersections along the future RapidRide F -Line route to allow the RapidRide buses to stay on schedule without significantly affecting our traffic flow. Commissioner Strander asked about the RapidRide F line. Cyndy explained that RapidRide is Metro's version of Bus Rapid transit. Special buses will operate on a frequent headway, with a 7 to 10 minute arrival interval rather than 30 minutes. With frequent service, a timetable will not be needed. The RapidRide F line will replace Route 140. There will be fewer stops, but more frequent, higher capacity buses. This will be very good for Tukwila. Commissioner Strander asked if street lights would be coordinated with RapidRide. Cyndy reported that there would be transit signal priority along the route. A transponder on the RapidRide buses will communicate with the signal controllers to help the buses, but not at the expense of other uses. She continued that GMA concurrency requires that LOS service standards must be met, per Ordinance #2305. We are ok today, with only a few intersections falling to LOS F. Transportation concurrency must be met within six years due to the cost, and magnitude of projects. The Southcenter area has different way to calculate LOS that considers how quickly one gets through a corridor, rather than an individual intersection. Southcenter Boulevard and Grady Way /Interurban /West Valley Highway is under Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) control and currently operates at LOS F. This is a problem, but can't be addressed until I 405 work is done. All other corridors are at LOS E or better in Southcenter. 5 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes Determining an LOS for pedestrians and bikes presents a challenge, despite work done through the federal grant. For example, results showed that in some areas we have an LOS C, although we actually have no pedestrian or bicycle facilities in that location. We are trying to implement projects from Walk and Roll, while we work on new methodology for determining MMLOS. Commissioner McLeod used the example of Starfire, where people park over the river and somehow walk to the site without sidewalks to ask if this is what was meant by "having no service ?" Cyndy used the example of Southcenter Boulevard west of City hall. Analysis indicated an LOS D on both sides of street even though there is a sidewalk on one side only. The 2005 Transit Network Plan was developed by the City with the last Transportation Element update with focus groups, etc. It was not updated for this update.An exciting development is that we are now working on design and work for the undersized bus facilities at the Westfield Southcenter Mall. Expanding and relocating this stop was the top priority from the Transit Network Plan. Once it is complete, Tukwila will have a really nice on- street transit center, perhaps the only one in the area. GMA requires us to plan under fiscal constraint. Revenue forecasts anticipate $71 MM to $105 MM over next 20 years. Thru the impact fee ordinance, multiple zones have been established so that transportation impacts to a certain area are paid for by fees in that area. Cyndy referred to the project list in the Transportation Background Report. Priority A projects are those that are needed to maintain our current LOS levels (sidewalks, roads, transit.) Tukwila can afford to construct projects on this list during the 20 -year planning period given our current priorities. On average, the City must spend $4 MM /year to maintain our LOS. The City must also construct the projects on the B list, but that goes beyond our expected funding ability. More funding is needed. Priority C list projects are also very important, but we don't think we need them or are likely to build them before 2030. $85 to $187 MM additional revenue is needed, which is about $4.8 MM additional per year. Available revenue includes all the taxes that are earmarked for roadway /transportation projects. Tukwila has been very successful at getting grants, and has also used bonds and impact fees to fund transportation projects. However, new revenues are needed or we will need to modify our vision. Commissioner McLeod asked about ideas for new revenue sources. Cyndy explained that a range of new funding sources was palatable to a greater or lesser degree. For example, Tukwila could consider a B & 0 tax, transportation benefit 6 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes districts, or assess the option to increase local sales tax. Grants are harder and harder to get. Tukwila could consider more voter - approved general bonds or councilmanic bonds. Local Improvement Districts are not the tool for all projects, since they must prove special benefit. LIDs can be effective for larger projects. Tukwila could consider reciprocal agreements w /neighboring jurisdictions to share impacts of projects. A specific transportation fee could be assessed, similar to the Revenue Generating Regulatory License which is a per employee fee. She acknowledged that none of these possibilities are easy. The choices are to find additional funding, accept slower growth or more congestion. The Comprehensive Plan provides clear policy direction but we have inadequate funding to achieve this. The Capital Facilities element states that without enough funding we will need to slow growth, change LOS or find new funding sources. All modeling shows that we fall short, so we need to do something. The Transportation Improvement Plan has good projections and we also make projections yearly with the Planning staff. Tukwila is not in dire straits today, but will be at some point. Cyndy recommends that policy direction is needed before a budget decision is needed. In any event, she feels this topic is worthy of discussion, whether or not there's policy direction. Commissioner Hansen asked how the actual traffic flow on Klickitat has turned out vs. the traffic projections prior to project construction. Cyndy described expectations that the buttonhook off ramp would be at extreme LOS F with backups onto freeway without the project. Projections also showed extreme delays from people wanting to go left onto Strander after coming off the buttonhook, and stopping traffic on peak hours. With today's project, it's hard directly compare. Southbound traffic doesn't stop at the signal. Northbound has dramatic improvements. The buttonhook is no longer able to make the left turn on to Strander, so that both hazardous driving conditions and LOS are addressed. The Nordstrom signal gets more traffic, but conditions are still in C and D range. Although she thinks that Tukwila will be able to make LOS goals beyond 2030, she couldn't anticipate if what would happen if Tukwila South traffic becomes a problem once that area is eventually developed. Commissioner Hansen remarked that people tend to find alternate routes to level out traffic. Cyndy commented that all today's modeling may show growth in different ways, such as residents of the Circuit City project foregoing cars. Commissioner Strander inquired if the Background Report by Fehr and Peers is online? Rebecca replied that there was a link in staff report if more detail was desired. 7 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes Commissioner McLeod stated that he doesn't favor head tax or sales tax on businesses to generate new revenue since it isn't popular. He suggested that the best way to generate new revenues is to create environments and destinations where people want to be. He used the example of I -Fly and Bicycles West now being located adjacent to each other, and forming a destination. He asked about the City's creating a public /private partnership w/ REI at Tukwila Pond, or the possibility of using vacant warehouses to attract art and entertainment. He feels that Tukwila needs destinations for entrepreneurs. Cyndy stated support for visionary documents that guide us, but indicated that Public Works staff always asks how to make this happen. Her desire is to give the Planning Commission sufficient background to have some idea of the ramifications of vision. There are many ways to change this, perhaps more incentivizing certain types of activity that will change current lifestyles or ways of travel. But, under what we know today, there is an issue for funding and we must be aware of that as we make policy recommendations. Commissioner McLeod noted the relative lack of bus routes serving the Community Center, and asked if there is a currently an effort to increase public transportation there. Cyndy said that she was not aware of anything specific to TCC. King County Metro wants to provide routes where there are destinations and patrons. We can try to bring this forward to guide them in future, but right now it's a challenge since King County is having its own problems. Commissioner McLeod asked if there were any further talks about light rail at Boeing Field. Nora replied that there is a policy about looking for a station at Boeing Field. Although Tukwila brings this up at regional meetings, momentum is to extend service areas rather than going back and adding stations. The Boeing Field station is not as big a priority for Sound Transit as it is for us, we are trying to keep it on their radar. Transit goal, Policy 1,.4.1 states: Support and encourage the location of a light rail stop at Boeing Access Road. (P 23 of strikeout /underline version.) Commisioner Maestas inquired about the option to deny /delay /reduce new growth if sufficient funding is not available. He wanted to know how does new growth not fund itself? How would we increase funding in relation to new growth since it doesn't fund itself? Cyndy explained that the transportation impact fee program assesses new growth to pay for new growth. This doesn't necessarily always pay for itself, and this is by design. There is hesitation to pass on full cost of growth. Tukwila doesn't want to set fees to low or too high, but it's a balancing act that doesn't always achieve that directive. 8 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 PC Work Session Minutes Commissioner Maestas remarked that Tukwila's roads are used by people that come from somewhere else and we have to subsidize this. Cyndy mentioned that every jurisdiction needs to do this. Projections assume a certain amount of regional growth. Renton growth will be on our streets. For example, when 405 is very congested, people will get off I -5 and drive on our surface streets to Renton. Cities must accept this, but you have a good point on why growth pays for growth. There were no additional questions from the Planning Commission, and no requests to go through individual policies. Nora requested that the Planning Commission make any changes they felt were appropriate prior to these elements going forward to the City Council, and reminded them of the upcoming hearing on May 23. She indicated that she would send a link to the Growth Transit Communities website. Minutes By: Rebecca Fox 9 Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 111111111 ir City of Tukwila Planning Commission/BAR Planning Commission (BAR)Hearing Minutes Date: May 23, 2013 Time: 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM Location: City Hall Council Chambers Present: Thomas McLeod - Chair, Louise Strander - Vice - Chair, Mike Hansen, Cassandra Hunter Absent: Brooke Alford, Sharon Mann, Miguel Maestas Staff: Nora Gierloff- Deputy Director Department of Community Development, Lynn Miranda - Senior Planner, Rebecca Fox - Senior Planner, Cyndy Knighton- Senior Program Manager (Transportation), Robin Tischmak -City Engineer The absences of Commissioners Alford, Mann and Maestas were excused because they gave advance notice of their conflicts. Motion by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to adopt the April 23, 2013 work session minutes as presented. Motion was approved unanimously. Topic Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan update, Southcenter /Tukwila Urban Center element (L09 -008), and Transportation element (L12 -047) TESTIMONY Commissioner McLeod opened the hearing and swore in Staff. No members of the public were present. Nora Gierloff introduced the hearing on L09 -008 and L12 -047. It is a continuation of the Planning Commission's phased review of Comprehensive Plan elements. The Washington Growth Management Act requires a periodic review and update of the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations. Tukwila's update is undertaken to adapt to changed circumstances since the 2004 update. This will ensure that requirements from the Growth Management Act, Multi- County Planning Policies (Vision 2040) and the King County Countywide Planning Policies are all aligned, and that development regulations are supported. The document will be edited to eliminate redundancies, especially in the Southcenter /Tukwila Urban Center element. These include removing and /or relocating Initials Page 1 of 3 06/20/2013 Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \ PC_Hearing_Minutes-- 5.23.13.doc PC Hearing Minutes certain transportation - related policies. More global changes are being made to the Transportation element. Transportation Element (L12 -047) Staff summarized changes in the Transportation element including: 1) updated LOS; 2) new maps; 3) new policies added for closer alignment with the Walk and Roll Plan and the complete streets concept. Policies have been consolidated and reworked for greater clarity. Sections on the Level of Service (LOS) are expanded to include travel modes beyond the automobile. Policies relating to transportation demand management (TDM) stress that using different modes of travel offer choice and extend roadway capacity. Policies for non- motorized travel emphasize the importance of a connected community, and the priority for facilities that support walking and bicycling. Commissioner Hansen asked whether the TDM section should include car share and bike share policies. Commissioner McLeod asked about charging stations. Nora replied that required development regulations supporting installation of charging stations had previously been adopted. Cyndy indicated that the charging station topic was not specifically covered under TDM. Nora explained that sustainability issues were scattered throughout the Comprehensive Plan document, and were intended to be "baked in" throughout. Supporting charging stations, car share and bike share might be the most appropriate in the overall goal section as a new policy. Commissioner McLeod spoke about the concern that Commissioner Mann brought up at the April meeting, and the need to give priority to sidewalks near schools, such as along 150th,, and emphasized that this was also a priority to him. Cyndy explained that as part of the work in developing the multi -modal levels of service (MMLOS) and through the Walk and Roll Plan, that policies had been added for sidewalks. Staff has discussed developing an overlay around schools, libraries, light rail and commuter rail. Staff cited policies 13.6.2 and 13.6.10 which respectively address continuing to allocate funds to the Residential Street Fund to build sidewalks, and continuing to work with school officials to promote Safe Routes to School Projects, and requiring improvements. Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \PC Hearing Minutes-- 5.23.13.doc 6/20/2013 2 PC Hearing Minutes Commissioner Hansen said that he felt that this topic has been well- addressed. This portion of the hearing was closed, and the Planning Commission began deliberation. Action Item: Nora proposed that staff craft new policy language addressing sustainability features. Staff proposed draft language as follows: New Policy 13.1.10 Support ride share options, including car share, bike share and alternate transportation to enhance sustainability New Policy 12.1.11 Support electrical vehicle charging stations and alternative fuels if available. Commissioner Hansen directed staff to craft final wording. ACTION TAKEN Commissioner Hansen moved to adopt the Transportation element with the addition of policies on shared vehicles and alternative fuels, accept changes and move the item forward to the City Council. The motion was approved unanimously. Southcenter /Tukwila Urban Center Element (L09 -008) The hearing continued, and moved to the Southcenter /Tukwila Urban Center element. Nora asked if the Planning Commission had questions or edits on this element. There were none. Commissioner McLeod moved to adopt the amended Southcenter /Tukwila Urban Center Element as proposed by staff. Commissioner Hansen seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. Director's Report Nora announced that the next work session would be a joint meeting of the City Council and Tree Committee at 5:30 p.m. in lieu of the regular Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting , prior to the City Council meeting. The narrative of the Shoreline element will also be updated to be consistent with policy changes that were made as part of the Shoreline Master Program update. The Planning Commission hearing on both these topics will be held on June 27, 2013 at the regular 6:30 p.m. time Minutes By: Rebecca Fox Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes - -5.21 & 5.23 \PC Hearing Minutes-- 5.23.13.doc 6/20/2013 3