Planning 2012-02-23 Minutes - Code Amendments

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City of Tukwila Planning Commission Planning Commission (PC) Minutes Date: Febnuai 23, 2012 Time: 6:')0 PM Location: City Hall Council Chambers Present: Brooke Alford, Chair, Commissioners, Louise Strander, Mike Hansen, David Shumate, Aaron Hundtofte, and Jeri Frangello- Anderson Absent: Vice Chair, Thomas McLeod Staff: Nora Gierloff, Deputy- DCD Director, Minnie Dhaliival, Planning Supeilrisor, and Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretaiy Chair Alford opened the public hearing at 6: PM. Minutes: Commissioner Strander made a motion to adopt the Januaiy 26, 2(_)12 Planning Commission minutes. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Antony Ritch, Regional Senior Vice President, Development, Westfield Shopping Mall, gave a presentation regarding the mall's vision at the request of the Planning Commission. Mr. Ritch expressed their pride in being a true partner and investing in the community. He said that it is through the shed visions and partnerships that they are able to achieve the best results for the community, customers, retailers, and investors. Recentiv, Southcenter Nvon a "gold" award for the mall expansion. Mr. Ritch said the award is a veil prestigious award in the industry, and was a real compliment to the City, and the team, for the remodel accomplislmient, wluch was achieved under the City's current planning codes. Westfield became in involved with the TUC Plan in 2(_)(_)2, and is interested in continuing to work with staff on the revised draft TUC Plan. They have some concerns with the original TUC Draft, which they_ have discussed with staff. They feel that the proposed development regulations are not economically viable for developers. Concern vvas expressed with the vvav the code \vas ANTitten in the previous draft. And also with the following language, `the shopping industiv shift is away from internal focused malls to more open air malls', Westfield felt the previous draft Plan was far too prescriptive, and could be an issue for redeveloping the assets with a veil specific form of development. A Canadian pension ftmd investor has purchased the largest ever real estate investment with Westfield for a =45 percent stake of Southcenter and a number of other development assets. Mr. Ritch said they look foi xvard to continuing to invest in Southcenter and being part of the next evolution of Tuk vila. Mr. Ritch said they do not want to discourage investors. He stated that they share the vision for the Southcenter region to become more diversified with residential and office uses. They want to work with the City, but they need assurance that the infrastructure is in place. Public transportation, the roads, and connectivity are extremely important. However, they can't continue to invest if there is a risk that retailers and investors are going to go elsewhere due to better planning environments in wluch they can Nvork, and this is a major concern. Mr. Ritch said that Westfield looks foiNvard to receiving the next draft of the Plan and participating in conversations. He said the results of the Southcenter remodel have been fantastic, and they are veil proud to say that Southcenter is extremely strong and has come through the recession in a vein solid fashion, and they think that the product is truly world class. Commissioner Hansen, said that he concurs with many of the things Mr. Ritch said, and he believes it's the right direction for the TUC Plan. Mr. Hansen said Westfield is the engineer for Southcenter, moving foiNvard. He said Page 145