HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2013-05-23 Minutes - Public Hearing - Comprehensive Plan: Southcenter / Tukwila Urban Center and Transportation Element
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
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certain transportation - related policies. More global changes are being made to the
Transportation element.
Transportation Element (L12 -047) bnsf burlington northern railway railroad
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.
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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
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