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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2007-12-03 Item 6A - Permit - Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station Findings and Conclusions / Unclassified Use Permit COUNCIL AGENDA SyNoPsis k Initials II NO. Meeting Date Prepared 4' Mayor's review I Council review 1 12/03/07 1 JP x� 'I J�- I fiiti) 1 5 C� '1 1 1 fl 1 fL.� I 1 ITEM INFORMATION CAS NUMBER: 01 'r-1-1 I ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 12/03/07 AGENDA ITE1i TITLE Public hearing (quasi judicial) and consideration of Sound Transit's request for an Unclassified Use Permit (UUP) for the continued operation of the temporary Tukwila Commuter Rail Station for an additional five years. CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Heating Other Mtg Date Mtg Date 12.3.07 lift Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date 12.3.07 Mtg Date SPONSOR Council Mayor Adm Svcs DCD Finance Fire Legal P &R Police PIV SPONSOR'S Council is required to hold a public hearing (quasi judicial) on the UUP prior to denying, SUMMARY modifying, approving, or approving the permit with conditions. REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F&S Cmte Transportation Cmte Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm. DA 1'E: RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR /ADS. Recommend approval of the permit, with proposed conditions COMMITTEE COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $none Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 2.17.04 Renewal of unclassified use permit with conditions for rail Station until 12.31.07 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 12.03.07 Memo to Council with attached Staff Report, dated 11.21.07 *11LA, �V Q k C ity of Steven M Mullet, Mayor Director �ti''•. Mr s Department o Common Development r, ale. rent Steve Lancaste 1908 TO: Tukwila City Councilme b rs From: Jack Pace, DCD Director Date: November 21, 2007 Subject: Public Hearing on Sound Transit Unclassified Use Permit Request Issue Sound Transit's request for an unclassified use permit (UUP) for continued operation of the temporary Tukwila Commuter Rail Station will be held on December 3, 2007. A UTJP application is a Type 5, quasi-judicial decision made by the City Council following an open record public hearing. Background Sound Transit's current UUP for the temporary Tukwila Commuter Rail Station expires the end of 2007. Sound Transit has requested a new UUP for the continued operation of the temporary station until December 31, 2012, when the permanent commuter rail station is anticipated to be operating. The public hearing has been scheduled for December 3, 2007. The staff report for a quasi-judicial proceeding must to be given to the City Council at least one week prior to the meeting where the project will be discussed (Resolution No. 1335). Discussion The City of Tukwila originally approved a UUP for the temporary station in 2000. Sound Transit requested a renewal of the UUP in 2004 to allow more time to coordinate the station design with the Strander Boulevard extension project. The City approved the renewal with conditions, valid until December 31, 2007, with the anticipation that the permanent station would be in place at that time. To date, the permanent station has not been completed, although progress is being made. Since a UUP may only be renewed once (TMC 18.66.070), Sound Transit is requesting a new UUP at this time. Sound Transit is not proposing any significant changes to the station platform or parking lot as part of this UUP request. Please note that construction of the permanent station will require a new UUP application by Sound Transit, which will come before Council at a later date. Staff Recommendations Approve the UUP with proposed conditions, valid from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012. 6 300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Phone: 206- 431 -3670 Fax: 206 431 -3665 Staff Report to The City Council Prepared November 21, 2007 HEARING DATE: December 3, 2007 NOTIFICATION: On September 13, 2007, staff mailed a Notice of Application to surrounding property owners and tenants. Notice of Hearing was posted and mailed to surrounding property owners and tenants on November 19, 2007. Notice of hearing was also published in the Seattle Times and the Daily Journal of Commerce for publication on November 19, 2007. PUBLIC MEETING: September 19, 2007 FILE NUMBER: L07 -065 APPLICANT: Sound Transit OWNER: Sound Transit REQUEST: Request for an unclassified use permit for the temporary commuter rail station at 7301 South Longacres Way. SEPA DETERMINATION: Sound Transit Tacoma -to- Seattle Commuter Rail Environmental Assessment (FTA and Sound Transit, June 1998) (E98 -0032) LOCATION: 7301 S. LONGACRES WAY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ZONE DESIGNATION: Tukwila Urban Center (TUC) STAFF: Lynn Miranda ATTACHMENTS: A. Applicant's letter requesting UUP B. Vicinity Map C. Site Plan Civil Layout D. Public Comments Received E. Sound Transit Letter RE: Temporary Station Enhancements Page 1 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station PUBLIC COMMENTS During the public comment period, nine email responses from users of the facility were received (see Attachment D). These responses included concerns regarding safety and security at the site, protection from wind and rain, slippery surfaces in winter, auto and vanshare parking space availability, and unattractiveness of the facility, signage and artwork. An informational public meeting was held on September 19, 2007. No members of the public attended. BACKGROUND Sound Transit originally applied in 1999 for an unclassified use permit for a permanent commuter rail station. However, because Sound Transit and the City of Tukwila realized that a number of land use and transportation projects being initiated in proximity to the station (e.g., the urban center plan and Strander Blvd extension project) could have significant impact on the location and design of the station, Sound Transit agreed to temporarily postpone the design and construction of a permanent station to respond to these planning efforts. (As a point of clarification, Sound Transit maintains that the City of Tukwila agreed to up to a 10 -year postponement, but this is incorrect. In a 2005 Settlement Agreement between the City of Renton and Sound Transit, both parties agreed to postpone the permanent station construction for up to 10 years, but the City of Tukwila was not a party to that agreement.) Consequently, in November 2000, the City Council approved an unclassified use permit for a temporary station, valid until February 2004. In 2004, the issues regarding the Strander extension project (including the Union Pacific railroad relocation and the precise location of Strander Blvd.), the final location of the commuter rail station, and other design considerations were still unsettled. Sound Transit requested a renewal of the UUP to allow more time to coordinate station design with the Strander project. The City approved the renewal, valid for three additional years until December 31, 2007, with conditions requiring the construction of two additional temporary shelters. These shelters have since been constructed. Since a UUP may only be renewed once (TMC 18.66.070), Sound Transit is requesting a new UUP at this time. Since the renewal of the UUP in 2004, the following activities have taken place: In 2005, Renton completed 30% design of the Strander Boulevard extension. Relocation of the Union Pacific railroad right -of -way is anticipated to be completed by 2009. In 2007, Tukwila staff and consultants initiated a type, size and location (TS &L) study to refine the location of the key pedestrian corridor connecting the Mall to the station. In March, 2006, Sound Transit and the Cities of Tukwila and Renton prepared a master plan for the Tukwila Station, incorporating the location of the Strander Blvd extension and Tukwila's draft Urban Center concepts. Initial estimates showed that the construction costs for full build -out of the station master plan will exceed the remaining Sound Move funding Page 2 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station for the station. Consequently, Sound Transit's first priority will be to construct Phase I of the project, including the permanent platforms and a limited number of critical station elements. In September 2007, Sound Transit initiated preliminary engineering and environmental documentation (PE/ED) that will advance the design for the full build -out of the permanent station through 30 Completion of this phase is anticipated in August, 2008. FINDINGS VICINITY /SITE AiND OPERATIONS LNi FORMATION Temporary Station Description The platforms of the temporary commuter rail station are located within the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) right -of -way just south of Longacres Way in the City of Tukwila (see Attachments B &C). The supporting park and ride lot, passenger load zone and bus stops are located east of the platforms on the Boeing Longacres site, which is in the City of Renton. There are two passenger platforms 600 feet in length adjacent to the existing BNSF railway tracks, with one wheelchair- accessible ramp at the northern end of each platform. The platforms are constructed adjacent to the existing embankment, which is approximately 15 feet above ground level in this location. The platforms are 10 feet wide (Sound Transit's design guidelines call for 16' wide side platforms) and have a chain link fence as a railing along the back edge and sides of the platforms. Access to the platforms is via stairs and wood framed ramps. Pedestrian connections from the parking lot to the southbound platform on the west side of the tracks are made by way of the S. Longacres Way underpass. Each of the platforms has two canopy shelters. The two northbound shelters and one southbound shelter contain seating. The station platforms and parking area are well lit. A total of 250 parking stalls are provided on leased Boeing property in the City of Renton. The parking area is fenced off from the remaining Boeing property. The gate on the east side of the BNSF tracks and north of the parking lot is open for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, allowing Metro bus traffic to circulate between the City of Renton and Tukwila to pick up /drop off passengers. Also on site are a security guard station, a shelter housing ticket machines, ten bicycle storage lockers, and a bicycle rack. Operations Sounder Sounder service currently consists of six trains northbound and one train southbound in the morning, and one train northbound and six trains southbound in the evening. Additional Page 3of19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station roundtrip service would most likely be available within the next five years. Sound Transit's 2030 ridership scenarios anticipate 18 trains daily, or nine roundtrips per weekday. Amtrak Amtrak also utilizes the temporary station platforms for the Cascade service between Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver, B.C. Eight trains stop daily, four northbound and four southbound. 2005 ridership figures indicate that 14,000 on and off trips occurred at Tukwila Station. Amtrak's long term ridership projections (13 roundtrips /day) anticipate 140,000 trips per year. WSDOT's Rail Planning and Policy Coordinator indicated that ridership forecasts are based on current ridership. Amtrak has not promoted the station because of its temporary facilities and limited parking. With the construction of a permanent station with high quality facilities and safe, secure waiting and parking areas, greater increases in ridership could be expected. Metro Metro currently has four different bus routes #110, 140, 126, and 154) serving the Tukwila Station during weekday peak hours when the Sounder trains are operating. There is no transit service at the station during mid -day hours or on weekends. SOUND TRANSIT'S REQUEST FOR AN UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT Sound Transit is requesting an Unclassified Use Permit for the continued operation of the existing Sounder commuter rail station for an additional five years, until 2012. Sound Transit is not proposing any new structures or significant improvements at the site. Therefore, design review is not required. The original UUP for the temporary station was approved by Council in 2000 and renewed in 2004, with the anticipation that the permanent station would be in place by December 31, 2007. To date, Sound Transit's work on the design and construction of the permanent station has not been completed. Sound Transit's letter requesting the UUP is attached to this staff report (See Attachment A). Sound Transit has proposed the following schedule for the design and construction of the permanent commuter rail station: Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation phase began in September 2007. Completion of 30% design and the NEPA analysis is anticipated in August, 2008. Final design will take approximately 12 months (August, 2009) Following a four month bidding period, construction of Phase I of the permanent station (or full build -out if future funding becomes available) will take 14 to 24 months. Phase I of the permanent station would be open and operational by 2011 or 2012. Page 4 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station CRITERIA FOR UNCLASSIFIED USES (TMC 18.66.060) City Council approval of an unclassified use permit is guided by the nine criteria of the Zoning Code (18.66.060) and a determination that the project is consistent with the Tukwila plans and regulations (18.100.030 TMC). The applicant's response to each of the criteria is contained verbatim below, and is followed by a staff response if additional information is required or available. The City Council may approve the project as proposed, establish conditions on the project approval, or deny the project. 1. Where appropriate and feasible, all facilities shall be underground. Applicant's response: "Sound Move, the regional transportation plan, shows the use of existing heavy rail tracks, which are above ground, for commuter rail services. The existing use, and one for which this permit is request, is a temporary commuter rail station located adjacent to existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad lines. The temporary station was constructed under permit following the City granting an Unclassified Use Permit to Sound Transit. It is not desirable or feasible to grade the lines to create a temporary underground commuter rail station." Staff Response: City regulations require undergrounding of all new electrical and communication facilities. Sound Transit is not proposing any changes to the heavy rail tracks that are currently being used by the Sounder trains. The applicant is not proposing any changes to the lighting on -site or on the platforms. Power to the lighting is currently provided from power lines strung overhead. 2. The proposed use will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity. Applicant's response: "The access to the adjoining vacant lots is secured by chain link fences thus reducing any potential security issues. Special provisions are also in place so that aid and fire equipment can transverse the gate on Boeing property at any time. Also Sound Transit has security guards at the station for 16 hours (5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) each day the train operates. These provisions were put in place at the time the temporary station was constructed. In response to user feedback Sound Transit installed two additional shelters and additional maintenance to ensure weather protection and safe footing. Sound Transit commissioned a longevity study in 2003 and a maintenance plan, to identibi the required interventions and maintenance to enable the station to last another 10 years until replaced by the permanent station. Sound Transit Facilities Maintenance Division has followed the reports recommendations and will continue monitoring to ensure proper functioning. The environmental impacts of the station were addressed in Sound Transit Tacoma -to- Seattle Rail Environmental Assessment (Federal Transit Administration and Sound Page 5of19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station Transit, June 1998). The analysis and conclusions included in the Environmental Assessment are summarized below. Socioeconomic. The commuter rail station would operate on existing tracks. No existing uses would be displaced by the proposal. The proposed action would not involve significant adverse impacts on the populations protected by Executive order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations. Based on the socioeconomic analysis, the proposed commuter rail station has the potential to provide mobility benefits to transit dependent populations, while reducing household costs. Transvortation. Traffic increases associated with commuter rail travel to the station would be limited to morning and evening commute hours. West Valley Highway, located west of the proposed station site, is a principal north -south arterial connecting directly to 1-405. Vehicles would enter the station primarily via Longacres Way. Operation of the station would not cause levels of service to change from projected future baseline conditions; intersection -by- intersection analysis results are summarized below and discussed in more detail in the Environmental Assessment (EA). The intersections of Longacres Way/West Valley Highway, Stander Boulevard/West Valley Highway and Lind Ave /SW 16th Street are expected to operate at acceptable LOS D or better during the 1997, 1010 baseline and 2010 proposed action p.m. peak hour traffic conditions. The intersection of Fort Dent Road/West Valley Highway is operating at LOS E under existing conditions and would continue to operate at this level under the proposed action. The intersection of Grady Way/West Valley Highway and South 180th Street/West Valley Highway are operation at LOS F under existing conditions and would continue to operate at this level under the proposed action. The intersection of Lind Avenue /Grady Way is operating at LOS D under existing conditions, and is expected to fall to LOSE both under 2010 future baseline and proposed action. The intersections of Oaksdale Avenue /SW 16th Street and Oaksdale Avenue /Grady Way currently operated at LOS B and C respectively. The 2010 baseline and proposed action levels of service are projected to fall to LOS E for the Oaksdale /SW 16th Street intersection and LOS F for the Oaksdale /Grady intersection. Noise. The proposed commuter rail station in not expected to cause noise or vibration annoyance. Potential sources of noise and ground -borne would include idling locomotives, feeder bus traffic and increased automobile traffic on adjacent roadways. Measures will be taken to control vibration along the commuter route, which will operate at first between Tacoma and Seattle; these include rail grinding, wheel truing, wheel flat detectors systems, and vehicle reconditioning programs. Hazardous Materials. No contaminated sites included on the Washington State L USTT, UST and CSCS lists, or in the federal EPA database occur on the proposed site, and the operation of the station will not increase the risk of contamination. Page 6 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station BioloUical Resources. The proposed station has been cleared and graded in the fairly recent past, and is currently vacant. No significant biological resources will be affected by the construction or operation of the station. Historical. Park and Recreational Resources. No properties listed under or eligible for listing under the National Register of Historic Properties and the Washington Heritage register are located on or in the vicinity of the proposed station. No parks or recreation facilities would be directly displaced by the proposed use and no significant impacts to park and recreation resources located in the vicinity of the station site are anticipated. Cultural Resources. No potentially significant cultural resources were identified during field reconnaissance and no archaeological sites are recorded in the project area. If archaeological material is encountered during the proposed project construction, work should be halted and the Office of Archaeological and Historic Preservation are to be consulted to determine the appropriate follow -up. Visual Oualitv. The station platforms would add some visual diversity but would have little effect on the visual resources of the area. The station is expected to improve the appearance of the site by replacing unkempt open space. Safety and Security. The proposed station has been designed to promote safety and security. Potential commuter rail safety and security issues include safe operational interface between all transportation modes as, well as passenger safety and security aboard buses and trains, at transit stations, and in adjacent areas. Pedestrians would use the existing undercrossing, thus avoiding the need too cross tracks at grade. Passenger security both off and on the train has been incorporated into the proposed project. The design allows for ease of surveillance for police and patrol cars. The shelters will be well lighted, well maintained, and patrolled by local police and transit security force. Air Oualitv. The air quality impacts of the proposed use were evaluated as part of the planning process, in close cooperation with the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency (PSAPCA). The evaluation of air quality impacts indicate that corridor level emissions of carbon monoxide and particulate matter would be reduced under the proposed action relative to the 2010 baseline condition. Emissions of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen would be slightly higher, due to the addition of commuter rail locomotives. Water Oualitv. The nominal impacts to water quality at the proposed site are primarily related to associated erosion and contaminate transport during construction. Earth. The proposed project will involve minimal earthwork (i.e. grading) for construction. Re- establishment of vegetation in non paved cleared areas, as soon as Page 7 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station possible and application of appropriate ground cover would be used to minimize the potential of erosion hazards during operation." Staff Response: Environmental Assessment The NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared in 1998 analyzed transportation, noise and air quality impacts using a 2010 planning horizon, however Sound Transit is proposing operating the temporary station until 2012. As part of the preliminary design and engineering for the permanent station, Sound Transit will be updating the NEPA EA, including assessing transportation impacts. Safety and Security Parking Lot. Security guards are on -site from 5:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m. weekdays, and on weekends when Sound Transit operates special event trains. Guards are to be present on the platforms when trains arrive and depart, and tour the site at least once an hour. Security guards also observe the vacant Sound Transit property located west of the platforms, between the UP and BNSF tracks, and report any illegal activities. Personal and vehicular safety are a greater concern when the security guard is off -duty. This station is considered a destination rather than an origin for riders, with the parking lot the fullest (at 2/3 capacity) in the evenings and weekends as people return to the station, board the trains, and leave their vehicles there overnight. Responses from the public included reports of vandalism and theft of parked cars on the lot during evenings and on weekends when the security guard is not on duty. The absence of security and the fact that this station is one of the most isolated along the Sounder corridor make it more vulnerable for crimes and vandalism. The City of Renton Police Department is responsible for responding to emergency calls at the site. (However, no crime statistics are available through Renton's Police Department because up until recently, City of Renton did not have an address assigned to the parking lot.) Sound Transit has indicated that their signage clearly states, "Not responsible for loss from theft, property damage or personal injury." There are no emergency call -boxes on site for passengers to use after hours or on the weekends. There are also no pay phones on site for passengers' use, which can make transfers to the airport or other locations more difficult. For example, WSDOT's Rail Planning and Policy Coordinator has indicated that Amtrak conductors routinely call ahead to arrange taxi service for passengers disembarking at the Tukwila Station, since no phones are available at the station. As part of their request for a UUP, Sound Transit has agreed to install an emergency call -box at the station which will be hard -wired into their proprietary fiber optic system. Sound Transit has indicated that a pay -phone will be installed as part of the permanent station. The Tukwila Police Department, in their review of the application, noted that security cameras on -site do not cover ticket vending machines. Sound Transit has indicated that the camera placement and coverage, combined with the on -site security guard, are sufficient. Closed TV Page 8 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station monitors record site activities 24 hours each day. Also, security guards do not have visibility in all directions from inside the guard shelter. As part of their request for a UUP, Sound Transit has agreed to add windows to the shelter or replace it with one that has windows on all sides to improve visibility. Platforms and Ramps. Ramps, walks and platforms have been reported as dangerous in winter due to the slickness of the surface, even with the current practice of applying de -icing chemicals by the security guards. In addition, there are no handrails on the access ramps for use in slippery conditions and by the physically disabled. As part of their request for a UUP, Sound Transit has agreed to install "slip- resistant surfaces" on ramps and stairs. Visual Oualitv Public comments on the station's visual quality and image for Tukwila included concerns regarding the negative contribution of the weathered art work and station signage anchored in buckets of cement. According to Sound Transit's Longevity Study for the Tukwila Station (2003), the Tukwila Station sign at the parking lot entrance was to be replaced within one year. As part of their request for a UUP, Sound Transit has indicated they will be upgrading the existing station identification sign and adding informational signage describing the temporary nature of the station, the status of the permanent station, the parking lot address, emergency contact information, and opportunities for public involvement in the station design process. As part of their UUP request, Sound Transit has agreed to replace the existing artwork. Transportation This station is primarily a destination for passengers who are employed, shopping or visiting in the surrounding area. Primary access to the station is from Longacres Way, which becomes a private two -lane access easement at the east margin of the Puget Sound Energy's right -of -way to Tukwila's city limits with Renton. Riders can also access the station from the Boeing Longacres Campus site via private walking paths. Metro bus service at the station is limited, with connecting bus service limited to peak hours. Currently, there is no weekend or mid -day bus service to Tukwila Station even though Amtrak trains stop there during those times. Better transit connections between Tukwila Station and other activity areas (such as the 154 Street light rail station, Tukwila International Blvd, other employment areas within Tukwila) should be explored. Metro buses access the station via SW 16 Street through Boeing property. Boeing limits bus access to hours of Sounder operation via a gate at the north end of the parking lot. 3. The proposed use shall meet or exceed the same standards for parking, landscaping, yards and other development regulations that are required in the district it will occupy. Applicant's response: "The only facilities located in Tukwila are wholly within the BNSF right -of -way. The existing 200 plus space parking lot in Renton has reached capacity. Parking counts performed by security indicate that occupancy climbs from approximately 170 during the AMboardings to approximately 205 by 4 PM Tukwila has approximately Page 9of19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station 2.4 more passengers getting off in the morning than getting on and similar opposite ratio in the evening; indicating that the station is a destination rather than origin of riders. The lot is approximately 2/3rd full when the security guard leaves at 9PM. The afternoon increase in parking appears be associated with people returning to the station and leaving their cars (and RideShare vans). The combination of riders getting on and off at the same time creates a difficult parking management issue. The master plan calls for 350 stalls. As lots become full along the Sounder line, Sound Transit is evaluating a number of options including adding additional parking, better coordinating with feeder bus routes and parking management. Adequate access and lighting of the access were the minimum standards required at the time of approval. Also, improvements on Longacres Way in the form of drop -off areas were constructed" Staff Response: The majority of station elements, including parking, are located in the City of Renton. Only the temporary station platforms are located in the City of Tukwila, within the TUC district. Landscaping, which is typically required of any new development within the TUC district, takes approximately three years to become established. The applicant did not develop a landscape plan as part of the original proposal, since the application was for a "temporary improvement." There are no landscape plans proposed as part of this application. City regulations require undergrounding of all new electrical and communication facilities (13.08.060 TMC).The applicant is not proposing any changes to the lighting. Power to the lighting is provided from power lines strung overhead. Parking, as discussed in the applicant's response, is at capacity. There are no City standards for required number of parking spaces for automobiles at rail stations. Parking issues at the site are different from other lots along the corridor, according to Sound Transit. Sound Transit has indicated that there are 75 vanshares currently registered at the site, carrying a ridership of 513. Sound Transit's Transportation Service Division identified parking issues throughout the Sounder Commuter line in a 2006 study, and has established a System Access and Parking Committee to address parking issues along the rail corridor. Tukwila Station is one of the committee's priorities and will be addressed separately from other stations, given the different parking use pattern. Sound Transit's priority for accommodating access to stations is: 1. Pedestrian 2. Sounder commuter rail, Express bus, local transit, including paratransit services; 3. Accessible parking 4. Bicycle/Passenger drop -off 5. CarShare/VanShare and Carpool/Vanpool 6. Motorcycle /Scooter Private Shuttle/Taxi 7. Passenger vehicles (park -and -ride) Page 10 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station Consequently, Sound Transit first priority in addressing parking shortages is to explore alternatives to providing more parking for single- occupancy passenger vehicles. According to Sound Transit, initial actions by the Parking Committee may include: Striving for more efficient use of vanshare through higher occupancy and scheduling; Consolidating vanshares to larger para transit vehicles; and More marketing of vanpools. Sound Transit has indicated they would endorse City efforts to establish parking restrictions and other appropriate parking management strategies in the surrounding areas. However, this type of spillover parking does not appear to be an issue at this time. There are currently ten bicycle storage lockers and a bicycle rack on site. The storage lockers are fully in use and Sound Transit has indicated that there are ten people currently on the wait list. There is generally space available on the bicycle rack. There are no City of Tukwila standards for required number of parking spaces for bicycles at rail stations. Sound Transit has indicated that "additional bicycle lockers would likely require the removal of existing parking stalls and does not feel the additional lockers are required." 4. The proposed development shall be compatible with surrounding land uses. Applicant's response: "The site is within Tukwila's Urban Center; however there are no existing uses within the immediate vicinity. The area to the north, east and south is undeveloped portions of the Boeing Longacres facility. The site to the northwest is proposed for multifamily development but permits have lapsed. Sound transit owns to parcels to the west of the station that will be developed as the permanent station location. The Master Plan for the permanent commuter rail station was developed considering surrounding infrastructure improvements and development potential. The designers will continue to consider the potential for surrounding development during the next phases of design." Staff response: This station is primarily a destination for passengers who are employed, shopping or visiting in the surrounding area. The station is generally compatible with existing land uses in the vicinity, as listed below: Immediately west of the existing platforms between the UP and BNSF right of ways, is vacant land owned by Sound Transit. This is the site of the future permanent Tukwila Station. Boeing Commercial Airplane Headquarters buildings are located immediately to the east of the station on their Longacres Campus. West of the Union Pacific railroad tracks are vacant lands, light industrial and the Interurban regional recreational trail are located west of the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Commercial services are located along West Valley Highway. A warehouse site on Nelson Place, within walking distance of the station, was converted to a catering business. Within /2 mile radius of the station are six hotels with hundreds of rooms. Within 3 /4 mile is the Tukwila urban center, a regional retail and employment center. Page 11 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station Future land uses in the vicinity that will be supportive of transit ridership are listed below: The City approved the Conditional Use and Design Review applications for a mixed use project (Tukwila Station: 291 units and 5000 sq. ft. of retail) on property directly north of the Sound Transit property in 2005. To date, development has not been initiated. Their grading permit for the site has expired, but recently they have requested information about obtaining a building permit for the project. Boeing's master plan for the 300 acre Longacres Campus area calls for up to 2.6 million square feet of office space with a possible 10,000 employees. The Federal Reserve Bank building is being constructed on a former Boeing site in the Longacres Office Park in the City of Renton, southeast of the project site. The 95,000 square foot building is expected to house 100 employees. New retail, dining and entertainment uses are being developed in the urban center, including the 700,000 square foot expansion of the Westfield Mall, and Acme Bowling and associated retail, restaurants, and fitness center. As part of the Strander Blvd extension project the City of Renton is relocating the Union Pacific Railroad lines eastward, adjacent to the BNSF right -of -way, between I -405 and just south of Strander Blvd. Renton anticipates relocation by 2009. 5. The proposed development shall to the maximum extent feasible be consistent with and promote the goals, objectives, and policies of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and applicable adopted area plans. Applicant's response: "The Comprehensive Plan describes the City's intent to support a high density, regionally oriented, mixed use center in Tukwila. The Comprehensive Plan generally supports commuter rail in the Urban Center to "help ensure Tukwila's long- term economic viability and competitiveness in the region." The Plan's Urban Center Goal 10.3 Transportation and Circulation, expresses the City's intent to "work with transit providers to develop and fund regional park-and-ride and rail locations where traffic and visual impacts on the Tukwila Urban center are minimized through site design and management." (Goal 10.3.1) Similarly, Goal 10.3.3 Transit service and Facilities support promoting "the development and enhancement of transit service and facilities." The proposed commuter rail station is consistent with these goals. While the location of the existing rail lines fix the station location at the east edge of the Urban Center, its presence will help the urban center maintain a regional orientation and provide transportation infrastructure for continued growth. Its visual impacts are minimal, and traffic impacts result in no changes to the forecast baseline conditions." Staff response: The station is also generally consistent with and supports the following Comprehensive Plan goals and policies: 13.4.6 Continue to support, participate in, and encourage the development and implementation of regional /rapid rail with service to the Tukwila Urban Center, and other emerging efficient- capacity technologies that will serve people traveling to, from, and within Tukwila. Page 12 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station 13.4.10 Encourage and support public transportation service including... the continued development of commuter and light rail particularly with service to the Tukwila Urban Center, and continue to support Commute Trip Reduction service. 13.4.12 The development of any light rail or commuter rail system shall meet the following objectives. Such systems shall be located in a manner that serves the Tukwila Urban Center and the Tukwila Multi -modal Center, so as to encourage the development of these Centers in the manner contemplated by this Plan and the Countywide Planning Policies. The temporary station is within walking distance of the northern portion of the Tukwila Urban Center. Metro buses accessing the station also stop at the future Tukwila Transit Center (on Andover Park West). Goal 1.9 An economically strong Tukwila Urban Center, with a distinct image and character, of bold architectural form that provides for an intensive mixture of uses along with access to transit, public amenities, and civic facilities. 10.1.2 Public /private investment shall facilitate and encourage overall growth in the Tukwila Urban Center. The current temporary station is comprised of wood frame and coated plywood structures with chain link fences and railings. The canopies are acrylic lap siding and fiberglass roofs. Sound Transit has indicated they will replace the existing artwork on the platforms as part of their UUP request. 13.4.14 Require that parking facilities developed in conjunction with transit facilities be adequately sized and managed to prevent spillover parking onto private property, public property, or public streets. As discussed in previous criteria, parking capacity has been reached and vanshare vehicles in particular appear to have difficulty finding an available parking space. Spillover parking does not appear to be a concern at this time. The parking lot is located within the City of Renton, and must conform to their standards. See also staff's response to criteria #3. Page 13 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station 6. The unclassif ed use shall, to the maximum extent feasible, mitigate all significant adverse environmental impacts on public health and private properties. Full consideration shall be given to: (a) alternative locations and /or routes that reduce or eliminate adverse impacts; and (b) alternative designs that reduce and/or eliminate adverse impacts. Applicant's response: "There are minimal alternatives for locating a commuter rail station within the City of Tukwila to serve the City's Urban Center, the preferred location for transit service to the City. Longacres Way, although private, is the only safe access to the BNSF rail line south of I -405 and north of S. 180th St because of the existence of the UPRR underpass. The City of Renton plans to extend Strander Blvd across the BNSF and UPRR tracks; however funding for the improvements has yet to be secured. The station is designed to be temporary until a permanent station is designed and constructed. The permanent station will respond to the City of Tukwila's Urban Center Plan and the City of Renton's Strander Boulevard extension project. Sound Transit provided additional passenger shelters in response to previous UUP permit reviews. No additional improvements are proposed at this time, thus there are no alternative locations or designs that could reduce significant adverse impacts." Staff response: Sound Transit is not proposing any significant changes to the temporary station's location and configuration at this time. As stated in staff responses to previous criteria, as part of their UUP request Sound Transit has agreed to a number of minor improvements to the station, including new signage, additional benches in the southern shelter on the western track, new platform artwork (that may also provide wind and rain shelter), and a guard shelter with better visibility of the site. 7. In the event that a proposed essential public facility of a countywide or statewide nature creates an unavoidable significant adverse environmental or economic impact on the community, compensatory mitigation shall be required. Compensatory mitigation shall include public amenities, incentives or other public benefits which offset otherwise unmitigated adverse impacts of the essential public facility. Where appropriate, compensatory mitigation shall be provided as close to the affected area as possible. Applicant's response: "No additional adverse environmental or economic impacts on the community are anticipated as a result of continued operation of the temporary commuter rail station." Staff response: No additional information. Page 14 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station 8. For uses in residential areas, applicants shall demonstrate that there is no reasonable non residential alternative site for their use. Applicant's response: "See the response to question 6 above. The site did not initially allow residential uses, however during the City of Tukwila's Urban Center planning process the City decided to allow residential uses adjacent to the commuter rail station." Staff response: After the temporary station was constructed, the City amended the TIvIC to allow transit- oriented development housing located on property adjacent to and not greater than V4 mile from the Sounder Commuter Rail/Amtrak Station as a conditional use (TIM 18.28.40). The temporary station location is fixed at its current location. 9. For uses in residential areas, applicants shall show that the use provides some tangible benefit for the neighborhood. Applicant's response: "The site will provide convenient commuter rail access to nearby residents and workers." Staff response: Sounder commuter rail and Amtrak service will provide viable alternative modes of travel to the single- occupancy vehicle for residents in the area. CONCLUSIONS The application is for the continued operation of the temporary commuter rail/Amtrak station for five years, until a permanent station can be constructed and operational. Sound Transit's proposed timeline for design and construction anticipates the expected opening of Phase I of the permanent station in 2011 or 2012. When the UUP for the temporary station was initially approved in 2000, it was intended to be in place only until 2004. As such, it was intended to be a functional rather than well designed facility. In 2012, the temporary station will have been in place a total of 10 years. Based on feedback staff has received from the users of the station, there are significant issues that need to be addressed if it is to be functional for another five years. However, the challenge with extending the use of this facility is in minimizing short term expenses in order to maintain sufficient funds for construction of a permanent station with the high quality design and amenities expected by the City and needed to stimulate future transit oriented development in the area. Based upon discussion with City staff regarding comments and concerns received from Public Works, Police, Fire, and users of the station, Sound Transit has agreed to providing the following improvements to the temporary Tukwila Station by December 31, 2008 (see appendix E): Install slip resistant surfaces on ramps and stairs, to reduce slippery surfaces in winter. Page 15 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station Replace the existing temporary artwork (this process will begin as soon as Sound Transit and the City define the artist selection and review process). Explore the possibility of using it to provide shelter from wind and rain Replace and install station identification signage in a manner not requiring the sign posts to be installed in buckets of concrete. Install signage that informs the public as to the temporary nature of the station, provides the station address, provides an update on the status of the permanent station, invites them to participate in the design process, and provides contact infoiruation for emergencies or to be involved in the design of the permanent station. Provide two benches in the southern shelter on the western track. Upgrade or replace the guard shelter to provide more windows that allow for better surveillance of the site. Install a handrail on each access ramp. Install an emergency call -box in a location to be determined by Sound Transit. Meet with Metro transit planners and Tukwila Public Works and Department of Community Development staff to discuss short-term and long -term coordination of transit to and from the temporary commuter rail station. (Any change to Metro service requires King County approval.) Provide City Council updates twice a year on the status of planning, construction and funding for the permanent station. The updates will be scheduled to coincide with design, engineering, and construction milestones for the permanent station project, and will also include a summary of maintenance that has occurred at the station and updates on ridership and service changes. Consequently, considering the above commitments made by Sound Transit, staff conclusions regarding the unclassified use criteria (Section 18.66.060 TMC) are as follows. 1. Where appropriate and feasible, all facilities shall be underground. The temporary station is already in place. Sound Transit is not proposing any significant changes to the existing facilities. It is not feasible to underground the platforms that are associated with the BNSF rail lines. 2. The proposed use will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity. Based on feedback staff received from station users, there are a number of personal and vehicular safety and security concerns at the station. Sound Transit has agreed to install an emergency call box at the temporary station in 2008. Vehicles parked during the security guard's off -hours park there at their own risk. The City of Renton is responsible for responding to emergency calls at the temporary station site. Sound Transit is taking steps to ensure that the temporary facilities and amenities associated with the station (such as signage, artwork, ramps and platforms) are kept in good condition, both structurally and aesthetically, so that passenger safety is ensured and the temporary nature of the facility does not convey a negative image of Tukwila. Sound Transit is taking additional Page 16 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station measures to reduce slippery surfaces in winter and to improve passenger safety on the ramps, particularly for the handicapped. If Sound Transit completes the safety, security and maintenance improvements they have agreed to, the proposed use will not be detrimental_ or the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvement in the vicinity. 3. The proposed use shall meet or exceed the same standards for parking, landscaping, yards and other development regulations that are required in the district it will occupy. The temporary station is already in place, and the applicant is not proposing additional structures, landscaping or other facilities that would need to comply with TUC district standards. The parking lot is located entirely within the city limits of Renton, so Tukwila standards do not apply. However, ensuring that there is sufficient parking capacity over the next five years for station patrons is a concern. 4. The proposed development shall be compatible with surrounding land uses. As a temporary improvement, the station is generally compatible with the surrounding land uses. 5. The proposed development shall to the maximum extent feasible be consistent with and promote the goals, objectives, and policies of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and applicable adopted area plans. The temporary station is generally consistent with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan, providing commuter rail service within walking distance of many activity areas within the Tukwila Urban Center. However, the temporary station represents only a minimal investment in public and civic amenities, and does not provide bold architectural form or distinctive character for Tukwila. The applicant needs to address parking capacity for bicycles, cars and vanshares at this station to avoid adverse impacts during the next five years until the permanent station is open and operational. Consequently, permit approval should be conditioned by the Council in order to ensure that off street parking facilities at Tukwila Station are provided as demand warrants over the next five years and ensure adequate mitigation of off -site parking impacts, in the event that they occur. See Recommendations section below. Page 17 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station 6. The unclassified use shall, to the maximum extent feasible, mitigate all significant adverse environmental impacts on public health and private properties. Full consideration shall be given to: (a) alternative locations and/or routes that reduce or eliminate adverse impacts; and (b) alternative designs that reduce and/or eliminate adverse impacts. The temporary station is already in place. Alternative locations and designs that mitigate adverse environmental impacts will be considered during the design of the permanent station. 7. In the event that a proposed essential public facility of a countywide or statewide nature creates an unavoidable significant adverse environmental or economic impact on the community, compensatory mitigation shall be required. Compensatory mitigation shall include public amenities, incentives or other public benefits which offset otherwise unmitigated adverse impacts of the essential public facility. Where appropriate, compensatory mitigation shall be provided as close to the affected area as possible. Significant adverse environmental or economic impact on the community is not anticipated due to the continued operation of the temporary station. 8. For uses in residential areas, applicants shall demonstrate that there is no reasonable non residential alternative site for their use. The temporary station is already in place. It is not feasible or necessary to identify altemative sites. 9. For uses in residential areas, applicants shall show that the use provides some tangible benefit for the neighborhood. As a temporary facility, the station is generally located and designed to be of benefit in providing transportation options to the community. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the City Council adopt the findings and conclusions of the staff report and approve the unclassified use permit for the temporary commuter rail station at 7301 South Longacres Way for the proposed time period from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012, and subject to these conditions. 1. For the next five years until the permanent station is open and operational: a. Sound Transit shall provide the DCD Director with parking utilization counts for the Tukwila Station parking lot 011 a bi- annual basis. The schedule and methods for these counts Page 18 of 19 Staff Report to the Tukwila City Council L07 -065: Unclassified Use Permit for Sound Transit's Commuter Rail Station shall be subject to approval by the DCD Director. If at any time during this period the number of parked vehicles is equal to or exceeds 95% of existing capacity, Sound Transit shall identify and implement, as soon as practically possible, and at its sole cost, effective mitigation measures. b. In the event that the City of Tukwila or Sound Transit receive complaints from property owners or tenants regarding spillover parking by station patrons in nearby parking areas, Sound Transit shall identify and implement, as soon as practically possible, and at its sole cost, effective mitigation measures. c. Any mitigation measure implemented pursuant to these conditions must be acceptable to the DCD Director, and may include those measures identified by Sound Transit through its comprehensive analysis of system wide parking strategies in the System Access and Parking Committee process anticipated to occur in 2008, including reducing parking demand through such methods as coordinating transit service improvements and vanshares; providing additional bicycle parking; increasing parking supply by using the adjacent vacant lot owned by Sound Transit as temporary parking; or obtaining temporary shared parking agreements for overflow parking with nearby property owners. 2. To accommodate the current wait list for bicycle parking, Sound Transit shall provide an additional ten bicycle storage units. Page 19 of 19 P:\L.YNNNI\Longacres TOD\Sounder\UUP temp station 2007 L07- 065station- SR_Final.doc ATTACHMENT A: Applicant's Letter Requesting UUP unre S Ov S 'r v�f DTR NSIT BOARD CHAIR John W. Ladenburg Pierce County Executive August 10, 2007 BOARD VICE CHAIRS Minnie Dhaliwal Connie Marshall :Belle ue Councilmember Department of Community Development Ci ty of Tukwila Mark Olson Everett Councilmember 6300 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, WA 98188 BOARD MEMBERS ';-"Julie Anderson :Tacoma Councilmember Subject: Unclassified Use Permit Sound Transit Tukwila Temporary Commuter Rail Station Mary -iUyce Burleigh Kirkland Councilmember Dear Ms. Dhaliwal Butler =:'Issaquah, Deputy Council Preside On behalf of Sound Transit, I am submitting the enclosed application for an y` y'•' Dow_Constantine Unclassified Use Permit (UUP) for the continued operation of the existing, -Ki County Councilmember permitted Sounder temporary commuter rail station. The temporary station exists -r `=47-ei.,Dave as a result of agreements with the cities of Renton and Tukwila, dating from 2002, Sum Mayor to postpone construction of the permanent station for up to 10 years in order to =:Doug MacDonald ';�Washirrgton�State respond to the City of Renton 's Strander Boulevard project and the City of Department o Transpo�tat:on Secretary Tukwila's Urban Center planning. The temporary station was permitted in 2000 and completed m 2002. The existing permit extension expires on December 31, _':T "r? .Richard Mann 2007. Sound Transit requests that the City of Tukwila permit the temporary dO "C011ncilmernber ta t ir on through December, 2012 by \\hich time construction the permanent station RicharaMcl�er Seaitle: Coisncilmersiber should be complete: Nickels: Existing temporary commuter rail station: The platforms at Sounder's se nte temporary Tukwila Commuter Rail Station are located within the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad NSF right-of-way south of Longacres Way, a Councilmember private road. The park- and -ride lot, transit boarding facility, and bus stops are =Y= =Larry Phillips Cbair:Wing County Council east of the platform on the Boeing Long acres site, within the City of Renton._ `S "`Aaron Reardon t T i S n o ho mish County ExeCrtwe The st,!tit n con i=ts primarily of two 600 foot long passenger platfr There ere iS one wheelchair accessible ramp at the north end of each platform. Benches, trash Ron Sims receptacles and canopy shelters are provided on each platform. Ticket vending :M- :,King'County Executive machines and other passenger information are located at the northwest corner of Eeudia Thomas the parking area. Pedestrian connection from the park and ride on the east side of r Lakewood the station to the southbound platform on west side of the track is made by way of v "an Reichbauer the Longacres Way underpass. Stairs and ramps connect the platform to the =vrceChair King County Counc; ground level 200 -space parking lot, bus transit area and pedestrian ways. Sounder provides service of three trains each way scheduled as follows: CHiEE_ EXECUTIVE OFFICER Northbound: 6:24 a.m.; 6:59; 7:20; and 7:42 _Joni Earl Southbound: 436 p.m.; 5:01; 5:26; and 5:56 =ti Additional trains are scheduled to begin this fall: cs I Ili COMre.4uryJ 1 Y EVEL.oPMEAT Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Union Station 1 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104 -2826 Reception: (206) 398 -5000 FAX: (206) 398 -5499 www.soundtransit.org Northbound 5:41 a.m.; 8:01 a.m.; and 17:26 p.m. Southbound 6:26 a.m.; 15:51 p.m.; and 18:11 p.m. In order to ensure continued, safe operation of the temporary station, Sound Transit Facilities Division performs routine maintenance and inspections in response to the findings of a longevity and maintenance study for the temporary station. Coordination with the cities of Tukwila and Renton: Around the time Sound Transit was completing design of original station in 2000, the City of Tukwila requested that Sound Transit stop design to allow for coordination with the urban center planning that the City had begun. Sound Transit agreed and submitted a UUP for construction of the temporary station. A September 2002 King County Superior Court Settlement between Sound Transit and the City of Renton included the requirements to extend the use of the temporary station for up to 10 years (through 2012) to allow Renton to design and secure funding for the Strander Boulevard extension project. In the winter of 2004 Sound Transit requested an extension of the UUP through the winter of 2007 with the potential for yearly extensions through 2012. At that time, Sound Transit communicated that design and construction would take a number of years given the need to redesign the station and coordinate with the Strander Boulevard project. The City granted an extension through December of 2007, but required the Sound Transit re -apply for further permitting of the temporary station. The extension also required Sound Transit to construct two additional passenger shelters. The construction of both shelters has been completed. Tukwila completed the Urban Center planning and Renton completed 30% design of the Strander Boulevard extension in spring 2005. Renton's concept required the relocation of the Union Pacific railroad to be adjacent to the BNSF right -of- way, and anticipated that construction would start in early 2007 and continue through 2008. In April, 2005 Sound Transit, the City of Renton and the City of Tukwila agreed to a design approach based on the Strander Boulevard design and the Tukwila Urban Center plan. Sound Transit hired KPFF to complete a refined preliminary engineering report based on that design approach. The City of Tukwila and Renton participated on the Executive Steering Committee that helped define the design and direction for project phasing. The design costs more than is available in Sound Move however ST2, if passed, contains funding for full construction. KPFF completed their report in early 2007. Although Renton has not begun construction and still must clear a number of hurdles to implementing the Strander project, they have made significant progress. Sound Transit is now ready to proceed to the next phases of design 2 while the City of Renton continues their efforts resolve issues concerning the relocation of the Union Pacific railroad right -of -way. Schedule for design and construction of the permanent commuter rail station: Sound Transit is entering into contract for Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation (PE /ED) that will advance the design of all elements through 30 Tukwila and Renton will again participate through the Executive Steering Committee in the decisions on phasing final design and construction package. The priority established during preliminary engineering was to complete construction of the permanent station platform. The phasing will reflect the additional budget if ST2 passes and the status of the Strander Boulevard extension project. Final design would take approximately 12 months. Following a 4 month bidding period, construction of the permanent station, or an initial phase, will range from 14 to 24 months. At this point, we expect that the earliest the permanent station would be open is some time in 2011 or 2012. In closing, we emphasize our sincere appreciation of the City of Tukwila's continued cooperation in this matter. If you have any additional information needs or questions, please do not hesitate to call me at (206) 398- 5342. Sincerely, Paul Cornish Project Manager Capital Projects Division CC: James Edwards, Division Director 3 ATTACHMENT B: Vicinity Map v Eg___i l sr -I i .0% k LE L _r 4 1 a r .1 I.MILIL $1.00 7 '•'ik, ow 44T 1 -1 i4gsr( as MOM 0.'9 Fc `y fit" ,e S 147TH Sr raraer o 149TH ST� sutrtsr �sst arf i R 1 151 ST 1 s t rrf p 5151 ST II t F= ii L,_ S157NDSI Q 1 5151 g ,ors ti6f1H6T 1 ‘i 1 1..e ir k s 153RQ N .7 1 ..\.'..11. 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Page 1 From: Trish Lawrence To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/13/2007 7 :48 am Subject: Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? Parking is tight... A lot of times you can not find parking and have to wait for a train to arrive to park your car. There is not enough shelter to protect passengers during the winter, the cold, wind and rain are bad. The walks /ramps are slick in the winter and at least 1 person falls because of this every year (that I'm aware of). tl Trish Lawrence Tukwila Police Department Major Crimes Unit 6200 Southcenter Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188 206 -431- 3890 -Phone 206 -431- 3688 -Fax tlawrence@ci.tukwila.wa.us Lynn Miranda 9/12/2007 5:39 pm Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email /submit them in writing to me. The comment period doses Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) Imiranda@ci.tukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 Page 1 of 1 Lynn Miranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? From: Bob Giberson To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/13/2007 7:51 AM Subject: Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? I might consider using the Station if security was better and if there was a shuttle that went from the Station and looped through the Urban Center and by City Hall. Many of the City vehicles being used for current commuters have been vandalized or broken into. Bob Giberson Acting City Engineer City of Tukwila Public Works 6300 Southcenter Blvd, Ste 100 Tukwila, WA 98188 Tel: (206) 431 -2457 Fax: (206) 433 -7164 Cel: (206) 571 -8163 Lynn Miranda 09/12/2007 5:39:14 pm Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email /submit them in writing to me. The comment period closes Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) lmiranda @ci.tukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 m iv�n «r• errnrnr.n`_t_ nn /1 "7 /1!1!1'7 Lynn Miranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? 1 From: Scott Moore To: Miranda, Lynn Date: 09/13/2007 8:15 am Subject: ,Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? Yes it is as cold as We need a wider temporary plat form it un safe too narrow, and more shelters or a wall across the top to shelter from the wind. and rain. Please don't let them push this. Have them pull funds from light rail to build a station that works for all. Ramps do not meet Ada standards too long to narrow without a rest landing. Also need to connect to the mall and higher security. there are a min of 350 people getting on the first train south. and at least 200 plus on all the other trains. Plus when the Amtrak train comes through there are now probably 30 people that get on it. The road going in is not safe for peds or bikes. too narrow, and been brushed under bridge. Scott I hope this is not too much Lynn Miranda 9/12/2007 5:39 pm Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, were looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email /submit them in writing to me. The comment period closes Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) Imiranda@cltukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 Page 1 of 2 Lynn Miranda RE: Sounder commuter rail rider? From: Karla <karla @seattlesouthside.com> To: "'Lynn Miranda <lmiranda @ci.tukwila.wa.us> Date: 09/13/2007 8:33 AM Subject: RE: Sounder commuter rail rider? It would be nice to see some kind of improvements or measures done for the safety of the ramps and platforms in the rain and snowy /frosty season. They get quite slick and I feel very unsafe in the winter time when it is constantly drizzly and sometimes freezing out. Sometimes the staff there will put down ice melt, but sometimes it just melts the ice and makes it slicker to walk on. Also, it would be nice to have more covered areas for standing and waiting, rather than just in the open air. Just my thoughts! Karla Lindula Marketing Coordinator Tourism and Marketing Department City of Tukwila From: Lynn Miranda mailto :Imiranda ©ci.tukwila.wa.us] Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 5:39 PM To: Alan Baalaer; Amy Bell; Anita Chiarenza; Alan Codenys; Ana Weichman; Allen Johannessen; Aaron Johnson; Amy Kindell; Alice Deacy; Alice Strand; Alison MacDougall; Alan Metzler; Andy Nevens; Peter Beckwith; Beth Adams; Bao Trinh; Bob Benedicto; Brian Duffy; Ben Williams; Bruce Fletcher; Bob Giberson; Benjamin Hayman; Brenda Holt; Brian Jordan; Brendan Kerin; Brandon Kim; Brenda LaFleur; Bruce Linton; Brian Lucero; Brandon Miles; Bill Rambo; Barbara Saxton; Brian Shelton; Bryan Still; Brian Willis; Bev Willison; Cathy Browning; Curt Chandler; Tina Cook; Ceith Cullens; Chris Danninger; Chris Daugherty; Chris Flores; Craig Gardner; Clint Hibbert; Cyndy Knighton; Carol Lumb; Charles Mael; Crystal McLean; Chuck Morris; Christy O'Flaherty; City Prosecutor; Camell Shinaul; Carolyn Simons; Cindy Wilkins; Chuck Woolley; Dana Almberg; Donald Ames; Darrell Baskin; DCD -LINK LINK; David Cruz; Don Dart; Dee England; David Ewing; David Hauntz; Darren Hawkins; David Haynes; David Heckelsmiller; Deanna Hopper; Diane Jaber; Dave Johnson; Dawn Judkins; Dave Larson; Donald Lincoln; Diann Martinez; Dan McCone; Dennis McOmber; David McPherson; Douglas Johnson; Deforrest Phelps; Dale Rock; Derek Speck; Donald Tomaso; Evelyn Boykan; Eric DeVries; Eric Dreyer; Erika Eddins; Eric Hines; Eric Lund; Erwin Mackie; Eric Murphy; Edward Rookstool; Frank Iriarte; Fleet Maintenance; Greg Hansen; Gary Koutouvidis; Gail Labanara; Gary Leavitt; Gregory Lecompte; Gerald Myklebust; Gary Sacha; Greg Villanueva; Henry Ancira; Ken Hernandez; Han Kirkland; Hoa Mai; John Borden; James Brooks; Jane Cantu; Joel Curl; Juan Delgado; Jodi Denney; Jim Dunaway; John Dunn; Jeff Early; Joanna Fortenberry; Jon Harrison; John Howat; Jeffrey Johnson; Jason Karwhite; James King; Jason Konieczka; James Lindsey; Jennifer Marshall; Joe McCain; James Mitchell; Jim Morrow; Jeff Morton; Jeff Nichols; Jack Pace; John Perry; Jaimie Reavis; Jeff Richards; Jim Schell; Jay Seese; Joanna Spencer; James Sturgill; Joyce Trantina; Joshua Vivet; Jack Waller; Jason Wollan; Kenneth Beckman; Kraig Boyd; Kerry Carlson; Kory Custer; Ken Nelsen; Karen Fricke; Kevin Fuhrer; Kim Gilman; Katherine Kertzman; Keith King; Kimberly Matej; Kevin Mathews; Kirstin May; Kelly Narog; Ken Reed; Karen Sotace; Kathy Stetson; Kimberly Walden; Lani Chandler; Laurie Anderson; Lisa Goines; Linda Grage; Larry Hann; Lily Jue; Lisa Lee; Loren McFarland; Lynn Miranda; Lavern Peterson; Lori Sutter; Lisa Verner; Laurie Werle; Mario Intern; Moira Bradshaw; Mindy Breiner; Merle Brooks; Mark Crowley; Mike Cusick; Matthew Czuleger; Minnie Dhaliwal; Mark Dunlap; Marius Francis; Matthew Gilbert; Martin Grisham; Melissa Hart; Matt Hickey; Mark Howie; Maggie Lubov; Matt Ludwig; Mary Magno; Mike Marcum; Michael McCoy; Mary Miotke; Mark Morales; Maria Morehouse; Mike Murphy; Malcolm Neely; Joshua Intern; Marty OBrien; Mike Richardson; Martin Roberts; Mike Ronda; Michael Soss; Mike Villa; Norita Deckard; Nick Olivas; Nathan nn /1 7 i-nni Page 1 of 2 Lynn Miranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? From: Mary M iotke To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/13/2007 9:20 AM Subject: Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? Iynn N thanks for asking! here are my comments /observations: 1) priority reserved parking is given to commuter vans, leaving inadequate parking for the rest of us. at times, we are unable to park within the designated lot and have to park outside or in the boeing property area. suggestion: increased parking for general use or maybe reserved parking for city cars? (selfish, eh 2) there are 2 small shelters on each side of the tracks, but only one shelter on the southbound side has a bench. there are no other benches along the stretch of platform, just a chain -link fence to lean on. i often carry quite a bit of things with me and have often wished for a bench to sit on while waiting for a train, especially in the afternoons after working all day. suggestion: benches situated along the entire length of the platform. 3) smokers congregate along the entry way to the platform...at times the security guard is there smoking with them. train riders have to walk through the cloud to access the platform. suggestion: a designated smoking area away from the platform entrance...and enforced! 4) when the temperature falls, the platform is very slippery. they try to alleviate the problem by spreading chemicals on the walkway, but the ice or frost doesn't melt quick enough and it is still hazardous when we arrive on the morning trains. the conductors caution us as we leave the train, but we still see people slipping and falling. suggestion: install non -skid surface or put chemicals on earlier. 5) the station looks dirty, especially with the aged and weather -worn (cheesy) "artwork" or attempt at decoration. suggestion: cleanup cheesy artwork and add color! 6) all other stations have reader boards and announcements that say when the next train will arrive. at the tukwila station, we have no clue if the train will be on time or will arrive late. suggestion: install electronic reader board where both north- and south -bound riders can see it or, alternatively, have the security guard be more proactive in keeping riders informed of delays. 7) during the rainy /windy weather, because the platform is in the open and so high and unprotected, the winds blows through often strong enough to turn umbrellas inside out. the 2 small shelters are inadequate to offer a windbreak for all the people waiting, especially along the length of the train platform. suggestion: not sure of a short-term solution, but maybe could have a more protected waiting area on lower ground, dose enough to get quickly up the ramp to the train when it arrives. or maybe install windbreak panels along the platform that would still allow visibility for security purposes? again...thanks for asking! if i think of anything else, i will send it on. mm From: Lynn Miranda To: All7User Date: 09/12/2007 5:39 pm Subject: Sounder commuter rail rider? Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Page 1 of 1 Lynn Miranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? From: Mike Marcum To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/13/2007 11:11 AM Subject: Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? There are 2 things I would like to mention #1- Sound Transit has given priority parking to the Van Share's at the station giving them their own spots. This is a little ridiculous and makes everyone else have to park up and down the roads and walk for a couple blocks just to get to the train. WE NEED MORE PARKING. Hopefully on the Tukwila side of the tracks. #2 The platform is DANGEROUS during the winter. The platform is extremely icy and the wind whips through the station like a wind tunnel during the winter keeping it icy. It would be nice to have some more shelter and maybe some extra seating. On 09/12/2007 at 5:39 pm, in message <46E823DF.024C.00DB.0 @ci.tukwila.wa.us Lynn M randa wrote: Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email/submit them in writing to me. The comment period closes Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) lmiranda @ci.tukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 Lynn Miranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? 1 From: Kell? Narog To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/13/2007 1:37 pm Subject: ,Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? There seems to be enough parking, although during the I -5 construction, all spaces were used. The elevated area to wait for the train is much narrower than the permanent stations. People cannot line up to wait for the train as they do at the permanent stations. If they did, they would be pushed onto the tracks. Because the elevated waiting area is so narrow, it is much more dangerous than the permanent stations are. Other than the fact that it is truly ugly as compared to the permanent stations, that's about all. I'm sorry that it is so long before they intend to build a permanent station. Lynn Miranda 9/12/2007 5:39 pm Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email /submit them in writing to me. The comment period closes Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending Improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) Imirandafalci.tukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 Page 1 of 1 Lynn Miranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? From Derek Speck To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/14/2007 2:16 PM Subject: Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? Lynn, I feel strongly that Sound Transit should make some signage or other improvements to let riders know it is a temporary station. I have heard from a number of out of town riders who didn't understand why the Tukwila Station was so unattractive compared to the other stations and they thought it reflected poorly on Tukwila's image. Thank you. Lynn Miranda 9/12/2007 5:39:14 pm Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email /submit them in writing to me. The comment period closes Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) lmiranda @ci.tukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 Lynn ik liranda Re: Sounder commuter rail rider? 4 1 From: Kelly Narog To: Lynn Miranda Date: 09/17/2007 10:37 am Subject: fte: Sounder commuter rail rider? The rain this morning reminded me that it is much more difficult in the winter. The stairs are slick when wet or icy. They often use salt in the winter. Lynn Miranda 9/17/2007 10:34 am Thanks for your comments! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) ImirandaCaci.tukwila.wa. us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9:30-6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 Kelly Narog 09/13/2007 1:37 pm There seems to be enough parking, although during the I -5 construction, all spaces were used. The elevated area to wait for the train is much narrower than the permanent stations. People cannot line up to wait for the train as they do at the permanent stations. If they did, they would be pushed onto the tracks. Because the elevated waiting area is so narrow, it is much more dangerous than the permanent stations are. Other than the fact that it is truly ugly as compared to the permanent stations, that's about all. I'm sorry that it is so long before they intend to build a permanent station. Lynn Miranda 9/12/2007 5:39 pm Hello, If you are a commuter rail rider using the Tukwila Rail Station, we're looking for your comments: Sound Transit is applying for an unclassified use permit to allow continuing operation of the temporary station until a new station is constructed (they're requesting permit valid until 2012). If you have any comments or suggestions on the station e.g., parking, facilities, amenities, etc, please email /submit them in writing to me. The comment period closes Oct 4 5pm. Based on the comments received, we can consider recommending improvements at the site as a condition of the permit. Thanks! Happy riding! Lynn Lynn Miranda, AICP Senior Planner City of Tukwila, WA 206.433.7162 (phone) Imiranda(a ci.tukwila.wa.us 206.431.3665 (fax) Hours: Mon/Tues 9:30 -6:30 Wed 9 :30 -6:00 Fri 9:30 -2:30 ATTACHMENT E: Sound'Transit Letter RE: Temporary Station Enhancements SOUNDTRhANS1T BOARD CHAIR John W. Ladenburg Pierce County Exerltive November 8, 2007 HOARD VICE CHAIRS Lynn Miranda Connie Marshall Department of Community Development Bellevue Councilmember City of Tukwila Mark Olson 6300 Southcenter Boulevard Everett Councilmember Tukwila, WA 98188 BOARD MEMBERS Julie Anderson Subject: Unclassified Use Permit Tacoma Councilmember Sound Transit Tukwila Temporary Commuter Rail Station Mary -Alyce Burleigh Kirkland Councilmember Dear Ms. Miranda: Fred Butler We appreciate your thoughtful review of our application to renew the Unclassified Use Issaquah Deputy Council President Permit (UUP) through 2012, and for the opportunity to meet with you over the past Dow Constantine weeks to discuss our responses. Per our discussions, Sound Transit agrees to do the King County Councilmember following to enhance the patron experience of the temporary station. All items will be Dave Enslow constructed within the 2008. Sumner Mayor Doug MacDonald Slip- Resistant Surfaces: Install improved slip resistant surfaces on "ramps" and stairs. %shington State Department (This is the first priority for action this year.) of Transportation Secretary Richard Marin Artwork: Replace the existing artwork in coordination with the City Arts Council. Edmonds Councilmember (This can start as soon as Sound Transit and City of Tukwila staff define the artist Richard McIver selection and review process.) Seattle Councilmember Signage: A station sign will be installed in a manner not requiring the sign posts to be Greg Nickels installed in buckets of concrete. An additional sign, location to be determined, will Seattle Mayor inform the public as to the temporary nature of the station, provide the station address, Julia Patterson provide an update on the status of the permanent station, invite them to participate in the King County Councilmember design process, and provide contact information for emergencies or to be involved in the Larry Phillips design of the permanent station. Chair, King County Council Aaron Reardon Benches: Add two benches in southem, west side shelter. Snohomish County Executive Guard Shelter: Upgrade or replace the guard•shelter to provide view out of all sides. Ron Sims King County Executive Handrails: Install handrail on one side of each "ramp." Claudia Thomas Lakewood Mayor Emergency Call Box: Install new call box in a location determined by Sound Transit Pete_von Reidrbauer security. Vice Chair, King County Council Parking: Sound Transit's priority for accommodating access to stations is: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 1. Pedestrian Joni Earl 2. Sounder commuter rail, Express bus, local transit, including paratransit services; 3. Accessible parking 4. Bicycle/Passenger drop -off 5. CarShare/VanShare and Carpool/Vanpool 6. Motorcycle /Scooter Private ShuttleiTaxi 7. Passenger vehicles (park- and -ride) Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Union Station 1 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104 -2826 Reception: (206) 398 -5000 FAX: (206) 398 -5499 www.soundtransit.org Consequently, Sound Transit is first exploring alternatives to providing new spaces for single occupant vehicle. The Transportation Facilities Division has established System Access Parking Committee to address parking issues along the Sounder corridor. Tukwila is one of the priorities. To date, the committee has identified the following opportunities to improve access to Sounder at the Tukwila station. Sound Transit and KClvietro will work to build on the existing 75 Vanshares at the station carrying a registered ridership of 513 patrons. (This partnership already saves hundreds of spaces.) We will also strive for more efficient use of Vanshare through higher occupancy and scheduling, and consolidating Vanshares to larger para transit vehicles. Sound Transit could explore with Tukwila Public Works the potential for temporary use pervious surfaces on our vacant site if accommodating single occupant vehicle overflow parking is an option identified by the System Access and Parking Committee group. Sound Transit will provide the City of Tukwila an update on the outcome of the System Access Parking Committee actions. Meet with King County Metro: Sound Transit will expand our ongoing coordination with Metro transit planners to include a meeting with Tukwila Public Works and Department of Community Development staff to discuss short -term and long -term coordination of transit to and from the temporary commuter rail station. Any change to Metro service requires King County approval. City Council Updates: Provide the updates twice a year. The updates will be scheduled to coincide with Preliminary Engineering project milestone, and will include a summary of maintenance that has occurred at the station and updates on ridership and service changes. Sound Transit strives to provide a high quality experience for its patrons at this temporary facility. I hope this adequately summarizes the meetings and correspondence to date. David Goldberg (206) 398 -5295 will be available to address any outstanding concerns of the City of Tukwila while I am out of town next week. Additionally, we remain open to you ideas on how we can jointly strive to provide a high quality experience for Sounder patrons at this temporary facility. Sine auT Cornish Project Manager CC: James Edwards, Division Director 2