Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-28 Committee of the Whole MinutesApril 28, 1997 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OFFICIALS CITIZEN'S COMMENTS None. SPECIAL ISSUES Sound System orientation Comprehensive Plan/ Zoning Code Amendments TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Jim Haggerton called the Committee of The Whole Meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. JOE DUFFIE; JOAN HERNANDEZ; JIM HAGGERTON, Council President; ALLEN EKBERG; STEVE MULLET; PAM CARTER; PAM LINDER. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; BOB NOE, City Attorney; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; DON WILLIAMS, Parks and Recreation Director; STEVE LANCASTER, DCD Director; ROSS EARNST, Public Works Director. Al Spencer, Internal Operations Manager, gave a brief summary of the operating instructions on the Council Chambers microphones. Steve Lancaster, DCD Director, explained that the Council held a public meeting on April 7, 1997 and heard presentations from both staff and applicants. Many community members commented on the proposals at that time. It is now within the Council's purview on how to proceed from this point regarding further input on the Comprehensive Plan /Zoning Code amendments. Councilmembers were in agreement that further public comments would be welcomed as long as the comments were kept to a minimum. Lancaster clarified that at this point in the process, the Council is charged with deciding if a proposed amendment is consistent with the current Comprehensive Plan policies, and whether it should be: 1) dropped from further consideration; 2) deferred for one or more years; or, 3) forwarded directly to the Planning Commission for further review. In response to a question posed by Councilmember Hernandez, Lancaster stated that the Council is not limited to the three options noted above. They can take action on one or more tonight. Others could be processed according to the Council's internal procedures, which would include referral to a subcommittee of the Council. However, the Planning Commission must review prior to the Council taking any final action to approve any of the proposed amendments. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 28, 1997 Page 2 Comp Plan Zoning amendments (Cont' d) Public comment Public comments Public comments le Comnrehensive Plan/Zoning Code amendment #1: Extend the current building height exception area to permit potential development of up to 10 stories at 15820 Pacific Highway South Michael Aippersbach, Post Office Box 95429, Seattle, Wa., 95429, commented on behalf of Sterling Realty Organization (SRO -Lewis Clark). He said his client did not propose the building height exception area amendment without consideration of the impacts of neighboring properties. Unfortunately, their knowledge of the changes of the August 15, 1995 Draft Comprehensive Plan did not surface until just before they were informed of the approaching submittal deadline for proposed amendments to the adopted Plan. From that point they simply rushed to complete the submittal. He's requesting to have the setback distance issue for structures above three stories discussed with the Planning Commission. Placing the issue on the Planning Commission's agenda simply allows a reasonable time period for discussions between SRO, the neighbors and the Planning Commission before action is taken. Council President Haggerton announced that two additional letters have been received regarding the six proposed Comp Plan /Zoning Code amendments since the last Council meeting: one from Secure Capital and the other from Michael Aippersbach Associates. Kathy Solter, Property Manager, Sunnydale Apartments, main objections to amendment #1 is the blockage of light to the apartments and condominiums. She urged the Council to adhere to the staff recommendations and reject these proposals. Diane Rogel, 3810 South 158th Street (Laural Estates), said the proposals do not reflect the spirit of the neighborhood. Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Code amendment #2: Change LDR (Low Density Residential to MDR (Medium Density Residential) to construct a 32 -unit condominium project between Pacific Highway South and 40th Avenue South at 38th Avenue extended. Gary Greer, representing Secure Capital, Post Office Box 25127, Seattle, Wa., 98125, commented that he still believes that a residential townhouse condominium development is the best development solution for all involved. Greer submitted modifications to his application that address most of the concerns raised in the public meeting held on April 7th. He urge the Council to forward his application with modifications to the Planning Commission. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 28, 1997 Page 3 Comp Plan Zoning Code amendments (Cont' d) No public comments No public comments No public comments No public comments Disposition of old community center q l Comnrehensive Plan/Zoning Code amendment #3: Establish MIC/L (Manufacturing/Industrial Center Light) for unzoned property at intersection of E. Marginal Way and Interurban Avenue South. Comnrehensive Plan/Zoning Code amendment #4: Allow Senior Citizen Housing 50 100 units per acre in various Comprehensive Plan designations. Comnrehensive Plan/Zoning Code amendment #5: Amend certain Transportation and Natural Environment policies per Puget Sound Regional Council recommendation. Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Code amendment #6: Clarify definition and siting process for Essential Public Facilities. It was the consensus of the Council to forward the proposed Comprehensive Plan /Zoning Code amendments to the Special Meeting following tonight's Committee of The Whole meeting. Council President Haggerton pointed out the numerous meetings /discussions, as chronicled in the agenda packet, that have been held regarding this issue. City Administrator McFarland explained that the stipulation in the 99 -year ground lease with the South Central School District was that when the property ceased to be part of public use, it would revert back to the District. Therefore, as long as the City intends to use it for public purposes, it will remain in our ownership for the duration of the 99 -year ground lease. A discussion ensued with most of the councilmembers favoring a complete demolition of the building while others suggested demolishing all except the enclosed area of the gymnasium. Some Councilmembers thought it might be feasible to open the four walls of the gym and use it as a covered shelter for recreational purposes. Council President Haggerton reminded the Council that this issue will also be on the agenda for discussion at the joint Council /School Board meeting scheduled for May 6th. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have staff provide them with rough parameters of costs associated with various options, including total demolishing verses saving the gym portion of the old community center. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 28, 1997 Page 4 An ord. dissolving the Bd. of Adjustment REPORTS Mayor 1z McFarland explained that the City has used the Board of Adjustment for many years to hear certain appeals on land use issues rather than a hearing examiner, which has been a more popular form of resolution of these disputes and differences. However, he stated that the Board is currently non operational due to lack of a quorum. Only two members remain of the five positions that constitute the Board. Additionally, the depth of complexity and range of knowledge necessary to assess and rule on many of the above described actions, create significant challenges to the Board in their deliberations. The City's liability insurance carrier has strongly recommended the use of a professionally trained hearing examiner to decide these matters, rather than a volunteer citizen's board. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to forward the ordinance dissolving the Board of Adjustment and creating the Office of Hearing Examiner to the next Regular Meeting for further consideration. Council President Haggerton requested that should the Council pass the ordinance to dissolve the BOA, that a letter of appreciation be sent to the current and previously retired Board of Adjustment members (and/or the family of members, if it applies) expressing the City's gratitude for their many years of dedicated service. Mayor Rants reported that to date the City has handed out 857 dump passes and the final count isn't in yet. Pacific Energy Institute handled the recycling day at Foster for items such as refrigerators, tires and various other rubbish. He said a total of 95.94 tons of materials were collected on that one day for recycling. Rants updated the Council that the Regional Task Force has outlined its regional needs regarding the Green River basins. Some of the issues being discussed are flooding, levees maintenance, habitat restoration, and habitat acquisition. Council Councilmember Duffie reported that Tukwila Elementary School raised 500 fish in their fish hatchery this year. Duffie complimented the City's Police Department for responding so well in the case of a recent incident where an attempt was made to abduct a Tukwila Elementary School student. Councilmember Hernandez reported she attended the Foster Community Club meeting on Wednesday, April 23rd. King County Councilmember Dwight Pelz was scheduled to make an appearance at this meeting but was unable to do Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 28, 1997 Page 5 Reports (Cont'd) so. Warren Wing was present, however, and gave a very interesting slide presentation on the ferry system. Hernandez attended the Economic Development Advisory Council meeting on Thursday, April 23th; the DARE graduation program at Foster High School on Friday, April 25th; and she attended a festival held at Southcenter, sponsored by the Ethnic Heritage Council on Saturday, April 26th. Council President Haggerton reported he attended a special meeting of ACC on Wednesday, April 23rd; the Economic Development Advisory Council on Thursday, April 24th; the DARE graduation program at Foster High School on Friday, April 25th. He attended the South Central School District Strategic Planning meeting on Friday and Saturday, April 25th 26th. He said the five year plan will be finalized after the next two planning sessions, which will culminate in a graduation. Councilmember Mullet reported that he also attended the Foster Community Club meeting on Wednesday, April 23rd and concurs with Hernandez that the slide presentation on the ferry system was very interesting. He said he also attended various other meetings. Councilmember Carter reported that on Thursday, April 24th, there was an ad hoc group meeting to review the RFP's that came in for the non represented salary study. The group selected two consultants from the list. Those two will be brought before the May 5th Regular Council. Councilmember Linder reported she attended the Metropolitan King County Council Commerce Trade and Economic Development Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, where the Boeing /King County Airport issues were discussed. Carter announced that the Showalter Culture Fair will be held Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 8:00 p.m. Young Author's Day is Friday, April 25th at all three elementary schools -a day -long celebration of writing and creativity. A SKCATBd meeting is scheduled for June 17, 9:00 11:00 a.m. at the WSDOT building in Kent. Haggerton announced that he will be attending the AWC Annual Conference June 18 21, and encouraged other councilmembers to contact him if they are interested in going. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes April 28, 1997 Page 6 ADJOURN TO THE SPECIAL MEETING 8:44 P.M. MOVED BY HAGGERTON, SECONDED BY HERNANDEZ, TO RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES THEN RECONVENE TO A SPECIAL MEETING. OTION CARRIED. lV 'On Hagge elia Square, Deput C ity Clerk /Council President l�