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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL May 14, 2001 6:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers EXECUTIVE SESSION Pending Litigation Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(11(il 6:00 p.m. Meeting in the law library, Council President Joan Hernandez called the executive session to order. 6:55 p.m. Executive session ended. COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Joan Hernandez called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.; and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS: Mayor Steve Mullet; City Administrator John McFarland; Deputy City Clerk Bob Baker; Council Analyst Lucy Lauterbach; and Associate Planner Moira Bradshaw CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: Gary Malcom 10144 Rainer Ave.. So., Seattle, on behalf of the Silver Dollar Casino, presented the businesses preferred alternative to existing trees in front of the business. An alternative is sought as trees obstruct the view of reader boards and signage. The proposal suggests replacement of trees with park benches and fine art sculptures. The business readily volunteers to incur all expenses for benches and art work; and has volunteered to work with City staff and /or Arts Commission to determine appropriate artwork and design of the area. Mr. Malcom views the idea as a win -win situation. It's good for their business (no blockage of signs) and good for providing a "human" element to the area and would be inviting to the public. Ms. Linder suggested, Council concurred, the issue be forwarded to the Community Affairs Parks Committee agenda two weeks hence. SPECIAL ISSUES: Parking Moratorium Recommended Code Chances Moira Bradshaw, Associate Planner, informed Council this issue has been reviewed and discussed at the Community Affairs Parks Committee on April 10. That committee concurred with staff recommendations and agreed to forward them to COW for consideration. City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes ,V\tcj -Apr-i1-2-3, 2001 Page 2 of 5 On July 17, 2000, Council adopted an ordinance to impose a moratorium on the filing of development and /or land use permits for public parking lots, park and ride lots or garages for private passenger cars. Said ordinance expires on July 10, 2001. In order to mitigate negative impacts of new parking lots adjacent to Tukwila International Boulevard (hereinafter referred to as TIB), in the RC districts and in the Tukwila Urban Center, City recommends providing definitions for "park and ride lots" that distinguish them from mass transit and essential public facilities; and "parking as a primary use" that compliments the commercial parking tax definition. Next, staff recommends deleting Commercial Parking as a permitted use in the MIC zones; creating a policy that articulates the City's desire to minimize the negative impacts of commercial parking lots on the character of the TIB corridor; and, finally, developing new regulations to ensure a high quality streetscape along TIB and within the Tukwila Urban Center by regulating "parking as a primary use." Primary use parking should be located behind a building or building pad with screening and /or in structures with substantial ground floor retail. A map provided to Council outlines areas where stand -alone parking lots are allowed within the City. This is parking that could be used for park and ride or park and fly lots. The City has no stand alone lots in downtown as businesses are required to maintain parking lots /places for customers. The main issue at hand is park and fly lots. Park and ride lots are similar to stand alone lots and are allowed as a conditional use in commercial and industrial zones. The Comprehensive Plan and relevant definitions have been reviewed by staff who has found policy statements which support the eliminates stand alone parking lots as a permitted use in MIC. Staff also found clear policy language which would allow the elimination of stand alone lots in urban center. Conversely, policy language for TIB is not as clear. Staff suggests, if Council agrees, a plan to provide for more direction on how to handle stand alone lots in affected zones on TIB. The next step is for Council to forward these recommendations to the City's Planning Commission, where they review suggestions and send the items back to Council for final approval. Mr. Haggerton voiced concern over the possibility of legal loopholes when developing area by area instead of an all inclusive, general plan for parking. He asked if this method was originally an oversight. Ms. Bradshaw noted it was not so much of an oversight as it is a refinement to larger parking lots. There is a growing demand in Tukwila in light of SeaTac Airport growth and expansion. Ms. Bradshaw informed Council that staff believes this to be of an emergent nature. That being the case, the City may (within 6 months) make modifications to the Comprehensive Plan. At that, Councilmember Fenton suggested Mr. Haggerton has a good idea for "umbrella coverage" versus a neighborhood by neighborhood approach. He suggested that without reinventing the wheel, City staff could make the overall program work better if they took the umbrella coverage approach. Council concurred they are opposed to stand alone parking. Ms. Bradshaw stated park and ride lots are allowable now as a conditional use. Park and fly lots are stand -alone Tots and thus, not allowable in commercial zones and are not a permitted use. Doug Steinberg, Douff's Printine, TIB, spoke out of concern of not being able to use the extra lot he bought next to his building as a parking lot. Individuals have approached him and encouraged him to open a park and fly lot. In addition to selling the lot, he has also considered it for that use as retirement income. Mr. Steinberg also hoped to bring additional retail dollars into the area by allowing use of the lot and having customers visiting nearby establishments. City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes vV\(kj April 23, 2001 Page 3 of 5 Gary Malcom. on behalf of Silver Dollar Casino, noted the Silver Dollar's desire to perhaps build a hotel; thus resulting in the need for additional parking. He asked if this portion of the discussion would affect his business. Council responded in the negative. Council then considered each staff recommendation individually and Council voiced their preferences. Mr. Duffle is not in favor of park and fly lots. Ms. Carter noted park and ride lots would be ok; yet she'd rather not see park and fly lots. They may, however, be alright if there were ground floor retail space available; allowing for foot traffic on the street. Mr. Haggerton noted he would entertain the notion of structured parking; but not flat parking and not park and fly options. Ms. Linder spoke in favor of a review of structured parking; but is opposed to its facing TIB. She does like the idea of first floor retail. Mr. Fenton is not in favor of mass ground parking; yet is in favor of structured parking and likes the idea of first floor retail options. Mr. Simpson concurred with those statements of Councilmember Fenton. Ms. Hernandez is not in favor of stand -alone parking; yet would consider structured parking. Moira Bradshaw asked Council if they would entertain the notion of having retail in front (facing TIB), with parking in the rear. Overall Council consensus showed the idea is worth investigating. Ms. Hernandez noted these items will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for consideration. Understanding Council's desires, Ms. Bradshaw noted a public hearing will be held in June or July by the Planning Commission. The items would then be remanded to the full Council in September or October, 2001 for adoption. In the meantime, a public hearing will need to be set to extend the moratorium, allowing staff and the Planning Commission the time necessary to achieve their goals. The ordinance is in effect until July 10, 2001. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet reported the Red Lion will hold a Grand Opening on May 18. All Councilmembers are invited to attend a free luncheon at 11:00 a.m. Next, the Mayor noted he participated (as a judge) in last week's Business Week program at Highline High School. Finally, he reminded Council of the Dedication of Veteran's Memorial Flag on May 19, Tukwila Community Center at 10:00 a.m. b. City Council Councilmember Duffle thanked Mayor for appearing at the Art in Public Places ceremony on May 12, at Tukwila Elementary School. He invited all to the June 5 dedication /ribbon cutting /ground- breaking ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Duffie thanked Councilmember Linder on her outstanding work on the Wildlife Habitat Project. Councilmember Carter attended the Transportation Committee meeting this evening; the May 9 Suburban Cities Association meeting; and the May 11 AWC Resolutions Committee. Next, Ms. Carter City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes Vv. 14 --3, 2001 Page 4 of 5 noted her attendance at the May 12 Wildlife Habitat Fair. She noted it was a great show, perhaps because of excellent advertising. It was very well attended; with vendors and visitors very much enjoying the show. Ms. Carter will attend a SCATBd meeting May 15; a Regional Transit Committee on May 17; and a Culture Fair at Showalter Middle School on May 18. Times are not yet known. Finally, Ms. Carter invited all to attend a Community Swing Dance on May 19, 7:00 p.m. The entrance fee is just $5.00 and money goes toward the Foster High School Senior Party. The Foster High School Jazz band will perform. Council President Hernandez stated there is, "nothing like a trip to make you appreciate home." While recently visiting Spain and Portugal, Ms. Hernandez gleaned much history and developed a deeper appreciation for things which some may take for granted. Councilmember Haggerton attended a May 9 Suburban Cities General Membership Meeting. Elections were held and he was re- elected to the Board. Mr. Haggerton also attended the May 12 Wildlife Habitat event. Next, he recommended all Councilmembers attend the June AWC Conference in Bellevue; where Tukwila has two elected officials seeking positions (Mayor Mullet and Councilmember Carter). Moreover, finally, Mr. Haggerton noted a May 16 Suburban Cities Association meeting in Kent. No time was given. Councilmember Linder attended a press conference last Friday as it relates to the Wildlife Habitat program. Television stations KING 5 and KCPQ 13 were present. Also present was King County Executive Ron Sims who spoke very favorably about the work Ms. Linder and the City of Tukwila has accomplished with this project. The Saturday event was very well attended; and the quality of the event was superb. Ms. Linder conducted personal tours of her back yard for both TV Channel KING 5 and KUOW. Good press has resulted and will continue coming because of the fair and the tours. Ms. Linder spoke proudly as she informed Council that she has heard citizens state that it, "changes their opinion of Tukwila." Earlier today, Ms. Linder attended the King County International Airport Part 150 meeting. Written information was given to City staff for copying and distribution to Council. Said written information will also be sued for minutes, calendars, etc. The next meeting for this organization is May 30, at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Fenton noted the Finance Safety Committee meeting and GMPC meetings set for different dates, last week, were canceled. Councilmember Simpson Utilities Committee last week. OPUS development issue forced meeting to be moved to Chambers. Highway 99 Action Committee later than evening. Suburban cities in Burien, too. Won a bottle of Wine. Went to the Radisson and won a birdhouse. b. Student Council Chris Owusu noted high school elections were held last week. Student Councilmember Shane Young was elected ASB President, Foster High School. Next, Mr. Owusu reported the student council attended an interview with Mr. Duffle "a couple weeks ago" at Television Station KCPQ. Then he informed Council the Foster High School Prom was held May 12 at Shilsho Bay. Next, Mr. Owusu noted a May 30, 7:00 p.m. soiree, with poetry readings written and delivered in French and English. It's a dress -up poetry reading session. Finally, he encouraged all to attend the swing dance mentioned earlier. City of Tukwila Committee of Whole Meeting Minutes c. City Staff City Administrator John McFarland attended the Sound Transit Board meeting May 10 and will attend another meeting May 15. Sound Transit staff will work to develop strategy recommendations on the preferences of potential route changes. Next, he noted the Duwamish Improvement Club will meet May 27, 7:00 p.m., at Tukwila Community Center. Mr. McFarland noted dump passes are being distributed at the City Clerk's Office and may be used through February 28. In addition, finally, Mr. McFarland thanked Ms. Lauterbach for her work in preparing materials for the executive session that took place earlier in the day. c. City Attorney City Attorney Bob Noe was not present. 8:41 p.m. Fenton moved; Linder seconded; to recess the committee of whole meeting and convene executive session, for personnel issues, slated to last 15 minutes. The motion carried 7 -0. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 8:42 p.m. Executive session began. 8:52 p.m. Executive session ended. ADJOURNMENT: 8:52 p.m. c /fb dean Hernandez, Council President There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Joan Hernandez adjourned the executive session, reconvened and adjourned the Committee of whole meeting. foGrhl t6. Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes Signed: /01 vv\ 4 -A 2001 Page 5 of 5