HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2011-09-26 Item 2A - Report - Southcenter Plan Revision ProcessCity of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Haggerton
Community Affairs and Parks Committee
FROM: Nora Gierloff, Deputy Community Development Director
DATE: September 21, 2011
SUBJECT: Briefing on Status of Southcenter Plan Revision Process
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On March 14, 2011 the Council Committee of the Whole recommended that staff reduce
the scope of the Southcenter Plan project and revise the current draft plan prior to
seeking any additional stakeholder input or public comment. This memo provides a
briefing on how staff proposes moving forward with revising the draft plan, based on the
Council's direction.
BACKGROUND
In 2002, Tukwila received a $1.4 million federal grant to prepare a subarea plan for
Southcenter one of the region's designated urban centers, including the area
designated for transit oriented development (TOD) around the Sounder commuter
rail /Amtrak station. We spent several years conducting public visioning and working
with a consultant to develop a draft plan.
From March to May 2009 the Planning Commission held a public hearing and 3 work
sessions on the draft subarea Plan. During this process, almost all stakeholders
commenting on the draft plan agreed the City's vision is the right long -term goal for
development in the TUC. The conflict, however, was in how and when the vision should
be implemented. Some members of the PC thought that additional public outreach was
needed outside of the formal hearing process to resolve the conflicts. Staff proposed
establishing a second stakeholders' process to address key issue areas that were
raised during the comment period.
DISCUSSION
WHERE WE ARE Now
In March 2011, staff presented three stakeholder process alternatives to the City
Council: a consultant /staff team to work out individual concerns of the stakeholders
(recommended by the Community Affairs and Parks Committee), an advisory group
similar to the Sign Code Advisory Committee, and a standard legislative process with
public hearings and open houses.
WA2011 Info Memos\ SouthcenterPlan Revision Process .doc
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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The Council chose the third option, along with reducing the scope of the project, and
directed staff to revise the draft Plan to meet the minimum requirements for
accommodating growth and fulfilling regional policy goals. The Council also wanted a
streamlined review process since the changes from the existing code would be limited.
Consequently, no formal stakeholder group process is planned. Instead, public
involvement will be accommodated by informal meetings between staff and key
individual stakeholders as needed, public open houses and future Planning Commission
and City Council public hearings on the draft Plan.
Since that time, an internal advisory committee comprised of DCD, Public Works and
Fire staff has been reviewing and recommending changes to the vision and regulations
contained in Books I and II of the draft Plan based on the public comments. Staff will
begin briefing the Planning Commission on the history of the planning process and
introduce the draft Plan's concepts in preparation for the Commission's upcoming
worksessions and public hearings on a revised draft Plan.
NEXT STEPS
Over the next few months, staff will hold a series of worksessions with the Planning
Commission on the revised draft Southcenter Plan (Books 1 -III). Staff anticipates the
following schedule:
Introduction to the Southcenter Planning Process
Review of Book I Community Intent.
Book I provides the basic concepts and building blocks for Book 11, which will
contain the new zoning code that implements the community vision.
Review Book II Development Code
This replaces the current zoning and design review regulations for the plan area.
Review Book III Public Private Implementation Actions
Open House on revised draft Southcenter Plan
Planning Commission Public Hearing on revised draft Southcenter Plan
Staff incorporates changes to the draft Plan in response to comments, as
necessary and PC sends a recommended draft to Council
City Council Public Hearing on Planning Commission's revised draft Southcenter
Plan
RECOMMENDATION
This is an information only item. We will return to the City Council with a Planning
Commission draft of the Plan.
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