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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2014-02-27 Minutes - Board of Architectural Review - Autozone City of Tukwila Planning Commission Board of Architectural Review(BAR) Meeting Minutes Date: February 27, 2014 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Hall Council Chambers Present: Chair, Louise Strander; Vice Chair, Mike Hansen; Commissioners, Thomas McLeod, Sharon Mann, Cassandra Hunter and Miguel Maestas Absent: Commissioner;Brooke Alford Staff: Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director; Minnie Dhaliwal, Planning Supervisor; Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretary Minutes: Commissioner Hansen made a motion to approve the November 26, 2013minutes. Commissioner McLeod seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. At 6:30 PMChair Strander called the public hearing to order.She moved to amend the agenda to hear one item from the director’s report, a briefing on a potential Ethics Board, prior to the public hearing. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion. All were in favor. Item Five - Director’s Report Joyce Trantina , Project Analyst, Mayor’s Office, explained that last fall the City Council, as well as the Finance and Safety Committee began discussions related to the City’s current ethics code. As a result of those discussions it was determined that the code should be revised. One of the proposals was the formation of an Ethics Board, made up of the current chairs of the City’s Commissions: Parks, Arts, Planning, Equity and Diversity, and Civil Services. If an Ethics Board is established training will be provided by the City Attorney annually or as needed to provide the Board members with the tools needed in order to fulfill their role on the Board. Ms. Trantina addressed questions regarding process, frequency of meetings, and how potential conflict of interest would be addressed. The Planning Commission was supportive of the proposal. Chair Strander swore in those wishing to testify. Chair Strander opened the public hearing at 6:45 PM. CASE NUMBER: L13-0050 APPLICANT: Barghausen Engineers for Autozone REQUEST: Design Review for a 6,815 sq. ft. auto parts retail store. LOCATION: 14625 Tukwila International Blvd Minnie Dhaliwal , Planning Supervisor for the Department of Community Development, gave the presentation for staff. She asked the Commission the Appearance of Fairness questions. Each of the Commissioners responded no to all of the questions and no one had any objections to the Commissioners hearing the case. Page 1 of 3 BAR Public Hearing Minutes February 27, 2014 Ms. Dhaliwal provided information on the review process and the surrounding development around the site. Any new development along Tukwila International Blvd. is subject to Design Review and there is a separate design manual for development along the Blvd. The Board must make their decision on the project based on the design criteria listed in the design manual. She explained that the new proposed structure is located in the north east corner of the site, where there is an existing structure and a billboard, both of which are proposed to be removed. She provided information about the proposed site plan, building design, landscaping and signs for the project. There is an existing non-conforming sign on the site that is required to be brought into compliance at the time the property goes through Design Review. Staff recommends approval of the project with four conditions as listed in the staff report dated, February 14, 2014 TESTIMONY: Jason Hubbell , for the applicant, stated the applicant is not in agreement with the staff’s recommended condition number four, regarding removal of the sign on the site. He expressed that the existing sign is very critical to the business’s operation. The applicant asked the Board to allow the existing Appliance Distributor’s sign to remain in place and instead remove the sign on the property at the corner of Tukwila th International Blvd. and South 148 Street since the applicant also owns the property on the corner. Tim O’Brien for the applicant, said regarding the Appliance Distributors sign the goal is to separate the lot by a short plat. He said the Appliance Distributor’s sign will not be on the Autozone site. They believe that the Autozone is a separate entity from the Appliance Distributors. He commented that they hope the project is offering a lot more benefits for the businesses and customers and will greatly improve the area overall. Mitch Bramlitt , for the applicant, said they think this is a quality project along the corridor and hopefully there will be new development and new growth along the corridor. Commissioner Maestas asked the applicant if they are in agreement with the other three conditions. They responded that they are in agreement. Ms. Dhaliwal provided additional explanation regarding the Sign Code. She said that under the Sign Code the property is considered one premise if it is owned and managed by the same entity, and the sign code regulations are applied per premise. When the site is subject to Design Review any existing free-standing signs lose their non-conforming status and they have to come into compliance. Staff and the applicant addressed several clarifying questions for the Commission. Extensive discussion followed. Commissioner McLeod asked if the BAR have any say on what happens with the sign. Staff stated regardless of the Board’s decision the applicant would still have to comply with the Sign Code. Ms. Gierloff stated that the Board could strike condition number four. She also explained that the Commission could make a decision on the Design Review based on the application as presented. She said the sign issue is not something the Board needs to resolve at this time. Mr. Hubbell addressed additional questions. At the request of Commissioner Hunter the applicant stated that they could look at adding some more greenery in the parking area. There was no further testimony. Page 2 of 3 BAR Public Hearing Minutes February 27, 2014 The public hearing was closed. The BAR deliberated. Commissioners Mann and Strander stated that they like the project. Commissioner Hansen stated he is very supportive of the project. Commissioner McLeod and Strander were not in favor of condition number four. Commissioner Mann suggested removing condition number four and letting staff and the applicant work it out. Commissioner Hunter and Maestas expressed concern for the residents regarding noise and expressed the desire to add greenery or trees to the west side of the parking area. Commissioner McLeod made a motion to amend condition number three to add the words “and West” after the word North. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion. All were in favor. Commissioner McLeod made a motion to remove condition number four regarding the existing pole sign for Appliance Distributors. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. All were in favor. Commissioner McLeod made a motion to add a new condition number four to create a natural buffer between the businesses and the residents. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. The motion carried four in favor. Commissioners Hansen and Mann opposed. Commissioner McLeod made a motion to approve Design Review Case Number L13-0050 with staff’s findings, recommendations, and conditions as amended by the BAR. Commissioner Maestas seconded the motion. All were in favor as amended. Director’s Report: Continued  Staff provided an overview of the upcoming PC/BAR schedule.  Discussion regarding meetings for the Comp Plan review process. Staff will follow up with an email with dates.  Southcenter Plan Update.  Packets Adjourned: 8:40 PM By: Wynetta Bivens Planning Commission Secretary Adopted: 3/27/14 Page 3 of 3