HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2014-05-13 Item 2C - Policy - Countywide Planning Policy Amendment Regarding Issaquah Urban CenterT[):
City of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Mayor Haggerton
Community Affairs and Pa ks Committee
FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Directo
BY: Nora Gierloff, Deputy DC Director
DATE: April 28, 2014
SUBJECT: Issaquah Urban Center Countywide Planning Policy Amendment
ISSUE
An amendment to the KC Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) has been approved designating
the Central Issaquah Urban Core as a new urban center. Tukwila will be deemed to have
ratified the change unless we take action to disapprove the amendment by July 11, 2014.
BACKGROUND
On March 31, 2014 the Metropolitan King County Council approved and ratified the amendment
on behalf of unincorporated King County. The ordinance became effective April 12, 2014.
The proposed change would add Issaquah to the current total of 18 designated urban centers in
King County. Tukwila's Southcenter area has been a designated urban center since 1995.
DISCUSSION
The Central Issaquah Plan is the outcome of six years of planning efforts. Similar to Tukwila's
Southcenter Plan it includes new zoning, development and design standards as well as a
planned action EIS.
Under the CPPs urban centers should receive priority for the location of transit service. The
Sound Transit 2 Plan proposal to extend rail service to Issaquah will play an important role in
connecting Issaquah to other regional employment and housing centers and support future
transit investment in the 1-90 corridor.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This change to the CPPs would have no direct budget impact on Tukwila.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only, no action is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
A. April 11, 2014 Letter from King County Council and Executive
B. Staff Report to the King County Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee
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King County
April 11, 2014
The Honorable Jim Haggerton
City of Tukwila
6200 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Dear Mayor Haggerton:
RECEI \fEf
APR 14 2:4
We are pleased to forward for your consideration and ratification the enclosed
amendment to the King County Countywide Planning Policies (CPP).
On March 31, 2014, the Metropolitan King County Council approved and ratified
the amendment on behalf of unincorporated King County. The ordinance will
become effective April 12, 2014. Copies of the King County Council staff report,
ordinance and Growth Management Planning Council motion are enclosed to
assist you in your review of this amendment.
In accordance with the Countywide Planning Policies, FW -1, Step 9,
amendments become effective when ratified by ordinance or resolution by at
least 30 percent of the city and county governments representing 70 percent of
the population of King County according to the interlocal agreement. A city will
be deemed to have ratified the CPP and amendments unless, within 90 days of
adoption by King County, the city takes legislative action to disapprove the.
amendments. Please note that the 90 -day deadline for this amendment is
July 11, 2014.
If you adopt any legislation concerning this action, please send a copy of the
legislation by the close of business, Friday, July 11, 2014, to Anne Noris, Clerk of
the Council, Room 1200, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle,
WA 98104.
ATTACHMENT A
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If you have any questions about the amendments or ratification process, please
contact Karen Wolf, Senior Strategy and Performance Analyst, King County
Executive's Office, at 206 263 -9649, or Rick Bautista, Metropolitan King County
Council Staff, at 206 477 -0872.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Larry Phillips, Chair Dow Constantine
Metropolitan King County Council King County Executive
Enclosures
cc,4ing County City Planning Directors
Sound Cities Association
John Starbard, Director, Department of Permitting and Environmental Review
(DPER)
Karen Wolf, Senior Strategy and Performance Analyst
Rick Bautista, Council Staff, Transportation, Environment and Economy
Committee (TREE)
32
143
King County
Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item:
6
Name:
Rick Bautista
Proposed No.:
2014 -0072
Date:
March 18, 2014
SUBJECT:
Ordinance adopting amendments to the Countywide Planning Policies; designating Central
Issaquah as an Urban Center.
BACKGROUND:
Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) and Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs)
The GMPC is a formal body comprised of elected officials from King County, Seattle, Bellevue,
the Suburban Cities, and Special Districts. The GMPC was created in 1992 by interlocal
agreement, in response to a provision in the Washington'State Growth Management Act (GMA)
requiring cities and counties to worktogetherto adopt CPPs.
Under GMA, countywide planning policies serve as the framework for each individual
jurisdiction's comprehensive plan, and ensure countywide consistency with respect to land use
planning efforts. As provided for in the interlocal agreement, the GMPC developed and
recommended the CPPs, which were adopted by the King County Council and ratified by the
cities. Subsequent amendments to the CPPs follow the same process: recommendation by the
GMPC, adoption by the King County Council, and ratification by the cities. Amendments to the
CPPs become effective when ratified by ordinance or resolution by at least 30% of the city and
county governments representing at least 70% of the population of King County. A city shall be
deemed to have ratified an amendment to the CPPs unless, within 90 days of adoption by King
County, the city by legislative action disapproves it.
Requirements for Urban Center Designation
The CPPs describe Urban Centers as areas of concentrated employment and housing, with
direct service by high- capacity transit and a wide range of other land uses. Collectively, they
are expected to account for up to one half of King County's employment growth and one quarter
of household growth over the next 20 years. In order to be designated as an Urban Center,
jurisdictions must meet specific criteria in the Countywide Planning Policies, including having
planned and uses to accommodate:
• A minimum of 15,000 jobs within one -half mile of a transit center;
. At a minimum, an average of 50 employees per gross acre; and
. At a minimum, an average of 15 households per acre.
ATTACHMENT B
King County Council March 31, 2014
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In addition the CPPs require that fully realized Urban Centers shall be characterized by the
following:
• Clearly defined geographic boundaries;
• An intensity /density of land uses sufficient to support effective and rapid transit;
• Pedestrian emphasis within the Center;
• Emphasis on superior urban design which reflects the local community;
• Limitations on single- occupancy vehicle usage during peak commute hours;
• A broad array of land uses and choices within those land uses for employees and
residents;
Sufficient public, vpei opak,co ai id i ccr eatioi ai opportunities; and
• U8es which provide both daytime and nighttime activities in the Center.
SUMMARY:
Proposed Ordinance 2014 -0072 would amend the CPPs by adding Central Issaquah to the list
of Urban Centers. The ordinance would also ratify the change on behalf of the population of
unincorporated King County, and begin the ratification process by the cities.
ANALYSIS:
The GMPC staff analysis of the city's proposal as presented to the GMPC, is included as
Attachment 2 to this staff report. Through its unanimous adoption of Motion 13 -3, has declared
that the City of Issaquah has demonstrated its commitment to developing a fully realized Urban
Center as envisioned in the CPPs. Specific findings include:
• Issaquah's comprehensive plan and downtown plan establish the policy framework for
achieving a compact, mixed use, transit and pedestrian oriented Urban Center.
• Issaquah has implemented its plans with supportive land use and development
regulations, including unlimited residential density in the downtown zone, .increased
height limits, design guidelines and streamlined permit processing.
• The city has planned for future growth within the Urban Center through recent
investments in utility, street and sidewalk upgrades, and in land assembly and
acquisition. These efforts include plans for a mixed -use Town Square development,
and plans for a transit - oriented development project.
Council staff has had an opportunity to thoroughly review the city's proposal, and concurs that it
meets the requirements in the CPPs for designation as an Urban Center.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Ordinance 2014 -0072, with attachments
2. Staff Report to GMPC Motion 13 -3
King County Council March 31, 2014 22