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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2014-06-24 Item 3 - Adoption of 6/26/14 Minutes City of Tukwila Planning Commission Board of Architectural Review(BAR) Meeting Minutes Date: May 22 , 2014 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Hall Council Chambers Present: Chair, Louise Strander; Vice Chair, Mike Hansen Commissioners , Thomas McLeod, Brooke Alford , Miguel Maestas , and Nh an Nguyen Absent: Commissioner, Sharon M ann Staff: Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director; Minnie Dhaliwal, Planning Supervisor ; and Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretary Minutes: Commissioner Hansen Made a motion to adopt the May 22 , 2014 minutes w ith a . correction to change the case numbers to reflect the co rrect project Commissioner McLeod seconded the motion. Chair Strander called the public hearing to orde r and swore in those wishing to testify. . At 6:30 PM Chair Strander opened the public hearing CASE NUMBER: L14 - 0015 APPLICANT: Eric Guion REQUEST : Design Review approval for the c onstruction of a 19 story residential and hotel mixed use building. The residential portion includes 370 units and the hotel includes 189 rooms. LOCATION: 223 Andover Park East, Tukwila WA 98188 Minnie Dhaliwal , Plannin g Supervisor, Department of Community Development asked the Commissioners the appearance of fairness questions. There were no disclosures from the Commissioners . Ms. Dhaliwal gave an overview of the project utilizing a PowerPoint presentation. She went over the site design, listed below are some of the details: The initial development agreement was entered into in 2013, which allowed a maximum height of 180 feet . On May 5, 2014 , the City Council amended the development agreement to allow the maximum heigh t of 190 ft . establish ed open space, parking and signage requirements, An improved valet parking plan was approved by the city administration . In the event the hotel parking is full there will be 44 stacked parking stalls. There are two access points from Andover Park East . Currently there are no details provided for the curb cut. The sidewalk details needs to be worked out for wheelchair access . Smoke and fire issues need to be worked out with the Building Department regarding the proposed five foot separ ation between the garage and the apartment wing. The applicant is proposing landscaping planting on the third floor of the garage . There was also on over view of the building design, and landscaping plan. Staff recommends approval th with eight conditions as list ed in the May 15 staff report, which shall be approved administratively by the Director as part of the building permit review process. BAR Public Hearing Minutes May 22, 2014 In response to questions raised by the Commission, Ms. Dhaliwal also explained the valet parking service and stacking of cars ; provided more info rmation on preserving the existing trees; information about the traffic impact study; and the long term development vision for the area. Eric Guion , architect for the applicant, gave the presentation. The applicant stated that they will continue to work with staff on several of the issues. They are in agreement with all of the condition s except condition number eight. The Commission expressed the following concerns with the project ’s l ack of green space ; the loss of trees on the site, landscaping and more livable space. The y reque st ed to provide more green space along the parking structure, and also encouraged the applicant to make the project appealing and attractive on all sides. Robert Wiley , one of the partners that own the property adjacent to the south of the project said they are very enthusiastic about the project. Mr. Wiley wanted to go on record making the following two comments ; 1) the applicant has assured them they can manage parking to prevent spill over onto the neighbors, 2) the expectation that redevelopment of other future parcels will be approved for the same height allowance as this project. Jerry Lee , architect, said he was a special consultant for the applicant . He said that the applicant has had a pr etty stringent design criterion that they have met. He also said 90% of the trees on the project can be saved. There were no further comments. The public hearing was closed. The BAR deliberated. Inquiry was made on allowable height for future projects. The commission was in concurrence that they like the project and made the following comments : Enhance the articulation ; The applicant shall work with staff to maximize the planters and add more green treatment on the building to be approved administrative ly, and also look at adding greenery on vertical areas ; Increase vegetation in the area of pedestrian activity ; Incorporate more green space on the site; Provide affordable housing . The applicant w as asked their position regarding using brick on the garag e; t he applicant stated t hey would rather not use the brick. Commissioner Alford made a motion to add a ninth condition to read, “M aximize opportunit ies to add more vegetation in areas of pedestrian act ivity to include but not be limited to the parking garage, entrances and vertical surfaces. Changes to will be reviewed administratively at the time of building permit .” Commissioner Maestas seconded the motion . Three were in favor and Commissions Strander, Hansen, and McLeod opposed. Chair Stander asked if anyone would like to make a friendly amendment to the motion. Commission er Hansen asked the applicant if they were ok with the language. Matthew Chan , for the applicant, said he would like to respectfully suggest that the BAR look at what’s more imp ortant to make the project happen. He said it is a waste of money to put in a metal cover then cover it with vines. He said the BAR should let them judiciously pick the right spot and put in greenery. He said he recommends what works for them will be good for the City. The applicant was allowed to provide additional comments during deliberations after the public hearing was closed, which cannot be entered into the record. Staff informed the BAR that they must base their Page 2 of 3 2 BAR Public Hearing Minutes May 22, 2014 decision on testimony provided prio r to the public hearing being closed. It was also stated that the new testimony will not go into the record for the public hearing , which is the legal limitation. There fore, the additional comments from the applicant are not included in the minutes . Commi ssioner Maestas asked staff for some clarification on whether the language will allow staff to make further decisions between themselves and the applicant regarding the vegetation on the garage ’s vertical surfaces. Staff said both parties will try to figur e out a solution, and they agreed to consider maximizing opportunities. Commissioner Alford said that there are more opportunities to add vegeta t ion on the parking structure that would not only be on the metal screen. She said that thorough consideratio n should be given to all possible opportunities to add vegetation . Commissioner Nguyen commented that the language should not be so loose , but it should give clear direction and empower staff to make the ir decision . He also, requested to go on the record stating , “ The fact the developer chose to bring the project to the City of Tukwila is great and that we want more developments like this in the City. ” Commissioner Hansen said he can support the language for the added condition number nine based on Commis sioner Maestas’s clarification wit h staff . Commissioner McLeod was also supportive of condition number nine. Commissioner Hansen ask ed the Commission if they were ok with condition number eight, everyone answered yes. Commissioner McLeod made a motion t o approve Case Number L14 - 0015 and E14 - 003 with staff ’ s findings , recommendation s , and eight conditions , including the additional condition number nine added by the Commission. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion. All were in favor. Director’s Report : The Southcenter Plan is being reviewed by the City Coun cil Staff went over the Comprehensive Plan Update schedule Olympus Spa will be coming to the Board for d esign r eview approval Adjourned: 8:40 PM Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens Planning Commissio n Secretary Page 3 of 3