HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-04-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesApril 24, 1991
7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
COUNCILMEMBERS
OFFICIALS
PUBLIC HEARING
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES
MIKE KENYON, JOHN COLGROVE, City Attorneys; RICK
BEELER, GARY SCHULZ, DCD.
Tukwila City Hall
Council Chambers
Council President Robertson called the Committee of The Whole
Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order.
DENNIS ROBERTSON, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN
HERNANDEZ, CLARENCE MORIWAKI, ALLAN EKBERG,
STEVE LAWRENCE, JOHN "Wally" RANTS.
Council President opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. and
commented that the City has known for some time that something
needs to be done with regards to preserving and protecting the
environment, while minimizing the cost to both the individual
property owners and to the citizens. however, cities are now
mandated by law to come up with a plan. The draft Sensitive Areas
Ordinance will be a growing, living changing document as the needs
dictate. The Council President concluded his comments as he
informed the audience that the document is far from perfect, it is
merely the Council's best effort.
Jack Pace, Senior Planner, Department of Community Development,
presented a brief overview of the draft SAO by reviewing a map
(based upon the King County Assessor's map) depicting all of the
sensitive areas. Pace encouraged the audience to feel free to visit the
Department of Community Development office, located in the 6300
Building, should they wish to study the map further. Pace continued
as he informed the audience that the SAO undertaking has been a
lengthy process to establish special standards for the use and
development of lands based on the existence of natural conditions
thereon in order to protect environmentally sensitive areas, including
the natural character of Tukwila's wooded hillsides.
Mr. Pace added that the City's goal is to minimize developmental
impacts on the natural functions of the lands; protect quantity and
quality of water resources; minimize pollution of wetlands; prevent
erosion and loss of slope and soil stability; protect the public against
avoidable losses; and to prevent unlawful disturbance of archaeologic
or geologic sites. Pace stated that the SAO process may be complex
and difficult to most, if not all, those concerned; but emphasized
assistance is available by calling Gary Schulz in the DCD office.
Many citizens expressed concerns for and against the SAO. Favoring
the SAO one citizen stated: "Our environment is too valuable, too
precious for us to ruin because we lack the courage to act to protect
it." Others thanked the City for providing the opportunity for citizen
participation and were concerned about certain sections of the SAO
such as Standards for the Alteration and Relocation of
Watercourses; Uses and Standards; Reasonable Use Exception; and
minimum Size of Regulated Wetlands to mention a few.
A property manager stated in her comments that each chapter of the
SAO has different administrative processes and, more importantly,
different appeal procedures. There appears to be a conflict cause by
the commingling of these documents. This conflict obstructs the
ability to consistently implement the ordinance. The Council was
Committee of The Whole Minutes
April 24, 1991
Page 2
PUBLIC HEARING Won't)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
8:45 p.m.
urged to have the City Attorney carefully review and analyze this
document. It was also suggested that the City implement a program
to monitor the ordinance over the next three years and identify those
aspects which should be considered for modification.
A representative from the Northwest Legal Foundation stated that
the City does not own the land next to all streams and lakes. Much of
this land is privately owned. When the use is converted by the City to
be a water retention facility or an open space for animals, the
property owner should be paid the fair market value of his or her
land.
A representative from Mario Segale and the Segale Family expressed
opposition to the provision for arbitrary compulsory buffer widths in
the current SAO Draft as such arbitrary buffer widths are not based
upon scientific data and are not reasonably related to the City's goal
of protecting wetlands and watercourses and providing buffers for the
stated purposes. Quoting a wetland specialist, the representative
stated: "In the City of Tukwila, to require a 100 foot buffer right now
is ludicrous because most of the wetlands have not seen 100 foot
buffers for a nigh on a decade and you don't want to look silly."
The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce comments were
as follows: To properly protect wetlands, streams, and watercourses,
realistic regulations which provide a balance between the needs of the
environment and the rights of property owners in Tukwila, must be
developed and implemented. The following are just a few of the
Chamber recommendations: Establish buffers on a case by case basis
as recommended earlier and has been recommended by the City's
consultant, the citizens committee, the Planning Commission and
numerous business citizens and residents; Inventory and define low,
medium and high quality wetlands on a case by case basis, and use a
scientific method to establish criterion for buffering; Use the
Department of Ecology model of 2,500 square feet as an established
standard.
In summary, most of the spokespersons agreed that the City might
want to conserve animal habitat and water retention areas for the
public, but believe the City has a moral and legal responsibility to pay
for the land they use.
MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY MORIWAKI, THAT THE
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DRAFT SENSITIVE AREAS
ORDINANCE (SAO) BE CLOSED. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council agreed to the following SAO schedule:
Friday. May draft SAO with citizen comments considered.
Monday. Mav Special C.O.W following Regular Council Meeting.
Thursday. May 9, 7 -9:30 p.m., Special C.O.W. (SAO only).
Thursday. May 16, 7 -9:30 p.m., Special C.O.W. (SAO only).
Committee of The Whole Minutes
April 24, 1991
Page 3
ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY RANTS, THAT THE
9:20 p.m.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED.
MOTION CARRIED.
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Dennis Robertson, Council President
Celia Square, Deputy City Clerk
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