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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-12 Community Affairs and Parks MinutesCity of Tukwila Community Affairs and Parks Committee COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE - Meeting Minutes November 12, 2014 — 5:30 p.m. — Hazelnut Conference Room PRESENT Councilmembers: Joe Duffle, Chair; Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal Staff: Jack Pace, Derek Speck, Tracy Gallaway, Nate Robinson, Minnie Dhaliwal Guests: Vanessa Zaputil, Alex Zaputil, Residents; Brooke Alford, Planning Commission; Maranda James, Alejandra Silva, Mohamed Abdi, Travis Boyd, Unique Hebert, Tikeisha Tramble- Porter, Araik Papyan, Gabriela Rosales, Teens for Tukwila; Omar Lee, Lyndia Lee, Calvin Lee, Washington Place; Jerry Lee, Mulvanny Architecture CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Duffle called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Interlocal Agreement: Hearing Examiner Services Staff is seeking Council approval to amend an existing interlocal agreement with the City of Seattle for Hearing Examiner services to reflect increased 2015 rates. The current agreement continues through December 31, 2016, and the City of Seattle is raising the rate from $105 to $115 in 2015. For land use cases the cost is passed through to the applicant. Tukwila has contracted with Seattle for these services since 2005. MAJORITY APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 17, 2014 REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA. B. Resolution: Teens for Tukwila Charter Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution to approve the charter of the Teens for Tukwila student group. Teens for Tukwila is a group of Tukwila high school students who make a commitment to strengthening the community through various volunteer and advocacy projects. They desire to establish a more formal and stable relationship with the City Council based upon a shared goal of service to the community. Ms. Silva and Mr. Abdi spoke on behalf of the group to review the Charter provisions. Committee members asked clarifying questions, and the following highlights emerged: • Teens for Tukwila will discuss at a future date the option of opening membership to students from Highline School District and students who are homeschooled. • The format of the bi- monthly report to Council can be written and submitted via email, or delivered in person at a Committee or Council meeting. • Because the Charter is approved by the Council via resolution, future amendments to it must be approved by Council. Staff distributed an amended version of the Charter that changed the opening sentence from "Teens for Tukwila is a group of Tukwila residents..." to "Teens for Tukwila is made up of Tukwila residents..." The Committee approved this amendment. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 24, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. Community Affairs & Parks Committee Minutes November 12, 2014 - Page 2 C. Ordinance: Development Agreement for Proposed Hotel at 90 Andover Park East Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance to approve a development agreement with Tukwila TSD, LLC for the use of parking in a public right -of -way in exchange for the construction of a public pocket park. Tukwila TSD LLC proposes to build a new five -story hotel at 90 Andover Park East with approximately 90 guest rooms. A site plan demonstrates that the 90 required parking stalls cannot be accommodated, so the developer proposes a shared parking and drive aisle area in the right -of -way of Christenson Road in exchange for developing a public pocket park in the cul -de -sac area nearby. The proposed pocket park will be built and maintained by the developer who will also provide public access through the property and construct a pedestrian connection to the park and the trail. The initial term of the agreement is for 50 years with an option to extend for an additional 30. The agreement includes several termination clauses that protect the City in the event of failure to obtain permits or complete construction, failure to maintain the park and /or parking areas, property redevelopment or use change, and WSDOT actions to widen 1 -405. Councilmember Robertson noted that the proposed pocket park is in an isolated area that is already close to an existing natural amenity - the river and trail. He proposed an alternative that would allocate the funds specified in the development agreement for the pocket park to go toward a tree planting project in the area of the river bank across Christensen Road. Tables and benches could be added as well. Planting trees is a key component of regional efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems and salmon habitat in the Green - Duwamish watershed. In this proposal, the developer would provide the money and the City could assume responsibility for the project, either alone or in concert with a group already doing this kind of restoration work. Committee members and staff discussed the original and the alternative proposals. The Committee agreed they do not want to delay the agreement or add costs for the developer. They support the alternative if those conditions are met, and if they are not, they will support the original pocket park. Staff suggested that if there is majority Council direction, then staff could further review the alternative proposed by Councilmember Robertson to include Public Works and Parks. The Committee agreed to forward the item for Committee of the Whole discussion to include the original proposal and additional analysis relating to the alternative proposal. The Committee of the Whole will select the preferred option. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 24, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH ADDITIONAL OPTION AS DISCUSSED. D. Ordinance: Multi- family Property Tax Exemption in Tukwila Urban Center. Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance to designate a portion of Tukwila's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) District as a "residential targeted area" and approve a multi - family property tax exemption program to incentivize new housing in that area. The proposed area is that portion of the TOD District that lies west of the Green River, comprising 42 parcels and three property tax levy code areas. Qualifying projects would be exempt from ad valorem property taxes for eight years, or for twelve is specific affordable housing criteria are also met. Staff is proposing a sunset clause under which applications will only be accepted through the end of 2016. To address concerns about condominium owners renting out their units the proposed ordinance includes criteria that the exemption can only be used on units used for permanent residential occupancy. Community Affairs & Parks Committee Minutes November 12, 2014 - Page 3 Staff recommends the provision of this incentive on the grounds that multi - family housing developers are hesitant to build in this area because the price of rents is an unknown factor, making it difficult to attract financing. An incentive can be a useful tool for the City to attract these projects, as is the case in Burien with the Burien Town Square Development. Councilmembers and staff discussed the proposal. All committee members expressed support for development incentives but requested additional analysis on revenue impacts for Committee of the Whole discussion. Staff also offered to include a market analysis on the probability of school -aged children living in the proposed Washington Place development. Washington Place representatives have indicated that they will apply for this program if it is approved. NO RECOMMENDATION. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 24, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. III. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m Nex. eating: Tuesday, November 25, 2014, 5:30 p.m. Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH