HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2018-01-11 Item 3 - Adoption of 12/14/17 MinutesCity of Tukwila
Planning Commission
PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION
MINUTES
Date: December 14, 2017
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Council Chambers
Present:
Absent: Chair, Miguel Maestas; Vice -Chair Nhan Nguyen
Staff: Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director, Carol Lumb, Senior Planner; Andrea Cummins,
Urban Environmentalist, and Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretary
Chair Pro Tem, Sharon Mann called the meeting to order.
Commissioners Sharon Mann, Mike Hansen, Louise Strander, and Dennis Martinez
This work session is a continuance from the 11/16/17 work session on the proposed revisions to
TMC 18.54, Tree Regulations and revisions to definitions found in TMC 18.06 related to
landscaping, urban forestry and trees.
Chair Pro Tem, Sharon Mann allowed comments from one citizen.
Vanessa Zaputil, a citizen, said that the third bullet in the staff memo is incorrect, that what is
proposed is not the same as what is currently in TMC 18.54.050, Permit Exempt Activities
verbiage. She also said adding the arborist fee report cost to the permit fees will be a financial
burden to the small business owners and residents. She expressed concern with property owners
not being able to removea tree due to cost, which is a safety concern. She does not want the
situation where people aren't taking out trees because financial cost and regulatory requirements
are too burdensome.
Commissioner Mann requested staff address the citizen's concerns on the permit activities
verbiage. Staff said the difference in the code requirement is based on the tree size. There was
further discussion.
Commissioner Martinez, expressed concern for long-term residence being on fixed incomes and
having the financial burden to senior citizens.
Commissioner Mann requested to note this as a concern.
Carol Lumb, Senior Planner, and Andrea Cummins, Urban Environmentalist, Department of
Community Development went over the proposed definitions and proposed tree regulations and
answered questions.
ACTION ITEMS:
- Bring back to the Commission, definition of significant tree size compared to other jurisdictions
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Public Hearing Minutes
December 14, 2017
- Send information to the Commission on the comparison difference of other Cities for significant
tree sizes as soon as possible.
Commissioner Hansen noted that the comparison of neighboring Cities
is quite important in their discussion and, said he was disappointed that the Commission didn't
have the information for this discussion.
- Bring back to the Commission, documentation on Tree maintenance in the public right -a -way
(page 110)
- Provide a chart on significant trees, 4" versus 6"
- Provide more information from the City Attorney on Injunctive relief
REVISIONS:
- Page 96, nuisance trees — add underground utilities.
- Page 97 — send significant tree size chart as soon as possible
- Page 103, D. change wording to match chart on page 104— no arborist report for trees
greater than 18"
- Page 106 clean up verbiage, paragraph D, nuisance tree.
- Page 108, if tree is damaged by an act of nature, it is not required to be replaced (see page
110 18.54.110 C. for language)
- Page 110, D. top of page, need more information about liability
- Page 118, Injunctive Relief— "threatening to violate" — need information about this phrase.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
- Commissioner Nguyen will be the chair for 2018, and Commissioner Martinez, Vice -Chair.
- Heidi Watters the new Planning Commissioner will go to City Council for confirmation on
January 2, 2018.
- Overview of the 2018 Planning Commission schedule. Staff asked how they could help the
Commission for the process to go smoothly in 2018. PC Responses:
- Provide packets with work completed on the project before coming to PC.
- Have representatives from the Police or Fire department present when variances,
parking, or set -backs are being considered.
- Commitment for enforcement regarding the decisions PC. make
- Better outreach to citizens regarding projects in their neighborhood.
- Staff thanked the Commission for all their work in 2017.
Adjourned: 9:15 PM
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens
Planning Commission Secretary
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