HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2016-10-27 Minutes - Public Hearing - Low Impact Development Regulations / Tukwila Municipal Code Titles 18 and 8.25 Amendments
City of Tukwila
Planning Commission
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC) MINUTES
Date:
October 27, 2016
Time:
6:30 PM
Location:
Council Chambers
Present:
Vice Chair, Miguel Maestas; Commissioners, Mike Hansen, Louise Strander, Brooke
Alford and Nhan Nguyen
Absent:
Chair, Sharon Mann and Commissioner Dennis Martinez
Staff:
Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director; and Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretary,
Greg Villanueva, NPDES Coordinator and Ryan Larson, Senior Engineer
Vice-Chair Maestas
called the public hearing to order.
He asked for a motion to amend the agenda to hear comments from the City’s Deputy Police Chief Bruce
Linton and Fire Chief Jay Wittwer on the Public Safety Bond Measure prior to the public hearing.
Commissioner Strander moved and Commissioner Hanson seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Bruce Linton
, Deputy Police Chief, City of Tukwila said that he was not present to advocate for the
Public Safety Bond Measure but was present to provide some information. He said there has been a lot of
questions regarding where the information can be found on the public safety plan. He directed folks to the
Tukwila website for information. There are links to a fact sheet, (which were handed out to the
Commission), all the presentations provided to Council, a video presentation with a message from the
Police and Fire Department and the Court. Deputy Police ChiefLinton also offered to answer questions.
Jay Wittwer
, Fire Chief, City of Tukwila introduced himself and provided some history on his career.
Chief Wittwer was available to answer questions.
Planning Commission Public Hearing
Adoption of Minutes:
Commissioner Strander made a motion to adopt the 07/28/16 minutes.
Commissioner Maestas seconded the motion and all were in favor.
CASE NUMBER: L16-0050
APPLICANT: City of Tukwila, Department of Public Works
REQUEST: Adoption of Low Impact Development Regulations and amendments to TMC Title
18, Zoning, and Title 8.25, Vehicle Storage and Parking on Single Family
Residential Property, in order to modify the existing standards for drainage review
and design of development projects and institute best management practices for
controlling pollution from potentially pollution–generating activities.
LOCATION: City-Wide
Vice-Chair Maestas
opened the public hearing and swore in those wishing to provide testimony.
Page 2
Public Hearing Minutes
October 27, 2016
Greg Villanueva
, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) Coordinator, City of
Tukwila noted that the PC agenda packet staff report was prepared by Moira Bradshaw on amending the
City’s codes for required Low Impact Development (LID). Mr. Villanueva provided background on why
the City is required to incorporate LID into its development codes. As the NPDES Coordinator he is
responsible for management and implementation of the NPDES Phase II Permit. The Permit authorizes
discharge of the surface water bodies of the state, Green River, and Duwamish River. The Permit requires
all Washington state cities:
1) To update their codes and make effective LID principles and LID Best Management Practices, which
involves amending Title 14 by adopting the 2016 King County Surface Water Design Manual and the
2016 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Manual, which the Public Works Department is currently
doing.
2) Amend Title 16 Building and Construction, specifically 16.54 grading, which is currently being done.
3) And before the Commission tonight, Title 18, Zoning and Title 8.25 Vehicle Storage and Parking on
Single Family Residential Property.
Mr. Villanueva introduced Trista Kobluskie, with Otak Consultants, who the City contracted with to help
with implementation of LID into the City’s code.
Trista Kobluskie
, Stormwater Planner, Otak Consultants gave a presentation on LID and noted the
following:
Why the code is being amended to incorporate LID? The municipal stormwater permit requires it.
The goal is to make low impact development; the preferred and commonly used approach to site
development in the city, which should replace the traditional way of developing sites if possible. This
goal is required to be met by December 31, 2016 and implemented at the beginning of 2017 for
development proposals.
What is LID? It’s a set of site development principles; it prioritizes retention of native vegetation;
reduction of impervious surfaces and managing stormwater close to its source.
Intent? To disturb less land, generate less stormwater, and have a smaller impact on receiving waters.
Technique Examples – parking area reduction; dedicating less land to automobile use; limiting
development coverage or impervious surface coverage.
Some techniques to manage stormwater close to its source – bioretention, known as rain gardens; or
permeable pavement
The goal of LID is to create an urban landscape that still functions with a natural hydrologic process.
The Process used to get where we are today:
The Department of Ecology produced a guideline book, which the City followed.
Involvement and resources - Department of Community Development, Public Works, the Fire
Marshal, Public Safety, City Attorney, and ordinances to determine what is appropriate for Tukwila.
Ecology requires participation from officials and community stakeholders because the scope of the
changes is potentially large.
The following code titles were reviewed – 8, 14, 16, 17, and 18 which is the purpose of the public
hearing. Ms. Kobluskie also provided a summary of her findings during review, such as Comp Plan
goal 4.13, promotion of tree retention through the City, which she said was the most sought after goal
of LID.
There have been several public outreach efforts throughout this process.
A summary of proposed amendments was provided. It was noted that no changes are currently being
proposed for the tree regulations as they are subject to amendments in a separate process to follow.
Page 3
Public Hearing Minutes
October 27, 2016
Commissioner Hansen
requested a walk-though of the proposed code amendments listed in the
ordinance. Ms. Kobluskieaddressed several questions for the Commission.
Commissioner Strander
made an inquiry on material surface use if a single-family resident were
remodeling their driveway. Staff noted pervious concrete or pavement is going to be placed where
feasible.
ACTION ITEMS (2):
Commissioner Hansen
asked staff to clean up the language under section 18.50.085, Maximum Percent
Development Area Coverage, paragraph C.
Commissioner Alford
recommended more flexibility for plant material requirements beyond the City’s
bioretention plant list. Commissioner Hansen suggested some revisions to the language regarding planting
material.
Russ Gaston
, Engineer, Otak Consultant, responded to inquiries from the Commissioners.
Ryan Larson
, Senior Engineer, City of Tukwila also responded to inquiries from the Commissioners.
There was no public testimony.
The public hearing was closed.
The Planning Commission deliberated.
Commissioner Hansen
made a motion recommending adoption of Case Number L16-0050, proposed
ordinance code amendments. And the additional revised amendment, Section 11, C,12 to read:
‘Plant material requirements for bioretention facilities shall be in accordance with the City’s bioretention
plant list, unless approved by the Director.’ And forward to City Council for their approval.
Commissioner Alford seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Director’s Report:
nd
PC will meet 2 Thursdays in November and December due to the holidays
An update of up-coming projects was given. The Landscaping Code Update is on the November
10 PC agenda.
The Congress for New Urbanism is holding their national conference in Seattle in 2017 and are
doing a public service project in the city of the conference. The City applied to have these
national experts look at the Tukwila International Blvd Transit Oriented Development. The City
was approved and there will be a charrette for the City. On Feb 23-26 recommendations will be
provided on physical design, code and policy changes the City could make in order to implement
the vision laid out in the Comprehensive Plan. They will hold a series of workshops with
community and stakeholder involvement. They will also give a presentation on their
recommendations during the conference.
Revision to the By-Laws in progress and will come to the PC for their review.
Adjourned:
8:35 PM
Submitted by:
Wynetta Bivens
Planning Commission Secretary Adopted: 3/2/17