HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2015-08-27 Minutes - Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - Holiday Inn Express Hotel
City of Tukwila
Planning Commission
BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW (BAR)
MINUTES
Date:
August 27, 2015
Time:
6:30 PM
Location:
Council Chambers
Present:
Chair, Mike Hansen; Vice Chair, Sharon Mann; Commissioners, Louise Strander, Brooke
Alford, Thomas McLeod and Miguel Maestas
Absent;
Commissioner Nhan Nguyen
Staff:
Jack Pace, Director, Valerie Lonneman, Assistant Planner, and Wynetta Bivens, Planning
Commission Secretary
Motion:
Commissioner Mann made a motion to adopt the 7/23/15 minutes. Commissioner
Strander seconded the motion, all were in favor.
Chair Hansen
called the public hearing to order.
Valerie Lonneman
, Assistant Planner, Department of Community Development, asked the Commission
the appearance of fairness questions. There were no disclosures.
Chair Hansen
swore in those testifying and opened the public hearing.
CASE NUMBER: L15-0027 Design Review
APPLICANT: Dale Sweeney, Architect
REQUEST: Construct a five-story, 92-unit Holiday Inn Express hotel
LOCATION: 90 Andover Park E., Tukwila, WA 98188
Valerie Lonneman
, Assistant Planner, Department of Community Development, gave the staff
presentation. She provided an overview of the review process, and background information. She said a
Development Agreement for a shared parking permit was approved in May, as well as a Shoreline
Substantial Development permit in August. It was noted that this is the first project that has been
reviewed by the BAR using the new Tukwila Urban Center Design Review Standards.
A request was received from the applicant to modify the neighborhood corridor frontage standards along
Christensen Road. The normal requirement is a 15 ft. sidewalk with street trees. However, staff has
developed a cooperative agreement with the owner for street frontage of approximately 9 ft. of
landscaping and a 9 ft. sidewalk in the area. Staff noted that the modification is feasible because the area
is between two parking lots as Christensen Road is going to be used as a parking lot. The Development
Agreement expanded the development to partially include a portion of the Christensen Road right-of-way.
The right-of-way will be used as a joint public/private parking lot to meet the parking requirement; four
stalls shall have signs indicating that they are reserved for Green River Trail use. The owners have agreed
to provide maintenance for any offsite areas developed and related to the project, and they will make a
river bank restoration payment. Staff noted this project does not look like the typical one-story structure
developments in the surrounding area. However, staff believes the project fits into the Tukwila Urban
Public Hearing Minutes
August 27, 2015
Plan vision and it reflects the new standards of development desired in the future. In order to develop the
proposed 68 foothigh hotel the applicant is applying for a height incentive, which allows a maximum 70
foot height. The frontage requirements for this height incentive have been included in the site design. The
project also meets the landscape requirements. Staff recommends approval of the project with three
conditions as listed in the staff report dated August 19, 2015, which will be approved prior to issuance of
the building permit. Staff also recommends approval of the frontage modification request on Christensen
Road.
Staff addressed several questions for the Commission.
Commissioner Mann
suggested signage on Christensen Road indicating parking stalls are open to the
public using the Green River Trail. Commissioner McLeod was in support of Commissioner Mann’s
suggestion. Commissioner Mann also inquired on whether the Hotel had on-site meeting facilities, and if
so, do they have the ability to accommodate parking for meeting attendees if the hotel is full.
Jack Pace
, Director, Department of Community Development provided clarification regarding questions
raised by Commissioner Strander on the developer’s restoration payment.
Dale Sweeney
, Architect, for the applicant, responded to questions raised by the Commission.
David Clark,
for the applicant, provided some clarification for the type of uses the proposed facility
provides.
Trent Grantham
, Landscape Architect, for the applicant also answered questions.
There were no further comments.
The public hearing was closed.
The BAR deliberated.
Commissioner Mann
thanked the developer for taking on the project and improving the area visually.
She said she would still like to address inviting the public to park in the stalls adjacent to the trail on
Christensen Road.
Commissioner McLeod
said he thinks parking will be an issue and it’s important to make good signage
indicating where people can or cannot park.
The Commission were all in consensus that it is a good project.
Motion:
Commissioner Maestas
made a motion to approve Case Number L15-0027 with staff’s finding
recommendations and conclusions with three conditions and the applicant’s modification. Commissioner
Alford seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Director’s Report:
Jack Pace, Director, Community Development, noted the following:
The Washington Place project is in progress.
The Northwest Arena project is in progress.
The City Council adopted the recommendation that the Planning Commission forwarded to them
for Medical Marijuana Regulations.
The City Council directed staff to prepare the final adoption Ordinance for the Comprehensive
Plan Amendments for Neighborhoods, Tukwila International Boulevard and Housing elements.
This item is scheduled to go to the City Council for adoption in October.
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Public Hearing Minutes
August 27, 2015
Staff would like to meet with the Commission in the fall to discuss developing priorities for
implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
The City is exceeding new construction valuations for 2015.
Jack will follow up on questions raised pertaining to the current use on the old Lewis and Clark
site.
Adjourned: 7:53 PM
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens
Planning Commission Secretary
Adopted: 2/25/16
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