HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-08-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesAugust 25, 1981
7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL
MEMBERS
REPORTS
Mayor
Council Members
Others:
Wendy Morgan withdraws
as candidate for
Council position #3.
NEW BUSINESS
Prop. Res. fixing time
when petition will be
heard on vacation of
a street.
Prop. Ord. vacating a
portion of S. 168th St.
that lies easterly of
53rd Ave. So.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
comma lam, OF THE WHOLE MEETING
MINUTES
Chairman Hill called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order
at 7:30 P.M.
L. C. BOHRER, MABEL J. HARRIS, GEORGE D. HILL, J. REID JOHANSON,
DORIS E. PHELPS.
Nothing to report at this tine.
City Hall
Council Chambers
Councilman Johanson reported he would be on vacation for the
next two weeks.
Councilman Phelps reported that the Finance and Personnel Committee
will meet on Thursday.
Wendy Morgan, a candidate in the Tukwila City Council primary for
Position No. 3, said it has become necessary for her to withdraw
her name from the ballot. She has just become aware of a require-
ment that career service employees must take a leave of absence
from their job if they run for public office. She said it would
be inappropriate to take a leave of absence from her job. She
said she could not remove her name from the ballot, but she was
placing an ad in the paper explaining the situation.
Ns. Morgan said she would continue to serve on the Board of
Adjustment and as a volunteer in other community programs.
Chairman Hill expressed regret that it was necessary for MS.
Morgan to withdraw. He thanked her for the public service she
is rendering.
Chairman Hill said six property owners have petitioned the City
for street vacation of a portion of 54th Avenue South lying
between South 166th Street and South 168th Street. The action
recommended is to pass a resolution setting October 6, 1981 as
the date to hear the petition.
Chairman Hill said he would oppose the cutting down of trees on
54th to enhance a view as the trees act as a buffer to the noise
from the freeway. Councilman Harris said it seems there is a
utility corridor running along 54th. Chairman Hill said a street
can be vacated and the utility easement retained. Brad Collins,
Planning Director, said he was not sure what easement
documents would be necessary. Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney,
said Puget Power usually gets legal easements, but if there is
not an easement then the City should assure that Puget Power gets
an easement. Mr. Collins said 54th Avenue South involves the
sewer right -of -way so it is necessary to set a time for a public
hearing.
MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Sir1'ING OC'T'OBER 6, 1981 AS THE DATE TO HEAR THE PETITION BE ON
THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 1, 1981 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.
Councilman Bohrer said he would like the minutes of the Park
Commission Meeting where they made a recommendation on the street
vacation to be in the agenda packet for the next meeting.
*MO'T'ION CARRIED.
Councilman Johanson said the above- discussed resolution and the
proposed ordinance are related. In light of the discussion on
the previous item he felt City should establish some kind of a
right -of -way to be included in the release should the City decide
to release the property.
Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, said if there were not a
formal easement on the property that Puget Power might have one
now by adverse possession. They have been on there for more than
ten years.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL commIaTEE OF THE WHOTTF MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 2
NEW BUSINESS
Prop. Ord. vacating a
protion of S. 168th St.
that lies easterly of
53rd Ave. So. contd.
Rev. Developer's
Agreement Res.
accepting 4 Developer's
Agreements.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said he thought there was a
question about the vacation being very close to the southern
edge of the right -of -way and the easement may require that
additional property be purchased from the property owners them-
selves.
Richard McCann, Perkins Law Firm, 1900 Washington Building,
Seattle 98101, said he represented Puget Power and Light. He
said he was not familiar with the specific terms of the Tukwila/
Puget franchise, but in most of the franchises the City is obli-
gated at any time it vacates public right -of -way over which that
franchise runs to reserve an easement to protect the power and
utility facilities within the franchised area. Easements and
facilities outside the franchised area as usual practice are
covered by separate independent private easements. There should
not be a gap, although contact with the power company would
indicate whether or not that exists. If the City will check the
terms of its franchise it will find that it is obligated to
reserve an easement upon vacation.
Councilman Phelps said it makes sense to identify the area of the
easement that is going to be reserved for Puget Power because the
City officials will need to know where construction can take
place on private property and where it cannot encroach upon an
easement area. We need to have the record for the protection of
the City and be sure it is recorded.
Councilman. Bohrer asked if we are considering a vacation that
will cost the City money? Councilman Hill said no, it would not
cost the City.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said the concern is that the
size of the cable that is within the right -of -way is considerable.
He said his understanding is that a power cable of that size
would have an easement of about 25'. Mr. McCann said he did not
know the width of the easement without referring to the document.
Councilman Harris said this discussion started because someone
wanted to build a garage on the north side so perhaps the solution
would be to sell 35 40' and retain the other portion.
MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE
VACATING A PORTION OF SOUTH 168TH STREET THAT LIES EASTERLY
OF 53RD AVENUE SOUTH BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 1, 1981
REGULAR COUNCIL PELTING.
Councilman Harris asked that the dollar amount be filled in on
Section 3 of the proposed ordinance.
*MOTION CARRIED.
Chairman Hill said the City Attorney was requested to review the
four developer's agreements and be sure they would be willing to
participate in sidewalks through an L.I.D. at a later date. The
City Council reviewed this previously and found it might be
possible that there would be four or five developers in a row and
it might be beneficial to the City to have the sidewalk put in at
time of development rather than wait for an L.I.D. Once the study
is completed to establish the grade, the developers could put
in the sidewalks at that time rather than a later date. The
City Attorney was going to report on this.
Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, said Mr. Hard did not talk
to him about the request.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said there is the proposed
resolution setting forth the developer's agreements. The City
Attorney has provided the alternative in the form of two types
of agreements; one being participation in a future L.I.D., and
the other being an ordinance relating to sidewalk construction.
The agreement for future construction is to allow the City to
get the work done by a certain date. It is in rought draft form
and will need some revision.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMLTr1'EE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 3
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
Rev. Developer's
Agreement Res. accepting
4 Developer's Agreements
contd.
RECESS
8:20 8:34 P.M.
3,37
Chairman Hill said everyone felt the City did not have enough
teeth in this. If you had nine tenths of the block agreeable to
a sidewalk it could be stalled due to one piece of property.
At the present there are several developers who would make
Interurban complete with two- thirds of the sidewalks.
Councilman Bohrer said the agreement covers a period of three
years. Why is a limit needed on the date of the agreement.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE COMMT'1 OF
THE WHOLE MEETING RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED.
The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called back to order by
Chairman Hill, with Council Members present as previously listed.
Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, said the developer's agreement
for future construction is a draft and will need revision. With
reference to the deadline for information to be submitted to the
owner, if the City failed to provide information by the date
stated the property owner could receive damages. The agreement
does not specify any remedy if a deadline is not met. The
Council could put in a clause regarding a missed deadline. In
the absence of the clause saying what would happen would be up
to the courts to decide.
Chairman Hill said it is the Council intent that when they
sign the agreement for future construction it become clear that
the City knows what is going to be done but the City does not
know when. It seems as soon as the City has the grades and
alinements for the streets, the developers can start constructing
sidewalks. Council should have an agreement that says at what
time the sidewalks should go in.
Councilman Harris said she preferred the developer's agreement
for future construction of the sidewalks and when it should be
done.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said his understanding is that
Council can decide how long they want to give the developers to
put in the sidewalk, Council can say three years or it could be
eight or ten years, it could be put in the agreement in that
manner. It could say that by that time we will provide the
street description information to the developer. It does not
say the notice to proceed has to be in this time frame. There
is not any time set forth on when the City sends out the notice
to proceed. Sometime before the deadline the City will be
required to set specifics.
Councilman Bohrer asked why we should have to set a date when
the City will provide specifics? He suggested that Condition 1
on Page 1 of the developer's agreement for future construction
be deleted.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said Council would want to
give these instructions to staff as to how long they have to
provide the specifics to the developer. That phrase does not
need to be there, but for sane reason Mr. Hard has put it in.
Councilman Harris said part of the reason it is there is because
we have not received the details of the study to give to someone
so they can start to build the sidewalk. Once we have them we
can give them the specifics.
Councilman Bohrer said it does not say when they are available,
as soon as we get the study we are going to ask for the sidewalk
to be built. Why do we have to have the date in there? It
says the City shall provide the specifics in Condition 2 on Page
2.
MOVE BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY BOHRER, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ACCEPTING FOUR DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENTS BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE
NEXT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE METING ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1981.
MOTION CARRIED.
TUEWILA CITY COUNCIL COJ M['1'1'1 E OF THE WROTE NEPTING
August 25, 1981
Page 4
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P &L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said the proposed ordinances
reclassify certain lands from R -3 to C -1 and amends the compre-
hensive plan map. In the Council packets there are copies of
the proposed ordinances, staff reports, Planning Commission
minutes, and the City Attorney's comments.
Councilman Bohrer said he would like to know if the documents
reflect the agreements that were discussed before the Planning
Commission relative to the specific benefits to the neighbors.
Mr. Collins said the City Attorney had the documents and worked
with the applicant's attorney, 11r. McCann. They incorporated
them into the documents. It was his understanding that they
reviewed all of the conditions and have concluded them as they
saw fit.
MLr. Richard McCann, attorney for applicants, 1900 Washington
Building, Seattle, said he was representing the P &L CoRpany.
They would like to present to Council a description of the
project. It will be helpful as to whether or not the concerns
of the neighbors have been met.
Mr. Omer Mithun, Mithun and Associates, said he was architect
for the project. He presented slides showing the project and
stating the Phase II is a sister building to the xerox building,
but a little smaller. All of the activity will be on the south
side of the building, away from the residences. The glass area
will be cut slightly for energy conservation. It is professional
office space for daytime use. He said they were working with
the neighbors as to how the landscaping should be designed.
They have worked with the neighbors and all of their requests
have been incorporated into the project.
Councilman Phelps said she noted that the petitions that have
been signed are dated 1979, so they are not recent.
Mr. Collins, Planning Director, said Councilman Bohrer requested
the petitions be made available for this meeting. All of the
conditions are included in the property agreement, also an agree-
ment has been signed by John Richards. The building has not been
moved but it has been lowered. There are citizens in the audience
who signed the letter. They can speak for themselves if their
concerns have not been satisfied.
Mr. John Richards, 15320 64th Avenue South, Tukwila, said the
citizens have got together and talked about this project as a
community on one occasion and there have been two public hearings
where various aspects have been discussed. The document that he
had to look at was part of what the Council has a total package.
He said he had concerns as to how it is worded and whether or not
it addresses the concern of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is
not opposed to the development provided that their concerns are
addressed and carried forth and executed in the development. At
this point a formal ordinance is being made that will become
the enforcement document and the instructions to the developer,
to the City staff, enforcing the rezone and the development itself.
It is important that the communication be carried through and be
stated in the wording of the document that Council is considering.
In the first part of the document, which would be the second page
in Section 3 where the Council makes the conclusions and conditions
relating to and restricting the subject real property there are
two conditions: the first says the City and the petitioner
shall execute a property and use development agreement substantiall:
the same as the agreement attached to the ordinance as Exhibit C.
He said he, as an impacted neighbor, and he believe the rest of
the neighborhood, probably would agree that the word "substantially'
is rather frightening. Earlier in the meeting at the beginning
the Council was talking about an agreement they were trying to
reach on an LID and the word "substantive changes" came up about
crossing is and dotting i's. He believed they have the same fear.
He would like to see a document that Council will take action
on that is complete, that it does not have words like "substan-
tially" which infer that changes can be made at a staff level or
TUKI')ILA CITY COUNCIL COPMIZ'tIEh OF THE WHOT E MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 5
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P &L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
or some other level after the community has given agreement to the
development. What the citizens would like to see is that Exhibit
C be executed prior to the public hearing and prior to Council
taking action on rezone of the property and that Exhibit C be in
its final form so the comitunity can look at it and agree
as to whether or not it communicates the community's concerns.
The other thing that would probably fall into this section,
but is not covered, is the concern the neighborhood has as to
what happens to the rezone and developer's agreement after the
new zoning code is adopted which, according to his understanding,
will put the property P -0 or office use and they are concerned
that the development occur the way it has been presented and
those restrictions, or that agreement, that has been arrived at
carries forth even after the new zoning code has been adopted.
The rezone of that specific piece of property to C -1, taking it
from residential use to commercial use, is appropriate only
because of the mitigating effort that the developer is supposed
to do which is to keep his traffic out of the residential area
and use Southcenter Boulevard as an access and it is important
that this happen. Also, the size of the structure at 32,000
square feet in one spot is a substantial difference than what a
residential of tri- plexes or four plexes spread throughout would
be. It is a trade -off with the community as to whether we want
to have one large structure or end up with a lot of residential
structures spread throughout. We won't have four or five 32,000
square foot buildings plunked on the property. From a bulk
standpoint there is a large difference between a C -1 operation
which is a 32,000 square foot two -story building and a residential
operation which is a series of two or three thousand square foot
buildings spread across the property. They are concerned that
what they have been told will happen actually is executed. They
would like to see Exhibit C in its final form and, second, that
they have some kind of assurance, whether the City Attorney
writes a letter to the neighborhood or whatever, but some kind
of written record that this developer's agreement will in fact
be in effect after the new zoning code has been adopted. He
said he sat on the Planning Commission for four or five years and
during the rewrite of the zoning code and that specific problem
came up what happens to all of the contract rezones in the
City when the new zoning code is adopted? Are they null and void
or do they continue in effect? The attorney never did respond
to the Commission and as a neighbor having a potential rezone
with a developer's agreement he would like to know. It is a
fair question and response is appropriate. Many of the concerns
of the 15 that were in the letter he was a party to signing
were addressed in the meeting that was held with the developers.
Compromises were made. They were not jumping with joy at what
happened, but they realize that they have a project they would
like to execute as well as the neighbor's concerns and at the
end of the meeting a compromise solution was reached. However,
getting back to the form of the ordinance, they are concerned
that the content specifically be in it so the person who is
responsible for administrating the building permit and controlling
the actual development knows what they are up against. A large
part of their concerns were delgated to the B.A.R. that those
concerns will be taken care of at the time of B.A.R. Therefore,
it was asked that the neighborhood be notified when the BAR
approval was going to occur so they could come to the meeting
and speak. That is not contained anywhere in the document as
being a requirement of the rezone. The Planning Director
has said they will take care of that as a matter of the Depart-
ment doing it. In the four or five years he was on the Commission
he did not remember that type of notification as a matter of
policy. That is why it is asked that it become a part of the
record and made a requirement so the neighborhood will be
notified and be able to come to the meeting and make sure the
compromise that was arrived at is documented and executed.
Therefore, he would ask that these specific instructions be made
a part of the ordinance. In the Section on B.A.R. it instructed
what the Board of Architectural Review (B.A.R.) is to review
it says it is not limited to that. They discuss building height
in subparagraph (a), they discuss some setbacks in subparagraph
(c). As Mr. Mithun has just given a slide show there were
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COPM T1TEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 6
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P &L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
several documents submitted to the Planning Commission and to
the neighborhood and they would like to be sure that the eleva-
tion of 120' be established within the ordinance, either by
reference to those documents or actually be stated that the
building heights should not exceed two stories nor elevation
120' as depicted on the documentation submitted by the applicant.
He asked if Exhibit B in subparagraph (b) does include all of the
documentation? He said he was familiar in the Planning Commission
that each page of a document was a separate exhibit and he wanted
to be sure that Exhibit B did not isolate the documentation
to the site plan and the elevation and the new section that
depicted the elevation of 120' and set the relationship of
the new structure to the surroudning neighborhood be a part
of the documentation that the Planning Commission has instructed
to address.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said Exhibit B is just the
site plan. Building height is in (a).
Mr. Richards, audience, said he thought it was important to
the neighborhood that all of the documentation submitted by
the developer at the second meeting which addressed the concerns
of the neighborhood as submitted at the first Planning Commission
meeting be better referred to and spelled out in the document. In
the Developer's Agreement, which has reference to the B.A.R.,
there is reference to subparagraph (b) under Utilization of
Site Development Plans. It says under (4) that site development
plans shall be subject to review and approval by the City
of Tukwila Planning Commission sitting as a Board of Architectural
Review. Architectural Review will include but will not be limited
to, and then there are three subparagraphs. In those three
subparagraphs only one exhibit of the entire exhibit as
presented by the developer was referenced. He said as far as
building height is concerned the elevation of 120' which was
given by the architect was a talked about elevation and was
part of the negotiation between the developer and the neighbor-
hood as to how high the building would be in relationship to the
neighborhood. There is no reference to it in the ordinance that
is going to grant them the rezone and the authority to proceed.
The only exhibit of all of the exhibit that were given by the
developer is Exhibit B which is referenced. It is appropriate
that all of the exhibits be referenced.
Councilman Phelps asked when the Planning Commission sits as a
Board of ARchitectural Review do they review the entire project
and their scope of review is not limited to just what may be
spelled out in the property or developer's agreement?
Mir. Collins said that is correct, in effect they could modify
a, b, c, and d if they chose to do so.
Councilman Phelps said she did not have any problem with the
conerns listed being a part of the developer's agreement. It
is more appropriate there than as part of the ordinance. The
ordinance sits as a permanent document of the City whereas prop-
erty or a developer's agreement may not be as permanent as the
ordinance that is adopted amending the zoning code. Typically,
developer's agreements are filed and remain a condition of certain
properties regardless of what area rezones might do to the
property.
Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, said developer's agreements
are typically filed and are on record as burdening the property
until they are satisfied. Councilman Phelps said a rezone would
not negate the power of an individual property use and developer's
agreement. Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, asked Councilman
Phelps is she was asking the impact of the new zoning
code on the existing contract rezones? He said he could not
respond to that question. He said he understood that is a pending
question and it is complex. He could not predict what the
result would be. Councilman Phelps asked if this constituted
a contract rezone? Mr. Carlson said a developer's agreement is
akin to a contract rezone. The impact of the new zoning code
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL commirrEL OF THE WHOT F MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 7
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P &L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
on existing developer's agreements is a question that cannot
be answered at this time. The developer's agreement is
recorded and does burden the property. He said he could not
respond without looking into it. Councilman Phelps said she
guessed she did not understand the difference between a
developer's agreement and a contract rezone. She said she has
seen situations in the past where developer's agreements, upon
satisfaction of any conditions with it, will automatically
expire at the end of the satisfaction of those conditions.
She was not sure that would be the case of a contract rezone.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said the difference between
a contract rezone and the developer's agreement is complex.
We are attempting to define and answer these questions. As of
this date that research has not been completed.
Mir. Richards, audience, said in any case the ordinance itself
does in Section 3, subparagraph (a), refer specifically to the
execution of a property use and developer's agreement, which
is Exhibit C attached. First of all, he disagreed with the
statement "substantially the same as Exhibit C." It should
state exactly what the agreement is going to be before Council
passes the rezone and second, that the property use and
developer's agreement continue in effect after the new zoning
code goes into effect. In the same way the Council fears changes
to LID #30, so the neighborhood is in fear of what one person
would consider as a "substantial change." The neighborhood may
consider that a substantial change. Therefore, he would like
to, and expects to see, that the Council have a completed
document with the final wording in it when they make their
decision.
Councilman Bohrer said he would like to point out to staff and
Mr. Richards that Council Procedures say before Council passes
an ordinance they must have in their possession all signed
documents that pertain to it. He wanted to see that happen.
When he reads Section C and it says the petitioner "shall execute
a document," that sentence and that phrase is not in concert
with Council Procedures. The Council Procedures say Council
will have documents signed before the ordinance is passed.
Councilman Harris said all of these conditions and the documents
from the neighbors ought to be part of the ordinance. A
developer's agreement once it is completed then your part of it
is accomplished. It does not say that anyone else that comes
along can add to or take away or change. If it were in the ord-
inance as a condition of the rezone it could not be done.
MIr. Mithun, architect, said the things that have been done have
been done wholeheartedly. They do not have any reservations.
When the neighbors submitted their concerns there were several
of the items in it that were not practical. After the meeting
it was resolved to a list which was thought to be in the document.
He would expect them to be referenced. The same with the final
drawings. There is a copy of the section that Mr. Richards is
talking about and he assumed that would be connected to any
approval. The only question, and he did not have any holdbacks
on anything that has been discussed, is the real question of
absolutes. If this is going to the B.A.R. and you have said
there will be no deviation in any detail from the drawings and
so on that have been submitted, then you have tied their hands
completely. He said he was happy and did not care about that.
It seems that some discretion on the City part is not a wrong
thing to do. He said he was not asking for any favors.
Councilman Harris said that is not what she said. She said
she had no qualms about the rezone if the concerns of the
neighbors were part of the ordinance; then when it goes to
B.A.R. they take it and use it as part of their discussion. Mr.
Mithun said he wanted the record complete.
Mr. Richards, audience, said one other thing that is of concern
to the neighborhood is the access on 64th, whether or not
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 8
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P&L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
commercial use of that street is going to be allowed. When
the City improved the street about two years ago they deliber-
ately made it narrow with the understanding, or at least he was
led to believe, that it was made narrow to restrict the use to
a residential type of use. The fear the neighbors have is
with the parking lot that abuts the street that has one access
to it from the south, and with about 125 cars parked there, at
five o'clock the people are going to come out and each will be
wanting to get out. The only other access they are going to
have is up their street. The Fire and Police Departments
of the City have a penchant for pushing through rights -of -way
to get second means of access for fire and police protection.
It looks to him like they are being set up to have that pushed
through because restricting use of that street is not part of
the ordinance it is part of the developer's agreement. The
developers are happy to restrict it and they have said they do
not want access out there. He said he could see it coming that
the street will be forced open. He could not see why it could
not be put into the ordinance that it is not going to be
opened to commercial use. It is not in the conditions of the
rezone. It is in the developer's agrement.
Councilman Harris asked if the neighborhood conditions could
be referenced as part of the ordinance? Mr. Richards said
that is what he would like to see. They have talked to the
developers about their problems and the problems of the neighbor-
hood. The neighbors have bent and the developers have bent
and the end results have been the developer's agreement. He
said he would like to discuss if subparagraph (b) of the
developer's agreement on Section 4 is going to reference Exhibit
B and talk about 20' setbacks why aren't the rest of the
documentations talks about in there? The second point is if
the City looks at the access on 64th Avenue South and South
153rd Street the same way the residents do why does the
limiting of the access have to be in the developer's agreement?
Why cannot it be a part of the rezone?
Chairman Hill asked if the Developer's Agreement would be part
of the rezone? It refers to it.
MIr. Richards said there was a statement made earlier that as soon
as the developers complied with the aspects of the developer's
agreement he is off the hook. They do not want to see that.
A lot of conditions are ongoing conditions non -use of the
residential street is a ongoing condition.
Pair. Nlithun said the developers have no desire for that street
to go through into the residential street. The neighbors do
not want it. It is possible for them to agree not to ask
for it. It is not possible for them to tie the hands of some
future Council of condemning or not being able to put a street
where they want it.
Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, said according to the lan-
guage of the document it is to be filed and certain of its
provisions are to run with the land, meaning that they will
continue to burden the land. Some of these things are not things
that are satisfied at some point. For example, the condition
that there be no entrance or exit between the property and
64th Avenue South has no termination point. That is an obliga-
tion that the owners of the property, the developers, can
impose on the property. That will continue to burden their
property.
Mr. Richards said he is not happy that the potential is there
for the City, under pressure, to decide that they can open that
street up. Once that street is opened up who is going to stand
and tell who can drive on it and who cannot?
Councilman Phelps said there are probably no guarantees for that
kind of a condition because this City Council can pass such
legislation and another Council can reverse that legislation.
The only way to protect yourself would be to come to meetings
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WROTE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 9
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P &L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
like this and protest that action at sores future date. There
is no way the passage of an ordinance would guarantee that street
would never be pushed through. The developers_ agree that they
will not push it through and it is part of the agreement. She
said she did not want her previous remark misinterpreted about
property or developer's agreements. What she said was that
some property use or developer's agreements do expire when the
conditions of them are satisfied. That is not always the case.
She said she was comparing the developer's agreement with a
contract rezone and she was not sure how the two differed.
Changes in zoning and the opening of streets do not take place
without public hearings.
Mr. Collins said any agreement between the City and the
property owners is subject to amendment between the City and
the part to that agreement, which would be the owners. The
only way the property owners can be guaranteed that things will
not change is if somehow they become parties to this agreement.
To the extent that is identified in Item 9 and 10 of the agree-
ment, they are involved as much as any action that the City has
taken on land use. Short of them being members of the contract,
their franchise would be with the City.
Mir. McCann, attorney, said the City Attorney has made the
neighbors part of the agreement in Item 10. That is called a
third party beneficiary. The concerns of the neighbors have
been taken into consideration and protected. The developers
have no objections to the document and they have made every
attempt to put those matters before the Planning Commission and
the Council.
He said he had one other concern with reference to the 1979
petition which apparently is in the Council packet and which
was not considered by the Planning Commission or made a part
of the record. He asked that they receive a copy of it and
ask whether or not that petition is being considered by the
Council with respect to this application.
Councilman Bohrer said it is part of the packet by his
request. The specific issue that he has been wondering about
is that Council is going to great lengths to protect what is
now a single family area but may become an R -3 area by request.
Mr. Collins said the existing zoning is R -3 and it is proposed
to be R -3 in the new zoning code. The rezone request is to C -1.
Councilman Bohrer said when the Council first got into this they
were trying to protect single family residences not a potential
R -3 development. In his own mind the provisions that are
required are very different. He said he would like to know
which subject is being addressed R -1 or R -3?
Mr. Richards said R -1 and R -3 are both residential uses. If
you go through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan the policy
that covers land use plans addresses themselves to commercial
uses accessing through residential uses. That is the difference.
We are not talking about one density use against another
density use. We are talking about a commercial use through a
residential use.
Councilman Bohrer said he agrees about the access part of it and
he has some questions about some of the other provisions.
Whether they are really necessary or appropriate. For example,
do we have such a buffer between the City Hall and the
residential area that is behind it or the one that is immediately
west of City Hall, and the residential area that will be just
behind that? Is there such a buffer required?
Mr. Richards said the slope that goes back of the City Hall is
the buffer. The slope that is back of the proposed building
has been redone. Councilman Bohrer said there is no
corresponding buffer just to the west of City Hall.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL commITTFS OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 10
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P &L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
Councilman Johanson said there was a buffer required in the
development just north of City Hall and the property adjacent
on the east side in the requirement of a fence, a screen, and
setback.
Mir. McCann, attorney, said with respect to the document that is
dated November 8, 1979, and is a petition to the Planning
Commission of the City to allow the existing zoning of R -3 on
said properties below listed to remain R -3, he must object to
the consideration of this document by the Council, considering
this application for final amendment and rezone. The document
does not identify which particular property, there is no
indication that it is the same property that is being discussed
here and secondly, this document was not part of the record in
the proceedings of the Planning Commission in connection with
the application. There is no indication from the people who have
signed the document that they have any reference to the proposal
that has not been presented to the Planning Commission and is
now before the City Council. They may very well wish to
retract this position if they had an opportunity to see the
application. They do not believe it should be considered by
the Council.
Councilman Harris said she would speak for those people and if
she remembered rightly some of them are in the audience and
can correct her if she is wrong, this was written in response
to the Planning Commission's intent to make that an R -J area.
They asked to have it remain R -3. They felt it was already
developed with the San Juan Apartments and they did not feel
it should now be R -1, they would rather have it remain R -3.
The Planning Commission had originally designated that area as
R -1 and it was already R -3 and asked to remain R -3.
Councilman Bohrer said the properties that are listed are
precisely the same properties that are single family area
immediately adjoining the area we are seeking a barrier for.
Implication at present and what has been gone through up to
this point is that we are buffering a single family area from a
commercial area. That is what he has seen today. This says
what we are buffering is a multi- family area from a commercial
area.
Councilman Hill asked if they should not receive the same
consideration? Councilman Bohrer said that is the question.
Councilman Phelps said she wondered if it were not a little
late to be pursuing that becuase the developers and the property
owners have already come to some terms of agreement for the
development under their property use and developer's agreement
and the comments have for the most part been incorporated
along with the ordinance and are part of the agreement. They
have come to terms as to what residential buffering means to
them.
Councilman Bohrer said he thought Council was going to great pains
to reach an agreement with specific property owners and he
understood their concern, but, if the property is then rezoned
or continues its current zoning as R -3 and is to be developed
multi family then in his opinion the same degree of buffering is
not necessary. Some parts of the buffering are entirely approp-
riate and some parts are not. That is the issue the Council
should discuss. If it is the majority opinion of the Council
that the two require the same buffering then the Council can
proceed as they are; if that is not the case then there may be
some reason to reconsider certain parts of the agreement that is
before Council. He said he would like to get to another point
that he felt should be dealt with tonight and which cannot be
dealt with at regular Council meetings. It is partly related
to the issue of contract rezone versus property developer's
agreement. This Council can go through an ordinance and set
the provisions of the ordinance and agree to the provisions
of a developer's agreement if that i
s what t-1ey choose to do.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL CON I11EE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 11
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P&L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
The next step, however, is the implementation of that ordinance
and that is not the Council's prerogative, it is the Adminis-
tration's prerogative, and in his own mind there is more, if you
will, lack of control in that process at present than there is
in any part of the process Council is going through. It is
that issue that the Council has to take up with the Mayor before
Council can have any assurance to people we are dealing with.
Whatever we choose to do with it, we want to know that the
conditions of the ordinance will be implemented. He said when
he looks at certain other developments in the City subject to
similar agreements and performance in administering those agree-
ments then it gives him great concern about being able to
administer the provisions of this agreement, which in many
respects are similar. It is that issue that he would like to
take up with the Mayor when he is present because in time past
he has said that a similar agreement is not enforceable, in
his opinion, and indeed he has not enforced it. That issue
is also a major one that the Council should address before they
go forward with these particular actions that are before them.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE P &L COMPANY
REZONE AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT BE TABLED UNTIL THE
CO1\24I'1'2E OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1981.
Councilman Bohrer said the person who is enforcing it will be at
a future meeting and it can be discussed with him to see if,
in his opinion, he feels that the agreement that is being put
together is enforceable. He said he thought that the property
owners would like a commitment from Administration to go along
with Council's commitment in passing an ordinance that can
actually do what they want done.
Chairman Hill said Item 10 says: "This agreement is made for
the benefit of the City and for the benefit of owners of
property within 300' of the property. Either the City or
any such property owner may institute and prosecute any
proceedings at law or in equity to enforce this agreement.
If such action is brought by the City, owners agree to pay any
costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the City
arising out of such action."
Councilman Bohrer said he had some concern about that phrase and
was not sure what the implications are and he was not sure
he would want the City to be bound by it.
Brad Collins said the owner that would pay would be Mr. Lynch.
Councilman Bohrer said then that needs to be clarified. Mr.
Collins said he thought that was clarified in the document where
it indicates that the owner refers to the P &L Company, but
he would have to go back and reference that through the entire
document. The other question, as the Department Head
responsible for administering this and as a representative of
the Administration he did not think it is fair to put off the
decision on this particular issue regarding the relationship
of the Mayor's enforcement of this. The Mayor is scheduled to
be at the September 1 meeting, so he could not understand why
it could not be posed to him at that time.
Councilman Johanson said he appreciated the Administration's
stand and his concern for the developer's rights to the property
and their concerns. He, and every person living around that
area, will be affected by zoning to create a commercial atmos-
phere. He has to pay R -3 property taxes for an R -1 home which
he has done for 20 years. The character of the neighborhood
is R -1, although it has been classifed R -3 since 1959. It is
the consensus of the neighborhood that it remain R -3. It is not
fair they should pay higher property rates on their property
either. If we go ahead and by common consent agree to a dis-
agreement with the development, but in the future not have any
reliable or real feel that it is going to remain that way, then
who is it unfair to? He said he hears it from Administration
all of the time, that property owners have rights and the City
is being unfair to them. He asked if he did not have any
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMI OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Wage 12
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
P&L Co. Rezone
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment contd.
Sign Code Revision
Process
Installation of Flap
Gate by Tukwila Pond.
*MOTION CARRIED, WITH PHELPS VOTING NO.
rights as a resident or an existing resident to maintain some
degree of quality. That is what is being discussed tonight.
To what degree are we going to allow the quality to remain in a
residential area regardless of whether it is R -3 or R -1. He
said he saw no opposition. This is a commitment the people are
making to a commercial development in a residential area. We
want to pick at it enough to make it right.
Councilman Phelps said the Community Affairs Committee has been
meeting and discussing progress of the sign code amendments
and revisions and they discussed goals and objectives of a
revision. They have been somewhat formalized. They are looking
for a consensus from the Committee of the Whole to pass on the
intent of the goals to a technical committee in order to
begin the actual review of the sign code.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said there has been a general
consensus in Committee and the Planning staff that this is a
good direction to take. It is fairly comprehensive in addressing
the purposes that were identified. The intent is to discuss
them with the Council to see if they are in agreement with the
statements and if it will provide sufficient direction for a
technical committee and staff to begin the draft.
MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE SIGN CODE REVISION
PROCESS BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 1981 CONMI'1 OF
THE WHOLE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
Ted Uomoto, Public Works Director, said Mr. Smith of the
Spring Ridge Investments, Ltd., owners of Tukwila Pond property,
has requested City to install a one -way flow gate (flap gate)
device to prevent City's storm water from the storm system from
entering Tukwila Pond through reverse flow. The installation
of a flap gate structure will permit flows out of the pond but
would prevent backflow of water. The estimated cost would be
$2,000 to $3,000. Mir. Keith Cinnamon, local representative,
has stated his contractor is willing to pay for half the cost.
The Public Works Committee has recam ended this matter be dis-
cussed and approval be given to participate 50% in the cost.
Mr. Uomoto said backflow into Tukwila Pond occurs when the City's
storm system is incapable of conveying the storm run -off from the
streets and parking areas surrounding the Andover Park East area
north of the pond. Another condition which could cause backflow
into the pond is when the Green River is high and local inflow
into the main ditch along I -405 in Tukwila is at a high level.
Councilman Harris said since Tukwila Pond has no spring source
and flood water is the origin of it will it dry up if nothing is
going into it?
Mr. Uomoto said storm water has sustained the pond to a certain
degree.
Mr. Cinnamon, representing the Spring Ridge Investments Company,
said they have 9.5 acres of land and wetlands. Tukwila Pond is
an artifical lake and always will be. There were 24 acres under
water. There was flood water running off the streets. An
alternative would be to dike it. They are willing to pay 50%
of the cost. They have a parcel of land that is being flooded
by other people.
Councilman Bohrer said part of the water that enters the pond is
from the property itself and neighbor's property. It was once
the local low point.
Mr. Cinnamon said the railroad has its own drain. The commercial
land all flows back the other way. The hotel flows the other way.
There may be a small amount come over from the corner. The only
water is flowing from the swamp center. Nothing has come
off the hill since they built across the street.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMI'11r:t OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 13
NEW BUSINESS Contd.
Installation of Flap
Gate by Tukwila Pond
contd.
J/c
Councilman Bohrer asked if the City can spend money for the
benefit of a property owner or an individual, yet the City has
a responsibility that we do not impose on them. If we partici-
pate is that legitimate City expense.
Carl Carlson, Deputy City Attorney, said from what he has heard
in the discussion, the City might have some responsibility and
obligation.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE INSTALLATION OF
FLAP GATE BY TUKWILA POND BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 1,
1981 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
Proposals from Consultants
for Water /Sewer Study. Councilman Johanson said this matter has been considered by
the Public Works Committee. They have recommended Horton
Dennis and Associates do the study for theCity.
1981 Street Repair
Prcg ram, Recommendation
from Public Works Dept.
for Bid Award.
Prop. Ord. amending
1981 Budget Ord. #1197
to appropriate unanti-
cipated revenue.
Budget Transfer Motion
#81 -09) to purchase 3
revolvers for Police
Dept.
Councilman Hill said Horton Dennis could underbid on this be-
cause they have been here and worked with the sewer and water
rates and they are familiar with City's system.
Councilman Phelps said the objective is to develop a 5, 10,
15, and 20 year comprehensive water and sewer improvement program
as related to solution of immediate problems and meet future
needs with projected developments and land -use changes. They
should identify cost of projects and methods of financing.
She hoped they address maintenance and age and environment and
have future dates included in the study. Will they recommend
a phase implementation? When study is completed and it comes
to implementing the goals will it be something the City can do?
COUNCILMAN JOHANSON LEFT THE MEETING AT 10:50 P.M.
Brad Collins, Planning Director, said the Planning Department
preferred another consultant. Horton Dennis had a working
relationship with the City. R. W. Beck had involved forecasting
and had preferred methods of identifying future changes in the
system. The Planning Department was concerned with the fore-
casting. In the final analysis you had to balance to see if
they are worth the $10,000. It was a toss up.
MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE PROPOSALS FROM
CONSULTANTS FOR WATER/SEWER STUDY BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE
SEPTEMBER 1, 1981 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
Ted Uomoto, Public Works Director, said bids were opened on the
street repair project on August 24, 1981. The apparent low
bidder, Hi -Line Asphalt Paving Company, Inc., by letter
claimed an error in calculation and requested withdrawal of
their bid. The Public Works Department concurs with Horton Dennis
evaluation that Lakeside Industries be awarded the contract for
$39,372. The engineer's estimate was $48,800.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE BID AWARD FOR THE
1981 STREET REPAIR PROGRAM RE ON THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 1,
1981 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE
BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 1, 1981 REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
Police Chief Lowery said the Police Department is short 7
revolvers. They have 20 revolvers and 27 commissioned officers.
Last year the Police Department was given money for ammunition.
They have been going into Seattle for training and have used
less ammunition. The money is in training and they would like to
transfer it to purchase the three revolvers.
MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE BUDGET TRANS±ER
POTION BF ON THE AGENDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 1, 1981 REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COPMIITEL OF THE WHOT E MEETING
August 25, 1981
Page 14
Presentation by Police
Dept. personnel on
major requests prop.
for 1982 budget.
ADJOURNMENT
11:07 P.M.
Chief Lowery said that due to the lateness of the hour the
Council would probably like to postpone discussing the
Police Department budget at this time. He said he was ready
with his presentation whenever the Council would like it on
the agenda.
MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED.
George D. Hill, Chairman
Nof'na. Booher, Recording Secretary