HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2011-11-10 Minutes - Walk and Roll / Southcenter Plan Comprehensive PolicyCity of Tukwila
Planning Commission
Planning Commission (PC) Minutes
Date: November 10, 2t )11
Time: 6:')0 PM
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
Present: Brooke Alford, Chair, Thomas McLeod, Vice Chair, Commissioners, David Shumate, Aaron
Hundtofte, Mike Hansen, and Jeri Frangello- Anderson
Absent: Commissioner Louise Strander
Staff: Nora Gierloff, Deputy- DCD Director, Lynn Miranda, Senior Planner, Jaimie Reavis, Assistant
Planner, and Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretaiy
Chair Alford opened the vvorksession at 6: PM.
Minutes: Commissioner McLeod made a motion to adopt the October 27, 2(_)11 minutes. Commissioner
Shumate seconded the motion. The motion vvas unanimously approved.
Jaimie Reavis, Assistant Planner, Department of Community Development gave an overview on the City's
non motorized Transportation Plan, which included projects and programs to support walking and bicycling.
She gave background on why the City developed the plan, research of the plan, the seven major
recommendations of the plan, implementation to date, and next steps.
Lynn Miranda, Senior Plainer, Department of Community Development provided a broad oveiirievv of the
Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies, which all Cities are required to update by 2015. The Comprehensive
Plan dictates public policies pertaining to landuse, transportation, utilities, recreation, etc., over the next
tkventy or more years. Tukvvila's Comp Plan was developed in 1994, and it was updated in 2(_)(_)4 in order to
develop the sub -urban plan.
Changes were discussed on the following:
Southcenter Tukwila Urban Center (STUQ previously known as the Tuk vila Urban Center (TUC).
The nevv name provides a name for a destination for the Southcenter area.
Purpose Sets the context for why the planning changes are occurring, such as what is Vision 20/20,
N-, hat is Bing County Planning Policies, and how it relates to the City's Urban Center Plan.
Issues Describes the current and emerging issues to be addressed. It provides nevv language pertaining
to accommodating housing and job groiNlh targets.
Comparison Table Southcenter characteristics Vs. Bing County Planning Wide Policies. The Plan's
recommendations will permit densities, meet or exceed the required Countywide polices, and also provide
incentives such as a SEPA Planned Action to encourage developers to develop in the STUC opposed to a
different urban center.
Vision Statement 30 -50 year vision for a high density- area with regional employment. The changes
provide more definition to the nevv development and nevv types of development, such as a focus on mixed
use, more pedestrian friendly areas, and access to transit.
Boundaries Due to Tukwila Valley plans, the boundai area vvas revised to exclude portions of
that area.
What are the Goals and Policies:
The goals are considered aspirational statements, broad expressions of the community_ 's desires. The
policies are broad statements that set preferred courses of actions for the community.
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November 10, 2011
Throughout the chapter, Southcenter was substituted for Tukwila Urban Center or `TUC'
Significant Recommended Goals and Policy changes Implementation Strategy
10.1.1 Land Use Policy language ivas added on how Land Use is going to occur, and also there ivas an
addition for bicycle facilities; Implementation Strategy Expand the area where residential uses
are permitted.
10.1.2 Public and Private Investment addition encourage redevelopment.
10.1.3 Districts create districts, areas filled Nvith complementary types of uses;
Implementation Strategy differentiate heights in different districts from other districts.
Standards for screening and truck loading removed
10.1.4 Residential Uses Expanded alloNvable development area in the urban center to preseiire single
family neighborhoods. Implementation Strategy Add development standards and incentives for
different types of open spaces to attract residential development.
10.2.1 Urban Development addition recognize that open space amenities attract a wide range of uses,
including housing and office. Commissioner Alford suggested adding the following language:
(Environment total sustainable development)
10.2.2 Green River As Southcenter re- develops, and as the levee along the river changes, maintain
physical and visual access to the river.
Implementation Strategy develop a vegetation plan for mid slope bench, and develop a plan that
ensures the potential public access points at street ends.
10.2.3 Streets, Streetscape, and Pedestrian Environment Create "complete" streets and establish a
finer grained street network. Nvork Nvith the Public Works Department to create a street master
plan; and mechanisms and incentives to get a finer network in place;
Prepare an access management plan for the Southcenter area; update the Street Tree Plan for the
Central Business District; and seek additional funding for the construction of the Green River
Bridge.
10.2.4 Site Development Added language to provide more specific detail about development
particularly on improving Nvalkability and making it, more enjoyable, and safe.
10.2.5 Changing the large parking areas that are oriented to cars. As neiv development or redevelopment
occurs, make the parking lot safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Implementation Strategy Over
the short to midterm, focus public and private investments and regulations on properties fronting
Baker Boulevard between the Mall and the Sounder station.
10.2.7 Expand the development standards to include the needs of the community, as Nvell as landowners,
businesses, and developers.
10.2.8 Parking Ensure that there is enough supply of parking, and appropriate level of parking so ive
effectively use the land.
Implementation Strategy Conduct a parking structure feasibility study including the siting,
potential funding sources, and financing mechanisms; look for opportunities for on- street parking,
particularly in the TOD Districts; develop appropriate standards and guidelines for parking design
and layout to support the type of development envisioned in each of the districts.
10.2.9 Building Design Promote high quality, market feasible architecture in Southcenter Avith attention
to standards and guidelines.
10.2.10 Signage Most of the existing policy ivas stnick out due to the update and adoption of the Sign
Code last year. Addition provide directional signage.
10.2.11 Parks, Open Space, and Public Amenities expand and improve in the Southcenter area.
Implementation Strategy Develop standards and guidelines for parks and open spaces;
coordinate with the Parks and Recreation Department to ensure that Southcenter Plan's, parks,
and open space needs are integrated into the Parks Plan. Commissioner Hundtofte suggested
(look at consolidating stormivater management and gain additional efficiencies, reducing the
load, and cost)
10.2.12 Economic Development A number of Nvays are listed to actively promote development in the
Southcenter area, some of which are: identifying appropriate uses by districts; improving existing
and providing new amenities. One of the key Implementation Strategies: Prioritize the use of
public investments to fund projects necessmy to catalyze economic development.
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November 10, 2011
10.3 Transportation and Circulation A balanced transportation network that complements
Southcenter landuse and design policies and provides access for all transportation modes to, from,
and Nvithiu the center.
10.3.1 Regional Access Promote, and encourage people to participate in different modes of travel in
Southcenter; Work actively Nvith the regional seiirice provider to meet needs in Tukwila. Key
Implementation Strategy: Continue working with Sound Transit, City of Renton, and the Union
BNSF Burlington Northern Railroads to fimd and complete Strander Blvd connection between the
Sounder commuter rail and the City of Tukwila, including the pedestrian -only underpass beneath
the Union Pacific lines.
10.3.2 Local Access Support the development of the continuous public street network that seti es all
transportation needs, etc., in Southcenter. Key Implementation Strategies: Coordinate Nvith land
use planning efforts to ensure that improvements in the transportation and circulation system are
parallel with projected grovah and desired mode split in Southcenter; redesign intersection and
corridor Nvidths to provide more pedestrian safety and Nvalkability.
10.3.4 Transportation Alternatives Ensure that land use, urban design, and transportation and
circulation actions for employees support and reinforce transportation alternatives.
Implementation Strategies: Develop standards that complement and support alternative
commutes such as bicycling and vanpools.
10.3.5 Pedestrian Network Add and implement the Walk and Roll Plan.
Commissioner Hansen suggested being cautious and to be carefid and respect the businesses that have built
the Urban Center and made it what it is, and when the standards are implemented to be mindful of how it's
gotten to be what it is. He also, suggested during the permit process, being welcoming in every way possible,
and encouraging this plan grovah and development of the Urban Center to the businesses interested in
locating in the area. He stated there should be a mindset that there is a brand in the Urban Center that Nvill
need to be addressed in a neiv, positive, and open ivay, by listening to the business owners ideas.
Commissioner Hansen said the "Districts" is an interesting idea to him, but that there may be some challenges
involved.
His final comment ,vas that the City should not lose site of the City's entries into the Urban Center.
Commissioner McLeod, followed up on Commissioner Hansen's comments regarding City entries, he
mentioned the idea of some form of visual image at the entrance, accenting that folks are in Tukwila.
Commissioner McLeod asked, during the planning for transportation in the area if the infrastructure will
allow a space for electric cars. Staff said that electric car standards have been adopted, and there are
regulations in place, but it is not clear hovv they are going to be implemented.
Next Steps:
Complete Planning Commission reviews, hold an open house and public hearing, and take the continents
from the PC and the public and draft a revised version of the Southcenter Plan for recommendation to the Citv_
Council.
Submitted By: Wvnetta Bivens
Planning Commission Secretaiv
Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Adopted: 12/15/ 11
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