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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2020-09-24 Minutes - Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Design ReviewDate: Time: Location Protocol Present: Absent: Staff: Adopt Minutes City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor Department of Community Development - Jack Pace, Director CITY OF TUKWILA BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW (BAR) PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES September 24, 2020 6:30 PM Virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams Minnie Dhaliwal explained the protocol for the virtual meeting. She also introduced the Planning Commissioners. Chair Watters called the public hearing to order. The Planning Commission Secretary took rollcall. Chair Heidi Watters; Vice Chair Louise Strander; Commissioners Dennis Martinez, Sharon Mann, Karen Simmons, and Andrea Reay Commissioner Dixie Stark Department of Community Development (DCD) Deputy Director Minnie Dhaliwal, Planning Supervisor Lynn Miranda, Senior Planner Max Baker and Planning Commission Secretary Wynetta Bivens Commissioner Martinez moved to adopt the July 23, 2020 minutes as amended. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. Motion passed. Chair Watters opened the public hearing for: Case Number: L20-0023 Purpose: Design Review for a three-story, 36,600 square feet office building with a rooftop patio. The pro] ect will be completed with a new parking lot, site lighting, storm drainage, frontage improvements and landscaping. Location: 5119 S 151st ST, 15102 51st Ave S Staff asked the Commissioners the appearance of fairness questions, there were no disclosures. Max Baker, Senior Planner, DCD, gave the presentation for staff. He provided an overview of the review process, gave background information for the site and project, and design review criteria for commercial buildings. Details of the proposed project: there are two parcels for which there is a proposal for a Lot Consolidation Permit, which is under review by the City. There are category 2 and 3 steep slopes on the site; the trees on the site will be removed and replaced at a one to one ratio; parking exceeds the requirement. Staff s Recommendations Staff recommends approval with three conditions. Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukwilaWA.gov BAR Public Hearing 9/24/20 Page 2 Comment Letters - entered into the record by st Explanation was given regarding two public comment letters received from Greg and Vanessa Zaputil, which were forwarded to the BAR. The intent was to include the original letter, dated April 1, 2020 in the public hearing agenda packet. However, the electronic version was not available in time. Also, a letter dated September 22, 2020 was submitted. Staff requested to enter the comment letters into the record as Attachment H. Staff went over several concerns raised in the letters. A few of the issues raised were the relocation of the waste container, perimeter landscaping along the eastern property line, and sidewalk frontal improvements. As well as the Zaputil's request for written confirmation regarding the resolution of the easement drainage issue on their property. Staff contacted Public Works regarding the request for sidewalk frontal improvements, and Joanna Spencer, Engineer, Public Works Department responded with a memo. She stated the applicant is only required to construct frontal improvements along their S. 151st street frontage. The sidewalk improvements along 51st Ave. S. were waived by Public Works since it would not connect to existing sidewalk along 51st Ave. S. Staff requested to enter the memo into the record as Attachment I. Staff and the applicant answered clarifying questions for the Commission. Tom Rieger, Project Manager, Thomas Architecture Studios, the applicant showed a slide show of the proposed project. He also introduced the project team. The applicant and staff answered several additional questions for the Commission. The Commissioners expressed concern with the sidewalk issue, and trash location. Commissioner Simmons said she wanted to address her comment to staff specifically concerning the S 151st St. sidewalk disconnect issue, stating it was hazardous for walkability. She said due to the bus stop and light rail in the area she does not want to lose sight of the separation of the sidewalk. Staff has offered to discuss the issue with the Public Works Department, although it is not part of the decision before the BAR. Commissioner Watters said she felt the project was lacking in large trees for the size of the building and urged the applicant to consider including some larger trees. Virtual Public Testimony Vanessa Zaputil, citizen, owner of the triplex and duplex located along the East property line of the proposed project said the development is not planning for the usual required sidewalks along 300 ft. of its own frontage along 51st Ave. S. And that it is a mistake and does not align with City goals. She urged the Commission to require the sidewalks. She said there are many residences that would benefit due to the lack of safe pedestrian access along 51st Ave. S. She said it would be safe routes to schools, to access the bus stops and the rapid ride in the Tukwila urban district for families. She said they are established standards that need to be upheld to the highest level and not waived. She asked for consideration for the extension of the 52nd Ave sidewalk to the proposed sidewalk on S. 151st Street. She said the increased traffic would significantly and negatively impact the community, which is extremely dangerous for pedestrians. She was strongly opposed to the trees along the eastern side of the applicant's property line. Stating that the three large species will encroach on her property because they are planted 6 ft. from her property line. And they would be a burden due to leaf collection, pruning and debris, and they would dwarf her trees, which will hurt them. She listed three options to address the issue 1) increase the size of the buffer, so the applicant can accommodate the Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov BAR Public Hearing 9/24/20 Page 3 trees at full maturity on their own site 2) change the type of trees to ones that at full maturity would not encroach over the property line 3) relocate the trees elsewhere on the site. She also requests the buffers be more hedge like in nature opposed to the proposed. She stated that they respectfully ask for the noted considerations. Greg Zaputil, citizen, owner of the triplex and duplex located along the East property line of the proposed project. He said he has lived on the site since 1978 when he developed and built the properties. He said he wanted to clarify that there is no easement or utility easement for stormwater drainage between the duplex and triplex. He said there is a contract for service with Bellevue Sewer District from when he built the properties. He said he feels the applicant falsely claimed that they have stormwater access across the supposed easement and that the lack of access should be corrected in the SEPA statement. And stated that both the applicant and the City both have agreed with the fact, as proposed no easement exist. He said he respectfully requests for the record, a correction to the City of Tukwila SEPA review reflecting the mistake, and that he receives a copy for his record. Also, he said the dumpster waste enclosure location is extremely problematic. And more work needs to be done by the applicant to relocate it away from the residential properties. He said locating a dumpster 25 ft. from one's bedroom is disrespectful and noted there is one much further away that is jarring when it is empty. He stated there are two union halls on his street that generate lots of waste. He suggested relocating the dumpster in the middle of the lower medium parking lot. He said it would be a benefit to the community and the applicant's employees if a sidewalk is constructed to connect 52nd Ave. S. Also, he mentioned that an individual in a wheelchair navigates the hill. Commissioner Strander inquired on safe routes to schools, staff stated if a residential project is proposed the State law requires a safe route to school, but it does not necessarily need to be a sidewalk. Jill McFarland, the Landscape Architect, for the applicant agreed to look for alternative landscaping options for the East side of the property line that everyone can be happy with. Tom Rieger mentioned they had considered a vinyl coated chain link fence with slats to help shield the lighting. BAR Suggestions: - Landscaping on the East side of the property trees be swapped out for a mix of trees that would create fewer offsite impacts. - A taller evergreen hedge to buffer lighting and noise. - Figure out a way to connect sidewalks on 52nd and S 151st St in the future. - Encouraged relocation of the trash enclosure. There were no additional public comments. Chair Watters closed the public hearing. Deliberations The BAR said that the project was a nice, improvement, an asset to the community, and a comprehensive development. They said hopefully the issues could be resolved satisfactorily and thanked the applicant and staff for a job well-done job. Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov BAR Public Hearing 9/24/20 Page 4 Motions: Commissioner Watters moved to ask the applicant to select appropriate and narrow evergreen trees and increase the evergreen shrubs on the neighbor's eastern border. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. Motion passed. Commissioner Watters moved to encourage the applicant to communicate further with the neighbors, staff, Waste Management and any other relevant utilities to see if it is technically feasible to relocate the trash enclosure. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. Motion passed. Commissioner Mann moved to approve Case Number L20-0023 Design Review with staff findings recommendations, three conditions, and two additional conditions. Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion. Motion passed. Director's Report - The continuance from 4/23/20 on the Tukwila International Blvd Interim Zoning Measures that deals with uses will return to the PC on October 22. A decision needs to be made prior to the expiration of the moratorium, which was extended to the end of the year. - On November 12th staff will provide a briefing on the House Action Plan. The Planning Economic Development Committee (PED) have been briefed on the findings. South King County Cites, Renton, Auburn, Kent, Federal Way and Tukwila collaborated on the sub -area plan that reviews the South King County housing issues. That portion of the report has been completed. Staff will forward the PC a link for the PED briefing, which includes the report. The next phase is the public outreach for Tukwila's portion of the housing TOD strategies for increasing the residential density. - The Permit Division have implemented on-line live permitting and are currently short staffed three employees. - Commissioner Martinez requested that staff provide information on the number of commercial and non-profit development agenda items coming to the PC. Adjourned: 8:40 pm Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens Planning Commission Secretary Adopted: 11/5/20 Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov