HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2022-06-23 Minutes - Written Public Comments / 2023-2024 Biennial Budget PresentationCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
Department of Community Development - Nora Gierloff, AICP, Director
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
PUBLIC HEARING
MINUTES
Date: June 23, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams - public in-person attendance was an option at the
Tukwila Justice Center, 15005 Tukwila International Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188
Protocol: Nancy Eklund, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Long Range Planning
Manager, Department of Community Development (DCD) explained the protocol for
the virtual meeting as well as public hearing procedures.
The PC Secretary took roll call.
Present: Chair Karen Simmons; Vice Chair Apneet Sidhu; Commissioners
Louise Strander, Sharon Mann, Dennis Martinez, and Alexandria Teague
Vice Chair Sidhu had to leave the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Staff:
Director Nora Gierloff, AICP, DCD; Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund,
AICP, DCD; Finance Deputy Director Tony Cullerton; Community Engagement
Manager Niesha Fort -Brooks; and PC Secretary Wynetta Bivens
Chair Simmons called the meeting to order.
Adopt
Minutes: Commissioner Mann moved to adopt the 04/28/22 minutes. Vice Chair Sidhu
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Commissioner Mann moved to adopt the 5/26/22 minutes, as noted, that upon review
of the recording the minutes were correct as submitted. Commissioner Martinez
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Written Public Comments
Nancy Eklund, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager, provided an update on the newly written
general Public Comment requirement policy per HB 1329 Section 13, that requires the City to provide
the opportunity to the public to submit written comments to City Boards and Commissions. She noted
the timeframe and protocol for submission to the PC.
No written general public comments were received for the June 23rd PC meeting.
2023-2024 Biennial Budget Presentation
Niesha Fort -Brooks, Community Engagement Manager, gave opening comments on the 2023-2024
Biennial Budget presentation. She expressed the City Council's (CC) and the Mayor's interest in
hearing what the PC's priorities are for the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget. She invited the PC to go to the
on-line Balancing Act tool on the City's website to participate and provide their input. She also showed
the Biennial Budget Community Outreach 2023-2024 video.
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard = Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
PC Meeting
6/23/22
Page 2
Tony Cullerton, Finance Deputy Director, presented on the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget and provided
a walkthrough of the Balancing Act tool. He showed how to navigate to the Balancing Act tool link.
He noted that the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget will be challenging because revenues are not growing at
the rate expenses are growing. Therefore, there is a shortfall between projected 2023-2024 revenues
compared to the projected expenses. However, RCW statutes requires that the City present a balanced
budget. He also addressed questions from the PC.
2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan Update Briefing
Nancy Eklund, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager, DCD gave a briefing on the 2024-2044
Comprehensive Plan Update. She provided background on the Growth Management Act (GMA),
which requires communities to plan for population growth in the next twenty years. Plans need to be
updated every 10 years and be consistent with GMA, regional and county policy direction and adopted
by December 31, 2024.
Following are the scope of the updates, which need to be consistent with policy guidance:
1. Tukwila's vision for growth and development consistent with Puget Sound Regional Council
Vision 2050 and King County Countywide Planning Policies.
2. Update housing element to address needs for more housing types and affordable options for all.
3. Address the impacts of the legacy of discrimination.
4. Address causes/impact of climate change and enhance the City's resiliency.
5. Adopt implementation strategies to ensure accountability.
6. Update the Plan's implementation strategies to ensure accountability.
7. Explore opportunities to improve the format and presentation of the plan to enhance the
document's accessibility and utility to the Tukwila community.
8. Employ consistent, equitable outreach to the full diversity of the City.
The amendments may require new mapping and potential update of land use maps and will require
environmental review.
Biggest issues noted to address — the City has targets of 6,500 additional housing units, 15,890 new
jobs, and providing affordable housing for all economic levels of the community, addressing how to
incorporate "missing middle" housing into residential areas, and address the potential for displacement
of residents and jobs, among others.
There will be Community engagement with elected officials, boards and commissions, coordination
with other City divisions, and multiple opportunities for community input. The City will apply for
grants and local funding to help with outreach.
Next Steps:
Go to City Council on 7/11/22 for their direction, secure potential funding, and refine the schedule.
Questions were addressed from the PC.
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
PC Meeting
6/23/22
Page 3
Director's Report
Director Gierloff informed the PC that the CC would like to streamline processes and to come up with
ideas on how to be more efficient. She said that she wanted the PC to hear from her that she took the
following three ideas to the Planning and Community Development Committee, two of which might
affect the PC:
1. Consider raising the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold - The State now allows
double the maximum threshold the City currently has. If approved, this change would make
things easier on staff and the applicant.
2. Update the process to make amendments to the Zoning Code by allowing the CC the flexibility
to determine whether to send a code change to the PC for a recommendation or review it
themselves. This would streamline the process for housekeeping and other minor changes.
3. Have administrative design review approval instead of public hearing design review - the
current process can add 1-2 months to the approval process. Tukwila is the only city that uses
this hearing and approval process. The following neighboring cities, Shoreline, Bellevue,
SeaTac, Kent, and Federal Way, all are exclusively Administrative Design Review. If
approved, the PC would no longer serve as a Board of Architectural Review.
Staff will write up the processes and take these ideas through the hearing and approval process.
Commissioner Mann said that she thinks it's great to look at these options and try to smooth out
some of the bumps in the road. She thanked Director Gierloff for taking the time to try and figure
out something that make life smoother for everyone.
Commissioner Martinez moved to adjourn. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion.
Adjourned: 8:02 PM
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens
PC Secretary
Phone: 206-4334800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov