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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2023-10-26 Item 4 - Adoption of 9/28/23 and 10/5/23 MinutesAllan Ekberg, Mayor epartment of Community Development - Nora Gierloff, AICP, Director CITY OF TUKWILA PLANNING COMMISSION (PC) MINUTES Date: September 28, 2023 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Hybrid Meeting - via Microsoft Teams / Public, In -person Attendance, Council Chambers, 6200 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188 Call to Order Vice Chair Mann called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Roll Call The PC Secretary took roll call. Present: Vice Chair Sharon Mann, Commissioners Dennis Martinez, Alexandria Teague, Martin Probst, and Ann Durant Excused Absence: Commissioner Louise Strander Unexcused Absence: Chair Apneet Sidhu Staff: Director Nora Gierloff, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Department of Community Development (DCD); Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund, AICP, DCD; Senior Planner Neil Tabor, AICP, DCD; Economic Development Administrator, Derek Speck, and PC Secretary Wynetta Bivens Approval of Minutes Due to the packet going out early, the 9/28/23 minutes will be adopted at the 10/26/23 PC meeting. Written General Public Comments No submittals. Unfinished Business None. New Business 1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT Nancy Eklund, Long Range Planning Manager, AICP, DCD, provided an overview. She described the purpose of the Economic Development (ED) element under GMA and noted that the existing element was adopted in 2015. She described the relationship between the Economic Development (ED) Strategy being developed by the City, and the final ED Element. She noted that the element, as with other elements, needs to be consistent with regional policy guidance from the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and King County Countywide Planning Policies. Also, the relevant policies have been added to the element where appropriate. She said the implementation strategies would be developed by the ED Department and shared with the PC later. Tukwila City Hall 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • In/ebsite: TukwilaVVA,gov PC Meeting 9/28/23 Page 2 Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator, provided background information and walked through issues and goals relevant to economic development. He noted that the economic development strategy is the result of engagement sessions conducted in 2022. This year, the strategy was further developed by an advisory committee and focal groups, and the strategy document will be reviewed by the City Council in November, at which time, there will be additional opportunities for input. Staff walked through PC statements regarding retail sales tax; employee tax; Multi Family Tax Exemptions (MFTE) and how that works; the cost -of -service calls generated by nonprofit development (e.g., senior developments); flooding on the valley floor and financial risks associated with that possibility. There were questions regarding the cost service calls for of non-profit development. Mr. Speck noted that the City was going through a Financial Sustainability exercise and noted that additional policies would emerge from that effort. That would be made available later in 2024. Economic Development Element - Walk-through of Text (9/28/23 PC Packet, Pages 13-28) PC Discussion, page 9, Policy 3.5 PC Discussion: PC Discussions: PC Discussion: PC Discussion: Facilitate connections between employers and education and workforce development institutions, seeking to increase graduation rates and develop a highly educated and skilled local workforce. Align and prioritize workforce development efforts with Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color communities; immigrant and refugees; and other marginalized communities.' A commissioner stated that she felt the verbiage in the second sentence (above) focusing on BIPOC communities was divisive and should be struck. Ms. Eklund stated that such policy language was reflective of the Countywide Planning Policies equity emphasis. The question was asked whether the verbiage was suggested or required? Staff stated it was required to adopt policies that are more equitable in their approach to meeting the needs of the full community, and to consider how past policies may have disadvantaged certain populations. Staff noted that the Plan will go through several layers of regional review and will be evaluated against a checklist of consistency with regional policies. A commissioner suggested more neutral language ("historically disadvantaged community"), while another said that the language needs to be clear about the structural racism that we're trying to address, and that while the language is uncomfortable, there may be growth in the uncomfortableness, especially if we need to align with regional policy guidance. The commissioners determined that this policy will come back to the PC for further discussion. Page 13, purpose statement — a question about why the second line was removed. Staff stated it was for brevity, and some commissioners concurred. Page 13, bullet 2, following the word reaction, add the word 'and infrastructure'. Page 14, a commissioner asked about Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and Mr. Speck explained that TIF was recently adopted by the Legislature. Page 17, first bullet, second sentence, add a colon after the word elsewhere. PC Discussion: Page 18, Other Challenges: move this comment, or address this in the 1 King County Countywide Planning Policy K_EC-12 Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: ivlayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwiilaWA.gov 2 PC Meeting 9/28/23 Page 3 transportation element: "Establish coordinated transit hubs throughout the City including, but not limited to, the Southcenter area, Tukwila South, Tukwila International Boulevard, Interurban Avenue South, and the Manufacturing Industrial Center that efficiently mix modes of travel and stimulate development of real estate associated with transportation facilities." PC Discussion: Page 19, top bullet — "Housing costs in the Seattle region have increased significantly. This has led to some new single family and multi -family housing investments in Tukwila but as housing prices increase, the risk of residential displacement increases." A commissioner said that this is inaccurate — she does not think the lead in of the sentence (Housing costs in the Seattle region...) should recognize the changes regionally. PC Discussion: Page 20, Policy 1.2: question about deletion of "high-tech" revise first line to read — say "advanced technology and manufacturing" instead. PC Discussion: Page 20, Policy 1.3: confirm if this policy is supposed to be focused on city or county, or both. PC Discussion: Page 23, Policy 4.2: Signage — A commissioner sked what this policy was intended to achieve: Where possible, ease regulations that challenge small businesses. Mr. Speck addressed the question and said any modifications to help small businesses would be subject to further scrutiny. Mr. Speck concluded that the City is working on achieving some of the goals but does not currently have resources to achieve all of them. Director Gierloff noted that the implementation strategies will not be one for one (i.e., policy: strategy); there will be items that staff feel can be achieved and they will identify the time period required. 2. UTILITIES ELEMENT Ms. Eklund provided an overview. She noted there is a detailed background report that goes with this element, which is not included in the Comprehensive Plan. The original document was adopted in 2015 and minimal changes were made, updates, new best practices policy guidance from the King County PSRC, information was added, and any new directions of city policies. Some of the focus was the changes for government efficiency, conservation of resources, equity (such as affordability), access to all communities including the historically underserved, and ecological policies addressing water quality, green stormwater infrastructure, etc. The implementation strategies are being developed by relevant departments and divisions. Utilities Element — Walk-through of Text (9/28/23 PC Packet, Pages 45-60) PC Discussion: Page 45, keep language, 'The availability and adequacy of utility' PC Discussion: Page 47, under environmental sustainability, keep the last sentence that was stricken, 'and its contributions to human health and vitality' and move it to a different location. 3. CAPITAL FACILITIES ELEMENT Ms. Eklund provided an overview. This element also has a background report. It is intended to include an inventory of capital facilities that are owned by public facilities and public entities, including green infrastructure. Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwiilaWA.gov PC Meeting 9/28/23 Page 4 A forecast of future facilities is required, as well as a six -year plan that shows how capital facilities are going to meet land use element needs. If the Capital Facilities Element does not provide for the Land Uses identified in the Comprehensive Plan, then the shortfall needs to be addressed to meet future needs. Most of the changes in the plan focused on updating old practices, correcting inaccurate information, providing new policies (per regional guidance and City policies), new activities, adding references to efficiencies completed in the provision of Capital Facilities, and removing unnecessary administrative information. Capital Facilities Element - Walk-through of Text (9/28/23 PC Packet, Pages 81-98) PC Discussion: PC Discussion: PC Discussion: PC Discussion: Page 81, Staff need to review first paragraph under "GMA Capital Facilities Planning ..." section and change "those facilities" back to "the community". Page 84, 'second paragraph, last three words "and mitigation payments" - staff should the research it this is still correct (or should this language be moved to another chapter?) Page 84, a commissioner requested a clarification regarding the Fire Improvements Program - is the city still responsible for capital facilities for the RFA — clarify this. Want clarity that we collect the fees, and they (RFA) are responsible for building the capital facilities. Staff will address. Page 90, general policies, policy 1.1—There was a question about where the City's relationship with the RFA would fall in the list of beneficial capital options — is it a contracted service (although we have annexed into the RFA); what about sewer and water districts that have districts from whom the city receives services — are those contracted services? The Commission asked staff to do some research to figure out the accurate way to describe these relationships, relative to Policy 1.1. Staff requested for future element reviews that PC read the information in advance of the meeting and make notes for questions and items they want to address because there will not be time for walkthroughs. Director's Report: - Reminder - PC will next meet on October 5th - There is a proposal to change the term expiration date for all Boards and Commissions from the end of December to the end of March. This will go to the Finance Governance Committee on October 9th - Commissioner Durant was welcomed to PC. Adjourned: 8:56 pm Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens PC Secretary Allan Ekberg, Mayor epartment of Community Development - Nora Gierloff, AICP, Director CITY OF TUKWILA PLANNING COMMISSION (PC) MINUTES Date: October 5, 2023 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Hybrid Meeting - via Microsoft Teams / Public, In -Person Attendance, Council Chambers, 6200 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188 I. Call to Order Chair Sidhu called the Special meeting of the Tukwila Planning Commission to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Roll Call The PC Secretary took roll call. Present: Chair Apneet Sidhu; Vice Chair Sharon Mann; Commissioners Louise Strander, Martin Probst, Alexandria Teague, and Ann Durant Excused Absence: Dennis Martinez Staff: Director Nora Gierloff, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Department of Community Development (DCD); Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund, AICP, DCD; Senior Planner Neil Tabor, AICP, DCD; and PC Secretary Wynetta Bivens III. Amendment of the Agenda (if necessary) The Commission did not consider any changes to the Agenda. IV. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Probst made a motion to adopt the 9/14/23 Minutes. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. Commissioner Teague abstained; she was absent. Motion carried. V. Written General Public Comments No submittals. VI. Unfinished Business None. VII. New Business Neil Tabor, Senior Planner, AICP, DCD, provided a brief overview of the focus for the evening's agenda. Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, DIVA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Ulr"ebsite: TukwilaVVA,gov PC Meeting 10/5/23 Page 2 a. Land Use (Centers Focus) Nancy Eklund, Long Range Planning Manager, AICP, DCD, introduced the topic. She stated that this plan is very long, and the intent of this update is to make it tighter and easier to use. Since the plan does not have an element called "land use" (an element that is mandatory under GMA), one will be created by compressing and consolidating other land use -type topics and categories in the Plan. She explained how the plan, and many of the policies, will be reorganized to eliminate redundancies. The two regional centers, the Urban Center at Southcenter and the Manufacturing and Industrial Center, will be compiled into one element, "Regional Centers". The importance of Centers was discussed, along with the Plan's intent to establish efficient land uses and transportation in these areas. She explained it was necessary for the City's Plan to be "certified" by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), to ensure that its eligibility for regional transportation funding was preserved. She shared a table showing the most recent guidance provided by PSRC (2014) indicating the level of development that the city needed to aspire to, and plan for, in the two centers. She noted the PSRC would monitor the Center's progress in 2025. Information was provided on how the new chapter for regional centers will be created. It was noted that currently no changes have been made, but some changes for different data are necessary on page 15, Attachment A of the packet, as well as some different calculations on page 24. Commissioner Mann asked about the likelihood of there being an opportunity to place a convention center in the City. b. Housing Production (Reasonable Measures) - Incorporating Leland Info Neil Tabor provided a presentation giving an overview of the City's Housing Targets and historical under production against previous housing growth targets. While recent housing development has picked up in the last 4 to 5 years, this increased rate of housing development would need to be sustained at this increased rate through 2044 to meet the adopted growth targets. An overview of key indicators within the City's housing market demonstrated a need for additional housing, including a greater variety in housing types and costs, consistent with the region. Initial findings from a zoning code analysis for new residential development in the MDR and HDR zones were shared, with initial findings being consistent with zoning code changes suggested within two previous studies. Many areas of the current development code were shown to be impediments to new residential development and inconsistent with common practices of other peer cities. Other recommendations from these studies, including anti -displacement strategies were also shared. VIII. Director's Report - PC will meet on October 26. - Director Gierloff thanked the PC for meeting twice in October. IX. Adjourned Commissioner Probst moved to adjourn; Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. All were in favor of adjourning. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:36 p. m. Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens PC Secretary Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwiilaWA.gov 6