HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2023-11-09 Minutes - Natural Environment and Shoreline Elements
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: November 9, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Hybrid Meeting - via Microsoft Teams / Public, In-Person attendance, Council Chambers,
6200 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188
Call to Order
Chair Sidhu called the Tukwila Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call
The PC Secretary took roll call.
Present: Chair Apneet Sidhu; Vice Chair Sharon Mann; Commissioners Louise Strander,
Dennis Martinez, Martin Probst, and Ann Durant
Excused Absence: Commissioner Alexandria Teague
Staff: Director Nora Gierloff, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Department
of Community Development (DCD); Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund,
AICP, DCD; and PC Secretary Wynetta Bivens
Amendment of the Agenda (if necessary)
No changes to the agenda were requested.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Mann moved to adopt the 10/26/23 Minutes. Commissioner Martinez seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
Written General Public Comments
No submittals.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
1. Shoreline and Natural Environment Elements - Briefing
Nancy Eklund, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager, DCD walked through the staff memo for the
material to be discussed. She stated that the Growth Management Act (GMA) requires that
Comprehensive Plans address specific goals as described in RCW 36.70A.020. The three goals that
were discussed in the Shoreline and Natural Environment elements pertained to environmental
protection, climate change and resiliency, and management of shorelines of the state.
PC Meeting
11/9/23
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She noted that, like the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Element, which was parallel to the
PROS Plan adopted by the City in 2020 and used by the Parks Department to manage its area of
responsibility, the Shoreline Element was largely parallel to the goals and policies defined in those the
City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP).
Shoreline Element Review
Staff walked through the document, noting that changes to the element were those found to be
consistent with the changes in the SMP, and should be acceptable. She noted minor format and content
changes but stated that they would need to be approved by the Washington Department of Ecology.
Commission members asked several clarifying questions, which were addressed by staff.
Natural Environment Element Review
Staff discussed the reasons for the changes in the element, noting that staff was looking for
opportunities to pare down redundancies in the text, fix references to processes and nomenclature no
longer current, and add the language mandated by state and regional policies or local practice.
PC Recommendations - and/or questions:
- PC had questions about striking language that addressed community input (p. 94). The decision
was to leave language as it was proposed, but to ensure that somewhere we acknowledge
community contributions to the betterment of the environment.
- PC had questions on Goal 2 (page 104) – why did we remove the word “watercourses” – should
that word be replaced? Staff to provide more information.
- PC had questions regarding mitigation fees; staff clarified there was no fee charged for
improvement of the natural environmental project (only trees, which has a fee-in lieu option; or
for impacts that the developer needs to show how they will impact).
- PC asked that the language “Provide technical assistance to developers and encourage the use of
such techniques for stormwater management” in deleted Policy 8.1 be retained. \[Staff later found
same language in Policy 2.2: “Provide individualized education and technical support to
residential property owners and general guidance to businesses regarding environmental
stewardship and climate change resiliency strategies.”\]. It was also noted that developers need
to comply with the King County surface water design manual and receive feedback. Most cities
have websites that provide permitting type information, and the public is always able to call
staff for more information.
- Goal 10 (p. 113) and its policies have been moved to Utilities. Staff will return with the
Utilities element that includes these relocated policies at a future meeting.
- PC comment about typo on page 124, Policy 15.7 \[Staff has corrected\].
- Policy 15.9, make font size consistent, page 124 \[Staff has corrected\].
Next Steps
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- Housing will be the agenda topic for the December 14 meeting.
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- Land Use will be the agenda topic for the January 11 meeting.
Director’s Report
- Director Gierloff noted that she sent the PC a link on some legislative item(s) that the City
Council approved.
- It was noted that the ordinance extending the PC terms to March passed, PC have some “bonus”
months added to their terms, then the terms will go back to four-year terms.
- The question was raised regarding extending the term for the current chair until terms expire in
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11/9/23
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March and a new chair assumes the position afterwards. The PC were unanimously in consensus
that Chair Sidhu would continue as chair until terms expire in March. Staff will provide some
language in December to use in voting to make it official.
Adjourned
Commissioner Probst moved to adjourn; Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion. All were in favor
of adjourning.
The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:50 p. m.
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens
PC Secretary
Adopted: 12/14/23