HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2023-12-14 Minutes - Draft Housing Element / Bylaw Amendment: Term End Dates
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: December 14, 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, Alexandria Teague, and Martin Probst
Excused Absence: Commissioner Ann Durant
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
Amendment of the Agenda
No changes to the agenda were requested.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Mann moved to adopt the 11/09/23 Minutes. Commissioner Probst seconded the motion.
Motion carried. Commissioner Teague abstained; she was absent on 11/09/23.
Written General Public Comments
No submittals.
Old Business
1. Commissioner Stander noted that she requested maps regarding parking restrictions at previous
meetings that had not been provided. Staff informed the PC that the maps are being refined.
However, they could share the maps now or hold off a little longer until the maps are further refined.
The PC requested to get the maps now. Staff informed the PC there would be some further changes to
the maps and provided some additional clarification.
2. Senior Planner Neil Tabor followed up on a PC request regarding a map showing the distribution of
persons of color within the city and provided a handout.
Planning Commission Minutes
12/14/23
Page 2
New Business
a. Draft Housing Element - Briefing
Senior Planner Neil Tabor provided a briefing on the Housing Element. He noted that it needs to comply
and be consistent with policies at the state, regional, and county levels. He also noted that there have
been a lot of legislative changes over the last two years that have impacted housing element content and
requirements. The following House Bills (HB) were included: HB1110 – Middle Housing; HB1220 –
Emergency Shelter; HB1337 – Reduction of Accessory Dwelling Unit Limits; and HB 5290 –
Streamlining Development Regulations. He said these bill titles have a lot more under the surface. He
noted the impact requirements and considerations of past impacts for racial and discriminatory housing.
Also, the prolonged effects, and the need to rectify housing growth around transit, affordable housing for
area medium income (AMI) and updates to the design review process.
He discussed housing element issues such as housing stock, building age and size, vacancy rates, home
ownership options, middle housing, housing growth by affordability band (a new requirement) and anti-
displacement concerns.
Walk Through of Goals, Policies, and Implementation Strategies – Recommendations /Questions /
Comments from the PC
- Commissioner Mann – recommendation: Page 11 of the staff report, bullet 7 – Change, add
incentives, to Adjust recreation space.
- Commissioner Mann - recommendation: Page 11 of the staff report, bullet 12 – Develop
affordable housing - She said she objected to the language “faith-based” in the sentence.
- Commissioner Probst inquired on provision of parking incentivized development. He inquired
whether there were examples of other areas around the region where changes had been
implemented and were successful. Also, he inquired whether changes were implemented that
were less successful that the PC could consider?
- Commissioner Mann – recommendation: Goal 3.4 – Limit displacement – she noted when the
city reviews restrictions they need to review effects on both the tenant and the landlord.
Commissioner Sidhu was in consensus.
- Commissioner Stander - Goal 3.4.4, - Inquired who would act as the facilitator pertaining to
support of the long-term preservation of existing, naturally occurring affordable housing
development for groups interested in purchasing units and property owners. Extensive discussion
transpired regarding whether city staff or a third-party representative would act as the
intermediary.
- Commissioner Sidhu stated that - Goal 3.4.9, page 13 - language, “Adopt renter protections to
ensure stable housing for Tukwila Renter,” is too vague.
b. Bylaw Amendment: Modification of Term End Dates – Info Memo
Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund noted that the City Council (CC) adopted revisions to TMC
2.36.020, which extends the terms of the PC members from December 31, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
Therefore, it was necessary to make a change in the PC’s bylaws.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the PC adopt the amendment to Article IV of the PC bylaws.
Planning Commission Minutes
12/14/23
Page 3
Motion
Commissioner Probst moved to pass the bylaw amendment changing Article IV to the revised term end date
mentioned in the November 9, 2023, staff memo. Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Director’s Report
Upcoming PC Agenda Items:
- The PC is in the final push for reviewing the Comprehensive Plan (Comp. Plan). In January and
February, the PC will have two meetings per month scheduled. Also, there are two meetings in
March, one will be a public hearing, potentially both and the PC will make a recommendation to CC.
- It was Commissioner Martinez last meeting. Director Gierloff is working with administration for a
replacement for Commissioner Martinez’s position. She said they need to decide how they want to
handle the last three months of his term. Director Gierloff and Mayor McLeod will make the
determination whether all four positions will go through the reappointment and/or appointment
process at the same time.
- Director Gierloff is working on a PC workplan for next year, with focus on the Comp Plan first
quarter.
- After the Comp Plan the PC will be working on items to get the city in alignment with state
legislative requirements.
o The permit process chapter has been largely untouched since 1996, so it is old, etc. More nuance
is needed for the chapter, which will probably happen mid-year 2024.
o There will be opportunities for streamlining and making clarifications, which will include the
rezone application section of the code.
o There is a need for housekeeping surrounding emergency housing shelter and some different
parameters with a separate chapter.
Commissioner Sidhu asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mann moved to adjourn. Commissioner
Martinez seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Adjourned: 8:29 p.m.
Submitted By: Wynetta Bivens
Planning Commission Secretary
Adopted: 1/25/24