HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2024-02-08 Special Minutes - Community Character Element / Land Use Element Revisions
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: February 8, 2024
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 PC 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, Martin
Probst, and Ann Durant
Excused Absent: Alexandria Teague; (one PC position is currently vacant)
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, DCD
Amendment of the Agenda
No changes to the agenda were requested.
Written General Public Comments
A public general comment letter was received from Andrew Kovach on 1/25/24 after 5:00 pm, which was
distributed to the PC on 1/25/24.
Old Business
None.
New Business
1. Community Character Element 6:40
Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund, AICP, DCD, provided an overview on this element. This
Element of the Comprehensive (comp) plan update was renamed and incorporates much of the 2015
Community Image and Identity Element, and the Roles and Responsibilities Element. The purpose of this
element is to introduce the community, including the non-English speaking community. Among the topics
Planning Commission Minutes
2/8/24
Page 2
addressed were safety and emergency preparedness, as well as discussion of the value placed on community
members serving on boards and commissions. She noted that this document (and other elements reviewed by
the PC), had been reviewed by the Planning staff for their input.
She walked through the goals and policies and noted proposed changes offered by staff. The PC provided
additional recommendations.
Recommendations by staff and/or PC
- Page 3, goal 1, insert the word ‘people’ in the last sentence after encourage.
- Page 5, goal 5, insert the word ‘distinctive’ after diversity.
- Page 6. policy 27, strike language in parentheses.
- Page 7, policy 30, revise language to acknowledge that the City has already implemented a Human
Services program. In addition, the meaning of the “Positive and healthy relationships” bullet was
questioned. Staff indicated they would coordinate with City Human Services staff to get clarity on
what that bullet referenced and provide updated text.
- Page 7, policy 35, insert the language “adopt and” before the word “develop” ….. And remove the
word ‘other’ on line three.
- Page 7, policy 36, strike the word ‘other’.
- Page 9, policy 44, add an ‘s’ to the word ‘work’.
- Page 9, correct footnote 53 to, ‘1.1.2’.
- Page 9, correct footnote number sequences.
- Page 10, policy 50 and 52, move under land use.
- Page 10, policy 53, review and add missing language.
2. Land Use Element - Revisions
Senior Planner Neil Tabor, AICP, DCD provided an overview of this element. It is a required element that is
a new chapter in Tukwila’s comp plan that has not been included in previous comp plan updates. He walked
through the staff report highlights pertaining to new language provided since the PC reviewed the land use
element at a previous meeting. These include new general language proposed, such as additional introduction
language; new/revised goals and policies for comp plan designations and corresponding zoning classification
table. Key differences include the changes necessary for the middle housing requirements in the zoning
classification table; new/revised goals and policies and changes to special overlay language; several other
revisions to items that will no longer be allowed by state law. He also provided some explanations, reasons,
and intent for the revisions.
He walked through the goals and policies and the PC made recommendations.
Recommendations by staff and/or PC
- Page 62, policy 10, note educational, institutional, and recreational uses in all residential areas (not
just high density).
- Page 70, policy 52, create similar investment policy elsewhere in TIB District Section
- Page 71, policy 61, letter b, insert the word ‘indoor’ before the word ‘industrial’.
- Page 72, policy 65, strike the word ‘including’ at the end of the sentence.
- Page 73, policy 68, rewrite requested:
o Three additional policy options were created for discussion as follows:
Parking requirements reflect the availability of public transportation options in areas
close to major transit facilities.
Planning Commission Minutes
2/8/24
Page 3
Development standards encourage denser development close to major transit facilities
through prioritization of usable commercial and residential space over parking.
Parking requirements encourage dense development supported by major transit
facilities, while accommodating the needs of residents, workers and visitors
frequenting the area.
- Page 76, policy 90, rewrite or additional policy requested:
o Staff suggests amending goal language in final Land Use Element Goal as follows:
Public investment has catalyzed greater private investment in the TIB District which
has created additional development and business success and increased the overall
pace of redevelopment.
Director’s Report
Nancy Eklund, AICP, DCD, provided an overview of the next few PC meetings on the comp plan’s review
and finalization:
- 2/22 – Next PC meeting
o Cyndy Knighton and the consultant will present the preliminary goals and policies for the
transportation element.
o Staff will bring forth unresolved issues for PC review.
- 3/14 - Public Hearing
o The primary focus for the PC’s review will be on the comp plan’s Goals and Policies.
Other narrative sections of the plan may continue to be updated with inventory
information. The comp plan will go through a final edit and review by the state and
regional entities for policy consistency before adoption.
o The PC will take testimony from the public at the hearing.
o If the public hearing is closed the night of the 14th, and the PC is comfortable making a
recommendation on forwarding the comp plan to the City Council that night, then it will
not be necessary to meet again on the fourth Thursday in March. She noted that the PC’s
dedication to meeting twice monthly and getting through the many comp plan elements
has been a tremendous help in enabling the city to stay on its comp plan adoption
schedule. Planning staff really appreciated the effort!
- 3/28 – Public Hearing continued
o This meeting will be held if the public hearing is not closed on 3/14, or additional items
need to be resolved, or the PC wishes to continue its deliberations before making a
recommendation.
Adjourn
Chair Sidhu asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Probst moved to adjourn.
Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Adjourned: 8:44 p.m.
Submitted By: Wynetta Bivens
PC Secretary
Adopt: 2/22/24