HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2024-12-12 Item 3 - Approval of Minutes - 6/27/24 and 10/24/24Thomas McLeod, Mayor
Department of Community Development - No Gierloff; MCP, Director
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Meeting Date: June 27, 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 Probst called the Tukwila PC meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Ca11
The PC Secretary took roll call.
Present: Chair Martin Probst; Commissioners Louise Strander, Ann Durant, Jane Ho, Richard
McLeland Wieser, Alex Kaehler, and Jacob Halverson
Staff:
Director Nora Gierloff, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Department
of Community Development (DCD); Development Supervisor Max Baker, AICP,
DCD; Associate Planner Issaac Gloor, DCD; and PC Secretary Wynetta Bivens, DCD
Amendment of the Agenda
None.
Approve Minutes
Commissioner Strander moved to approve the 3/14/24 minutes. Commissioner Durant seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Commissioner McLeland Wieser moved to approve the 5/23/24 minutes. Commissioner Kaehler seconded the
motion. Commissioner Strander and Durant abstained as they were absent. Motion carried.
Written General Public Comments
No submittals.
New PC Member Introduced
Jacob Halverson
Old Business
None.
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukvirilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
6/27/24
Page 2
Public Hearing
Chair Probst opened the public hearing for:
File Number L24-0026 - Tiny Home Village (THV) — Zoning Code Amendment
Purpose: Consider amendments to enact specific regulations for THVs and make recommendations to
the City Council (CC) for their review and adoption.
Location: Citywide
Chair Probst asked staff to give the presentation.
Director Gierloff, DCD, gave the presentation for staff. She noted that a work session was held on this topic at the
last PC meeting. She said that the proposed ordinance language would adopt regulations for THVs. She explained
that THVs are individual small sleeping structures with shared hygiene and kitchen facilities, which are usually
run by organizations that provide social services. This is one of the many types of housing options that provide
shelter and support for people to exit homelessness. Currently, there are two THVs in existence in Tukwila, which
were approved under the general umbrella of emergency housing. The city would like to adopt specific
regulations to make it clear that THVs is an approved use in Tukwila, so people understand the requirements for a
new THV or for expanding an existing one. THVs are allowed specifically for religious organizations under RCW
35A.21.360. The city is proposing using local control to require a residential model where individuals need to be
vetted prior to admission. THVs are designed as temporary housing to help individuals get on their feet, then
move on to peinianent housing within approximately six months. This is different from drop -in shelters with a
daily turnover in population.
In addition to stating the essential services, the city is requesting that organizations hosting or operating a THV,
and the city enter into a three-way Memorandum of Agreement to set out expectations, procedures, and to create a
process for dispute resolution. The city did this with the existing THVs and found it to be helpful for working out
operating procedures and giving the neighbors an opportunity to have a voice. Director Gierloff explained the
maximum number of units on a site is 45 as a starting point. Staff discussed the topic with the Planning and
Community Development (PCD) Council Committee to arrive at this number. However, not every site will be
able to accommodate that number of units. The role of facility operator was also discussed. This is often a non-
profit agency. Staff recommend extending this role to other government agencies as was discussed at the work
session.
Director Gierloff addressed several clarifying questions from the PC.
Public Comment Letter
There was one public comment letter received from Jan Bolerjak, prior to 5:00 pm 6/27, which was emailed
to the PC upon receipt.
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Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: MayorTukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
6/27/24
Page 3
Public Testimony
Marta Kidane, Community Engagement Manager, Low Income Housing Institute, a community outreach non-
profit organization that provides resources and intentional shared safe spaces spoke. She said her
organization is going to host a community meeting and provide information on what a THV is and what their
organization does for both the community and those in the THV. She said they provide 24-hour security with
on -site cameras, a fence that blends in and on -site case management, which is very important. She said it is
not just about the home itself but regaining connectivity and continued support for individuals to get
permanent housing, an ID, a license, a social security card, and health services. A THV also provides
resources if someone has a dependency issue, etc. There is a code of conduct and there are boundaries. She
also offered to provide tours of the THV.
Jon Grant, Chief Strategy Officer, Low Income Housing Institute, said he was there when the first THV
development was proposed. And he helped advocate for funding that was established for the Miracle Tiny Home
Village and Riverton Park Village in Tukwila. He said they have been working very hard to make sure the
programs are responsive to community needs. He provided some history and addressed a question raised by PC
on the number of units at Riverton Park Church. He noted that the Low -Income Housing Institute operates 18
THVs around Puget Sound. It's an opportunity for more affordable housing and shelter. He requested that the cap
for a THV is no less than 45 units. The THV is the opposite of an encampment and adding homes to the Riverton
Park Church site will mean not having tent encampments.
Recommendation
Staff recommended PC move forward the zoning regulation for the THV to CC as proposed by staff.
Public Testimony
There was no further public testimony.
Chair Probst closed the public hearing.
Motion and Deliberation
Commissioner Strander moved to forward the THV regulations to CC for their approval as amended to strike
language in 18.50.240 allowing THV on properties owned or controlled by a government agency.
Commissioner McLeland Wieser seconded the motion.
Commissioner Halverson made a friendly amendment to amend 18.50.240 to prohibit THV on government
owned property and areas zoned as public recreation overlay (PRO) in the zoning code Table 18.6. Director
Gierloff said that per the use table, PRO is not a zone where THVs are proposed to be allowed. There was no
second to the amendment.
Motion to strike the government agency language failed.
Commissioner Halverson moved to amend the staff's recommendation in Table 18.6 to prohibit THV in the
Low Density Residential (LDR) zone. Commissioner Durant seconded the motion.
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
6/27/24
Page 4
The PC had an extensive discussion including what would qualify as a genuine religious organization. Director
Gierloff pointed out that many of the City's religious organizations are in the LDR zone so the amendment
could create a conflict with the rights of these organizations under RCW 35A.21.360. Motion carried. Four in
favor.
Chair Probst opened the second public hearing for:
File Number: L24-0051
Purpose: Consideration of Zoning Code Amendments relating to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Location: Citywide
Chair Probst asked staff to give the presentation.
Associate Planner Isaac Gloor, DCD, gave the presentation for staff. This item is pertaining to changes
to Title 18, the City's Zoning Code, for permit processing and the application for design review. He
provided some background information on how permits are processed and how design review is done.
He said that this is a legislative action that requires public notice and a hearing. There are rules for each
step of the permit process, and they are written and governed by the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC).
One of the most important issues for people applying for a permit is the "shot clock". The TMC allows
for a permit to be reviewed for up to 120 days, which is the amount of time when someone has applied
for a permit, and it has been determined by the permit department that they have submitted everything
that is required to be reviewed for compliance. Currently, a final review determination must be issued
within 120 days. The "shot clock" stops if the applicant is required to resubmit requested information or
it has been determined a permit is not in compliance per the TMC and needs to be corrected. The "shot
clock" starts again once there are submittals.
Staff noted that the Tukwila Zoning Code is several decades old and has been amended multiple times,
which has caused the permit types and processes to become cluttered and repetitive. The goal is to
simplify and clarify the code. Design review is one type of permit that is required for certain larger
commercial projects and almost all multi -family projects. There are two different kinds of design
reviews: administrative or public hearing design review. Design review governs the aesthetic standards
for buildings. Administrative design review permits are reviewed by staff. The standards for public
hearing design review are the same, but the review procedures are different. For these projects staff and
the applicant create a presentation and present it to the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), which is
the PC who also sits as the BAR body. The BAR applications are infrequent and take a lot longer to
schedule and are more legally binding with potential consequences.
Background was also provided on two major new bills, SB 5290 and HB 1293, which changed everything
about how permits are reviewed. SB 5290 broke out the review timelines based on the depth of review for
new permit timelines. For projects that do not require public notice the "shot clock" changed from 120 days
to 65 calendar days including weekends. For projects that do require public notice but do not require public
hearing the "shot clock" is now 100 calendar days. For projects that require both public notice and public
hearing the "shot clock" is 170 calendar days. HB 1293 severely limits the BAR to either approve or deny a
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
6/27/24
Page 5
permit since only one public hearing can be held. The city is required to adopt the new permitting timelines
to comply fully with SB 5290. The PC would no longer sit as a BAR body if approved. Other standards for
HB 1293 will be addressed in the future.
Staff also addressed clarifying questions for the PC. Some PC were in opposition of the BAR no longer
reviewing design review permits.
Recommendation
Staff requests that the PC forward a recommendation for adoption of the amendments to Title 18 — Zoning to
the CC for their review and approval.
Public Testimony
There was no public testimony.
Chair Prost closed the public hearing.
Deliberation
Two PC expressed an interest in conducting administrative design review hearings in addition to staff. The
PC does not have the ability to hold administrative design review hearings.
A request was made for PC to receive a briefing on submitted administrative design review projects.
Motion
Commissioner Probst moved that the Zoning Code amendments pertaining to permit processing and other
code clarifications as provided in the Commission packet are approved and forwarded to the CC for their
approval. Commissioner Kaehler seconded the motion. There was one vote against. Motion carried.
Director's Report
- There will not be a PC meeting in July.
- Regulations around middle housing to add new housing types to the low -density residential zones for
townhouses, courtyard apartments, small apartment buildings, as well as design review regulations
will come to the PC in the fall for their review.
- PC were informed about a Sound Transit meeting regarding a deferred light rail station at Boeing
Access Road from the first package of Sound Transit improvements, as well as the deferred Graham
Street Station on July 17, from 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Adiourn
Commissioner Durant moved to adjourn. Commissioner Ho seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Adjourned: 8:32 p.m.
Submitted By: Wynetta Bivens
PC Secretary
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: MayorTukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
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Thomas McLeod, Mayor
Department of Community Development - No Gierloff; MCP, Director
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: October 24, 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 Probst called the Tukwila PC meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
Roll Call
The PC Secretary took roll call.
Present:
Staff:
Chair Martin Probst; Vice Chair Ann Durant (arrived at 6:42 p.m.); Commissioners
Louise Strander, Jane Ho, Alex Kaehler, Richard McLeland Wieser, and Jacob
Halverson
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.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner McLeland Wieser moved to adopt the 8/22/24 Minutes. Commissioner Halverson
seconded the motion. Commissioner Strander abstained as she was absent. Motion carried.
Written General Public Comments
No submittals.
Old Business
None.
New Business
1. Middle Housing Project Update and Discussion
Presentation
Senior Planner Neil Tabor provided an overview on middle housing updates, a housing overview for the
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
10/24/24
Page 2
state, city and other legislative updates. Washington State projects the need for approximately 1.27 million
new housing units by 2044. Between 2019 and 2044, the city's housing target is to grow by a total of 6500
units, at a rate of about 250 units per year; most of that growth is not expected to be middle housing.
Following are some suggested middle housing changes from the work done with the previous PC and others:
- The previous PC provided middle housing recommendations that included new ownership options,
regulations to make middle housing development financially feasible and maintaining and improving
community quality of life with new housing productions.
- The public expressed their desire for broader housing options to support community needs,
affordability in housing and for infill housing to provide frontage improvements.
Neil provided background information on the state legislative requirements for HB 1110 and noted the
requirement that jurisdictions allow six out of the following nine middle housing types:
- Duplex - Fourplex - Townhomes
- Stacked Flat - Fiveplex - Courtyard Apartments
- Triplex - Sixplex - Cottage Housing
He noted that other housing -related legislation has also been passed addressing different housing issues:
- HB 1293 - objective design standards.
- HB 5258 - condo reform and proportionate impact based on unit size.
- SB 5290 - permit streamlining, which is required to be adopted by end of 2024 and which the city has
adopted and will enact in October 2024.
- HB 1337 - accessory dwelling unit allowances, removing ownership restrictions and restrictions on
sale of individual units, adopted in Fall 2023.
Middle Housing working code changes based on previous PC consultation:
- Consolidation of Low Density Residential (LDR) and Medium Density Residential (MDR) zoning
districts into new single Community Residential (CR) zoning district.
- CR minimum lot size established as 5,000 sf.
- CR cottage lot minimum proposed as 3,000 sf.
- CR front setback established as 10 feet, instead of existing 20 feet for LDR.
- Multiple units per lot depending on proximity to transit, affordability of units and lot size.
Minimum required parking:
- LDR currently requires two or more spaces per unit. CR proposes to require one space per unit.
Several additional proposed changes:
- LDR and MDR housing will be consolidated into a single zone, CR, as anticipated with the Comp
Plan update. When the rezoning of those properties is completed, that change will match the Comp
Plan destination and not require another Comp Plan Amendment.
- Staff showed a land use chart that included a summary of the existing and proposed allowed uses for
permitted dwellings.
- Staff presented a proposed change to eliminate variable upper story step backs and an increase in the
maximum height in the CR zone from 30 feet to 35 feet.
- Changes to the height allowances standards based on Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA)
guidance, providing opportunities for townhomes to be developed. Tree preservation on lots will be
another consideration with incentives.
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Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: MayorTukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
10/24/24
Page 3
Project Schedule
Fall 2024
- Develop draft code
- Initial PC consultation and initial public outreach
Spring 2025
- Continued public outreach and PC work
Late spring -early summer 2025
- City Council (CC) consideration and final adoption of code update.
There was extensive discussion, and several questions addressed for the PC.
The following are some of the concerns, recommendations and requests from the PC:
- Parking issues need to be addressed and managed.
- What development will look like.
- Specific notification to the neighborhood when there is new development.
- Design review thresholds by unit.
- A Commissioner requested that reports be added to the end of agendas informing the PC when
projects will be going through design review since PC no longer reviews design review projects. The
Commissioner also stated that the public should be made aware of these opportunities as well.
- Concern was expressed about tree replacement and having a sensible tree code that is clearly written
and addresses the tree canopy preservation, tree retention and enforcement.
- Infrastructure and impacts to schools.
- Being proactive regarding utilities issues. Providing a separate water service vs. shared lines off one
stub, etc.
- King County capacity charges for sewer.
Director's Report
- Depending on identified work projects, the November and December meetings may be cancelled.
- Reminder that the last two meetings of the year are always held on the second Thursday of the
month.
- Staff is working hard on the 2025-2026 budget.
- Housekeeping update of the code moving through the PC.
Adjournment
Chair Probst asked for a motion to adjourn.
Commissioner Durant moved to adjourn. Commissioner Kaehler seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens
PC Secretary
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: MayorTukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
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