HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2025-02-27 Minutes - Middle Housing Code Discussion / Multi-Factoring Authentication for CommissionerswgsZ City of Tukwila
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
Department of Community Development - Nora Gierloff, AICP, Director
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: February 27, 2025
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 Probst called the Tukwila PC meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Nancy Eklund took roll call.
Present: Chair Martin Probst; Vice Chair Ann Durant; Commissioners Louise Strander, Alex
Kaehler, Richard McLeland Wieser (arrived at 6:35 pm), Jacob Halverson, and Jane
Ho.
Staff: Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund, American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP), Department of Community Development (DCD); and Senior Planner Neil
Tabor, AICP, DCD
III. Amendment of the Agenda
No changes to the agenda were requested.
IV. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Kaehler moved to adopt the 1/25/25 minutes. Commissioner McLeland-Weiser
seconded the motion. Commissioner Ho recused herself due to absence. The motion carried.
V. Written General Public Comments
No submittals.
VI. Old Business
None
VII. New Business
1. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) - Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund
summarized the purpose of the MFA instructions from the City Information Technology
(IT) department. She stated that, as a computer security best practice, staff, the City
Council (CC) and all boards and commissions using city email addresses or the city
network were being asked to set up MFA. She explained that the commissioners were
being asked to load the Microsoft Authenticator app on their phones and then to contact
Bao Trinh who would walk them through the rest of the process.
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
2/27/25 Meeting
Page 2
(B ao. Trinh@TukwilaWA. gov).
2. Middle Housing (MH) Code Discussion — Neil Tabor walked through the staff report
and presentation explaining the MH standards that were being proposed to comply with
legislative requirements. He provided background on past discussions, gave updates and
asked the PC to identify any issues they wanted to discuss further at the next meeting.
Following the March meeting the PC will hold a public hearing on April 24th regarding
the proposed MH code amendments. The code needs to be adopted by the CC by June 30,
2025. The following are questions he addressed for the PC.
Comments and Questions Addressed by the PC and Staff:
(Further PC discussion and staff responses are available in the video of the meeting.)
• The PC is interested in receiving a summary of the requirements of the various
legislative bills.
• Discussion about why Tukwila is not required to offer six-plex units.
• Discussion of co -living provisions and how they will be addressed in code.
• Questions regarding how the developability of a site is determined, relative to critical
areas.
• Discussion of the purpose of upper story setbacks and the functionality and intent of
that space.
• Discussion of floor area ratio (FAR) and why it is not included as a standard in the
proposed code language.
• The difference between requirements for MH units and Accessory Dwelling Units
(ADUs) in the proposed code.
• A request to clarify the MH standards vs. the ADU standards. Staff will provide the
tables that are part of the proposed code, which will make the differences clearer, as
well as a map showing the locations of bus stops relevant to calculating buffers.
• Request for a definition of "open space". Staff explained the reasoning behind
keeping the language more flexible and noted that HB 1110 requires that the MH
standards cannot be more restrictive than for single family developments and that
there is currently no open space requirement in single family zoning. A discussion of
the reason for requiring open space, its value and how it is calculated and applied
ensued.
• The PC requested that the definitions section be provided at the next meeting, along
with graphic images that would show how development could be placed on various
lots under the proposed code.
• Discussion about how trees on a site would be regulated, including requirements for
replacement, at what sizes and the kinds of trees, etc. A commissioner expressed
interest in seeing a copy of the city tree species list.
• A commissioner expressed interest in the city making a checklist of minimum
requirements for designs available to developers. Staff indicated that such a checklist
would be made available.
• The PC discussed creative alternatives used to create street parking.
• The PC had questions about the capacity of electrical service serving MH and the
sufficiency of water and sewer service required for development.
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov
Planning Commission Minutes
2/27/25 Meeting
Page 3
VIII. Director's Report
Ms. Eklund mentioned the following items:
• Reminded commissioners to reach out to Bao Trinh regarding getting MFA set up.
• April 2, 2025 - the State of the City event starting at 5:30 p.m. at Foster High School
Performing Arts Center (see handout).
• March 5, 2025 — MH Open House, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sullivan Center, 14350 Tukwila
International Blvd (see handout).
• The PC's upcoming schedule:
o March — continued discussion about MH standards.
o April 24, 2025 - Public Hearing on MH.
IX. Adjournment
Commissioner Durant moved to adjourn, and Commissioner Ho seconded the motion.
Adjourned at: 8:08 p.m.
Submitted by: Nancy Eklund and Wynetta Bivens, PC Secretary
Adopted: 3/27/25
Phone: 206-433-1800 • Email: Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov • Website: TukwilaWA.gov