HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2024-12-12 Minutes - Legislative Changes and Future Housekeeping Items & Middle Housing Project / Training Topics
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: December 12, 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
Vice Chair Durant called the Tukwila PC meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
Roll Call
The PC Secretary took roll call.
Present: Vice Chair Ann Durant; Commissioners Louise Strander, Jane Ho, Richard McLeland
Wieser, and Jacob Halverson
Absent: Chair Martin Probst
Unexcused Absence: Commissioner Alex Kaehler
Staff: Long Range Planning Manager Nancy Eklund, American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP), Department of Community Development (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 Halverson moved to adopt the 6/27/24 Minutes. Commissioner Ho seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Commissioner Richard McLeland Wieser moved to adopt the 10/24/24 Minutes. Commissioner Halverson
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Written General Public Comments
No submittals.
Old Business
None.
New Business
1. Legislative Changes and Future Housekeeping Items & Middle Housing Project Discussion
Planning Commission Minutes
12/12/24
Page 2
Senior Planner Neil Tabor, DCD, stated that the packet information memo noted this item as one
housekeeping packet. He said that as a matter of process it will be broken into multiple ordinances because of
the variety of items. Some items are more substantial and topic-based verses others.
An overview was provided on the following proposed code amendments that will go back to the PC for
review. Staff also addressed questions for the PC.
Binding Site Improvement Plans (BSIPs)
Background was provided on BSIPs. They are processed like a traditional sub-division, where one large
parcel is broken into multiple lots or pads that may be built out in phases, pieces or land. They may share
common features such as utilities, trash collection sites, parking area, access points or one large traditional
power center that has a large anchor tenant. The reason this came up is because staff identified a code
provision that requires BSIPs when phase 1 is built. It requires certain features, and several other pads that
may be developed later. In addition to the BSIPs process it also requires the developer to go through the
Development Agreement (DA) process but is not required every time. Staff is proposing to amend Title 17 of
the Municipal Code to remove the DA requirement for phased BSIPs.
Commissioner Durant said that it is important that the criteria are clear so developers know what to expect so
they can plan for projects with certainty in the process.
Legislative Updates Required
Staff said after a very busy Comprehensive (Comp) Plan cycle the upcoming schedule will also be very busy.
Requirement updates need to be put in place six to twelve months after the Comp Plan update. Updates due
by the end of June are middle housing (HB 1110), objective design review (HB 1293), residential conversions
(SB 1042), residential parking (SB 6015), ADU (HB 1337) as well as unit lot subdivision cleanup and
proportionate impact fees (SB 5258). Updates for co-living housing (HB 1998) and critical areas are due by
December.
Residential Conversions (SB 1042) Background and Implementation
An overview was provided on SB 1042, which provides developers flexibility in converting non-residential
structures in commercial and mixed used zones into multifamily structures. Background was also provided on
the six limitations jurisdictions cannot apply. Staff is proposing to move the SB 1042 compliant code package
forward the beginning of 2025 to avoid conflicting with PC and City Council (CC) time. Staff will find a way
to introduce compliance with these requirements in a combined code amendment package to leave space for
middle housing, and design review with future PC meetings.
Tukwila Urban Center (TUC)
Tukwila has a Manufacturing and Industrial Center (north Tukwila) and an Urban Center (Southcenter)
designated by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRC). These centers are designated for growth and are
intended to provide a high density of jobs and housing units near transit or cluster industrial use. Urban
Centers must plan for at least 45 activity units (jobs plus housing units per acre). The TUC currently has about
22 activity units.
Townhomes in TUC
Townhomes are allowed in several zoning districts within the TUC as a permitted residential type.
Townhomes are undesirable as they will not meet the density requirements of the TUC. They will be
permitted across other residential zones with the middle housing code update. Staff is proposing to strike the
allowance of townhomes in the TUC to align new development with desired density.
Planning Commission Minutes
12/12/24
Page 3
Commissioner Durant was in favor of encouraging higher density and incentivizing to drive natural
development in the direction they want and encourage creativity.
Commissioner Halverson said he would like to see an approach different from removing townhomes.
Middle Housing
An overview was provided of several renderings of potential middle housing products and associated
development standards, both with and without parking. Staff noted that a few of the setback numbers were
incorrect. Staff has been working on concepts to create reductions to front setbacks and a porch bonus. This
would allow porches to project into the front yard up to seven additional feet or provide an eight-foot setback
for the porch opposed to a building façade.
Commissioner Durant said it feels unsafe when narrow duplexes are oriented with the back of the homes on
the public right of way (ROW). She said if lots are going to be developed that way, she would like to see a
code requiring that a certain amount of the homes face the ROW to prevent blocks having private roads that
are cut off from the main ROW. She said that ideally, narrow triplexes and ADUs in residential areas are front
facing to the sidewalk She said maybe there should be a credit incentive for the front porch to face the ROW.
Commissioner Halverson said he is personally interested in height incentives.
Staff was open to feedback from the PC regarding the things they like, the things they do not like, or what
would help with future meetings as they begin the review process.
- Commissioner Halverson requested information from the Puget Sound Regional Fire Administration
(PSRFA) on what kind of trucks they plan to use, whether they can allow a 300 ft dead end without a
turnaround, the maximum depth of the fire hydrant and if it aligns with the average lot line.
- Commissioner Durant said she is still trying to understand the sequence of events. She asked some
clarifying questions and asked if there is a requirement to implement code reflecting the Comp Plan by a
certain date. Staff said yes by individual items. Staff also said some items will come back as PC agenda
items.
- Commissioner Durant requested a future update on the tree code.
- Commissioner Halverson requested information on stormwater and inquired about stormwater incentives.
Director’s Report
- Staff said that PC terms were changed last year and will now expire in March instead of December.
- The City Attorney will be conducting annual training with the PC. The PC were asked if there were any
training items that they would like to have beefed up.
- Staff agreed to look for literature for the PC at the request of Commissioner McLeland Wieser.
- Commissioner Halverson requested that the departments related to planning, such as fire and police,
attend a PC meeting and talk to them about what they do and how they do it.
- Commissioner Strander thanked staff for providing the design review information and asked if it could be
added to the Director’s Report in the future when there are design review items. Staff said they could
provide a month-by-month update.
- Staff said they will send out the development if they have it.
- Staff offered to introduce the PC to their web page.
- Staff said they are working on a fee calculator for impact fees, which they hope to have available soon.
- Staff informed the PC that the rotation of the PC Chair and Vice Chair happens in April.
- Staff will work with CC regarding how their workload will move forward.
Planning Commission Minutes
12/12/24
Page 4
Adjournment
Commissioner McLeland Wieser made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Halverson seconded the motion.
Motion carried
Adjourned 8:02 p.m.
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens
PC Secretary
Adopted: 1/23/25