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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2012-05-14 Item 4B - Resolution - Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory CommitteeCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initials Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor's review 05/14/12 CL 05/21/12 CL ITEM INFORMATION STAFF SPONSOR: CAROL LU M B Council review ITEMNO. MW M ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 5/14/12 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Establish a Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other Mtg Date 5114112 Mtg Date Mtg Date 5/21/12 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date SPONSOR Council Mayor HR DCD Finance Fire IT P &R Police PW SPONSOR'S The attached resolution would create a Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee SUMMARY to provide guidance on updating the natural environment goals and policies from the City's Comprehensive Plan and to provide input on new goals and policies related to management of the City's urban forest. The Committee would meet monthly, beginning in August, 2012, and conclude its work after 6 -8 meetings. REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte Transportation Cmte Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm. DATE: 4/23/12 COMMITTEE CHAIR: HOUGARDY RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR /ADMIN. Department of Community Development COMMITTEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE_ REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $0 $0 $0 Fund Source: N/A Comments: MTG. DATE 5/14/12 I MTG. DATE 5/14/12 5/21/12 RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION ATTACHMENTS Informational Memorandum dated 4/10/12 Draft Resolution Minutes from the Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting of 4/23/12 41 42 City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Haggerton Community Affairs and Parks Committee FROM: Jack Pace, Community Development Director BY: Carol Lumb, Senior Planner Sandra Whiting, Urban Environmentalist DATE: April 10, 2012 SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Update— Creation of a Tree and Environment Advisory Committee as a Mechanism for Public Involvement ISSUE Should Tukwila form a citizen's advisory committee for the update of the Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives and policies that address natural resources and community vision? BACKGROUND Washington cities subject to the requirements of the Growth Management Act are periodically required to undertake an overall review and update of their Comprehensive Plans, separate from the annual amendment process. Our approach to the review due in 2014 has been to focus on a "vertical slice" of our goals, policies, regulations and implementation measures for specific issue areas. This differs from the original Tukwila Tomorrow process where we formed a general committee to make recommendations on a broad range of issues. Staff has used this approach to conduct targeted public outreach and develop a set of recommendations for updating the Shoreline and Manufacturing and Industrial Center (MIC) chapters of the Comprehensive Plan as well as their associated Zoning Code regulations. This ensures that our regulations are aligned with our Comprehensive Plan vision. We also hope that it will result in meaningful input by involving our citizens and businesses in a streamlined process for those issues of specific concern to them. The 2012 -13 DCD work program includes the updating of the Natural Environment chapter of the Tukwila Comprehensive Plan as well as other policies in the in the Community Image and Residential Chapters that address natural resource issues. As part of that effort, the role of trees in the City, tree protection, tree health, tree canopy cover and whether to establish tree canopy goals for the City will be considered. To assist with the policy development, the City has received a $10,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to conduct a baseline tree canopy survey to determine the amount of tree coverage currently in the City. The updated goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan will then guide revisions to the City's implementing regulations the tree ordinance, landscaping code, and street tree policies and will provide input for tree /urban forest management in the City's parks and other public land in Tukwila. CL Page 1 of 2 04/13/2012 2:10:16 PM W:\ \Long Range Projects \Urban Forestry\4 -23 -12 CAP Memo -final 43 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 DISCUSSION Staff believes it is important to involve a wide range of stakeholders in the Comprehensive Plan update and in incorporating new goals and policies related to community forests into the Plan. In addition, recent state legislation promotes community forest programs, which the addition of goals and policies to the Comprehensive Plan will support. Staff suggests that the committee be made up of members from the following groups: 1 -2 residential property owners; 1 -2 business owners (urban center and MIC or other); 1 representative of environmental groups /gardening groups (such as the Backyard Wildlife organization); 1 arborist or landscape professional; 1 Planning Commission representative; 1 City Council representative; and 1 Parks Board representative. Including members of these groups will help ensure that a wide range of viewpoints are considered. The Committee members would be provided with background information on the current Comprehensive Plan goals and policies and existing regulations, as well as materials about community forest management and the value of trees in urban settings and will be asked to provide guidance to staff on the direction City policy should take on key natural resource issues, such as tree canopy, tree protection, landscaping in commercial and industrial areas, street tree management and planning, and maintenance of forests and trees in parks and other public areas. It is anticipated that the Advisory Committee would meet once a month for 6 -8 months. Once the work of the Advisory Committee is complete, their recommendations, will be incorporated into a stpk -e at/ underline version of the relevant chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as a strike -out underline of the proposed revisions to the Tree Ordinance and other natural environment related regulations. These will go first to the City's Planning Commission and then to the City Council for action in early 2013. Policy recommendations also will serve as input for later revisions to the City's landscape code and street tree policies, and for planning for urban forests on public land and for tree management in general. RECOMMENDATION Forward the Resolution authorizing the recruitment and appointment of an advisory committee to assist in the Comprehensive Plan and implementing regulations update to the May 14, 2012 Committee of the Whole meeting and subsequent May 21, 2012 Regular meeting. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Authorizing the Formation of the Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee CL Page 2 of 2 04/13/2012 2:08:41 PM 44 W \Long Range Projects \Urban Forestry\4 -23 -12 CAP Memo -final A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A TUKWILA TREE AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CALLING FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE UPDATING OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RELATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY'S URBAN FOREST. WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila adopted its Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Map based on consideration of existing conditions and long -term community goals in 1995; and WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.130 requires the City of Tukwila to review and, if needed, revise its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations on or before June 30, 2015; and WHEREAS, new State legislation encourages jurisdictions to consider urban forest management when reviewing land use policies and regulations; and WHEREAS, the natural environment in Tukwila, which includes streams, wetlands, steep slopes, coal mine hazard areas, trees and tree canopy, is important for its habitat benefits as well as the aesthetics, quality of life and green infrastructure services (stormwater volume and water quality, air quality, energy conservation) it provides for the City, and WHEREAS, it is important to sensibly preserve and enhance the City's natural environment to promote recreational opportunities and exposure to nature in the City and provide visual relief from the hard, constructed surfaces of urban development; and WHEREAS, engaging a wide range of input from citizens, businesses, and professional and environmental organizations is important to ensure all viewpoints are considered in the updating of the Comprehensive Plan and for incorporation of new goals, objectives and policies to address the natural environment and management of trees; W: \Word Process ing- City \Resolutions \Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Cmte 4 -24 -12 CL:bjs Page 1 of 3 45 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES "AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee. A Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the "Committee," is formed to advise on the development of new goals, objectives and policies related to the urban forest and on the revision of existing goals, objectives and policies in the Tukwila Comprehensive Plan that relate to the natural environment. Section 2. Committee's Responsibilities. The Committee shall be advisory on substantive issues related to the Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives, policies, and implementation mechanisms related to the natural environment and the community forest. Such issues include, but are not limited to, clearing and grading in sensitive areas; protecting wetlands, streams, and geologically hazardous areas; recognizing the value of trees in urban settings; landscaping in commercial and industrial areas; street tree programs; protection and increase of tree canopy; and management of forests in parks and other public lands. Section 3. Committee Makeup. A. The Committee shall be comprised of one Councilmember, one Planning Commission member, one Parks Commission member, one or two residential property owners, one or two business owners, one representative of an environmental group /garden club such as the Backyard Wildlife organization, and one arborist or landscape professional. B. Committee members shall be appointed by the Mayor, who shall appoint replacements as necessary. C. All Committee members shall have equal standing on the Committee. The Committee shall serve as an advisory body. General consensus should be obtained by the Committee on matters related to the goals and policies. D. A quorum of the Committee shall not be required. Section 4. Chair. The Councilmember appointed to the Committee shall serve as the Chair. The Chair shall strive to be neutral and be responsible for presiding over all meetings, directing the process and helping the Committee arrive at consensus. Section 5. Committee Staffing. A. The Department of Community Development, hereinafter referred to as "DCD," shall be responsible for staffing all Committee meetings. Other City departments or outside experts may be called to provide information to the Committee. DCD shall prepare issue papers and provide background information, as necessary, to be presented to the Committee. W: \Word Processing- City \Resolutions \Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Cmte 4 -24 -12 CL:bjs Page 2 of 3 M B. DCD shall provide changes to the pertinent sections of the Comprehensive Plan in strike out/underline format for review and approval by the Committee. C. The Committee shall provide policy guidance for revisions to the tree ordinance, landscape code, street tree policies, forest management in parks and other public lands, and tree management in general. D. DCD shall have the sole responsibility of drafting the regulations to implement the policies and goals recommended by the Committee for updating the tree ordinance and landscape code after consulting and discussing pertinent issues with the Committee. Changes in street tree policies shall be the joint responsibility of DCD, Fire Department and Public Works, taking into account input from the Committee. Changes in policies for trees /urban forest in parks shall be the joint responsibility of DCD and the Department of Parks Recreation. Section 6. Record. In order to ensure that a proper record is kept, staff shall compose written minutes of all meetings of the Committee. All documents and items that go before the Committee shall be part of the legislative record. Section 7. Meetings. The Committee shall meet approximately once a month beginning in August of 2012 with a goal of meeting 6 to 8 times, with the first meeting being devoted to orientation, organization and administrative functions of the Committee. The Committee shall determine a regular meeting day, time and place. All Committee meetings shall be open to the public. The Committee and DCD shall attempt to reach out to groups that may have an interest in natural environment and tree issues and invite them to observe and provide input on these issues. Section 8. Schedule. The Committee shall conclude its recommendations by the second quarter of 2013 or sooner. The committee may be asked to meet further only on an as- needed basis. The Committee shall have an opportunity to discuss their recommendations at a joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 1 2012. ATTEST /AUTH ENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Verna Seal, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Shelley M. Kerslake, City Attorney Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: W: \Word Processing- City \Resolutions \Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Cmte 4 -24 -12 CL:bjs Page 3 of 3 47 W City of Tukwila Community Affairs and Parks Committee COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes April 23, 2012 S: 00 p.m. PRESENT Councilmembers: Kathy Hougardy, Chair; Joe Duffle and Allan Ekberg Staff: David Cline, Nora Gierloff, Brandon Miles and Kimberly Matej Guests: Sharon Mann CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Hougardy called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Resolution: Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee, As part of the periodic review and update of the City's Comprehensive Plan as required by the Growth Management Act, staff is beginning the process of updating the Natural Environment chapter of the City's Plan. Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution that forms a Tukwila Tree and Advisory Committee and outlines the Committee's responsibilities to assist in public input with revisions to this chapter. If formed, this Committee is anticipated to have 7 -10 members who would meet on a monthly basis for 6 -8 months. Staff believes this Committee could begin meeting as early as August. The Committee will be tasked with providing recommendations for City policy on natural resource issues including, but not limited to: tree canopy, tree protection, landscaping in commercial and industrial areas, street tree management and planning, maintenance of forest and trees in parks and other areas that are covered in the City's Tree Ordinance and other related regulations in the City's Comprehensive Plan. The review of these recommendations will first go to the Planning Commission for additional review and recommendation and then on to Council for final review and discussion. The informational memo submitted by staff suggests one Councilmember sit on the Advisory Committee. Committee Chair Hougardy suggested that the Council representative be a member of the Community Affairs Parks Committee. Committee Member Ekberg suggested that the idea of a "tree bank" be considered during the review process. Sharon Mann was in attendance at the meeting and expressed concern about tree regulations that could be anti development. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO MAY 14 FOR DISCUSSION. B. Sian Code Amendments and Fee Resolution At the March 26, 2012, Community Affairs Parks Committee, staff presented proposed amendments to the Sign Code. Staff is now bringing forth a draft ordinance reflecting those changes and recommendations made by the Committee for recommendation to the Council for review and approval. Additionally, staff is seeking Council direction on a policy level item as outlined on the next page. Since the March 26 meeting, staff has: Defined fuel canopy which includes alternative fuel stations Pole banner fees will be $97 for initial applications and $50 for renewals (same as temporary sign permit) Recommending against pole banners in the NCC Allow pole banners in Public Recreation Overlays (golf course, parks, schools, community centers) Added language addressing non conforming signs in annexation areas