HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2026-07-23 Item 4 - Approval of 5/28/26 Minutes
CITY OF TUKWILA
PLANNING COMMISSION (PC)
MINUTES
Date: May 28, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Hybrid Meeting - via Microsoft Teams / Public, In-Person Attendance, and
Council Chambers, 6200 Southcenter Blvd., Tukwila, WA 98188
Call to Order
Vice Chair Halverson called the Tukwila PC meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Roll Call
The PC Secretary took roll call.
PC Present: Vice Chair Jacob Halverson; Commissioners; Louise Strander, Richard McLeland Wieser, and
Kyle Upton; Chair Alex Kaehler arrived at 6:40 p.m.
Excused
Absence: Commissioner Ann Durant and Jessica Parra
Staff: Development Supervisor Max Baker, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP),
Department of Community Development (DCD); Senior Planner Neil Tabor, AICP, DCD;
Isaac Gloor, Senior Planner, DCD, Pete Mayer, Deputy City Administrator and Director, Parks
and Recreation; Kris Kelly, Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation; and PC Secretary Wynetta
Bivens, DCD
Also, in
attendance: Graham Mills, Parks Commission, Vice Chair; and Greg Hammond, Parks Commission
Amendment of the Agenda
No changes to the agenda were requested.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner McLeland Wieser moved to adopt the 4/23/26 Minutes. Commissioner Strander
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Written General Public Comments
There were no submittals.
Unfinished Business
None.
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Planning Commission Minutes
5/28/26
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New Business
1. Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan
A presentation was given on the 2027-2033 PROS Plan Update by Mr. Mayer, Deputy City
Administrator and Director, Parks and Recreation; Mr. Kelly, Deputy Director, Parks and
Recreation; and Mr. Overdorf, Director of Landscape Architecture, SCJ Alliance.
Following are some of the key highlights of the PROS Plan presentation:
There are three addendums to the PROS Plan:
- Tukwila Community Center (TCC) and Recreation Program Business Plan
- Foster Golf Links Business Plan
- Non-Motorized Trail Comprehensive Plan
PROS Plan Purpose:
- Guides capital, maintenance and operations, land decisions, future decision making,
translation needs expressed by the community, addresses priorities, establishes a six-year
implementation framework, etc.
Tukwila’s System
- Is based on a classification system and modifications are made to the system based on best
practice; Tukwila is a unique community that has lots of challenges and opportunities. Both
valuable and complex and includes a multitude of areas, such as neighborhoods parks,
communities serving sites, trail assets, natural areas, open spaces, diverse properties, etc.
Community Engagement and Outreach Process
- Results were summarized into nine different buckets of importance as noted in the
presentation
Demand and Needs Analysis – Implications
- Categorized into six areas as noted in the presentation.
PROS Plans, goals, and objectives were established from the community outreach.
There was also overview of the following:
- Findings and recommendations
- Policy Priorities
- Planning Priorities
- Operations & Maintenance Priorities
- Capital Improvement Priorities
- Goal Alignment Gaps
- Implementations for Parks and Recreation planning opportunities to align goals between the
2024 - 2044 City Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) and the 2027- 2033 PROS Plan
- Determination on what Amendments to the PROS Element should occur because of the
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Planning Commission Minutes
5/28/26
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PROS Plan recommendations.
Mr. Mayer and Mr. Overdorf addressed several clarifying questions for the PC.
Commissioner Strander recommended replacing the language ‘required park dedication’ on page 75
of the PC packet, Table 2-14, in the development pressure on potential park sites, under the
suggested mitigation section, last sentence, with the language ‘incentivize’.
Mr. Mayer stated they are taking written public comments on the Draft PROS Plan and will go
through a rapid revision process. The Parks Commission will receive the revised PROS Plan for
review on June 10th and forward their recommendation to the Community Services and Safety
Committee. The CC will ideally adopt the PROS Plan in August. The Parks and Recreation
Department will work with DCD on future amendments to the City’s Comp Plan and align the goals
across the other elements.
Commissioner Halverson raised a question regarding whether there are public private parks in Tukwila, and
Mr. Mayer said there are no public private parks in Tukwila and explained an arrangement made with
Starfire Sports. Commissioner Halverson suggested being proactive regarding planning for the future in the
event a developer comes in with a unique proposal.
Mr. Mayer handed out maps to the PC.
2. Background: Simplifying Tukwila's Mixed-Use Zoning Districts,
Mr. Gloor, Senior Planner, DCD provided an overview on simplifying Tukwila’s Mixed-Use Zoning
Districts, which spans thirteen parcels. He discussed the potential concept of standardizing the zones to make
it easier for development. He said that incentivized development is very attractive for both reviewers and
developers. And there are several benefits to potential mixed-use zone simplification and combining the
MUO, O, RCC, and RCM. Some of the PC Members agreed and others did not comment.
Mr. Gloor facilitated a Q & A regarding mixed-use zoning districts with the PC.
Director’s Report
Mr. Baker, Development Supervisor, gave the Director’s Report
- He informed the PC that Jo Anderson, Inclusion and Community Engagement Manager, had
board members express interest in having a Boards and Commission social gathering. And
asked him to ask the PC if they would be interested in a Boards and Commission social
gathering with the other Boards and Commissions in late July or early August. If so, would
they be interested in a potluck with commercially prepared food only, or a no host dinner at
a local establishment. Four PC Members were interested and were in favor of a no host
dinner at a local establishment.
- On June 24th, time to be determined, there with be a critical areas ordinance open house at
the Tukwila Community Center (TCC).
- Mr. Baker informed the PC of fraudulent emails people are receiving regarding clicking on
a wire transfer with their permits listed that appear as if they were signed by Nora Gierloff.
Other cities also received the same fraudulent emails.
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Planning Commission Minutes
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- The Permit Department is making progress with the new SmartGov permitting software by
Granicus. And will be testing the software soon. The aim is to have the new software out in
September. The PC was given a preview of the current permitting page and the new
permitting page.
- The PC also were given a preview of the new and improved DCD web page.
Commissioner Kaehler moved to adjourn. Commissioner McLeland Wieser seconded the motion. Motion
passed.
Adjourned: 9:02 p.m.
Submitted by: Wynetta Bivens, PC Secretary
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