HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2012-04-26 Minutes - Board of Architectural Review - Tukwila Home2Suites (Barghausen Consulting Engineers)City of Tukwila
Planning Commission
Board of Architectural Review (BAR) Minutes
Date: April 26, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
Present: Brooke Alford, Chair; Thomas McLeod, Vice Chair; Commissioners, Louise Strander, David
Shumate, Mike Hansen
Absent: Commissioner Aaron Hundtofte and Jeri Frangello- Anderson
Staff: Minnie Dhaliwal, Planning Supervisor, Stacy MacGregor, Assistant Planner, and Wynetta
Bivens, Planning Commission Secretary
Chair Alford opened the public hearing at 6:30 PM.
Minutes: Commissioner Strander made a motion to adopt the March 22, 2012 minutes. Commissioner
McLeod seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
CASE NUMBER: L12 -004
APPLICANT: Dan Balmelli for Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc.
REQUEST: Public Hearing Design Review for a new 4- story, 139 room extended -stay hotel
building with associated parking and landscaping.
LOCATION: 300 Upland Drive, Tukwila, WA
Chair Alford swore in those wishing to testify.
Staff asked the Planning Commissioners the Appearance of Fairness questions.
Stacy MacGregor, Assistant Planner, Department of Community Development, gave the staff presentation.
She handed out a revised first page of the staff report regarding the proposed changes to color renderings
attachment G, H, and 1, which were not received in time to include in the packet. She explained that the
Hilton requested color and height changes be made to the tower so that it would be emphasized and reflect
their branding. Additionally, the bright green color on the tower shown in the attachment G rendering is a
different color than the green on the `Home2 Suites by Hilton sign. The intent was for both to be the same
green color. The BAR supported staff drafting language stating that the tower shall match the green color of
the number 2 on the sign as a condition of approval.
An overview was given of the project. Site complications due to a railroad easement require that the applicant
develops the project in two phases. There is currently an access issue due to a condition that was placed on
this sub division in the 1970's. The applicant would like to create a drive from the parcel onto Minkler. To
do so, they need to get permission from the Railroad to cross their tracks, and they need to get the sub-
division modified to remove a condition which prevents access from the site onto Minkler. However, without
these permissions the applicant will still be able to precede with Phase I of the project. By requesting
approval for both Phase I and 11 of the project now, if the applicant receives the necessary permissions they
will not need to return at a later date for BAR approval on Phase 11 of the project. If permissions are not
obtained, Phase I meets code requirements, and it would work as a stand -alone project if only Phase I is
completely developed. The project meets the criteria, codes, and exceeds landscaping requirements. Staff
recommends approval of the project with four conditions as listed in the Apri113, 2012 staff report.
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BAR Hearing Minutes
April 26, 2012
Commissioner Shumate encouraged installing more than one bicycle rack, and also suggested that the
landscape plan includes more native plants.
Ed Shagen, Developer, for the applicant, explained what the Home2 Suites represent. He stated that it is
their intent to engage the railroad quickly once the project is approved; they didn't want them to raise issues
and questions with their plans prior to approval. Therefore, they designed the project so that the railroad did
not need to weigh in at this time.
Art Seidel, Landscape Architect, for the applicant, explained why more native plant species were not used in
the landscape plan. At the encouragement of Commissioner Shumate, the applicant agreed to design more
native plant species in the plan. At the encouragement of Commissioner Alford, the applicant was open to
replacing the Norway Maple trees with another variety of trees.
Dan Balmelli, Applicant, and Engineer, addressed questions.
There was no public testimony.
The public hearing was closed.
The BAR deliberated.
Recommendations: Add another bike rack, and increase the native species palate on the site.
Consensus of the BAR was for staff to draft the following two additional conditions:
Condition 4 5: The green color shown on the rendering shall be the same shade of green as the green used on
Hilton Home2 Suites sign.
Condition 4 6: Replace the Norway Maple to a non invasive species; and the landscape plans are to be
reviewed prior to issuance of the building permit by the city staff.
Commissioner Hansen expressed his appreciation to the applicant for developing their project in Tukwila, and
thanked them for investing in the community. He said it would be an incremental step in providing some density
in the area. The Commission all concurred.
MOTION:
COMMISSIONER HANSEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CASE NUMBER L12 -004 DESIGN
REVIEW WITH STAFF'S FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND AMENDED RECOMMENDATIONS
INCLUDING THE FOUR CONDITIONS AND THE TWO ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.
COMMISSIONER STRANDER SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Staff asked the Commission to let them know at the next meeting if anyone on the Commission is
interested in serving on the Tree Ordinance Advisory Committee. Questions can be directed to Carol
Lumb.
Staff hopes to have a draft of the Southcenter Plan to the Commission next month.
Commissioner Alford said that there was a request for a Commissioner to talk to students in the
Tukwila school district regarding the role of the Planning Commission. She asked the
Commissioners if anyone would be willing to go talk to the students. Commissioner Hansen said
that he would be happy to talk to the students.
Submitted By: Wynetta Bivens
Planning Commission Secretary
Adjourned: 7:50 PM
Adopted: 5/24/12
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