Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-24 Community Affairs and Parks Minutes o.' City of Tukwila i`. :o Community Affairs Parks Committee iso s COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes April 24,2007- 5:00 p.ni. PRESENT Councilmembers: Pam Linder, Chair; Pam Carter and Dennis Robertson Staff: Jim Morrow; Bruce Fletcher; Jack Pace; Nora Gierloff and Kimberly Matej Guests: Eric Reinhardt; Todd Heistuman and Mikel Hanson CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Linder called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Building Height Issue DCD staff has previously come to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee to discuss building height issues. Most recently, the Committee asked staff to review the building height regulations utilized by the City. Nora Gierloff and Jack Pace presented their findings to the Committee as well as their recommended changes. Based on previous complaints surrounding building height issues, it appears as the issue also includes bulk. In comparison to neighboring cities, Tukwila is average to lower intensity. Tukwila calculates height restrictions following the International Building Code. After a brief discussion, Nora urged the Committee not to change the way in which the City calculates building height. She outlined other possible alternatives, including: Reduce the allowable building height Reduce the lot coverage standard Limit the floor area ratio (FAR) Increase or tier rear and side setbacks Discussion took place among Committee members and staff as to the possible alternatives and concerns regarding the need to avoid focusing on one issue and in turn, limiting residents. Dennis Robertson expressed the desire to identify a general change that will be applicable to most cases. He feels that rather than telling residents how to design their house, the City should consider increasing setbacks. Pam Carter articulated her concern of unintended consequences resulting from a change in setbacks (i.e.: residents with detached garages since anything over 30 inches tall is subject to the setback regulations). Todd Heistuman, a local developer, commented that almost all new houses in Tukwila will be built on re- platted land area. He stated that Seattle allows accessory structures in the backyard with constraints and that the purpose of setbacks is to provide quality of life and visual impacts. Todd believes that Tukwila has a very minimal lot standard in comparison to other cities. He thinks that the City should study cause and effect prior to making any decisions on regulations. Communitv Affairs & Parks Committee Minutes April 24. 2007 - Paqe 2 The Committee agreed that there is not a "quick fix" to fit this problem. They agree that Council does not desire to revamp the entire code, but rather identify a possible area of regulation in order to avoid future concerns such as the complaint brought forth at the March 27 and April 9 Community Affairs and Parks meetings (also see Council minutes of April 10, 2007). Additionally, the Committee was in consensus of the desire expressed by full Council for this issue not to consume an inordinate amount of staff time. Dennis commented that he believes that the simplest solution to this issue is to increase the rear setback to 15', 25' for a three-story and then consider accessory buildings. Dennis requested that Jack secure a copy of the Seattle Code regarding garages and accessory structures and how they pertain to allies, etc. and submit this information to the agenda packet for full Council review at the May 14 COW. The Committee feels strongly that this issue needs to be discussed with full Council. The following three proposals will be taken to Council for discussion and consideration: 1. Leave the Building Height Code as is, with no changes 2. Increase rear setback to 15' for every residence 3. Increase rear setback to 15' feet for two-story, and 25' for three-story The Building Height limitation would cover any structure in the LDR Zone that requires a building permit. In addition to bringing these proposals to full Council, staff will also submit a cursory review of existing permits as impacted by each proposal, and the Seattle Code as requested above. DCD staff recommends that no changes be made to the City's current code. FORWARD TO MAY 14 COW FOR DISCUSSION. B. SAO Mitigation Ratio Amendment DCD staff brought forth a proposal to modify the existing Sensitive Areas Ordinance (SAO) to allow the DCD Director to make case by case waiver of strict compliance with the City's current mitigation ratios if off-site mitigation is proposed in a wetland mitigation bank that has been approved by certain regulatory agencies. After discussion, Dennis Robertson expressed his opposition to this request as it appears that the ordinance is being changed for one specific example - in this situation, the exception is WSDOT. He stated that off-site mitigation should be here in Tukwila, and although he is sympathetic that the current regulations will cost the government more money, he does not feel that the government should exclude itself from environmental impacts. Additionally, he is concerned with leaving complete decision-making authority on each case to the discretion of the director rather than having specifications set forth in the ordinance. Jack Pace clarified that the idea of utilizing the administrator/director decision is not new to the SAO, and that the proposed amendment is not in violation of the spirit of the SAO. Additionally, the director would utilize an established chart, based on wetland type at which we are mitigating loss, to arrive at hislher decision. This is not a decision that the director would make at hislher own discretion without predetermined regulations. Jack stated that it is the intent of the City to ensure a cumulative impact verses small wetland areas, and the amendment would allow for this type of decision-making following a best available science approach. Communitv Affairs & Parks Committee Minutes April 24. 2007 - Paqe 3 Questions were raised about flexibility on ratio calculation; providing developers with some level of predictability; holding the City to a higher standard than the State in reference to acreage verses quality/functionality; and buying credits rather than measuring acreage and DCD determining those credits Committee members recommended that staff clarify some of the proposed amendment language regarding regulatory agencies in addition to discussing this with the full Council. FORWARD TO MAY 14 COW FOR DISCUSSION. C. Mini Park Acquisition at 56XX S. 133rd Bruce provided a brief overview of the history of the property acquisition in question which has previously come before the Community Affairs and Parks Committee as well as the COW. In 2004, Todd Heistuman and Eric Reinhardt, property owners of said land, offered to donate one-half of the purchase price of the property, which was then valued at $150,000. Staff secured $75,000 in funding from the King County Conservation Futures Grant allowing the City to purchase the land. Due to delays, the land was not purchased. Since 2004, the market value of the property has increased substantially, and is currently valued at $385,000. Todd and Eric are now ready to sell, and have expressed continued interest in donating one-half of the purchase price of the property. Unfortunately, the City only has $75,000 of grant funds budgeted for the purchase, leaving an additional $117,500 of the price unfunded. The City would need to appropriate a total of $117,500 in order to acquire the land. Staff is seeking an appropriation recommendation from the Committee to purchase the property. The Committee believes that this is a policy decision that requires discussion among the entire Council. Todd and Eric may bring additional information regarding purchase options to the COW. FORWARD TO MAY 14 CO'V FOR DISCUSSION. D. Update on Comp Plan Amendments Due to DCD director transitioning, Jack Pace, Acting DCD Director will provide an update on Comp Plan Amendments within two months. INFORMATION ONLY. E. 2007 First Quarter Report The Committee did not have comments regarding the 2007 First Quarter Reports. Bruce stated that the scope of work has been released for the Parks Plan, and he will be bringing it to the next Community Affairs and Parks Committee meeting. Jack shared that DCD is working with Parks and Recreation on the Walk and Roll program, and that they are preparing for a very busy summer. INFORMATION ONLY. III. ANNOUNCEMENTS IV. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 6:32p.m. Next meeting: Tuesday, May 15,2007 - 5:00 p.m. - Conference Room 3 'p~ L Committee Chair Approval Minutes by KAM.