HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 12/16/2003 •
KENT Kent City Council Meeting
W A S H I N O T O N December 16, 2003
A special meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order by Mayor White at 7:00 p.m.
Council members present: Clark, Epperly, Orr, Peterson, White, Woods and Yingling.
(CFN-198)
Mayor White noted that the City of Kent is considering surplusing real property in its north
downtown core commonly known as"Kent Station". As part of the transaction, the prospective
purchaser, Kent Station, LLC, has entered into a proposed Development Agreement with the City
of Kent which addresses specific regulatory and development issues. He noted that the decision to
proceed, delay, or take no action will not be easy, and urged the Council to go forward with the
vision which has been developed over many years.
Community Development Director Satterstrom outlined the planning process on this project,
noting that it has taken over a decade. The project proponents, Joe Blattner and Dennis Rattie of
Tarragon Development Company, explained the project including the types of businesses,plans
for parking,and development costs. Blattner noted that the owners of the 14-screen AMC movie
theater would like to open by May 15, 2005, which creates a sense of urgency.
Ken Barnes of Cushman Wakefield, commercial real estate appraiser, explained how the site was
analyzed. He stated that, aside from Green River Community College, it is not immediately
feasible for development. He said the site is considered a holding candidate and therefore must be
valued as though it must be sold within twelve months. He answered questions from Council
members regarding traffic concerns, the negative aspects of the site, the impacts of the war and the
economy,the cost of the civic plaza, and the 12-month marketing restriction.
Nathan Torgelson, Economic Development Manager, explained the history and the phases of the
project. He also explained the development agreement and the purchase and sale agreement, the
debt service, underground vaults, and proposed timeline. A brief discussion on parking was then
held, after which the meeting recessed for five minutes. When they reconvened, Councilmembers
discussed tax revenue and debt service.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
The following people spoke either in opposition to the project or in favor of delaying it:
Hugh Leiper, 815 Reitan Road
Joe Rubio, 3831 S. 248
Michael Robinson, 213 W. Meeker
Martin Plys, 3004 S. 256
Ted Kogita, 25227 Reith Road
Don Shaffer, 2070 N. 78t', Seattle 98103
Jack Evans, 13720 SE 259 h
Wanda Steiner,26421 170''Avenue SE
Paul Morford, P. O. Box 6345
Bob O'Brien, 1131 Seattle Street
David Poleski, 302 1'Avenue North
Jim Winquist, 304 1"Avenue North
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Kent City Council Minutes December 16, 2003
Norman Whiteley, 622 Washington Avenue North
Bill Pugerude, 54 Cavison Lane, Lopez Island
The speakers voiced concern about issues including the mishandling of funds,prejudice against
existing downtown businesses, the lack of time to review documents, hazardous material, and
traffic.
The following people spoke in favor of proceeding or temporarily delaying the project:
Rich Rutkowski, Green River Community College
Lee Porter, Kent Downtown Partnership
Sally Goodgion, 1140 Seattle Street
Tom Wood, 13461 SE 242nd,Kent Downtown Partnership
Dave Mortenson, 21737 96`h Place S.
Jon Johnson, 11407 SE 230 Place
Roberto Gonzales, Mexico Lindo Restaurant
Tom Sharp, 24254 143rd Avenue SE
Brian Ludford, 25506 122"d Place SE
Fergus Prestbye, 505 E. Temperance St.
Bruce Anderson, Kent Downtown Partnership
They cited services for seniors,momentum, and downtown revitalization as reasons to proceed.
WOODS MOVED to make emails on this issue part of the public record. Epperly seconded and
the motion carried.
There were no further comments from the audience and WOODS MOVED to close the public
hearing. Peterson seconded and the motion carried. Staff responded to questions brought up in
the public hearing regarding expenditures on the Kent Station project, environmental issues,
improvements near the Sounder station, connections to downtown, the appraisal, and phasing of
the Kent Station property. Blattner explained that in order to deliver the cinema on schedule,
construction must be under way by summer.
WOODS MOVED to recess to Executive Session. Clark seconded. The motion failed with Clark,
Woods and Yingling in favor, and Epperly, Orr, Peterson and White opposed. PETERSON
MOVED to refer the proposal for the Kent Station project to the Planning Committee to
reconsider the current proposal and potential alternatives given current market conditions, and to
provide for additional public review and comment. Orr seconded. Councilmembers Woods and
Yingling expressed confusion and disappointment about delaying the project, and
Councilmembers Orr, Epperly, and Peterson explained their reasons for delaying it. Upon a roll
call vote, the motion to refer the proposal to the Planning Committee carried with Epperly, Orr,
Peterson and White in favor, and Clark, Woods and Yingling opposed. (CFN-171)
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:06 p.m., WOODS MOVED to adjourn. Epperly seconded and the motion carried.
(CFN-198)
Brenda Jacober,aC
City Clerk
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