HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 11/25/1986 • KENT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
November 25, 1986
The meeting of the Kent Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Ward
at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 1986, in the Council Chambers.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Raymond Ward, Chairman
James Byrne, Vice Chairman
Robert Badger
Anne Biteman
Richard Foslin
Linda Martinez
Nancy Rudy
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Robert Anderson, excused
Jill Spier, excused
PLANNING STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
James P. Harris, Planning Director
Jim Hansen, Principal Planner
Fred Satterstrom, Project Planner
Lois Ricketts, Recording Secretary
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Ken Morris, Transportation Engineer
APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioner Foslin MOVED and
MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 28, 1986 Commissioner Rudy SECONDED a motion
to approve the October 28, 1986,
Planning Commission minutes.
Motion carried.
Mr. Harris requested the election of officers for 1987 be added to the agenda.
CONTINUATION OF THE WEST Fred Satterstrom explained that
VALLEY INDUSTRIAL STUDY: the subject of the continued public
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO VALLEY hearing was to consider the pro-
FLOOR PLAN AND ZONING CODE posed amendment to change the
Valley Floor Plan Map to accommo-
date the "R-suffix" circles at
three locations--South 180th,
South 212th and South 228th, all
• located along the West Valley
Highway. This proposal would
designate overlay circles on the
Kent Planning Commission Minutes
• November 25, 1986
Valley Floor Plan Map which would set the stage for the three zoning proposals.
The first would eliminate the conditional use permit requirement for office and
service-type uses in the Ml zone of the West Valley Study Area. The current regula-
tion states that only 25 percent of the proposed development can include office or
service uses unless a conditional use permit is obtained. In order to use 100 percent
for office and service uses, the concurrence of the Hearing Examiner through the
conditional use permit process is currently necessary.
At the present time the language on page 60 of the Zoning Code, 15.04.170 INDUSTRIAL
PARK DISTRICT OF M1 13, includes both Retail Trade Uses and Service Uses. The pro-
posed change would retain Retail Trade Uses under number 13, but the Service Uses
would become number 14 as follows:
14. Administrative, professional , medical , financial and business offices
and services including but not limited to the following:
a. Finance, insurance and real' estate services
b. Personal services
C. Business services
d. Repair services
e. Professional services
(Counseling services should been added to the list that appears in
• the Zoning Code. )
f. Contract construction services
g. Educational services
h. Miscellaneous services
If approved, there would be no limit of these uses in the M1 zoning district in the
West Valley Study Area.
The second proposal would add the "R-suffix" zoning overlay to three intersections
on the West Valley Highway--South 180th, South 212th and South 228th. If the overlay
zoning were to be adopted, the application for the "R-suffix" overlay would be admin-
istered in the same manner as a rezone. This would give an opportunity for the appli-
cant to include the following uses which are proposed:
Principally Permitted Uses in Ml-R District (R-suffix)
The following retail uses are permitted in addition to those listed in sub-
section A on properties designated with the R-suffix pursuant to procedures
specified in Section 15.09.050. This list is intended to be illustrative
of the types of retail uses permitted.
1 . Hotel , motel
2. Convention facilities
3. Exhibition halls, art galleries
4. Restaurant and lounges
• 5. Athletic and health clubs
6. Gift shops
7. Liquor stores
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Kent Planning Commission Minutes
• November 25, 1986
Other similar uses which the Planning Director finds compatible with the
principally permitted uses herein, consistent with the purpose and intent
of the M1 District and not of a type to adversely affect the use of adjoining
properties .
On page 64 of the Zoning Code E9, Outside storage or operations yard, the following
sentence is proposed to precede the paragraph as it is presently stated.
i
9. Outside storage or operations yard. Outside storage or operations yards
in the M1 zone shall be permitted only as accessory uses. Such uses are
incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the property or structure.
Outside storage or operations yards shall be confined to the area to the
rear of the principal building or the rear two-thirds (2/3) of the property
and reasonably screened from view from any property. . .
Mr. Satterstrom presented the proposed procedural changes to the AMENDMENTS section
of the Zoning Code (15.09.050) . The Hearing Examiner has requested the Planning
staff to establish rezone criteria in an ordinance. The following five criteria
are proposed to become number 3. The current number 3 would become number 5.
3. Standards and Criteria For Granting a Request for Rezone.
• The following standards and criteria shall be used by the Hearing Examiner
and City Council to evaluate a request for rezone. Such an amendment shall
only be granted if the City Council determines that the request is consistent
with these standards and criteria.
a. The proposed rezone is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
b. The proposed rezone and subsequent development of the site would be
compatible with development in the vicinity.
C. The proposed rezone would not unduly burden the transportation system
in the vicinity.
d. Circumstances have changed substantially since the establishment of
the current zoning district to warrant the proposed rezone.
e. The proposed rezone will promote the health, safety, and general
welfare of the citizens of the City of Kent.
The following specifically addresses the "R-suffix" zone. In addition to the five
criteria listed above, anyone seeking an "R-suffix" rezone would be evaluated under
the following criteria. The first criterion relates to the relationship of the
property with respect to the nodes identified on the Valley Floor Plan Map, and the
second criterion relates to the actual development proposal in trying to clarify
the proposal at the time the request is made so that an effective evaluation of the
• proposal can be made.
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Kent Planning Commission Minutes
November 25, 1986
• The following proposed number 4 would change the current number 4 to number 6.
4. The Hearing Examiner and the City Council shall use the standards and
criteria provided in Section 15.09.050(D) to evaluate a request for rezone
to M1-R. In addition, the Hearing Examiner and City Council shall evaluate
a request for M1-R on the basis of the following standards and criteria.
Such an amendment shall only be granted if the City Council determines the
request is consistent with these standards and criteria.
a. The proposed rezone is in close proximity or contiguous to major
arterial intersections identified on the Comprehensive Plan map as
being appropriate locations for retail/service type land uses.
b. Rezoning to M1-R shall not be speculative in nature. Such requests
shall be based on specific development plans and uses. Further, the
proposed uses shall be supportive to the surrounding industrial area
and shall not be in conflict with land uses permitted in the Central
Business District.
Commissioner Biteman asked how much acreage would be involved at the South 212th
intersection and if there would be a limitation on the types of uses in the "R-suffix"
area.
Mr. Satterstrom explained that the Planning Commission would not be placing a zoning
designation on any land. The Commission would be addressing the allowed uses under
• the use provisions of the "R-suffix" proposal . If an applicant came in at a later
time and sought a rezone to place the "R-suffix" on a piece of property, there would
be no limitation on the number of different kinds of uses as long as the uses were
permitted within the code.
Commissioner Martinez asked if there were specific development plans at the present
time for the three nodes under discussion, and if the Planning Department had con-
sidered the traffic implications.
Mr. Satterstrom responded that he was not aware of any plans for "R-suffix" develop-
ment in any of the three nodes at the present time. The Planning staff believes
that these three locations offer opportunity for additional retail opportunities
in an otherwise industrial district. The staff is not trying to propose uses which
will conflict with established retail areas. It is hoped that the types of uses
that the Planning Commission would recommend to be allowed in the "R-suffix" area
would complement and support the industrial area that is currently present and not
try to compete from a retail standpoint with established retailing in the City of
Kent.
When the original proposal was made, Fred stated that they realized there would be
traffic implications but did not realize that elimination of the conditional use
permit would have such a traffic impact. The Public Works Department is developing
a mitigation strategy to address these impacts. If these impacts cannot be mitigated
or if they are significantly adverse, the Planning Department would not recommend
this proposal for the Commission 's approval . The traffic issue is one of the reasons
• that a declaration of nonsignificance is not available.
Commissioner Martinez asked for clarification regarding the circles.
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Kent Planning Commission Minutes
November 25, 1986
• Mr. Harris responded that the vague circle is a comprehensive plan circle. This
has nothing to do with zoning. It means that someone could apply for "R-suffix"
within this vague circle. At that time the applicant would define exactly the kind
of development desired and the precise location on the site. The land use would
not be considered until the applicant had submitted an application specifically
requesting the "R-suffix" zoning. If passed, this ordinance would give the applicant
only the right to apply for this zoning.
Commissioner Badger asked about accessory and principal uses of the property. He
wondered if he would see cranes in a storage area behind a fence.
Mr. Satterstrom responded that storage of equipment is not a principal use of property
in the M1 zone. Storage must be subservient to the principal use, therefore an acces-
sory use of the property. The storage should not be visible from the main roadways.
Ken Morris, Kent Traffic Engineer, presented a map showing critical traffic volumes
in the valley area. Critical volumes were outlined in gold and red. Red showed
the current arterials where the volume exceeds the capacity for at least a one-hour
period during the day. Pacific Highway, I-5, West Valley Highway, South 180th,
South 212th, the Valley Freeway, Benson Highway, James Street, Canyon Drive and SR
516 were shown in red. All these intersections reach capacity mostly in the afternoon
peak hours when most of the commuters are returning home from work, plus a mixture
of shopping trips, business trips, etc. The yellow lines represented 70 to 100 per-
cent capacity.
• The second map showed critical volumes projected for the year 2000. Corridors that
had been added to this map included the South 196th, South 228th and South 277th
corridors. These corridors are expected to relieve some of the congestion on some
of the existing arterials, specifically West Valley Highway. There will be a West
Valley Highway improvement which will extend from South 180th to approximately James
Street.
Mr. Morris commented that the volumes do not take into account the increased densities
within the West Valley Industrial Area. He is currently working on a projection
of the number of trips that can be expected from increased densities within the valley
floor. Retail establishments produce more trips than office establishments; office
use produces more trips than warehouse or industrial -type use. He planned to present
additional projections at the next hearing. He felt the main issue would be around
South 212th and West Valley Highway where additional trips would be generated. Boeing
will be locating its headquarters at this location. Uplands is considering develop-
ment in the South 228th area. Mr. Morris felt that the study would show if additional
lanes would be needed or if the present arterials could handle the increased den-
sities, and which arterials would be overloaded.
Commissioner Badger asked if 64th Avenue South from South 212th Street south to Meeker
Street would be an arterial .
Mr. Morris responded that this was part of the plan for the future arterial system.
Several committees are involved in these projects. The Mayor's Task Force on Traffic
. Congestion, the Valley Transportation Committee which is sponsored by the Puget Sound
Council of Governments, Kent, and other cities in the Valley, Auburn and Tukwila,
are developing a strategy to fund some of these corridor projects. One funding
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Kent Planning Commission Minutes
November 25, 1986
•
strategy would be to ask developers to participate in the corridor projects in order
to mitigate the trips they generate from their facilities. The developers would
sign an agreement with the City of Kent agreeing to participate in a future LID.
Commissioner Martinez asked if the money would be put in escrow.
Mr. Morris responded that this would not be required. The developer would sign a
no-protest LID at the time of development. When the roads are constructed, they
would be assessed at that time according to the number of trips going in and out
of the facility.
Another strategy would be a Road Improvement District. The county is working on
this concept. Mike Patrick has proposed the MAP program, which is the Multijurisdic-
tional Arterial Program. This would provide state funding for new arterials. Mr.
Morris expected to have available at the December Planning Commission meeting some
of the traffic impacts solidified and to be able to identify some of the additional
improvements needed, if any, in the West Valley Industrial Area.
Commissioner Badger asked if the Commissioners would be able to have a reduced copy
of the transportation maps at the December meeting.
Mr. Morris responded that maps would be made available to the Commissioners.
• Mr. Badger asked if the MAP program would include county participation in the con-
struction of new arterials.
Mr. Morris answered that the county could participate through the Road Improvement
District program or through the MAP program. The city/county or city/state could
also be a developer with the city, county or state. This would also be considered
multijurisdictional .
Chairman Ward asked if there was a clause in the MAP proposal which would prohibit
the diverting of funds.
Mr. Morris responded that a commitment from Tim Hill had been obtained which would
prohibit the diverting of MAP funds.
Mr. Hansen asked Mr. Morris if additional calculations for the year 2000 could be
available for the December meeting, and also what impact increased Metro service
might have in mitigating some of the traffic impacts in Kent.
Chris Crumbaugh spoke as a representative for Corporate Property Investors, which
is interested in developing properties across the street from the Boeing Aerospace
Center. He felt that if this proposed amendment is approved, it would seem unnec-
essary to go through the rezoning process. He also felt that the list of seven
principally permitted uses was not a very extensive list. He planned to present
an extended list of retail uses at the next hearing.
• Mr. Harris pointed out that the Planning Commission Bylaws require letters and
reports intended for presentation to the Commissioners at the hearing arrive in the
Planning Department's office at least one week prior to the hearing date. If the
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Kent Planning Commission Minutes
• November 25, 1986
materials are mailed to the Planning office ten days before the hearing, then copies
of all the materials for the hearing can be mailed to the Commission members one
week prior to the hearing.
Ted Knapp, Uplands Industries, has been working with the Planning staff and supports
the proposed "R-suffix" zone. He also supports broadening the list of retail uses.
He suggested that the Commission establish criteria for possible future areas where
additional retail could be located. He felt there was little available space in
the three designated nodes and felt the criteria should be flexible enough to allow
other arterials to be identified at a future date. He felt the wording "major
arterial intersection" limited the possibility of additional circles.
Robert Fadden, architect, 130 Lakeside, Seattle, Washington, read a letter from CPI
and Uplands addressed to Jim Hansen which summarized his thoughts.
Dear Jim: I have now had the opportunity to review the proposed office and retail
ordinance and comprehensive plan modification prepared by the Planning Department
for the MI zone. It is my understanding that the new code provisions and comprehen-
sive plan improvements are a result of the Planning Department's recognition of
changing land use patterns and concern for the needs of the industrial area popula-
tion. The addition of office, personal services and certain retail functions to
the M1 zone, along with the existing light manufacturing and industrial uses, will
provide an area in the city where a wide diversity of uses occur and complement the
existing uses now present. The uses in the M1 zone during the last five years have
grown. The evolution has resulted in ordinance changes that now allow a limited
amount of retail and pure office use within a development. Proposed additions to
the code is another phase in the maturity of the M1 zone. The M1 zone, through the
growth process, is becoming what has been traditionally known as a business park
zone. Characteristically business park zones have contained a wide variety of light
industrial , office, service retail , personal services and commercial uses that support
business and people within that zone. A successful industrial park district ordinance
requires both strong development standards and site flexibilities in order to produce
complementary projects for a variety of uses.
He added that this letter would be available at the next meeting with supplemental
information.
Kirk Johnson, representing Trammel Crow Company, spoke in favor of the "R-suffix"
proposal stating that he favored the changes it would bring to the valley. He agreed
with CPI and Uplands that the retail use definition needed to be expanded. He sug-
gested two additional nodes--East Valley Highway at South 212th and East Valley
Highway at South 180th.
Mr. Harris responded that this study included only the area west of the Union Pacific
rail lines. He expected the staff to work on the area around East Valley Highway
in 1987, but it was not part of this study. The West Valley Industrial Study should
be finished so that expansion to the other side of the valley could take place.
• Commissioner Badger MOVED to continue the hearing to the third Tuesday in December,
December 16, 1986. Commissioner Rudy SECONDED the motion. Motion carried.
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Kent Planning Commission Minutes
9
• November 25, 1986
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE Chairman Ward presented to Anne Biteman
OF APPOINTMENT a certificate of appointment signed
by Mayor Dan Kelleher.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner James Byrne was elected
Chairman and Commissioner Robert Badger
was elected Vice Chairman of the
Planning Commission for 1987.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Rudy MOVED and
Commissioner Byrne SECONDED a motion
to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20
p.m.
Respectfully submitted ,
James Harris, S cretary
•
•
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