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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 04/16/1991 CITY OF PLANNING COMMITTEE AGENDA APRIL 16, 1991 i BE HELD AT 0 ...... �7HE COURTROOM F ...... ...!:.'2 avo. AW UE ......I...... ........... Committee Members Jon Johnson, Chair Christi Houser Leona Orr AGENDA 1. Proposal to Annex Area #1 (J. Harris) ACTION ITEM 2. Mobile Home Park Code Amendment (C. Proud) ACTION ITEM Al Aft AM 220 4th AVE.SO., KENT,WASHINGTON 98032-5895 TELEPHONE (206)859-3315/FAX#869-6572 arY OF EPA CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE April 2, 1991 4:45 PM Committee Members Present Other City Staff Steve Dowell . Alana McIalwain Jon Johnson, Chair Tony McCarthy Jim White Carol Morris Planning Staff Other Guests Lin Ball Hugh Leiper Jim Harris Lyle Price Margaret Porter Janet Shull Fred Satterstrom HUMAN SERVICES ROUNDTABLE UPDATE (L. Ball) , Senior Planner Lin Ball reported on four things with regards to domestic violence issues. First, D.A.W.N. , the Domestic Abuse Womens ' Network in Kent, has received money to do a safe confidential shelter in the Southend with State and County money (to be completed in 1992) . At the Human Services Commission retreat, it was determined that it was necessary for all the cities and agencies involved with this shelter to talk about their funding processes and what is needed for the shelter. On Thursday, April 4, a forum called "United for Shelter" consisting of the south county cities, Human Services Roundtable staff, and the County is scheduled to meet with DAWN and look at the future needs. Secondly, a Domestic Violence Bill passed in the State Legislature (House) with a 98 to 0 vote. This bill would increase the protection for victims and establish their right to compensation and privacy. Specifically, the protection for victims kicks in when there is a situation where a no contact order is in force and a violation of this order occurs resulting in an assault. This assault would be treated and prosecuted as a felony if the Bill is approved. This Bill is now in the Senate with a vote to occur on Thursday, April 4th. Ms. Ball mentioned that this Bill was, a first-time Roundtable sponsored Bill. Thirdly, Ms: Ball reported that the Roundtable has been .able to acquire two grants. One is from Safeco for $20, 000 to train nurses in all the 18 1 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 2, 1991 hospitals in King County to identify and refer of Domestic Violence victims. The other grant is from United Way for $20, 000 which will be used in youth and family service agencies .for identification and referral training also. The fourth item was an update on the Housing Levy. The King County Executive has accepted the work groups proposal with some minor modifications that a regional committee is reviewing. This committee is charged with coming up with an Ordinance by May 1st for the County Council to propose for the November election. At this point, it is a 147. 5 million dollar levy. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF 200-300 FEET (J. Johnson Chair Jon. Johnson mentioned that this issue is a continuation of when this issue was discussed some time ago. In respect to Northpark, as the latest issue, Jon thought the notification of a 200-300 foot radius may not be have been adequate notice. He questioned whether this needs to go to 1,000 feet, one-half mile, or a mile away, what needs to be determined is just what is considered adequate notice. Councilmember Jim White asked what the cost is to go to 1, 000 feet. Planning Director Harris mentioned that it cost $274 to send out 1, 300 notices in which we received about $74 worth back that could not be delivererd. This mailing was from James Street to Willis, from Jason at the Senior Center to the Valley Freeway. Mr. Harris requested that this topic be referred to the staff to take a look at. He mentioned that we did recently get the big yellow boards approved by the Council, which works quite well. This report would include what we do now, what other jurisdictions do as well, and what we have done in the past. Mr. Harris said that the Planning staff will bring this back to the Planning Committee. Mr. Harris also commented about the notices related to North Park. Nobody was required to be notified but as a courtesy notices were sent out. Planning Manager Fred Satterstrom added some information to the subject. He said the Planning Department did some research on the public notification requirements for comparisons about two years ago. He noted that Renton and Auburn do not do public notice boards. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT (H. Leiper) As an introduction, Hugh Leiper passed out several items: a list of his qualifications; his definition of a True Business Center and his Proposal for Downtown Kent Revitalization. He stated he was a veteran of World War II and that his original background was in chemistry and medicine before he 2 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 2, 1991 entered into the real estate field in 1956. He was a former real estate representative & liaison officer for the Home Office, Brunswick Corporation of Chicago, Illinois for the States of Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Idaho & Alaska for five years. He asked three questions: 1. Do you believe that Downtown Kent should be the True Business Center and focal point of the area? 2 . What would be your definition of a True Business Center? 3 . What do you believe it takes or requires to have a True Business Center? Chair Jon Johnson responded by stating there is not really any questions but that the Committee would like to - see some re-development downtown. The actual question is what that development would be? Mr. Leiper summarized his definition of a True Business Center by saying: "It isn't just an attempt to bring something about; it is in real essence to be able to produce an area that contains all goods and services for people so that within the area, they don't have to go anywhere else. " With this thought in mind, he presented his proposal. He read the six-page document. One of the highlights of the proposal was that if it is the true intent to have Downtown Kent be the focal point of the community, with a prosperous and vital business, then some very real new direction is necessary. He stated five things that it takes to make business flourish: 1. Location to be a drawing point for people to come and partake of business function naturally. 2 . Business activity must be large enough to attract the people of the Entire Community to be focal point. 3 . There must be a variety of business with goods and services that will fulfill the needs and attract people to come and partake of business activities. 4. The housing of the business must be attractive and inviting for people to come and enjoy themselves while they are Buying and Selling Something. 3 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 2, 1991 5. Business must be understood, that Someone sells Some Someone Buys Something. That is the Business of the Free Enterprise System. This means the availability of all kinds of Goods and Services for the people of the Entire. Mr. Leiper used the example of Northgate as the granddaddy of all centers. Northgate was a .success from day one because it is a true part and focal point of the surrounding area. Bellevue Square is an example of placing a business center in the true heart of the community. This center is the most successful center there is in the U. S. Mr. Leiper stated that Cornucopia Day's and Saturday Market is .not enough to produce a viable and prosperous downtown. In order to attract large anchor stores, it becomes necessary to be able to produce one million square feet of business space or they are not interested in coming. To do this, it becomes necessary to produce a 2 and 3 level shopping mall, with 6 level parking facilities to accommodate at least 3, 000 cars placed in convenient locations to facilitate ease of traffic. Then office buildings can be accommodated on the periphery of the Park. Mr. Leiper said this can be achieved if the City owns approximately 1/4 of the amount of property necessary for such a project. Basically, the proposal and course of action necessary to commit a Revitalization Program for Downtown Kent is based on a public-private urban renewal. With the City's authority of Eminent Domain, the area in question is Smith Street to Gowe and 1st Ave. to 4th Ave. less the New Library. He said at this point in time, there is one Insurance Company, perhaps two and even some Pension Funds that are willing to discuss a joint venture with the City for such a project. This means they (The Insurance Company or Pension Funds, whichever is chosen) will invest with the City of Kent in the amount of $75 to $85 Million Dollars for the entire project. He explained as part of his proposal that a complete total plan for Downtown Kent would be jointly planned by the City of Kent and it's joint venture owner. He went into discussing the benefits for the City, the up front cost by the City, and the priority of events. Councilmember Steve Dowell asked if he was proposing to build a million square feet for $75 to $85 Million?. Mr. Leiper said this is correct. This is based on $75-$85 a square foot basis. In regards to anchor stores, Mr. Dowell also asked about what anchor stores Mr. Leiper was thinking about. Mr. Leiper said possibly Nordstrom, Montgomery Wards, or Meier & Frank. Chair Johnson mentioned to the Committee and Mr. Leiper that the City cannot enter into a private agreement with a private developer in a public-private partnership for profit. We cannot use our eminent domain powers to condemn property, in other words, in a private-public partnership to condemn that property and then share in the profits of that endeavor. 4 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 2 , 1991 Mr. Leiper commented that he had asked for City Attorney Lubovich's legal opinion and that he had not given any direct opinion. Attorney Carol Morris made a comment in regards to Mr. Leiper's statement that this is similar to what was done in Seattle at the Westlake Mall. She said she does not think this would survive a legal challenge because we would be entering into a joint venture with a private developer for a profit-making activity. She stated municipalities are not authorized to do this. We are not in the business for making money. In respect to eminent domain powers that the City has, we condemn property for public uses not for private uses. When we do it for a private use, we are under special scrutiny as the City of Seattle was; they were able to say it was part of a revitalization project and it was necessary, but Seattle did not keep that project going and does not operate it. It is now in the hands of private ownership. A question was asked if this could be turned over to private ownership and Carol Morris said, yes, we could do something like Westlake. Councilmember Steve Dowell made the MOTION and Councilmember Jim White SECONDED it to refer. this proposal to the Internal Budget Committee (IBC) . The MOTION carried. ADDED ITEMS HOMELESS SHELTER (L. Ball - Information Only) Senior Planner Lin Ball reported on the request of the Planning Committee to look at continuing the severe weather program for the remainder of 1991 and to look for more .solutions for more permanent homeless sheltering beyond 1991. Lin gave a status report on a couple things that have occurred with Catholic Community Services (CCS) who is the agency that is providing the City's severe weather program. She also mentioned a possible proposal that she would like the Planning Committee to look at. Ms. Ball reported that several talks have occurred with CCS about what it would take to continue the severe weather shelter program through the end of 1991. She pointed out that CCS is able to stretch the City' s money with the motel voucher system by negotiating to get the cheapest rates they can. The number of persons served through February was 128 people with 247 bed- nights served costing $4,500. By going beyond what is required by City contract, CCS has provided clothing, food packets, and hygiene products to make the program even better. Staff will be working with CCS to identify funding needed to continue the existing Program through the remainder of 1991. It appears that there will be some money left over to carry into the Fall. This will reduce the amount of additional money the City will need 5 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 2 , 1991 to continue the program. Staff will be taking a proposal to the Human Services Commission in April. Ms. Ball reported that the Planning Department called together the Severe Weather Emergency Shelter Coalition. This Coalition was put together last Fall to develop the severe weather program. The Committee consists of local churches in the Valley, City staff, and all the South King County Sheltering Agencies. The Coalition looked at where they are now, what the needs are, and how they can address the homeless crisis, specifically the homeless single men. The Coalition felt that the most immediate critical need for long-term sheltering is for single men. The main reason is that this is the one thing we do not have for South King County. The Coalition wants to bring together all the agencies with plans to develop a permanent shelter for single men in South King County to open the shelter as early as 1993 . The Coalition wants to pursue all resources such as State, County, and Local funding. They propose that CCS continue the emergency shelter voucher Program in 1992 . Ms. Ball stated that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding could be used as the City's capital contribution to this project. The Planning Department would like to put in a proposal for the City to do this project but wanted the Planning Committee to be fully informed. After looking at the Comprehensive Plan, this project is concurrent with all the goals of the housing element. Councilmember White asked if she is proposing to dedicate a portion of the City' s CIP to this type of project and Lin said this is correct. This way the City would turn the facility over to an agency to run, but would retain an ownership in the building. This would be proposed as one of the projects in the CIP Program for a facility for single men. DISCUSSION OF STAFFING FOR SUBURBAN CITIES (J. JOHNSON) Chair Johnson brought up suburban cities staffing. It is being proposed in the Suburban Cities Association that they hire a Director and a secretary, since this Association is becoming more and more involved in regional issues. This staff would do the leg work and provide coordinating rather than relying on other citys' staff members. This issue will be brought back up at a later date. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR NEW REGIONAL PLANNING RESOLUTION (J. Johnson) In regards to the Resolution a copy of which was passed out at the meeting, Councilmember White said the Resolution was unanimously passed at the Public Works Committee. There is a legal requirement this Resolution must be adopted by April 12th, sixty (60) percent of all of the units of general 6 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 21 1991 government in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, including the counties, representing three-quarters (3/4) of the population. Councilmember Jim White made the MOTION and Councilmember Steve Dowell SECONDED it to adopt this Resolution and forward to full City Council on April 2nd under Committee Reports. THE FORMAT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AGENDA It was noted at the meeting by Jim Harris how the Planning Department changed the format of the agenda. The Committee liked the new format and asked that we notify Administration to see if this format could be instigated with other committees. Councilmember Dowell stated that a note could be put on the agenda as to whether an item is grouped as either information or action on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. MP:C:PCO402 .MIN 7