HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 05/05/1987 r
KENT CITY COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE
May 5, 1987 3 : 00 p.m.
Council Members Present Staff Present
Judy Woods, Chair Lin Ball
Berne Biteman Jim Hansen
Steve Dowell Jim Harris
Dan Stroh
City Administrator
Ass't City Attorney
J. Brent McFall
Bill Williamson
Others Present
Lyle Price, Kent News Journal
TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE (PROPOSED)
The most significant change to the ordinance has been in
enforcement. Bill Williamson stated he used zoning enforcement
powers as the primary tool. The ordinance gives the Planning
Department civil and criminal enforcement powers. The City can
condition permits for compliance with this chapter. The City can
require that trees be restored in addition to any criminal action
initiated and can revoke permits issued previously.
Berne Biteman suggested a performance bond alternative which
allows a developer who has removed trees to replace them with
ones of a stronger stature rather than to replace them with like
kind. He is concerned about small homeowners and developers
alike who remove trees to protect their property from perceived
hazard. Staff responded that trees have not stood in the way of
development in Kent. The ordinance was passed originally in
response to community desire to protect trees. Developers submit
a tree plan showing existing trees and staff works with them to
protect a mixture of trees in a natural setting and enhance
development at the same time. Bill Williamson stated the
drainage utility ordinance relies on tree stands to keep velocity
and amount of water from eroding basin areas; their tree policy
is from the zoning code.
Steve Dowell stated that if the ordinance is for protecting large
stands of trees, what about designating forest protection areas
or placing a floor on the acreage regulated by the ordinance.
Judy Woods suggests staff meet with Jim White to obtain his
satisfaction with enforcement policies. She would like staff to
consider amendments suggested by Biteman and Dowell and discuss
alternatives at the May 19 meeting.
a_
Council Planning Committee
May 5, 1987
Page Two
GREATER KENT STUDY
The draft policies which are contained in the Greater Kent Study
were distributed to those in attendance. Discussion ensued on
the benefits of requiring annexation immediately upon extension
of utility service versus requiring annexation agreements in
order to obtain City services. Steve Dowell stated extension of
City services usually precedes an increase in development
activity and in turn increased demand for City services; the City
should be able to regulate that development. Bill Williamson
stated the City does use pre-annexation agreements whereby before
City services are provided, the development must meet City of
Kent requirements for streets, lighting, signalization, traffic
mitigation, etc. Zoning compliance has been to the Kent
Comprehensive Plan. Jim Hansen indicated the City will consider
interlocal agreements with the county in which development within
a City's potential annexation area would comply with City
standards. Jim Hansen will invite Gary Gill or Don Wickstrom to
the next Planning Committee meeting to discuss present annexation
policies and technicalities.
HOUSING CONDITIONS IN CITY'S NEIGHBORHOOD STRATEGY AREA
Staff is conducting a needs assessment to determine future
direction of the City's housing repair program. Staff conducted
a "windshield" survey of four strategy areas (CBD, South of
Willis, North Park and Lower East Hill) to locate areas of
substandard housing. Dan Stroh distributed a handout and showed
a map depicting housing conditions in those four areas. Staff
will be doing additional work to focus on infrastructure, zoning,
owner versus renter housing, and concentrations of problems.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting of the Planning Committee is scheduled for May
19, 1987 at 3 : 00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.