Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 10/21/1997 x �6, f CITY OF Jim White, Mayor Planning Department (253)859-3390/FAX(253)850-2544 James P. Harris,Planning Director CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES October 21, 1997 Planning Committee Members Present City Attorney's Office Leona Orr, Chair Laurie Evezich, Assist City Attorney Tim Clark Jon Johnson Mayor's Office Dena Laurent, Gov't Affairs Manager Plannim Staff James P. Harris, Planning Director Public Works Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager Brad Lake, Water Mtce Superintendent Kevin O'Neill, Senior Planner Linda Phillips, Planner Fire Department Margaret Porter, Administrative Assistant III Larry Webb, Fire Marshal Pamela Mottram, Administrative Secretary Other Jackie Reis, S.C. Journal Carl Fujitani Beverly Finley Linda Houser R.J. Bjorneby (Dick) Lillian M. Walker Frank Wiesner SEA-TAC TRANSMISSION CITIZEN CONCERN- (F. Satterstrom) Planning Manager Fred Satterstrom explained that one year ago a variance was granted to construct a building for Sea-Tac Transmission, located on Pacific Highway South at 248th Street. Sea-Tac proposed to construct an auxiliary building on the north side of 248th. Sea-Tac Transmission currently has a thriving business located at the corner of 248th and Pacific Highway which they need to expand. Sea-Tac is proposing to construct a building on the north side. Mr. Satterstrom explained that during the hearing several people reported to the Hearing Examiner that Sea-Tac Transmission had several cars from employees and customers parking on South 248th Street. Mr. Satterstrom stated Sea-Tac Transmission informed the Hearing Examiner that the new facility being built would allow them to park all their employees and customers on site. This would • eliminate the need to park on 248th Street. Citizens from the Sunset Vista Condominiums told the 220 4th AVENUE SOUTH / KENT.WASHINGTON 98032.58"I TELEPHONE ()53)859-3300 J City Council Planning Committee Minutes October 21, 1997 Page 2 Hearing Examiner that there was a problem with parking on the street and they would like to have this issue addressed over the long term. The Hearing Examiner placed a condition on the variance when it was issued in November of 1996. Condition number two states: "The applicant shall not use S. 248th Street for employee parking or for storage of vehicles that are in need of repair services. " Mr. Satterstrom explained that some homeowners of Sunset Vista Condominiums notified the City that Sea-Tac is still parking along South 248th Street. He stated the land at the Sea-Tac Transmission building site is currently being graded. This does not allow room on site for construction employees to park. Consequently,parking is occurring on South 248th Street. Mr. Satterstrom believes those parking on 248th Street could be a combination of construction workers and customers of Sea-Tac Transmission. He had spoken with the Law Department regarding enforcement of no parking on South 248th Street. He was informed by Ms. Evezich, Assistant City Attorney,the condition is enforceable. Mr. Satterstrom further stated the City would expect Sea-Tac employees and customers to park on their site when the new building is finished. If Sea-Tac does not comply, the City would proceed with an enforceable action as a normal code enforcement issue. Mr. Satterstrom explained that Sea-Tac Transmission is now under construction and making diligent progress since the issuance of the necessary building permits. Chair Orr asked Mr. Satterstrom to keep the Committee informed of the on-street parking status when the building is finished. Committee member Tim Clark asked if the on-street parking on South 248th was simply an expansion of parking availability for the apartments or related only to the density of traffic in that area. Mr. Satterstrom noted there is sufficient parking at Sunset Vista Condominiums and parking on the street is not overflow parking from the Condominiums. Mr. Satterstrom stated his concern that cars parked on the street in various stages of repair have a blighting effect on the neighborhood. Mr. Satterstrom reiterated the history of Sea-Tac Transmission and the Committee's findings to the following citizens who spoke on their concerns with Sea-Tac's on-street parking. Beverly Finley, 2531 South 248th St, Kent,WA is a resident of the Sunset Vista Condominiums. She voiced her concerns with cars parking on both sides of South 248th and the tow trucks blocking one lane of the road. Ms. Finley stated that the type of terrain and the need to clear both the tow trucks and equipment in the street could pose a potential head-on collision situation when entering or exiting the condominiums. Downtown Strategic Action Plan Sea-Tac Transmission Citizen Concern Water Treatment Facility Regulatory Review-Churchs in M-2 Zone City Council Planning Committee Minutes October 21, 1997 Page 3 Chair Orr asked Ms. Finley if Sea-Tac Transmission was using both sides of the street. Ms. Finley responded affirmatively. She said when the tow truck is in use, the right lane is tied up. this leaves only the left lane available. Ms. Finley explained this occurs throughout the day. Ms. Evezich explained that the current parking issue pertains to the traffic ordinance. She said that perhaps a police officer could look at the activities on that site. Linda Houser, 223 South 248th Street, Apt. C-22, Kent, WA, President of the Home Owners Association, expressed concern that Sea-Tac Transmission double parks their cars in the street while jockeying them around. Ms. Houser stated her concern with tow trucks blocking the road. She suggested a sign should be erected on the hill stating "limited sight distance. " Ms. Houser showed pictures where cars are parked to close to a stop sign and visibility is diminished by the inability to see around the parked cars. She stated additional problems include transmission fluid in the street and beater vehicles setting in the street for months. Ms. Evezich informed Ms. Houser that the purpose of this meeting was for the Committee to direct their attention to the issue regarding the variance. She stated that the parking requirement is a condition of the variance and is not enforceable until the new building and parking lot are completed. Ms. Evezich stated since Sea-Tac Transmission is violating other traffic safety conditions, this action will be directed to the Police Department. Ms. Evezich stated she will work with the City's prosecutors in determining if a solution can be implemented while waiting for the variance to be fulfilled. She stated that the Legal Department had not been aware there was a double-parking issue. Planning Director Jim Harris stated that the double-parking issue is not permissible under the Traffic Code. Mr. Harris observed, while visiting the site, that parking has occurred on the street since day one and construction vehicles parking on the street further complicate the situation. R. I Bjorneby (Dick), 6706 S. 239th St., E101, Kent, WA also represents the Home Owners Association for the Sunset Vista Condominiums. He noted that the parking problem has been ongoing since May 1995. Mr. Bjorneby asked the Committee if he correctly understood that the Hearing Examiners decision would not go into affect until construction is completed. Mr. Satterstrom affirmed that Mr. Bjomeby was correct. Mr. Satterstrom explained upon issuance of a variance allowing them to build a building,the cars would be moved off the street. Until the facility is complete there will not be any action to move the vehicles. Mr. Bjorneby told the Committee the information he received did not indicate that parking would not be enforced until construction was complete. He said this information should have been available in • Downtown Strategic Action Plan Sea-Tac Transmission Citizen Concern Water Treatment Facility Regulatory Review-Churchs in M-2 Zone Y City Council Planning Committee Minutes October 21, 1997 Page 4 the Hearing Examiner's documentation. Mr. Bjorneby suggested possible alternative parking solutions including 22 parking spaces on the northwest corner of a strip mall and an additional 20 parking spaces on the south side. Mr. Bjorneby said that the mall management stated they would explore contracting or leasing the space out. Mr. Bjomeby voiced his concern that Sea-Tac would continue to park cars on both sides of the street. Mr. Satterstrom stated that the code enforcement action fines for violating a zoning requirement are substantial. Mr. Bjorneby responded that the Code Enforcement Officer does not have the authority to tell people they are not allowed to park on the street. Ms. Evezich stated that the conditions of the variance will not solve the immediate problem. She explained that conditions of the variance is tied to the development activity that is not yet complete. She said this is why the conditions cannot be imposed on the existing development. Ms. Evezich said that she would be happy to help the homeowners in working with the Police Department. She suggested that Sea-Tac Transmission should be contacted directly to inform them of the safety concerns regarding the traffic hazards. She stated that she would inform the City Attorney's office of the safety issues concerning the traffic hazards. Ms. Houser stated that the employees could park around the back of the site and walk. Ms. Evezich responded that Sea-Tac Transmission would probably comply if they had a better understanding of the importance of these issues and she would be glad to convey this information to them. WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES - (F. Satterstrom) Planning Manager Fred Satterstrom stated the City's Water Department finds itself caught in a catch- 22 situation in increasing the City's water quality. Mr. Satterstrom explained that the Zoning Code does not have provisions to allow for certain water quality treatment facilities. Mr. Satterstrom stated the Zoning Code does not permit the storage of hazardous substances such as sodium hydroxide in quantities over 500 pounds in a single-family residential zone. He said one of the proposed storage sites is located in a residential zone. A variance or conditional use permit cannot be issued without a code amendment. Mr. Satterstrom said the Water Department is proposing storage tanks that will store more then 12,000 gallons. He stated the Zoning Code amendment proposal would allow tanks of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)to be stored inside a small building at each of the two water utility sites: (1) Pump Station#5 at 98th Avenue/SE 238th Street, and (2) East Hill Well Site at 104th Avenue/SE 246th Street. Fred Satterstrom stated that the Planning Department is requesting a directive from the Committee to explore zoning code amendment alternatives to protect single family areas from possible adverse • Downtown Strategic Action Plan Sea-Tac Transmission Citizen Concern Water Treatment Facility Regulatory Review-Churchs in M-2 Zone City Council Planning Committee Minutes October 21, 1997 Page 5 effects of locating hazardous substances near residential areas while also permitting the location of water treatmnet facilities in or near single family areas. He stated the Committee could proceed with a mechanism to explore the alternatives with the Land Use and Planning Board at a public hearing in November. Chair Orr said several individuals had contacted her over the last few months with concerns over the quality of the water. Leona Orr questioned if the proposed procedure would help improve water quality and alleviate citizen concern. Water Maintenance Superintendent Brad Lake stated that adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the City water supply is designed to reduce the corrosiveness in the water lines and neutralize the pH level of the water. In turn,this reduces the volume of material leaching into the water from the water lines. Jon Johnson MOVED to refer this matter to the Land Use and Planning Board for review and possible amendment to the Zoning Code regarding Water Treatment Facilities. Tim Clark SECONDED this motion. MOTION carried. REGULATORY REVIEW - CHURCHES IN M-2 ZONE - (F. Satterstrom) Mr. Satterstrom explained the Planning Department received a regulatory review from Johnny • Williams, Pastor of The Word of Praise Ministries. This is a proposed code amendment to allow churches in the M-2 Zoning District. Mr. Satterstrom explained that many store front churches have located in Kent over the past several years. He stated churches are allowed in commercial areas under certain circumstances and that churches are also moving into industrial areas. Mr. Satterstrom explained that churches are having Building and Fire Code problems during annual inspections. He further stated that The Word of Praise Ministries has been located in a manufacturing zone for a long time. Mr. Satterstrom said that under the Fire and Building Code The Word of Praise Ministries church falls under a public assembly classification. The Fire Department has been working with them on the application of code requirements including"exiting" issues. Mr. Harris stated even if the church complies with the required changes, zoning issues still exist. He further stated that churches are not permitted in manufacturing zones. Mr. Williams, Pastor of The Word of Praise Ministries Church is asking to change the City's regulations to allow churches in manufacturing zones. Planning staff feels that this recommendation has merit and proposes that the Committee send this request to the Land Use and Planning Board. Chair Leona Orr opened this issue for discussion. isDowntown Strategic Action Plan Sea-Tac Transmission Citizen Concern Water Treatment Facility Regulatory Review-Churchs in M-2 Zone City Council Planning Committee Minutes October 21, 1997 Page 6 Carl Fujitani,4016 SE 51st,Kent,WA said he has been a resident of Kent for over four years. He stated his appreciation to the City of Kent for allowing the church to stay in its present location for the past four years. The church has tried to comply with the Fire Code requirements. Mr. Fujitani testified at length advocating for approval of the church. Council member Tim Clark stated he understood there has been an ongoing problem with meeting fire and conformity standards. Mr. Fujitani explained that the church has complied with the Fire Marshal's request by making necessary renovations, including double door exit doors, installing fire extinguisher, providing wheel chair accessibility, and leaving the fenced area in front of the church entrance unlocked. Mr. Fujitani stated the Fire Department did not request the installation of afire sprinkler system. Council member Tim Clark voiced the Committee's concern that conformity be maintained in terms of what is required by everyone downtown. Mr. Harris stated that the zoning problem still needs to be resolved even after the Fire Marshal's issues have been corrected. Johnson MOVED to send the regulatory review requesting churches in the M-2 zoning district to the Land Use and Planning Board for further consideration. Clark SECONDED this motion. Motion carried. Due to time constraints, Chair Orr decided to end the meeting discussion and move the Downtown Strategic Action Plan item to November. She asked if the Committee would be willing to hold two meetings in November, with one on Tuesday,November 4, to discuss the Downtown Plan. Committee member Jon Johnson discussed his concerns with the lack of response from the Regional Transit Authority regarding the commuter rail location. The Committee decided to move RTA discussion to the December or January meeting to allow RTA time to respond. Mr. Harris stated the Downtown Plan does not revolve around the depot site. The Planning Committee and Planning Department members reiterated their discussion regarding the Downtown Plan and the RTA. In addition, concerns of the North Park area were mentioned. Chair Leona Orr stated the Downtown Plan would be discussed first at the November 18 meeting. The Committee agreed to begin the meeting earlier, if possible. Jon Johnson MOVED to have the Committee draft a letter to the Regional Transit Authority stating the need to extend the RTA's study of the south site location. Tim Clark SECONDED the motion. Motion carried. • Downtown Strategic Action Plan Sea-Tac Transmission Citizen Concern Water Treatment Facility Regulatory Review-Churchs in M-2 Zone F i City Council Planning Committee Minutes October 21, 1997 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Downtown Strategic Action Plan Sea-Tac Transmission Citizen Concern Water Treatment Facility Regulatory Review-Churchs in M-2 Zone