HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 06/11/2012
ECDC Minutes
June 11, 2012
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ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 11, 2012
Committee Members Committee Chair Jamie Perry, Deborah Ranniger, Bill Boyce.
Perry called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Boyce Moved and Councilmember Ranniger Seconded a Motion to
approve the May 14, 2012 Minutes. Motion PASSED 3-0.
2. 2012 EPA Brownfield Grant
Economic Development Specialist Josh Hall stated that Kent applied for and was awarded
two community-wide Brownfield Grants totaling $400,000 from the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). The funds will be used to look at sites with hazardous material and
petroleum based impacts, for completion of a community-wide inventory and prioritization
of Hazardous Substance and Petroleum Brownfield sites (properties complicated by the
presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminants) in
Kent. Staff will select a consultant to conduct Phase I and II environmental site assessments
on identified sites, complete additional site investigation and remedial action plans for select
sites.
Councilmember Ranninger Moved and Councilmember Boyce Seconded a Motion to
recommend Council authorize the Mayor to accept the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) grants in the amount of $400,000, amend the budget, and authorize
expenditure of the funds in accordance with the grant terms acceptable to the
Economic and Community Development Director and City Attorney. Motion PASSED
3-0.
3. Downtown Subarea Action Plan Planning Principles
Long-Range Planner Gloria Gould-Wessen gave a power point presentation introducing the
Downtown Subarea Action Plan (DSAP) and Planned Action Ordinance kickoff. She stated
that part of this effort expands the original DSAP’s urban center boundaries northerly to
234th to include Kent Memorial Park, and westerly to 64th. Expansion of those boundaries
will allow Kent to capitalize on the many economic opportunities that are within those
boundaries.
Gould-Wessen stated that staff will hold public open house and steering committee
meetings. These meetings will be the venue in which to brainstorm, gather information,
determine what is missing in Downtown, and what the City hopes to achieve for the
downtown area.
Gould-Wessen stated that the DSAP is a document of actions. The outcomes of the project
include: identifying future actions, development of key economic strategies to be
incorporated into the DSAP, and producing a Planned Action Ordinance to facilitate
development by streamlining the permitting process.
Planning Director Fred Satterstrom described the following ‘Planning Principles’ as a method
that informs a vision for downtown projects that staff can work towards achieving : (1)
Creating a Memorable Downtown Experience (2) Economic Vitality (3) Urban Livability (4)
Pedestrian Priority (5) Enjoyable Outdoor Space (6) Neighborhood Compatibility (7)
Environmental sustainability, and (8) Commitment to Implementation.
Satterstrom stated that resulting outcomes from the 2005 DSAP included development of
Kent Station and the Town Square Center (that will entice a new generation of people
downtown to live and bring new infill retail). Recent implementation of code changes allows
for mixed use development in downtown.
ECDC Minutes
June 11, 2012
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Satterstrom stated that vehicular traffic will not be ignored, but that alternative
transportation such as bicycling will be looked at. Staff will look at provisions for more
outside open space, pocket parks, plazas, and providing restaurants wi th outdoor eating-
space. He stated that the historic feel of downtown will be addressed. The City will look at
seamlessly connecting neighborhoods to downtown. Staff is committed to using best
practices for sustainable building and land development and to implementing DSAP actions
adopted by City Council.
Councilmember Boyce Moved and Councilmember Ranniger Seconded a Motion to
forward to Kent City Council the planning principles for the Downtown Strategic
Action Plan 2012 Update as developed by the Economic and Community
Development Department. Motion PASSED 3-0.
4. Countywide Planning Policies Update
Planning Manager Charlene Anderson reported that the King County Growth Management
Planning Council (GMPC) approved updates of the Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) on
September 21, 2011. She summarized the themes of the updates and how the CPP’s will
guide the City’s comprehensive plan update. She presented information on the housing
policies update, describing countywide needs for affordable housing and how individual
jurisdictional strategies may differ in meeting the needs. Anderson also gave examples o f
jobs and household characteristics for various affordability levels. She stated that staff will
conduct a housing inventory and needs assessment, implement policies and strategies for
meeting the needs and monitor, measure and readjust as appropriate. Anderson pointed out
that for the very low income households, housing needs can only be met through
collaboration and coordination throughout the County.
The CPPs will be sent to the King County Council for approval and then be forwarded to
jurisdictions for ratification.
Informational Only
5. City Council’s Strategic Plan Discussion
Economic & Community Development Director Ben Wolters stated that he attended a
Management Leadership Team (MLT) and City Council Retreat. A consequence of the retreat
is allowing staff to focus on identifying policies and strategies that can be applied as
initiatives.
Wolters stated that staff will explore and identify under the Strategic Goal of ‘Beautify Kent’
what the City can do towards stimulating private property owners to improve the
beautification of both commercial and residential properties. Wolters spoke about the City’s
Code Enforcement Program and how it is used to enforce cleanup within Kent and how it
has been emulated by other cities in the state.
Wolters spoke about suggestions to advance improvements in public places and to help
property owners by providing a conveni ent way for those people to rid their properties of
debris, appliances etc. He spoke about logistical issues with Kent’s current free pick-up
system. Wolters stated that Kent contracts with Allied Waste and opined that the contract
might be open to revision and perhaps some type of curbside pickup could be considered.
Council members Perry and Ranniger suggested changing spring and fall cleanup da tes to
align better with each of those seasons, and suggested providing incentives for people by
partnering with businesses such as Lowes or Home Depot to provide discounts that would
encourage home and business beautification. Perry asked staff to explore establishing a
steering committee to review all major projects with respect to architecture and design in
order to establish a cohesive plan for Kent.
Informational Only
6. Economic Development Report & Permit Process Update
Economic Development Director Ben Wolters stated that Kent recruited Carlisle
Group/Interconnect Technologies, an aerospace manufacturer relocating from Tukwila,
moving into a new 100,000 Sq Ft facility. Wolters announced the opening of Sweet Themes
ECDC Minutes
June 11, 2012
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Bakery in the Meeker Plaza, and of the ‘Never-Mind Tavern’ located on East Meeker. He
stated that staff is working to recruit a manufacturer of agricultural supplies, a
manufacturing logistics company, and a food processing company adding to the diversity of
Kent’s industrial base. Wolters stated that construction and development of Kent City
Center is underway with a target date for move-in of September 2013.
Economic Development Specialist Josh Hall reported on the East Hill revitalization effort.
Two stakeholder meetings have been held with 20 people participating in those meetings.
One additional meeting is scheduled for next week. The consultant took recommendations
from the March 3rd forum, divided those into three main categories; physical improvements,
social improvements, and funding mechanisms. The stakeholder’s group has taken different
goals from each category to identify which aspects are the most important, who should be
the lead on those goals and to look at how the City can fund those goals. The next meeting
is intended to finalize some of these action items. Hall stated that he will report back to the
Committee with what the top priorities are, what the action items and the next steps will
be, and who will be responsible for carrying out those steps. Hall stated that he is currently
working on funding for the next phase.
Informational Only
Adjournment
Committee Chair Perry adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
_______________________________________
Pamela Mottram, Secretary
Economic & Community Development Committee
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