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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 08/13/2012ECDC Minutes August 13, 2012 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES August 13, 2012 Committee Members Committee Chair Jamie Perry, Deborah Ranniger, Bill Boyce. Council President Dennis Higgins stood in for councilmember Ranniger in her absence. Perry called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Boyce Moved and Councilmember Higgins Seconded a Motion to approve the July 9, 2012 Minutes. Motion PASSED 3-0. 2. KCC 12.01, 12.04, and 2.32 Code Amendments [ZCA-2011-1(B) Planner Katie Graves stated that this is another component of the major undertaking to update Kent’s zoning and subdivision codes chapter by chapter and reflect the Council’s strategic plan to transform regulatory processes to increase efficiencies. She stated that amendments to Chapter 12.01 Administration of Development Regulations are intended to eliminate barriers to the current process, clarify code, and facilitate timely and efficient processing of applications, issuance of permits and expiration timelines. Graves stated that these amendments were discussed at the July meeting and at direction from the Committee staff has revised language relating to the expiration of permits – adding the requirement that application forms reference expiration standards and that expiration dates are noted on the actual permits, additionally removing language requiring 30 day notification by the City of expiration dates for applications and permits. After deliberating, Councilmember Higgins MOVED to recommend to the City Council approval of the amendments to Chapters 12.01, 12.04, and 2.32 relative to permit process procedures and requirements of Kent City Code as recommended by the Land Use and Planning Board, as amended extending the resubmittal time period from 90 to 180 days, and recommending approval of the additional language in Chapter 12.01.185 where it states that “The application and instruction forms will reference the expiration standards of this section, where applicable.” and “The issued permit or land use approvals will clearly state this requirement for expiration, where applicable.” Councilmember Boyce SECONDED the Motion. Motion PASSED 3-0. 3. KCC 15.02, 15.05, and 15.07 Code Amendments [ZCA-2012-1] Planner Katie Graves stated that these proposed amendments pertain to Kent City Code (KCC) 15.05 relating to off-street parking and loading areas and associated amendments to 15.05, amending Section 15.07.040 and adding a new Section 15.02.331. Graves stated that these amendments modernize the parking codes, bring the code up to date with trends in the standards, allow for low impact environmentally friendly development, and provide clarity where there is confusion. These amendments are the same as originally proposed at the July 11th meeting. After deliberating, Councilmember Boyce MOVED to recommend to City Council approval of amendments to Title 15.05, 15.07.040, and 15.02.331 of Kent City Code as recommended by the Land Use and Planning Board. Higgins SECONDED the motion. Motion PASSED 3-0. 4. Neighborhood Urban Centers Planning Manager Charlene Anderson stated that this presentation is to provide a context for the Council’s strategic goal of creating Neighborhood Urban Centers (NUC). She stated that Kent has three main commercial districts excluding Downtown and the new Midway areas. She explained that the General Commercial District (GC) is more destination retail. Community Commercial and Neighborhood Convenience Commercial (NCC) are more limited. The NCC zoned areas are likely to be the current focus of attention. In 2003 City Council amended development standards for the NCC zone making drive-thru uses ECDC Minutes August 13, 2012 accessory only, increasing the building area, establishing design techniques, modifying signage and landscaping to enhance compatibility between NCC and surrounding residential. Anderson spoke about Kent’s efforts to initiate Phase II of a complete zoning code update (beginning with commercial) in 2007. That effort was postponed in 2009 to simplify the scope of work for that project and to divert staff resources to other priorities. However, many of the themes from the 2007 work may still be relevant, i.e. good design, economic vibrancy, pedestrian orientation, mix of uses, and considering impacts on residential uses and schools. Anderson depicted half-mile radii around some existing commercial and office zones and described what is considered typical walkability distances. She cited statistics on how many households it would take to support a corner grocery store, or a neighborhood retail center. She described the intensity of the built environment on the land. Anderson spoke about the University of Washington’s (UW) research which found that approximately 2000 households are typical for a grocery store on a countywide basis. Anderson referenced the ULI article which suggested that the long term goals of 1,000 to 2,000 households per quarter-mile walking distance is what it takes to support a corner grocery. In addition to number of households, safety, walkability, design and amenities, parking lots and pedestrian access need to be considered. Income can also be a factor. Anderson spoke about the attributes of several intersections within the half-mile and mile radii. Those intersections include: 240th and 132nd (14 acres), Kent Kangley and 132nd (32 acres), and 116th and 240th (10.5 acres). Anderson showed a sidewalk assessment from the Transportation Master Plan and discussed the importance of sidewalks to promote commercial viability and provide good pedestrian connection. Another component for consideration is a composi te of walk to school routes, population and employment density, populations below poverty level and with disabilities. Anderson described the difference between CC and NCC zoning. CC limits commercial activities, allows drive-thru’s, large item retail and indoor public assembly, serves several residential neighborhoods and is generally bordered by higher densities so walkability is very important. NCC allows small retail and service activities convenient to a residential area where there is ready access to everyday convenience goods, does not allow drive- thru’s except for personal service via a conditional use permit. The NCC zoned areas should be the most walkable but that’s not currently the case. Anderson stated that the Economic Development Plan Phase I presented suggestions and themes for improving the economic environment throughout Kent for commercial. She noted suggestions for branding, anchors, marketing, safety improvements, building quality, streetscapes and encouraging residential . Anderson spoke about the importance of density, pedestrian and bike connections and some strategies that could be used to make existing commercial areas the best they can be: good design, safety, creating special districts, the use of incentives to resolve trade leakage issues. Anderson spoke about how Portland and Eugene, Oregon regulate commercial development pertaining to corner stores; stating that Portland has over 30 planning districts , with each district regulating development differently. She stated that Eugene allows commercial uses in Planned Unit Developments (PUD) or in higher density areas by Conditional Use Permits (CUP). The commercial must be meshed strategically with the residential. Anderson asked for council comments on the use of commercial strategies and what the focus should be to guide the work within Kent’s existing commercial areas. For example, there could be zoning and land use changes, development standards, branding, economic development, infrastructure improvements, code enforcement, transitioning of uses where there is no appropriate current market population, or implementing public/private pilot projects in specific areas. Anderson questioned whether the City should improve existing commercial areas or create new ones, and where? Given financial and staffing resources, would a comprehensive targeted approach be most feasible, focusing planning, grant applications, infrastructure improvements, and code enforcement in one area and then strategically moving on to another area? ECDC Minutes August 13, 2012 Economic and Community Development Director Ben Wolters concurred with Councilmember Boyce’s idea to focus on one area to see what might work, and taking into account the unique characteristics of any given location with both its challenges and opportunities. He stated that this might be the way to show progress in a certain area then learn how the city might apply it elsewhere. Wolters stated that he believes staff would like to establish some basic guiding principles related to Kent City Code then get more specific in a given area. Wolters encouraged the Committee to give feedback to staff on their thoughts, talk with the community on what they would like to see, and asked the Committee to report on where they would like to see potential activities thinking about it as they go about daily activities. Wolters discussed the potential for development for the Kent Kangley and 132 nd Lake Meridian Shopping Center site as suggested by Councilmember Boyce. Boyce stated that staff should consider the 116th and 240th area to develop a neighborhood commercial center with something unique not found elsewhere. Councilmember Higgins stated that business owners are interested in the creation of an international district at Benson and 240th. Much of the retail space is performing below its potential and minor infrastructure improvements would create appeal. Councilmember Perry stated that she feels walkable communities and urban centers mean reducing the scope of big nodes and creating smaller nodes throughout neighborhoods. She suggested the Lake Meridian area at 256th and 132nd for development. Wolters stated that city staff conducted a large amount of research over the past three years on a planning effort that though initially aborted is now being rekindled. Wolters stated that staff will incorporate some of the Committee’s suggestions in their approach and come back to the Committee with some guidelines for this project. Higgins suggested developing areas of Panther Lake which could assist with building the city’s tax base. Boyce suggested the Panther Lake School area as good potential. Perry suggested an option where underused areas could be developed through a Conditional Use Permit without the need to change zoning. Wolters suggested taking the approach of conducting a demonstration ordinance similar to the process used to develop cottage housing. Informational Only 3. Economic Development Report and Permit Process Update Wolters assured Perry that he would report back to her once he receives a response regarding the status of the Town Square Apartments. Wolters reported that he spoke with ShoWare Center Manager Tim Higgens who indicated that sales have been good for the Skate America event and the community is embracing this event. Wolters stated that Kent is making progress on a number of new recruitments and retentions and there continues to be activity bubbling under the surface in a positive way. Wolters stated that staff is putting finishing touches on a 1 million dollar grant with the State that will support jobs and improve connectivity as it will be used for a bike trail connection between the Interurban Trail and REI Headquarters. Perry stated that the Lodging Tax Committee allocated $10,000 to support marketing outreach for Skate America. Kent Downtown Partnership is looking at hanging welcome banners and considering renting a trolley for the 4 day event to transport people from down town Kent, to ShoWare and to the hotels. Informational Only Adjournment Committee Chair Perry adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. ________________________________________ Pamela Mottram, Secretary Economic & Community Development Committee P:\Planning\ECDC\2012\Minutes\08-13-12_DraftMin.doc