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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 01/14/2013Economic & Community Development Committee Agenda Councilmembers: Bill Boyce ● Deborah Ranniger ● Jamie Perry, Chair Unless otherwise noted, the Planning and Economic Development Committee meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers East, Kent City Hall, 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, 98032-5895. For information on the above item(s), the City of Kent’s Website can be accessed at http://kentwa.iqm2.com/citizens/Default.aspx?DepartmentID=1025 on Thursday, January 10, 2013 or contact Julie Pulliam, Pam Mottram or the respective project planner in the Planning Division at (253) 856-5454 or as indicated on the agenda. Any person requiring a disability accommodation should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (253) 856-5725 in advance. For TDD relay service call the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-833-6388. AGENDA January 14, 2013 5:30 p.m. Item Description Action Speaker(s) Time Page 1. Approval of the November 13, 2012 Minutes YES Jamie Perry 5 min 1 2. Coal Trains (Informational Only) NO Steve Mullen 10 min 5 3. Economic & Community Development NO Ben Wolters 10 min 0 Department Report (Informational Only) This page intentionally left blank ECDC Minutes November 14, 2012 Page 1 of 3 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING DATE: November 13, 2012 Committee Members Committee Chair Jamie Perry, Deborah Ranniger/absent-excused, Bill Boyce/absent-excused. Elizabeth Albertson attended on behalf of Deborah Ranniger. Perry called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Albertson Moved and Councilmember Perry Seconded a Motion to approve the October 8, 2012 Minutes. Motion PASSED 2-0. 2. 2012 Annual Docket Report Planning Manager Charlene Anderson reported that four docket items were submitted for consideration this year with staff recommending inclusion of these dockets as part of the 2013 Work Program. Dkt-2012-1 through Dkt-2012-4 amend the Kent Comprehensive Plan (KCP): Dkt-2012-1 includes the 2012 Comprehensive Sewer Plan; Dkt-2012-2 includes the 2011 Water System Plan; Dkt-2012-3 includes the 2009 City of Kent Fire Department’s Standards of Response Coverage and Capital Facilities and Equipment Plan; and Dkt-2012-4 relates to current Fire and Life Safety Services by providing text updates reflecting the 2010 formation of the Kent Regional Fire Authority (RFA) and the Department’s reaccreditation. Although the 2010 docket report could be reconsidered, Anderson recommended no changes. Kent Fire Department RFA Captain Larry Rabel reported that a growth management modeling exercise conducted in 2008 showed a regional need for 12 fire stations, which could require five additional stations throughout the region. Rabel cited potential locations of: 231st Way (serving the Riverview Development and the Midway area), moving Station 75 further west away from Kent Kangley, placement of a station in the southeast Covington area, and along the Benson Corridor around 217th on existing RFA property. Rabel stated that the highest priority is placement of a station in the Kent Valley at 407 Washington Avenue . The RFA is looking at moving forward sometime within 3-5 years. Councilmember Albertson MOVED to accept staff’s recommendation to approve the 2012 Annual docket Report as presented, with no change to the 2010 Annual Docket Report. Councilmember Perry SECONDED the Motion which PASSED 2-0. 3. Growing Transit Communities Planning Manager Charlene Anderson introduced Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Senior Planner Michael Hubner reporting on the Growing Transit Communities Partnership (GTCP). The GTCP is looking at developing implementation strategies (to include affordable housing) for the types of stations that might be developed in the corridor that runs from Everett to Tacoma and east to Redmond. Anderson stated that the Midway Subarea Plan included a policy to create an affordable housing task force by 2012 to consider options, policies, and partnerships for resolving issues surrounding the potential displacement of affordable housing. Staff is participating in the GTCP and looking at their work for furtherance of this policy. Hubner summarized the differences between the work of Sound Transit and GTCP. He reported that Sound Transit (ST) is conducting an ‘alternatives’ analysis within the segment of the light rail corridor passing through Kent to look at different alignment possibilities and station locations. The PSRC committees and task forces including local jurisdictions and ST are looking at community development issues surrounding light rail station locations and the potential future of those locations. PSRC has selected several study areas within the Kent corridor. When a location is chosen, Kent will have available a set of recommendations and tools to help achieve its vision for Midway. ECDC Minutes November 14, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Hubner stated that the GTCP is a three-year long project funded by a five-million dollar Sustainable Communities grant from the Federal Government. The PSRC is the lead agency working in partnership with Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) along with a consortium of local governments, nonprofits, and business communities that have signed a memorandum of understanding and have exercised their work program through the PSRC. Hubner stated that the PSRC’s policy framework for regional and local growth management and transportation includes Vision 2040, a Regional Transportation Plan, and a Regional Economic Development Strategy. Anticipated regional growth between now and 2040 includes 1.5 million people and over 1 million jobs with a strategy in place to accommodate that growth in a series of centers to be fully served by light rail by 2040. Transportation 2040 calls for 100 billion dollars in transit investments over the next 30 years. Hubner explained that three basics of growing transit communities are to accommodate more growth in station areas, to achieve housing, commercial and small business affordability, and to ensure social equity for those community members that have not been as engaged in the policy processes and that are disadvantaged due to income status, disabilities or age. Hubner stated that demonstration projects are moving forward within the south, north and east corridors with Tacoma in the south utilizing an affordable housing strategy in downtown Tacoma that includes tax increment financing (defined as value capture techniques) and new legislation that would enable expanded use of that kind of tool in part to pay for infrastructure and in part to provide funds for affordable housing. Hubner stated that small community-based nonprofits such as the Refugee Federation Service Center, the Somali Community Services Coalition, and One America have each received up to $15,000 for capacity building and outreach to members of Kent and adjacent communities through a small grants program now in its third round. Hubner stated that the PSRC will provide the region with goals related to transit supported densities and uses, technical assistance and guidance in the development of public and private sector parking regulations relevant to station areas and transit accessibility , financing tools, guidance for completing a transit station area housing needs assessment, and provide a model for local and state adoption of fair housing legislation. A property acquisition fund would be available to provide support for affordable housing providers. Guidance, and incentives for local adoption of incentive zoning would be tail ored to be most effective in the different corridors. Hubner stated that a set of recommendations and a Corridor Action Strategy will be completed by May 2013. Public comment is welcome from Kent staff and Council members. The 3-year grant period terminates the end of 2013. PSRC will continue to work with the consortium partners and local governments on implementation agreements. Informational Only 4. East Hill Revitalization Project United Way of King County New Solutions Funding Grant Economic Development Specialist Josh Hall stated that last year Kent received a $20,000 grant from UWKC to fund Phase I of a revitalization effort for East Hill facilitated by the consulting group, Pomegranate Center. A community forum held March 3 rd had 70-80 people in attendance where over 80 suggestions were received. The City has been awarded a $25,000 grant from United Way of King County’s (UWKC) New Solutions Fund to proceed with Phase 2 of the Revitalization Project. Hall stated that a stakeholder committee decided to concentrate their efforts and goals on economic development, physical improvements, and ways to engage youth and families. Thought has been given to creating a distinctive cultural or international district initiated by the concept of trying to promote the diverse and ethnic communities on East Hill that Kent could use to brand the area. Hall stated that the intent of Phase 2 is to assist the revitalization effort by equipping the group with the tools to be a self sustaining entity, with a focus on organization and leadership development. Kent envisions hiring a consultant to work with the stakeholders and community to identify what type of organizational structure this group should have . The City envisions ECDC Minutes November 14, 2012 Page 3 of 3 identifying a local community member to act as an Executive Director to move this effort into the hands of the community. Staff has been working with the Seattle Foundation to develop a proposal the Foundation can support to help this group move forward. Councilmember Albertson Moved to accept a grant from United Way King County’s New Solutions Fund in the amount of $25,000 and Councilmember Perry Seconded the Motion which PASSED 2-0. 5. Neighborhood Urban Centers Planning Manager Charlene Anderson presented a list of planning principles and a draft scope of work for the Committee’s consideration. She presented a slide show illustrating neighborhood urban center examples within Washington and California that could further the City Council’s strategic goal of creating neighborhood urban centers. Criteria considered pedestrian, bicycle and transit needs, code enforcement, realistic standards and regulations, and neighborhood compatibility.. Anderson spoke about a 5.1 acre commercial node located on West Hill that could be classified a Neighborhood Business District. She also spoke about a two-acre site on East Hill that could benefit from an improved pedestrian connectivity system for a corner store. Anderson depicted three areas in the City with gaps in half-mile radii of commercial nodes: East Hill around 256th and 132nd, the Panther Lake area, and West Hill at 260th and 38th. Anderson stated that pedestrian connectivity and sidewalk improvements are needed to support commercial nodes. She provided an illustration from the Transportation Master Plan tha t depicted composite of need areas which combined walk to school routes, population, employment density, populations below poverty levels and with disabilities . Anderson stated that the staff work program will look at connectivity and intensity of land use that would support commercial as well as general streetscape characteristics in Neighborhood Commercial Districts. Staff also needs to collect data, consider demographics and infrastructure, look at funding strategies, policies and code requirements, con duct public outreach, hold workshops and public hearings. Staff is looking for concurrence with the planning principles and the scope of the work to move this project forward and guide the work of the Land Use and Planning Board (LUPB). Council members Perry and Albertson suggested changes to the draft principles and scope of work to incorporate both existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks and to develop strategies to increase walkability scores. Anderson stated that staff will continue to update the Committee on the status of this project. The result of the work could be a pilot project on corner stores, with some strategies for intensifying the City’s neighborhood business districts. There may be policy decisions to control sprawl, with strategies for intensifying existing districts to make them more viable and successful. Councilmember Albertson Moved to approve the Planning Principles and Scope of Work for the Neighborhood Urban Centers as presented by staff and amended by the Committee to be used to guide the work of the Land Use and Planning Board. Councilmember Perry Seconded the Motion which PASSED 2-0. 6. Economic Development Report - None None Adjournment Committee Chair Perry adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________________ Pamela Mottram, Secretary Economic & Community Development Committee P:\Planning\ECDC\2012\Minutes\11-13-12_DraftMinA.doc This page intentionally left blank PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Timothy J LaPorte P.E., Public Works Director Phone: 253-856-5500 Fax: 253-856-6500 Address: 220 Fourth Avenue S. Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: January 3, 2013 To: Chair Jamie Perry and Economic & Community Development Committee Members ECD Committee Meeting Date: January 14, 2013 From: Cathy Mooney, Senior Transportation Planner Through: Timothy J. LaPorte, P.E., Public Works Director Subject: Coal Trains – Impact to City of Kent Summary: Staff will present information on a proposed coal export facility in northwest Washington that could negatively impact the City. Committee members will be provided an opportunity to co-sign a comment letter on the Scoping of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. Background: Pacific International Terminals has submitted applications to develop the largest coal export facility in North America at Cherry Point in northwest Washington. The “Gateway Pacific Terminal” would be operated by SSA Marine who is a global leader in maritime services. Coal mined by Peabody Energy from the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming would be hauled by trains along Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail lines. The coal train corridor extends from mines in Montana and Wyoming through Sandpoint, Idaho, to Spokane, down through the Columbia River Gorge, then up along the Puget Sound coast, passing through Longview, Tacoma, Kent, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Bellingham, Ferndale, and all points in between. There is evidence to support that the coal trains would create significant adverse impacts on local jobs and businesses, property values, human health and quality of life. The trains are expected to haul up to 54 million tons of coal per year. Initially 18 coal trains per day, each up to one-and-a-half miles in length, are expected to move along the corridor (9 full and 9 returning empty). Substantial taxpayer investment may be required to support infrastructure to mitigate some of the potential adverse impacts created by the project. It is questionable whether damages to local businesses, regional identity, communities and fisheries could ever MOTION: Move to approve and endorse the Coal Export Facility Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Letter and authorize the Mayor and council members to sign the document. be adequately mitigated. The global impacts of coal export and coal combustion are significant, particularly when the future is considered.1 The Public’s Opportunity to Participate: Agencies and individuals can express concerns about the proposal during a period called “Scoping”. Comments submitted will help inform the type and geographic scope of impacts to be studied in the EIS. The EIS is the key document for agencies involved with approving or denying permits, permissions or leases for the project. The Scoping period lasts for 120 days and ends on Monday, January 21, 2013. Scoping comments should address which of the project’s potential impacts should be studied, measured and considered. They should list the specific impacts to the affected party, the significance of those impacts, the direct and indirect costs of those impacts, and who will bear those costs, and what forms of direct mitigation should be studied. Online comments can be submitted to: comments@eisgatewaypacificwa.gov City of Kent Comments: Staff has prepared a draft letter outlining the major concerns to residents and businesses within the City of Kent regarding the impacts this proposal would create. The City’s comments are primarily asking the agencies involved in the EIS to require analysis of local impacts on Transportation, Congestion & Safety, Public Health, Noise & Vibrations, and the Environment. A copy of the draft letter is attached here for your review. Many other cities and elected officials, individually, have already commented, demanding a comprehensive review for local communities. This issue also is being discussed at the Public Works Committee meeting of January 14, 2013. Budget Impact: None 1 Background paragraphs are paraphrased from information found at “coaltrains.org” January 14, 2013 GPT/Custer Spur EIS C/O CH2M HILL 1100 112th Avenue NE, Suite 400 Bellevue, WA 98004 RE: Combined NEPA and SEPA Scoping for the Proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal and Custer Spur Dear EIS Co-Leaders: The City of Kent offers the following comments on the combined NEPA and SEPA scoping for the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) and associated Custer Spur. The City is particularly concerned about the economic and environmental impacts from the increased train activity through the heart of the City. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) track runs through and bisects the City of Kent running north/south. These impacts are significant and require that the study area be expanded to include communities along the travel path as well as at the terminus at Cherry Point. The City of Kent is the sixth largest city in the State of Washington with over 119,000 residents. The City holds the fifth largest Industrial and Warehouse Distribution Center in the nation and is the second largest on the west coast. Kent is located in South King County which has been identified as home to some of the most fragile health populations in the county. A King County Health Department study found that 31% of the population in South King County suffers from obesity and associated chronic illness including diabetes and pulmonary disease. This percentage is double that found in the rest of the county. South King County has the highest percentage of diversity and multicultural ethnicity in the region and impacts to these communities should be analyzed under the Environmental Justice umbrella. These quick facts about the City of Kent will help set the stage for understanding the following concerns and comments related to Scoping the project. Transportation, Congestion, Safety There is uncertainty regarding the number of additional trains that will be added to existing rail facilities but estimates indicate an initial complement of nine round-trip or 18 total daily trains, each up to a mile and a half long. The impacts to local traffic congestion and the level of service on the local road network should be examined. Future traffic congestion impacts need to be evaluated based on a realistic expectation of future coal train traffic and not just this initial minimum number of proposed trips at start-up. The City of Kent has eight at-grade crossings on the BNSF line, most of which are in the downtown urban center. The combined daily traffic on these eight cross streets is roughly 100,000 vehicles. A study of crossing delay estimated a range of one to two and a half hours of additional delay every day from these 18 new coal trains. (Total time of delay varies with speed of the train.) As the number of trains increases, the potential for accidents and fatalities increases. The mobility and safety impacts from this increased train traffic need to be evaluated in the EIS. Increased traffic congestion and crossing delays will increase tailpipe emissions from stopped and idling vehicles and increased diesel emissions from train engines. These impacts to traffic congestion and air quality need to be evaluated in the EIS. The addition of this significant street closure time due to 18 or more long trains per day increases delay to Fire Department and Police personnel responding to emergency calls and to medical transport vehicles moving patients to area hospitals. It increases daily delay to school buses which puts increased burden on financially strapped school districts to increase their fleets and transportation budgets to restore the transit times they originally planned for picking up children and transporting them to local schools. It increases delay to workers trying to access jobs and negatively impacts the city’s major employment sector moving freight in and out of the Kent Manufacturing/Industrial Center. It increases delay of shipping valuable commodities to the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma as well as short-haul distribution of imported goods to local businesses. How would this addition of 18 coal trains affect other rail capacity? Residents and businesses in Kent rely on Sound Transit Commuter Rail as a preferred mode of transportation for commuters. Will this traffic supplant or preclude additional Sounder Rail service? The EIS should look at how this project will affect competition for future rail capacity and opportunities for more favorable or higher uses of the track time. Kent has spent considerable time and local financial investment in bicycle facilities and new transit facilities. Bus schedules are timed to meet commuter rail schedules at the Sound Transit Kent Station. The City’s signal timing and corridor progression are coordinated to assist bus routes in reaching the Kent Transit Center on schedule for transfers to Commuter Rail or Express commuter bus service. The BNSF tracks separate the majority of Kent residential neighborhoods from the Commuter Rail and Transit Center. The EIS should examine to what extent the additional hour to two and half hour delay every day at crossings would affect bicycle, pedestrian and transit users throughout the coal train corridor. According to the 2012 Washington State Congestion Report, the cost of congestion is $21.90 per hour. Considering 18 trains per day imposing anywhere from one to two and a half hours of delay and around 100,000 vehicles being affected, many with more than one occupant, the cost of delay could be estimated to be in the millions of dollars to Kent residents and businesses alone. The EIS should examine the magnitude of this economic cost to communities along the corridor. The EIS should consider the impacts to the existing 900 households and 3,700 jobs in the downtown, as well as impacts to planned future growth in households and jobs in this existing regionally-designated urban center where most significant increases in jobs and housing are expected to occur. Public Health Proximity to rail lines provides significant exposure to toxic diesel exhaust. The proposed coal trains would be powered by four engines each spewing diesel engine particulate emissions from 72 engines per day. The Environmental Justice impacts to low-income communities from this toxin need to be examined in the EIS. Studies on coal dust from the transport of these commodities indicate anywhere from 500 to 2,000 pounds of coal dust will escape from each and every car on every coal train. The cumulative effects of coal dust from over 400,000 loaded coal cars per year and another potential 400,000 unloaded coal cars need to be examined in the EIS. How would this affect levels of asthma attacks, pulmonary inflammation, bronchitis, emphysema and cancer in our local community? Noise, diesel emissions, and toxic coal dust from the increased rail traffic will negatively impact the livability of Kent’s neighborhoods and the health of our population. The EIS should examine the degree to which these negative externalities affect people and property in residential communities and business districts along the travel corridor. Noise and Vibrations The City of Kent is in the process of pursuing a Quiet Zone for its downtown area. The EIS should study what effect the addition of 18 or more trains that are up to a mile and a half long will have on this community and others in the pursuit of noise abatement and future Quiet Zone implementation. In January 2012 a hillside on the east side of the BNSF tracks slid - propelling mud, trees and utilities into the East Valley Highway. The soils in the Kent Valley are great transmitters of vibrations and could make future development in the downtown core problematic if there is an additional one to two hours of new ground-transmitted vibrations from coal trains. The effect of vibrations on hillsides and the extra costs associated with projected household and job growth along the train corridor should be studied in the EIS. Environmental The Kent Valley is part of the Green River/Duwamish watershed and host to many species of fish and wildlife. Salmonid species present in the watershed include Chinook, chum, coho, sockeye, and pink salmon, bull trout and cutthroat trout. Coal dust from these additional trains will settle on environmentally sensitive wetlands in the Kent Valley. The EIS should study the effect of coal dust on wetlands and floodplains, and its transmission to streams and rivers. The EIS should consider impacts on the Green River and Mill Creek which provide designated critical habitat for listed species. In the Green River this includes three listed salmon species, namely: Chinook, Bull Trout and Steelhead. Coal dust particles from the proposed GRT trains would deposit heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that settle in soils and water. The EIS should evaluate the magnitude of the impacts to aquatic life, wildlife and people. The EIS needs to examine and mitigate the full impacts to the health, environment, and economic viability of local communities along the entire proposed coal train corridor. Although it’s questionable whether the above impacts could be adequately mitigated, the EIS should consider mitigation measures such as, covering and securing the coal in the rail cars, both for dust control and securing cargo in the event of derailment; construction of overpasses/underpasses to address impacts to the local transportation system; monetary assistance for commercial, industrial and retail construction enhancements to mitigate noise and vibration; control of air emissions from train engines; and track improvements and equipment to mitigate noise from the trains. The City of Kent wishes to become a Party of Record regarding the Gateway Pacific Terminal and Custer Spur and be included in any further elements of the EIS. Sincerely, Suzette Cooke, Mayor City of Kent ___Councilmember___ ___Councilmember___ ___Councilmember ___Councilmember___ ___Councilmember___ ___Councilmember ___Councilmember___ COAL TRAINS FOR EXPORT January 14, 2013 Cathy Mooney Senior Transportation Planner COAL EXPORT PROPOSAL •Up to 54 million tons of coal per year •Trains up to 1.5 miles long •18 trains per day through Kent (9 filled with coal and 9 returning empty) •Over 5,000 trains per year COAL EXPORT TERMINALS •Cherry Point (Bellingham), WA a/k/a Gateway Pacific Terminal, (GPT) •Longview, Washington •Gray’s Harbor, Washington •Port Westward (St. Helens), Oregon •Coos Bay, Oregon •Boardman, Oregon COAL TRAINS POTENTIAL IMPACTS •Increased rail traffic (use of available capacity) •Eight (8) at-grade crossings in Kent •Train horn noise •Diesel pollution •Coal Dust pollution •Vibrations •Public Health impacts TRAFFIC CONGESTION •Eight at-grade crossings. Cross streets carry over 100,000 vehicles per day. •Gate closures would be increased an additional 1 – 2 ½ hours every day. •Delay to Fire and Police personnel responding to emergencies. •Congestion impacts to local businesses, freight delivery, school buses, Metro buses, connections to Sounder Trains. •Impacts to Quality of Life for those living in the downtown and reduced potential for increasing residential development in the downtown area. PUBLIC HEALTH •Significant exposure to toxic diesel exhaust •Up to 2,000 pounds of coal dust may be released from each (125) of the coal cars on each train coming from Montana & Wyoming to Cherry Point •What is the effect to Public Health with regard to asthma, pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, and cancer? NOISE AND VIBRATION •How will this affect the City of Kent application for a Quiet Zone? •How will this affect development potential in the downtown area? •Will the vibrations from the additional rail traffic impact hillside stability in Kent? ENVIROMENTAL IMPACTS •Coal dust particles would deposit heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that settle in soils & water. •What is the effect of coal dust on environmentally sensitive wetlands and floodplains? •What is the impact on listed species in the Green River and Mill Creek? (Chinook, Bull Trout, and Steelhead) STAFF PROPOSAL •A letter expressing the City of Kent’s concerns should be entered into the record for the EIS Scoping process – deadline 01/21/13 •Request to be a Party of Record for EIS •Request a comprehensive cumulative impact analysis as part of the NEPA/SEPA EIS SCOPING •What is Scoping? Determines the focus or “scope” of the subsequent review Identifies impacts to consider Identifies alternatives and reasonable mitigation measures Identifies specific studies, surveys and methodologies for analysis SCHEDULE •Scoping comments are due by January 21, 2013 •The Draft EIS should be issued by late 2013 •Public comment and Public Hearings will be scheduled for the 60-90 day comment period •Final EIS is due early in 2014 HOW TO SEND IN COMMENTS By email to: comments@eisgatewaypacificwa.gov Letters: GPT/BNSF Custer Spur EIS Co-Lead Agencies 110 112th Avenue Northeast, Suite 400 Bellevue, WA 98004 2012 Economic & Community Development Annual Report Permit Process Planning Economic Development Code Enforcement Permit Applications: 2009-2012 3753 3555 3811 4245 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000 4200 4400 2009 2010 2011 2012 Nu m b e r of P e r m i t A p p l i c a t i o n s Permit Applications Year Permits Issued: 2009-2012 3057 3332 3581 3995 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 2009 2010 2011 2012 Nu m b e r of P e r m i t s I s s u e d Permits Issued Year Total Building Valuation: 2009-2012 $84 million $99 million $112 million $144 million $0 $20 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120 $140 $160 2009 2010 2011 2012 To t a l B u i l d i n g V a l u a t i o n o f P e r m i t s Is s u e d Building Valuation of Permits Issued Year Online Permits Shortened Timelines Redlining When Possible Communication Early And Often Additional Over The Counter Permits Customer Survey Permit Process – 2012 Initiatives Customer Survey Results 90.91% 92.73% 87.88% 91.51% 90.91% 96.37% 9.09% 7.27% 12.12% 8.49% 9.09% 3.63% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% City staff used their code knowledge Information provided was useful Permit experience as positive Receive service in a timely matter Service was consistent Staff was friendly Agree Disagree Cumulative Results of Quarterly Permit Customer Survey: What We Heard Customer Survey Comments “I Have Been Coming To The City Since 1978. Things Are Better Now Than Anytime I Can Remember.” “Bringing Kent Into The 21st Century Would Be A Plus Where Online Permitting Is Concerned.” “The Ability To Get HVAC Mechanical Permits Over The Counter would be helpful.” Customer Survey: What We Did City Initiatives The Plans Examiner Of The Day Now Issues HVAC Mechanical Permits Over The Counter Small Tenant Improvements Are Also Available Over The Counter Launched Online Permitting for Plumbing, Mechanical & Reroof in October 2012. We have issued 156 permits since launch. Problem Solving 1004 Selected Permits Permit Type Number Issued Goal (Days) Actual (Days) Results Tenant Improvement 201 30 15 + Utility 370 13 10 + New Residence 227 30 31 - Residential Remodel 28 21 7 + Mechanical 178 14 8 + Permit Timeline Performance – 2012 Permit Process – 2013 Initiatives KIVA Upgrade Wireless Remote Access For Inspectors In The Field Additional Online Services Ongoing Website Improvements Continue Efforts To Streamline – LEAN Initiative Continue Dialogue With Customers Code Enforcement Major Events and Accomplishments – 2012 •Strategy To Maintain Program With Less Staff •Mobile Home Park Code Amendments •Lupkes House Demolition 2012 Statistics: Code Violation Cases Resolved 318 Code Enforcement Hearings 2 Open Cases (12/31/12) 445 Code Enforcement 2013 Goals & Initiatives Streamline And Automate The Code Enforcement Process •KIVA Upgrade •Remote Wireless Access To The City Network In The Code Enforcement Officer Vehicles •Both These Will Enhance the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Code Enforcement Officer Planning Division 2012 Accomplishments Code amendments / Updating Zoning Code Subdivision Code Downtown Strategic Action Plan Medical Marijuana / Moratorium / Zoning Code Amendment Managing Significant Development Proposals Influencing Regional Policies Planning Division 2013 Work Program Down town Subarea Plan – Completion Downtown – Planned Action Ordinance - Completion Downtown – SEPA Infill Exemption Corner Store Pilot Project Zoning Code Update Initial Phase - Comprehensive Plan Update Influencing Regional Policies Economic Development Omax Expansions Corbi Plastics Heritage Bank Sysco Foods GRCC Small Business Assistance Center Economic Development 2012 Accomplishments 688 Total Jobs Retention Carlisle Interconnect Technologies POP! Gourmet Popcorn Tazo Tea / Starbucks Ingenium IDS Powerscreen Full Circle Farms Sherpa Adventure Gear Jackson Global Logistics Eberle Vivian Inc. Economic Development 2012 Accomplishments 1247 Total Job Recruitments Economic Development 2012 Accomplishments Business Assistance •REI – World HQ signage; Bicycle Connection •Magnum Venus Plastich – Building Expansion Assistance •Carlisle Interconnect – Parking Assistance; Transit Coordination •Hexcel – Workforce Development Resources •Starbucks/Tazo Tea – Provided Employee Relocation Assistance/Information /Coordinated Permitting Economic Development 2012 Accomplishments Business Assistance •Pacific Metallurgical – Connection To Grow King County Fund And Other Financial Resources •Full Circle - Permit Assistance, Recruitment •POP! Gourmet Popcorn – Permit Assistance, Loan Resources Economic Development 2012 Accomplishments Achievements •FTZ Summit – In Partnership With enterpriseSeattle And The Port Of Seattle Over 30 Businesses Attended •Brownfield Assessment - Received A 3 Year Grant Of $400,000 From EPA •East Hill Revitalization - Received A $25,000 Grant From United Way King County • Participated In PSRC’s Economic Development Strategy Update, Representing Kent And South King County Economic Development 2013 Goals & Initiatives 2013 Goals / Initiatives •Sale Of Surplus City Properties •Continue Work With East Hill Revitalization •Conduct Monthly Business Site Visits – Goal 12-15 •Develop Marketing/Promotional/Recruitment Material For Targeted Industry Sectors •Develop Outdoor Recreation/Outdoor Retail Cluster Strategy Economic Development 2013 Goals & Initiatives •Brownfield Assessment •New Initiative To Allow/Encourage/Market Warehouse District Sales To Retail Consumers •Neighborhood Business Districts •Complete And Launch The New City Economic Development Strategic Plan Questions ?