HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic and Community Development - 08/12/2013 KENT
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 12, 2013
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
Committee Member Ranniger Moved and Committee Member Boyce Seconded a Motion
to approve the Minutes of August 12, 2013. Motion PASSED 3-0.
2. Green River Community College Small Business Assistance Center (SBAC) Update
Leslie Moore and Kirk Davis along with Jim Edwards (a client of the SBAC) from Green River
Community College described the function of the SBAC. Ms. Moore reported that the Center
began in 1999 with a $500,000 Grant awarded to them.
This program offers free counseling at no cost to local businesses and holds evening classes with
a nominal fee charge. This program works to help cities see the potential in their communities.
Davis stated that Washington is recognized as having the most business startups and most
failures. This program is part of a state and nationwide effort to help businesses move past any
barriers that may hinder their growth.
Edwards stated that he is a local business owner that manufactures and erects steel structures.
He stated that his clientele includes Cities, Kemper Development, Boeing, Microsoft, Gates
Foundation, and Auburn High School. Edwards stated that they anticipate about two million
dollars in additional growth this year. The SBAC has been instrumental in helping restructure the
business for that additional growth. The business employs 45 people and is looking to purchase
property to expand the business.
Davis stated that the SBAC has worked with 400 Kent businesses and held 200 sessions with
clients in Kent since 2004 that has helped businesses move forward and accelerate their growth.
Moore referenced a power point presentation to explain how the SBAC is funded. She stated
SBAC has established a core funding partnership as well as requested and received a grant from
the City of Kent for $33,000, which supports one counselor with a caseload of 150 clients. Davis
stated that this service has been in place for 3 years in Kent and has found that those clients
that have worked with the BAC have better success rates.
3. Group Living Facilities Code Amendments KCC 15.02 and 15.04 rZCA-2013-11
Planner Katie Graves reported that these proposed amendments relate to residential and group
living facilities, clarify definitions and residential land uses related to residential facilities, group
care, and group living facilities. Proposed code amendments include new definitions for "assisted
living facility", "family", "residential facility with health care", and "transitional housing;" and
deletes definitions for "congregate care facilities", "convalescent home", and "group home class
IC;" and places individually defined residential living facilities in the use table rather than under
one catch-all category; and adds more minor changes. Graves directed the Committee members
to her report.
Perry stated that the Committee would not take action on this item now. Perry asked that staff
provide the committee with a list of Federal Housing Act Standards and provide some alternative
definitions from other cities. Graves stated staff followed industry standards in defining the
facilities. Perry proposed staff return with some additional standards for consideration, asking
she be provided with a chart that would allow the committee to conceptualize standard
differences, and stated she would like more information on constraints.
ECDC Minutes
August 12,2013
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Assistant City Attorney David Galazin stated that the intent of the proposed amendments is an
attempt to clean up the code and to further classify and define types of uses.
4. Cottage Housing Demonstration Project Update
Graves stated that a Cottage Housing Demonstration Project ordinance passed in 2008 and City
Council chose a project defined as Blueberry Cottages located on a site at 2401h and 1161h. In
September 2012 the developer (W.D. Ruth) informed the City that they were unable to obtain
funding and opted to withdraw their demonstration project. In speaking with the cottage housing
developer, Graves stated she found that banks are unwilling to take risks on projects with
unknown outcomes. Ruth's withdrawal means that the city does not have a demonstration
project at this time.
S. Meeker Street Revitalization Initiative (MRI)
Planning Director Fred Satterstrom stated that Auburn designated 32 parcels in their downtown
area to entice developers with incentives that would encourage downtown development. Auburn
reduced development fees by 72 percent, exempted traffic fees entirely, deferred and waived
certain development charges. Satterstrom stated that specific areas within downtown Kent are
in desperate need of redevelopment. He cited Meeker Street as the primary focus as well as
encompassing a larger area around Meeker where many property owners are decentivized.
Staff is studying the feasibility of implementing this type of initiative and evaluating the legal
ramifications of what it would mean to waive certain fees.
Economic & Community Development Director Ben Wolters stated that staff is searching for
ways to jump start development in downtown. He stated that Auburn's approach has been used
throughout the County. Wolters stated that Auburn's proposal was time limited and sunsets at
the end of this year. He stated that Kent has some possible developments that may be
interested in this approach for downtown.
In response to Ranniger, Wolters stated that staff would like to implement this initiative in a
controlled, focused area which would also limit revenue impacts. He stated that some
development could occur on its own, citing the conception of the Platform project. Perry
questioned if the city could use incentivization to update existing buildings such as the IC Penny
building. Wolters stated that parking limitations and fragmented property investment were two
of the considerations which lead to this proposal.
6. Economic Development Report & Permitting Update
Wolters stated that staff has fallen behind on processing single family residential home permits.
He stated that allowing overtime has helped to bridge the gaps in Civil Engineering's workload.
More personal contact (rather than corresponding via formal comments letters) with developers
has lead to a reduction in permit holds.
Wolters stated Trader Joes is looking for a new south county location in Kent and are looking at
the Lake Meridian Shopping Center; as well as Covington (a location where some people view
retail as being saturated). The city is looking at ways to raise attention for properties along the
Benson. Wolters stated that Economic Development Manager Kurt Hanson will attend a
conference in Coeur D' Alene Idaho in an effort to expand our connections and later in
September Hanson will attend a convention in San Diego; as Kent is taking a more active
approach to market Kent.
Currently, the biggest project in the Valley is the Boeing Space Center Stryker project which will
consist of an 810,000 SF distribution center. The Defco property project is moving forward
despite some obstacles. Staff will be working with the developer in a variety of ways to ensure
that this becomes a model project.
Adiournment
Committee Chair Perry adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m.
Pamela Mottram, Secretary
Economic & Community Development Committee
PIAPlanningAECDCA2013\MlnutesA8-12-13_Mln.doc
ECDC Minutes
August 12,2013
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