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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic and Community Development - 06/09/2014 (3) � KENT I<I r .xcron ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 9, 2014 Committee Members Committee Chair Bill Boyce, Dennis Higgins, and Jim Berrios. Boyce called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes Berrios Moved and Higgins Seconded a Motion to approve the Minutes of May 12, 2014. Motion PASSED 3-0. 2. Economic Development Update Economic and Community Development Director Ben Wolters efforts are underway to fill Josh Hall's former Economic Development Specialist position. Forty-one resumes were received, out of which 6 potential candidates have been identified with a candidate to be selected prior to the end of this month. Wolters stated that there has been an up-search in permitting; estimating that permitting will bring in one-million dollars in revenue over current budget estimates. Wolters stated that the Stryker Business Park development (Amazon) is moving forward at a rapid pace. Kent has made it through the first phase for FAA consideration of a site for their facility with over 30 sites having been submitted. The FAA will conduct a market survey July 11`h where they will visit potential sites, cull out sites they are interested in, and invite those they are interested in to submit a draft proposal. At that point, Kent will know if we are still in the competition. Phase III of the Tarragon Project, included submittal of preliminary designs with 150 units proposed. They will submit their building permit applications before the end of the year and could begin construction in the spring. The Platform is targeted for completion by October at the latest with preleasing taking place in July. Informational Only 3. Downtown Design Guidelines (DDG) Planner Gloria Gould-Wessen stated that the DDG project is a continuation of the Downtown Strategic Action Plan (DSAP) approved last year. Zoning is being amended in Kent City Code, Section 15.09.046 Downtown Design Review, and further updates the DDG. The DDG is primarily revised for clarity, brevity, and consistency. The DDGs have been used for 15 years; have produced excellent designs (illustrated through a PowerPoint presentation) through a collaborative process. The DDGs area has been expanded to those areas as was done in the DSAP. The DDGs supports the DSAP's vision and goals for downtown as a livable, walkable environment that is attractive, safe, and a memorable experience. Changes to the DDGs ensures downtown will be visually and economically vibrant, residential units will provide outdoor spaces, and new development will support sustainable building and land management. The Site Design section was created with livability in mind with a focus on pedestrian street relationships and expands the urban center west of 167 as illustrated on the pedestrian plan overlay map where buildings are completed up to the streets. Wessen defined Class A & B Streets illustrating where those streets were located through her power point presentation. ECDC Minutes June 9,2014 Page 1 of 3 Wessen illustrated through her presentation the use of street amenities such as benches, bike racks, commercial and residential entry canopies, as well as residential entry porches. Emphasis will be placed on the design of street corners and gateways. Site design includes consideration of the pedestrian environment, establishes connectivity to and from downtown, emphasizes the downtown area as a pedestrian activity area by expanding seating and allows for more flexibility in design of the pedestrian space. The Site Design section was revised for safety with respect to lighting and ensures that photometric analysis is maintained and that lighting focuses downward rather than outward to address light pollution. Wessen stated that the Residential Open Space section strengthens language and ensures the inclusion of a balcony, patio, or a rooftop garden. The Building Design Section focuses on human scale and pedestrian orientation, building details, and blank walls. An objective of the DDG as it pertains to the Historic District is to create a sense of place and a synergy that respects the historic main-street character. At the conclusion of Wessen's presentation, Committee Member Boyce stated that this item will be presented before City Council under 'Other Business'. After deliberating, Committee Member Higgins MOVED and Committee Member Berrios SECONDED a Motion to recommend to the full City Council APPROVAL of the Downtown Design Review Code Amendment; and Kent Downtown Design Guidelines Update as recommended by the Land Use & Planning Board and as evaluated in the Addendum to City of Kent Downtown Subarea Action Plan Planned Action Supplemental EIS; and to direct the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinances. Motion PASSED 3-0. 4. 2014 Permit Trends Update Planning Director Fred Satterstrom spoke about Permit Trends for 2010 through 2014, related to total: permit applications, permits issued, land use permit applications, and land use permits issued. Trends indicate that Kent is experiencing great growth in terms of building valuation and square footage citing the Wolfe Project a facility encompassing 20 acres under one roof. At the time of permit issuance the building valuation was calculated at $102 million dollars, more than all building valuation for 2009. Satterstrom stated that land use permits involve a more complicated review process and that staff are in search of additional resources while using existing resources as efficiently as possible. Wolters stated that improvements have been made over the last five years that allow staff to deal with a high volume of overload and accomplish more with available resources. A proposal is being submitted to request more than $20,000 in overtime funding, to make it through the remainder of this year, and to fund additional supplemental positions where needed. Wolters stated that staff is working full board in 2014. The building industry is moving at a fast pace with several projects in the queue for 2015-2016. Wolters stated that development of the Amazon facility will help to create opportunities for promoting Kent's economic development. Informational Only S. LEAN Exercise Update Development Services Manager Brennan Taylor stated that Development Engineering is the Public Works Department review arm. Development Engineering reviews land use development plans and construction drawings pertaining to storm water, sewer, drainage and wetland issues. Taylor described the LEAN process and that a permit process improvement group was created lead by Wolters. The group examined the Civil Construction Permit review and approval process with the goal to improve the review timeline performance of Civil Construction permits. A LEAN workshop was held June 2-41h attended by representatives from Economic & Community Development, Fire Prevention, Public Works staff, and a ECDC Minutes June 9,2014 Page 2 of 3 developer. The group brainstormed how to develop a process to accomplish more with existing resources and improve efficiencies. The civil construction permit review and approval process was examined. Roadblocks were identified that caused delays in review such as incomplete submittals, a review team that was not functioning cohesively, and the lack of quality control at the time of intake. Processes were created to streamline the review timeline performance of civil construction permits. A project charter was prepared for review purposes and a revised process flowchart and implementation plan was crafted. Improvements were implemented that: required the applicant to set up appointments with development engineers to cover completeness and analysis for quality control at time of intake to reduce number of resubmittals. A more formal process was developed to obtain comments from other departments. Staff anticipates implementing changes by mid-August. Informational Only 6. Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Panel Wolters stated that City Council was given a light rail presentation at workshop to assist staff in identifying which light rail station alternatives would be most cohesive for Kent. ULI completed a report for the City of SeaTac on the Angle Lake Station Area Redevelopment, which provides a good overview of what Kent might anticipate. Kent is contracting with ULI and its Technical Assistance Panel (at a cost of $20,000 from the existing 2013-14 budget) to determine the pros and cons for transit-oriented development (TOD) surrounding light rail station alternatives in the Midway Subarea. The ULI panelists will hold a 11/2 day workshop in July and will than deliver a report to the City with their preliminary findings. The analysis will assist in determining which light rail station location will best promote the TOD envisioned in the Midway Subarea Plan. Informational Only 7. Sound Transit Link Extension Update Planning Manager Charlene Anderson requested Committee discussion related to the Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE) project. The discussion will help guide staff in interactions with Sound Transit on alignments, station locations, design elements, and other relevant issues. Anderson stated that Sound Transit has held 48 meetings on this South Corridor project so far to gather community comments. Anderson also discussed the permitting process for FWLE which may include a Conditional Use Permit. Anderson mentioned the criteria for approval of a conditional use permit and stated the Hearing Examiner issues a decision on the application after holding a public hearing. Anderson spoke about potential code amendments that could be considered. Anderson stated that staff will be meeting to consider the type of infrastructure needed in the area and how construction might occur concurrently with Sound Transit construction of the light rail project. Anderson mentioned Sound Transit also is about to release for public comment long range plans to consider link light rail all the way to Tacoma. Informational Only Adiournment Concluding discussion Committee Member Boyce adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Pamela Mottram, Secretary Economic & Community Development Committee P:\Planning\E DC\2014\Minutes\06-0g-14 Min.doc ECDC Minutes June 9,2014 Page 3 of 3