HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic and Community Development - 05/11/2015 r
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ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 11, 2015
Committee Members Committee Chair Bill Boyce and Dennis Higgins present with Jim
Berrios excused. Boyce called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
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3. Changes to the Agenda Chair Boyce amended the Agenda to include testimony from
the public on the topics of their choice. He further defined the added items as Sa and
5b.
4. Approval of Minutes
Higgins MOVED and Boyce SECONDED a Motion to Approve the Minutes of
March 09, 2015. Motion PASSED 2-0.
S. High Capacity Transit Facilities Code Amendment
Charlene Anderson, Planning Manager stated that the Land Use and Planning Board (LUPB)
held a public hearing on April 13, 2015 and recommended approval of an ordinance related
to process and design standards for High Capacity Transit (HCT) facilities. The ordinance
pertains to any form of HCT but provides more specific regulations in the Midway area.
Anderson advised that provisions were added for bike amenities and connections, covered
pedestrian overpass on SR99, structured parking, and station design theme. Anderson
stated that a conditional use permit will be required for such a ,transit facility but flexibility
is provided in a development agreement.
Anderson confirmed that Mel Roberts, Kent Bicycle Advisory Board submitted an exhibit to
the LUPB regarding bicycle infrastructure, and additions and edits were made related to the
exhibit. The packet that Roberts handed to the committee today has not yet been reviewed
by staff. Staff will provide a response to committee members prior to the full Council
consideration of the code amendment. If substantive changes are required, a public hearing
may be necessary to consider changes.
Anderson conveyed that it's ideal to have development regulations in effect prior to Sound
Transit (ST) announcing their preferred station location (mid June), and if necessary, the
ordinance could always be changed after it's adopted.
Higgins MOVED and Boyce SECONDED a Motion to recommend to the full City
Council approval of the proposed ordinance amending Title 15 of the Kent City
Code (KCC), to adopt a new,chapter 15.15 KCC pertaining to design standards for
high capacity transit (HCT) facilities, and a new section 15.08.450 KCC, along with
related amendments to KCC Sections 15.04.060, 15.04.065 and 12.04.825, to
support the HCT design standards.
Motion PASSED 2-0.
5a. Mel Roberts, 9421 S 2415` St, Kent, WA 98030, handed out a comment letter to
the committee and conveyed his concerns about bicycle routes not being listed
on the Transportation Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan. Roberts stated that
it's essential to create a north to south corridor that lies between 99 and 15 to
give the public the ability to walk to and from grocery stores, their living
complex, and the transit station and various facilities. Roberts believes that if
the area grows and thrives, the bicycle facilities will be used immensely.
Higgins asked that staff review Robert's packet and send a response to advise
of any necessary changes and recommendations—if any.
5b. Michael Keyes, 11527 SE 312"' PI, Auburn, WA 98092, handed out a packet to
the committee regarding short plat extensions and expressed his desire for
short plat extensions to match the surrounding areas of the city of Kent. Keyes
also mentioned his desire for extensions for long plats that were affected by the
financial crisis period (2006-2010).
Keyes is requesting a retroactive short plat extension for his plat located at
10216 SE 267" St., Kent, WA 98030. Keyes has a short plat that expired during
the preliminary phase on August 18, 2014 (approval date of August 18, 2010).
Keyes referenced a statement from Kim Adams Pratt, former Assistant City
Attorney on page 4 of a 2008 City staff report, which implies that extensions of
already expired plats and retroactive extensions were possible. Keyes stated
that since 2008, other municipalities have retroactively given plats an extension
varying from 7-9 years if they fell within the financial crisis time period.
Keyes referenced page 2 of the second portion of the packet which outlines l
short plat extensions per King County Code (KCC). Keyes then referenced
Auburn City Code (C1, 17.09 and 17.09.110) and Lynwood City Code.
Keyes stated that he's had conversations with the City pertaining to extensions
and was advised by the MRSC Legal Department, per Bob Meinig, the City could
provide additional short plat extensions or retroactive extensions. The City's
Legal Department disagrees.
Chair Boyce stated that he and staff will review Keyes packet and will submit a
status update letter to Keyes.
6. Economic & Community Development Reorganization
Ben Wolters, Economic & Community Development Director, passed out a proposed 2015
Department Organization Chart and a Preliminary Draft Ordinance to the committee.
Wolters referenced the organization chart and stated that with the recent retirements of
two key personnel, Fred Satterstrom, Planning Director, and Bob Hutchinson, Building
Official, Wolters was able to review workload and resources and create new positions and
promotional opportunities within the department, The reorganization will help better
manage workload and will not require any additional budget resources in 2015.
Wolters spoke about the key department changes which include an ECD Deputy Director
position in place of the Planning Director position; Current Planning Manager position in
place of the Principal Planner position; a second Economic Development Analyst position; a
combined Building Services and Permit Center Group, and a Permit Technician Lead
position.
Changes also include some cross work between the Building Inspectors and Plans
Examiners; expediting the hiring process of 3 positions—Office Technician 1II; an
Administrative Secretary, and a Current Planner, approved for the 2016 budget to be hired
in 2015; and a vacant position that will be reserved for future use in the department.
Wolters advised that the divisions also known as the Entitlement Group (Economic
Development, Development Engineering, and Current Planning Services) will report to the
Deputy Director position; Code Enforcement will report to the Current Planning Manager
position; Charlene Anderson, Planning Manager (Long Range Planning) will now report
directly to Wolters; and Harry Hardy, Assistant Building Official will assist and report to the
combined Building Services and Permit Center Manager,
Wolters stated that after all the changes, there will be about $50-60,000 remaining to be
applied to the Abatement fund, used to pay for clean-up of derelict properties. The current
funding is about $22,000 which allows about 1-2 clean-up's per year.
Wolters spoke about opportunities to allocate additional dollars from salary savings accrued
during the course of 2015 toward the Consulting budget to bring in different talents as
needed.
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Wolters stated that the proposal will be presented to the Operations Committee on
May 19, 2015 and to the full City Council at the June meeting. Wolters mentioned that
during the mid-June Council workshop, a Code Enforcement one-on-one briefing will also be
provided as well as a proposal of recommendations to further advance and strengthen
Kent's code enforcement efforts.
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7. Comprehensive Plan Update Briefing
Anderson stated that the Comprehensive Plan Update (CPU) may not be adopted by the
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expected date of June 301h but would be close. A second public hearing is scheduled for
7pm tonight at the Land Use and Planning Board (LUPB) meeting. The Board is expected to
make a recommendation on whether or not to approve the CPU.
Anderson advised that the CPU includes mapping changes, the City Council Strategic Goals,
the idea of vibrant places in Kent, and adequate funding to accommodate growth.
Anderson spoke about comments received from the public regarding affordable housing,
bike facilities, needs of an aging population, diversity, and 6 areas of map amendments
with some specific areas for mapping changes.
Anderson stated that the map amendments generally support mixed residential/commercial
and mixed industrial/commercial areas. The proposal recommends eliminating the Office
and Office/Mixed Use, Industrial Agricultural, and Gateway Commercial Zoning Districts and
replacing them with mixed land use areas.
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8. Sound Transit Update
Anderson stated that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is out and staff
continues to encourage the public to submit their comments and view the project website
(www.federalwaylink,org) for information, including a visual simulation. Sound Transit is
accepting public comments for the Federal way Link Extension (FWLE) until
Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
Chair Boyce and Committee member Higgins mentioned the possible use of social media
and the Kent Reporter to encourage everyone to submit comments on this significant
infrastructure investment in the Midway area.
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9. Multi-Family Property Tax Abatement Incentive for Downtown Update
Wolters stated that members of the City Council have expressed interest in reexamining the
criteria used to determine qualifying Multi-family Tax Exemption (MFTE) projects such as
the MFTE Abatement from Tarragon for the Kent Station Apartments.
Matt Gilbert, Principal Planner, gave an overview of Kent's (MFTE) program; it is a
downtown development incentive with the general goal to stimulate new construction of
multifamily housing in the downtown area. Gilbert stated that the incentive allows owners
to be exempt from paying the additional taxes acquired from the value of the new
improvements for an eight year period after the project is completed.
Gilbert elaborated on key requirements for qualifying projects. He referenced a target area
map and stated that the program is location based. He also mentioned that there is a size
minimum of thirty units with fifty percent intended for permanent residential occupancy. He
stated that buildings must be LEED certified or Built Green certified; parking shall be
located in structured parking garages; there must be walkability for an urban form, and be
part of a mixed use development.
Gilbert spoke about the potential to redevelop the property known as the Heart of Kent as it
meets the program criteria.
Wolters spoke about Council concerns regarding how this incentive would apply to those
projects trying to receive or already receiving incentives through other sources. There are
questions whether or not Council wants to provide further incentive beyond what is already
available by the state for those projects. Walters stated that staff will work with the Law
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department to create a response for how to avoid the double incentive dip and will report
back to the committee next month.
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10. ShoWare Update
Wolters stated that the first quarter income Statement Report for ShoWare was given to
the Public Facilities District revealing a negative balance of $74,000. The Kent Reporter
explained that most of that was due to front loaded costs for shows accounted for in this
quarter but not being shown until the second part of the year. Wolters added that it's also
from repair costs incurred related to failing systems such as two hot water heaters, a
dehumidifier, and on-going efforts to manage issues related to the ice plant.
Wolters advised that the unexpected costs of credit card fees are related to credit card
costs incurred in one quarter for shows moved or scheduled later in the year.
Wolters stated that ticket sales were collected and credit card fees were charged for a show
originally scheduled to occur in the first quarter but rescheduled for May. Wolters also
mentioned that there are 11 "Frozen" shows scheduled for November 2015 but pre-sale
tickets are already 85% sold.
Wolters stated that accounting options are being reviewed and going forward, it's a
possibility that costs for advance sale shows could be spread out over a twelve month
period leading up to the actual event.
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11. Economic Development Update Report
Bill Ellis, Economic Development Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation updating on the
implementation of the City's Economic Development Plan. Ellis described some of the
strategies and action steps of the plan which include: strengthen and diversify the
advanced manufacturing cluster in Kent; market Kent Industrial Valley Campuses to
advance manufacturing; put a window on manufacturing; re-imagine the Boeing Campus;
and develop a Maker Space in the Kent Valley.
Ellis elaborated on changes in the Kent Industrial Valley and Kent as a manufacturing
community. Ellis made outreach efforts to local institutions and Regional Economic
Development to discuss business acceleration, relevant emerging industries and innovation,
work force development, and potential investments.
Ellis stated that Green River Community College is creating a new Unmanned Aerial
Systems (UAS) Training Degree program and that he reached out to Sodo Maker Space to
discuss how these two programs align. They are currently working on ways to intersect the
two programs.
Ellis then met with members of the regional industry including Cascade Chapter,
Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), a trade group. Ellis also
interviewed and received insight from regional businesses and other entrepreneurs in
related fields, discussed the advantages of the Kent Valley as a location for Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry growth and recruited the Cascade Chapter of AUVSI
conference and mini trade show to the CenterPoint office campus in Kent. The conference
and trade show was held on April 15, 2015.
Ellis spoke about marketing the Cascade Towers at CenterPoint, Kent's innovation headlines
in local news, and an opportunity for creating a Kent Testing and Prototyping Facility.
Ellis touched on ways to continue to foster innovations and work force opportunities in the
Valley which include Tech event sponsorships and "Meet-ups", funding for student
entrepreneurial ventures, and recruitment of Tech Hardware Companies.
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Adiournment
Chair Boyce adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. N
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Economic & Com unity Development Committee
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May 11, 2015
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