Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 03/03/1998 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 3, 1998 The meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m. by Council President Orr. Present: Councilmembers Amodt, Brotherton, Clark, Epperly and Woods, Operations Director/Chief of Staff McFall, Planning Director Harris, Public Works Director Wickstrom, and Parks Director Hodgson. Approximately 15 people were in attendance. Corridor Projects Update Public Works Director Wickstrom gave an overview of the corridor projects by outlining the schedule and financing, with emphasis on the 196th Street Corridor. He noted that the last report was several years ago, and that the figures were updated last month because the LID is in the process of being formed. Tim LaPorte, Engineering Supervisor, showed and explained a 5- minute video of the 196th Street Corridor, and the 277th Corridor as it exists today. 196th Street Corridor Wickstrom explained that the 196th Street Corridor Project is the most pressing because it is ready for the formation of an LID in order to proceed with the project. He pointed out the boundaries for the entire project and noted that everything west of the . river is in King County. He explained that King County will be paying 100% for their share of the project, except for a grant which has been received for part of the project. He noted that the bridge is currently under construction and that the fill on the west side of the river was done last year. He added that the 200th & Orillia intersection will be built this year assuming that the City goes with the core permit. He also noted that if the LID is successfully formed in July, then the contract will be awarded on the west side from the Green River to the West Valley Highway which would be completed in 1999 and opened from the West Valley Highway to Orillia Road. He noted that the bridge crossing both tracks has a 2-year contraction schedule, and that it would not be opened until late 2000. He noted that the final two road pieces, the west part from West Valley Highway to the railroad tracks and from the Burlington-Northern/Southern-Pacific railroad tracks to East Valley Highway, would also be awarded in 1999 or 2000. He said that the whole corridor would probably be constructed and opened by late 2000 with some carry-over into the year 2001. Wickstrom noted that the total project cost is $47,400, 000. 00, with the City's cost, east of the river, being $43, 000, 000. 00. He explained that there are $10, 000, 000.00 in City funds with $3 .4 million anticipated as Councilmanic Bonds in 1998 or 1999, an $11.5 million grant for the City's portion, $1/2 million worth of interest and approximately $21 million for an LID. He noted that this project involves a large area and was begun a little 1 0 • • Committee of the Whole March 3, 1998 over a year ago with the hiring of an consultant. He explained that since 1986 developments have been required to execute environmental mitigation agreements where they contribute to this project throughout the areas south of 180th, past south of 212th, all the way over to the Valley freeway, and all the way to the river, which represents about $10 million in commitments toward the project. Wickstrom noted that an analysis was just completed so that the City could determine how much of the LID should be included in the package to finish financing the project. He noted that the price of the project has increased by $11 million, with much of the increase being related to Western Processing. He noted that the LID requires a guarantee fund, and that these funds are included in the LID costs. He said that the sooner this project is done, the less it will cost the City. Wickstrom stated that there are 460 parcels involved with this LID, with the biggest property owner and participant being the Boeing Company. He noted that staff has met with Boeing Company staff and that they have been very supportive of this project. He explained that Boeing knows that their assessment will be 21% of the project costs, but that they consider this to be one of • the top projects in the Puget Sound Area as far as providing traffic relief. He noted that the City's intent is to proceed with an informal meeting at the end of this month, report back to the Public Works Committee, and, if everything looks good, to submit a resolution for passage by the Council at a regularly scheduled meeting setting the public hearing for May 19th. He said that if the hearing is successful, an ordinance would be scheduled for passage at the June 2nd Council Meeting. He noted that once the ordinance is passed, the west side from West Valley Highway over the bridge can be awarded. He explained that if the LID does not pass, all work will have to be stopped, and that the City would be out of concurrence with the Growth Management Act. Wickstrom explained that a 4000 peak hour trip capability or a 4-5 lane section of road adds about 25, 000 average daily trip capabilities to the system, and that there is not another project around that could give this type of relief. He noted that the Burlington Northern Railroad will be running about 60 trains a day, according to their future projections, and that the Union Pacific will be running about 30 a day, which will add about 90 trains a day through those crossings, and just to retain 212th Street' s capability is going to cost around $26, 000,000 to grade and separate. He noted that this project will give the only grade separation project in the valley. He noted that if this project is not done, some grants will have to be retrieved. He . noted that approximately $8, 000, 000 has already been spent, and 2 Committee of the Whole March 3 , 1998 out of the $8, 000, 000 a little over $2 , 000,000 would have to be returned. He noted that there are also several commitments that are coming due at the time of the LID formation or, if no LID is formed, due in full or at the maximum at the ten-year period. S. 277th Street Corridor Wickstrom gave an overview of the 277th Corridor Project and noted that the biggest item for this corridor is the bridge. He noted that there are currently two bridges bidding, and that there are many bridge work projects on the market and available right now so contractors can pick and choose which projects they want to bid on. He added that prices have gone up recently. He noted that the 277th project is a smaller LID with the same type of funding, but that the City's share is $11,500,000 of an estimated $26, 500,000 cost. He noted that the amount could change when the bid prices are received, and that this project has not been updated recently. Wickstrom stated that the City has a $6, 500, 000 grant available and the LID will be approximately $8, 500, 000 with LID mitigation agreement people only. He then explained that the City is continuing the mitigation agreements and noted that according to the numbers in the north end for both of the projects, the participants are actually going to be paying less under the LID than what they • would have paid if they had paid cash. At this point, Council President Orr suggested that Council s questions be saved for a committee meeting, another Committee of the Whole meeting, or at a future Council meeting. There were no objections by the other Councilmembers. Later in the meeting, Wickstrom explained the timelines for the corridors and noted that there will be an informal meeting with all property owners. If successful, the item will come back to the Public Works Committee with a recommendation to proceed with the formation of an LID, which will be at the first meeting in April. Upon Brotherton's question regarding the LID for the 196th Corridor, Wickstrom noted that there are always uncertainties involved with any LID, but that Council has the final say. He noted that the City currently has approximately 55% agreements from property owners which could be challenged in court, but that Council can move the LID forward if they choose with the support of the development community. Wickstrom reiterated that the biggest property owner seems to be supportive of the LID. Downtown Strategic Action Plan Planning Director Harris gave a brief overview of the Downtown Strategic Action Plan, and noted that the Planning Committee received this item from Council last summer for review and consideration. He explained that the Planning Committee held a number of meetings to deal with this subject and said the 3 Committee of the whole March 3 , 1998 committee and staff feel this project has come far enough for Council to adopt the plan. He explained that there are only three areas to deal with which are the (1) North Core District; (2) the Historic Core District; and (3) the South Core District. He noted that Council has passed a resolution detailing where they feel they want to see the RTA Depot go, which is now reflected in the Plan document before the Council. He explained that any references to the depot in the north site have been crossed out and underlined, and the depot in the south site has been added. He noted that another issue the Planning Committee wanted to emphasize was that a specific site for the Performing Arts Building not be shown, which the Plan now just references as somewhere in the downtown area. He noted that staff is very confident that Council could add this plan to the agenda and adopt it at the regular meeting scheduled for tonight. Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager, noted that five of the Councilmembers have attended the Planning Committee meetings. He showed a map of the seven districts in the downtown area and explained that the four frame areas on the map have already been reviewed by the Planning Committee and that the three yellow districts (the north core, south core, and historic core) have not been reviewed as of yet. He explained that the Committee dealt with the four frame districts because they were waiting for the RTA to complete its analysis and felt that the three core areas would be addressed as soon as the RTA completed its work. Linda Phillips, Planner and Project Manager for the Downtown Plan, guided the Council through the remaining 3 core districts so that they have a complete understanding of all 7 districts involved in the Plan. Phillips noted that the main recommendations in the North Core District, that don't relate to a rail station, are: (1) Consider the entire North Core District a redevelopment area; (2) Coordinate new public and private investment to provide improved connections between activity areas, and take assertive action to realize the opportunities within the North Core District; (3) Locate a Town Square Park to provide a downtown open space for large public gatherings and performances; She explained that this item refers to working closely with the Performing Arts Center but that the change page makes it a more general reference so that the Town Square Park will be located at an area around the activity center but not necessarily be related to a performing arts center. (4) Construct a pedestrian all cross or scramble system at the corner of 4th Avenue and Smith Street, and upgrade the intersection with gateway enhancements such as signs, 4 • Committee of the Whole March 3, 1998 lighting and special pavement; She explained that this particular intersection was included as part of the Gateway System and so there is some funding this year to look at the possibility of signalization and striping. (5) Develop design guidelines specific to the North Core District including potential future development of the Borden site, and add provisions for reviewing any future proposals for signature buildings at gateway sites; She noted that the provisions listed under the Borden site section apply to the entire district. She explained that the plan is written in a way so that the City could take some measures to ensure there are provisions to provide for the existing industrial uses and yet give the future potential of having mixed uses such as office, light commercial and residential uses, because if the Borden Company should decide that they are no longer interested in doing business on their site the uses could be limited to the present light industrial only. (6) Establish a master plan review process for potential redevelopment of the Borden site; She noted that this property is viewed as unique in the region as a land bank if it ever redevelops and so redevelopment of the Borden site under a master plan process which allows an orderly . kind of development that would answer some of the recommendations of the plan and the wishes of the community would be preferred over piecemeal development. (7) Support the proposed Civic and Performing Arts Center location at a downtown site; (8) Support the proposed Public Market location on Railroad Avenue; (9) Install gateway features at 4th Avenue and James Street; (10) Encourage mixed use development along Smith Street; (11) Encourage residential development downtown generally which is also listed elsewhere in the Plan as a general recommendation. She noted that the Comprehensive Plan predicts the bulk of the growth is targeted for the downtown area and could be as many as 3000 households. She noted, however, that the part which would fit in the next 20 years could be as many as 1500 households. Phillips then spoke of recommendations contained in this north core district section that have to do with the rail site. She noted that these have been changed in the plan with strikeouts and underlines to give it a different orientation: (1) orient the station near Smith Street; (2) Create visual focus for the station; (3) Ensure high quality of development near the station; (4) Support Market and Civic Performing Art Center as • connecting activities; Phillips noted that some of these things are still connecting 5 • Committee of the Whole March 3 , 1998 activities in the plan. She noted that there is a huge need, with the Regional Justice Center, banks, and businesses located in the North such as the Commons and the Library, to keep all of these activity centers connected. She noted that it will be a two-way type of circulation which has been emphasized throughout the changes made to the plan because even though the rail station may be switched from the north to the south, the connections are still the most important basic in the plan in order to make it comfortable to move between the activity areas. (5) Improve the International Park as connecting space; (6) Upgrade the crossings, channelizations, and signals on Smith Street which may include a traffic signal at Railroad Avenue and Smith Street, staightening and a new center through lane on Smith Street with new crosswalks, pedestrian improvements, and directional signs; She noted that pedestrian and vehicle traffic traveling on Smith Street from north to south is a very important connection even though it doesn't refer it all to a north station. (7) Make improvements to Railroad Avenue, James Street, Central Avenue, and Pioneer Street based on a comprehensive analysis conducted during a station design of potential traffic and transit requirements; She noted that this one is still very important for pedestrian • reasons to keep the pedestrian focus alive. She noted that it is no longer oriented to station design, potential station traffic, and transit requirements. (8) Improve or install new sidewalks, street lights, and tree grates along connecting pedestrian corridors; She noted that this item is very general and appears throughout the downtown. (9) Construct other traffic and pedestrian improvements to downtown streets as necessary to provide access. She noted that this access refers to the rail station so any references to constructing traffic and pedestrian improvements to downtown streets to provide specific access to the rail station were removed from the North District. Upon Brotherton's question, Phillips noted that a major redevelopment area which has potential is the Borden site and the municipal parking lot. She added that there are other areas such as bank properties which are considering redevelopment. She explained that there are no references in the North Core District because it is very general. She noted that the Regional Justice Center has been considered a mainstay of the downtown area throughout the plan. She also noted that there are specific recommendations as to redevelopment of the Borden site and that the plan recommends it become a mixed use, office, small commercial, or residential area rather than redeveloping it as retail or industrial again. She noted for Brotherton that there is no specific recommendation for the municipal parking lot now, 6 • Committee of the Whole March 3 , 1998 and that the private properties would redevelop according to the zoning code permitted uses for that area. she explained that the improved connections in the second recommendation refer to pedestrian connections throughout the plan and that taking assertive action to realize the opportunities in the north core refers to getting something in place so that the opportunities on the Borden site are protected if it did change. She noted that the Land Use and Planning Board is beginning to look at certain aspects of the zoning code, and that one suggestion which would be reviewed eventually is a zoning code revision regarding the Downtown Limited Manufacturing District stating that the permitted uses should accommodate the uses already there now but, should the owner of the property propose to redevelop it, that mixed uses would be the City preference. Phillips noted that the South Core District does include some changes with as much reference to the station as possible. She noted that many of the issues could be converted from the north site to the south site. Phillips noted that the first summarized issue of the recommendations are as follows: (1) Consider the South Core District, with the exception of . the Burlington-Northern & Santa Fe Railroad corridor, a mixed-use redevelopment target area. The blocks on either side of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe railroad tracks are identified as a target area for parking and commercial redevelopment; She noted that there are some underdeveloped and some vacant areas that would redevelop eventually in mixed-use, and that the proposed garage is supposed to have retail on the first floor which is the mixed-use development. (2) Encourage residential-oriented mixed use. Facilitate redevelopment that strengthens the emerging mixed-use neighborhood to provide a built-in market for downtown businesses; (3) Extend angled parking along Saar Street to the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way; She noted that some of the justification for extending angled parking had to do with the fact that parking for residential use is limited, and having additional street parking is a way of encouraging developers to build condominiums or small complexes in the south core area. (4) Continue the pedestrian/bicycle path links from the Interurban Trail to the Core Districts along the Saar and Gowe Street rights-of-way; She noted that this is especially important because of the commuter rail and the bus facilities located in the south core • district. (5) Enhance the 4th Avenue Corridor with gateway features at 7 Committee of the Whole March 3, 1998 Willis Street and 4th Avenue, including a landscape median on Willis Street; She also noted that the landscape median on Willis may be in question because Willis Street is the only Kent underpass that made it into the list for which funding would be sought during this six-year period. She noted that James Street is still on the list but that Willis Street is a higher priority. (6) Develop design guidelines consistent with the special character of the South Core District (add provisions for reviewing any future proposals for "signature buildings" at gateway sites) ; She noted that design to coordinate with commuter rail station has been added. (7) Identify historic properties and assign historic designations; She noted that historic preservation becomes more important to a town when it begins to be more interesting to developers and that the updated market analysis did show that Kent property values are continuing to rise. She noted that there are people who are becoming more interested in downtown Kent so historic property needs to go before the public to find out if they want to designate the downtown area historic property as a special district which is probably a source of its market success. She • noted that other towns who have a downtown historic area find it is one of the most attractive retail areas they have. (8) Promote a housing demonstration project; She noted that this would include determining what that type of housing is desired and working out a way to encourage developers to build what the City wants. (9) Explore a means to reuse older homes; (10) Consider reconfiguring First Avenue to add more parking and upgrade the development setting. Phillips then outlined recommendations which were dependent on selection of a commuter rail station site as follows: (1) Construct parking on the west side of the BN&SF Railroad between Willis and Titus Streets; She noted that there was a plan where this might be used as overflow parking for the commuter rail. (2) Consider redevelopment of the existing parking lot at the corner of First Avenue and Titus Street for housing, using the above parking on the west side of the BN&SF railroad tracts to replace parking. She noted that at the time this was written there was also a proposal that in the future there might be a second parking garage on the existing municipal parking lot. Clark noted that some of the older buildings in this zone have r architectural value, and voiced concern about historical preservation, especially that which is tied to railroads and 8 Committee of the Whole March 3, 1998 funding sources for it. Orr noted that the Historical Society is moving into the Bereiter House and will serve as the City's museum with historical information stored there. She noted that the Historic Core District contains a recommendation to update the existing inventory of historic structures, encouraging redesign or redevelopment of buildings that are not designated historically significant. Clark said that he would like to have that incorporated into more than just the Historic Core District. Orr suggested that the funding source discussed in the Historic Core District recommendations be incorporated into the entire Downtown Plan so that when issues come up, such as the preservation of buildings, there will be ways to do it. Clark agreed. Brotherton spoke in favor of the recommendation to continue the pedestrian/bicycle path links from the Interurban Trail to the Core Districts along the Saar and Gowe Street rights-of-way, but suggested that it cover the whole downtown area instead of just the two streets listed. He noted that the City as a whole would benefit if more of the traffic was using bicycle paths and it would also contribute to the flavor of the area. Clark noted that the biggest problem with the Interurban Trail is the passage over Willis Street, and said that with the potential of a grade . separation, the City might be able to work out something that would actually make it more accommodating to bicycle traffic. Phillips reviewed the recommendations of the Historic Core District as follows: (1) Consider the Historic Core District a redevelopment target area; She explained that this means to infill where appropriate, and noted that there is a provision which suggests doing a study to find out what buildings might be recommended for infill, either remodeling or rebuilding. (2) Build on the Historic Core Districts existing strengths- pedestrian oriented streets, civic attractions, and a variety of activities; (3) Enhance the historic architectural character and pedestrian amenities; (4) Encourage development of vacant or underutilized sites; (5) Visually and physically connect the Historic Core District to the surrounding districts; (6) Make further pedestrian improvements including: Pedestrian lighting and street furniture along 4th Avenue; as development occurs, require twelve foot wide sidewalks on the east side of 4th Avenue; extend Meeker Street and Gowe Street pedestrian improvements eastward from First Avenue to Kennebeck Avenue, and enhance the intersection of 4th Avenue . and Meeker Street as a gateway; (7) Develop revised design guidelines to further emphasize 9 Committee of the Whole March 3 , 1998 traditional building forms, materials and details (add provisions for reviewing any future proposals for "signature buildings" at gateway sites to incorporate a corner entry, architectural feature, or plaza) ; Phillips noted that the Anderson Building on 4th Avenue is currently under construction. (8) Add the following recommendation, which appears in mitigation measure form in the SEPA section of the document, but does not appear in this section: Update the existing inventory of historic structures in the Historic Core District, encourage redesign or redevelopment of buildings that are not designated historically significant and are not consistent with the historic character of the District. Initiate a process to address preservation and adaptive reuse of existing historic buildings; (9) Enhance the 4th Avenue corridor; (10) Explore the opportunity to designate the Historic Core District as a historic landmark district; (11) Consider upgrading the streetscape, access and parking conditions in the District east of the BN&SF Railroad corridor to rehabilitate the commercial area; She noted that Section IV-34, contains all of the provisions for • the rail station and rehabilitation that would occur along with the rail station, and spoke of trying to do enough of a design process along with station design that would coordinate with the existing buildings and streets in the area. (12) Consider the property on the northeast corner of Meeker and Fourth Avenue as one of the most important parcels downtown related to proposed building designs; She explained that this recommendation has been updated because that corner is now being developed. (13) Consistent with the efforts of the City and the Kent Downtown Partnership to keep the Historic Core District viable, focus on redevelopment and infill development opportunities for mixed use/office/retail/residential development as they arise. Woods noted that she is ready to move forward on this project this evening. Planning Director Harris emphasized that everything in the Plan cannot be done at once because it would be overwhelming, and noted that the City will have to pick and choose as opportunities arise. Orr agreed with Harris and noted that she has been working on the project for many months as Chair of the Planning Committee. She noted that it has been exciting and interesting but it can be overwhelming. She said that it is important to note that this is a Downtown Plan guideline which is not cast in . stone, and that it is important for the City to take advantage of 10 Committee of the Whole March 3, 1998 the opportunities and be prepared to make adjustments to this plan as necessary. She noted that the potential parking structure for the rail station is the only thing she can see that might be missing from the plan. She said it is important to note that this is the desire of the City Council and is the motion that was passed at the last Council Meeting. She requested that staff look at possibilities for funding options for structured parking, including City participation if need be, and said if the plan is adopted tonight, it is important to notify the RTA Board so that they know the City of Kent does have a Downtown Plan with a vision. She stated that this item can be added to tonight's Council Agenda, if the Committee agrees, because several public hearings have been held and input has been sought from the public. Harris pointed out that on Page IV-19 E of the document before the Committee, in the first paragraph it states: "The City proposed to locate the commuter rail station south of Gowe Street on both sides of the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railroad tracks. Part of the preliminary station area plan calls for a four story parking garage with retail on the first floor on the east side of Railroad Avenue south of Gowe Street. " He noted that this statement leads toward the Council's request for the parking garage. Woods thanked the staff and the downtown group who worked so hard on this project for several years, as well as the Councilmembers who have been so actively involved in it. She noted that this project will probably come back to Council for fine-tuning. Orr thanked the staff for all of their hard work and Mr. Wickstrom for his presentation. Harris thanked the City Council on behalf of the staff for their attention given to this project. CLARK MOVED to forward this item to the regular Council meeting tonight. Epperly seconded and the motion carried. Orr clarified for Woods that it includes the additions made. The meeting then adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Brenda Jaco r, CMC City Clerk 11