HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic and Community Development Committee - 07/10/2017Economic and Community Development Committee July 10 12, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approved August 14, 2017
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Date: July 10, 2017
Time: 5:04 p.m.
Place: Centennial North and South
Attending: Bill Boyce, Jim Berrios, Tina Budell, Charlene Anderson, Matt Gilbert, Hayley
Bonsteel, Bill Ellis, Ben Wolters, Toni Azzola, Julie Pulliam
Agenda:
1. Call to Order 5:04 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to the Agenda Meet Me on Meeker will be moved up to item 5.
4. Approval of Minutes Council Member Jim Berrios MOVED and Chair Bill Boyce
Seconded a MOTION to approve the minutes of June 12, 2017. Motion PASSED 2-0.
5. Meet Me on Meeker- Update on line survey results
Hayley Bonsteel and William Ellis presented outreach survey responses from the
community on how they access Meeker Street (walking, assisted mobility, driving a
vehicle or riding a bike). This survey was advertised through word-of-mouth, project
contacts and an article in the Kent Reporter. The survey received 225 responses as of
7-3-2017, and more are expected to come in.
The survey showed that 43% of survey takers reported that visiting a business is the
primary reason why they are accessing Meeker. The rest of the results show that a
third of self-reported drivers are commuters seeking to get to and from work. The
survey also asked what would compel you to visit meeker more often, top answers
include: If there were better businesses (28%), If it felt more welcoming and safe
(22%), If there were more opportunities for entertainment (19%), If there were more
parking (12%), If there were better lighting (10%) and If I could either walk or ride
my bicycle there from home.
Council Member Berrios would like concerns for traffic issues to be addressed
from residents from the West hill for housing that is now developing, and is
not contributing, currently to the data from these surveys.
Hayley and William will continue to bring updates of mitigating traffic by
transforming HOV lanes for better access to community members.
6. Villa Real Neighborhood
Toni Azzola Neighborhood Program coordinator presented to the council Lisa McSherry,
president of Vila Real Neighborhood. The neighborhood is west of Panther Lake to
include 128 homes. Lisa describes the neighborhood as diverse, made up of single-
family homes. She described the comradery of neighbors, and usage of play areas and
basketball courts. Lisa would like to access more resources such as translation to be
able to do outreach to help to continue to combine the diverse community.
Economic and Community Development Committee July 10 12, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
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Motion: Recommend Council adopt a resolution that recognizes the Vial Real
Neighborhood Council, supports its community building efforts, and confers
all opportunities offered by the City’s Neighborhood Program.
Jim Berrios moved, Tina Budell seconded, and motion passed 3-0
7. Sound Transit Service Agreement – Cost related to project review & permitting
Charlene Anderson presented an update to begin:
Anderson explained current work with Sound Transit for street designs, right of way and
widths. Sound Transit will be creating two new streets; 236 and 234, upgrading 30th
Street, improving 272nd, as well as access streets. The city is now working on a staff
level non-binding letter of concurrence so that Sound Transit can begin their property
acquisitions.
Anderson explained that work is also being done to access the feasibility of a Regional
Detention facility. Sound Transit will need to construct detention facilities for the new
roadways, under public ownership, as well as their own private detention needs. There is
also discussion on how to activate the first floor of the garage, in the form of activating
the exterior with artwork or including food carts/networks around the plaza. Anderson
expressed the need and want for council suggestions and feedback on this.
Transit Service Agreement:
Anderson presents for an approval of a funding agreement for retroactive city staff work
which began on January 12th after the City signed a memorandum of understanding with
Sound Transit. The presented funding agreement is for roughly $300,000, which would
hold as a cap amount for actual City staff time on the project.
Motion: Recommend to the full City Council approval of the City Services
Agreement and Task Order #1 pertaining to reimbursement of staff time for
establishing performance requirements to be included in the Request for
Proposals to design/build contractors for the Federal Way Link Extension,
subject to final approval by the Chief Administrative Officer and City Attorney.
Tina Budell moved, Jim Berrios seconded, and motion passed 3-0
8. Cancer Care Site- Update
Matt Gilbert, Current Planning Manager and Ben Wolters, ECD Director presented
updates for the project to build a 308 unit urban style apartment community. The
zoning of this project is Community Commercial Mixed use, which has the requirement
that 25 percent of the building area be commercial property. The proposal is to
consider for commercial and live in purposes, to include a commercial store front with
standard home/apartment amenities. The proposal is similar to Meet Me on Meeker,
which includes factors like on-street parking for commercial use and wider pedestrian
walk ways, in order to meet the 25 percent standard. After researching the Kent City
Code, it was found that this proposal of a live/work space would meet the standard.
Economic and Community Development Committee July 10 12, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
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Gilbert presented the background that the code does not currently state what can be
considered commercial space and what can’t be counted. However, the code does
state certain standards to include that: the nature of the use does not create impacts
that are out of character with the zone, and that the use is consistent with the purpose
of the zone (to provide commercial space) and that the use is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan. Gilbert explains that if all of those requirements are met, that the
director can approve uses that are not clearly defined within the code.
This update is for the Council to consider modeling this proposal around more Mixed-
Use Commercial properties for commercial and retail opportunities for future projects.
Council expressed concerns for the commercial space being pushed for further
apartments versus the push to invite actual businesses in Kent. They also expressed
concern on the addition of these units to the already increasing traffic concerns.
Wolters responded with the current efforts with WDOT to test out a General Purpose
lane, along with considering the close driving time with the Link Light Rail project from
this project to help reduce traffic.
9. ShoWare- Update
Wolters reports that the purchase of the new POS system will go forward and will be
implemented over the next few months.
The signage for the final design and procurement for Accesso ShoWare has the goal of
being up for the T-birds opening day of September 23, 2017.
Wolters also confirmed that the new signage for the Accesso ShoWare will come at no
cost to the City, using the no interest loan through SMG and more favorable terms on
the ticket contract to cover the cost of the sign.
The council would like to explore a minimal report on Tax revenue from 2014 to
present on Kent Station, by the zip code.
10. Director’s Report
Wolters updates council that there is progression on a draft request for information for
the Highlands property that was approved by council for surplus. The Naden property
surplus site is still on schedule for fall 2017, a request for information still needs to be
sent out. The final house on the property was demolished on the day of the council
meeting
Wolters anticipates exceeding revenue projections for the year for permitting.
Meeting Adjourned 6:32 p.m.
Julie Pulliam
Administrative Assistant III
Economic and Community Development