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Home My WebLink AboutCity Council Committees - Land Use and Planning Board - 05/08/2017 (3)ECONOMIC and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032-5895 PUBLIC HEARING AND WORKSHOP AGENDA LAND USE AND PLANNING BOARD MAY 8, 2017 7:00 P.M. LUPB MEMBERS: Katherine Jones, Chair; Jack Ottini, Vice Chair; Frank Cornelius, Dale Hartman, Randall Smith CITY STAFF: Hayley Bonsteel, Senior Long Range Planner/GIS Coordinator; Erin George, Senior Planner; Adam Long, Assistant City Attorney This is to notify you that the Land Use and Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing followed by a Workshop on MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. These meetings will be held in Kent City Hall, City Council Chambers, 220 Fourth Avenue S, Kent, WA. The public is invited to attend and all interested persons will have an opportunity to speak at the Hearing. Any person wishing to submit oral or written comments on the proposed amendments may do so at the hearing or prior to the hearing by email to Hayley Bonsteel at: hbonsteel@kentwa.gov. No public testimony is taken at the Workshop, although the public is welcome to attend. The agenda will include the following item(s): 1.Call to order 2.Roll call 3.Approval of the March 27, 2017 Minutes 4.Added Items 5. Communications 6.Notice of Upcoming Meetings 7.PUBLIC HEARING: COMPLETE STREETS [ZCA-2017-1] This is a public hearing to consider amendments that will provide clarification on several elements of complete streets considerations such as street trees and conduit for fiber. Hayley Bonsteel 8.WORKSHOP: PUBLIC NOTICE AND SUBDIVISION CODE AMENDMENT [SCA-2017-1] Include in 2016-17 code amendment work program options for changing the City’s platting and public notice process to better notify residents of nearby development. Erin George STREET TREE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS Overview on efforts underway and future plans for improvements to Kent’s street tree program. Hayley Bonsteel MEET ME ON MEEKER Overview of completed project milestones, current project status and strategies for moving from concept to construction. Hayley Bonsteel SOUND TRANSIT PROJECTS Overview of progress made on Kent Station garage site selection and light rail station area planning at Kent-Des Moines and Star Lake/272nd Street. Hayley Bonsteel For documents pertaining to the Land Use and Planning Board, access the City’s website at: http://kentwa.iqm2.com/citizens/Default.aspx?DepartmentID=1004. Any person requiring a disability accommodation should contact the City Clerk’s Office in advance at (253) 856- 5725. For TTY/TDD service call the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. For general information, contact Economic & Community Development Department, Planning Division at (253) 856-5454. Land Use and Planning Board March 27, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 1 of 3 Date: March 27, 2017 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Council Chambers Attending: Frank Cornelius, Chair; Katherine Jones, Vice Chair; Jack Ottini, Randall Smith; Charlene Anderson, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager; Danielle Butsick, Long Range Planner; Adam Long, Assistant City Attorney Agenda: 1.Call to Order Chair Frank Cornelius called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm upon arrival of Jack Ottini. 2.Roll Call 3.Approval of Minutes Board Member Jones Moved and Board Member Smith Seconded a Motion to Approve the minutes of November 28, 2016. Motion Passed 4-0. 4. Added Items None 5. Communications None 6. Notice of Upcoming Meetings Anderson stated that this item will likely go before the Economic and Community Development Committee on April 10, 2017. A short course on local planning will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2017 requiring registration with the Department of Commerce. 7. Public Hearing Docketed Comprehensive Plan Amendments [CPA-2017-1] Cornelius stated that this hearing considers proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan, land use plan map and zoning district map. Butsick presented six comprehensive plan docketed amendments for the 2015/2016 year; stating that amendments are submitted by residents, city council or staff. These amendments were discussed at the Land Use and Planning Board Workshop on February 27th. Staff recommends approval of these amendments to City Council. The first amendment is administrative in nature; is related to the educational services areas and facilities map; updates labels for Mill Creek Middle School and Mount Rainier High School; adds the point and label for the Valley View Elementary School. The second amendment adds Mobile Home Park (MHP) zoning as an allowed zoning designation under both low density multifamily and medium density multifamily 1 Land Use and Planning Board March 27, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 2 of 3 residential land use designations. Kent’s zoning code allows for mobile home zoning in these land use districts. This amendment makes this table consistent with what the zoning code says and fixes an inadvertent omission from the table. The third amendment is administrative. Economic and Community Development was asked to amend the comprehensive plan and make it reflect the City’s decision to surplus the Naden properties. The amendment updates language in the Park and Recreation Element to reflect the City’s decision to surplus those properties and recognize the new surplus process. The fourth amendment changes the land use plan map and the zoning districts map, rezones 43 acres at the intersection of S 180th Street and SR-167 from General Commercial to General Commercial/Mixed Use, and makes these properties consistent with properties zoned General Commercial/Mixed Use to the west as well as some Renton residential and commercial areas to the north and east. Key Changes based on this zoning re-designation allows for increasing maximum heights from 35 to 65 feet, allows increases in lot coverage, decreases some required setbacks, and allows property to be developed at a greater density. Staff reviewed the specific criteria required to consider rezoning to mixed use and concurs that these proposed amendments meet that criteria. It is likely that residential development on any of these properties might contribute to some traffic impacts. New development is required to bring the transportation system in the vicinity of the development up to the current level of service. Any impacts would be mitigated. There are no parks in close proximity to this property, one criteria for rezoning to mixed use. The multifamily design guidelines require 150 sf of open space per unit for multifamily residential; that can include indoor recreation such as racquet ball courts or gyms, balconies and rooftop decks. The fifth amendment updates the Housing Element Data to reflect the data provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Comprehensive Housing Affordability Study (CHAS) data report. This is a report that covers a range of topics on housing affordability, substandard housing, overcrowded housing, housing characteristics, and housing where households pay over 30 or 50 percent of their income on rent. The newest data indicates that renters paying over 50 percent of their income for rent in Kent has risen from 3,443 to 4,230 households. The sixth amendment changes the land use plan map to provide continuity with the zoning map for an area that was left as MHP where the surrounding area was rezoned to industrial. This land is designated as open space, urban conservancy in our shoreline master program. The properties are part of a river bank that goes down to the river. It is unlikely that it would be developed. We wanted to make sure that our land use plan reflects what is in our zoning. One comment was received from the public; a request to rezone a particular parcel along 180th to allow for maximum height of 195 feet and allow for additional 2 Land Use and Planning Board March 27, 2017 Minutes Kent, Washington Approval Pending Page 3 of 3 flexibility in parking-such as reduced parking space sizes and a reduction in the number of required spaces per hotel room or condo units. Staff is recommending that this item be considered as a separate request unrelated to the rezone of these properties as it differs from what the docket request was. Chair Cornelius Opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no speakers, Chair Cornelius closed the public hearing and called for a motion. Board Member Jones MOVED and Board Member Smith Seconded a Motion to recommend to the City Council Approval of the proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Plan Map, and Zoning Districts Map as presented by Staff. Cornelius Called for a Vote. Motion Passed 4-0. 8. Nomination and Election of Officers Board Member Smith MOVED and Board Member Ottini Seconded a Motion to elect Katherine Jones as Land Use and Planning Board Chair for 2017. Motion Passed 4-0. Board Member Smith MOVED and Board Member Jones Seconded a Motion to elect Jack Ottini as Land Use and Planning Board Vice-Chair for 2017. Cornelius called for the vote. Motion Passed 4-0. Pamela A. Mottram Administrative Assistant I Economic and Community Development March 27, 2017 3 4 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: May 8, 2017 To: Chair Katherine Jones and Land Use and Planning Board Members From: Hayley Bonsteel, Senior Long Range Planner RE: Complete Streets Amendments – Conduit and Trees [ZCA-2017-1] Summary: The City of Kent passed complete streets legislation, Ordinance 4207, on July 5, 2016, codifying the City’s commitment to a transportation system that provides for all users, regardless of mode, age or ability. At the time of the ordinance, the City of Kent already had many standards that contribute to safe and welcoming walking and biking environments, so staff created an administrative checklist process to ensure projects are scoped to include consideration of all existing standards and policies that support safe walking and biking environments, in addition to considerations that go above and beyond the standards. Street trees are an important component of a safe and welcoming pedestrian environment. The City of Kent passed Ordinance 1703 in 1971, declaring that it is a policy of the City to line its streets with trees, and regulated the maintenance, protection, control and removal of street trees. Street trees can calm traffic and reduce pedestrian fatalities. Street trees also preserve asphalt from sun damage and raise adjacent property values. While not specifically called out in the City’s complete streets Ordinance 4207, the City has long understood the integral component street trees are to a functioning and complete transportation system. Additionally, the City of Kent has identified conduit as an important element to consider during transportation project scoping. Given the potential fiscal impacts to removing and replacing sidewalks or other infrastructure when utilities are needed, it is the desire of the City to consider conduit needs along with other utilities as part of the assessment for complete streets. The attached amendment to the Complete Streets chapter of Kent City Code (6.14) rectifies the omission of these important elements of complete streets considerations, and makes some minor tweaks for clarity. Exhibits: Draft Ordinance Budget Impact: None HB\ct\S:\PUBLIC\City Clerk's Office\City Council\Advisory Committees\Land Use & Planning Board\2017\Packet Documents\5-8-17\6.14 Complete Streets MEMO LUPB 2017.docx MOTION: Recommend to the City Council approval of proposed amendments to the Kent City Code, related to Complete Streets, as presented by staff. 5 6 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, amending Chapter 6.14 of the Kent City Code entitled “Complete Streets.” RECITALS A. The City of Kent passed complete streets legislation, Ordinance 4207, on July 5, 2016, codifying the City’s commitment to a transportation system that provides for all users, regardless of mode, age or ability. B. The City of Kent already had many standards that contribute to safe and welcoming walking and biking environments at the time the complete streets Ordinance 4207 was passed. C. To implement Ordinance 4207, staff created an administrative checklist process to ensure projects are scoped to include consideration of all existing standards and policies that support safe walking and biking environments, in addition to considerations that go above and beyond the standards. D. The City of Kent passed Ordinance 1703 in 1971, declaring that it is a policy of the City to line its streets with trees, and regulated the maintenance, protection, control and removal of street trees. 7 E. Street trees are an important component of a safe and welcoming pedestrian environment. Street trees can calm traffic and reduce pedestrian fatalities. Street trees also preserve asphalt from sun damage and raise adjacent property values. While not specifically called out in the City’s complete streets Ordinance 4207, the City has long understood the integral component street trees are to a functioning and complete transportation system. F. More recently, the City of Kent has identified conduit as an important element to consider during transportation project scoping. Given the potential fiscal impacts to removing and replacing sidewalks or other infrastructure when utilities are needed, it is the desire of the City to consider conduit needs along with other utilities as part of the assessment for complete streets. G. The City determined that due to the procedural nature of this amendment (which includes no development regulations), neither notification to the State nor State Environmental Policy Act review is required. H. Planning staff presented the draft ordinance at a public hearing held by the Land Use and Planning Board on April 24, 2017. The LUPB moved to ______ recommend to the City Council adoption of the ordinance as presented by staff. I. The Public Works Committee, at its regularly scheduled meeting on _______, moved to accept the recommendation of the LUPB, and forward the matter for consideration by the full City Council. J. The City Council, at its regularly scheduled meeting on ____, adopted the ordinance as presented by staff. 8 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: ORDINANCE SECTION 1. - Amendment. Chapter 6.14 of the Kent City Code, entitled “Complete Streets,” is amended as follows: Sec. 6.14.010. Vision. The city endorses the concept of complete streets, which promotes roadways that are safe, convenient, and attractive for all users regardless of age and ability, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, freight haulers, and motor vehicle drivers. The vision of complete streets is a community in which all residents and visitors can safely and efficiently use the public right-of-way to meet their transportation needs regardless of their preferred mode of travel. Sec. 6.14.020. Policy. A. The city will plan for, design, construct, operate, and maintain an appropriate and integrated transportation system that will meet the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, transit riders, freight haulers, motorists, emergency responders, and residents of all ages and abilities. B. Transportation system facilities that support the concept of complete streets shall include, but are not limited to: pavement markings and signs; street and sidewalk lighting; sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements; Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Title VI compliance; street trees; transit accommodations; bicycle accommodations, including signage and markings; and, as appropriate, streetscapes that appeal to and promote all modes of travel. The system’s design will be consistent with and supportive of local neighborhoods, recognizing that transportation needs vary and must be balanced in a 9 flexible, safe, and cost-effective manner. Projects will therefore be assessed holistically to include the many considerations outlined above, as well as the future need for conduit for city-owned fiber optics communications, given the budgetary implications for provision of facilities. Sec. 6.14.030. Applicability. The city will plan for, design, and construct all new city transportation improvement projects to provide appropriate and safe accommodation for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, freight haulers, motor vehicles, and persons of all abilities. Those city employees involved in the planning and design of projects within the public right-of-way will give consideration to all users and modes of travel from the start of planning and design work consistent with approved plans and standards. Transportation system improvements shall be viewed as opportunities to create safer, more accessible streets for all users, and as opportunities to improve city communication processes between relevant personnel, such as consulting city arborists on designs including street trees. This shall apply to new construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. The city may create a checklist that will assist in considering modes of travel in the planning and design of transportation system improvements. ADA-specific projects, such as the installation of ramps or other improvements required for improved accessibility, are exempt from complete streets consideration, as are ordinary maintenance activities such as mowing, sweeping, spot repair, joint sealing, pothole filling, and installation of raised pavement markers. Sec. 6.14.050. Plans and standards. As city plans, guidelines, and standards are updated, consideration shall be given to complete streets concepts to ensure that new regulations and practices comply with this chapter and the latest in applicable complete streets research and best practices. Examples of plans and standards include, but are not limited to, 10 the design and construction standards and the Transportation Master Plan. Resources to be referenced in developing these standards and plans shall include, but not be limited to, the latest editions of National Association of City Transportation Officials’ Urban Street Design Guide and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Sec. 6.14.100. Exemptions. A. The mayor, after consultation with the public works director, the economic and community development director, and the parks and human services director, may determine that a project is exempt from any or all of the requirements of this chapter, based on the following circumstances: 1. The project would require the accommodation of street uses that are prohibited by law; 2. The accommodation of a specific use is expected to have adverse impacts on environmental resources such as streams, wetlands, or floodplains, or on historic structures or sites (eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers), above and beyond the impacts of currently existing infrastructure; 3. Topographic challenges make accommodation of a specific use infeasible; 4. The establishment of complete streets facilities would be contrary to public safety; 5. The cost would be excessively disproportionate to the need or probable future use; or 11 6. The inclusion of complete streets facilities would create a disconnected section (less than 300 feet) of improvements where additional improvements at either end are unlikely to occur within 10 years. B. Where the above exemptions allow complete streets facilities to be omitted from a roadway project, the city shall consider whether bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and persons of all abilities can be accommodated by nearby facilities, and shall strive to provide complete streets connections to those facilities. Sec. 6.14.120. Intergovernmental cooperation. The city will cooperate with other transportation agencies, including the Washington State Department of Transportation, King County Metro, and Sound Transit, to ensure the principles and practices of complete streets are embedded within their planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities. The city will specifically cooperate to ensure the transportation network flows seamlessly between jurisdictions in accordance with local and regional road, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian plans. SECTION 2. – Severability. If any one or more section, subsection, or sentence of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. – Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser. Upon approval of the city attorney, the city clerk and the code reviser are authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of clerical errors; ordinance, section, or subsection numbering; or references to other local, state, or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations. 12 SECTION 4. – Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty days from and after its passage, as provided by law. SUZETTE COOKE, MAYOR ATTEST: KIMBERLEY A. KOMOTO, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM: TOM BRUBAKER, CITY ATTORNEY 13 PASSED: day of , 2017. APPROVED: day of , 2017. PUBLISHED: day of , 2017. I hereby certify that this is a true copy of Ordinance No. passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, and approved by the Mayor of the City of Kent as hereon indicated. (SEAL) KIMBERLEY A. KOMOTO, CITY CLERK 14 ECONOMIC and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue S. Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: May 8, 2017 To: Chair Katherine Jones and Land Use and Planning Board Members From: Erin George, AICP, Senior Planner Re: Public Notice and Subdivision Code Amendment (SCA-2017-1) SUMMARY: City Administration has directed staff to develop options for changing the City’s platting and public notice process, in an effort to better notify residents of nearby development. Changes to be considered include: 1) Larger mailing radius for public notices (KCC 12.01.145 and 12.04.140); 2) Possible neighborhood meeting requirement early in the development process (KCC 12.04.155); 3) Requiring changes to access points be made via a major plat alteration with a public hearing (KCC 12.04.227); and 4) Allowing vesting to be maintained with major plat alterations (KCC 12.04.227). Code amendments are typically included in the annual docket process to be evaluated as a whole, establish a yearly work program, and efficiently utilize staff resources. Staff would like to consider the proposed public notice and Subdivision Code amendments along with the 2016 dockets that are currently moving forward under the Planning staff’s 2017 work program. EG: S:\Permit\Plan\SUBDIVISION_CODE_AMENDMENTS\2017\SCA-2017-1 Public Notice & Plat Alterations\SCA-2017-1 - LUPBMemo_4-24-17.doc cc: Ben Wolters, Economic & Community Development Director Charlene Anderson, AICP Long Range Planning Manager MOTION: Information only 15 16 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: May 8, 2017 To: Chair Kathi Jones and Land Use and Planning Board Members From: Hayley Bonsteel, Senior Long Range Planner Re: Street Tree Program Improvements - Overview SUMMARY: Through implementing the City of Kent’s Complete Streets program, the Mayor instructed staff to develop a plan for more successful street tree plantings. The issues most commonly identified have to do with tree selection; however, through interviews with key staff, staff from other jurisdictions and interested community members, a number of other issues have risen in importance. Addressing these issues is likely to have more impact on street tree success than the more detailed selection guidance originally envisioned. Staff have prepared a plan for short- and long-term improvements, and have begun work implementing these new processes. The attached report details the findings staff are using to create a roadmap for a more successful street tree program. Project components include integration into complete streets assessment and assistance reviewing and documenting procedures during the transition of street tree responsibilities from Parks to Public Works, as well as further research into other issues identified. Staff will be available at the April 24th workshop to give an overview of the project and answer questions. Exhibits: Street Tree Program Findings Report Budget Impact: None cc: Ben Wolters, Economic and Community Development Director Charlene Anderson, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager HB:ct\S:\PUBLIC\City Clerk's Office\City Council\Advisory Committees\Land Use & Planning Board\2017\Packet Documents\5-8-17\Street Trees Program Update MEMO LUPB5.8.17.docx MOTION: Information Only 17 18 Kent’s Street Tree Program – Findings Report and Preliminary Analysis Introduction Through implementing the City of Kent’s Complete Streets program, the Mayor instructed staff to develop a plan for more successful street tree plantings. The issues most commonly identified have to do with tree selection; however, through interviews with key staff, staff from other jurisdictions and interested community members, a number of other issues have risen in importance. Addressing these issues is likely to have more impact on street tree success than the more detailed selection guidance originally envisioned. Background Kent passed Ordinance 1703 in 1971 regulating the planting, maintenance, protection, control and removal of street trees. The ordinance declares that it is a policy of the City to line its streets with trees and to provide a consistent and adequate program for maintenance and preservation of such trees. The ordinance also stipulates that it shall be the consistent purpose of the City to provide proper maintenance according to good municipal forestry practices for all trees growing along city arterials and in business and industrial districts. In 1995, Ordinance 2567 amended the adopted regulations to give decision-making authority to the Parks Director, rather than the Park Board. This ordinance also established the Parks and Recreation department, but otherwise did not substantially change the content of the street tree program as laid out in Ordinance 1703. Unfortunately, it seems that city policies and procedures are not always followed, as in the case of Central Avenue, which was completed just recently in 2016 and did not include street trees. This may be due to a combination of issues, including inconsistent values regarding trees, unclear processes or missed communications, inadequate funding, and insufficient staff training. In 2017, the Parks department and Public Works department are gearing up to transition the street tree program entirely to Public Works. This project is potentially well timed to take advantage of that transition, as explained in the recommended actions section, below. 19 The Issues Issue 1: Making the right kind of places for trees to succeed. This is a values/culture issue, as well as a process/communications issue. This has been incorporated into the Complete Streets process. This may have indirect funding implications. Consulting arborists during the design phase of roadway projects (which happens sometimes but not consistently), and committing (leadership and staff) to making good places (i.e., designing projects with enough space to create successful planting beds), would likely go a long way toward improving Kent’s street tree program. Unfortunately, when ROW is at a premium, there are funding implications to making good places for trees. Issue 2: Properly planting and maintaining trees. This is a process/communication issue, as well as a funding issue. Guidance may be developed as part of a report, but will be irrelevant without adequate funding. Having arborists on site during planting or having arborists consistently conduct post-planting inspections would help ensure proper planting procedures and improve the success of Kent’s street trees. Funding a maintenance staff with adequate personnel to ensure that newly planted trees receive three years of care while getting established and all trees receive pruning on a cycle of less than seven years would likely help trees remain in good shape for as long as possible, as well as identify issues before they become hazardous. Issue 3: Removing trees as rarely as possible, only when truly needed, and agreeing on acceptable replacement procedures. This is a process/communications issue, as well as a values/culture issue, and may be addressed in a report. All departments and leadership need to agree on what warrants tree removal, which (apart from arborist-identified hazards) is a somewhat values-based judgement. Ultimately, a worthy goal would be for all staff and elected officials to commit to tree removal being acceptable only as a last resort, when all other methods of mitigation have been deemed infeasible. Additionally, agreeing on acceptable replacement procedures could help keep staff on the same page— although how closely such expectations and agreements would be followed for a specific project may vary, since a report cannot enforce any recommendations. 20 Issue 4: Preventing damage to trees during construction. This is a staff training issue, as well as a process/communications issue. Having an arborist present to ensure best practices for tree protection are being followed may improve the chances for existing street trees to remain healthy when construction projects are located nearby. Staff have heard that the City does have best management practices in place and that staff have only recently recognized the importance in following them—however, confirmation of this is still pending. It may be prudent to codify the City’s BMPs into more formal SOPs (standard operating procedures) or another adopted document. Issue 5: Sidewalk claims This is a complication that is somewhat related to all of the above issues. The City of Kent spends thousands of dollars every year in claims for people who have tripped on sidewalks. Some of those sidewalks are buckled due to trees. While some of this issue would be solved by working on Issue 1 (making the right kinds of places for trees to succeed), trees will continue to buckle sidewalks in existing configurations (where planter beds are too small) and even in more ideal configurations (if we provide more planter bed space, but the tree roots buckle the sidewalk for other reasons). This is simply an urban reality that many jurisdictions face. What may be unique to Kent is the magnitude of claims or dollars spent. Recommended Actions On Issue 1: Incorporating arborist consultation into the complete streets process is an immediate action staff has recently taken that could have a large impact. Further discussions with the new team of arborists taking over the street tree program could also provide more opportunities to shift the staff culture at the outset of this Public Works-run phase of the street tree program. Longer term strategies include performing a canopy cover survey and setting goals to increase canopy cover on city streets. On Issue 2: Staff can review and revise existing guidance and create guiding documents as needed to help in the transition of the street tree program from Parks to Public Works. In particular, documenting the procedures and practices of the Parks arborists to ensure the continuation of institutional knowledge during the 21 transition to Public Works is likely to be very valuable. However, funding maintenance will remain an issue. On Issue 3: Staff can review and revise existing guidelines but the likelihood is that individual project decisions will be where this particular rubber hits the road. Staff can create a process whereby tree removal decisions are documented and circulated before tree removal to ensure that staff from multiple departments have input – however, the expertise of the arborist should be what the final decision rests on, so the input of planners in ECD or Parks may be seen as advisory and without the weight of technical expertise. For now, reviewing existing guidelines and procedures (or lack thereof) for documentation is the most sensible action to take. On Issue 4: Staff can review and revise best management practices for tree protection and examine how communication about projects does or does not include arborist expertise. As the street tree program is being transitioned to Public Works from Parks, it may make the most sense to participate in the transition discussions and suggest new communication processes as they come up. In other words, now that construction projects will be in the same department as the street tree program, arborists may be more likely to know about construction projects and watch out for BMPs—and perhaps a new process could be developed through the transition to ensure that communication. On Issue 5: Staff can continue to explore how Kent’s procedures related to sidewalk claims compare to other jurisdictions’. Addressing Issues 1 and 3 (i.e., leaving more space for future trees and ensuring that existing trees are not removed unnecessarily due to sidewalk concerns) is likely to ameliorate some of this issue. However, further research is needed to understand how other jurisdictions are able to creatively keep trees despite sidewalk issues, and whether or not there are other gaps in Kent’s processes that could be addressed to lessen the impact on the City of these claims. Summary Staff originally envisioned a “Street Tree Master Plan” under the assumption that further guidance on species selection was needed. However, numerous interviews with staff from Public Works, HR (risk) and Parks, as well as SDOT’s Urban Forestry group and Seattle Parks arborists, have yielded a much more complicated picture. Therefore, staff proposes a new direction for the project that would include integration into complete streets assessment and assistance reviewing and 22 documenting procedures during the transition from Parks to Public Works, as well as further open-ended research into the other issues identified. 23 24 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: May 8, 2017 To: Chair Kathi Jones and Land Use and Planning Board Members From: Hayley Bonsteel, Senior Long Range Planner Re: Meet Me on Meeker Update MOTION: Information Only SUMMARY: Meet Me on Meeker, the collaborative redesign of a key gateway to our downtown, is making significant strides towards implementation. Through a TIB grant, in-house work, and upcoming development, several segments of the corridor will better serve our residents by providing quality walking and bicycling infrastructure within just a few years. Community outreach has shown the latent demand for these investments, and the project is gaining visibility in the region for its forward-thinking approach. Staff members are now at the starting stages of tackling how to fund, phase, and implement the preferred cross-section and layout created in the Meet Me on Meeker Concept Plan. Staff will offer a high-level run-through of the project and segmentation, demonstrating the best understanding at this stage of how concepts can be constructed over the next few years. To make current preliminary, high-level cost estimates and potential sequencing more accurate, additional survey work and a higher percentage of engineering and design will need to be accomplished. Staff, therefore, will also sketch the critical path for Meet Me on Meeker. BUDGET IMPACT: None cc: Ben Wolters, Economic & Community Development Director Charlene Anderson, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager Enc: Presentation Slides BE\ct\S:\PUBLIC\City Clerk's Office\City Council\Advisory Committees\Land Use & Planning Board\2017\Packet Documents\MMOM LUPB Update Memo 5.8.17.docx 25 26 ME E T M E ON M E E K E R ST R A T E G I E S F O R M O V I N G T H E C O N C E P T FO R W A R D 27 • Ec o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n c a l l s f o r r e b u i l d i n g c o m m e r c i a l co r r id o r s • Fr o n t d o o r t o K e n t f o r d r i v e r s c o m i n g f r o m I -5 • 40 A c r e s o f d e v e l o p m e n t i s h a p p e n i n g ; M e e k e r i s c h a n g i n g ME E K E R S T R E E T MA T T E R S 28 Th e C i t y h a s • Re z o n e d t h e a r e a t o b e m o r e u r b a n a s p a r t o f t h e D o w n t o w n S u b a r e a A c t i o n P l a n • Ex p a n d e d t h e b o u n d a r i e s o f t h e d o w n t o w n a r e a t o 6 4 th Av e n u e • Ap p l i e d t h e d o w n t o w n d e s i g n s t a n d a r d s t o e n t i r e c o r r i d o r Me e ke r S t r e e t ’ s c u r r e n t d e s i g n a n d f u n c t i o n d o e s n o t s u p p o r t f u t u r e u r b a n de v e l o p m e n t ME E K E R S T R E E T MA T T E R S 29 • Ho w c a n t h e C i t y s u p p o r t a n d d i r e c t ch a n g e ? • Ho w c a n t h e C i t y c o n n e c t n e w d e v e l o p m e n t to d o w nt ow n ? • Ho w c a n t h e C i t y c r e a t e a p l a c e p e o p l e wa n t t o b e ? SO : 30 Sm a r t G r o w t h A m e r i c a • Se p t e m b e r 2 0 1 5 - Tw o -da y wo r k s h o p w i t h n a t i o n a l e x p e r t s • St a f f a n d el e c ted s pa r t i c i p a t e d , p l u s a d v a n c e d c o m m u n i t y o u t r e a c h • Pl a c e m a k i n g + ide n t i t y = e c o n o m i c c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s • Co m p l e t e s t r e e t s p r i n c i p l e s KI C K O F F WO R K S H O P S 31 (F r o m t h e S G A w o r k s h o p s ) • Co n n e c t h i s t o r i c c o r e t o K D M / 5 1 6 a n d I -5 • Im p r o v e s a f e t y f o r m u l t i p l e u s e r s : p e d e s t r i a n s , c y c l i s t s , r e s i d e n t s • Cr e a t e a s e n s e o f p l a c e a n d d i s t i n c t i v e i d e n t i t y • Co m p l e m e n t n e w d e v e l o p m e n t GO A L S O F T H E PR O J E C T 32 CO M M U N I T Y OU T R E A C H 33 Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n A n a l y s i s : • Te s t i n g o f r o a d w a y a n d i n t e r s e c t i o n a l t e r n a t i v e s • Ex p a n d e d a n a l y s i s o f A M , M i d d a y a n d P M p e a k h o u r s • 20 3 5 g r o w t h p r o j e c t i o n s f r o m T r a n s p o r t a t i o n E l e m e n t U p d a t e TR A F F I C A N A L Y S I S  Ma j o r O b s e r v a t i o n s :  SR 5 1 6 i s a h i g h - sp e e d , p a r a l l e l ro u t e ; w i t h i n t e r s e c t i o n im p r o v e m e n t s , i t c o u l d c a r r y mo r e t r a f f i c t h a n i t d o e s n o w  3 l a n e s e n o u g h f o r m o s t o f Me e k e r c o r r i d o r  To m e e t L O S , a w i d e r s e c t i o n wo u l d be n e e d e d a t W a s h i n g t o n Av e i n t e r s e c t i o n . 34 PR E L I M I N A R Y DE S I G N S 35 PR E L I M I N A R Y DE S I G N S 36 PR E L I M I N A R Y DE S I G N S 37 BR E A K I N G T H E CO R R I D O R D O W N 38 FU L L C O N C E P T V S PA R T I A L C O N C E P T 39 NE A R -TE R M DE V E L O P M E N T 40 LO N G -TE R M RE D E V E L O P M E N T 41 PO T E N T I A L P R I O R I T I E S FO R G R A N T S  42 WH E R E “ P A I N T F I R S T ” MA Y W O R K B E S T 43 NE X T S T E P S • PR O P E R T Y O W N E R O U T R E A C H ( O N G O I N G ) • DI S C U S S I O N W I T H P O T E N T I A L D E V E L O P E R S • DE S I G N A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N S T A N D A R D S • DE V E L O P M E N T – Q2/ Q 3 • ADO P T I O N – Q3 / Q 4 • DET A I L E D S U R V E Y • FU R T H E R D E S I G N O F P R I O R I T Y S E G M E N T S • MA R Q U E E O N M E E K E R • 64 TH IN T E R S E C T I O N ( I N T E R I M ) • 4TH IN T E R S E C T I O N • FU R T H E R D E S I G N O F F U L L C O R R I D O R • ON G O I N G : G R A N T P R O S P E C T I N G & P R E P A R A T I O N • RE G I O N A L R E C O G N I T I O N G R O W I N G 44 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: May 8, 2017 To: From: RE: Chair Katherine Jones and Land Use and Planning Board Members Hayley Bonsteel, Senior Long Range Planner Sound Transit Light Rail Update MOTION: Information Only SUMMARY: City staff has been meeting with Sound Transit staff on a weekly basis for the past few months. These meetings are intended to generate discussion and eventually concurrence on a wide range of issues related to the Federal Way Link Extension light rail project, including the Kent-Des Moines station, the Star Lake/272nd Street station, and the guideway between the two stations. The topics discussed so far have included the City’s code requirements and possible deviation requests, maintenance responsibilities, station design including canopy coverage, wind protection and seating, crosswalk locations, restrooms, transit-oriented development strategy, the design-build process and other environmental/technical topics. In the coming months, staff will continue to hash out individual issues, while also gearing up for the next phases in Sound Transit’s process. The next phase includes reconvening the stakeholders who were previously involved in the outreach process for another workshop, related to architecture and neighborhood compatibility. Additionally, Sound Transit’s art program is kicking off with neighborhood research, and the City’s arts commission has become engaged on the project. Sound Transit is also beginning right-of-way acquisition soon. Key issues that are still to be resolved at a staff level include the possibility of regional detention, the feasibility of relocating overhead transmission lines away from 30th Avenue, the design and location of plazas near the station, and how the ground floor of the garage will be designed for an activated and safe pedestrian experience. All of these issues, in addition to any code deviation requests, will go before the City Council later this year. Any code amendments will go before the Land Use and Planning Board as well. Therefore, staff will be available on the April 24th meeting of the LUPB to give a high level overview of the work done to date on the light rail project, and will be happy to answer any questions regarding the project. BUDGET IMPACT: None HB:pm S:\PUBLIC\City Clerk's Office\City Council\Advisory Committees\Land Use & Planning Board\2017\Packet Documents\4-24- 17\LUPB FWLE UPDATE 4.24.17.docx cc: Ben Wolters, Economic & Community Development Director Charlene Anderson, AICP, Planning Manager 45 46 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ben Wolters, Director Phone: 253-856-5454 Fax: 253-856-6454 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032-5895 Date: May 8, 2017 To: From: RE: Chair Katherine Jones and Land Use and Planning Board Members Danielle Butsick, Long-Range Planner/GIS Coordinator Sound Transit Sounder Access Improvements MOTION: Information Only SUMMARY: Sound Transit restored funding for the Kent Station Access Improvements project in 2016; the project was initially authorized in 2008, and suspended in 2010 as a result of the recession. A new parking structure is the main project component, but pedestrian and non-motorized improvements will likely be included as well. Economic and Community Development staff is collaborating with Sound Transit staff to ensure that the project is consistent with City of Kent long- term goals and that implemented improvements enhance the character of Kent’s downtown. Sound Transit held an open house and stakeholder meeting to guide selection of site alternatives; staff met with Sound Transit and consultants to narrow the list of alternatives to four sites. Staff will briefly describe the project and be available to answer questions from the Board. The project is likely to include a 450-parking-stall garage and non-motorized access improvements as determined by the stakeholder and technical advisory committee process. Four top alternatives have been identified for project siting. These include 1) a vacant lot on the north side of E James Street 2) the Kent Station surface parking lot; 3) the Washington Cold Storage facility and parking lot and the Sound Transit-owned surface parking lot on Railroad; and 4) Kaibara Park. Staff provided information on the Kaibara Park site at the April 10, 2017 ECDC meeting, and recommended that Kaibara Park be removed from consideration as a garage site. Feedback from the committee supported this recommendation. BUDGET IMPACT: None cc: Ben Wolters, Economic & Community Development Director Charlene Anderson, AICP, Planning Manager HB\ct\S:\PUBLIC\City Clerk's Office\City Council\Advisory Committees\Land Use & Planning Board\2017\Packet Documents\5-8- 17\LUPB ST Access Improvements UPDATE MEMO 5.8.17.docx 47 48 SO U N D TR A N S I T LI G H T R A I L LA N D U S E AN D P L A N N I N G BO AR D 5/8/1 7 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 WH A T ’ S B E E N D O N E ? Mo n t h l y I n t e r a g e n c y W o r k i n g G r o u p To u r s o f t r a n s i t s t a t i o n s a n d g a r a g e s In t e r i m p r e l i m i n a r y e n g i n e e r i n g d r a w i n g s – 2 8 9 co m m e n t s En v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t S t a t e m e n t St a k e h o l d e r m e e t i n g s Ci t y m e e t i n g s w i t h M e t r o , W S D O T , s p e c i a l d i s t r i c t s , ad j a c e n t j u r i s d i c t i o n s Pr e - F i n a l p r e l i m i n a r y e n g i n e e r i n g – 3 7 5 c o m m e n t s We e k l y s t a f f m e e t i n g s 56 WH E R E A R E W E N O W ? Tr a n s i t w a y a n d d e v e l o p m e n t ag r e e m e n t s – 2 0 1 7 Wi t h p a s s a g e o f S T 3 , K e n t no w h a s t w o s t a t i o n s a n d a lo n g g u i d e w a y - 2 0 2 4 An g l e L a k e S t a t i o n O p e n e d Se p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6 Ti m e l y co m p l e t i o n KE N T ’ S G O A L S Pr o v i d e q u a l i t y ur b a n T O D Me e t u s e r ex p e c t a t i o n s 57 WH A T ’ S A H E A D ? Fu r t h e r d e v e l o p w o r k i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p s - S o u n d Tr a n s i t , s p e c i a l s e r v i c e d i s t r i c t s , n e i g h b o r i n g ju r i s d i c t i o n s , M e t r o , H i g h l i n e C o l l e g e Co o r d i n a t e w i t h W S D O T o n S R 5 0 9 Fi n a l i z e t r a n s i t w a y a n d d e v e l o p m e n t ag r e e m e n t s En s u r e T O D o n s u r p l u s p r o p e r t i e s - K e n t - D e s Mo i n e s a n d K e n t - S . 2 7 2 nd St a r L a k e Co n s i d e r r e z o n i n g a r o u n d K e n t - S . 2 7 2 nd St a r L a k e 58 DE V E L O P M E N T AG R E E M E N T Pa r t n e r s h i p s a n d c o o r d i n a t i o n Go o d m u l t i m o d a l s t r e e t d e s i g n Qu a l i t y d e s i g n o f s t a t i o n s a n d g a r a g e s ; a d e q u a t e p a r k i n g Co o p e r a t e o n g r a n t s f o r b i k e a n d p e d e s t r i a n c o n n e c t i o n s to n e i g h b o r i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n s Fl e x i b i l i t y f r o m H C T c o d e Br a n d i n g , s i g n a g e , w a y f i n d i n g , a r t w o r k St a f f i n g r e s o u r c e s , p e r m i t p r o c e s s , v e s t i n g Ow n e r s h i p a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f i n f r a s t r u c t u r e 59 60 KE N T S O U N D E R ST A T I O N A C C E S S IM P R O V E M E N T S LA N D U S E AN D P L A N N I N G BO AR D 5/8/1 7 61 PR O J E C T BA C K G R O U N D Pa r t o f S T 2 I n v e s t m e n t s : • Pl a n n i n g b e g a n i n 2 0 0 8 • Po s t p o n e d i n 2 0 1 0 – l o w e r r e v e n u e s t h a n p r o j e c t e d Re p r e s e n t a t i v e s c o p e : • 45 0 - s t a l l g a r a g e • bi k e , p e d , a n d t r a n s i t a c c e s s i m p r o v e m e n t s • $3 3 . 1 M i n 2 0 1 6 d o l l a r s 62 CI T Y S T A F F R O L E Te c h n i c a l A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e ( T A C ) • Si t e s e l e c t i o n • Zo n i n g , d e v e l o p m e n t r e g s . • Pr i o r i t y a c c e s s i m p r o v e m e n t n e e d s • Co o r d i n a t i o n w i t h o n g o i n g / p l a n n e d p r o j e c t s St a k e h o l d e r s • Ma i n t a i n c i t y p o i n t o f c o n t a c t • Co o r d i n a t e w i t h a d v o c a c y g r o u p s 63 DE V E L O P M E N T RE G U L A T I O N S Zo n i n g : D C E & G C - M U • hi g h - d e n s i t y • va r i e t y o f u s e s • pe d e s t r i a n - o r i e n t e d c h a r a c t e r Do w n t o w n d e s i g n r e v i e w • “H u m a n s c a l e ” , p e d e s t r i a n o r i e n t a t i o n • Co h e s i v e p i e c e o f t h e w h o l e e x p e r i e n c e Hi g h - C a p a c i t y T r a n s i t ( H C T ) • we l l - d e s i g n e d • di s t i n c t i v e • co n n e c t e d 64 Ke n t S o u n d e r S t a t i o n 65 SI T E S E L E C T I O N 66 NE X T S T E P S Ci t y C o u n c i l b r i e f i n g M a y 2 nd (S o u n d Tr a n s i t ) On g o i n g s t a f f p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n T A C • na r r o w t o o n e p r e f e r r e d s i t e • su i t e o f a c c e s s i m p r o v e m e n t s On g o i n g s t a k e h o l d e r / p r o p e r t y o w n e r co o r d i n a t i o n 67