HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic and Community Development - 10/13/2014 KENT
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 13, 2014
Committee Members Committee Chair Bill Boyce, Dennis Higgins, and Jim Berrios. Boyce
called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to the Agenda Item No. 9 moved to the top of the Agenda as No. 5.
4. Approval of Minutes
Berrios Moved and Higgins Seconded a Motion to Approve the Minutes of
September 08, 2014. Motion PASSED 3-0.
S. LEAN Process Improvements and Civil Construction Permits Update
Brennan Taylor, Development Engineering Manager, gave an update on the new civil
construction permit review process implemented the week of September 15, 2014. Taylor
handed out customer surveys and spoke about a workshop held in June. Taylor spoke about
the requirement to issue a customized pre-submittal checklist along with a consolidated
review letter to communicate what'Js expected of the applicant. Taylor stated that a
submittal screening process was createcl and that the Review Center has been improved.
Taylor elaborated on some of the 41 implementation items to revise the process and
advised that since the new process rolled out, 4'new civil construction permits have been
submitted with 3 of those permits accepted. The new process allows 5 weeks for the first
review and 3 weeks for re-review; whereas the old process allowed 30 days for the first
review and 7 days for re-review. Any suggested improvements will be discussed at the end
of the year or early next year.
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6. Countrywide Planning Policies/Ratification
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Director, spoke about recommendations from the Growth
Management Planning Council (GMPC) on 3 policies to the King County Council. The City of
Kent and other jurisdictions in King County have 90 days from the date of the County
ordinance to ratify recommendations; 30 percent of King County jurisdictions representing
70 percent of the population must approve a Countywide Policy before it becomes official. If
the City does not act, it is viewed as approved after 90 days.
Satterstrom discussed 3 amendments; the trade of the Klahanie Potential Annexation Area
(PAA), from Issaquah to the City of Sammamish; the expansion of the Urban Growth area,
and adding the Rainier Ridge Area to Maple Valley's PAA.
Higgins MOVED and Berrios SECONDED a Motion to recommend to the Full Council
ratification of amendments to 'the: King. County Countywide Planning Policies
(CPPs) to transfer the Klahanie Potential Annexation Area (PAA) from Issaquah to
Sammamish, clarify criteria for expansion of the Urban Growth Area, and add the
urban portion of the area known as the Rainier Ridge Four-to-One to the Urban
Growth Area and amend the PAA map to add the same area to the Maple Valley
PAA. Motion PASSED 3-0.
7. Sound Transit Update
Satterstrom gave an update on the Sound Transit Link Extension stating that the Sound
Transit staff continues to work on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As part of
their outreach, information is being sent to property owners who are possibly in the
extension path. Satterstrom stated that the EIS is due to be published by January or
February 2015 and in addition to the environmental factors, Sound Transit's reviewing
potential availability for transit-oriented development (TOD).
Cathal Ridge, Project Manager for the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE),
referenced a PowerPoint presentation to show the steps for identifying preferred
alternatives. The results will be available when the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) is published.
Ridge spoke about the Environmental Analysis and°'elements of the Station Analysis. He
spoke about potential station locations at Kent-Des' Moines, 272nd and the Federal Way
Transit Center, 2161h and 260th along the SR-99 Corridor. Ridge spoke about the cost to
fund extending the rail system as far as Kent-Des Moines. Ridge stated that stations are
frequently located on the borders of different cities, affecting multiple jurisdictions. Ridge
spoke about the various stations being trench or elevated designs which affects alignment,
design, costs and environmental impacts.
Ridge advised that the next steps in the process include completing an Alternative Analysis,
DEIS, Final EIS, and then the Final Design and Construction. Ridge spoke about four station
location alternatives; SR-99, I-5, SR 99 to I-5; and I-5 to SR 99. Ridge spoke about design,
alignments, parking, cost; ridership, travel time, environmental impacts related to visual
and noise. Ridge stated that Transit Oriented Development (TOD) potential will be available
once the DEIS is published. He described TOD Strategic Plan goals stating that key
questions have been raised regarding what refinements could be made to station concepts
to make them better in terms of TOD potential. Ridge described four key areas that
contribute to successful TOD; station access, market support, availability of land, and
plans, policies, & regulations.
Ridge conveyed that once the DEI$,'is published, the document will be available for a 45
day comment period both online aridPat'`local libraries. A copy could be obtained for a fee.
Sound Transit staff will review all comments once,ahe comment period is closed. By mid-
April/May, the Sound Transit Board (STB) will be ,presented with the analysis and the
reaction/perspective of the analysis.
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S. Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Panel — Light Rail Extension
Satterstrom stated that staff questioned which station and alignment present the best
potential for TOD. The ULI Technical Panel and Kidder Matthews, Consultant for Sound
Transit, were hired to review an in-depth analysis. The ULI Technical Panel had an
orientation tour and dinner at ShoWare 'with' City of Kent staff in early September. The
week of Sept 18th, the ULI Technical Panel spent a full day at the City of Kent discussing
different potentials and developing a written report that will be submitted to the City by the
end of October. Satterstrom stated that the 8 Technical Panel members include architects,
commercial and residential developers, real estate investment professionals, and
Shoreline's Economic and Community Development Director.
Satterstrom gave a PowerPoint presentation that spoke to questions for the Panel related
to: 1. Station location, design, layout, and features that would maximize TOD in Kent? How
to facilitate the TOD location? 2. Is the Midway Subarea a viable TOD market? 3. What
more can Kent do to support or incerittivize TOD?
ECDC Minutes
October 13,2014
Page 2 of 4
Satterstrom described 8 proposed station locations in the Midway/Highline Area stating that
there are different alignments associated with each alternative station location; trench
design, elevated, or at-grade station locations. Satterstrom described some of the near
term (10-15 years) findings stating that current demographics of the Midway area and lack
of amenities do not support the kind of rents that might be typical of TOD related to
housing and commercial development. Satterstrom conveyed that the ULI Technical Panel
felt there is a minimal demand for TOD. tarry Yok, Highline Community College (HCC)
President, has stated that expansion plans do not call for any new building construction or
housing residents on campus. The ULI felt that transit to major job centers is minimal at
this juncture. By the time the station is built and opened in 2023 there will be several other
sites in King County that Kent would have to share perspective with.
Satterstrom stated that long term (15+ years) TOD viability depends on creating a
desirable urban environment and continued growth to Central Puget Sound. Growth to
Central Puget Sound would create traffic congestion and an increase in driving costs which
would create an impetus for transit use. Mr. Satterstrom spoke of expansion of light rail
further south, availability of large land tracts near stations, and about improved public
infrastructure and amenities.
Satterstrom elaborated on the Pros and Cons of,why the ULI agreed that the Median
Station on SR 99 is the best potential TOD opportunity. Satterstrom spoke about a possible
trench alternative located on the west edge of SR-99 and about recommendations of what
Kent can do to incentivize TOD in the future; land assemblage and public acquisitions.
Satterstrom spoke about parking adjustments,stating that if there are more than 20 or 30
stalls, structured parking is encouraged. Satterstrom spoke about market opportunities and
suggestions to increase the height limit from 55.to 65 feet, 4 over:1 1st level of parking
with 4 stories of residential over that.
Ben Wolters, Economic and Community Development Director, concluded that
recommendations such as land acquisition, ,infrastructure improvements, and creating a
sense of place will create successful TOD as t..did for the Kent Station project.
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9. School Districts Capital Facilities Plans (CFPs)
Satterstrom stated that as part of the budget adoption process, the City commonly adopts
the Capital Facilities Elements of the School Districts; Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, and
Highline. Council will hold a Public Hearing in November or December to adopt the School
Districts' CFPs along with school impact fees. Satterstrom stated that Kent contributed well
over $25 million in school impact feel since 1996.
Ralph Fortunato, Director of Principal Services for the Kent School District, stated that this
is the 41h year where fees have remained level. Fortunato stated that the Kent School has
received $21 million in impact fees since 1997 from the City of Kent. The Kent School
District has received less funding from King County, as the King County School Technical
Review Committee reviews a Capital Facilities Formula to determine where to distribute
impact fees. At this time Covington is.the'first priority, Fortunato stated that a school is
needed in the Valley to relieve congestion. An early education kindergarten school recently
opened, relieving the Kent and Neely O'Brien School of about 225 students. Conversation
continued on potential developments and the capacity for change.
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ECDC Minutes
October 13,2014
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10. Economic Development Report Update
Wolters reported on the potential`for resurrecting the Keyes Plat. King County Development
Director concluded that there is administrative.authority to resurrect plats. However, the
City's Legal Department has some fundamental differences in opinion. City Attorney Tom
Brubaker will conduct legal research prior to issuing a final decision; then will hold a
meeting with Mr. Keyes.
Wolters stated that the Sports Authority has signed a lease and will be opening in the Lake
Meridian Shopping Center.'
Wolters advised that Tarragon Phase III site is moving forward and will be submitting their
building permit application.
Kent is still in the running for the Federal Aviation Administration facility. The City is waiting
for feedback for final submittal in January.
Trader Toes had one of the busiest opening days of any store in Kent in quite some time.
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Adiournment <
Chair Boyce adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Alixandri ,Lu, e retary
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ECDC Minutes
October 13,2014
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