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ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Committee Members Committee Chair Bill Boyce, Dennis Higgins, and Jim Berries. Boyce
called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to the Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
Berrios MOVED and Higgins SECONDED a Motion to Approve the Minutes of
October 13, 2014. Motion PASSED 3-0.
S. PUBLIC HEARING:
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Threshold Amendments
Matt Gilbert, Principal Planner, spoke about SEPA threshold increases with changes to the
relevant code sections. Gilbert advised that the Department of Ecology (DOE) passed their
final draft requirements to adopt new regulation standards and streamline the SEPA process
in May, 2014. The City can now allow some larger projects to go through the permit
process without submitting a SEPA checklist. New legislation states that cities are required
to document existing regulations and find that they are adequate to cover impacts of these
larger projects. Public notification processes must be documented.
The State requires 60-day notification to the tribes, state agencies, and neighboring
jurisdictions. No comments were received during this 60-day notification period except for
an email comment received on November 10, 2014 from Tom Washington, State
Department of Transportation (DOT). Gilbert spoke of Mr. Washington's comments
regarding transportation planning and development regulations and suggestions to have
the City include state facilities in transportation planning efforts and address traffic impacts
by having development regulations.
Gilbert stated that under the new SEPA process transportation impact fees are collected for
anything that creates a new impact
Boyce opened the Public Hearing at 5:15; seeing no speakers, Higgins MOVED and
Berrios SECONDED to close the Public Hearing. Motion PASSED 3-0.
Concluding deliberations, Biggins MOVED and Berrios SECONDED a Motion to
recommend to the City Council adoption of the ordinance amending Kent City
Code to update the City's base exemption thresholds related to minor new
construction under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Motion PASSED 3-
0.
6. 2014 Annual Docket Report
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Director, gave an update on the annual docket process.
Docketing allows the public to petition their government for changes to regulations by
submitting docket applications, at no cost on or prior to September 1st of every year.
Applications are submitted for potential code language changes, changes in the plan or
zoning map and development regulations. Eight (8) docket applications were submitted
with several initiated by staff. Applications are brought before the Council to determine if
there is any merit in the proposals or if the City wants to analyze the proposed changes.
Staff will review and decide if the changes can be incorporated into the City's work program
or Comprehensive Plan update. Satterstrom stated that the applicants were notified of this
public meeting. He described each of the 8 docket applications that were submitted,
elaborating upon staffs four (4) docket proposals.
Chairman Boyce invited the public to speak regarding their docket applications. Craig
Preston, 20114 1015t Court SE, Kent, WA 98031; questioned the process related to his
Docket submittal, Item #Dkt-2014-1 concerning Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
Satterstrom proposed incorporating this item into the 2015 work program. If this item
passes Committee, it will be considered at the next council meeting and then go before the
Land Use and Planning Board (LUPB) to start the process.
Garth Olsen, 9761 Beacon Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98116; spoke about his Docket
submittal, Item #Dkt-2014-8, to amend the comprehensive plan land use map designation
and zoning designation for property he co-owns with other family members, located at
3010 South 240th Street, within the Midway Subarea. Olsen passed out a packet showing
their vision of a transit oriented project.
Berrios MOVED and Higgins SECONDED a Motion to accept the Staff
recommendations on the 2014 docket report, as revised, and forward to the full
City Council for their concurrence. Motion PASSED 3-0.
7. Consultant Services Agreement Coma Plan Transportation Element
Monica Whitman, City Senior Transportation Planner, presented on the Transportation
Element of the Consultant Services Agreement with Fehr and Peers, a significant piece of
the Comprehensive Plan update, and a city-wide planning document. Whitman referenced a
PowerPoint presentation elaborating on the objectives to meet requirements of the Growth
Management Act (GMA). Whitman advised that the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) was
adopted in 2008. Whitman elaborated on the deliverables in the scope of work and how
objectives will be met with a technical report including a needs assessment, updated policy
and supporting information for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) work. Whitman
stated that she will report back to the Committee in January 2015. Whitman stated that she
will follow up with the consultant on what to add to the scope of work on the minor update
and to lay ground work for the major update.
Higgins MOVED and Barrios SECONDED a Motion to recommend Council authorize
the Mayor to sign a Consultant Services Agreement with Fehr and Peers in an
amount not to exceed $45,000 to provide services for the update to the
Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the City Attorney. Motion PASSED 3-0.
S. General Commercial — Mixed Use Zonina Code Amendments
Erin George, Planning Services Senior Planner, advised that in 2013, as part of the
Downtown Subarea Action Plan (DSAP), City Council adopted a code amendment that
reduced the minimum commercial requirements in a mixed use development in the General
Commercial/Mixed Use (GC-MU) zoning district from 25% to 5%. George stated that in
2013, commercial development was envisioned as the primary use of a commercial zone
with the possibility of residential as a secondary use. Recent changes in the housing and
retail markets now suggest that multifamily development may outbid commercial use for
certain larger properties in Kent. George conveyed that it is important to preserve the
commercial areas in the GC-MU district to continue the urban development in the
downtown area. Staff proposes to increase the commercial requirement from 5% back to
25% in the downtown planning area.
In response to Committee Member Higgins, George confirmed there will be no change to
the DCE zoning district where the Platform project is located.
ECDC Minutes
November 10,2014
Page 2 of 4
Ben Wolters, ECD Director spoke about the change in the housing market. As a result of
compression, large apartment developers are looking for large tracts of land in South King
County. Parcels of land along Washington Avenue in the GC—MU zoning district are
impacted; where Kmart & Goodwill, one of Kent's primary commercial properties, is
located. The City is open to mixed-used but would like to preserve that area to have a
substantial commercial component.
George spoke about public notice requirements and advised that all zoning code
amendments require a public hearing which will be held with the Land Use and Planning
Board (LUPB) on November 24, 2014. All notices are published in the Kent Reporter and
placed on Kent's website but no radius mailing is required for zoning code amendments.
Wolters spoke about low income housing possibilities, the impacts on school districts, GMA
requirements, and preserving commercial opportunities for true mixed use development.
Berrios MOVED and Higgins SECONDED a Motion to recommend that the City
Council authorize Staff to initiate a text amendment to the Zoning Code for the
GC-MU zoning district. Motion PASSED 3-0.
9. Sound Transit Update
Satterstrom stated that Sound Transit (ST) continues to work on completing the Draft EIS
(DEIS) which will be issued in January or February 2015. Once issued, staff will look at
impacts and work up a proposed response to ST's analysis to bring to the Economic &
Community Development Committee (ECDC) for any added suggestions that ST can review
for the final EIS. Satterstrom advised that the review period for comments may be 45 days
whereas the typical comment period is 30 days.
Satterstrom stated that staff has not received any comments or questions from those who
reside in the rail alignment path. Satterstrom spoke about the meeting held between ST
and inter-agencies and their discussion about TOD methodology. Once the DEIS is issued,
the City will report to the ECDC.
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10. State Subdivision Law Update
Gilbert spoke about how existing legislation will affect some Preliminary Plats (aka
preliminary long plats, preliminary long subdivisions, 10 or more lots). These plats are
regulated by the state and require a longer validity period after they receive the initial
approval by cities. Gilbert spoke about the housing market collapse in 2007 and about the
validity period extensions in 2010 and 2012 for projects impacted by the financial crisis.
Gilbert spoke about the amendment adopted by City Council to add one additional year to
the preliminary subdivision validity period. Gilbert stated that prior to the crash, projects
had 10 years to record but effective January 1", will go back to 5 years. Gilbert elaborated
on the validity period timeline; Prior to December 31, 2007- there was an 11 year validity
period, January 1, 2008-December 31, 2014- there was an 8 year validity period, January
1, 2015 and beyond- there was a 6 year validity period. Gilbert advised that per state law,
in the moving forward process, timeframes will be based on approval dates. Gilbert
confirmed that there are currently four active preliminary plats that have not yet been
approved, and will be affected by this change. Those applicants will be made aware of
timeframe changes during the time of approval.
Tom Brubaker, City Attorney stated that this only applies to long plats as short plats (SP)
were excluded from all considerations.
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ECDC Minutes
November 10,2014
Page 3 of 4
11. Permit Customer Survey/Recent Results
Kimberlee McArthur, Permit Center Manager gave an update on the Permit Customer
Satisfaction Survey Results. In the 2014 survey an additional question was added asking if
customers were treated with honesty and respect. McArthur spoke about the guidelines and
principles given by Wolters and about how the customer comments confirm that the City is
working toward the same goal and offering solutions rather than obstacles. McArthur also
spoke about comments received that suggested the City implement electronic permit
submittals for land use and construction permits and other comments suggesting process
improvements.
McArthur spoke about staffs Process & Improvement Group (PIG) and advised that they
meet on a regular basis to discuss all survey comments, and consider suggested
improvements.
Satterstrom addressed the comment about electronic submittals conveying that the money
collected for tech fees should be used to update permit tracking technology to make things
better for customers.
McArthur advised that once the survey is complete, PIG will review and discuss all
comments as an Agenda item at the management meeting to come up with ways of
addressing reoccurring themes/issues. McArthur gave an example of the Development
Engineering LEAN exercise.
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12. Economic Development Update Report
Wolters referenced a chart on routed permit timelines which he submitted to the
committee. Wolters spoke about improvements and dips in the permit timelines shown on
the chart. Wolters spoke about staffing to workload timelines and addressed the
commercial alteration permits timeline. Wolters advised that there are some higher priority
projects such as Amazon and the Lake Meridian Shopping Center that have tight timelines
which means some smaller projects may see delays but those projects are being managed
to get caught up.
Wolters elaborated on some initiatives being pursued in advance of the Economic
Development Strategy such as collaboration with the Green River Community College
(GRCC) and Department of Commerce's Aerospace office to bring Aerospace into the
Valley. Wolters spoke about the Kent Downtown Partnership who toured local business
owners to promote revitalization of Kent downtown; and to discuss parking issues and the
need to improve buildings. Wolters spoke about how to maximize parking needs for both
customers and employees and related safety concerns.
Wolters spoke about interests, goals, and product types for the Economic Development
action item strategy for warehouses willing to provide retail sales out front and ship out
back. Wolters spoke about the expansion plans submitted for Airways Bistro on Meeker
Street and the Kent Event Center's vacant facility sold to Sam from Sam's Club for
conversion to Kent's International Market. Wolters touched on Lake Meridian, agreed to
visit Trader ]oes congestion issue in the future, informed that the Platform is now 40%
occupied, and concluded with a brief update on the Kent Station Tarragon permit process.
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Adiournment
Chair Boyce adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m.
Alixandria Lu ecretary,
Economic & ommunity Development Committee
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ECDC Minutes
November 10,2014
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