MOUNTLAKE TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES. 7:00 P.M th Street SW, Suite 200

Transcription

1 MOUNTLAKE TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Mountlake Terrace Council Chambers 7:00 P.M th Street SW, Suite 200 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Chair Kier Vice Chair Wahl Commissioner Bautista Commissioner McCardle Commissioner Olsen Commissioner Wicklander arrived at 7:02 P.M. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT, EXCUSED Commissioner Sood ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Gregory Schrag, City Attorney Shane Hope, Community and Economic Development Director Edith Duttlinger, Senior Planner Leslie Lavoie, Planning Commission Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chair Kier called the meeting of the Mountlake Terrace Planning Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Chair Kier declared the October 26, 2009 meeting minutes accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. PUBLIC HEARING a) Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments b) Proposed Concurrent Zoning Map Amendments Senior Planner Duttlinger presented slides on proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments which reviewed: overview of amendment process, public involvement/notification opportunities, proposed map amendments, description of proposed amendment areas 1-3, changing circumstances/issues in each area, options, zoning implications, adding the Recreation Parks and Open Space Plan as a new Element, making Transportation Element/Capital Facilities Element text amendments, comparison to amendment criteria, and next steps. She briefed that comprehensive plans are broad policy documents that guide local decisionmaking. Under the Growth Management Act, each city must implement and be consistent with its Comprehensive Plan. This means that zoning maps, code requirements, and city budgets must be revised if necessary to be consistent with the adopted plan. The Comprehensive Plan may be amended no more than once per year. As necessary and feasible, the Zoning Map and development standards are amended concurrently. Community members also had the opportunity to formally apply for Comprehensive Plan amendments by June 30 and no formal applications

2 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 7 were submitted. Senior Planner Duttlinger stated that during the summer and fall of 2009, analysis and public notification regarding the proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map ideas were undertaken. Review under the State Environmental Policy Act was carried out. Language for the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Ordinances was drafted to implement the proposals. She summarized the public involvement opportunities and notification for the 2009 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendment process. Senior Planner Duttlinger reviewed the proposed amendments for: Map amendments for land use designations affecting three specific areas; addition of a new Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Element; text amendments to the Transportation Element and Capital Facilities Element. She noted the three land designation changes and areas, as well as changing circumstances/issues in each area, options, and zoning implications: Area 1, site of former Evergreen Elementary School, th Street SW proposed change from Urban Low Residential (ULR) (primarily singlefamily use) to Freeway/Tourist (F/T) (commercial and mixed use); Area 2, a City block bordered by 57 th and 58 th Avenues W, and 230 th and 231 st Streets SW proposed change from Town Center (TC), Transitional (townhomes) and Medium Mixed Use B (4) (4-story mixed use) to Incentives Overlay or to a Small Mixed Use designation on the western half of the block; and Area 3, th Street SW proposed change from Town Center (TC), Transitional (townhomes) to Town Center (TC), Small Mixed use (3) (up to 3-story mixed use). She said the municipal code identifies four criteria that must be met for approving any set of proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments. She reviewed the criteria. Vice Chair Wahl moved to open the public hearing at 7:29 P.M. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried unanimously. Roy Johnson, of Mountlake Terrace, stated that he owns property adjacent to the Muslim Association. He handed out copies of a petition opposing the zoning change for the Area 3 proposal. His main concern is the parking conditions; there are too many cars parked on residential streets and blocking driveways. Steve Enge, of Mountlake Terrace, inquired how 237 th Street will be affected in Area 1. Director Hope responded that it will not be open for commercial use to access the site. Mr. Enge asked why there are three blocks near the Town Center not zoned commercial when the surrounding blocks are. He also agreed with Mr. Johnson with the lack of parking near the Muslim Association. Vice Chair Wahl asked Mr. Enge which areas are not zoned commercial. Mr. Enge responded west of 56 th between 237 th and 240 th. Everything on east side of 56 th has been rezoned. He would like for that area to become part of the Town Center. Vice Chair Wahl said they will look into it in the future. Marla Miller, Executive Director of the Board of Directors of Edmonds School District No. 15,

3 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 7 stated that the Edmonds School District serves several cities and their mission is education. She said closing Evergreen School was difficult and the district did not initiate the rezone. She hopes it will benefit everyone. The district needed to ultimately close the school due to finances. She said she is looking forward to working with the City. Steve Lahti, of Mountlake Terrace, stated that Area 1 has been ripe for primary commercial property for years and this rezone will be beneficial. He said he supports the Area 2 proposal, north of Rogers Market, because this is part of the core. He also appreciates that the City if looking out to the future besides just focusing on the Town Center. He does not have any opinion on Area 3 near the Muslim Association. However, there are too many cars parked on residential streets. David Richardson, of Marysville, noted that he is a property owner within the proposed Area 2. His request is that the zoning be consistent for the entire block. Jana Evich, of Mountlake Terrace, said her property is near Evergreen School. While not opposed to commercial use, her concerns are that trees not be removed which would increase the noise of the freeway, and to preserve the creek running through the area. Vice Chair Wahl and Commissioner Olsen asked for a recap about Area 2 from the October 26 meeting since they were not present at that meeting. Commissioner Olsen said, based on his construction background, developing on small lots is very difficult. Commission Bautista concurred with his statement and proposed keeping the zoning consistent in Area 2. The Commission discussed proposing zoning consistency of Area 2 on the eastern and western sides of the block, including possibly making the whole block Medium Mixed Use B. Vice Chair Wahl asked Mr. Richardson what his zoning district preference would be. Mr. Richardson responded Incentives Overlay to make the block consistent. Vice Chair Wahl inquired why the proposed district was changed (to Small Mixed Use for the western half of the block) at the October 26 meeting. At Chair Kier s request. Director Hope responded that when the Commissioners discussed Area 2, their focus was on the Town Center core area and having others areas step down in height from the Town Square and to provide for more flexibility of use on the western half (not just townhomes). Vice Chair Wahl asked how not changing zoning in Area 3 would correct the parking conditions around the Muslim Association. Director Hope responded that it will have no affect on the parking issues at this time. When the zoning code passed years ago, the parking standards and requirements were different from how they currently are. Vice Chair Wahl moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Wicklander. Motion carried unanimously.

4 Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 7 The Commission discussed the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment for Area 2. There was not full consensus for which district should be proposed. Commissioner Wicklander felt four stories for the whole will allow for more transition between the Town Square and residential zones outside of the Town Center. Vice Chair Wahl moved to amend Section 5(b) in the Comprehensive Plan Ordinance to Incentive Overlay. Seconded by Commissioner Bautista. Motion carried 4-1. Vice Chair Wahl moved to add to Section 5(b) for the rest of the city block between 56 th and 57 th Avenues W and 230 th and 231 st Streets SW to be Incentive Overlay, to be consistent with the previous motion. Seconded by Commissioner McCardle. Motion carried 4-1. Commissioner McCardle asked about the buffers in Area 3. Director Hope confirmed the site abuts residential. The Commission discussed the parking situation in Area 3. Chair Kier stated that she does not like having different zonings for one block in Area 2. She asked if there is some way to correct the parking situation in Area 3, such as signage or striping on driveways. Commission Bautista brought up lack of sidewalks in Area 3, which compounds the appearance of cars parked almost on front lawns. Vice Chair Wahl said there is no need to make a motion to maintain what was proposed and recommended for Area 3 at the October 26 meeting. Vice Chair Wahl moved to make the Zoning Map Ordinance Section 5(b) zoning classification consistent with the Comprehensive Plan amendments on the four parcels between the city block of 56 th and 57 th Avenues W and 230 th and 231 st Streets SW to be District B Incentives Overlay. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried 4-1. Vice Chair Wahl moved for Section 5(b) of the Zoning Map Ordinance to make the zoning limit consistent with the Comprehensive Plan amendments for the parcels on the west side namely, to be District B Incentives Overlay. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried 4-1. Vice Chair Wahl moved to amend the Conclusions of Law, item 2 regarding Area 2 by amending for the whole block between 56 th and 57 th Avenues W and 230 th and 231 st Streets SW to make the Zoning Map consistent with the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried 4-1. Wahl moved to amend the Findings of Fact for the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments to include names of those testifying or submitting written testimony. Seconded by Wicklander. Motion carried unanimously.

5 Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 7 Vice Chair Wahl moved to adopt Findings of Fact 1 through 11 and Conclusions of Law 1 through 2, as amended. Seconded by Wicklander. Motion carried unanimously. Preliminary Findings 1. The City of Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan ( Comprehensive Plan ) was last amended by Ordinance No in December of 2008, and, since then, the Comprehensive Plan has not been amended. 2. The City of Mountlake Terrace has developed a Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan, which the City Council has approved to be considered as part of the 2009 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket. 3. In 2009, the Civic Facilities Advisory Taskforce, appointed by the City Council, presented its recommendations on future civic facilities and the City Council has reviewed and accepted the recommendations and determined to consider them for inclusion in the City s Comprehensive Plan. 4. The City of Mountlake Terrace provided an opportunity for interested parties to make a formal application for amending the Comprehensive Plan by June 30, 2009, and no formal amendment application was made. 5. The Planning Commission recommended at its meeting on May 26, 2009, that certain potential Comprehensive Plan Map amendments, along with a set of potential text amendments be considered as part of the 2009 Comprehensive Plan amendment public process. 6. At its June 11, 2009 meeting, the City Council reviewed the Planning Commission s recommendations for considering potential Comprehensive Plan Map and text amendments and concurred that staff should move forward with the public process for considering amendments. 7. A draft Ordinance was developed to incorporate the potential amendments, consistent with discussion at the Planning Commission s May 26 and October 26, 2009 meetings and the City Council s June 11, 2009 meeting. 8. The City, in accordance with the municipal code, provided appropriate notice of the public hearings to consider the Comprehensive Plan amendments. 9. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on, adopted findings of fact and conclusions, and recommended that the City Council adopt specific amendments to the Comprehensive Plan map and text. 10. The City Council held a public hearing on December 7, 2009, to consider the Planning Commission s recommendation and other information regarding Comprehensive Plan map and text amendments. 11. The Comprehensive Plan amendments contained in the proposed Ordinance have been evaluated for their consistency with the Growth Management Act and with Comprehensive Plan amendment criteria required by the municipal code. Conclusions of Law Areas The proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Map are consistent with the 2. criteria for such amendments per MTMC B.

6 Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 7 Comprehensive Plan Text amendments 3. The proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan text are consistent with the criteria for such amendments per MTMC B. Vice Chair Wahl moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment Ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried 4-1. Vice Chair Wahl moved to amend Findings of Fact for the Proposed Zoning Map Amendments to include names of those testifying or submitting written testimony. Seconded by Wicklander. Motion carried unanimously. 1. The City, in accordance with the municipal code, provided appropriate notice of public hearings to consider proposed Zoning Map amendments concurrently with Comprehensive Plan Map amendments. 2. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on, adopted findings of fact and conclusions, and recommended that the City Council adopt specific amendments to the Zoning Map to be consistent with Comprehensive Plan amendments. 3. The City Council held a public hearing on December 7, 2009, to consider the Planning Commission s recommendation and other information regarding the proposed Zoning Map amendments. 4. The Zoning Map amendments contained in the proposed Ordinance have been evaluated for their consistency with the Growth Management Act and with Zoning Map amendment criteria required by the municipal code. Wahl moved Adopt Findings of Fact 1 through 4 and Conclusions of Law 1 through 3 as amended. Seconded by Olsen. Motion carried unanimously. 1. The proposed amendment for Area 1 (consisting of one parcel located at th Street SW) to the Zoning Map is consistent with the criteria for such amendments per MTMC C. 2. The proposed amendment for Area 2 (consisting of all parcels located in the block between 230 th and 231 st Streets SW and 56 th and 57 th Avenues W) to the Zoning Map is consistent with the criteria for such amendments per MTMC C. 3. The proposed amendments for Area 3 (consisting of one parcel located at th Street SW) to the Zoning Map is consistent with the criteria for such amendments per MTMC C. Vice Chair Wahl moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance, as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Motion carried 4-1. WORK SESSION a) Draft Zoning Code Amendment for Lot Area Calculations Senior Planner Duttlinger reviewed issues in considering possible code amendments to address lot calculation methods within single-household zoning districts. The City s existing lot calculation method provides that a minimum lot size must be met for each housing unit proposed

7 Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 of 7 in a single-household zone. The minimum lot size in the RS 7200 zone is 7200 square feet and in the RS 8400 zone, 8400 square feet. That means, for example, that on a lot with at least 14,400 square feet in an RS 7200 zone, two homes may be built, but on a lot that has only 14,300 square feet, only one home may be built. Senior Planner Duttlinger stated that some cities use a lot calculation method that allows rounding. If Mountlake Terrace s code were amended to allow rounding, it would theoretically allow more housing units to be developed. In reality, not all lots that are allowed to develop additional housing would actually do so. Brian Dadvar, of Sammamish, stated that he owns property in the City. His house was torn down and, due to the slightly smaller lot size (not quite big enough for two 7,200 square foot lots), it has been vacant for 4-5 years. The Cities of Redmond and Sammamish allow rounding of lot sizes. He requests the City allow it as well, so he can build two nice residential homes. Due to the lot being vacant for so long it is becoming a dumping ground for others and is hard to maintain. The Commission discussed the possibility of proposing a rounding of 1.5 instead of 1.8. There was Commissioner consensus for 1.8 and to hold a public hearing on an Ordinance for a zoning text amendment to this effect on November 23. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS BY CALL OF CITY OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS a) Report from Community and Economic Development Director Director Hope updated that the department had submitted an application to the state Department of Commerce for an Energy Efficiency Through Transportation Planning Grant in the amount of $75,000. Grant award decisions are expected in mid-december. She reviewed that two applications for the Community Development Block Grant had been submitted to make sure we have one or more eligible projects to submit. The City is looking at opportunities for: 1. a park project; and 2. a sidewalk project. Projects must benefit an area that has a high percentage of low-to-moderate income households. b) Other business, old or new, from Commissioners There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kier declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. N:\PLANNING\PC\3. Minutes\2009\PCmin_ doc