City of Burien
BURIEN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
May 27, 2003
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
MINUTES
Planning Commission Members Present: Robert Pierce, chair; Gerald Robison; Len Boscarine; Mickey Conlin; Robert Simpson-Clark; Douglas Rahn
Absent: Kirsti Weaver; Jon Newton
Others Present: Scott Greenberg, planning director; Kirsten Pennington, transportation planner; Gerry Lindsay, recording secretary
Chair Pierce began the meeting for informational purposes at 7:07 p.m. A quorum was not present. All commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioner Conlin, who arrived at 7:23 p.m.; Commissioner Robison, who arrived at 7:28 p.m.; and Commissioners Newton and Weaver.
New Business
A. Introduction to and Update on Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan
Kirsten Pennington, transportation planner, said a public hearing on the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan is slated for July 22. At that time the proposed policy updates will be presented along with a project list. Discussion with the Planning Commission will continue on August 26. The recommendation of the commission will go on to a series of City Council meetings in September and October.
The Transportation Element update is a part of the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update. At its basic level the Transportation Element includes updates based on the gap analysis previously discussed by the commission, and additional updates aimed at achieving more accurate and efficient planning. The non-motorized updates will not be included in the package; those updates will be covered by the pedestrian and bicycle plan that is ongoing.
Ms. Pennington said the Transportation Element contains a list of policies, all based on the vision for Burien. They focus on a wide spectrum of transportation issues facing the City. State law requires comprehensive plans to include a transportation element. The element includes two components: the policies and a list of prioritized transportation improvements called the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The projects are prioritized based on various criteria. The TIP serves as a planning tool looking out 20 years into the future. The updates will be based on a technical analysis and will be subject to the public meeting process.
The Transpo Group was hired by the City to complete the technical work for the Transportation Element update. The work completed to date includes an update to the existing conditions report that offers a snapshot of the existing transportation system. The report was updated with new figures relating to traffic volumes, traffic safety, traffic operations, and a review of completed and planned transportation improvements.
The travel model also has been updated. The model is used to simulate traffic on the roadways and to indicate the relationship between land use and transportation. Accuracy of the model is important given that it serves to highlight needed transportation improvements. Updating the model included updating the land use figures, the buildable lands inventory, traffic counts, population and employment figures, and the list of recently completed roadway projects.
Ms. Pennington said another piece of background work was aimed at updating the traffic forecasts looking out to the year 2020. The forecasts are all based on PM peak hour conditions.
Updating the traffic operations analysis included a review of vehicle delay on the roadways and at intersections. Traffic operations are analyzed using level of service (LOS) standards that measure the average delay per vehicle in signals at signalized intersections. A rating of LOS A is the best and represents free-flowing traffic; LOS F represents fully congested roadways and intersections. As established in the Comprehensive Plan, the standard for all roadways in Burien is LOS C, except for 1st Avenue where the standard is LOS D. Lowering an LOS standard, say from a D to an E, is tantamount to allowing more congestion and more delay. Improving the LOS of a roadway can be done either by removing traffic from the roadway, or by adding capacity.
The improvement projects list was updated based on an examination of safety and capacity. Unsafe conditions rise to the top of the list, as do improvements to roadways that are either currently exceed the LOS standard or are projected to exceed the LOS standard within 20 years.
Ms. Pennington informed the commissioners that streets are given a functional classification based on the function of the individual street. The hierarchical system places arterials highest on the list, and local streets lowest on the list. Classification of a roadway depends largely on how the roadway is used and how it has been developed for land uses. Work has been done to update the functional classifications.
Commissioner Rahn asked who conducts the regular reviews to make sure the streets are operating at their established levels of service. Ms. Pennington said the work is done by consultants. Commissioner Rahn asked what implications there are to lowering roadway standards, and Ms. Pennington answered that when a standard is lowered the result is more congestion, which delays transit times for individuals as well as freight, which can have a financial impact on businesses.
Commissioner Rahn asked if there are any penalties associated with a roadway operating at LOS D when the standard is LOS C. Ms. Pennington said local jurisdictions must show the state how any discrepancies are to be addressed. Mr. Greenberg added that Burien does not currently have a concurrency ordinance. State law requires public facilities to be concurrent with established standards. Most cites on the Eastside have concurrency ordinances that set limits on development where roadway standards are not met, unless the development pays to upgrade facilities. Simply lowering the standards will allow development to continue, but the added congestion does nothing to improve the quality of life of the community.
Commissioner Robison asked if there is any state law prohibiting jurisdictions from setting their standards as low as possible in order to allow development to continue. Mr. Greenberg said he was not sure if there are policies in the Countywide Planning Policies prohibiting that approach. Ms. Pennington noted that the City of Seattle has adopted a standard of LOS F in an attempt to encourage people to take transit.
Commissioner Boscarine asked what Burien can do about improving conditions along SR-509 and SR-518. Ms. Pennington allowed that the standards for state facilities are set by the state. Mr. Greenberg added that under the Growth Management Act Burien was directed to adopt a standard of LOS D for the state highways and off-ramps.
Commissioner Simpson-Clark asked what is referred to by the peak hour. Ms. Pennington explained that it is not a specific time of day but rather the weekday evening hour during which the traffic flow is at its highest.
A quorum having been reached, Chair Pierce called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
A. May 13, 2003
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted was made by Commissioner Boscarine. Second was by Commissioner Conlin and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment – None
Old Business – None
Director’s Report
Mr. Greenberg said Planning Commission appointments for four positions will be made by the City Council on June 2 after additional interviews are conducted.
Mr. Greenberg also announced that all of the school construction projects, with the exception of Hazel Valley, are under way or about to be.
Chair Pierce took a moment to indicate his thankfulness at being allowed to work for the City by serving on the Planning Commission over the past few years. He said planning for a city is an ongoing process that requires continuity.
Commissioner Boscarine stated that he also enjoyed his time on the Commission.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Boscarine; second was by Commissioner Robison and the motion carried unanimously.
Chair Pierce adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Approved:
/s/ Robert Simpson-Clark, interim chair
Planning Commission
/s/ Scott Greenberg, director
Community Development Department