City of Burien
BURIEN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
March 23, 2004
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
MINUTES
Planning Commission Members Present: Robert Simpson-Clark, chair; Rebecca McInteer, Janet Shull, Barbara Williams
Absent: Jon Newton
Others Present: David Johanson, senior planner
Chair Simpson-Clark called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Upon the call of the roll all commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioner Newton.
Agenda Confirmation
The agenda as printed was approved by consensus.
Public Comment – None
Approval of Minutes
A. February 17, 2004
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted was made by Commissioner McInteer; second was by Commissioner Williams and the motion carried unanimously.
B. March 9, 2004
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted was made by Commissioner Shull; second was by Commissioner McInteer and the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business – None
New Business
A. Introduction to Northwest Neighborhood Plan
David Johanson, senior planner, explained that development of the Northwest Neighborhood Plan is ranked number two on the work program of the City Council. He said neighborhood planning got its beginning following adoption of the first Comprehensive Plan in 1997. During that time there were some issues relating to density that were more or less resolved in 1999. One of the resolutions was to include neighborhood planning. It was determined at that time that a number of neighborhoods have different views on different topics that should be addressed individually.
In March 2001, the council approved a neighborhood planning pilot project, which involved the Northwest Neighborhood area. A couple of neighborhood meetings were held, following which there were some priority shifts that put the issue on the back burner for a time. The neighborhood meetings were picked up again in November 2002; at that time a steering group was established to help delve into the details of the neighborhood planning effort.
Mr. Johanson shared with the commissioners the objectives adopted by the City Council for the neighborhood planning process. He noted that the objectives are not necessarily prescriptive. Neighborhood plans generally are more responsive to local characteristics, desires, and problems. The process often gets more people involved in planning activities, and strengthens communities through increased interaction for those who choose to become involved, increasing citizen access to and trust of local government. Neighborhood planning does not replace a comprehensive plan but compliments the plan by adding more specific goals for the neighborhoods and by refining and implementing a vision for each neighborhood.
The steering committee met first in November 2002. Several of the first meetings were focused on goals and what should be achieved. The committee was given an outline of the Comprehensive Plan, what its function is, and how the neighborhood plans will relate. The committee also was given a primer with regard to the history of the area, the Salmon Creek Basin, storm water projects, road standards and transportation issues, the demographics of the neighborhood, public safety and crime, and emergency preparedness. The steering committee has been meeting once per month. A full community meeting is planned for March 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Shorewood Elementary School. Notices have been sent to the entire neighborhood. To complete the process, the neighborhood plan ultimately will dovetail into the Comprehensive Plan update process, at which point the commission will become involved.
Chair Simpson-Clark asked if the steering committee had been given information about what sidewalk construction will cost. Mr. Johanson answered no however there are certain goals and objectives the City has established. Cost is always an important factor to be taken into consideration. Having standards in place allows the City to require certain improvements as development occurs. The key to the neighborhood planning process will be to provide direction to help the City in making decisions on specific projects and development standards.
Mr. Johanson said the neighborhood plan will include a great deal of useful information. It will have information on all the schools, who to contact, and information about the service districts.
Jim Clingan asked if any consideration has been given to the number of neighborhoods there should be in the city. Mr. Johanson said when the issue of neighborhood planning was first raised in 2001, one of the concepts was to divide the city into four quadrants to avoid boundary debate issues. Other concepts were considered as well, including geography, school district boundaries, the network of roadways, and the established neighborhoods. In the end the thinking was focused on a pilot project developing seven neighborhood plans. Since then the Northeast Special Planning Area has been added to the mix.
Commissioner Shull noted that Policy NQ 1.1 alludes to design guidelines. She commented that the Northwest Neighborhood is predominantly residential in nature and asked if the steering committee discussed at all the need for design guidelines. Mr. Johanson allowed that they did not go in that direction given the established nature of the neighborhood. There was some talk about the issues related to multifamily and incentives to make it better through redevelopment. Commissioner Shull said she would tend to apply the issue of design guidelines to a neighborhood more in the context of a historic district or the downtown.
Commissioner Shull asked if there will be neighborhood representatives present when the commission has the matter on its plate for discussion to provide context and helpful comment. Mr. Johanson said members of the steering committee will be invited to attend and asked to participate.
The Planning Commission then asked questions pertaining to the public outreach for the planning process. Mr. Johanson indicated that it is sometimes a challenge to get citizens involved but staff does prepare notices and tries to get the information out but if it is not directly affecting someone, it is sometimes hard to encourage people to participate. He said staff tried to generate interest in the notices, by asking people if they have issues; in addition, staff tried to make it welcoming to let them know this is their opportunity to comment. The commission asked what methods of notice were used. Mr. Johanson stated that the best method that we have available is direct mailing to the residents themselves.
A commissioner asked if attempts were made to include those residents along Ambaum Boulevard Southwest. Mr. Johanson indicated that the process did include a representative that actually lived in the Juanitas. She attended the first five or so meetings, but then we lost contact. The process was longer than anticipated, and it was hard to keep a high level of interest in the development of the plan. Mr. Johanson stated that since this is a pilot project everyone is kind of feeling their way through it a little bit.
The commission asked what the next steps are. Mr. Johanson replied that the next step is the community-wide meeting, and that’s going to be where staff is going to take the temperature of the neighborhood, so to speak. And then check back in with the steering group to see if they are comfortable making a recommendation, and ask them if they have enough information to finish the draft.
Commissioner Williams asked if the draft plan is available. Mr. Johanson responded, “Yes, you can look at it online; it is available in a PDF format. It is a draft.”
Director’s Report
Mr. Johanson reported that the City Council at its March 22 meeting deliberated the Zoning Code recommendation from the commission and agreed with the approach. Staff will be working on the drafts starting with Chapter 18.30 before coming back to the commission. He said he would provide some background information to the new commission members to bring them up to speed as well.
The commissioners were informed that April 15 has been set as the date for the Town Square public meeting and they are encouraged to attend.
An orientation meeting for the newly appointed commission members is slated for April 13 at 6 p.m., prior to the regular meeting.
Mr. Johanson said the City of SeaTac would like to conduct a joint Planning Commission meeting with Burien. The meeting would provide an opportunity to share what is going on in both jurisdictions and what issues are being dealt with. May 17 and May 24 are dates being considered.
Adjournment
Being no further business Chair Simpson-Clark adjourned the meeting.
Approved:
/s/ Robert Simpson-Clark, chair
Planning Commission
/s/ Scott Greenberg, director
Community Development Department