City of Burien
BURIEN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
July 13, 2004
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
MINUTES
Planning Commission Members Present: Robert Simpson-Clark, chair; Jim Clingan, Jon Newton, Janet Shull, and Michael Sumner.
Absent: Rebecca McInteer, Barbara Williams.
Others Present: David Johanson, senior planner; Stephen Clark, Public Works director; Gerry Lindsay, minutes taker
Chair Simpson-Clark called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Upon the call of the roll all commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioners McInteer and Williams.
Agenda Confirmation
Motion to approve the agenda as printed was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Shull and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment – None
Approval of Minutes
A. June 8, 2004
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted was made by Commissioner Shull. Second was by Commissioner Newton and the motion carried unanimously.
B. June 22, 2004
Chair Simpson-Clark called attention to the third paragraph on page 3 and asked to have the first sentence revised to read “…namely changing permitted use in Community Commercial….”
Motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Sumner and the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business
A. 2005 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Recommendation
David Johanson, senior planner, said the CIP process is very closely tied to the Comprehensive Plan, so the commission should be involved. He said the staff recommendation is to accept the package of CIP projects and programs as outlined.
Chair Simpson-Clark asked where the proposed CIP program puts the city with regard to its bonding authority. Public Works Director Stephen Clark answered that by council policy the city maintains reserve fund balances for emergencies, and certain set-asides for future programs and projects, in addition to what is needed to operate the functions of the city. The CIP is very conservative in terms of projected revenues flowing into the city’s coffers.
Continuing, Mr. Clark said the only real lid on the city’s bonding authority is its ability to service the debt. There is a set tax levy the city is allowed to collect, and the city does not charge to the limit of its authority.
Having reviewed the 2005-2010 Capital Improvement Program and found it to be consistent with and in furtherance of the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan, motion to recommend the program as presented to the City Council for adoption was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Clingan.
Commissioner Shull commented that the CIP document is very well drafted and easy to read. It presents the information clearly. Mr. Clark said it takes the staff several months to prepare the information that goes into the CIP document. The document makes it clear to the public that in Burien the taxpayer gets value added in that the taxes collected are used wisely and in response to the needs and priorities of the communities.
The motion carried unanimously.
New Business
A. Northwest Neighborhood Plan (Salmon Creek Neighborhood) Public Hearing
Mr. Johanson said the purpose of the public hearing was to receive comments from the public on the Northwest Neighborhood Plan. At the Planning Commission meeting on July 27 there will be time to delve into the details of the plan.
Mr. Johanson said a 1999 Comprehensive Plan policy was adopted that called for looking at neighborhoods specifically on the understanding that the needs of each neighborhood are different. The process provides an excellent opportunity to educate the neighborhoods with regard to city government, what it is about, what it does, and what is involved in running the city.
A steering group comprised of some eight persons was formed to serve as the core group for developing the Northwest Neighborhood Plan. The group worked through and discussed each element of the Comprehensive Plan. Once the draft plan was on paper, a community meeting was held at which there was pretty good attendance. The comments offered were carefully considered by the steering group, and some of the issues were folded into the draft plan.
Chair Simpson-Clark opened the public hearing.
Ms. Jean Spohn, 11925 Marine View Drive SW, indicated her support for the items recommended in the plan, particularly the elimination of the fish blockages and the return of fish to Salmon Creek. She said she looks forward to seeing the plan implemented. She said it is also good to see Burien and King County cooperating with each other on the issues. It would be good for the neighborhood to have some additional traffic control facilities, such as speed bumps. Additional signage, especially with regard to historical sites, would be welcomed.
Ms. Jacki Smith, 12649 Shorewood Drive SW, said she appreciated the fact that the Northwest neighborhood was chosen to have the first neighborhood plan. She indicated her support for efforts to restoring Salmon Creek for salmon habitat. The life cycle of the salmon affects the entire environment around the area: the salmon when they die feed the eagles and the fox, and the droppings left behind nourish the forest. It will be wonderful on a number of levels to have the salmon return to Salmon Creek.
The audience was informed that any additional comments should be in written form and mailed or emailed to staff at City Hall.
Chair Simpson-Clark closed the public hearing.
Mr. Johanson said the draft plan has been subjected to additional staff review to make sure all grammar is right and the technical indications are correct. No substantive changes will result from the review. At the next commission meeting a strikethrough version will be available to outline the changes made to the document.
Commissioner Newton said the process of developing the neighborhood plan has been very enlightening and interesting. The Northwest Neighborhood Plan will pave the way for other neighborhoods to get involved and develop plans of their own. The process offers an excellent venue for communities to communicate with the city government about things that need to be addressed.
Commissioner Clingan asked how many citizens overall were involved in the development of the neighborhood plan. Commissioner Newton said somewhere between 10 and 15 percent of the citizens living in the Northwest neighborhood were involved attending meetings and providing input. He said it was very encouraging to see the support for removing the fish blockages in Salmon Creek.
Mr. Johanson said notices were mailed to each and every address within the study area in an attempt to get the word out and get people involved in the process.
Commissioner Shull commented that the process has served as a wonderful model. She said she is anxious to see work progress to get neighborhood plans developed for other neighborhoods in the city.
Commissioner Clingan asked if there were any complications owing to potential annexation. Commissioner Newton said annexation was one of the things the steering committee talked about. One of the things that define a neighborhood is the boundaries, natural and otherwise. The potential annexation areas to the north and east for the most part form their own unique neighborhoods. Development of neighborhood plans for each of those neighborhoods could help them become more cohesive.
Director’s Report – None
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Sumner and the motion carried unanimously.
Chair Simpson-Clark adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Approved:
/s/ Robert Simpson-Clark, chair
Planning Commission
/s/ Scott Greenberg, director
Community Development Department