City of Burien
BURIEN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
March 22, 2005
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
MINUTES
Planning Commission Members Present:
Robert Simpson-Clark, Jim Clingan, Jon Newton, Michael Sumner
Absent:
Rebecca McInteer, Janet Shull, Barbara Williams
Others Present:
David Johanson, senior planner
Chair Simpson-Clark called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Upon the call of the roll all commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioners McInteer, Shull and Williams.
Agenda Confirmation
Motion to approve the agenda as printed was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Sumner and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment – None
Approval of Minutes
A. February 22, 2005
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Clingan and the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business – None
New Business
A. Zoning Code Amendments
– BMC 18.70 Level of Service
Chair Simpson-Clark opened the public hearing.
There were no members of the public present to address the commission.
Chair Simpson-Clark closed the public hearing.
Senior Planner David Johanson explained by way of background that the city adopted the Zoning Code in 1993. Over time the code has been amended, including the major revisions accomplished and adopted in 1999 that created a new Chapter 19 for the Zoning Code. Chapter 18.70 was not updated at that time, but must be updated as one of the requirements of the state Growth Management Act. The same level of service standards adopted in the Comprehensive Plan are, by the proposed amendment, included in the Zoning Code.
Motion to recommend to the City Council the moving of Chapter 18 sections 70.070 through 70.110 into Chapter 19 as recommended by staff was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Sumner.
Answering a question asked by Chair Simpson-Clark, Mr. Johanson said the Washington State Department of Transportation has the authority to determine what the level of service should be at intersections controlled by it. He added that for the most part the setting of level of service standards is an engineering exercise based on overall policy.
The motion carried unanimously.
B. Northeast Redevelopment Planning Area (NERA)
– Planned Action Ordinance
Mr. Johanson said the city is focused on facilitating redevelopment in the Northeast Redevelopment Area. The proposed planned action ordinance, if approved, will allow developers to go through an alternative environmental review process. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement for the area already has been done, and it outlines all of the potential significant environmental impacts. The proposed ordinance recognizes that body of work and allows developers to avoid having to do a separate environmental review prior to development by relying on the overall document. Any developer not wishing to rely on the EIS for the entire area can elect to do their own. All development must in any event meet the conditions established by the applicable EIS.
The concept of planned action ordinances was authorized by the state legislature in 1995. Since then a steadily increasing number of cities are using the option as a means of facilitating development and redevelopment.
Commissioner Newton suggested that the reference to the acronym “SEIS” as used in the third whereas statement of the ordinance should read “hereafter SEIS,” and that “hereafter SEIS” as used in Section 1 paragraph 1 of the ordinance should simply read “SEIS.”
Mr. Johanson clarified that though a developer may elect not to produce their own EIS for a project, there still will be some technical submittal requirements, specifically the checklist. The city will need adequate information to be able to determine if a given project or proposal has impacts within those identified in the overall EIS document.
Commissioner Newton called attention to paragraph 1(B) of Attachment 2 and asked to what the phrase “tightlining of drainage controls” refers. Mr. Johanson said a tightline is a fixed connection of downspouts to the storm system; it is the opposite of infiltration.
Commissioner Clingan recalled that the buffers established by the city for Miller Creek exceed those recommended by the state. He asked if an additional buffer of 25 feet, as outlined in paragraph 2(B) of Attachment 2, is necessary. Mr. Johanson said the additional 25 foot buffer is embedded in the design standards for the Northeast Redevelopment Area and already is codified.
Commissioner Newton noted that there is no reference to animals under the heading “Plants and Animals” in paragraph 3 of Attachment 2. He also pointed out that while the paragraph calls for the use of native plants only, paragraph 8(A) as worded appears to indicate that either native or non-native plants can be used so long as they are drought resistant. Mr. Johanson said the Utilities section referenced in paragraph 8 is a general statement focused on the type of plants that should be used for landscaping in general. Commissioner Newton said he would defer to the Comprehensive Plan language if there is a conflict.
Motion to recommend to the City Council the Northeast Redevelopment Area planned action ordinance as revised was made by Commissioner Newton; second was by Commissioner Clingan and the motion carried unanimously.
Director’s Report
Mr. Johanson informed the commission that the demolition standards recommended by the commission were approved by the City Council. The major revision made to the ordinance was to allow for the abandonment in place of underground storage tanks and septic systems.
The commissioners were told that the Zoning Code Chapter 18.30 design standards were passed unanimously by the council with only minor changes.
Mr. Johanson said there will not be a commission meeting on March 29 as tentatively scheduled.
Chair Simpson-Clark reported that the Old Burien Merchants Association members are in agreement that it would be appropriate to have building owners on the review committee to develop design standards for the Old Burien area, but not to the exclusion of business owners.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Newton. Second was by Commissioner Clingan and the motion carried unanimously.
Chair Simpson-Clark adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Approved:
/s/ Robert Simpson-Clark, chair
Planning Commission
/s/ Scott Greenberg, director
Community Development Department