CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 15, 2014 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Winstead, Deputy Mayor Eggen,
Councilmembers McGlashan, Hall, McConnell, Salomon, and Roberts
ABSENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Winstead, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Winstead led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
3. REPORT OF THE CITY MANAGER
John Norris, Assistant City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember McConnell reported that she, along with Deputy Mayor Eggen, attended the Richmond Beach Community Association meeting, and heard a discussion on the consideration of tolling to mitigate traffic from the Point Wells Development.
Deputy Mayor Eggen reported attending three meetings: Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee; Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Transportation Policy Board; and King County Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He commented on the request by PSRC to cities to ensure that PSRC grant money has been committed to projects.
Mayor Winstead reported attending the North End Mayor's Luncheon.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
John Kropf, Shoreline resident, expressed disappointment in Light Rail and the bus system. He commented on traffic congestion, congestion caused by parking lots, and inefficient transportation systems.
Liz Poitras, Shoreline resident - Ridgecrest Neighborhood, commented on supporting Maps C and E as two options to study in the 145th Station Area Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), and stated that she does not support Maps B and D.
Tom Poitras, Shoreline resident - Ridgecrest Neighborhood, commented on supporting Maps C and E, stated that he does not support Maps B and D, and shared that he has provided written comments, along with two maps, for Council to review.
Jeremiah Fulforz-Foster, Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association, read a letter submitted to Council by the Association regarding the Subarea Plan. He commented on the limited time provided to neighborhoods to review the new maps, and asked Council to delay the motion to select maps. He stated that the Association opposes MUR-85 anywhere in the area, and proposes a maximum zone height of 65 feet. He presented their zoning recommendations.
Jennifer Muhm, Shoreline resident - Ridgecrest Neighborhood, shared she is supportive of any of the maps. She commented on moving to Shoreline for the schools and light rail, and stated she is looking forward to coffee shops. She expressed concern for her older neighbors who do not understand what is going on, and asked the City to reach out to them with information on the Subarea Plan.
Robin Lombard, Shoreline resident - Parkwood Neighborhood, commented on all scenarios showing an 85 foot height limit near the station, and shared that she does not recall a discussion during the Workshop meeting about something that tall. She requested that at least one zoning scenario be studied that is lower than MUR-85, and requested that the neighborhood be given more time to study the proposals.
Janet Way, Shoreline resident - Paramount Park Neighborhood, requested that Council delay taking action on the selection of the maps to study to allow for more neighborhood participation. She commented on Ambitions Group Home and patients possibly being neglected and abused. She stated she understands it is a State matter, but wants the City to be aware, and explained that she will send a photograph to Council regarding this matter.
Tom McCormick, Shoreline resident - Richmond Beach Neighborhood, commented on the two access roads for Point Wells being studied in the Snohomish County Environmental Impact Statement, and shared that the City Manager also agreed to include the second road in the Transportation Corridor Study. He talked about safety and liability issues, and asked for the City to send a letter to Snohomish County supporting a second road. He commented on sending an email to Council on tolling, requested that the email be added to the record, and asked the City to explore tolling alternatives with Edmonds and Woodway.
Tom Mailot, Save Richmond Beach, commented on the Transportation Benefit District’s legal authority to place tolls on local road and requested that the City examine this potential revenue source. He talked about traffic impacts, mitigation for the Point Wells Development, and the creation of a joint Transportation Benefit District with Woodway.
John Norris, Assistant City Manager, asked Ms. Way to email the information on Ambitions Group Home so staff could follow up on the matter, and explained that Ms. Redinger would address notification, outreach, and scheduling options regarding the 145th Street Light Rail Station Subarea Plan during her presentation.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was adopted by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Roberts and carried 6-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Minutes of Special Meeting of August 25, 2014; Minutes of Special Meeting of August 25, 2014 and Minutes of Business Meeting of August 25, 2014
(b) Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Watson Asphalt Paving Co., Inc. in the amount of $580,447.50 for construction of the 2014 Pavement Repair Project
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Motion to Select Zoning Scenarios to be Analyzed in 145th Street Light Rail Station Subarea Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement
John Norris, Assistant City Manager, announced that, in addition to the five zoning scenario maps attached to the staff report, two new maps will be presented for review. He then introduced Miranda Redinger, Senior Planner, to provide the staff report.
Ms. Redinger provided an overview of the Design Workshops, and reviewed the proposed process for potential zoning scenarios, and scheduling timeline options. She presented the new zoning designations, images illustrating housing types, a critical areas map, a topography map, zoning scenario maps, and commented on the consideration of requiring minimum density dwelling units per acre.
Councilmember Hall moved that Council select, for the purpose of releasing the zoning scenarios to the design workshop on October 9, 2014, Map A - No Action; Map D - 5th Avenue & 155th Street Emphasis; and Map G - Compact Alternative II. Councilmember Roberts seconded the motion.
Councilmember Hall commented that he supports zoning that is not based on a corridor emphasis, has less impact to single family neighborhoods, places higher building heights closer to the station, and encourages transit oriented development.
Councilmember Roberts commented that his rationale when developing the footprint for Map G was based on the number of property owners being affected, traffic, topography, and potential park areas. He talked about easing traffic impacts on 155th Street to the station area, having MUR-85 transitioning into the station, and a MUR-35 transition on 8th Avenue. He shared that he does not support the 5th Avenue and 155th Street Emphasis Map.
Councilmember Hall recommended three changes to Map G: providing a MUR-45 transition on the west side of I-5, first block in from 145th, to Twins Ponds Park; expanding MUR-85 between 12th through 15th Avenue along 145th Street; and studying MUR-35 in the area southwest of Paramount Open Space. He commented on data showing that the zone changes taking place in this area comprise less than two percent of the City of Shoreline.
Deputy Mayor Eggen questioned if placing density next to a natural area increases the potential for vandalism, or if it offers protection by putting more eyes on it. He commented that there should be a tree corridor to provide a migratory route for birds. He stated that these issues need to be addressed before he can offer support for increase density near the park. He also shared that he wants to slow down the process to allow an opportunity for more residents to be informed about the Subarea Plan. Mayor Winstead shared information obtained at an International Making City Livable Conference supporting that density makes neighborhood safe.
Councilmember Salomon stated his support for Councilmember Hall’s suggested amendment to Map G from MUR-35 to MUR-45 west of I-5. He asked about density affecting clean water goals and the effectiveness of sound barriers east of I-5 adjacent to freeway. He commented on his interest in minimum density, and expressed concern over ruling out MUR-85 in the Ridgecrest area. He stated support for postponing the main motion until September 29, and asked for input from the neighborhoods to help form Council’s decision. Ms. Redinger responded that the affect of density on clean water goals will be studied as part of the City’s Draft EIS, and that noise impacts and sound barriers are being studied in Sound Transit’s EIS.
Councilmember McConnell agreed that the process feels rushed, and stated she wants to give the community more time to catch up with the process, and then hear from them before making any zoning decisions.
Councilmember McGlashan commented on the merits of studying both Map A - No Action and Map D - High Density. He offered support for Map G with the exception of MUR-85 in the areas between 145th and 152nd, and 5th and 8th Avenues. He commented on taller buildings acting as sound barriers, and recommended studying MUR-45 on 145th east of I-5 and MUR-35 east of Paramount Park to up 155th Street.
Mayor Winstead said she supports the Map G-Compact Alternative, explaining that it makes more sense to put density near the station. She expressed the need to be thoughtful on where people are located and their ability to walk to the station. She stated she agrees with Councilmember Hall’s recommendations, and added that she supports MUR-35 east of Paramount Park to 155th Street and MUR-45 on 14th Avenue East of I-5. She explained that Council is listening to the public but also has a legal mandate to support transit and a responsibility to the community.
Deputy Mayor Eggen commented on the need to be sensitive to impacts to single-family neighborhoods and recommended a study regarding density in park areas. He stated that he agrees with Councilmember McGlashan that the two strips of MUR-85 between 145th and 152nd, and 5th and 8th Avenues should be lower density.
Councilmember Roberts appreciates concerns over the topography of the area and commented that some of the blocks are adjacent to station. He shared providing an opportunity for people to live near the station is important, and urged the Council not to focus their concerns solely on height. Mayor Winstead agreed that the area adjacent to the station should be a very dense area.
Councilmember Hall commented on keeping the area adjacent to the station dense, and that new construction could mitigate the impact of freeway and light rail track noise. He supports minimum density to protect single-family neighborhoods, and thinks 12-units per acre should be minimum density for MUR-35. He spoke about adhering to the Light Right Station Area Planning Framework Policies adopted in May 2012, and stated he wants to hear from the public after the DEIS is released. He commented on past developments and the lack of storm water, flow control, and water treatment requirements, and explained that new buildings will mitigate existing issues because the City now has storm water standards that were not in place when the subarea first developed. He commented on the positive global and regional environmental impacts of allowing people to live near light rail.
Ms. Redinger clarified that Maps F & G would be combined to include Council’s recommendations, and Council confirmed elimination of Maps B, C and E.
Councilmember Hall moved to postpone consideration of the main motion until the meeting of Monday, September 29, 2014. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McGlashan and passed unanimously.
At 9:00 p.m., Mayor Winstead called for a five minute recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion of Ordinance No. 694 - Amendment to Chapter 3.27 of the Shoreline Municipal Code for Technical Corrections to the Property Tax Exemption Program (PTE)
Julie Ainsworth-Taylor, Interim City Attorney, provided history of the Property Tax exemption legislation adopted by the Shoreline City Council, and explained that there was a discrepancy in codification of the PTE areas. She explained that there is no reference to North City or Ridgecrest, and that the amendment clarifies the PTE program, codifies the maps, and ensures all seven areas are shown in the Shoreline Municipal Code.
Councilmembers asked about the codification process and capturing the terms unique to each property tax ordinance, and questioned if this will be part of Planning Commission’s discussion on providing development incentives in these areas. They agreed with the amendment and asked that the item be placed on the Consent Calendar for adoption. Ms. Ainsworth-Taylor commented that the terms are unique to each ordinance and that she will recheck to make sure. She explained that the authority to expand the PTE program lies with the Council and not the Planning Commission. Mr. Norris added that the City can look at expanding the program after the Final Environmental Impact Statement is complete and the zoning is amended.
(b) Discussion of the Second Quarter Financial Report
Robert Hartwig, Administrative Services Director, provided data on revenue and expenditures, and fund summary comparisons for the second quarter. He detailed General Fund Revenues and Expenditures, and highlighted the significant differences in the funds. He concluded by sharing that the City is financially secure.
Councilmembers recalled ending last year with a positive variance in the Road Fund and asked if the City will fully expend the road maintenance budget. Mr. Hartwig responded that he will report back to Council regarding the road maintenance budget.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:25 p.m., Mayor Winsted declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk