CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 7, 2019 Conference Room 303 - Shoreline City Hall
5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor McConnell, Councilmembers Chang, McGlashan, Roberts, Robertson, and Scully
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Debbie Tarry, City Manager and Allison Taylor, Deputy City Clerk
GUESTS: Shoreline School District Staff: Rebecca Miner, Superintendent; and Marla Miller, Deputy Superintendent
Shoreline School District Board: Mike Jacobs, President; David Wilson, vice President; Boardmembers Heather Fralick and Dick Nicholson; and Student Representatives Michael Crosson and Cynthia Ruelas
At 5:45 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall, who welcomed the guests and reviewed the agenda for the evening.
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, shared highlights of recent development activity in Shoreline. She said that 2018 saw an uptick in new construction and that the City anticipates consistent growth for the next few years, including a mix of single and multi-family projects in the Light Rail Station areas. She described the planned development of Shoreline Place and listed details of the Development Agreement with Merlone Geier Partners.
Ms. Tarry cited that the population increase in Shoreline from 2010 to 2019 was 6.3%, one of the lowest in King County. Mayor Hall added that there is a public perception that the City is growing faster than it actually is. He said that while the City wants to continue to offer services comparable to faster growing communities, there is not always the revenue to do so.
Rebecca Miner, School District Superintendent; gave an update on the District’s ongoing construction. She described the status and phasing of both the Einstein and Kellogg Middle School projects, and said they are on track to complete the work for the start of school in 2020. She listed the early involvement of the Instructional Program Planning Committee and explained that the design emphasis is one of ‘instruction driving construction’. She displayed concept design images of the middle school campuses and photographs of the recently completed Parkwood Elementary and Aldercrest Annex buildings and listed the enhancements and upgrades of each.
At 5:58 p.m. Councilmember Roberts arrived.
Ms. Miner stated that enrollment has seen an insignificant increase this year and reflected that growth occurred predominantly on the east side of the District. Councilmember Robertson asked if there had been decisions made on boundary changes and Ms. Miner responded that the Board would be considering this topic at this evening’s meeting.
There was discussion around the enrollment predictions of the demographers used by the District, and recognition of the fact that many of the single family homes in the area no longer have school age children. Ms. Miner said many millennials are delaying parenting or not having children at all, which will need to be taken into consideration for future enrollment predictions. Councilmember Scully said he believes there is a potential for more children than anticipated.
It was indicated that while new multifamily housing does not necessarily bring an influx of children to the community, it happens more often when there are subsidized units in the building. Ms. Tarry said that while the number of bedrooms in the residential units at Shoreline Place has not yet been established, there is a current cap of 500 units available for a Multi Family Tax Exemption, which would generate affordable housing to be offered at 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
Ms. Miner listed highlights of the current school year and shared teaching and learning successes and projects.
Ms. Tarry gave an overview of Shoreline’s Proposition No. 1 on the November ballot. She described the planned Shoreline Aquatic, Recreation, and Community Center (ShARCC), displaying the concept design and a vicinity map of the potential location. She showed graphics with the planned improvements for Briarcrest, Brugger’s Bog, Hillwood, and Richmond Highlands Parks.
Ms. Tarry reviewed the Lynwood Link Extension timeline and gave an update on the construction status. She described the Bus Rapid Transit route (STRIDE) that will connect with the Shoreline South/145th Street Station and added that a key feature of the project is that it will facilitate commutes between area higher educational facilities. Ms. Tarry said that the Community Transit route (SWIFT) from Snohomish County will connect with the 185th Street Station. Mayor Hall pointed out that with the addition of the Light Rail stations the School District’s Shoreline Center will become more regionally accessible, bringing new opportunities. There was general discussion of Metro and mass transit options, specifically on the 185th Street corridor.
Mayor Hall thanked the District Boardmembers and Staff for joining the Council for an evening of updates and information.
At 6:33 p.m. the meeting adjourned.
/s/Allison Taylor, Deputy City Clerk
CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 7, 2019 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor McConnell, Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully, Chang, Robertson, and Roberts
ABSENT: None.
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Hall led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Deputy Mayor McConnell said at the recent SeaShore Transportation Forum Meeting Metro reported on the efforts toward the expansion of routes, reduction of overcrowding, and increasing reliability. She shared information on the current Pioneer Square Platform construction project. She added that there was a presentation on Initiative 976, and she described the ways in which Shoreline would be impacted if it passes.
Councilmember Scully shared updates on the Regional Homelessness Authority planning work. He said it was originally designed with a governing board and an advisory committee that would provide guidance, but now a panel of experts has been added to make most of the operational decisions. He said he is concerned with this approach because it decreases the responsibility of the governing board and turns over government money and policies to a panel of experts who are not accountable to the voters.
Councilmember Chang said she met with Katya Fels Smyth, Founder and CEO of The Full Frame Initiative. Councilmember Chang said the organization looks at how complete support is provided to individuals experiencing homelessness and suggested using some of their expertise in planning Shoreline’s Community Court.
Mayor Hall said he attended the final Orca Task Force meeting of the year and said draft recommendations had been unanimously adopted for next year’s work and would be available for public review and comment soon.
Mayor Hall said the dinner meeting with the Shoreline School Board and staff this evening was a welcome opportunity to talk about items of mutual interest.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Janet Way, Shoreline resident, said she is glad to see that Shoreline is taking advantage of SEPA on the Point Wells issue and said it is important that the City is working with Woodway and Snohomish County.
Joseph Irons, Shoreline resident and co-owner of Irons Brothers Construction, agreed that SEPA is very important on the Point Wells issue. Separately, he said the Public Hearing Notice for the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendments was issued late and he asked that his business not be penalized because the City made an error. He said he appreciates that the City has worked with him to coordinate rescheduling the Public Hearing. He asked the Council to support small business and allow them to operate at their current location.
Ally Johnson, Shoreline youth resident, said that Joseph and Melissa Irons spoke to her middle school last year about pursuing dreams. She described them as determined and passionate and said that as a member of a family with a small business she supports the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments 1 and 3.
Venetia Irons, Shoreline youth resident and daughter of Joseph and Melissa Irons, said that she is in support of the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments 1 and 3 because her family is not harming the community. She recognized the supporters of the Amendments in attendance at the Council meeting.
Neil Kappen, Edmonds resident and Seattle business owner, said he is a long-time friend of Joseph Irons. He spoke about the importance of family-owned businesses and described Irons Brothers Construction as impressive and community-centered. He said if Irons Brothers is driven out of Shoreline, the City will lose an important part of the community.
Jack Malek, Shoreline resident and Planning Commissioner, said that tonight he is speaking personally regarding proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments 1 and 3. He shared a printout of the 2001 North City Subarea Plan and said he supports economic development. Mr. Malek said that the Irons Brothers have a stellar reputation and while he is not a proponent of spot zoning, it may be worth reviewing the section south of 175th and 15th Avenue NE on a broader scale.
Cheryl Anderson, Shoreline resident, said proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments 1 and 3 are examples of how many Shoreline residents feel that development is happening that they have no control over. She said she is glad to see the turnout today and people listening to the Irons’ and their situation. She said she has witnessed evidence of the community contributions of the Irons Brothers.
Melissa Irons, Shoreline resident and co-owner of Irons Brothers Construction, said she believes the support for Comprehensive Plan Amendments 1 and 3 has been overshadowed by emotions and objections by a few people. She urged the Council to review the packet of information she emailed them, which includes endorsements from many stakeholders. She said the Planning Commission and Council should create a solution that meet the best interests of all parties involved. She listed the contributions the business makes to the Shoreline economy and community and asked Council to allow due process of their application for rezoning.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Robertson and seconded by Deputy Mayor McConnell and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Workshop Dinner Meeting of September 23, 2019
(b) Adopting Ordinance No. 867 - Amending Section 8.12.395 SMC Prohibiting the Use of E-cigarettes (Vaping) in City Parks
(c) Adopting Resolution No. 447- Repealing Resolution No. 182, Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedures
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Public Hearing and Adopting Ordinance No 868 – Establishing a Citywide Moratorium on the Filing, Acceptance, Processing, and/or Approval of Applications for Master Plan Development Permits and Applications for Essential Public Facility Special Use Permits
Rachael Markle, Planning and Community Development Director, delivered the staff presentation. She stated that the purpose of the moratorium is to review applicable zoning regulations and the Master Development Plan and Special Use Permit processes to ensure consistent implementation of the City’s vision, goals, and policies. She said that land use laws are the strongest tools available to the City to maintain local control over current and future development. She listed the reasons staff recommends the City Council hold a public hearing and establish a six-month moratorium.
Mayor Hall opened the Public Hearing.
Janet Way, Shoreline resident, said she is a longtime advocate for Fircrest and the residents and feels the property should not be broken up. She said at a recent meeting in Olympia the draft Master Plan for Fircrest was discussed, and she described the proposed development as one that would not interfere with the lives of the residents.
Kristin Ellison-Oslin, Lake Forest Park resident and Pastor at Fircrest Chapel and Shoreline United Methodist Church, said the Fircrest Campus Master Plan has been an ongoing issue for decades. She asked why the City is now determining that the regulations in place are not sufficient. She said she understands that an addition of a behavioral health facility may cause need for some review, but six months is a long time to delay.
Michael Abate, Seattle resident, said he is a representative for Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and the employees who work on the Fircrest grounds. He said WFSE objects to the limitation of land use options for the Master Plan for the State’s land, and that they oppose any privatization of Fircrest and the State’s land. He said limiting the land use options would be making a statement about the priorities of the North Seattle and Shoreline communities. He asked the Council to think of the people in need that the land was set aside for.
Rod Palmquist, Seattle resident and Organizing Director for WFSE, said WFSE does not support the limitation of options for land use at Fircrest, nor do they believe that the Growth Management Act was intended to limit priorities set by the legislature. He stated that WFSE has not yet endorsed the State’s proposals.
Mayor Hall closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember McGlashan moved adoption of Ordinance No. 868. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Chang.
Deputy Mayor McConnell and Councilmembers McGlashan, Chang, and Scully voiced support for a six-month moratorium.
Councilmember McGlashan said he is not proposing limiting land use, but that he believes the City needs more information on the proposed behavioral health facilities in order to appropriately determine if, and where, a facility should be located in the City. He said there are many questions that need to be answered for an effective partnership with the State. While he is not a fan of moratoria, he said this situation requires time to evaluate possibilities and outcomes.
Councilmember Chang said there are a lot of questions about the plan and what a behavioral health facility would mean for the community. She said it is best practice to put clear development guidelines in place.
Councilmember Scully encouraged community stakeholders to connect with Council to talk about priorities for Fircrest. He said his motivation is to protect and preserve the existing parts of Fircrest and to integrate it more into the surrounding community. He said he does not generally like moratoria but feels it is important to make sure there is a partnership between the City and the State in decision making. He specified that supporting this moratorium should not be considered a vote against behavioral health facilities.
Deputy Mayor McConnell said that she would support a six-month moratorium, but nothing longer. She recognized the frustration with the interactions with multiple agencies and the influx of doubt the changing plans have created.
Mayor Hall and Councilmember Roberts said they do not support the moratorium.
Councilmember Roberts said the Council should avoid setting a precedent of stopping a project that is legal under current rules. He said that due to the mental health crisis, the City should not say no to a behavioral health facility if that is where the State thinks it should be operated.
Mayor Hall said he is frustrated that the participating State agencies are not on the same page. He reflected that originally the City was approached by the State with an idea to try to use a portion of the property to address the affordable housing crisis in the community. But as recent as a few months ago the State completely changed their Master Planning Map. He said he has spent much of the past nine months asking that all stakeholders meet at the same time to discuss priorities and intentions for the site and find a solution that meets all of the various interests.
Mayor Hall reminded Council that cities have land use authority and a legal right and responsibility to zone the city in a way that locates uses in an appropriate way on behalf of the community. He said that it is embarrassing how behind the State of Washington is in providing beds for those in need of behavioral health support and that he strongly supports being able to provide facilities for those who need them.
The motion passed 5-2, with Councilmember Roberts and Mayor Hall voting no.
(b) Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Settlement and Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Shoreline and the Town of Woodway Regarding Point Wells
Margaret King, City Attorney, delivered the staff presentation. She reviewed the background of the actions between Shoreline and Woodway relating to Point Wells and the potential redevelopment and annexation of the area. She described the mediation process and outcomes and listed the topics of the Settlement and Interlocal Agreement. She described the requested edits to the Agreement and explained the collaboration with Woodway on the proposed edits and clarifications that resulted in the current version of the Settlement and Interlocal Agreement.
Councilmember Robertson moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Settlement and Interlocal Agreement with the Town of Woodway as presented to Council. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McGlashan.
Councilmember Robertson said she is happy to support the Agreement and said she feels there is overwhelming support from the community for it.
Councilmember McGlashan said he supports the Agreement and clarified with Ms. King that there will be a requirement for a second road and Woodway will not be acquiring or condemning property on behalf of BSRE.
Mayor Hall said he supports the motion and thanked all contributors for their collaboration in coming to an Agreement that will work for both cities.
The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:05 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk