CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 19, 2021 Held Remotely via Zoom
7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor Scully, Councilmembers McConnell, McGlashan, Robertson, and Roberts
ABSENT: Councilmember Chang
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall who presided.
2. ROLL CALL
Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Chang.
Deputy Mayor Scully moved to excuse Councilmember Chang for personal reasons. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McConnell and was approved by unanimous consent.
Councilmember McGlashan joined the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
(a) Proclamation of Earth Day
Mayor Hall proclaimed April 22, 2021 as Earth Day in Shoreline and said it is a great opportunity to raise awareness for the environmental challenges being faced globally.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
4. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and reported on various City meetings, projects and events.
5. COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Hall thanked the Police and Firefighters who responded to the recent fire at the Linden Apartments and performed heroically to save lives.
Deputy Mayor Scully said he attended the Lake Ballinger Forum meeting and described the group as environmentalism on the micro level, centered on keeping the lake pristine, and he shared updates on the cleanup being done.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Dicky Leonardo, Shoreline resident, expressed appreciation for the City’s response to the questions he posed last week regarding Proposition 1. He shared his experiences living near a low barrier shelter in Seattle and commented how there were negative impacts to nearby parks, which impacts taxpayers. He gave his opinion on where shelters should be located.
Jackie Kurle, Shoreline resident, shared concerns about potential residential safety with people who may be associated with shelter guests but may not be residing in the Enhanced Shelter. She urged as much monitoring, oversight, and reporting as possible.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Scully and seconded by Councilmember Robertson and unanimously carried, 6-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Adoption of Resolution No. 473 - Establishing Wastewater Fee Table
(b) Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 3 to Contract 9210 with The Blueline Group, LLC for On-Call Development Review and Construction Inspection Support Services
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Action on the Naming of Park Properties at 709 North 150th Street and 1341 North 185th Street
Colleen Kelly, Recreation, Cultural, and Community Services Director, delivered the staff presentation. Ms. Kelly reviewed the recent park land acquisitions that were purchased using Conservation Futures Tax Grants and Park Impact Fees.
Ms. Kelly summarized the naming process, which began with public involvement. Staff then reviewed all submissions, and those that met the minimum criteria were considered. The staff committee agreed on the recommendation of Westminster Park for the property at 709 North 150th Street but chose to defer to the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Services (PRCS)/Tree Board for the property at 1341 North 185th Street, suggesting that they consider names that include nature or historical or cultural significance. The PRCS/Tree Board discussed the names and voted to recommend naming the park at 709 North 150th Street as Westminster Park but had no clear consensus for the property at 1341 North 185th Street. The PRCS/Tree Board then created a parks naming subcommittee to further discuss a recommendation. The subcommittee returned without consensus, but ultimately the PRCS/Tree Board voted to recommend the name Edwin Pratt Memorial Park for Council consideration. Ms. Kelly recapped the staff conversation with the family of Mr. Pratt, which resulted in an endorsement by the family. Therefore, staff recommends naming the property at 709 North 150th Street as Westminster Park and the property 1341 North 185th Street as Edwin Pratt Memorial Park.
Councilmember Robertson moved to approve the recommendation of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Services/Tree Board to name the property at 709 North 150th Street as Westminster Park and the property 1341 North 185th Street as Edwin Pratt Memorial Park. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McGlashan.
Councilmember Robertson said she supports the work of the PRCS/Tree Board and subcommittee and their recommendation and said appreciates the significance to the Pratt family of the location of the 185th Street park.
Councilmember Roberts confirmed that the name of Dwight Stevens Park was not proposed. He said it does not seem fair that the current policy says that someone who is living can be nominated but a period of two years must go by before someone who is deceased can qualify for nomination.
In response to Councilmember Roberts’ question as to why the word ‘memorial’ was included in the park named for Edwin Pratt, Ms. Kelly said that is what was submitted by the public and considered by the committee. There was general discussion on the usage of the word ‘memorial’ in parks naming regionally, and Councilmember Roberts said while he would prefer the name to be ‘Edwin Pratt Park’ he will support the recommendation. Deputy Mayor Scully shared the opinion that the word memorial indicates that the park is named for someone worth remembering and he is glad a local person is being honored.
The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion of Ordinance No. 930 - Amending Development Code Chapters 20.20, 20.30, 20.40, and 20.50 and Chapter 13.12 Floodplain Regulations for Batch #1 of the 2021 Development Code Amendments
Steve Szafran, Senior Planner, delivered the staff presentation. Mr. Szafran said this batch of Development Code amendments include amendments that are time sensitive to encourage development in the Light Rail Station areas or are minor housekeeping amendments. Mr. Szafran reviewed the fourteen (14) proposed Development Code amendments and one Floodplain Regulation amendment and summarized any considerations for each one. He concluded by stating that the Planning Commission recommends approval of Batch #1 of the 2021 Development Code Amendments.
The following proposed amendments were discussed:
Amendment 3: Application. Councilmember Roberts asked why ‘public agency’, rather than ‘transit agency’, was added to the definition as an entity that could apply for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Mr. Szafran said it seemed appropriate to use the existing definition of public agency for this section of the Code. Discussion on the impacts this change might make for site-specific Comprehensive Plan amendments followed, and it was determined that the language would open the door for public agencies to apply for amendments for projects that were still speculative in nature. Councilmember McGlashan suggested that the language state that the public agency should at least be under contract, rather than just having interest in a property. Mr. Szafran concurred, saying he would present Council with updated language to indicate a requirement of an agreement before consideration of an application. Mayor Hall offered that since any requested site-specific Comprehensive Plan amendment comes before Council there is a decent backstop built in, so he could go either way with the definition. Deputy Mayor Scully said Councilmember Roberts’ concerns are reasonable, but he would like more information on the impact with which to base a decision.
Amendment 4: Administrative Design Review (Type A). Deputy Mayor Scully observed that while he does not have a problem supporting this amendment, the City tends to adopt stringent regulations and then allow the Director to deviate from them.
Amendment 6: Parking Areas. Councilmember Roberts confirmed that the intent of this amendment is to prevent requests for stand-alone parking lot or parking garages. Councilmember Robertson said she appreciated the pros and cons being listed to help with decision making.
Amendment 9: Base Density Calculation. Councilmember Roberts said there are advantages and disadvantages to putting examples in the Code, citing the Base Density Calculation as an example, and shared his preferences on how examples would be shown.
Amendment 11: Reductions to Minimum Parking Requirements. Councilmember Roberts observed that the term ‘complete pedestrian route’ for parking in MUR-70’ zones may have the effect of creating more parking than necessary because the pedestrian route to the Light Rail Station is not complete yet. Mayor Hall recognized that when areas are under development there are going to be temporary disruptions. He suggested that since the Light Rail Stations are going to be open in two years he would be inclined to eliminate the parking management plan requirement, which addresses a temporary solution, and instead only require parking that is appropriate for when the Station is open. Councilmembers Roberts and McGlashan agreed.
Amendment 14: Deep Green Incentive Program. Deputy Mayor Scully expressed support for this amendment conceptually but said expedited review should be a benefit for doing something that is not required. There was discussion on how this amendment would impact projects currently in progress, and the comment from a developer was taken into consideration. The possibilities of either establishing a delayed implementation date or holding this amendment back to an upcoming batch were suggested as solutions.
Mr. Szafran thanked the Council for the clear direction that he will incorporate into the package that is scheduled for action on May 3.
(b) Discussion of the Housing Action Plan
Andrew Bauer, Senior Planner, delivered the staff presentation. Mr. Bauer said the proposed amendments and updates to the Housing Action Plan (HAP) are based on direction and feedback received from Council, and he reminded Council that the City received grant funding for the creation of the HAP. He reviewed the HAP components, which are comprised of the Housing Needs Assessment, Regulatory Review, and the Housing Toolkit and Potential Actions. He said one of the primary purposes of the HAP is to use it to inform future decision making and he emphasized that it is not intended to indicate a commitment to implementing any of the strategies identified.
Mr. Bauer outlined the proposed amendments, explaining that the changes will help clarify that the actions in the HAP are potential, and that the Housing Toolkit and Potential Actions section are recommendations from the Planning Commission, but do not include binding direction or strategies that are being committed to. Mr. Bauer said the heading of the list of implementation priorities has been changed to clearly indicate that these are Planning Commission priorities, and he displayed a list of the high implementation prioritization of the Toolkit strategies.
Mr. Bauer asked for Council feedback on the proposed amendments.
Councilmember Robertson said the proposed alterations address the concerns expressed previously. She recognized the effort put into the HAP and said she is excited to have it as a resource for future decision making. Councilmember Roberts echoed Councilmember Robertson’s comments and said he is happy with this document and looks forward to working on it. Councilmember McGlashan concurred. Councilmember McConnell offered support for the options presented.
Councilmember Roberts asked how the HAP might be impacted, or need to be modified, by the upcoming legislation that would allow cities to change the definition of Area Median Income. Mr. Bauer said he does not think there is anything specific in the HAP that would address the topic that specifically, but staff will be ready to adjust to any legislative changes. Mayor Hall said the City will need to carefully look at the pros and cons of this option, and reflected that developers are going to build where is makes financial sense, and if the City has requirements that make it more expensive to build in Shoreline than in Seattle, there could be unintended consequences.
Councilmember McGlashan said he is particularly pleased that cottage housing has made it into the HAP. Mayor Hall and Deputy Mayor Scully echoed this support and Councilmember McConnell shared her observations on the market for cottage homes.
Councilmember McConnell reflected that based on Shoreline’s proximity to Seattle, it is almost impossible to keep housing affordable.
Mayor Hall said when it comes to the “missing middle” housing options, sometimes alternatives that could be objectionable to some members of the community are included. He values having a variety of housing types available in Shoreline, including higher density housing and cottage housing, as well as traditional R-4 and R-6 zones, and shared his reasons and concerns.
The Council generally expressed appreciation for the language amendments and reframing for clarity made to the HAP. It was agreed that it would return as a Consent Item.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:22 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk