SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP DINNER MEETING

Monday, May 8, 2023 Conference Room 303 - Shoreline City Hall

5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North

PRESENT: Mayor Keith Scully, and Councilmembers John Ramsdell, Laura Mork, Doris McConnell, Eben Pobee and Chris Roberts

ABSENT: Deputy Mayor Betsy Robertson

STAFF: Bristol Ellington, City Manager

Rachael Markle, Planning & Community Development Director

Andrew Bauer, Planning Manager

Steve Szafran, Senior Planner

GUESTS: Pam Sager, Planning Commission Chair

Mei-Shiou Lin, Planning Commissioner

Janelle Callahan, Planning Commissioner

Andy Galuska, Planning Commissioner

Christopher Mosier, Planning Commissioner

At 5:48 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Scully. All Councilmembers were present except for Councilmember Pobee who joined the meeting at 5:50 p.m., Councilmember McConnell who joined the meeting at 5:53 p.m., and Deputy Mayor Robertson who was absent.

Steve Szafran, Senior Planner, spoke about the Planning Commission's work plan and upcoming projects. He said the Planning Commission was able to provide recommendations to Council on various planning projects and the Commission will have a busy work plan moving forward.

A Councilmember asked for an update on legislation impacting local planning. Andrew Bauer, Planning Manager, brought attention to House Bill (HB) 1110 to increase middle housing and HB 1337 which expands the use of accessory dwelling units. He stated the mandates from the State will get the City started on local updates but staff will need to be flexible in balancing the Code with the community’s values and preferences.

Bristol Ellington, City Manager, questioned if the codes will make housing affordable and expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of local autonomy. Councilmember Roberts recalled from a conversation with a developer that increased affordability is not likely unless the size of housing is decreased. He questioned how the City could mandate three-bedroom units. Councilmember Pobee said that housing size decreases are running families out and any compromises increasing housing should be made toward residents. Councilmember Ramsdell stated that the Shoreline community will change if family-friendly structures are not developed but pointed out land trust as a possible solution.

Mayor Scully remarked that affordable housing incentives are not working, and the next step will be affordability mandates. Andy Galuska, Planning Commissioner, commented that not enough middle housing can be made and the City should talk about urbanizing where possible.

Councilmember Roberts noted that the community values trees and said he would like to continue maximizing public art and open space. Councilmember McConnell stated that people choose Shoreline because it does not look like Seattle but feedback from the community will determine how the city develops. Christopher Mosier, Planning Commissioner, said he would rather dedicate space to housing and open space opposed to parking.

Mr. Bauer said the Planning and Community Development Department is exploring form-based use instead of dwelling units per acre density. This is to respond to potential changes in lot coverage and development standards. Mei-Shiou Lin, Planning Commissioner, commented that form-based design allows more possibilities to mix different housing.

Speaking to ground floor retail, Mr. Bauer stated that interim regulations are scheduled for Council discussion in the coming weeks. He said the first project under the existing ground floor commercial space requirements has provided staff with opportunities to learn and refine regulations. Mr. Mosier expressed concern for small businesses with the cost of occupying space. Janelle Callahan, Planning Commissioner, suggested the use of a vacancy ordinance to require ground floor commercial space to be actively used or maintained.

Mr. Galuska noted that Shoreline is a city of similar neighborhoods. He suggested the City work on developing characters for each neighborhood through design guidelines and architecture standards to help set the city apart. Councilmember Roberts asked if a public art requirement would help to define neighborhoods hubs and Mr. Galuska said art would help if the works are unique. Mr. Mosier commented that the challenge in developing central areas in Shoreline is the lack of businesses to visit. Mr. Ellington highlighted the need to create a sense of place and ensure walkability in the city but shared doubt about the possibility of having a central downtown.

Councilmembers Mork and McConnell expressed support for the idea of creating a destination center where the Bank of America Building was on Firlands Way. Councilmember Mork asked how that development could be encouraged as the location is private property. Councilmember Roberts commented that the City should be mindful of where commercial spaces are located in the interest of the success of commercial areas and meeting neighborhood needs.

At 6:49 p.m., Mayor Scully declared the meeting adjourned.

/s/ Kendyl Hardy, Deputy City Clerk