CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, May 1, 2000

6:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Hansen, Councilmembers Grossman, Gustafson, Lee Montgomery and Ransom

ABSENT: Mayor Jepsen

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Deputy Mayor Hansen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Deputy Mayor Hansen led the flag salute. Upon roll by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exceptions of Councilmembers Lee, Montgomery and Ransom, who arrived later in the meeting, and Mayor Jepsen.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager, reported that the State budget includes funding for cities and counties to replace revenues eliminated by Initiative 695. He said Shoreline will receive an additional $2,167,241 during the 2000-2001 biennium. He commented on the long-term instability of the replacement funding.

Councilmember Lee arrived at 6:39 p.m.

Mr. Bauman said staff will apply for funding for the Aurora Corridor project from the $10 million designated for cities of the $25 million the State budgeted for corridor congestion relief.

Mr. Bauman recognized State Representatives Carolyn Edmonds and Ruth Kagi for advocating funding for corridor congestion relief and State Senator Darlene Fairley for supporting funding to replace revenues that cities and counties lost due to I-695.

Deputy Mayor Hansen commented that the replacement funding the legislature approved is considerably less than it had previously considered.

Mr. Bauman noted the May 8 joint dinner meeting of Council with staff of the King County Transit Oriented Development Program to discuss plans for the park-and-ride at 192^nd Street and Aurora Avenue. He mentioned the May 22 joint dinner meeting between Council and the Lake Forest Park City Council.

Mr. Bauman said staff will address the City response to the Endangered Species Act and a request for proposals for solid waste services during the May 15 Council workshop.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Grossman mentioned Earth Day activities at Twin Ponds Park.

Councilmember Ransom arrived at 6:47 p.m. He noted his attendance at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Richmond Beach Library April 29. He said he participated in a group that commissioned surveys 15 years ago to identify support for the new library.

Deputy Mayor Hansen said he attended meetings of the Operations Committee and Executive Committee of the Puget Sound Regional Council.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Leia Montange, 426 NW 162^nd Street, represented Creating A World of Difference, a club at Shorewood High School that supports diversity and opposes prejudice. She said the club is sponsoring a march to support diversity May 10. She asked Council to forgive the cost of the permit, and she invited Councilmembers to participate in the march.

Deputy Mayor Hansen read a proclamation in support of the march and designating May 10 as Celebrate Diversity, Stop the Hate Day in Shoreline.

(b) Patty Crawford, 2326 N 155^th Street, distributed and discussed photo-copies of: photographs of coho salmon that Washington Trout captured and released in Thornton Creek in the vicinity of N 155^th Street earlier in the day; a letter to City staff requesting the cessation of construction at 2330 N 156^th Place; and a "Stream Type Characterization" map of Thornton Creek. She requested Council assistance in protecting fish in Thornton Creek.

(c) Tim Crawford, 2326 N 155^th Street, said Shoreline Fire Commissioner Jon Kennison visited his property four years ago and subsequently opposed the use of the property as the site of a new fire station in favor of protecting fish in Thornton Creek. Mr. Crawford requested a similar commitment from current elected officials to protect fish habitat. He opposed the construction at 2330 N 156^th Place.

In response to Councilmember Lee, Mr. Bauman said the permit fee for the May 10 march is $278. There was Council consensus to consider a motion to forgive the fee during its regular meeting on May 8.

Noting current demographics of students in Shoreline elementary schools, Council-member Grossman commented that Shoreline is changing. He advocated the waiver of the fee as a gesture of City support of diversity. Councilmember Lee agreed.

6. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(a) Development Code, Phase II

Tim Stewart, Director, Planning and Development Services, reviewed the process the City followed in preparing the Development Code and the Engineering Development Guide companion document.

Anna Kolousek, Assistant Director, Planning and Development Services, noted the following key improvements in the proposed Development Code:

• organized and consolidated standards (the development standards in the King County Code were fragmentary and dispersed throughout several documents);
• the use of graphics to make the proposed Development Code more accessible;
• the elimination of the extensive use of footnotes;
• support of the City’s Comprehensive Plan (thereby bringing the City into compliance with the Growth Management Act [GMA]); and
• the inclusion of qualitative standards to address issues such as design, landscaping, parking and tree protection.

Ms. Kolousek went on to review each chapter of the proposed Development Code. She highlighted the following features:

• Chapter II, "Definitions:" staff consolidated multiple definitions into single, standard meanings;
• Chapter III, "Procedures and Administration:" staff added a section on code enforcement;
• Chapter IV, "Zoning and Use Provisions:" staff has broadened the variety of uses permitted in each zone—she explained the use of an "i" in the "Use Tables" to designate that additional criteria apply to a particular use in a particular zone; she noted the alphabetical listing of such criteria, by use, in the "Index of Supplemental Use Criteria";
• Chapter V, "General Development Standards:" staff has consolidated the development standards into eight basic sections, and it has included performance-oriented incentives (listed in italics as exceptions) to supplement the basic standards;
• Chapter VII, "Engineering/Utilities Development Standards:" staff has identified the types of development proposals that trigger the application of the "Engineering Development Code"; and
• Chapter VIII, "Special Overlay Districts:" staff has included only one special overlay district, "Critical Areas Overlay District"—she anticipated the future inclusion in this chapter of the North City Sub-Area Plan, of master plans for institutions such as Fircrest and of the Historic, Cultural and Environmental Resources Overlay District.

Next, Mr. Stewart referred to Attachment B, Table of Proposed Amendments, to identify issues that proved contentious in the preparation of the Development Code.

Finally, Mr. Stewart stressed that the Development Code will play a critical role in meeting the City’s obligations under the Endangered Species Act. He commented that the Development Code is a dynamic document, open to amendment as changes become necessary. Noting that the proposed code does not include changes to the zoning map, he explained the need for a reconciliation of the zoning map with the Comprehensive Plan in the future.

Turning to a housekeeping item, Councilmember Gustafson moved to excuse Mayor Jepsen from the workshop. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.

Councilmember Grossman asked if Council could adopt most of the proposed Development Code but delay adoption of certain portions for additional study and consideration. Mr. Stewart commented that Council has full authority over how the City proceeds. He and Ian Sievers, City Attorney, stressed the need to coordinate any delayed adoption of parts of the proposed code with the delayed repeals of the related interim ordinances that the City adopted from King County.

As an alternative, Councilmember Grossman proposed that Council could adopt the proposed code but identify specific issues for further consideration and possible future changes. Mr. Stewart said the Planning Commission accepted elements of the proposed code with the intent to test their application.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Stewart said staff is developing an annual process for identifying amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. Referring to Chapter III, Section 7 (g), "AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT CODE" (page 63), he noted that Council is not limited to annual amendments to the Development Code. He pointed out the proposed process for legislative decisions in Chapter III, Section 3 (d) and Table 4 (pages 47 and 48).

Councilmember Ransom questioned the administration of condition III.7(g)(B)(3)—"The amendment is not contrary to the best interest of the citizens and property owner of the City of Shoreline." Mr. Stewart confirmed that Council makes that determination. He noted that this determination can always be appealed to Superior Court.

Councilmember Grossman questioned the level of involvement in the preparation of the Development Code of parties the City hopes to attract to Shoreline (e.g., developers of mixed-use projects). Mr. Stewart noted involvement of commercial development interests in the Planning Academy and in testimony to the Planning Commission.

Councilmember Lee expressed concern that requirements for a mixed-use, commercial and other non-residential development to locate parking away from the street, behind the building (e.g., V.4[B-2.4], page 169) could make the development susceptible to vandalism. She noted vandalism at the Shoreline Library, which is located on the street with parking behind the building. Ms. Kolousek said she was unaware of vandalism at the Shoreline Library. She acknowledged the concern. She mentioned that a representative of the Shoreline Police Department will participate in the design workshop for the North City Sub-Area Plan to provide a public safety perspective. She noted the value of good lighting in minimizing vandalism. Mr. Stewart discussed the design concept of "defensible space" which stresses well-lit and observable public places.

Councilmember Ransom questioned the need to locate parking behind buildings and to locate buildings along streets. Ms. Kolousek clarified that the City is not requiring the location of buildings along streets. She discussed development that creates dynamic environments along streets and is, thereby, more attractive to pedestrians. With regard to V.4(B-2.4), she explained that a building is a more welcoming element on a corner facing an intersection than a parking lot.

Councilmember Ransom went on to discuss kennels. He noted the limitation of cats and dogs to three per household (IV.3[B] "Animals"). He commented that many animal breeders reside in Shoreline. He mentioned that King County regulations provide for a "hobby kennel" classification that allowed for four adult unspayed animals and litters up to three months of age. He advocated language accommodating such animal breeders in the proposed code.

Next, Councilmember Ransom noted a discrepancy between the 2,500-square-foot-minimum lot size for R-8 zones specified on page 84a and the 5,000-square-foot minimum on page 128. He said Ms. Kolousek has identified 5,000 square feet as the new standard.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Stewart clarified that the 10,000-square-foot minimum lot size for accessory dwelling units (page 103) applies only to detached structures. Ms. Kolousek confirmed that the proposed code provides for the rental of accessory dwelling units.

Councilmember Ransom expressed concern that residents who wish to remove a tree from their property must comply with complicated procedures under the proposed code. Ms. Kolousek said the proposed code allows the removal of up to six significant trees from any property. Mr. Stewart referred to C-2(a) on page 180.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Ms. Kolousek explained that Janet Way proposed amendment number 280 to change the language of D-3 on page 309 to read that "The City shall require that a culvert be removed from a stream. . . ." She said the City does not have fish inventory maps of streams in Shoreline. Mr. Stewart noted the importance of a biological inventory and of mapping and designating streams. Noting that fish will not swim in a dark tunnel, Deputy Mayor Hansen said the purpose of "daylighting" (i.e., removing culverts) is to make more of a stream accessible to fish.

Councilmember Grossman expressed two concerns about "daylighting:" 1) the public should support the private property owner to provide the public benefit of "daylighting" a stream; and 2) the City should show flexibility toward the approaches that private property owners propose to meet requirements for protecting water quality and fish habitat. Mr. Stewart stressed the need to address water quality and fish habitat on a basin-by-basin basis, not a lot-by-lot basis. He said staff will discuss such issues when it addresses the Endangered Species Act with Council.

Councilmember Grossman asked if the proposed code acknowledges and accommodates the agreement established for the reserves in Innis Arden. Ms. Kolousek said she participated in the finalization of the agreement. She noted that Al Wagar, University of Washington Professor of Forestry, created the agreement for Innis Arden and that he participated in the Planning Academy. She acknowledged potential issues, but she said the standards do not contradict the agreement established for the reserves.

Deputy Mayor Hansen supported incentives for underground parking.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Ms. Kolousek said the requirement to step back the bonus floor of a mixed-use development in a neighborhood business or office zone at least eight feet from the street wall is meant to make the building appear from the street as three stories. She pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan and the existing code do not allow buildings of more than three stories in these zones.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Ms. Kolousek stated the base height in community business zones as 60 feet. Deputy Mayor Hansen advocated a bonus floor in this zone as well.

Deputy Mayor Hansen noted that the proposed code does not require the retail or commercial use of the first floor of a mixed-use development. Mr. Stewart acknowledged that some communities require that every mixed-use development contain a mixture of uses (e.g., the commercial use of the first floor and the residential use of upper floors). He said the City seeks to allow the market to drive redevelopment, assuming that multi-family developments will provide a market base to attract other types of uses to an area and that the area, as a whole, will achieve a mixed-use configuration. Deputy Mayor Hansen supported this approach.

Councilmember Gustafson anticipated that the Endangered Species Act will have a significant impact on the City and necessitate changes in the Development Code. He stressed the dynamic nature of the code. He supported the preservation of neighborhood character.

Councilmember Grossman suggested that the City make the Development Code available in electronic form with hot links and a thorough index to ease accessibility.

Deputy Mayor Hansen identified Council consensus in favor of a public hearing on the proposed code on May 22.

RECESS

At 8:52 p.m., Deputy Mayor Hansen declared a five-minute recess. The workshop reconvened at 8:57 p.m.

(b) Washington Traffic Safety Committee Pedestrian Safety Program

Public Works Director Bill Conner introduced Julie Mercer-Matlick of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Mandi Roberts of OTAK Incorporated.

Ms. Mercer-Matlick reviewed the history of the Washington Traffic Safety Committee Pedestrian Safety Program. She said approximately one third of the vehicle-pedestrian accidents on Washington State highways occur on State Route (SR) 99. She noted 42 pedestrian accidents on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline over a five-year period. She stressed the need to change the behavior of pedestrians and motorists.

Ms. Roberts discussed the three emphases of the program: education, enforcement and engineering. She mentioned recent and ongoing activities. She noted the focus on N 165^th Street and N 170^th Street crossings of Aurora Avenue for engineering improvements.

Deputy Mayor Hansen invited public comment.

(1) Richard Johnsen, 16730 Meridian Avenue N, identified the area of Aurora Avenue between N 180^th Street and N 183^rd Street as a high pedestrian traffic location.

Mr. Conner commented that the City intends to install a crosswalk on Aurora Avenue in the area between N 180^th Street and N 183^rd Street.

(2) Walt Hagen, 711 N 193^rd Street, stated that most vehicle-pedestrian accidents are caused by pedestrians and that 80 percent of them involve pedestrians intoxicated with alcohol. He advocated attention to these statistics through consideration of businesses along Aurora Avenue and public education on the problems and penalties of public drunkenness. He said the majority of the people who attended the public meetings were City and State staff.

(3)George Mauer, 1430 NW 191^st Street, asserted his understanding of a lack of legal penalties for jaywalking across Aurora Avenue in Shoreline. He mentioned that Sun Valley, Idaho provides signs for pedestrians to carry when crossing streets.

Shoreline Police Captain Clem Rusk advised that vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing at intersections. He commented that most vehicles on Aurora Avenue do not yield the right-of-way.

Paul Cornish, Capital Projects Manager, noted staff intent to include information on crosswalk laws in the pedestrian safety materials produced as part of the pedestrian safety program.

Councilmember Lee pointed out the WSDOT statistic on page 31 of the Council packet that nine percent of the automobile collisions along SR 99 in King County involved alcohol. She went on to ask about the effectiveness of the proposed pedestrian crossing improvements at Aurora Avenue and N 165^th Street and N 170^th Street. She asked if the City will have to remove the improvements when it constructs the Aurora Corridor Project. And she asked about a crossing on Aurora between 145^th Street and 165^th Street.

Mr. Conner said the first construction phase of the Aurora Corridor Project will include a crosswalk on Aurora Avenue between N 145^th Street and N 165^th Street. He anticipated that the Aurora Corridor Project will incorporate the pedestrian refuge islands included in this project; whereas, final alignment of the right-of-way may require removal of the sidewalks in the areas surrounding the crossings.

Ms. Mercer-Matlick said a study of pedestrian safety improvements in Sea-Tac confirmed that they reduced vehicle-pedestrian accidents.

Councilmember Lee asked if crosswalks on Aurora Avenue will increase pass-through traffic in the neighborhoods bordering Aurora Avenue. Ms. Mercer-Matlick cited research showing that improvements to a corridor decrease pass-through traffic on neighboring side streets because drivers perceive their travel time to be less within the corridor. Also, she mentioned that five of the 42 pedestrian accidents on Aurora Avenue over a five-year period involved alcohol.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Conner clarified that the City will fund crosswalks on Aurora at N 152^nd Street and in the vicinity of N 180^th Street; whereas, the State will fund these crosswalks at N 165^th Street and N 170^th Street.

Councilmember Ransom noted the comment of a Richmond Highlands resident that installation of the crosswalk at N 170^th Street south of the intersection will reduce the number of vehicles northbound on Aurora Avenue turning onto N 170^th Street. Mr. Conner agreed. He reiterated that staff anticipates the project to reduce the commute time and improve pedestrian safety along the corridor.

Councilmember Ransom encouraged staff to consider the potential development of a hotel on Aurora Avenue at N 170^th Street in determining the location of the crosswalk.

Councilmember Gustafson advocated the compatibility of this project with the Aurora Corridor Project. He acknowledged the pedestrian crossing system in Sun Valley, Idaho. He expressed particular concern about Shorewood High School students crossing Aurora Avenue at N 170^th Street. Ms. Roberts noted the effectiveness of a program in the City of Kirkland that provides flags for pedestrians to carry when they cross streets.

In response to Councilmember Montgomery, Ms. Mercer-Matlick clarified that 2,000 people board and disembark Metro buses on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline each day.

Councilmember Montgomery advocated a crosswalk on Aurora Avenue in the vicinity of N 180^th Street. Mr. Conner said staff has included a crosswalk in that area in the 2000-2001 work plan.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Conner confirmed that the Washington Traffic Safety Committee Pedestrian Safety Program is separate from the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program.

In response to Councilmember Lee, Ms. Roberts explained that the design team is working with WSDOT and City staff to determine specific solutions for crosswalks at N 165^th Street and N 170^th Street. She said research has shown the importance of lighting and of advance-warning and overhead signs to improve the safety of pedestrian crossings.

Councilmembers Lee and Montgomery highlighted their concern about the need for a crosswalk on Aurora Avenue at N 180^th Street. Ms. Mercer-Matlick said the project team received similar input from Metro and from residents. She explained that a crosswalk at N 180^th Street poses challenges that WSDOT did not feel it could take on as part of a pilot project.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Ms. Roberts said the crosswalks will not include curb extensions into Aurora Avenue.

In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Ms. Roberts confirmed the participation of Shorewood High School students in the pedestrian safety design charrette.

Deputy Mayor Hansen confirmed Council consensus in favor of proceeding with the Washington Traffic Safety Committee Pedestrian Safety Program.

(c) Status Update for Capital Improvement Projects on 15^th Avenue NE

Mr. Conner reviewed the staff report.

MEETING EXTENSION

At 9:58 p.m., Councilmember Ransom moved to extend the meeting until 10:30 p.m. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 5–1, with Councilmember Montgomery dissenting.

Deputy Mayor Hansen invited public comment.

(1) Richard Johnsen, 16730 Meridian Avenue N, supported the improvements on 15^th Avenue NE. He questioned the location of the bioswale that staff has proposed to drain storm water from 15^th Avenue NE.

Mr. Conner said the bioswale will be located along NE 152^nd Street between 15^th Avenue NE and 12^th Avenue NE.

(2) Margi King, 20307 25^th Avenue NE, commented that drivers use 15^th Avenue NE to bypass I-5 at times of heavy traffic congestion. She questioned whether the City addressed this issue in considering the proposed improvements to 15^th Avenue NE.

Mr. Conner said staff has considered cut-through traffic. He said traffic lights will be synchronized to minimize traffic congestion, particularly at NE 205^th Street and NE 145^th Street. He acknowledged that this will not reduce the overall flow of traffic.

Deputy Mayor Hansen confirmed Council consensus in support of the improvements. He encouraged staff to capitalize on opportunities to speed implementation.

(d) 2000 First Quarter Financial Report

Finance Director Debbie Tarry and Senior Budget Analyst John Hawley presented the staff report. Mr. Hawley introduced the new budget analyst, Carol Dawson.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Hawley confirmed that the City is "ahead" approximately $2.2 million (approximately $1.52 million in the beginning fund balance, plus the approximately $700,000 in funds that the State proposes to provide to replace revenues lost as a result of I-695).

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Hawley estimated the cost of the Maintenance Worker I position, that was inadvertently left out of the 2000 budget and that Public Works seeks to hire in October, at $12,000.

MEETING EXTENSION

At 10:17 p.m., Councilmember Ransom moved to extend the meeting until 10:45 p.m. Councilmember Lee seconded the motion, which carried 5-1, with Councilmember Montgomery dissenting.

7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Richard Johnsen, 16730 Meridian Avenue N, mentioned that a crosswalk, with pedestrian-activated caution lights, previously existed on Aurora Avenue at N 180^th Street. He advocated that staff identify the jurisdiction that removed the crosswalk (e.g., the State or the County) and that the City seek reimbursement for the cost of replacing it. He also advocated the installation of a crosswalk on Aurora Avenue at N 183^rd Street.

(b) Margi King, 20307 25^th Avenue NE, advocated that the City address the timing of the traffic lights on Aurora Avenue. She said pedestrians attempting to cross Aurora Avenue are frustrated by long waits between lights. She praised Randy Olin, Customer Response Team Representative, and Public Works for responsiveness to public needs. She mentioned the recent first meeting of the new neighborhood association in Area A-2. She said residents of the area are pleased to be part of the City.

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 10:25 p.m., Deputy Mayor Hansen announced that Council would recess into executive session for 20 minutes. City Attorney Ian Sievers identified the subject of the executive session as a claim evaluation.

At 10:54 p.m., the executive session concluded, and the workshop meeting reconvened.

9. ADJOURNMENT

At 10:55 p.m., Deputy Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned.

_______________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk