CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, May 24, 2004 Shoreline Conference Center
PRESENT: Mayor Hansen, Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Gustafson, and Ransom
ABSENT: Councilmember Grace
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Mayor Hansen, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Hansen led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the Assistant to the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exception of Councilmember Grace.
Upon motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Chang and unanimously carried, Councilmember Grace was excused.
(a) Proclamation of Native Plant Appreciation Week
Mayor Hansen presented the proclamation to Richard Tinsley, board member of the Central Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS). Mr. Tinsley thanked the City for this recognition and outlined several future activities planned by the WNPS.
3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Steve Burkett, City Manager, reported on the joint open house for the Aurora Corridor and Interurban Trail projects. He also announced a farewell party for Police Chief Denise Turner. He noted that three candidates were interviewed for the police chief position, and that a decision would be made soon.
Councilmember Ransom announced that the state tax director would make a presentation to a Korean Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday, May 27.
Deputy Mayor Jepsen reported on his attendance at the SeaShore Transportation Forum, where discussion focused on regional transportation recommendations and on Sound Transit’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement coming forward this fall. He noted that the Aurora Corridor project is part of the regional transportation proposal. He also commented on the efforts of the King County Economic Development Council to redefine its vision, and on Shoreline Bank’s growth and success.
Mayor Hansen commented on the opening of the new Shurgard storage facility in the Ballinger neighborhood and on that company’s plans for improving other locations. He also recognized the efforts of those who participated in the Walk for Life, noting that they raised $64,000 this year.
4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: none
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Virginia Paulsen, Shoreline, commended the City for providing opportunities for the public to provide input into the decision-making process because it means far less antagonism to and alienation from governmental bodies. She said it is imperative that the public knows and understands the costs for various public projects, noting that informed decisions could not be made without knowing the absolute and relative costs. Finally, she asked the Council to consider the implications for the City of Shoreline of global warming, diminishing U.S. oil supply, and escalating gas prices.
(b) Stan Terry, Shoreline, commented favorably on the joint open house for the Aurora Corridor and Interurban Trail Pedestrian Bridge projects. He encouraged the Council to consider the proposal to install a traffic signal at N 149th Street and Aurora Avenue because it would help neighborhood residents and alleviate access problems.
(c) Richard Johnsen, Shoreline, noted that his newly acquired knowledge of horticultural issues (street trees in particular) might be of use to the City. He asked staff to clarify if bicycle lanes are a feature of the North Section of the Interurban Trail, between N 200th and N 205th Street. He then explained that the Civic Light Opera might not be able to return to Shoreline due to increasing costs of rental space at the Shoreline Conference Center. He urged the Council to invite the president and/or board to give a presentation on its operations, and to do what it can to help keep the company in Shoreline.
(d) Patty Crawford, Shoreline, responded to a May 12, 2004 letter from Planning Director Tim Stewart regarding her questions and statements from the May 3 Council meeting concerning the Aegis development. She disputed the arguments in the letter, noting that the site and permit does not require work in the critical areas buffer. She said an updated critical areas report indicates that Aegis found surface water when they installed the vault, which may be a reason why the pond has been lowered. She said she would submit additional information at the remand hearing regarding pond and stream habitat. She urged the City to review the court order issued on April 15, which indicates that the court has jurisdiction over these matters and all “remaining issues.” She said the term “remaining issues” indicates that the judge is also referring to issues on the south site. Finally, she outlined the remaining schedule for the film “Up Thornton Creek.”
(e) Martin Kral, Shoreline, said despite the unanimous opposition to the cottage housing project on N 183rd and Ashworth Avenue, the Planning Department disregarded the neighbors’ objections and approved the project anyway. He said under the current law, developers can build cottage housing on 15,000-17,000 square-foot lots in residential zones. He said Conditional Use Permits for cottage housing should be considered by the City Council instead of the Planning Director. He feared that under the current law, Shoreline could become host to numerous cottage housing developments and change the residential character of the City.
Mr. Burkett noted that persons aggrieved by the cottage housing project can appeal the decision to the Shoreline Hearing Examiner. He clarified that a bicycle lane is part of the Interurban Trail between N 200th and N 205th Street.
Councilmember Fimia asked if the cottage housing decision had been appealed. Staff indicated it had not.
Councilmember Ransom said cottage housing was supposed to provide an alternative for people seeking affordable housing. He questioned the affordability of cottage housing developments in Shoreline, and requested that the Council reconsider the whole issue at a future time.
Councilmember Gustafson asked if the Planning Commission has considered any changes to the cottage housing ordinance. Mr. Burkett and Mr. Stewart explained that the Planning Commission did a relatively recent review of cottage housing, and that their recommendations were approved by the City Council.
Councilmember Fimia supported Councilmember Ransom’s request for review of cottage housing in preparation for adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Upon motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Ransom and unanimously carried, the agenda was approved.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes of Special Meeting of May 3, 2004
Minutes of Dinner Meeting of May 10, 2004
Minutes of Regular Meeting of May 10, 2004
Approval of expenses and payroll as of May 7,
2004 in the amount of $901,154.00
8. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
After clarification from
City Attorney Ian Sievers regarding wording, Deputy
Mayor Jepsen moved an amendment to Resolution No. 217 to change Condition #3 as
follows: “This Special Use Permit shall continue as long as tThe
existing WSDOT perimeter landscaping and native trees along N. 160th
Street shall be are preserved and supplemented where 15 foot gaps
in the vegetation exist with native conifer trees at least 10 feet in height in
planting.” Councilmember Fimia seconded the motion, which carried 6
– 0.
Councilmember Fimia wished to ensure that both WSDOT and the cellular telephone company could exercise the option to replace trees as necessary. Mr. Burkett said although the resolution does not specifically state it, that intent would be noted.
A vote was taken on the motion, which carried 6-0, and Resolution No. 217 as amended was adopted.
Tim Stewart, Planning & Development Services Director, explained that Ordinance No. 353, adopting the state-mandated building and energy codes, would consolidate and improve the City’s existing codes. The ordinance also includes adoption of the Uniform Plumbing Code, which would allow the City to take over the responsibility of plumbing permit services, allowing customers to obtain most relevant building permits directly from the City. This transfer also means the City’s fee listed in SMC 3.01.010, must be amended to provide for plumbing permit fees.
Noting that Council is scheduled to consider updates to the International Fire Code next month, Mr. Stewart distributed the following recommended change to Ordinance No. 353:
“Whereas the State
Building Code consists of the 2003 International Building Code, the 2003
International Residential Code, the 2003 International Mechanical Code and the
2003 International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council
(ICC), the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code published by the International
Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the National Electrical
Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association the rules
adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council establishing standards
for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by the physically
disabled or elderly persons;”
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:12 p.m., Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned.
_________________________
Scott Passey, Assistant to the City Clerk