Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting - June 16, 2022: Economic Development Update and Public Comment on Tree Protection
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Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting - June 16, 2022
The Shoreline Planning Commission met on June 16, 2022, to receive an update on economic development activities and development pipeline from Nathan Daum, Economic Development Manager. The meeting also included public comment on tree protection and routine approvals.
Consent Calendar
- The commission approved the agenda as presented.
- The minutes from the May 19, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kathleen Russell, a Shoreline resident representing Safe Shoreline Trees, spoke during general public comment. She expressed concern that approximately 20% of development property in Shoreline (zones CB, NB, MB, MUR70, and TC 1-3) is not subject to any tree code, meaning developers can clear-cut without retention or replacement requirements. On the remaining 80% of property, only 25% retention of significant trees is required. She urged the city to protect Shoreline's tree canopy for current and future residents. She referenced clear-cutting on Meridian and North 147th in Parkwood.
Discussion Items
- Economic Development Update (Nathan Daum): Daum presented a comprehensive overview of Shoreline's economic development activities, programs, and development pipeline. Key points include:
- The city's economic development priorities originate from the Comprehensive Plan and Vision 2029. The current five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan is nearing completion; the next plan will follow after the new comp plan and light rail service in 2024.
- During the pandemic, the city implemented a COVID-19 response including B&O tax deferral, outdoor dining regulations, a CARES Act grant program awarding over $750,000 to 45 small businesses, and a restaurant map.
- Development activity is strong: over 10,000 housing units are in delivery, under construction, or planned, with significant activity in light rail station areas (148th St and 185th St), the Aurora Corridor, and Shoreline Place (Community Renewal Area).
- Examples of challenges include soil and infrastructure issues, stormwater connections, and code amendments needed for transit-oriented development (e.g., allowing projects to connect directly to Sound Transit property).
- Incentives include Transportation Impact Fee exemption (saving approximately $85,000 for a coffee shop), Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) with 20% affordable units, and a 20-year MFTE pilot for station areas.
- Leakage data: Shoreline has a surplus in food/beverage stores (likely Costco and Central Market) but a deficit in eating/drinking establishments; residents leave town for those.
- Opportunities for job creation include Shoreline Place, the 148th St station, FurCrest, and the biotech/life sciences cluster supported by Shoreline Community College's designation as a national biotech hub.
- Music and film industries are strong; the city supported filmmaking with reduced fees and has seen feature films shot in Shoreline.
- Vacancy rates remain low (below 5%), indicating continued demand.
- Commission Q&A: Commissioners asked about ground-floor commercial vacancies (e.g., the GO2 building) and barriers to filling them. Daum noted that patience and landlord willingness to invest may help. He also mentioned ongoing talks to acquire a property west of the park-and-ride for open space preservation.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes or decisions were taken during the meeting.
- The commission received the economic development update as information.
- Staff provided an update on the MUR70 zone amendments: the Planning Commission's recommendation was presented to City Council on June 6; council will consider potential amendments on June 27, including deeper green building requirements and increased arts contributions.
- Commissioner Callahan shared an observation from Bothell's missing middle housing efforts, suggesting that allowing duplexes on corner lots could be a gentle way to increase density in neighborhoods.
- Next meeting: July 7, 2022, agenda includes the Transportation Master Plan update and Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Thursday, June 26th. No, excuse me, June 16th, 2022 Planning Commission meeting. First item is roll call, Ms. Volksma. Commissioner Brinson. Here. Commissioner Callahan. Here. Commissioner Galluska. Present. Commissioner Lin. Here. Commissioner Mosier. Here. Vice Chair Wama Shonja. Present. And Chair Sager. Here. Thank you. Thank you. Next on the agenda is approval of the agenda. We all have it in front of us. Any changes? Great. Thank you. Next is approval of the minutes from the May 19th, 2022 meeting. Anybody have any changes? Nothing. Thank you. Next on the agenda is general public comment. Ms. Hoaxma, do we have anybody for general public comment? We had just for the record, we had several written general public comments prior to the meeting, and they are uploaded to our website. So if anyone wants to view them, they are there. And we also have one remote speaker, Kathleen Russell. And Kathleen, you are unmuted. This is Kathleen Russell, resident of Shoreline. Safe Shoreline Trees supports the need for housing, but our hope is that housing and established neighborhood trees can coexist. As confirmed by the director at the planning commission meeting on January 6th of this year, approximately 20% of development property in Shoreline is not subject to any tree code. This applies to seven zones CB, NB, MB, MUR70, and TC 1, 2, and 3. Per municipal code, developers do not have to retain any of the trees on these properties, and there are no requirements for replacement trees. This means that trees on approximately 20% of the property and shoreline are not protected and are in the process of being clear cut. On the other 80% of property, 25% retention of significant trees is required. Please go over to Meridian and North 147th in Parkwood and see what is happening there where hundreds of trees have been cut down. Soon this number will be in the thousands of trees removed for development. This evening on the illustrations of the new apartment buildings, you might notice a few trees around the properties, but new landscaping will never provide the benefits of shorelines mature conifer and native trees. Currently, since there is no retention, tree retention or tree replacement on 20% of development property. We ask the city to protect Shoreline's tree canopy, protect the health and environmental benefits these trees provide to current residents of Shoreline and will provide to future residents if these trees are preserved.
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