Shoreline Planning Commission Public Hearing on Transit Bus Bases and Individual Transportation Facilities Code Amendments - November 16, 2023

The Shoreline Planning Commission held a public hearing on Thursday, November 16, 2023, to consider proposed development code amendments for transit bus bases and individual transportation/taxi facilities. The hearing included a staff presentation, public testimony from two speakers, commissioner deliberation, and a vote to forward a recommendation to the City Council. The commission also received a director’s report on city projects and discussed upcoming commissioner recruitment.

Consent Calendar

• Roll call: Commissioners present – Hoxma (clerk), Brenson, Callahan, Galluska, Lynn, Mosier, Chair Sager. Vice Chair Wama Shonjay absent with notice.
• Agenda approved without changes.
• Minutes from November 2, 2023, approved without changes.
• No general public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Josh Freeman (representing the ownership of the Metro Access parcel, a joint venture of Alaska native corporations): Expressed opposition to the amendments, stating they are part of a broader effort to shut down the Metro Access site, risking harm to riders with disabilities, drivers, mechanics, and tribal beneficiaries. He urged the commission not to recommend the code amendments until effects on vulnerable community members are understood, and instead recommend staff propose development standards with meaningful consultation with Metro. He submitted a draft alternative recommendation.
• Amanda Pleasant Brown (speaking for King County Metro): Requested the commission not recommend or endorse the draft regulations. She noted Metro’s Access service is federally required; 5,600 unique riders take trips deployed from the Shoreline Access Base and 2,200 riders live in Shoreline. She stated that moving the facility would require a multi-year capital planning process (next King County Council budget at end of 2024) and that other Metro access spaces are at capacity. She urged putting Metro Access riders first and allowing the facility to remain or securing an alternative location before adopting regulations.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation (Kate Lee, Planner): Provided background on the six-month moratorium (Ordinance 991, adopted July 17, 2023), public outreach, and responses to prior commission questions. Staff recommended using “state highway” rather than “principal arterial” to define where uses are allowed (CB zone properties fronting a state highway). Added odor mitigation language to decision criteria. Proposed definitions for “fleet base major” and “fleet base minor” based on vehicle storage/repair/dispatch size. Proposed to delete “transit bus base” and “individual transportation and taxi” from use charts. Staff recommended approval.
• Commission Deliberation: Commissioner Mosier expressed support, noting other jurisdictions have industrial zones for such uses and Shoreline’s commercial zones do not meet needs. Commissioner Callahan proposed an amendment to add “impacts on safe walking routes to schools” to the decision criteria under mitigation measures. After discussion, the amendment was voted on and approved 6-0 (roll call: Callahan aye, Mosier aye, Sager aye, Galluska aye, Lin aye, Brinson aye).
• Main Motion: Commissioner Brinson moved to forward the planning commission’s recommendation of approval of the proposed code amendments to the City Council at its regular meeting of December 11, 2023. The main motion as amended was voted on and approved 6-0 (roll call: Brinson aye, Lin aye, Galluska aye, Sager aye, Mosier aye, Callahan aye). The public hearing was then closed.
• Director’s Report (Andrew Bauer): Covered recent City Council actions (transportation impact fee amendments adopting a person-trip methodology, 15% reduction for high activity areas near transit; building code updates delayed to March 15, 2024 due to state litigation; tenant protections review scheduled). Capital projects: Krukeberg Garden ADA ramp (construction December 2023), Ridgecrest Park construction underway (off-leash dog area, play area), Hillwood Park property acquisition authorized. Sound Transit light rail: 97% civil completion, revenue service expected Q3 2024. 145th St corridor and I-5 interchange project: six-month closure planned spring-fall 2024. Development activity: Modera (399 units under construction), Line apartments (241 units), Shea Properties (550 units), Alta North City (228 units broke ground), Ion at 5th (310 units under review), 236-unit senior living at Richmond Beach under review, FurCrest Master Development Plan (20-year plan including skilled nursing and behavioral health facility). Comprehensive plan update: online open house open until December 10, 2023.
• New Business: Announcement of planning commissioner recruitment – four commissioners (Callahan, Galluska, Ramashanjay, Sager) with terms ending March 31, 2024, eligible to apply for second four-year term. Applications due to city clerk by 5 p.m. January 5, 2024.
• Future Meetings: December 7, 2023 meeting may be replaced by a social gathering (decision needed by early next week). December 21, 2023 meeting will be a public hearing on the PROSA element of the comprehensive plan.

Key Outcomes

• The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve an amendment adding “impacts on safe walking routes to schools” to the decision criteria for fleet base uses.
• The Commission voted 6-0 to forward a recommendation of approval of the proposed transit bus bases and individual transportation/taxi facilities development code amendments to the Shoreline City Council for its December 11, 2023 meeting. The six-month moratorium expires January 17, 2024, unless extended or resolved.
• Staff will provide the presentation slides to commissioners.
• The commission will decide by early next week whether to hold a social gathering on December 7, 2023 instead of a regular meeting.