Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting – August 15, 2024

The Shoreline Planning Commission met on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Vice Chair Leslie Brinson presided in the absence of Chair Christopher Mosier. The commission reviewed the 2025–2029 Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan update and continued discussion of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan amendments, focusing on the Capital Facilities and Utilities elements. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Accepted as presented.
• Approval of Minutes: The regular meeting minutes of August 1, 2024, were accepted as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Boni Biery (Shoreline resident) spoke in support of recommending that the residential portion of Firlands Way (from North 188th to North 195th) be used as green space and included as a goal in the Community Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan. She noted that the area is a recognized park desert and that the city already owns land that could benefit the neighborhood.

Discussion Items

• 2025–2029 Commute Trip Reduction Plan Update

  • Assistant Transportation Planner Catherine Lander presented the required update. Key points:
    • The state requires a new goal of a 60% drive-alone rate (DAR) for CTR-affected worksites (four out of ten commutes must be via alternatives to driving alone).
    • Shoreline currently has seven CTR-affected worksites (e.g., Krista Ministries, Department of Ecology, Shoreline Community College, City of Shoreline).
    • Outreach included a survey (662 responses, 81% from Shoreline residents), a mobility fair (340+ attendees), and focus groups in Spanish and Mandarin.
    • Common incentives desired: telecommuting, flexible hours, free bus passes, bicycle facilities, and direct cash payments.
    • Staff recommendations: promote remote work, support countywide centers, invest in walking/biking infrastructure, advocate for transit improvements, explore microtransit, and identify resources for alternative commute options.
    • Commissioners discussed: partnering with Lime for helmet distribution (Commissioner Povick), the effectiveness of parking fees and free ORCA cards (Commissioners Povick, Lin, Fry), surveying non-CTR employers about existing benefits (Commissioner Cabe), and the potential for microtransit to connect homes to light rail (Vice Chair Brinson, Commissioner Povick).
    • Commissioner Lin noted that the City of Shoreline offers bike lockers, showers, secure bicycle pens, ORCA passes, telecommuting, and compressed workweeks.
    • Vice Chair Brinson suggested awaiting baseline data before deciding on program expansion.

• Discussion of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendments – Capital Facilities and Utilities Elements

  • Senior Planner Steve Szafran responded to previous commissioner questions and public comments:
    • Capital Facilities: Past deficiencies are identified in functional plans (e.g., parks, transportation). Staff agreed to add “encourage” to policy CF-19. The city will investigate replacement/renovation cycles. The Save Shoreline Trees group submitted comments on natural water collection, urban forest, and hardscape reduction (see Attachment C).
    • Utilities: Staff will work with utility providers to increase access to financial assistance programs. The commission suggested working with solid waste providers (Recology, Waste Management) to mitigate cart storage crowding, especially as middle housing increases. Staff supports adding high-speed internet language to policies. Clarification was provided on the city’s two water providers (Seattle Public Utilities and North City Water District), and a revised policy on future water service options is being developed.
  • Vice Chair Brinson noted that Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities are redesigning their financial assistance programs and that including a goal in the Comp Plan could help partnerships. She also encouraged shared solid waste services for middle housing.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The commission provided guidance for staff to incorporate into the final documents.
• CTR Plan: Staff will refine the draft plan based on commissioner feedback and present it at a public hearing on September 19, 2024. The plan will then go to the City Council for adoption (target: October 14, 2024) and must be submitted to the state by November 2024.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Staff will make the following changes:
  • Add “encourage” to policy CF-19.
  • Add high-speed internet language to Utilities policies.
  • Investigate cart storage regulations and shared services with solid waste providers.
  • Work with utility providers on financial assistance programs.
  • Provide an update on capital facility replacement cycles when available.
• Next Meeting: September 5, 2024, to discuss middle housing draft regulations.