2013/08/28 Council Agenda Packet

1 7:48:58 PM Chair Adams asked why the senior parking proposal was not extended to the downtown area given that the City would like to provide for more residential activity in the downtown and where there is parking time restrictions for the on-street parking. Mr.Giffen responded that there is a bit more demand for on- street parking in the downtown due to the retail services. There was also a concern that a lot of the senior housing tends to be lower income or subsidized housing and the City wants to encourage market rate housing in the downtown area. Chair Adams commented that SHAG was a big part of Bothell's downtown redevelopment and it seemed to him that the City may want to incorporate something similar. Mr. Giffen responded that the City wanted to see how the proposal would work in other areas and if there is more of a demand for senior housing in the downtown that could be considered at a later date. 7:50:50 PM Commissioner Stewart asked if the standard would apply to a structure that had commercial on the ground floor with senior housing above. Mr. Giffen responded that the standard would apply to any housing development whether it is a mixed use building or stand alone residential building. If there were commercial uses,the commercial parking requirement would apply as well as the parking standard for-the senior-housing.--Dave-Koenig, City staff,added that.a_mixed use_projoctwould_require a_parking study. Commissioner Stewart asked staff if an applicant could submit a variance application and a parking study to reduce the parking standard. Mr. Giffen responded that is an option. 7:53:17 PM Victor Harris, 3017 Lombard Avenue,stated that he is opposed to any parking reduction below one parking stall per unit. He felt that this was a quality of life issue. He would also like to follow-up on Commissioner Olivers concerns regarding the lack of disabled parking and added that not only was there a lack of disabled parking but a lack of adequate disabled parking. Disabled parked should he large enough to handle lift vehicles. 7:55:06 PM Charles Morgan,7301 Beverly Lane, stated that it was his client who requested that the City review the parking standards. His client is anticipating a senior housing project on the 8300 block of Evergreen Way. His client also developed the 256-unit Vintage on East Marine View Drive and the 140-unit development on Holly Drive. After being in operation for 4-5 years, his client determined that those parking spaces were not fully utilized. The average age in these affordable senior apartments is the mid 70's. Those people do not want to drive and that is why they are moving into facilities because they have access to a van or are located in close proximity to Transit services. Gibson Traffic has completed a traffic study for the proposal and their report indicated that.69 would be satisfactory; however,they felt that they could accomplish the project at.75. The cost of parking is getting to be astronomical. Why spend money on a parking lot that is half empty when that same money can be used towards building better accommodations. They have submitted an application for 173 units based on .75 parking stalls per unit. If the City does not approve the .75 parking stalls per unit,the project is dead. Mr. Morgan mentioned that the parking standard in Lynnwood .25; Marysville's standard is .5;and Tumwater's standard is.75. This request is not out of line with other jurisdictions. 7:59:26 PM Chair Adams asked if there was anyone else who wished to speak. There was no response. Chair Adams asked Mr. Giffen if he needed more information. Mr. Giffen responded that staff would do more research and would survey other jurisdictions to see what their standards are and what their experiences have been. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 6 May 7, 2013 11