Planning Commission MINS 06-17-20Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 June 17, 2020
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
June 17, 2020 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Wayne Carlson, Dawn Meader McCausland,
Tim O’Neil, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Dale Couture, and Eric Olsen. Commissioners absent: Hope Elder.
City Staff present: Planning Manager Robert “Doc” Hansen, Public Works Director EJ Walsh, Assistant
City Attorney Eric Rhoades, and Administrative Assistant II Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
MINUTES
The February 19, 2020, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Public Hearing Amendment to Flood Damage Prevention – Planning Manager Hansen delivered the
staff presentation. On February 19, 2020, the city was sent a letter from FEMA regarding
amendments that need to be made to Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.142 to meet to the new
federal floodplain standards. The amendments are necessary for the city to keep its floodplain
insurance provided by the federal government. The amendments will mainly place more
responsibility on the city for implementation, and place greater limitation on developments in areas
that have more environmental significance. In addition, a number of definitions were added or
amended. The proposed amendments will provide greater distinction between the “AE” zone and the
more environmentally sensitive “VE” zone as identified on the new maps, by placing greater
restrictions on development proposed in the “VE” zone.
Commissioner O’Neil asked if the city added any amendments in addition to those from FEMA?
Manager Hansen replied that staff did not add any additional amendments. He reviewed the
regulations with a FEMA representative in order to include regulations that pertain to the city.
Commissioner Meader McCausland commented that she finds the definition of historic structure (on
page 5) to be confusing. The word “or” is included at the end of statement 3, but not statements 1 and
2. Does this mean statement 1 and 2 and 3 or 4? Or is it 1 or 2 or 3 or 4? Please clarify. Manager
Hansen responded the word “or” should be included after each statement.
Commissioner Carlson moved (and it was seconded) to approve the proposed amendments as written
with the addition of the word “or” added to statements 1 and 2 of the historic structure definition.
There was no further discussion. The vote was held and the motion was passed unanimously.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 June 17, 2020
b. Discussion Amendment to Add New Section FWRC 19.135.252, “Vacation of Right-of-Way”– Director
Walsh delivered the staff presentation. Current code contains a section related to right-of-way
vacations; however, it does not establish criteria under which such requests should be reviewed.
Further, in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, a vacation should only be completed
when it significantly serves the public interest. Therefore, the proposed amendment establishes criteria
for review of requests of right-of-way vacations, requires the applicant to demonstrate the public
benefit, and directs establishment of administrative policies, including an application and checklist.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked if there is a definition for public benefit. Director Walsh
replied staff is working on a more definitive definition. It will be part of the policies more than the
amendment.
c. Discussion Amendment to FWRC 19.250, Cottage Housing – Manager Hansen delivered the staff
presentation. This is an introduction to a code amendment that will come to the Commission as a
public hearing. In a separate process, the city is developing a housing plan. Currently, the housing
plan is scheduled to come to the Commission late in 2020. The City Council determined the proposed
amendment should be considered before that. Specially, the proposed amendment will eliminate the
requirement for affordable units within a cottage housing development.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked why does the city want this amendment before the housing
plan? Manager Hansen responded the city is not certain when the housing plan will be ready and we
have potential applicants. She asked if the affordable unit requirement is a significant deterrent?
Manager Hansen replied that under the current regulations, a developer can build 4 – 12 units and
may increase that to 16 units if 2 are affordable. Due to the expensive of building affordable housing,
developers are stay with 12 units; thereby decreasing the possible housing units within the city.
Commissioner O’Neil asked if the city has considered allowing the affordable units on a different
site. Manager Hansen responded that staff has not and will research the possibility. Commissioner
Meader McCausland asked if the city has considered a fee-in-lieu. Manager Hansen replied the city is
not offering a fee-in-lieu option because it would cost a developer almost as much as building
affordable units and therefore would not be an incentive.
d. Discussion Amendments to Comprehensive Plan Designations – Manager Hansen delivered the
staff presentation. This is an introduction to two comprehensive plan amendments that will come to
the Commission as a public hearing. One is a request for a rezone from Single-Family High Density
Residential and Single-Family (RS 7.2, one unit per 7,200 square feet) to Multifamily Residential
and Multifamily (RM 1800, one unit per 1,800 square feet). Shelter Resources, Inc. is requesting
the comprehensive plan designation and rezone in order to allow transit-oriented multifamily
housing as the parcels are within one half mile of the planned 272nd Sound Transit Light Rail
Station, which will be constructed in 2024 at the existing Star Lake Park and Ride, located adjacent
to the intersection of I-5 and South 272nd Street. The second will amend Chapter 3, Map III-3 by
removing the designation of “Minor Collector” of 376th Street, adjacent to Milton and through the
Redondo Subdivision on 19th Avenue.
STAFF BUSINESS
a. Director’s Report – None
NEXT MEETING
July 1, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
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