2020-08-05 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 August 5, 2020
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
August 19, 2020 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Wayne Carlson, Dawn Meader McCausland,
Diana Noble-Gulliford, Tim O’Neil, Dale Couture, and Eric Olsen. Commissioners absent: Hope Elder.
City Staff present: Planning Manager Robert “Doc” Hansen, Assistant City Attorney Eric Rhoades, and
Administrative Assistant II Tina Piety. Also: Erika Rhett, AICP, Berk Consulting.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:37 P.M.
MINUTES
The July 15, 2020, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Discussion: Housing Action Plan – Planning Manager Hansen introduced Erika Rhett from Berk
Consulting, who delivered the staff presentation. She stated that Econ NW compiled the statistics for
all South King County jurisdictions taking part in the study. Berk is developing the housing plan
specific to Federal Way using Econ NW’s statistics specific to Federal Way as the base. One of the
purposes of the housing plan is to discover if the city has housing that meets all stages of life. They
will perform a housing needs assessment and will use that to develop policies and an implementation
plan. There will be an advisory committee and stakeholders’ group of all communities and agencies
impacted by housing issues. The deadline for the City Council’s adoption is June 2021. Currently,
Berk plans to have six meetings for stakeholders and six for the advisory committee. There will also
be public meetings and they will use various means to inform the public of the process.
The Housing Action Plan will be used to understand what type of housing is needed in Federal Way;
will evaluate the current city influences on housing; and will identify strategies to better meet
community needs. The Housing Needs Assessment looks at the city’s housing inventory; affordability
and cost-burden; demographics; existing and future demand; displacement; and includes a gap
analysis. The plan’s process is to review existing policies and standards; assess housing options and
preferences; identify policies and strategies; and determine implementation measures.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 August 5, 2020
Discussion was held concerning the makeup of the stakeholders’ group and advisory committee.
Commissioners made suggestions of who to include; such as mortgage lenders, trade professionals,
and the city’s various ethnic communities.
Commissioner O’Neil expressed concern that he didn’t find any mention of the influence of the
market on housing and vice versa. Ms. Rhett responded that study of the market is part of the housing
needs assessment.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked what is the scope of the plan? Will it go down to zoning
and environmental suggestions for specific neighborhoods? Ms. Rhett replied it will likely be broader
then that. But they will consider such specifics.
STAFF BUSINESS
a. Manager’s Report – Manager Hansen reminded the Commission that our next meeting will be a
public hearing on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment and rezone. On September 2nd we will
have a public hearing on minor code amendments.
NEXT MEETING
August 19, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
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