2020-08-19 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 August 19, 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, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Tim
O’Neil, Hope Elder, Dale Couture, and Eric Olsen. Commissioners absent: Dawn Meader McCausland
(ex). City Staff present: Planning Manager Robert “Doc” Hansen, Senior Planner Becky Chapin,
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 August 5, 2020, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Public Hearing: 2020 Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezone, Shelter Resources
Property from RS-7.2 to High Density, Multiple Family Classification, and RM 1800 – Planning
Manager Hansen delivered the staff report. Discussion was held regarding driveways and impact fees.
Assistant Piety read the following comment into the record:
Amanda Santo, Multi-Service Center Director of Operations and Housing Development
– “Multi-Service Center in partnership with SRI are committed to preserving and
building capacity of affordable housing. Our mission is to build a future without poverty
by creating pathways to help, hope, and dignity for our neighbors. A cornerstone of this
mission is safe, healthy and affordable housing. MSC currently owns and operates over
500 units of affordable housing throughout Pierce and King County. This project
preserves and improves existing affordable housing while expanding the number of units
to support more individuals and families. With great access to public transportation,
schools, and jobs, these residents will have an opportunity to lead productive and thriving
lives. We appreciate City of Federal Way’s support of our mission and commitment to
this community. Thank you for your time and consideration. We ask for your support in
this land use action.”
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 August 19, 2020
Commissioner O’Neil moved (and Commissioner Noble-Gulliford seconded) to recommend adoption
of the proposed rezone/comprehensive plan as presented. There was no further discussion. The vote
was held and the motion passed unanimously.
b. Discussion: Proposed Minor Code Amendments – Planner Chapin delivered the staff report. The
purpose of this session is to brief and obtain feedback from the Commissioners on the proposed minor
“housekeeping” amendments. The proposed amendments are in FWRC Titles 14 “Environmental
Policy”; 18 “Subdivisions”; and 19 “Zoning and Development Code.” Several of the proposed
changes are designated to provide new standards due to COVID-19 and to meet state requirements.
Planner Chapin explained each of the proposed amendments and the reason behind it. There was no
discussion.
Discussion was held on posting and informing the public about proposed policy changes, amendments,
etc. Planner Chapin informed the Commission that staff is working with IT to have a link on the city’s
main website page for notices of land use actions. Discussion was also held about notices in the
newspaper and Commissioner Noble-Gulliford encouraged the staff to have a clear alternative to the
Federal Way Mirror in case they stop publishing a hard-copy, as they recently did on a temporary basis
due to COVID 19. Planner Chapin stated that during that shut-down, notices were published in The
Tacoma Tribune and online with the Federal Way Mirror.
STAFF BUSINESS
a. Manager’s Report – Manager Hansen reminded the Commission that our next meeting will be a
public hearing on the minor code amendments.
NEXT MEETING
September 2, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M.
K:\Planning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 08-19-20.doc