2020-09-16 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 September 16, 2020
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 16, 2020 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Dawn
Meader McCausland, Tim O’Neil, Dale Couture, and Eric Olsen. Commissioners absent: Hope Elder.
City Staff present: Community Development Director Brian Davis, Planning Manager Robert “Doc”
Hansen, Assistant Planner Chaney Skadsen, 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
An amendment to the September 2, 2020, minutes was presented to the Commission and the minutes were
approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Public Hearing: FWRC Chapter 19.250, Cottage Housing Amendment – Planner Skadsen presented the
staff report. Planning staff identified barriers to cottage housing and compact single-family development
regulations in Title 19 of the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC). The code currently recognizes that as
many as 16 houses are feasible upon one site. The current regulations limit the number of units in a
cottage housing development to 12 units, with up to 16 units allowed if the additional are affordable. The
fact that 16 units can be achieved with affordable conditions, demonstrates that as many as 16 houses are
feasible upon the site. The requirement to have units affordable in order to receive 16 units is often
economically unachievable in meeting the maximum density allowed given the cost of building cottage
housing. The proposed amendments are designed to promote higher density cottage housing and compact
single-family developments, increase housing production, and meet the growing demand for diverse
housing options in Federal Way. Specifically, the amendments address:
• Maximum base density of cottage and compact single-family housing development;
• Removal of affordability standards; and
• Removal of the limitation of the number of cottage housing demonstration projects allowed in the
City of Federal Way.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 September 16, 2020
Discussion was held on the meaning of affordable. Planner Skadsen commented that the city needs
housing that will meet all income levels. She encouraged Commissioners to consider the overall impact of
the proposed amendment. Discussion was held on parking and the possibility of including electrical
docking stations. Commissioner Meader McCausland asked why limit the number of units to 16? Planner
Skadsen responded the limitation is only for Single-Family Residential zones, which have the city’s
smallest lots.
Commissioner O’Neil moved (and it was seconded) to recommend approval of the FWRC Chapter
19.250, Cottage Housing Amendment as presented. There was no further discussion. The vote was held
and the motion passed unanimously.
STAFF BUSINESS
a. Manager’s Report –None.
Commissioner Meader McCausland announced this is her last meeting. She thanked the City Council and
Planning Commissioners for this opportunity. Commissioners stated she will be missed and wished her
success in her future endeavors.
NEXT MEETING
October 7, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
K:\Planning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 09-16-20.doc