2020-09-02 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 September 2, 2020
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 2, 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, Hope Elder, and Eric Olsen. Commissioners absent: Dale Couture (ex).
City Staff present: Planning Manager Robert “Doc” Hansen, Senior Planner Becky Chapin, 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
The August 19, 2020, minutes were approved as amended to include Commissioner Hope Elder as present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Public Hearing: Proposed Minor Code Amendments – Planner Chapin delivered the staff report. She
stated that the issue brought up at the last meeting by Commissioners regarding clarifying what is
done for public notices if the newspaper has a temporary stop to publishing a paper copy can be
added to next year’s minor code amendments.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford commented that she is concerned that there be a clear and easy way
for citizens to find out about proposed actions. She noted that for the online Federal Way Mirror, one
must pay to view legal notices after a certain number of free views. She is also concerned that not
posting a notice at the libraries means there is not a place a citizen can discover a proposed action.
Planner Chapin commented that staff is working with our IT Department on providing a more
prominent place on the main page of the city’s website for land use notices. Commissioner Meader
McCausland suggested the city provide a list service for those interested in proposed actions. Just
having them on the website means people have to remember to check every week. Commissioner
Carlson suggested the city consider doing additional ways of noticing for more substantial projects;
but as not part of code, simply a written policy.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford stated that she is concerned the cost for an appeal ($1000) is
exorbitant for an average citizen. Some other commissioners disagree, feeling the amount discourages
frivolous appeals.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 September 2, 2020
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford noted that at times the notice only has a parcel number and no
address. Many people will not know what a parcel number is and she asked that all notices include an
address or nearby streets.
Commissioner Carlson moved (and Commissioners Noble-Gulliford and O’Neil seconded) to
recommend adoption of the proposed amendments as presented. There was no further discussion. The
vote was held and the motion passed unanimously.
b. Discussion: FWRC Chapter 19.250, Cottage Housing Amendment – Manager Hansen introduced
Associate Planner Skadsen, who delivered the staff presentation. The purpose of this session is to
brief and obtain feedback from the Commissioners on the proposed cottage housing amendment. Staff
has identified barriers to cottage and compact single-family housing in Title 19 of the Federal Way
Revised Code (FWRC). Such housing is referred to as Missing Middle Housing. “Missing” because
they have typically NOT been permitted. “Middle” because they sit in the middle of a spectrum
between detached single-family homes and mid-rise to high-rise apartment buildings, in terms of
form and scale. The proposed amendment will increase the maximum base density in single-family
zones from 12 units to 16 units, and will remove the affordability requirement.
Discussion was held regarding the Housing Action Plan that the city is preparing. Commissioner O’Neil
suggested the city allow cottage and compact single-family housing as condominiums. Commissioner
Meader McCausland asked why is the city proposing this amendment at this time, rather than waiting
until after the Housing Action Plan is done as it may have additional suggested amendments to cottage
and compact single-family housing. Manager Hansen replied that the city has received a number of
inquiries about cottage housing. The proposed amendment will remove a barrier and make it more
financially feasible for developers, and therefore, make it more likely for them to apply for development.
Discussion was held on how COVID 19 may be affecting housing. Discussion was held concerning
parking and that the current parking requirement could lead to a lot of street parking. Commissioner
Noble-Gulliford expressed that market forces (cost of materials, labor cost, etc.) may negate what the city
does to address the housing crisis. Commissioner O’Neil commented that developers are more concerned
with the lot yield, as opposed to the number of units. Commissioner Meader McCausland asked staff what
analysis they had done or could provide about the impact of the two affordable units on the feasibility of a
cottage housing development. Her concern is that we are giving up a tool for producing mixed-income
developments with equity-building opportunities without an analysis showing this requirement is the
significant barrier limiting cottage housing production. She wants to be confident that removing this
provision will have the desired effect.
STAFF BUSINESS
a. Manager’s Report –None.
NEXT MEETING
September 16, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
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