2021-02-17 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 February 17, 2021
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 17, 2021 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tim O’Neil, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Hope
Elder, Dale Couture, Jae So, and Anna Patrick. Commissioners absent: Tom Medhurst and Eric Olsen
(ex). City Staff present: Associate Planner Chaney Skadsen, 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 January 20, 2021, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Discussion, Housing Action Plan; Summary to Date – Planner Skadsen presented the staff report. The
objective of the city’s Housing Action Plan (HAP) document is to lay out comprehensive housing policy
direction from which regulatory changes can be implemented. The intent is that the goal of the regulatory
changes will be to increase the residential building capacity in the city. Key findings to-date include:
1. Federal Way is underproducing residential units.
2. The current housing stock is not aligned with household sizes in the community.
3. Housing costs are outpacing incomes making housing less affordable.
4. There is a large gap between the regulated affordable units available and those that are
cost-burdened.
5. There are the least affordable housing options for the lowest income groups.
6. Displacement is occurring disproportionately affecting BIPOC communities.
Discussion was held regarding the make-up of the Advisory Group. Commissioner Carlson expressed
concern that there may not be a broad diversity of background and knowledge of group members.
Commissioner Noble- Gulliford expressed concern the Advisory Group may not fully reflect all those
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 17, 2021
living in Federal Way; specifically, those in single-family neighborhoods. It was discussed that the HAP
is a policy document and specific code issues will not be addressed until later. Staff will prepare a
schedule for the timing of this; an implementation schedule is a requirement of the grant. It was
commented that staff needs to think through the consequences of any proposed changes; both good and
bad. Discussion was held that the HAP may be used as the housing element in the city’s comprehensive
plan when the next major update is done. Discussion was held regarding the online survey and how to
obtain additional public comments. Chair Bronson and Commissioners stated they want to review
minutes and data from the Advisory Group/Consultant. Planner Skadsen stated the Advisory Group
agendas are on the city’s webpage (https://www.cityoffederalway.com/node/4727). They state what was
discussed. She will speak to the Consultant about providing their raw data. Commissioner Patrick
commented that the city needs to consider creative regulations to address housing issues. Commissioners
requested staff show examples of what different types of housing would look like in current city
neighborhoods. All agreed the city needs a broad diversity of housing types, from affordable to expensive.
Discussion, Commissioner’s Orientation – Attorney Rhoades presented an orientation of the roles and
rules of the Planning Commission. He discussed the Open Public Meetings Act and Conflict of Interest.
There was no further discussion.
STAFF BUSINESS
Director’s Report – Administrative Assistant Piety informed the Commissioners that the March 3, 2021,
agenda will have discussions on a Housing Action Plan Strategies Briefing and Preliminary Sound Transit
Briefing. The March 17. 2021, agenda will have discussions on a Sound Transit DEIS Briefing and a
Preliminary Growth Targets Briefing. In addition, she informed the Commissioners that the city is
seeking to fill the Planning Manager position; with Stacey Welsh serving as Interim Planning Manager.
NEXT MEETING
March 3, 2021, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
K:\Planning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 02-17-21.doc