Comp Plan Engagement Plan (Amended 01.03.22)I
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I. Background
Federal Way adopted an Interim
Comprehensive Plan at the time of
incorporation in February of 1990. In
November of 1995, after a three-year
planning process with much public
involvement, Federal Way adopted its
first GMA-compliant comprehensive
plan (FWCP). The ideas in the FWCP
were developed through discussion,
debate, and the creative thinking of
thousands of Federal Way citizens,
working with City staff and
elected officials. Consistent with the
GMA, the City of Federal Way
provided early and continuous
opportunities for citizens to
participate. The last periodic update
of the Comprehensive Plan occurred in 2015.
The city is again updating its Comprehensive Plan — setting the vision and the plan for the city to
2044. Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.70A.130, the city of Federal Way is
required to: (1) plan for the succeeding 20-year population and employment growth forecast, and
(2) update its comprehensive plans and development regulations to ensure the plan and
regulations comply with the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA). Specifically,
RCW 36.70A.140 states that:
"Each county and city that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 shall
establish and broadly disseminate to the public a public participation program identifying
procedures providing for early and continuous public participation in the development
and amendment of comprehensive land use plans and development regulations
implementing such plans."
The overarching goal of this participation plan for the 2024 periodic update is to accomplish that
requirement listed above and generate a comprehensive plan that ensures a high quality of life
and access to opportunities for all community members.
II. Process Overview
The City is planning for the update process to span approximately 21/2 years, beginning in
January 2022 and ending in June 2024. See Attachment 1 (Project Timeline) and Attachment 2
(Master Schedule).
Public engagement is a key component of this effort and is vital for its success. This plan will
enumerate the state and local requirements for public participation and emphasize efforts to
connect with and engage historically underserved communities.
Federal Way 2024-2044
Staff will pair a formal process such as hearings and city -organized open houses with a less
formal approach to public outreach. More casual approaches to gathering feedback will be used
by making greater use of alternative strategies for outreach such as getting on the agendas of and
presenting at existing meetings, using videos to help get the word out, attending community
events, and hosting pop-up meetings in varied places. For the less formal effort, more focus will
be placed on going to "where people are" as opposed to inviting people to join in a traditional
city setting. This double -pronged approach will help ensure the city reaches those more familiar
with current city -hosted events and processes as well as groups and populations underrepresented
in the planning process. These efforts will ensure the planning process is truly open and that
participant input is convenient, authentic, and integrated into the plan update.
The Federal Way Planning Commission will serve as the backbone of the review process. But,
the process will engage a number of stakeholders, will include task forces and other city
commissions and there will be opportunities to connect many groups that may rarely interact.
As chapters are updated, all draft documents will be posted to the project webpage for public
review. The city will also be completing a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review as
part of the project and there will be opportunities for the public to provide comment. All public
comments received will be compiled and be taken into consideration throughout the progression
of this process.
III. Goals
Federal Way's Comprehensive Plan represents the vision of the community for the next 20 years.
It is used to guide decisions by city staff, the Mayor, and the City Council. For this reason, it is
vitally important to hear from as many people and to get participation from as broad a spectrum
of the community as possible. With the support of the Mayor, the Community Development
Department is keen on reaching as many people as possible during the update planning process
and engaging the public's interest to a greater degree than has been achieved in the past.
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Federal Way 2024-2044
IV. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Planning decisions have historically instituted social and racial inequities and can perpetuate
these outcomes. To equitably engage with a diverse population, city staff will work with
community leaders and organizations in connection with historically excluded and
underrepresented populations, insure access by translating documents, offering interpretation
services and applying an equity lens to be deliberately inclusive of underserved populations
while implementing the methods of engagement below.
V. Proposed Methods/Timingfor or engaging the community_
1. Planning Commission Review all chapters, recommendation to Council
2. Comprehensive Plan Update ad Jan 2022-June 2024. Appointment by Mayor &
hoc Committee meet monthly. Keep project on track; review
drafts; recommend improvements throughout the
3.
Stakeholder Engagement
- School District
- Seniors
- Youth groups
- Chamber
- Faith -based organizations
- Community and non-
profit organizations
- Equity and social justice
advocacy groups
Development community
- Local and regional
housing advocates and
organizations
- SKHHP
4. Task Forces
5. Webpage
- Lobby or equivalent
- Survey & notice sign up
Individual meetings held in 2022 to hear from
specific sectors of the community through the
following methods:
Interviews will be used to gather in-depth feedback
from key stakeholders. Interviews may occur using
a variety of communication tools including phone
calls, video conferencing, or in person.
Task forces are time -bound and outcome -focused
groups that are convened to support and guide staff
in planning efforts relating to the newly -formed
Chapters of the Comprehensive Plan.
The task forces will be appointed by the Mayor and
will focus on the goals/policies/implementation
strategies.
There are 3 planned Task Forces: Climate, City
Center, and S. Station.
Setup by 11/21
Federal Way 2024-2044
- GIS storyboard
- Short topical videos
Available from webpage
Provide an in -person opportunity to learn about the
6.
Project Initiation survey
7.
Open House Events
process, engage with staff, and provide feedback.
Two Open House Events will be located in
different parts of the city.
Pop-up events and tabling are methods for city staff
8.
Community Pop-up Events and
Tabling
to go out in the public and attend events where the
community gathers. Events include but are not
limited to the Farmer's Market, Movies in the Park
and Holiday events. Staff will provide
informational materials, engage in dialogue and
solicit feedback.
9.
Community walk A community walk is a method where a staff -led
community group walks through a neighborhood of
interest to map out and collect information about
the neighborhood's resources and dynamics.
Combining this walk with interviews of community
members and residents is an opportunity for
supplemental and qualitative information not
otherwise collected in a target area.
Two main areas of interest are the City Center and
& South Station.
10.
Human Services Commission
8 months — goals/policies/implementation
11.
Diversity Commission
4 meetings + joint meeting w/ Planning
Commission
12.
Workshops
The Workshops are an opportunity for the city to
host a'/2-day community meeting where, following
a short presentation, participants are asked to work
in small groups and provide responses to specific
topics.
Workshops are anticipated for an overall Visioning
exercise, and for the S. Station area.
13.
Quarterly LUTC updates
2022 & 2023
14.
Virtual Town Hall
Online forum for more detailed discussions on
specific Chapters to the Comprehensive Plan and
the overall Rrocess. 1 Q 2022, 4Q 2023
15.
SEPA review
4Q 2023
Federal Way 2024-2044
Attachment 1: Public Participation Project timeline
PROJECT LAUNCH
Webpage 042021
Initatition Survey
Visioning Workshop
Ql 2022
Virtual Townhall
Ql 2022
Open House
TBD
Stakeholder interviews
On Going
Community Walks
TBD
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SEPA Q1,2024
PLAN ADOPTION
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Open House TBD
Virtual Townhall Q4, 2023
Pop Up Events TBD
Federal Way 2024-2044
Attachment 2: Master schedule
Periodic Update Master Schedule
2021
2022
2023
2024
Comprehensive Plan
Q3 Q4
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Q1 Q2
Tasks/Element
New
Major
Minor
Level of Public
Participation
Scope, Kickoff & Website
0
Public Participation Plan
2
#1 Introduction
✓
2
#2 Land Use
✓
1
#3 Transportation
✓
2
LU
LU
#4 Economic Development
✓
1
#5 Housing
✓
2
#6 Capital Facilities
✓
1
* Centers
✓
3
#7 City Center
✓
✓
3
South Station
✓
3
LU
#12 Twin Lakes
✓
0
#8 PAAs
✓
1
#9 Natural environment
✓
2
#10 Private Utilities
✓
1
#11 Shoreline Master Program
✓
1
Human Services
✓
3
Diversity
✓
Arts & Culture
✓
3
**
Parks and Recreation
✓
1
Climate
✓
3
Implementation
✓
0
Glossary
✓
0
Review
SEPA
Approval
Public Participation Level
1 Minimum: Planning Commission, Public Hearings, info on website
2 Additional: All above subject -specific outreach and events
3 Extensive: All above and targeted outreach, property owners, pop-up meeting, Open
House, etc.
*Dark color indicates review by Planning Commission
Federal Way 2024-2044