01-19-2022 Planning Commission Minutes
Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 January 19, 2022
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
January 19, 2022
6:30 p.m. Via Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tim O’Neil, Wayne Carlson, Tom Medhurst, Diana Noble-
Gulliford, Anna Patrick, and Jae So. Commissioners excused: Hope Elder, Eric Olsen.
City Staff present: Planning Manager Keith Niven, City Attorney Kent van Alstyne, Associate Planner
Chaney Skadsen, and Community Development Director Brian Davis.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
After discussion, the December 1, 2021, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Lawson Bronson was nominated by Commissioner Carlson and seconded by Commissioner Noble-Gulliford
to serve as Chair for 2022. Motion passed unanimously. Wayne Carlson was nominated by Chair Bronson
and seconded by Commissioner Noble-Gulliford to serve as Vice Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
The public hearing from the previous meeting on the 2021 text amendments was continued. Planning
Manager Niven listed the proposed amendments as follows:
1. SEPA Noticing – Libraries
Proposal is to drop noticing at libraries. Instead, the noticing would occur on the City’s website.
2. Final Plat
Proposal is to have the Community Development Director approve final plat instead of City Council
approval.
3. Plat Alteration
Proposal to have the Hearing Examiner approve plat alterations instead of City Council.
4. Docket Process & Noticing
Proposal to add a step to go to the Planning Commission initially for public comments.
5. Convalescent Centers
Proposal to allow convalescent centers in other RM zones. Graphic shown.
6. Planning Commission
Proposal to allow Commission alternates to serve as full members to meet quorum obligations.
7. Non-substantive housekeeping items
Proposal to make a variety of administrative corrections with no change in substance.
8. Electric fences
Proposal to add electric fences for businesses.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 January 19, 2022
9. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) parking
Proposal to remove the requirement of an addition parking space for an ADU when near a major
transit stop. Graphic shown.
10. Height for Accessory Structures
Proposal to clarify code language.
11. ADU Permit
Proposal to clarify code language for when an ADU permit is necessary. Graphic shown.
12. SEPA Categorical Exemptions
Proposal to change the noticing thresholds. Graphic shown.
13. Unrelated persons
Proposal to align the FWRC with Washington State law. Graphic shown.
14. Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA)
Proposal to clarify that BLA process is not intended to negate other city code requirements.
Planning Manager Niven noted the public comments at the last meeting revolved around Item Nos. 8 and 9,
and discussion of the Commission included Nos. 6, 9, and 13. After a question from Commissioner O’Neil,
Planning Manager Niven and Attorney Van Alstyne explained the new statutory limitations for defining
“family” and noted the proposed definition started with Bellevue’s definition and then was adapted to
Federal Way. Director Davis confirmed to Commissioner O’Neil that enforcement on this issued would be
complaint based. Commissioner O’Neil asked if single-family will be eliminated, to which Van Alstyne
indicated there is talk at the state level, but nothing has been passed.
Planning Manager Niven explained that currently electric fences are only allowed in the city for livestock
purposes. The proposal is to expand it to certain uses in the CE zone and for government purposes in all
zones. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford acknowledged the need for expanding electric fence allowances but
expressed frustration that the need is because of increased crime. Michael Pate from Amarok described his
product and noted it is not highly-charged or unsightly and asked that the proposed ordinance be expanded to
other zones. After Commission questions of Mr. Pate and his product, Director Davis noted that the proposed
ordinance is for all electric fences, not just Mr. Pate’s product. Commissioner Carlson agreed the ordinance
captures traditional and newer electric fences, so it becomes of question of which zones the Commission
wants electric fences. Commissioner O’Neil would like to see them allowed in all commercial zones.
Commissioner Medhurst is in support of the ordinance as proposed and noted it is his experience that electric
fences help reduce graffiti and theft. Planning Manager Niven noted the balance that is sought in the
ordinance by achieving both safety and aesthetics. Director Davis explained the background for this proposal
was from City Councilmembers who wanted a broader allowance for electric fences without too much
sacrifice of aesthetics.
Commissioner Medhurst asked for clarity on the issue off-street parking for ADUs with respect to the
pending appeal of the recent Director Interpretation. Attorney Van Alstyne said the current code requires one
additional off-street parking space for an ADU, but when a property does not have an ADU it does not
require the additional off-street parking space.
After receiving clarification from Planning Manager Niven on when Planning Commission Alternates can
count toward quorum and/or hearing requirements, Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend approval of
the ordinance as proposed. Seconded by Medhurst. Commissioner Patrick moved to amend the main motion
to include licensing requirements for convalescent centers, which died for lack of a second. Commissioner
Patrick moved to amend the main motion to remove Item No. 5 (Convalescent Centers) entirely from the
proposed ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Noble-Gulliford, and passed unanimously. The main
motion then passed unanimously.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 January 19, 2022
MANAGER REPORT
Planning Manager Niven presented the meeting calendar for the rest of the year, which is busier than usual
due to the Comprehensive Plan Update project. Commissioner O’Neil was appointed to serve as the Planning
Commission representative on the ad hoc committee for the Comp Plan Update. Planning Manager Niven
and Associate Planner Skadsen presented on downtown redevelopment concepts, specifically redevelopment
of the City-owned Town Center 3 (former Target) property and the 21 st Avenue S corridor with a potential
grade-separated crossing of S. 320th St.
NEXT MEETING
February 15, 2022 Regular Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.