10-20-2021 Planning Commission Minutes
Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 October 20, 2021
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 20, 2021
6:30 p.m. via Zoom Videoconference
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tim O’Neil, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Hope Elder,
Jae So, Eric Olsen, and Anna Patrick. Commissioners absent: Tom Medhurst (excused).
City Staff present: Director Brian Davis, Planning Manager Keith Niven, Senior Planner James Rogers,
Associate Planner Chaney Skadsen, City Attorney Kent van Alstyne, and Administration & Permit Center
Supervisor Kari Cimmer.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.M.
MINUTES
The October 6, 2021, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Planning Manager Niven presented information the master work program/schedule. Discussed outreach ideas
2024 – 2044 vision of the City and details what work can we anticipate.
October 20 Commission meeting will discuss beginning stages to the periodic update of the Comprehensive
Plan. Looking over the next year and a half the work program, the anticipated tasks, and how involved the
planning commission would like to be. It is significant work.
Niven discussed the draft participation plan approved by the mayor includes an ad hoc committee to meet
monthly. Need to create a list of stakeholders and determine how to get their input. Staff suggests several
options: Putting together task forces (Climate, City Center, and South Station); Proposing a focal point of a
webpage and email address; also, Surveys, Open Houses, Pop Up events, Community Walks are outreach
avenues. Human Services and Diversity Commissions are interested in including chapters in the comp plan.
Perhaps having joint commission meetings so ideas and challenges can we discussed. Half day workshops can
be hosted and broken out into smaller groups. Staff can attend quarterly LUTC meeting to keep them updated.
SEPA will need to be done and will likely begin in later 2023. Planning Manager Niven shows
recommendations and fields questions from Commission.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford, Commissioner Carlson, Planning Manager Niven, and Senior Planner Rogers
discussed how the Parks Recreational and Open Space Plan and future updates can be incorporated into the
Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner O’Neill expressed concern over the possible locations for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension
Station in south Federal Way and how SEPA can address non-motorized transportation; walkability is a
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 20, 2021
concern for him and wants to know how we will get it. Planning Manager Niven indicated that walkability will
be addressed in the comp plan updates. He continued that there are two types of SEPA – project and planned
action. The state will look to see what the impacts will be due to the comp plan updates and if remediation will
need to occur. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford and Senior Planner Rogers discussed parking, transit-oriented
development, and big-box uses continuing in the area.
The Commission discussed the possibility of rezones or zone text amendments on important properties, such as
those in the City Center zones, as a result of the update. Commissioner O’Neill asked to participate if a special
subcommittee is created.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford noted that Amazon is building a warehouse in Fife and some of Amazon’s
developers are looking for properties to purchase and build. May be more opportunities to building
employment options. Feels ST isn’t always open to listening to City input and wants to keep our options open.
Planning Manager Niven referenced a 1995 arts and culture plan and wanted to bring this subject up as
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford is interested in arts/equity/safety/culture chapter.
Commissioner Carlson moved that the City Council approved the public participation plan for the
Comprehensive Plan update. Commissioner O’Neill seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
MANAGER REPORT
Planning Manager Niven covered items that were discussed by City Council on Tuesday night.
Approved HAP: To apply for a grant and to implement the downtown option (Item 1).
Approved housing plan; working to give first draft to LUTC.
Tabled the code amendment previously brought to the Planning Commission regarding transit stations
until January 2022.
During the next few months, part of the work for Commission is 15 proposed code amendments to review
and recommend to City Council.
NEXT MEETING
Chair Bronson wanted to thank staff for all of their hard work, especially knowing the City’s staffing levels.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bronson called for adjournment; Commissioner O’Neill seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
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