2024 08 August 07 Planning Commission Approved MinutesCITY OF
Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
City Hall — Council Chambers
August 7, 2024 — 5:00 p.m.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Vice Chair Chynoweth called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Anna Patrick, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Lawson Bronson, Tim O'Neil,
Vickie Chynoweth
Excused: Tom Medhurst, Jae So
City Staff Present: Community Development Director Keith Niven, Planning Manager Holly
Bosak, Special Projects Planner Lucy Sloman, Senior Planner Evan Lewis, Senior Planner
Becky Chapin, City Attorney Kent van Alstyne, Office Manager Samantha Homan
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2024
Commissioner Bronson moves to approve the minutes as written
Second by Commissioner O'Neil
Motion passes 5-0
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None scheduled
5. COMMISSION BUSINESS
a) Draft South Station Approval Public Hearing (*it was clarified by legal at the meeting this
discussion was not a public hearing)
Special projects planner Lucy Sloman presented on the South Station Subarea Plan. The South
Station Subarea Plan provides the roadmap for the area's transformation into a new dynamic, transit -
oriented hub by planning for housing, employment opportunities, recreational spaces, regional transit
service, and a host of amenities. The Subarea Plan is being adopted in coordination with the City of
Federal Way 2024 Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan, currently underway, and to comply
with King County's requirements for the area's candidate designation as a Countywide Growth
Center (CGC). The Subarea planning effort began in 2019 and included broad, targeted, and
intentional community engagement. This multi -layered public involvement effort guided the Subarea
planning process, focusing on gathering insight into community desires and aspirations, which then
led to drafting of this Subarea Plan. It included:
• Interviews with property owners, stakeholders, agency partners such as the County and
School District and staff
■ Framing City South, a community engagement open house and survey
• Townhall public meeting at Todd Beamer High School
• Project website to disseminate information to the public, collect public comments, and serve
as a
platform for a survey
A Stakeholder Group that provided feedback on various aspects of the plan; served as a
conduit for community's interests and values; and both acted as a sounding board for ideas
and brought
additional perspectives for consideration. Additionally, the stakeholder group took two mobile
tours of existing Sound Transit light rail stations and transit -oriented development projects in
the region
Planning Commission meetings, presentations, input
Anticipated timeline is presentation to LUTC in September with Council 1st reading in October.
Public Comment was provided by Todd Jarvis, president of DBM Contractors, which has 12 acres
in the South Station Area. He is looking to see how the City is going to interact with current
property owners in the TOD/South Station Area regarding possible changes of use and
displacement.
Public Comment was provided by Peter Townsend who has a business on 310th and 99, he
asked the Commissioners why they didn't have more in depth questions regarding the South
Station. Chair Chynoweth responded stating that the Planning Commission has discussed this
topic for over the last two years and in depth questions were not necessary at this briefing.
Commissioner Chynoweth motions to recommend the City Council adopt the subarea plan
Second by Commissioner Patrick
Motion passes 3-2
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford - No
Commissioner Bronson- No
Commissioner O'Neil- Yes
Commissioner Chynoweth- Yes
Commissioner Patrick- Yes
b) Annual/Biannual Code Clarifications, Cleanups, Corrections & Consistency Amendments
Public Hearing
Vice Chair Chynoweth opened the Public Hearing at 6:24pm
Senior Planner Evan Lewis presented on the proposed code amendments to Title 14, 15, 18, and
19, commonly referenced as "snowball." The purpose for theses amendments is to correct errors,
comply with state law, improve clarity and reduce ambiguity, and improve consistency. Next steps
include presenting to LUTC in September and 1 It Council reading in late September.
Commissioner O'Neil moved to recommend moving forward to LUTC
Second by Commissioner Noble-Gulliford
Motion Passes 5-0
Vice Chair Chynoweth closes the Public Hearing at 7:07pm
c) Permanent Supportive Housing Code Amendment Briefing
Senior Planner Becky Chapin presented on the Permanent Supportive Housing code
amendments. The City needs to be in compliance with the GMA to ensure it will have capacity for
all PSH units required in the next 20 years. The City had made a proposed estimate of the
number of PSH units required and underestimated the number allocated by King County. The
City needs to be able to accommodate 946 PSH units in the next 20 years. The proposed code
amendments options included lowering the separation distance requirements, increasing the
density caps in certain zones, and a combination of both. There was much deliberation and the
Commissioners were not thrilled with any of the 3 solutions provided and did not make a
recommendation to staff.
6. STAFF BUSINESS
Invitation to Special Meeting 8/13/2024
Manager's Report
Planning Manager Holly Bosak invited the Planning Commissioners to the Special Meeting
next Tuesday, 8/13/2024. She also shared that the Sound Transit OMF Development
Agreement went to LUTC this past week, and a Development Agreement for the Christian
Faith Center is in the works.
7. NEXT MEETING
August 21, 2024 5:00pm — Regular Meeting
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner O'Neil moved to adjourn the meeting
Second by Commissioner Noble-Gulliford
Motion Passes 5-0
Meeting adjourned at 8:18pm
HOMAN, OFFICE MANAGER
APPROVED BY COMMISSION:
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