The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLUTC MINS 02-25-2008G:\LUTC\LUTC Agendas and Summaries 2008\02-25-08 Minutes.doc City of Federal Way City Council Land Use/Transportation Committee February 25, 2008 City Hall 6:00 pm City Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES In attendance: Committee Chair Linda Kochmar, Council Member Jim Ferrrell, Committee Member Dini Duclos, Assistant City Manager/Chief Operations Officer/Emergency Manager Cary Roe, Deputy Public Works Director Ken Miller, City Staff Attorney Monica Buck, Surface Water Manager Paul Bucich, Director of Community Development Services Greg Fewins, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Street Systems Project Engineer John Mulkey, Acting Deputy Public Works Director Marwan Salloum, Senior Planner Janet Shull, Street Systems Engineer Jeff Huynh and Administrative Assistant II Darlene LeMaster. 1. CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Kochmar called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The February 4, 2008 LUTC meeting minutes were approved. Moved: Duclos Seconded: Ferrell Passed: Unanimously, 3-0 3. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. 4. BUSINESS ITEMS A. 2008 Asphalt Overlay Program – Bid Award John Mulkey provided background information on this item. There was no discussion. Moved: Ferrell Seconded: Duclos Passed: Unanimously, 3-0 Committee PASSED Option 1 to the March 4, 2008, City Council Consent Agenda for approval. B. Surface Water Infrastructure Maintenance and Service Contract – Bid Award Paul Bucich provided background information on the item. There was no discussion. Moved: Duclos Seconded: Ferrell Passed: Unanimously, 3-0 Committee PASSED Option 1 to the March 4, 2008, City Council Consent Agenda for approval. C. SWM Callout Truck Bed Bid Award Paul Bucich provided background information on the item. Committee Chair Kochmar asked where the Fab Shop is located, to which Mr. Bucich answered Edgewood. Moved: Ferrell Seconded: Duclos Passed: Unanimously, 3-0 Committee PASSED Option 1 to the March 4, 2008, City Council Consent Agenda for approval. D. Clearing and Grading and Tree Preservation Overview Greg Fewins introduced the topic to the committee and let the committee know that staff would like to know how the committee would like them (staff) to proceed with this topic. Janet Shull provided background information on the item. There were three public comments: John Norris, Norris Homes – Mr. Norris spoke in support of affordable housing and how the current codes, not to mention future codes are indirectly driving up home costs. Mr. Norris requested the committee consider allowing flexibility for the developer to decide how/when to grade and replant; don’t plan the Land Use/Transportation Committee Page 2 February 25, 2008 G:\LUTC\LUTC Agendas and Summaries 2008\02-25-08 Minutes.doc development around the trees, plan the trees around the development. By clearing the plat first, you can plant the trees in the appropriate places. H. David Kaplan, Federal Way – Mr. Kaplan thanked staff for listening to and incorporating his comments in their recommendations and wants the committees to consider what other cities do. He also encouraged the committee to note his comments to the topic in Exhibit E, pp. 6-11. Other items he wanted the committee to take note of are: retaining natural vegetation and whether or not that vegetation is invasive or non-invasive, DNR (Dept. of Nat’l Resources) over-riding City codes (ie. Campus Drive), considering fee in lieu of /offsite plantings as a last resort, and Exhibit C, p. 1 – recommended tree species (should be considered strongly). Garrett Huffman, King and Snohomish Counties Master Builders Association – Mr. Huffman asked what exactly would be decided tonight by the committee. Committee Chair Kochmar explained that tonight’s presentation was just for staff to get direction from the committee on the issue at hand. There will be five future opportunities for public comment to be heard prior to Council adopting any new code amendments. Mr. Huffman wanted the committee to consider utilizing low impact development, possibly an incentive program to retain trees (street trees, right of way trees and bike path trees). With smaller lot sizes and very few remaining areas of vacant land, could trees be planted around the development versus within the development? Mr. Norris spoke again about monitoring and bonding significant trees. This process adds more costs to the builder. It would be less costly just to add 15% more trees instead. Also the tree plan (currently a requirement) is very expensive. This money would be better spent somewhere else. As the City re- evaluates its tree ordinance, it needs to be made reader friendly. Committee Member Ferrell asked about “root guard.” Mr. Norris commented that root guard blocks roots from growing upwards, potentially interfering with curbs, sidewalks, concrete and asphalt. To meet the current requirements, it costs more in root guard and effort planting the tree, than the tree does itself. Committee Member Farrell asked how Federal Way ranks amongst other cities. Mr. Norris said that in the past year, Federal Way has become much easier to work with from the developer’s perspective. The City is beginning to listen to the developers. Committee Member Duclos asked for clarification between tree canopies and tree clusters. Mr. Norris would like the city to be flexible and consider each property as a unique situation. Committee Chair Kochmar summarized what has been heard this evening and that the Committee is recommending staff’s request to move forward with option 3 of the Policy Question. Committee Members Duclos and Ferrell echoed each other, asking staff to go back to the Planning Commission and add flexibility to developers into the code amendments. Ms. Shull wants the Committee to make sure and voice their opinions about all issues they may be concerned with. Staff will go back to the Planning Commission and present options to the Committee in the near future. 5. FUTURE MEETING 6. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM.