10a - Various Code Amendmentsv
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Federal Way
On September 16, zozz, the city issued notice and a Determination of
Non Significance (DNS) for various code amendments including
boundary line adjustment submittal procedures, hearing notices,
affordable housing definitions, Community Design Guidelines, setbacks,
off-street parking minimums, corrections to wetland buffer width
pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) with 14 day
comment period ending September 30, zozz and appeal period ending
October 21, zozz. No appeals have been filed.
Federal Way
The city received public comment in opposition of the proposed
amendment to allow small mechanical units such as an air conditioner
or generator within the side or rear yard setback. Public Comment is
included with the staff report as an exhibit.
No other public comments were received.
Federal Way
1. Boundary Line Adjustment Application Submittal Requirements: Proposed
code change aims to provide greater consistency within Title 18 Subdivisions for
minimum application information in order to conduct project review. This change
would increase continuity throughout the chapters and stream line permit
submittals by decreasing the need for providing minimum project information.
2. Hearing Notice Requirements: Proposed code amendment is an effort to
establish a distinction between a "public hearing" and an "appeal hearing." The
proposed code amendment furthers that effort by removing appeal hearing content
from the public hearing notice provisions, as there are already separate appeal
hearing notice provisions. Further clarification is provided on who should receive
appeal hearing notices, and that the Hearing Examiner's decision is due within to
days after both appeal and public hearings.
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Federal Way
3. Process VI Council Rezone Criteria: Clarification of the decisional criteria for site
specific quasi-judicial comprehensive plan amendments and rezone applications.
This amendment makes code consistent with administrative procedures.
4. Affordable Housing Definitions: Update data source for affordable housing
from the median county income to Area Median Income (AMI). AMI data is updated
on a more frequent basis and provides a more accurate assessment for affordable
housing determination. Strike inapplicable code section FWRC19.11o.olo (5).
5. Community Design Guidelines: Remove outdated site design element, phone
booth. Correction within the district guidelines section for non-residential uses in
residential zones. Correction to FWRC 19.115.090 (4) for "non-residential uses" to be
directed to the correct "non-residential" design guideline elements.
Federal Way
6. Structures and Improvements: With a marked rise in overall temperatures, the
city has seen increased interest in adding air conditioning units either to existing
homes or new construction. The proposed code amendment allows for (1)
residential heating / air conditioner or similar mechanical unit to be within the side
or rear yard setbacks.
7. Off Street Parking Minimums: Update to be consistent with RCW 36.7oA.620.
Insert as a footnote within the applicable zone charts referencing new section with
new parking minimum standards. Development subject to the parking minimums
would need to be within % mile of a transit stop that meets a prescribed level of
service and frequency at the transit stop. The Director has the discretion to not
allow the parking reduction.
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Federal Way
8. Wetland Review: Correct the distance in which a critical areas wetland report is
required from 225 feet to 300 feet in order to be consistent with maximum potential
buffer widths in FWRC 19-145.420. Clarify what part of the wetland buffer can be
reduced. Specify wetland buffer intrusion reductions as width, area outer perimeter.
g. Correction to Multi -Family: Proposed code amendment is a correction to the
zone chart heading. This code amendment does not change any regulation and is a
correction only.
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Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on November 2, 2022. The
Planning Commission received a staff presentation from the Community
Development Department and presented the staff report and public
comment. Following the Commission discussion and deliberations, the
Planning Commission recommended approval of all the proposed code
amendments. The vote was unanimous and the hearing was closed.
Federal Way
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ACTION
The Land Use and Transportation Committee held a public meeting on
January 9, 2023. The committee members received a staff presentation
from the Community Development Department, the staff report and
public comment. Following the committee discussion and deliberations,
the committee recommended approval of all (9) of the proposed code
amendments. The vote was unanimous.
Federal Way