12-14-2022 Planning Commission Minutes
Planning Commission Minutes December 14, 2022
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
City Hall – Council Chambers
December 14, 2022 – 6:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present:
Diana Noble-Gulliford, Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Anna Patrick, Vickie Chenoweth,
Tim O’Neil
Commissioners Absent:
Jae So - Excused
City Staff Present: Planning Manager Keith Niven, City Attorney Kent van Alstyne,
Senior Planner Chaney Skadsen, and Admin Assistant II Anna Lieck.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
South Station Subarea Planning Briefing presented by Senior Planner Chaney Skadsen.
Presentation of analysis results by Otak Consultant, Mandi Roberts. Principal Planning and
Project Manager.
Commissioner Chenoweth and Mandi Roberts discussed the continuation of preserving any
natural areas currently included in the planning areas. This preservation would be facilitated
by previously city identified areas as assets for future residents.
Commissioner O’Neil inquired into how many acres does the city own in the proposed area,
how it is zoned and how it will be utilized in the presented plans. Mr. Niven and Ms. Skadsen
offered to provide an evaluation to the Commission with data for this request.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford inquired if sewers are available within the mapped subarea.
Currently, there are existing public sewer systems along with some single-family systems to
the south.
Mr. Niven provided guidance for further questions about the substation’s location, stating that
the City Council has already listed a preferred location for the station.
Mandi Roberts provided data for employment, education and health projections for
Washington State from 2020-2025 to 2025-2030 and how zoning considerations have been
made for future mixed-use projects.
Commission discussed mixed use codes, substation area boundaries and over-zoning. Mr.
Niven clarified the long-term goals for code amendments to expand the potential use of land
around the substation and proper land use.
Planning Commission Minutes December 14, 2022
Community members present at the briefing with comments:
Ben Higerkin –Resident on 359th. Stated he is excited to see the transition of this project and
would like for each station to have its own identity to give residents a reason to visit South
Federal Way.
Mike Panzine – Executive Director of Maintenance and Operations for Federal Way Public
Schools. Thanked the Commission and Staff for the invitation to the stakeholder meeting on
behalf of the community and students. He is hoping that the Public Schools can partner with
the Planning Commission and City to facilitate community growth for the benefit of their
student’s future.
5. MANAGER REPORT
HAPI – Briefing to come in the first meeting in January.
6. NEXT MEETING
January 18th , 2023- TBD
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Bronson moved that the meeting be adjourned. Commissioner Medhurst
seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.
ATTEST: APPROVED BY COMMISSION:
_______________________________ 1/18/23______________________
ANNA LIECK, ADMIN ASSISTANT II DATE