06-21-2023 Planning Commission Minutes,A CITY OF
Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
City Hall — Council Chambers
June 21, 2023 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Commissioner Vice Chair Chynoweth called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Diana Noble Gulliford, Anna Patrick, Tim O'Neil, Vickie Chynoweth,
Tom Medhurst, Sanyu Tushabe (alternate)
Excused: Lawson Bronson, Jae So
City Staff Present: Community Development Director Keith Niven, Planning Manager
Jonathan Thole, City Attorney Kent Van Alstyne, Senior Planner Evan Lewis, Office Manager
Samantha Homan
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Planning Commission Meeting of June 7, 2023
Commissioner Medhurst advised of correction, previous meeting minutes need to include
Commissioner Medhurst in attendance in roll call and will be updated prior to publishing
Commissioner O'Neil motions to approve June 7, 2023 minutes with correction to roll call
Second by Commissioner Medhurst, motion passes, 5-0.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None scheduled
5. COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Public Hearing: Residential Open Space Amendments to Subdivision and Zoning
Codes
Hearing called to order at 5:02pm
Evan Lewis, Senior Planner presented on proposed code amendments to Title 18 and
Title 19.Evan noted a correction in the agenda packet on page 11 regarding language.
The purpose is to amend the current code to clarify ambiguous or unclear code language,
expand flexibility for certain open space requirements, and be consistent with and
implement the Federal Way Housing Action Plan. Consistent with this intent, code
updates include but may not be limited to: clarifying and expanding `usable' open space
definition to account for both `active' and `passive' open space and clarifying amenities
that fall within each; definition clarifications; changing the method for calculating required
usable open space for residential subdivisions from a percent of gross land area to sq. ft.
per unit; clarifying and/or updating certain open space design or amenity standards;
establishing exemptions from open space requirements for short plats below a certain
number of lots; updating the calculation method, review, applicability and processing of
fee -in -lieu of open space requests; updating and likely reducing the amount (in sq. ft./unit)
of open space required for certain residential uses and zones; updating the administrative
alteration provision within FWRC 18.55.060; improving the consistency of open space
code within FWRC Title 19 chapters and sections including, but not necessarily limited to,
zoning use charts; and, expansion of the fee -in -lieu of open space option to at least the
community business (BC) zone.
Deliberations included clarification on when fee -in -lieu may be used and the process
surrounding approval of fee -in -lieu, clarification on how much open space is allowed as
private open space vs public open space, clarification on if open space areas are outdoors
or if indoor facilities may count towards open space, process on existing built properties
and how the new open space amendments would affect projects moving forward, and
questions regarding the clearance space around the Sound Transit line.
Commissioner Tim O'Neil recommends moving forward with proposed code amendments
to LUTC and City Council for adoption
Second by Commissioner Noble-Gulliford, the motion passes 5-0
Public hearing public comments: None scheduled
Hearing adjourned at 6:02pm
6. STAFF BUSINESS
Manager's Report
Director Keith Niven introduced new planning manager, Jonathan Thole
Director Keith Niven congratulated Commissioners Patrick and Medhurst for their
progress in running for City Council
7. NEXT MEETING
July 19, 2023 5:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner O'Neil motions to adjourn the meeting
Second by Commissioner Medhurst, motion passes 5-0
Meeting adjourned at 6:07pm
APPROVED BY COMMISSION:
3
HOMAN, OFFICE MANAGER TE