2023 11 November 15 Planning Commission Approved MinutesCITY OF
Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
City Hall — Council Chambers
November 15, 2023 — 5:00 p.m.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Lawson Bronson, Anna Patrick, Tim O'Neil, Vickie Chynoweth, Jae
So
Excused: Tom Medhurst, Diana Noble-Gulliford
Absent: Sanyu Tushabe
City Staff Present: Community Development Director Keith Niven, Planning Manager
Jonathan Thole, Senior Planner Chaney Skadsen, City Attorney Kent Van Alstyne, Office
Manager Samantha Homan.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Planning Commission Meeting of October 4, 2023.
Commissioner O'Neil moved to approve the October 4, 2023 minutes as written.
Second by Commissioner Chynoweth.
Motion passes 5-0.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None scheduled
5. COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Multi -Family Tax Exemption- Presentation by Anne Fritzel and Mary Reinbold(remote),
Housing Programs Manager for Growth Management Services with the Washington State
Department of Commerce
Anne Fritzel joined by Mary Reinbold presented an overview on the Multi -Family Tax
Exemption (MFTE) program. Anne discussed how the program works, how it encourages
housing growth, the variety of ways the MFTE program can be tailored to Cities, and how
it serves as a catalyst for development. The MFTE program was designed to help Cities
meet their housing goals under the Grown Management Act. MFTE one of the biggest
incentives for market rate and affordable housing. Future housing needs are broken down
by Area Median Income and help determine what is considered "affordable housing."
Cities must designate Residential Targeted Areas where MFTE applies, in Federal Way
those zones are City Center -Core, City Center -Frame, and Community Business.
Financial impacts to the City can include reduced revenue, potential tax shifting to
homeowners, costs/fees associated with the program.
City Council currently has approved the 8 and 12 year MFTE programs. Council must also
approve every MFTE project, currently there are none.
b. Housing Chapter Update
Senior Planner Chaney Skadsen presented on the Housing Chapter of the City's
Comprehensive Plan Update. Federal way is expected to produce 11,260 housing units
by the year 2044. Chaney went over the legislative changes, understanding racially
disparate impacts, housing needs by income bands, County Planning Policies (CPP)
consistency analysis findings, and policy evaluations as they relate to the Comprehensive
Plan. Next steps include a housing inventory analysis, local history of racially exclusive
and discriminatory land use and housing practices assessment, land capacity analysis for
all housing types, goals and policy revisions, and a draft chapter including implementing
actions.
6. STAFF BUSINESS
Manager's Report
Planning Manager Jonathan Thole announced a vacant Senior Planner position, interviews
are currently scheduled.
Community Development Director Keith Niven gave an update on the TC3 presentation at
last week's Council Meeting and hopes to get Development Agreement to Council in January.
Celebration Center Plaza and the Commons have commented on City Center code
amendments presented to the Planning Commission back in October. The City also provided
a comment letter to Sound Transit on the EIS Operation and Maintenance facility.
7. NEXT MEETING
December 6, 5:00pm — Regular Meeting
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner O'Neil moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second by Commissioner Patrick.
Motion Passes 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 6:54pm.
SATA HOMAN, OFFICE MANAGER
APPROVED BY COMMISSION:
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