Final_Chapter_1CHAPTER ONE
I NTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION ___________________________________________ 1
1.1 POLICY BACKGROUND ___________________________________ 1
Growth Management Act ________________________________________ 2
VISION 2040 ___________________________________________________ 2
Countywide Planning Policies ___________________________________ 3
1.2 THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING EFFORT ________________ 3
Why Plan? _____________________________________________________ 3
What Is a Comprehensive Plan? __________________________________ 4
How Was the Plan Developed? ___________________________________ 4
Organization of the Plan ________________________________________ 5
1.3 FEDERAL WAY’S COMMUNITY PROFILE ___________________ 6
Past and Present ________________________________________________ 6
Federal Way’s Future Vision _____________________________________ 8
Getting to the Future from the Present ___________________________ 11
How Will The Plan Be Implemented? ____________________________ 11
Application of the Plan _________________________________________ 14
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process ________________________ 15
Acknowledgements ____________________________________________ 15
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWCP) lays out a vision for the future of Federal
Way during a 20-year period. It articulates the community’s vision and reflects
community values.
This chapter gives an overview of the comprehensive planning effort and lays out Federal
Way’s vision for its future. This plan contains a glossary of terms at the end of the
document to help the reader with terms that may not be clear or understandable.
1.1 POLICY BACKGROUND
The FWCP responds to the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA) of 1990
and subsequent amendments. The FWCP also carries out Vision 2040, a shared strategy
for how and where the Central Puget Sound Region can distribute a forecasted total of
five million people and three million jobs by the Year 2040, while maintaining the well-
being of people and communities, economic vitality, and a healthy environment. The
FWCP is also consistent with the 2012 King County Countywide Planning Policies
(CWPPs), which call for multiple Urban Centers and defined Urban Growth Areas
(UGAs), with much of the growth in employment and new housing occurring in the
Urban Centers.
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Federal Way’s plan also contains many components that are not referenced in the GMA;
these additional components are included in the plan due to their importance to the
Federal Way community. Although Federal Way’s goals and policies for growth and the
provision of services are guided by the requirements of GMA, VISION 2040, and King
County Countywide Planning Policies (CWPPs), they primarily reflect the vision and
goals of our own citizens.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT AC T
The GMA (RCW 36.70A. 140) was passed by the Washington State Legislature in 1990,
with amendments added in 1991 and subsequent years. The legislature passed the GMA
in recognition of the rate of growth that was occurring throughout the state, particularly
on the west side of the Cascades.
The GMA requires that each jurisdiction produce a comprehensive plan that contains, at a
minimum, elements pertaining to land use, transportation, capital facilities, housing,
private utilities, economic development, and parks and recreation. These elements must
be consistent with one another. The GMA also requires jurisdictions to undertake a
complete review of their comprehensive plan every eight years. Jurisdictions are required
to adopt policies and regulations protecting resource lands and critical areas, such as
agricultural land, wetlands, and geologically hazardous areas. Each jurisdiction must
coordinate its plan with the plans of surrounding jurisdictions.
The GMA also requires that each city designate an urban growth boundary (UGA) or
potential annexation area (PAA) as they are called in King County. The PAA defines the
area within which the city anticipates it could provide the full range of urban services at
some time in the future. It also represents the area within which the city will consider
annexations and the boundary beyond which it will not annex.
Perhaps what most distinguishes the GMA from previous planning statutes is the
requirement that public services be available or funded at some designated level of
service before development may occur. If a jurisdiction cannot provide services to an
area, then it may not permit development in that area.
VISION 2040
VISION 2040’s Regional Growth Strategy is a preferred pattern for accommodating
residential and employment growth. It is designed to minimize environmental impacts,
support economic prosperity, improve mobility, and make efficient use of existing
infrastructure.
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VISION 2040’s Regional Growth Strategy identifies the role that various cities,
unincorporated areas, and rural lands categories play in accommodating the region’s
residential and employment growth. The strategy is organized around categories of
“regional geographies.” The majority of the region’s employment and housing growth is
allocated to Metropolitan Cities and Core Cities, which together contain more than two
dozen designated regional growth centers. Large Cities also play an important role over
time as places that accommodate growth. Small Cities provide jobs and housing that
support vital and active communities at a less intensive scale. Growth in the unincorporated
urban growth area is prioritized for areas that are identified for annexation into adjacent
cities. Significantly less growth is allocated to the rural areas than has occurred in the past.
Federal Way is designated as a Core City with a Regional Growth Center/Urban Center,
which is the City Center Core zoning district. Discussion of the Urban Center can be
found in Chapter 7, “City Center,” of this plan.
COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICIES
The 1991 amendments to the GMA require all counties planning under the act to adopt
Countywide Planning Policies (CWPPs). The jurisdictions in King County formed a
group called the Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) composed of elected
officials from the King County Council, City of Seattle, and suburban cities. The mission
of the GMPC was to draft the CWPPs for King County. These policies were adopted in
1992. In 1994, major amendments to the CWPPs were proposed by the GMPC. These
amendments were subsequently adopted by King County and are binding on all
jurisdictions in the county. Since 1994, the CWPPs have been updated as needed, with
the last major amendments done in 2012. After approval and ratification by the King
County Council, amendments are forwarded to the cities for ratification. Amendments to
the CWPPs become effective when ratified by at least 30 percent of the city and county
governments, representing 70 percent of the population of King County.
1.2 THE COMPREHENSIVE PL ANNING EFFORT
WHY PLAN?
Federal Way plans for people. People need a safe and secure place to live, an economy
that provides living wage jobs, a transportation system that allows them to get around,
and schools, colleges, and recreational opportunities. People also benefit from a human-
scaled built environment that provides opportunities for walking and bicycling with
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access to healthy foods and opportunities to experience the natural environment. It is the
city government’s responsibility to provide public services and facilities, develop
policies, and adopt regulations to guide the growth of a city that meets the needs of its
people. From incorporation to the present, the guide for Federal Way’s growth and
development has been the comprehensive plan.
WHAT IS A COMPR EHENSIVE PLAN?
The role of the FWCP is to clearly state the community’s vision for its future, and to
articulate a plan for accomplishing this vision over a 20-year period. The FWCP seeks to
answer a number of questions:
What areas are most suitable for development or redevelopment?
What areas should be preserved in their natural state?
How can we encourage the type of development we desire?
How should we address traffic congestion?
How many parks do we need, of what size, kind, and where?
What steps should we take to encourage economic development?
How can we encourage preservation of our historic resources?
How can we ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing for all income levels?
What utilities and public services will we need?
How will the community pay for all of these things?
Each of the FWCP’s chapters addresses these questions, and more, in the areas of
transportation, land use, economic development, capital facilities, utilities, and housing.
The answers form the policies, which guide implementation of our community vision.
The policy statements within each chapter are used to guide new or revised zoning and
other regulations. The FWCP also sets a clear framework for where the community will
need to spend money on capital facilities, how much, and identifies available funding
sources. As a whole, the FWCP offers a flexible framework for Federal Way’s future,
allowing for adaptation to real conditions over time.
HOW WAS THE PLAN DEV ELOPED?
Federal Way adopted an Interim Comprehensive Plan at the time of incorporation in
February of 1990. In November of 1995, after a three-year planning process with much
public involvement, Federal Way adopted its first GMA-compliant comprehensive plan
(FWCP). The ideas in the FWCP were developed through discussion, debate, and the
creative thinking of thousands of Federal Way citizens, working with City staff and
elected officials. Consistent with the GMA, the City of Federal Way provided early and
continuous opportunities for citizens to participate in CityShape. CityShape was the name
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given to the City’s comprehensive planning project. CityShape was also the name given
to the process used to develop the FWCP.
The plan was subsequently amended in
December 1998, September 2000, November
2001, March 2003, July 2004, June 2005,
July 2007, June 2009, October 2010, January
2011, January 2013, and August 2013. The
March 2003 update was the major seven-year
update, required at that time.
The public participation process for the major
2015 update involved the following steps:
March 19, 2014 – An Open House was hosted by the Planning Commission. This
was advertised by a press release and flyers were sent home to all homes of
students in middle schools and elementary schools.
Three variable message signs (VMS), advertising the March 19 Planning
Commission Open House, were placed in three high-traffic areas within the City.
A Comprehensive Plan Update Web Page was created.
An on-line survey was posted.
The Planning Commission was briefed as the draft chapters were prepared.
The draft chapters were posted on the Comprehensive Plan Update Web Page.
Citizens on the Notify Me List were informed.
ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN
While we cannot predict the future, we can attempt to shape the future character of the
community in which we live, work, and play. The FWCP functions as the City’s
statement of how it will grow and change in the 21st century. The FWCP contains the
following 12 chapters that outline goals and policies to guide the future of the City. Of
the 12 chapters, seven are required by the GMA.
Required Chapters Optional Chapters
2.Land Use 1.Introduction
3.Transportation 7.City Center
4.Economic Development 8.Potential Annexation Area
5.Housing 9.Natural Environment
6.Capital Facilities 12.Twin Lakes Commercial Subarea Plan
10.Private Utilities
11.Shoreline Master Program
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Each of these chapters has been coordinated with the others, resulting in a plan that is
internally consistent. Each of the goals in the FWCP, while expressing a specific policy
direction, also functions as part of a coordinated expression of the City’s vision for the
future.
1.3 FEDERAL WAY’S COMMUN ITY PROFILE
PAST AND PRESENT
Planning for the future requires a good understanding of how our community has grown
and changed in the past. The following discussion provides that backdrop as a context for
subsequent chapters.
The earliest recorded accounts of the Federal Way area tell of Native American families
who resided in the area of the Muckleshoot Reservation on the east side of the Green
River Valley and traveled west to the shores of Puget Sound for the plentiful fisheries
resources. Generations of Muckleshoot Indians wore a westward trail across the heavily
forested plateau to the area which is now Saltwater State Park. The arrival of the white
man in the nineteenth century resulted in a steady decline in the Indian population and by
1890, nearly the entire population had disappeared from the area.
Isolated on a triangular shaped plateau rising steeply from Puget Sound, the Federal Way
area had little waterfront access or roadways and accordingly, was sparingly developed
compared to Tacoma and Seattle. As late as the turn of the century, the original settlers at
Dash Point and Dumas Bay had to row to Tacoma for supplies and mail. Old Military
Road, constructed around 1856 and extending north from Fort Steilacoom, past Star Lake
to Seattle and Fort Lawton, was the first road through the area.
Over time, narrow dirt roads were added to provide east/west access and by 1900, a road
was constructed between Star Lake and Redondo. The second crossroad, the “Seattle
Road,” connected old Military Road and Kent. The Seattle-Tacoma Interurban Line,
completed in 1901, provided a fast and easy way to reach these urban cities. Improved
access brought many visitors to the area and Star Lake became a popular summer
recreation site.
By the 1920s, Federal Highway 99, the interstate that linked the western states from north
to south, was complete. At this time, Federal Way was still primarily forest and farmland.
Fred Hoyt had a cabin on Dumas Bay and started a road to Tacoma (still called Hoyt
Road). The timber companies, which had a major logging operation going, built an early
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railroad line and were instrumental in getting Marine View Highway (now Dash Point
Road) built in the early 1920s. This roadway spurred development along the coastline.
Soon thereafter, Peasley Canyon Road was built to connect Military Road with the
Auburn Valley. This road later became known as South 320th Street. In these early days,
roadways set the stage for development in the area and they still play an important role in
the City today.
By the start of World War II, a number of small, thriving communities made up the area
that is now Federal Way. Some communities were clustered around lakes, such as Steel
Lake, Star Lake, and Lake Geneva. Others were sited to take advantage of the view of
Puget Sound, like Adelaide and Buenna. As each of these communities grew, residents
built small schoolhouses for their children. By the late 1940s, King County consolidated
the many individual red schoolhouses into the Federal Way School District, from which
the City gets its name.
During this same period, a library was built along the edge of Highway 99, and between
308th Street and 320th Street, a small “downtown” developed with a general store, lumber
yard, realty office, beauty parlor, feed store, and gas station. By the end of the 1950s, the
ten blocks between 308th and 320th Streets became the first roadside commercial district.
One of the more unique developments was Santa Faire, a family oriented theme park.
New shopping areas were added around the park, helping to create a “community focus”
for the residents of the area.
As this commercial area developed, the rest of Federal Way was changing as well. The
Boeing Company expanded their operations in Renton and the Kent Valley and began
advertising nationally for engineers. Those engineers in turn began roaming the wooded
acreage in Federal Way in search of housing. One of the earliest residential developments
was Marine Hills, built in 1958 overlooking Puget Sound. Weyerhaeuser, one of the early
timber companies, had large land holdings in the area and began to develop their land
into high quality housing with amenities like golf courses.
Weyerhaeuser’s development company also began developing commercial property,
creating the West Campus business park. The plan was to integrate offices and businesses
with lush landscaping. Though initially the corporate office market was not strong, West
Campus has grown almost to capacity, providing space for many civic buildings such as
City Hall, the police station, the area’s major health care centers, and higher density housing.
Another major landmark in the area is the Commons, built in the mid-1970s on what was
farmland south of 320th Street. The Commons is one of the largest malls in South King
County and is the anchor for retail development in the area. The mall was a result of
population growth in the region and its location was determined by the 320th Street
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intersection with Interstate 5. The Interstate supplanted Highway 99 as the main artery for
commuter traffic in the County.
By the mid-1980s, South King County was growing quickly. Retail growth occurred
along Highway 99, especially at the 320th Street intersection. Roads and office space
were developed to accommodate the increased growth. Residential growth was also
prominent, following plans developed by King County, with a large number of apartment
homes. The changes to the community, with increased housing and traffic, created a
movement for greater self-determination. In 1989, the citizens of this area voted for
incorporation and the City of Federal Way was born, incorporating on February 28, 1990.
FEDERAL WAY’S FUTURE VISION
In the year 2035, Federal Way has changed significantly during the 45 years that have
elapsed since incorporation. This is due to the following characteristics:
Government For and By the People: All governmental entities reflect the can-do attitude
of Federal Way citizens and partner with them to provide quality services, often through
volunteerism. Governmental entities reflect the community’s values of diversity,
innovation, and participation. Together, the community and its neighborhoods have built
a sense of identity and ownership for Federal Way and its future. Fiscally conservative,
innovative financial and management strategies, along with economic growth, have
allowed the community to enjoy a moderate tax rate, with bond issues approved to
support major projects.
Vibrant and Diverse Growth: Development goals have fostered the preservation of a
primarily residential community and open natural areas, with concentrated urban
development in the City’s Center and secondary commercial districts. Development
activity is focused on in-fill and redevelopment to create vibrant neighborhoods where
residents have the option of walking, bicycling, or using transit for most of their needs.
An increase in the number of corporate headquarters, annexation of the Potential
Annexation Areas (PAA), and build out of available single-family sites, at competitive
prices, has accommodated Federal Way’s population target. New multiple-family
development is concentrated in the City Center/Highway 99 corridor area, primarily
through mixed-use condominiums and apartments. The pedestrian friendly, multi-use
City Center, with multi-story and underground parking facilities works well for many.
Federal Way citizens enjoy a wide variety of dining and shopping options, and the
pedestrian plazas, parks and civic amenities of the City Center. Infrastructure has been
developed concurrently with growth, preserving the community’s quality of life.
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Economic Vitality: Strategically located in the Pacific Rim, between SeaTac Airport and
the Port of Tacoma, Federal Way provides jobs as an international and regional retail and
employment center. Federal Way is home to several corporate headquarters and regional
headquarters such as Kiewit Bridge and Marine. There is also a growing medical services
sector that includes St. Francis Hospital, Virginia Mason Hospital, Group Health
Cooperative, Total Renal Care Inc (Davita), and Children’s Hospital. Companies choose
Federal Way for its sense of neighborhood identity, mix of housing stock, proximity to
natural resources (mountains, oceans, and waterways), and safety. The growth in the
corporate headquarters and medical services segment of the economy has netted
economic spinoffs for Federal Way’s small business community, as small business
provides support services for these companies. Growth in the small business economy
has generated some redevelopment of previously large retail warehouse facilities to
accommodate office, retail, and light manufacturing. Quality jobs have boosted
disposable income, supporting expansion of Federal Way’s retail and commercial sectors.
The resulting enhancements to the community’s tax base have helped to support a high
quality of community life.
Efficient Transportation System: Federal Way’s transportation system links
neighborhoods with the City Center, and Federal Way with other communities in the
Puget Sound region. Concentrated economic growth in East and West Campus and the
City Center has allowed mass transit to connect Federal Way’s economic core with the
economic and leisure hubs of Puget Sound communities. Concentrated growth has
allowed the community to maintain the infrastructure in outlying areas, focusing new
infrastructure in the City Center. Selective investment in emerging transportation
technologies optimize safety and reduce delays. Bicycling improvements provide a range
of route alternatives for a variety of skill levels. Sidewalk improvements provide safer
passage to schools, parks, and shopping. Multi-use trails connect parks and community
centers to provide increased recreational opportunities and convenient non-motorized
transportation.
Safety, Infrastructure, and Utilities: This issue has been addressed at the neighborhood
level, where community-based policing philosophies and citizen efforts to create a sense
of neighborhood with real and perceived safety are most effective. Professional and
compassionate law enforcement communicates clearly with the community’s diverse
populations and business community, providing a visible community presence, as well as
acceptable emergency call response times. Improvements in safety have been a
cornerstone for the community’s economic and residential growth. The utility and fire
districts share this community vision and have targeted their efforts and resources to
continue to provide effective and efficient delivery of water, sewer, telephone, television,
power, and fire services. Increased coordination between these districts and the City, and
these districts and their regional counter-parts, has ensured adequate service expansion to
make the community’s development vision a reality.
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Caring for Our Own: Governmental and social service agencies work in concert to
provide a caring and safe environment for all Federal Way citizens. Ever-improving
educational institutions, public and private, serve all interests and ages throughout the
community. Neighborhoods have joined with the schools in their area to improve student
achievement, school facilities, and resources. Strong educational institutions and the
leadership of the Federal Way School District, Highline Community College, and DeVry
University have contributed to the community’s economic growth, providing a trained
work force and quality education for the families of employees who locate here. The City
has been the catalyst for creating a one-stop center for human services, affordable
housing, neighborhood services, and related programs to serve low- and moderate-
income residents of the City. The City works in partnership with non-profit service
providers and residents to support economic empowerment and self-sufficiency for all
households in Federal Way.
Quality Culture, Environment, and Play: Parks, trails, sports, urban agriculture, and
cultural arts facilities cater to the active lifestyle of Federal Way citizens. By partnering
with the Federal Way School District and other agencies, the community has developed a
long-range plan for facilities, parks, and services. This partnership is yielding more and
better facilities, and greater joint facility utilization than any one agency could provide
alone. A performing arts and events center (PAEC) has been built and serves the area’s
residents, business community and the greater region. Construction of the PAEC (Town
Center I), Town Square Park (Town Center II), shopping center (Town Center III), and
transit oriented development (Town Center IV) has positively affected the City Center by
attracting new businesses and stimulating redevelopment of existing sites (the Town
Center Concept is discussed in Chapter 7, City Center). This has resulted in a vibrant
downtown with attractions for all ages.
The Federal Way area is blessed with a bounty of natural beauty and scenery. This
bounty includes dramatic vistas of Mt. Rainier; numerous lakes, streams, and wetlands;
the pastoral setting in the Spring Valley area; and views of Puget Sound and Vashon
Island from the saltwater ridge. The City is committed to preserving this vast natural
resource for the citizens and future citizens of Federal Way.
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Regional Player: Finally, Federal Way institutions and citizens are regional partners and
participants in the economic, political, and cultural life of Puget Sound. This participation
has yielded funding opportunities for community facilities, including housing and human
services. Regional participation has crossed the seas with sister city relationships which
are supported by Federal Way citizens. These relationships have had significant cultural,
educational, and economic benefits for the community.
This vision demands bold actions and thoughtful choices. In order to grow gracefully,
and remain a healthy and desirable community, tomorrow’s higher density growth areas
must be accompanied by improved amenities for urban life. More resources will be
required to maintain the high quality of life we currently enjoy, thanks to our parks,
streets, and other public services. A combined effort of the public sector, neighborhood
groups, local churches, non-profit agencies such as the Multi-Service Center, businesses,
schools, and individual citizens will be required. The early and continuing cooperation
and collaboration of these groups in this process will ensure this vision will be realized.
GETTIN G TO THE FUTURE FROM THE PRESENT
The FWCP is intended to manage growth and change in Federal Way over the next 20
years. The future described in the FWCP cannot be achieved all at once. Over the life of
the FWCP, growth will likely occur more slowly at times, more rapidly at others, and in
somewhat different patterns and sequences than is currently foreseen. An effective
comprehensive plan must be flexible enough to succeed within a range of likely
conditions and must be adjusted as those conditions are monitored and evaluated, while
maintaining a steady aim at its ultimate goals.
HOW WILL THE PLAN BE IMPLEMENTED?
A comprehensive plan is the first step toward realizing the City’s vision. The vision is
achieved when the comprehensive plan is implemented. Federal Way’s implementation
program is comprised of a combination of short-term and long-term actions. Short-term
actions include the approval of comprehensive plan amendments and rezones that match
the FWCP’s vision. Other actions include the annual update of the City’s six year Capital
Improvement Program, which describes the street, park, and surface water utility projects
the City intends to build. There are also long-term actions including subarea planning,
monitoring, evaluating, and amending the FWCP as conditions change; and developing a
capital investment program that allocates resources to projects that will spur the City’s
development in the direction envisioned in the FWCP.
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Subarea Plans: Adoption of subarea plans such as the City Center and the Twin Lakes
Commercial Subarea Plans will tailor the FWCP’s citywide perspective to individual
areas, whether they are neighborhood retail nodes or light manufacturing areas. Subarea
plans are expected to continue to aid in adjusting and fine-tuning the FWCP over time.
Coordination with Other Jurisdictions: Federal Way representatives have participated
with King County, other cities, Sound Transit, and the Puget Sound Regional Council in
numerous discussions on various issues such as how to accommodate projected housing
and employment and how to provide transportation opportunities for citizens.
Undoubtedly, continued regional planning forums will need to be created to meet the
GMA’s challenge for regional action toward creating, implementing, and funding a
shared vision for the greater Puget Sound region.
Regulatory Provisions: Implementing the FWCP will include continuing to modify
existing regulations and draft new regulations consistent with the policies and goals of
the FWCP. In recent years, the City has taken proactive steps to streamline regulations in
order retain existing businesses and to attract new ones.
A Strategic Investment Strategy: This will describe a framework for making resource
allocation decisions in an environment where wants and needs always exceed the finite
resources available. Tradeoffs among many possible investment choices will be made to
achieve the FWCP’s goals. The framework will add dimension to the FWCP’s goals by
enabling them to be addressed over time. The City of Federal Way is investing in its future
by maintaining and improving its infrastructures city-wide and building the Town Square
Park and the PAEC in the City Center to attract and foster economic development.
Human Services, Public Safety, and Environmental Planning: These will continue to
build upon the foundation established by the FWCP. Much of the FWCP, as developed to
fulfill the GMA, addresses physical development and its related regulatory and fiscal
support. Federal Way works with other levels of government, non-profit providers, and
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citizen groups to support an array of activities and services that contribute to the quality
of life of Federal Way’s citizens. These include public safety; health, cultural,
educational, and environmental activities; and human services. To ensure that the
interrelationships of all aspects of urban life are addressed, planning will be undertaken
by the City in a way that is supportive of and coordinated with the FWCP. For example,
the City is in the initial stages of designating an area in the vicinity of South 288th Street
and Military Road as a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA). This
designation would allow the City to invest in housing, economic development, and other
community resources over a five to ten year period to build from existing neighborhood
strengths and fill existing gaps.
Monitoring and Evaluation: This will be done periodically to assess progress toward
achieving FWCP goals, as well as to measure the conditions and changes occurring
within the City. Monitoring and evaluation will help ensure consistency within and
among the FWCP chapters, as well as with the GMA, VISION 2040, the CWPPs, and
county and regional growth plans. Monitoring and evaluation will lead to both FWCP
amendments and improved ability to project future conditions.
Citizen Participation: The City will continue to build upon the dialogue between
government and citizens that began with the development and adoption of the FWCP in
1995. The City will strive to find improved means to communicate with, and involve
citizens in planning and decision-making such as the Mayor’s Neighborhood Connection
Meetings started in 2014, and engaging in social media. The City will strive to provide
information that can be easily understood and to provide access for public involvement.
This will include processes for making amendments to and implementing the FWCP.
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APPLICATION OF THE P LAN
The principal purpose of the comprehensive plan is to provide policies that guide the
development of the City in the context of regional growth management. These policies
can be looked to by citizens and all levels of government in planning for the future of
Federal Way.
The FWCP format generally presents a discussion about an issue followed by a goal, and
some policies related to that goal. Goals describe what the City hopes to realize over
time, and are not mandates or guarantees. Policies describe actions that will need to be
taken if the City is to realize its goals. Policies should be read as if preceded by the
words, “It is the City’s general policy to….” A policy helps guide the creation or change
of specific rules or strategies (such as development regulations, budgets, or subarea plans.
Implementation of most policies involves a range of City actions over time, so one cannot
simply ask whether a specific action or project would fulfill a particular FWCP policy.
For example, a policy that the City will “give priority to” a particular need indicates that
need will be treated as important, not that it will take precedence in every City decision.
Some policies use the words “shall” or “should,” “ensure” or “encourage,” and so forth.
In general, such words describe the relative degree of emphasis that the policy imparts,
but not necessarily to establish specific legal duty to perform a particular act, to
undertake a program or project, or to achieve a specific result. Whether such a result is
intended must be determined by reading the policy as a whole, and by examining the
context of other related policies in the FWCP.
Some policies may appear to conflict, particularly in the context of a specific fact
situation or viewed from the different perspectives of persons whose interests may
conflict on a given issue. A classic example is the “conflict” between policies calling for
“preservation of the environment” and policies that “promote economic development.”
Because FWCP policies do not exist in isolation and must be viewed in the context of all
potentially relevant policies, it is largely in the application of those policies that the
interests, which they embody, are reconciled and balanced by the legislative and
executive branches of City government.
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN A MENDMENT PROCESS
The City will update the FWCP annually in order to keep this document current with the
community’s vision and the City Council’s policy direction. Individual requests for site-
specific comprehensive plan amendments will be considered during the annual update
process. In addition, the City will undertake a major comprehensive plan update every
eight years or as otherwise mandated by the GMA.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The City Council and staff thank the citizens who have made the major comprehensive
plan update a success. We look forward to working with you and others over the coming
years to make your vision Federal Way’s future.