Planning Comm MINS 02-20-2008
K:\Planning Commission\2008\Meeting Summary 02-20-08.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 20, 2008 City Hall
6:00 p.m. Dash Point Conference Room
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Hope Elder, Merle Pfeifer, Wayne Carlson, Bill Drake, Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, and Sarady
Long. Commissioners absent: None. Alternate Commissioners present: Kevin King and Tim O’Neal. Alternate
Commissioners absent: None. City Council present: Linda Kochmar and Dini Duclos. Staff present: Community Development
Services Director Greg Fewins, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, City Staff Attorney Monica Buck, and Administrative
Assistant E. Tina Piety.
ANNUAL DINNER
Chairwoman Elder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of January 16, 2008, as presented. The motion passed; no nays.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
Ms. Duclos said good-bye to the Commissioners. She commented on how much she has learned serving
on the Commission and how she will use that knowledge as a Council Member and member of the Land
Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
ELECTIONS
Commissioners Pfeifer and Elder were nominated for Chair. A roll call vote was held: Medhurst, abstain; Drake,
Pfeifer; Pfeifer, Pfeifer; Elder, Elder; Bronson, Pfeifer; Carlson, Pfeifer; and Long, Elder. Result was one abstain,
two for Commissioner Elder and four for Commissioner Pfeifer. Commissioner Pfeifer is the new Chair.
Commissioner Elder was nominated for Vice-Chair. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Elder is the new
Vice-Chair.
STUDY SESSION – Recap 2007 and 2008 Work Plan
Ms. Clark delivered the staff report. Projects completed in 2007 are: Flag Lots Code Amendment; 2006
Comprehensive Plan Update; Business Park (BP)/Commercial Enterprises Code Amendment; Zero Lot Line
Residential Development Code Amendment; Small Lot Detached Development Code Amendment; Increased Short
Plats from Four to Nine Lots; and Shoreline Master Program Update (which is currently being reviewed by the
Washington State Department of Ecology).
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 20, 2008
K:\Planning Commission\2008\Meeting Summary 02-20-08.doc
Projects started in 2007 but carried over to 2008 are: Clearing, Grading, and Tree Preservation Code Amendment
and SW 356th Sub-Area Plan (part of this year’s comprehensive plan update).
Projects planned for 2008 are:
Comprehensive Plan Update
Increase the maximum allowable height in the City Center-Core (CC-C) and City Center-Frame (CC-
F) zones
Increase the height in the Community Business (BC) and Neighborhood Business (BN) zones
Amend regulations related to the maximum 120 foot façade length
Reduce open space requirements in the CC-C and CC-F zones
Delete the maximum allowable density for senior housing in the BC zone
Amend Chapters 20 (Subdivisions) and 22 (Zoning) to incorporate Low Impact Development (LID)
techniques
Amend the code based on state law to allow day cares in any zoning district and re-examine home
occupation provisions for clarity and applicability in more unique situations (such as Adult Family
Homes)
Allow the Director of Community Development Services to determine the allowable hours for
construction on a case-by-case basis
Adopt regulations related to allowing cargo containers in commercial zones and research whether they
should be allowed in residential zones
Research whether churches should be allowed in all zones
Allow off-site signs for special events, such as performances at the Knutzen Theatre and Han Woo-Ri
Commissioner Drake requested that the presentation be emailed to Commissioners.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Ms. Clark reminded the Commissioners of the Short Course on Planning being offered in Fife tomorrow evening
(information had been emailed to Commissioners) Commissioner Drake will not be present at the April meeting.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.