Planning Comm MINS 03-04-2009
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CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 4, 2009 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Merle Pfeifer, Hope Elder, Lawson Bronson, Wayne Carlson, Tom Medhurst, Sarady
Long, and Tim O’Neil. Commissioners absent: none. Staff present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Traffic
Engineer Rick Perez, Assistant City Attorney Peter Beckwith, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Pfeifer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of February 18, 2009, were approved as written.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Clark informed the Commission that the Churches and Adult Family Homes Code Amendments went
to second reading at last night’s City Council meeting. They will become effective March 12, 2009. The
RV’s in Residential Zones and Construction Hours Code Amendments went to the Land Use/Transportation
Committee (LUTC) on March 2, 2009. They requested that the RV code amendment include language that
the applicant is making a “good faith effort” to repair their home. The amendments were forwarded for first
reading at the March 17, 2009, City Council meeting. At that meeting, the LUTC also recommended
adoption of the 2009 Planning Commission Work Program. In addition, they recommended that the City
Council approve funding for Planning Consultants. The Work Program will also be on the March 17, 2009,
City Council agenda.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION – City Center Access Study
Mr. Perez delivered the staff report. In order to enhance access to and circulation within the City Center,
the City of Federal Way seeks to improve safety and reduce congestion on the transportation network. The
City of Federal Way, in conjunction with its project partners WSDOT, FHWA, PSRC, and the additional
supporting agencies (the “Core Support Team”) performed a feasibility study with a Public Stakeholder
Team. The study was to determine viable solutions to the safety issues and the congestion at the
interchange of South 320th Street and I-5 (access to Federal Way City Center). Beginning in 2003, there
have been ongoing opportunities for the public to provide feedback. These opportunities include recent
public open houses that drew between 100 to 200 attendees in April and November 2008, as well as at
briefings for interested community groups. Eventually two alternatives were developed: Alternative One,
North City Center and Alternative Two, South City Center. Both the Core Support Team and Public
Stakeholder Team voted 100% to recommend Alternative One, North City Center.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 4, 2009
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Alternative One modifies freeway ramps from South 320th Street to South 312th Street. It includes dual exit
ramps and on-ramps with freeway exit and entry point at one location. Alternative One will add a new
overpass at South 312th Street and will widen South 312th Street between 23rd Avenue South and 32nd
Avenue South. It goes past Steel Lake Park and will require a strip of land from the north Steel Lake Park
and from the south Steel Lake Park. The City of Federal Way is closely coordinating their work on the City
Center Access Project with the requirements of two federal regulations that protect park resources. These
regulations are Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Section 6(f) of the Land
and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. Steel Lake Park meets the criteria for a Section 4(f) resource
because it is a significant public park. Only the south side of Steel Lake Park meets the criteria for Section
6(f) because the soccer fields on this property were developed and renovated with funds from a Land and
Water Conservation grant.
The project will identify and evaluate options for pedestrian enhancements along South 312th Street and
connection improvements between the north and south sides of the park. It will be designed to modify or
reduce the project footprint in order to avoid Steel Lake Park where possible. The project will follow
National Park Service policies and provide replacement property of equal value, location, and usefulness
for land acquired from south Steel Lake Park. Discussions need to be held on existing Steel Lake Park
issues and potential impacts including: recreation use (field #5); parking and vehicle access; and pedestrian
access/crossings. The next steps include presenting work items at the Core Team and Public Stakeholder
Team meetings for comments; screening mitigation concepts by the work group after open house
comments; screening replacement properties from six to three to present at open house for comments; and
on March 10, 2009, the work group choosing the final mitigation plan and two replacement properties for
the appraisal work.
Commissioner Elder commented that she has been involved in this project since its beginning and asked
were the funding is coming from. Mr. Perez responded that currently from City funds. This stage is
expected to cost $3 million. The City has spent about $1½ million so far. There will be several
construction phases and the City has submitted for grant funding. Commissioner Elder commented that one
reason she is concerned about the funding is that the skateboard park went over its anticipated budget
because of unforeseen issues due to the water table and now you are considering an underground tunnel.
Another concern is whether this will take funds away from the Triangle project. Mr. Perez responded that
the Triangle project is the City’s top emphasis, with the City Center Access second. The City Center
Access seeks different funds.
Commissioner Elder expressed concern that a person may build along 312th without knowing about this
project and they could lose some of their land because of it. Mr. Perez responded that the City informs
people of such projects when they apply for a permit. He also commented that it may be 10 to 20 years
before the City has the funds to proceed and purchase property.
Commissioner Elder also expressed her concern that the project not take any usage away from Steel Lake
Park. Commissioner Carlson stated if park modifications are done, the City should take the opportunity to
upgrade the parking. The south side of the park needs enough parking to accommodate eight teams. Mr.
Perez responded that the City is considering the need for access across 312th for those parking on the other
side of the park.
Commissioner Medhurst asked what is the square footage or acreage of the park that will be impacted. Mr.
Perez responded that 4/10 on an acre on the south side and 1½ acre on the north side will be impacted.
Commissioner O’Neil asked where replacement land would come from for the park and what about bicycle
lanes. Mr. Perez responded the City is considering replacement land from the Lauralwood wetland or
property next to Celebration Park. The project provides an opportunity of good bike access to 312th Street.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 March 4, 2009
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Commissioner Bronson commented that there is no indication of the HOV lanes on 317th; what impact will
this project have? Mr. Perez commented that he has spoken to the Department of Transportation about
them and no changes are proposed for the direct access on 317th. It is the most successful direct access
ramp in the state and they expect the volume of use will increase over time even with future construction.
Commissioner Bronson stated that for better understanding of the project, the direct access ramp should be
included on maps of this project.
Chair Pfeiffer asked what kind of land can be used for the park replacement land. Mr. Perez responding it
must be in-kind; wetland for wetland, ball field for ball field, etc.
The study session was closed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.