Planning Comm MINS 10-07-2009
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CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 7, 2009 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Merle Pfeifer, Hope Elder, Sarady Long, Lawson Bronson, and Tim O’Neil.
Commissioners absent: Tom Medhurst (excused) and Wayne Carlson (excused). Staff present: Senior
Planner Margaret Clark, Associate Planner David Lee, Planning Manager Isaac Conlen, Assistant City
Attorney Peter Beckwith, and Administrative Assistant Tina Piety.
Chair Pfeifer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of September 16, 2009, were approved as written.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Conlen announced that Lawson Bronson was reappointed to a four year term last night by the city
council. We will hold elections for Planning Commission officers the first meeting in November. We will
meet November 4th.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING – Code Amendments to Personal Wireless Service Facilities (PWSF)
Mr. Lee delivered the staff presentation. The proposed amendments are intended to reduce redundant
language, remove sub-prioritization of location preferences, remove submittal requirements for
electromagnetic field (EMF) implementation reports, and remove the 10 year expiration period. Zoning
charts are also proposed to be modified to change the minimum review process from a Process III to a
Process II. One concern was expressed by a HAM radio operator and staff met with him to discuss his
concerns. He did not make a formal comment. One formal comment was made by RealComm Associates.
Staff met with representatives of RealComm Associates and as a result, incorporated some of their
concerns/suggestions into Exhibit A, Second Version. Staff requests the Commissioners base their
questions, comments, and any decision on Exhibit A, Second Version. Staff provided copies of Exhibit A,
Second Version and the email from RealComm Associates stating their acceptance of Exhibit A, Second
Version.
There was no public comment.
Commissioner Bronson asked if the PWSF regulations apply to HAM radio operators. Mr. Lee replied that
it does not apply to them. HAM radio operators are regulated by the FCC.
Commissioner O’Neil asked for clarification on what are the sub-prioritizations of locations. Mr. Lee
explained that under the current code there are five levels of site prioritization for where a PWSF may be
located. Those levels are: structures located in the BPA trail; existing broadcast, relay, and transmission
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 7, 2009
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towers; publicly used structures; appropriate business, commercial, and city center zoned sites; appropriate
public rights-of-way; and alternative location as approved by the Director of Community Development. Of
those levels, two have sub-priorities: appropriate business, commercial, and city center zoned sites; and
appropriate public rights-of-way. For example, under the appropriate public rights-of-way, the sub-
prioritization is a preferred order of street classifications (first principal arterial, then minor arterial, then
principal collector). Staff has concluded that the five main prioritized locations serve as adequate measures
to ensure that PWSFs are located appropriately.
Commissioner O’Neil asked how many PWSF applications has the city received. Mr. Lee replied that since
incorporation, the city has received 48 applications. Of those, 45 have been erected and 3 were approved,
but the applicants did not build them. Commissioner O’Neil asked if the proposed amendments were
modeled after other city’s regulations. Ms. Clark responded that when the regulations were first developed
in 1997, the consultant did research regulations from other cities. Staff felt that since the current proposed
amendments mainly streamline and simplify the process, it was not necessary to research regulations from
other cities.
Commissioner Long asked if the city has regulations specifying how many antennas may be placed on a
site. Mr. Lee replied that the city leaves that to the applicant to decide. Commissioner Long stated that the
current code requires that within six months the applicant shall submit a project implementation report that
provides cumulative field measurements of radio frequency (EMF) power densities of all antennas on their
site. How many applicants have submitted this report? He is concerned because of studies done in Europe
that show higher levels of cancer in areas near cell towers. Mr. Lee replied that few reports have been
submitted. Any applicant must first obtain approval from the FCC to site a tower. The city cannot deny an
applicant as long as they meet normal standards. In regards to Commissioner Long’s concern about cancer,
staff researched the issue and has found that a person must be standing directly in front of an antenna to be
effected. The research also stated that antennas are generally located higher then where people are likely to
be and are directed away from taller buildings Staff has included a Brief Technical Summary on PWSFs
with the staff report to address safety concerns related to EMFs and radio frequencies.
Commissioner Long asked if the city has design standards for cell towers. Mr. Lee replied that the city
requests the applicant to design the tower to blend into the existing environment as much as possible. The
city wants to achieve aesthetic harmony with the existing environment.
Chair Pfeifer commented that it would have been helpful to have pictures of cell towers. He asked where
setbacks are addressed. Mr. Lee replied they are addressed in 19.255.020(5)(b), top of page 7 of Exhibit A
Second Version.
Commissioner Bronson moved (and it was seconded) to forward the proposed amendments (Exhibit A,
Second Version) to the City Council for approval. The motion carried unanimously.
The public hearing was closed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 7, 2009
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ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.