Planning Comm MINS 04-02-1997 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughn (Chair), Dean Greenough, Peter Morse,and Tim Carr. Commissioners absent: Diana Noble-
Gulliford, Todd Suchan, and Lu Joslin. Staff present: CDS Deputy Director Kathy McClung, Don Largen of McConnell Burke
Consultants, and Administrative Assistant Sandy Lyle.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment on items not included in the agenda.
4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Deputy Director of Community Development Services Kathy McClung reported that the Council passes the HB 1724
Amendments. Council Member Watkins requested that three changes be made. The first involved particular uses in residential
zones. It would be appropriate that residents abutting and close to such projects be notified of the pending change. Second,
appeals of cell phone towers should be directed to the City Council rather than to the Court. And, third, per Mayor Skip
Priest, there should be some reduction of some repetitious language, especially as it pertains to design guidelines.
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Hearing (con’t) re: Downtown Parking - There was some reluctance among Commission members to reduce the
number of downtown parking stalls. After discussion they agreed that the increase to one parking stall per 350 GFA was not a
great change. So m/s/c. No parking maximums were established. Since nothing no change was recommended, existing code
prevails. The Commission m/s/c allowing property owners to reduce on-site parking by contributing to a City fund for on-
street parking when adjacent streets are classified for that use. The Committee agreed that property owners could reduce the
number of parking spaces upon documentation of a traffic demand management plan. They unanimously agreed that parking
structures in the downtown should be encouraged within the maximum height limits (including bonuses) as listed in the
existing code. It was m/s/c to accept the staff recommendation on shared parking in the downtown using the proposed
language on pages 8 and 9, items 1 through 5 with one amendment to drop the “d” on page 7.
Public Hearing re: Essential Public Facilities - The definition of Essential Public Facilities was discussed. Also discussed
were review processes and evaluation criteria. The Commission unanimously decided to accept all staff recommendations
regarding the language used in the proposed amendments of essential public facilities with the exception that “airports” be
included as a transportation facility. The vote on that issue was split two to two. Therefore, the definition must go to Council
for decision.
6. OTHER ITEMS
There was no other business.
7. FUTURE MEETINGS/AGENDAS
The next meeting of the Planning Commission will take place on April 16, 1997. The topic is the Non-Conforming Chapter.
That discussion may take two or more meetings. Rather than conduct the meetings as a public hearing, there will be a
workshop format. The Committee was asked to ponder at what point a property owner should be compelled to bring a
property up to Code.
8. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40pm.
K:\COMMON.AD\ADMIN1\PLANCOM\040297.SUM
• City of Federal Way City Council
Planning Commission
April 2, 1997 City Hall
7:00pm Council Chambers