Planning Comm MINS 06-18-1997 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan(Chair), Dean Greenough, Diana Noble-Gulliford, and
Tim Carr. Commissioners absent: Peter Morse, Todd Suchan, and Lu Joslin. Staff present:
Deputy Director Kathy McClung, Senior Planner Greg McCormick, and Administrative Assistant
E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was m/s/c to approve the minutes of June 4, 1997
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung informed the commission that changes had been made to the Downtown Parking
Code Revisions that had been sent back to the Land Use/Transportation Committee. The City
Council adopted the changes. A copy will be forthcoming.
The concern was raised as to whether it was legal for the City Council to accept new information
on an issue that the Planning Commission held a public hearing. Ms. McClung stated that as far
as she knew, there is no problem, however, there is recent legislation which requires the City
Council hold and advertise a public hearing on the matter if they are going to substantially alter
the original recommendation.
The Land Use/Transportation Committee will be holding a special study session on the
Nonconformace Code Amendments on July 7, 1997, at 7:30 in Council Chambers.
COMMISSION BUSINESS - Subdivision Code Amendment - cont
Chair Vaughan opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m.
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
June 18, 1997 City Hall
7:00 pm Council Chambers
Planning Commission
June 18, 1997 2
Public Testimony was opened at 7:21 p.m.
Mark Freitas, 33516 - 9th Avenue South, Bldg 5, Federal Way - He complimented
staff for their work. These are needed changes that will make development in Federal
Way easier. He strongly agreed that the number of lots requiring a long subdivision be
raised from five to ten. He suggested the city consider including commercial development
in the Planned Residential Development (PRD) regulations. Also suggested the name be
changed to Planned Unit Development or just Planned Development. Requested the city
consider averaging buffers within the PRD because 30 feet is too restrictive. Requested
the city use appraisal evaluation instead of assessed evaluation because appraisals are
more like reality. Encouraged the city to use the administrative review process as much as
possible.
Sam Pace, Seattle/King County Association of Realtors - Presented the commission
with a letter. The association is supportive of the work that has been done. Asked the city
to consider if for subdivisions of 10-30 lots, would it make sense to limit the right to
demand a public hearing to the city and adjacent property owners as opposed to anyone.
In regards to title reports, asked if the city would accept a report over 90 days old if it was
accompanied with a supplement. Concerned that an unacceptable title report may be used
to deny a project. Questioned if the issue of leap frog development is just theoretical and
if so, is concerned the solution may not fit an actual problem and may generate
unintended consequences that may be worse than the problem. Supports allowing
commercial within the PRD, buffering averaging, and lot size averaging. Concerned the
15 percent of value for open space fee-in-lieu payment may be too arbitrary. Discussed
housing capacity and that Federal Way does not have enough.
Public Testimony was closed at 7:40 p.m.
Ms. McClung responded to some of the concerns raised during the Public Testimony. The city
uses assessed evaluation and appraisal evaluation in order to give developers a choice. It has been
the city’s experience that results are similar. The city would accept an older title report with a
supplement. It is not the city’s intention to use the title report to deny projects. They are being
requested to insure that the property owner is aware of the proposed project and to identify any
possible problems so that they may be dealt with early in the process. Leap frog development has
not occurred in the city, but staff have dealt with it in other jurisdictions and wish to be proactive
in this area. In regards to adding commercial development to the PRD, there would need to be
additional public notice given (14 days before the meeting) that such a move was being
considered.
The commission received two letter from Bob Scholes on this issue (both are dated June 18,
1997). Ms. McClung requested that the commission continue the public hearing so that the staff
and the commission may have time to consider the issues raised in these letters.
Planning Commission
June 18, 1997 3
It was m/s/c that open space dedications shall not apply to resubdivided parcels if the dedication
was previously met. It was m/s/c that the city allow for the administrative alteration of the open
space category percentage requirements by the parks director on a case-by-case basis based on
the stated criteria. It was m/s/c that in the PRD, emphasis shall be placed on adding as much
improved “active” open space as possible (“active” being such items as basketball courts, trails,
tennis courts, etc.).
It was m/s/c to accept the staff recommendation for measuring lot width and setting setbacks for
flag (panhandle) lots. It was m/s/c to change the title of Planned Residential Development (PRD)
to Planned Unit Development (PUD). On page 4, Section 20-308 of the PUD, staff will research
whether this should be 120 days. On page 9, Section 20-327(b), strike Planning Commission and
add Hearing Examiner. Section 20-327(c), should be 10 days. It was m/s/c that the PUD process
not be more cumbersome than the subdivision process.
It was m/s/c to continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission meeting of August 6,
1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Vaughn will be on vacation June 26 through July 10. Commissioner Carr will be
on vacation July 23 through August 4.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 9:37 p.m.
061897.SUM