Planning Comm MINS 09-03-1997 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Lu Joslin, Dean Greenough, Peter Morse, and
Tim Carr. Commissioners absent: Todd Suchan. Staff present: Deputy Director of CDS Kathy
McClung, Contract Planner Don Largen, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was m/s/c to approve the minutes of July 30 and August 20, 1997.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung announced the Senior Planner Greg McCormick has accepted the position of
Community Development Director for the City of Maple Valley. His last day at Federal Way will
be September 12, 1997. She also stated that Building Official Dick Mumma has resigned in order
to start his own consulting business.
COMMISSION BUSINESS - Environmentally Sensitive Areas Code Updates
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Largen presented the staff report. The staff
reviewed four areas: a wetland classification system; review of techniques for flexible sensitive
area buffers; stream definitions relative to artificial watercourses; and general review relative to
regulatory reform. Discussion was held on Federal Way’s current buffer requirements and the
proposed classification system. It was noted that Federal Way has only a partial inventory of
wetlands. The public testimony was opened at 7:45 p.m.
Paul Noyes, 31327 - 10th Place SW - Owns land on 312th that borders a wetland. Two
sides of the wetland have buffers of 25 feet, one side (along 312th) has no buffer, and
his has a buffer of 100 feet. The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Code Updates do not
address this situation. It is unfair that one little piece should be required to have a 100
foot buffer.
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
September 3, 1997 City Hall
7:00 pm Council Chambers
Planning Commission
September 3, 1997 2
Bob Griebenow, 29254 - 12th Place South - Represents the Chamber of Commerce.
Gave written comments. Feels the updates have good concepts. The city needs a map of
where all wetlands of Federal Way are located and what effect they have on
development. Planning Commission should know what the proposed wetland categories
look like. Suggested they go on a field trip to view different wetlands. The commission
needs a feel for wetlands in order to write code. The commission needs to understand
the effect of buffering and the developer’s point of view. Suggested the commission
consider mitigation banking (create a new wetland elsewhere to replace one spoiled by
development) and fee-in-lieu (give city money to be used to enhance or maintain a
wetland in another area to replace one spoiled by development). He asked the staff if
the recommended proposed classification system would move wetlands up into class 2,
and if so, how many? Staff replied that it would likely include more quality wetlands.
He spoke to the cost to taxpayers for protecting wetlands in Celebration Park. He asked
why staff is recommending the ability to increase buffer size. It is subjective and hard
on developers. A developer may plan on a buffer of a certain size, and the city may
increase it. Staff noted the increase would occur only if one of the factors noted was
present. He commented that if the city had a map with wetlands and their
classifications, a developer would know what to expect.
Monty Powell, 29607 - 8th Avenue South - He has lived in this area since 1961. He
owns property near the water treatment plant. He would like to see it keep as open
space, but there are some problems. The ordinance prevents them from dealing with the
degradation of the area. He as requested a specialist to come and speak to the
commission.
Ned Goldbrane, Seattle - Mr. Powell’s specialist, a licensed architect. The property
has a deep ravine. The watershed is full of long-time development, from which water is
piped down the ravine. The water is very oily and full of sediment. The pipe ends and
second pipe begins further down the ravine. During the last ten years the water has
eroded some eight to ten feet below the first pipe. Current buffer requirements prevent
corrective measures. They want to stair step the stream, even-out the slope to the
culvert, and have permanent access in order to maintain the site. Their intent is
environmental enhancement and protection, but they are precluded by the city’s
regulations. They would like language that allows for correction of these kinds of
situations. Ms. McClung replied that the city could make a few changes in the code that
would allow for corrections of this type. The commission requested that these changes
be added to the current process.
Monty Powell, 29607 - 8th Avenue South - He expressed his concern of fire danger.
There needs to be access into the area in case of fire.
Planning Commission
September 3, 1997 3
The public testimony was closed at 8:35. The commission discussed wetland classes (what they
are) as opposed to wetland classification. The staff was directed to add a reference as to where
wetland classes come from. Discussion was held on wetland sizes. Discussion was held on
including the ability for the director to reduce buffers and changing the category 3 buffer to 25
feet. The commission suggested that the director be given the ability to reduce buffers and that
category 3 buffers be reduced to 25 feet if the wetland is 2500 to 4000 square feet in area. Mr.
Largen remarked that mitigation banking and fee-in-lieu work best in large communities (there
really is not anywhere in Federal Way to create a new wetland) and we may not have the
scientific ability to create a category 1 or 2 wetland. It is possible to relocate a wetland on the
same site and the code already has provisions for this procedure.
All commissioners who are able will go on a field trip to look at wetlands on September 14. It
was m/s/c to continue the public hearing to August 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Joslin will not be here September 17 and October 1, 1997. Commissioner Morse
will not be here October 1, 1997.
Ms. McClung remarked that the telecommunications ordinance went to the City Council for first
reading. The LUTC had eliminated monopoles in residential zones.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
090397.SUM