Planning Comm MINS 10-15-1997 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Dean Greenough, Peter Morse and Karen
Kirkpatrick. Commissioners absent: Lu Joslin, Todd Suchan and Tim Carr. Staff present: Deputy
Director of Community Development Services Kathy McClung, Contract Planner Don Largen,
and Administrative Assistant Sandy Lyle.
Chair Vaughn called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was m/s/c to approve the minutes of October 1, 1997.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung introduced the newest member of the Planning Commission, Karen Kirkpatrick.
She was been provided background on sensitive areas as well as the general rules of the
procedure of the Commission. Welcome, Karen.
Dyann Sheldon of Sheldon and Associates recommended substantial changes in the draft
Sensitive Areas code amendments. Because of the changes, the Commission was not provided
information to either review or discuss.
It was reported that the Celebration Park project is almost ready for permitting. Updates were
also provided on Wireless facilities, the Mall and the progress of the three proposed Federal Way
hotels.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Commissioners decided to elect officers at the November 19, 1997, meeting. They hoped to
have the full Commission in attendance at that meeting and committed themselves to contacting
absent members to guarantee full attendance.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas Code Updates - continued.
Don Largen stated that he received very good feedback and based new code materials on the
information he collected. He had collaborated with Dyann Sheldon and agreed that several
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
October 15, 1997 City Hall
7:00 pm Council Chambers
Planning Commission
October 15, 1997 2
technical changes still needed to be made in the code amendments. He recommended that
Commissioners wait to discuss the latest changes until such time as they had the opportunity to
read them over carefully and understand them better.
The public hearing was reconvened at 7:20pm.
Sue Burgermeister, 1103 West Meeker Street, Suite C, Kent - Ms. Burgermeister is a
Wetland Scientist who has done many projects in Federal Way. She commended the city for
delaying further discussions on the Sensitive Areas code amendments until all Commissioners
were more informed on wetlands issues.
The public hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m.
Dyann Sheldon spoke briefly about some of the deficiencies of the draft Sensitive Areas code
amendments. One of those deficiencies was mitigation and its various issues. The City does not
currently allow wetlands mitigation so no wetlands are required to be replaced in the
development process. The GMA does not specifically allow wetlands mitigation.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
101597.SUM