Planning Comm MINS 11-19-1997 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, Contract Planner Dyanne Sheldon and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughn called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was m/s/c to approve the minutes of October 15, 1997.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung informed the commission that Senior Planner Margaret Clark will attend the
December 3 meeting to give a report on the Enchanted Park Annexation. The commission will
have an opportunity to comment. If the commission finishes the Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Code Updates this evening, the meeting of December 3 will consist of Ms. Clark’s report, an
update on the code amendments the commission has worked on this year, and an end-of-the-year
dinner. The comprehensive plan revisions will be coming to the commission in January.
COMMISSION BUSINESS - Environmentally Sensitive Areas Code Updates - con’t
The public hearing was reconvened at 7:10 p.m. Public testimony was opened at 7:10 p.m.
Sue Burgermeister, 1103 W Meeker #C, Kent - She is disappointed with the
revisions. She provided the commission with written comments. She is concerned
with buffer widths, feeling they should be smaller than proposed. Presented an
overhead that showed how much land buffers take up. If a 2600 wetland is
classified as class 1, it is possible the buffer would be 14½ times larger than the
wetland. She disagreed with the proposed flexibility of buffers; it creates an
adversarial condition between staff and developers.
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
November 19, 1997 City Hall
7:00 pm Council Chambers
Planning Commission
November 19, 1997 2
Tony Roth, 310 Waterfront Bldg, Edmonds- He is a certified wetland scientist.
He read a prepared statement. Regulations should be complex to deal with a
complex issue. The proposed classification system is not complex enough. Buffers
in excess of 50 feet do not provide more protection to the wetland. They do offer
habitat to animals.
John Miller, 1716 W Marine View Dr, Everett - He supports previous
comments. The definition lacks a definition of man-made wetlands (i.e.,
stormwater detention/retention facilities). The classification system is too simple.
He suggested the city use function, rather than size, as classification criteria.
Buffers should be smaller. The proposal has less protection for streams then for
wetlands; it should be the other way around. Vesting is not addressed.
Ilene Marcx, 34915 4th Avenue South, Federal Way - From the Hylebos
Wetlands. The wetlands have only a 100 foot buffer and she feels it needs at least
200 in order to properly protect them. She has talked to people all over the country
who have suggested buffers for important wetlands should be 300 feet, due to
their experiences. The city is getting over built and our lakes and wildlife need to
be protected.
Susan Heikkala, PO Box 130, Bellevue - Supports the first three speakers.
Proposed buffers are extensive. Federal Way is responsible to balance
environment with growth. The option to reduce buffers is a hard burden to put on
staff. Clear standards are better.
The public testimony was closed at 7:55. Ms. Sheldon commented on the testimony. The number
of classification stages does not matter; what is important is how they are designed. Using
wetland function as criteria is extremely complex and would be difficult to write into the code.
She worked on the study that was used to cite that buffers over 50 feet do not increase protection
to wetlands. The study was based on information at the time, which has since changed. It is now
known that buffers of 100 feet or more contribute to the hydrology of the wetland. Without such
a large buffer, it is possible the wetland could dry up. They also protect the wetland from human
and domestic animal intrusions. Also, wetlands are tributaries to streams and providing them
with larger buffers also protect the streams. She was the one who designed smaller buffers.
Science has improved since then and she now recommends larger buffers. She commented that
flexibility gives the staff and developer a chance to work out a pragmatic solution.
The commission discussed these various issues. It was noted that the city already has vesting
procedures in place and regulations that exclude stormwater facilities. It was suggested that
extraordinary wetlands be given additional protection.
The public hearing was continued to December 3, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Planning Commission
November 19, 1997 3
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Elections for officer were held. Robert Vaughan was re-elected chair and Peter Morse was
elected vice-chair.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
111997.SUM