Planning Comm MINS 05-06-1998 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Peter Morse, Lu Joslin, Todd Suchan, Dean
Greenough, and Karen Kirkpatrick. Commissioner absent: Tim Carr. Staff present: Senior
Planner Margaret Clark, Traffic Engineer Rick Perez, Contract Planner Nancy Ryan, and
Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Clark updated the commission on the status of various past amendments. The
Environmentally Sensitive Areas Amendments are on hold pending a wetland inventory.
Enchanted Parks is now part of the city. The Shoreline amendments soon goes to the LUTC.
When the Comprehensive Plan Amendments are done, the next issue before the commission will
be the Residential Design Guidelines.
Ms. Clark gave the commission an update on current projects. Weyerhaeuser is doing quite a few
projects, some of which are office buildings. The Applewood Annexation as been withdrawn.
SeaTac Village is being redeveloped. The following projects are close to obtaining building
permits: Walmart, Waremart, Marriott Hotel, and Holiday Inn.
COMMISSION BUSINESS - Comprehensive Plan Amendments
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:15 p.m. Ms. Clark gave the staff report. She noted that a
complete copy of the SEPA determination is available for review at City Hall. There have been
some changes since the Comp Plan Amendments were mailed. Ms. Clark passed out a handout of
those changes. One major change was that Pro Refrigeration (Site Specific Request #2) was
withdrawn. A second was that Quadrant requested that the commission add their site specific
request. Mr. Perez noted that there are changes to the Transportation Chapter. These changes will
be mailed with the next agenda packet.
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
May 6, 1998 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Commission
May 6, 1998 2
The Comprehensive Plan Amendments consist of updates to various chapters, the official
Comprehensive Plan Map (including site specific requests), and Federal Way City Code Chapters
20 and 22 (in order to reflect the comp plan changes). All outside agencies (Lakehaven Utility
District, Federal Way School District, TCI, Puget Sound Energy, etc.) currently included in the
comp plan were given an opportunity to update their portion. The commission decided to deal
with the site specific requests first, then go into the chapters. With that in mind, Ms. Clark gave a
quick explanation of each site specific request.
The Public Testimony was opened at 7:40 p.m.
Donald Barovic, 35429 Pacific Hwy South - Regarding Site Specific Request #6. He
was very upset. He complained that the church next to his property had cut down trees,
built a trail, and lowered the berm (which they are not maintaining) all without
obtaining permits. He claimed that his property had been down zoned some five times
since he (along with a limited partnership) purchased it. The city had sent a biologist
(from Adolfson and Associates) to survey the property for wetlands. Mr. Barovic
claimed the biologist spent only 30 minutes on the property and one of the identified
wetlands resulting from this survey is really no more than a mud puddle. It appeared to
be a wetland only because the land is currently saturated. In regards to sewer
availability, he has a letter from Lakehaven stating that grinder pumps would be an
acceptable alternative. He feels that his land is being taken without compensation. He
feels that the various state, county, and city agencies he has dealt with (and/or have
dealt with him) have made false promises and/or decisions detrimental to him and his
limited partnership. In light of this, he has prepared a sign stating, “Notice - No federal,
state or local license and/or authority will be recognized for intruding and/or
trespassing.” He wants cluster zoning. He wants to take a small portion of the property
and cluster zone it. He would then be willing to donate the rest to the city for a public
park. He claimed that no one from the city has been willing to discuss his plans for the
property.
Jerry Hillis, 1221 2nd Ave, 500 Galland Bldg, Seattle - Representing Weyerhaeuser,
regarding Site Specific Requests #1, 3, and 4. He feels the staff report is thorough and
accurate. Weyerhaeuser plans to develop town homes on request #1 (it is currently
outside the city limits, but inside the PAA). For requests #3 and 4 (#3 is currently
outside the city limits, but inside the PAA, and #4 is inside the city limits) they feel
single family would be better because of the nearby wetlands. Sewer will be provided
and will be sized to handle the proposed development.
Mr. Lovegren requested that discussion his request (Site Specific Request #7) be postponed until
the commission’s next meeting so that his nephew could be present. The commission agreed.
Discussion was held on the Weyerhaeuser requests. Concern was expressed over limiting access
to 320th. Currently, the proposal is for one development with limited access. It was m/s/c
(unanimous) to accept the staff recommendation for Site Specific Requests #1, 3, and 4.
Planning Commission
May 6, 1998 3
Site Specific Request #5 (Waremart) was discussed. There are two wetlands on the site that do
not constrain development. Discussion was held as to why the zoning needs be changed from BN
to BC. The commission requested copies of the concomitant agreement. The staff will research
why the zoning needs to be changed. Discussion will continue at the next meeting.
Site Specific Request #6 (Barovic) was discussed. Mr. Barovic stated that he could bring in a
more detailed idea of what he wants to do with the property. He invited the commission to visit
his property. The commission agreed to postpone further discussion until the next meeting. It was
noted that if the city changed his zoning, it could be seen as spot zoning. Staff will research what
can be done on the site.
The Public Testimony was closed at 9:15 p.m. It was m/s/c to continue the public hearing to May
20, 1998, in the City Hall Council Chambers.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Greenough state that he will not be in attendance at the May 20, 1998, meeting.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
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