Planning Comm MINS 06-03-1998 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Lu Joslin, Todd Suchan, Dean Greenough, and
Karen Kirkpatrick. Commissioner absent: Peter Morse and Tim Carr. Staff present: Senior
Planner Margaret Clark, Public Works Director Cary Roe, Traffic Engineer Rick Perez, and
Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of May 5, 1998, and May 20, 1998 were approved.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Clark reported that the Shoreline Amendment went to the LUTC Monday night. They had
some questions and staff will be responding to them. The Planning Commission Work Program
went to the City Council on Tuesday night. It was approved and will be presented to the
commission at the next meeting. The city received Weyerhaeuser’s two 10% annexation petitions
which correspond to Site Specific Requests #1 and 3.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
The commission discussed Commissioner Carr’s absences. Commission Suchan offered to call
him to discuss the commission’s concerns.
- Comprehensive Plan Amendments
The public hearing was reconvened at 7:15 p.m. and the Public Testimony was opened at 7:17
p.m.
Ms. Clark presented the staff report. She went over Mr. Schaadt’s request. The staff recommends
that no more requests be accepted for consideration. This recommendation includes the Quadrant
request. It is based on the LUTC’s direction to not accept any more requests. She remarked that
she had spoken to Mr. Schaadt and Quadrant and they had no objections. It was m/s/c (no nays)
to accept the staff recommendation.
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
June 3, 1998 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Commission
June 3, 1998 2
In regard to Mr. Barovic’s request (Site Specific Request #6) the change to RS 35.0 zoning does
not require a comprehensive plan designation change because the property already has the
comprehensive plan designation for RS 35.0. (Ms. Clark provided a chart of land use
classifications that listed the comprehensive plan designation and the corresponding zoning.) Mr.
Barovic can make an application to the city for a rezone through the city’s Process V.
Donald Barovic, 35429 Pacific Hwy South - He asked for clarification of what RS
35.0 means. He commented that his property was originally zoned for a higher density
and all he is requesting is to get that back. He asked for clarification of the city’s
meaning of cluster zoning. He then showed a picture of his concept of cluster zoning on
his property. He left feeling the commission had done nothing to help him.
It was m/s/c (no nays) to leave the comp plan designation as it is and to rescind the commission’s
earlier motion to change the zoning as it is outside their purview. The commission requested Ms.
Clark send Mr. Barovic a letter outlining how he can obtain a rezone through the city’s
permitting process.
Ms. Clark gave background information on the Lovegren request (Site Specific Request #7). The
commission had requested that the staff compare the city’s zoning to the nearby Pierce County
zoning. Ms. Clark presented the commission with a chart comparing Pierce County’s Mixed Use
District (MUD) with three City of Federal Way zoning classifications: Neighborhood Business
(BP), Community Business (BC), and Business Park (BP). Federal Way’s BP is most similar to
Pierce County’s MUD. The commission discussed the issue and it was m/s/c (no nays) to
recommend that the comprehensive plan designation be changed to Business Park (which
corresponds to BP zoning).
Leonard Schaadt, 1026 Bellevue Way, SE, Bellevue - Stated that he had come down
to withdraw his request. He did not comment earlier because he was late due to traffic.
He thanked the commission for listening to him at the last meeting.
The Public Testimony was closed at 8:15 p.m.
Mr. Perez gave his presentation on the Transportation Chapter. He remarked that many safety
problems are due to congestion and a number of the projects in the Transportation Improvement
Program and Capital Improvement Program are intended to address congestion. He then went
over the major changes in the Transportation Chapter.
For TP21 on page III-52, the commission noted that the sentence was poorly constructed; staff
will clarify. The commission requested that the term “multi-use path” (in TP21-d) be clarified
and made consisted with the term used on page III-32.
TP35 and TP36 on page III-53 were discussed. The commission that combining the two policies
weakens both. They would like TP35 left as it was and TP36 reinstated with the words, “in order
to reduce driver frustration and speed” added.
Planning Commission
June 3, 1998 3
In the last paragraph of the first column on page III-60, the commission felt the term
“transportation disadvantaged” was too vague. Does it mean someone cannot afford bus fare?
The commission suggested it be changed to “mobility impaired.” Staff will check to see if the
term fits ADA definitions.
Mr. Perez explained that Map III-19 reflects a major policy shift from requiring bike lanes on all
arterials to providing bike connectivity to the City Center. Requiring bike lanes on all arterials is
very costly and therefore, rarely done. Map III-22 represents a shift away from DART service to
regular fixed-route bus service.
On page III-105, the staff is recommending the addition of a transportation impact fee (TIF) as a
way of addressing the disadvantages of other local funding sources for transportation
improvements.
It was m/s/c (one nay) to extend the meeting to 10:10 p.m.
Mr. Roe commented that the budget amounts on page III-103 need to be updated to 1997 dollars.
For the paragraph on page III-105 (second column) that deals with TIF, the commission would
like the last two sentences changed to a positive outlook. The first sentence in the first column of
page III-106 has the word “should” twice, one should be removed. On page III-107, TP11-c, the
commission suggests adding the word “sufficient.”
It was m/s/c to continue the Public Hearing to June 17, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. in the city’s Council
Chambers.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m.
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