Planning Comm MINS 11-18-1998 SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Dean Greenough, Jim Sempek, Bill Drake,
John Caulfield, and Eric Faison. Commissioners absent: Karen Kirkpatrick. Alternative
Commissioners present: Hope Elder and Ed Soule. Alternative Commissioners absent: Adebola
Adekoya and Sophia McNeil. Staff present: Deputy Director of Community Development
Services Kathy McClung, Code Compliance Officer Martin Nordby, and Administrative
Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of October 21, 1998, were approved.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung gave an update on code amendments. The Wetland Inventory started at the end of
October and is preceding well. Shoreline, Comprehensive Plan, and the Quadrant/Weyerhaeuser
annexations went before the City Council for first reading on October 17, 1998. They were all
approved for second reading. The budget also went to the City Council for first reading on
October 17, 1998. So far, the council has approved a new building inspector, permit tracking
system, and additional funds for code amendments. The residential design guidelines will go
before the Land Use/Transportation Committee on November 23, 1998. She went on to introduce
Jim Sempek, Ed Soule, and Martin Nordby, and explained the workshop procedures.
COMMISSION BUSINESS - Workshop: Parking on Residential Lots, Noise and
Construction Hours, and Civil Citation Authority
Mr. Nordby gave the presentation. For Parking on Residential Lots, the concerns are over
property values, fire safety, and rodent control. The amendment is to restrict vehicles to
impervious surfaces and junked vehicles to garages. The amendment does not restrict the number
of vehicles, just where they can be parked, which will structurally limit how many vehicles can
be parked on a particular residential lot. Discussion was held over how much of lot can be
impervious surface, whether this amendment conflicts with Covenants, Conditions, and
City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION
November 18, 1998 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Commission
November 18, 1998 2
Restrictions held by some homeowners associations, maybe the city should allow people to park
wherever they want as long as it is out of sight (make it applicable only to areas visible to the
street), and this is a case of big government being too restrictive. Concern was expressed that
some carports may not have an impervious surface; staff will research this issue. The commission
requested that the word “unobstructed” be removed, just simply require that the impervious
surface have driveway access. Make sure that it is clear the garage and/or carport must also have
driveway access. The commission expressed concern that the amendment as written refers only
to vehicles that can move under their own power, with wheels. It was suggested that boats and
trailers be included; staff will research this issue. The commission requested that the intent of the
amendment be added.
The intent of the Noise and Construction Hours amendment is to resolve a conflict between two
sections of the code; they will be made consistent. The commission noted that the proposed
change does not indicate when work should stop on Saturday; staff will research this issue.
The intent of the Civil Citation Authority is to give code compliance enforcement power they can
use instead of relying on criminal citations. Mr. Nordby explained the difference between civil
and criminal citations. He emphasized that compliance is the goal, not sending someone to jail.
The commission expressed concern over whether the city has enough staff to do the job. Mr.
Nordby replied that when the civil citation authority was given for sign compliance, there was a
large number of appeals, but so far this year, there has only been two. Mr. Nordby stated that one
reason for the fee for appeals is to discourage frivolous appeals. The commission suggested that a
fine be placed for those who tear off the notices; staff will research this issue. Discussion was
held over there being no time limit for correcting the problem. Mr. Nordby replied that every
case is different. He gave some examples of situations where a time limit would be meaningless
or create an extreme burden. Mr. Nordby pointed out that on page 10, number 2(i) has been
changed because there is no reason to notify all property owners within 300 feet of the subject
property.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Elections were held. It was m/s/w to elect Bob Vaughan as Chair. It was m/s/c to elect Dean
Greenough as Vice-Chair. It was m/s/c to elect Bob Vaughan as Chair.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
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