Planning Comm MINS 07-21-1999
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
July 21, 1999 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Karen Kirkpatrick, William Drake, Hope Elder, Eric
Faison, John Caulfield, and Ed Soule. Commissioners absent: None. Alternative Commissioners present:
None. Staff present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Contract Associate Planner Tim McHarg, and
Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None.
COMMISSION BUSINESS - Personal Wireless Service Facilities Code Amendments
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:03 p.m. Commission Kirkpatrick excused herself from the Public
Hearing due to the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Mr. McHarg gave the staff report. The impetus for the amendments were changing technology and the
need to make an unwieldy code section more user friendly. The proposed changes are needed to deal with
mobile PWSF’s, implement an interpretation made by the Community Development Services Director,
create a process for facilities in the public right-of-way, and clean up the charts and text. The proposed
changes consist of: 1) adding three definitions; 2) changes to the use zone charts; 3) text changes.
Discussion was held on Automated Meter Readers (AMR). The staff explained what it is and proposed a
change to 22-966(c)(5), “…greater than two feet in height” is to be added after the words, “…other
antennas.” The Public Testimony was opened at 7:34 p.m.
Pamela Krueger, Perkins Coie, 411 - 108th Ave NE, Ste 1800, Bellevue, WA 98004 - She is
representing Puget Sound Energy. She provided the commission with a letter and back-up
documentation about AMR’s. Most of her testimony came directly from her letter. She wanted to
make clear that an AMR is different from a PWSF in that it is solely for the collection of data for
Planning Commission
July 21, 1999 2
use by the company. She is asking that a clear exemption from PWSF’s be made. She explained
that there are three parts to an AMR system: the device to modify the meter; a pole top device
for the initial data collection; and a collection device that gathers data from several poll devices.
As proposed, the code will exempt the first two parts of the system, with the third required to go
through a Process I. This makes it difficult for PSE to get their system up and running. She
requested that all three parts of the AMR system be exempt. Two concerns PSE has with the
Process I is that it expires in 10 years and requires collocation, which would not work with their
technology.
Further discussion was held on the AMR issue. Staff concedes that further study is needed. In the interim,
AMR’s are similar to PWSF’s and should be so regulated.
Brian Johnson, Voice Stream Wireless, 19307 North Creek Parkway, #101, Bothell, WA
98011 - He spoke on the placement of PWSF’s on structures in the public right-of-way. Public
utilities are beginning to require a 15 foot height distance between their transmission lines and
PWSF’s. He requested that PWSF’s be allowed to exceed the 15 foot requirement in such cases.
Lisa Verner, Commercial Development Solutions, PO Box 70372, Seattle, WA 98107 - She
is representing AT&T. She provided the commission a letter with a series of recommendations
and went over each one. She asked from what did the city base the cabinet size? The size is too
small. Staff replied that the cabinet sized is based on the Traffic Division’s equipment box size
which is based on the functional impacts to the right-of-way. She also expressed concern that
only one PWSF may be located on an existing structure in the right-of-way. Staff replied that
this is to avoid visual clutter.
Josh Lonn, 120 Lakeside Ave, Ste 310, Seattle, WA 98122 - He represents Airtouch. He
stated that he agrees with previous testimony. The 48 square foot limitation outside the right-of-
way is a serious limitation. The restriction to one PWSF in the right-of-way is inconsistent with
the city’s policy of collocation.
The Public Testimony was closed at 8:50 p.m.
The commission discussed the need to reevaluate the equipment cabinet size, AMR’s, and other issues
raised in the public testimony. It was m/s/c to continue the public hearing to Wednesday, August 18, 1999.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
It was m/s/c to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
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