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Planning Comm MINS 05-03-2000 City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION Regular Meeting May 3, 2000 City Hall 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers MEETING SUMMARY Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Hope Elder, Karen Kirkpatrick, Eric Faison, and William Drake. Commissioners absent: John Caulfield. Alternative Commissioners present: None. Staff present: City Manager David Moseley, Community Development Services Director Stephen Clifton, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety. Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of March 1, 2000 and April 19, 2000, were approved as presented. AUDIENCE COMMENT None. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Ms. Clark introduced City Manager David Moseley and Community Development Services Director Stephen Clifton. The vacancy on the commission has been advertised and the deadline for applications is May 19, 2000. The 2000 Planning Commission Work Program was approved as presented by the City Council last night. COMMISSION BUSINESS S 1999 Comprehensive Plan Amendments The Public Hearing was opened at 7:10 p.m. Ms. Clark presented the staff report. There are three site-specific requests: 1) Zaran Sayre, south of South 305th Place and east of Pacific Highway, is requesting a change from Multifamily\RM1800 to Community Business\BC. Staff recommends the request be granted. 2) Quadrant (Weyerhaeuser) and Federal Way Fire Department, north of South 320th Street and east of I-5, is requesting a change from Multifamily\RM3600 to Office Park\OP. Staff recommends the request be granted. 3) Velasco (Sally Ramos), west of the Hoyt Road SW and SW 340th Street intersection, is requesting a change from Single-Family\RS9.6 to Office Park\PO. Staff recommends the request be granted, pursuant to a development agreement. It was m/s/c to open the Public Testimony at 7:45 p.m. Planning Commission Page 2 May 3, 2000 Fred Kecherson, 4235 SW 337th Place, Federal Way – He spoke to oppose Site-Specific Request #3, Velasco (Sally Ramos). He earlier provided the commission with a letter. One concern he has is that traffic would be directed to SW 338th Street. Federal Way City Code (FWCC) Section 22-529(3) states that a comprehensive plan amendment must be compatible with adjacent land uses and surrounding neighborhoods. He feels that a 10,000 square foot building would not be compatible with the neighborhood (showed photos of a similar sized building). FWCC Section 22-529(5) states that an amendment must be a benefit to the region (city). He stated that there is plenty of available land in the city for this type of use (cited some specific sites). There is no reason to use residential land. FWCC Section 22-488(c) states that a rezone would be appropriate because conditions in the immediate vicinity have significantly changed. While it is true some of the area has changed, the north area has not. One reason stated in defense of the request is that three houses would not adequately fit on the property. However, a single house would work just fine (cited similar instances). In conclusion, he does not see a need, it would be detrimental to the neighborhood, and it does not fit the city’s vision. One reason the city incorporated was to stop being a dumping ground for King County. This amendment would be a step backwards. Ren Franco, 2211 South Star Lake Road, #1-202, Federal Way – He is the architect for Site- Specific Request #3, Velasco (Sally Ramos). As part of her presentation, Ms. Clark had shown the proposed medical building design for this site. Mr. Franco wanted to ensure the commission and audience that the site design is conceptual only. As the architect, he does not want to detract from the neighborhood. The conditions imposed by the city are very strict in order to protect the neighborhood. One concern he stated is that residences on that corner would be unsafe for children because of the two busy arterials. Currently the lot is an eyesore. Development would be advantageous. Suzanne Akana, 4267 SW 338th Street, Federal Way – Her house borders the Site-Specific Request #3, Velasco (Sally Ramos) property. She strongly objects to the request. It would decrease property values and quality of life. It would destroy the neighborhood feel. The building would look down on her property, making her nervous about the safety of her children and invading their privacy. There are other houses in the city located on the same type of corner. George Sherwin, Quadrant, Bellevue – Stated he is here to answer any questions the commission may have about Site-Specific Request #2, Quadrant (Weyerhaeuser) and Federal Way Fire Department. It was noted that the site was recently annexed to the city (last year) and Quadrant had requested multifamily zoning at the time. Why are they requesting a change so soon? He replied that Quadrant had not done a detailed design review at the time of the annexation. A recent review has shown that 82 residential units, along with other factors (wetlands, streets, etc) is not economically feasible. When asked how many buildings would be placed on the site, he responded between two and four, with a height limit of two stories. He also stated that the BPA transmission corridor on the north side would buffer the uses. Tammy Anderson, 4266 SW 338th Street, Federal Way – Her house also borders the Site-Specific Request #3, Velasco (Sally Ramos) property. She prefers the present trees to a 30-foot building with 35 parking stalls. The new stores across the street will add traffic, and even more would come from this project. If it were across the street and down the road (next to the new stores) she would have no objection. As far as houses on the corner being unsafe for children, there are kids all over the area with no problems. Planning Commission Page 3 May 3, 2000 Don Anderson, 4266 SW 338th Street, Federal Way – Husband of Tammy. This is their first home. They bought on a cul-de-sac for the privacy. Having a large building in the back yard would spoil that privacy. He asked the commission to walk in his shoes; if this were your home how would you feel? Ren Franco, 2211 South Star Lake Road, #1-202, Federal Way – He stated that the city’s conditions require a fence and buffer to protect the neighborhood. The buffer would be 20-feet wide, ten of which would be solid trees. The building would be two-stories high, like a house. It was m/s/c to close the Public Testimony at 8:20 p.m. It was m/s/c (no nays, one abstain, no discussion) to accept the staff recommendation for Site-Specific Request #1, Zaran Sayre. It was m/s to accept the staff recommendation for Site-Specific Request #2, Quadrant (Weyerhaeuser) and Federal Way Fire Department. Discussion was held on how this would affect the city’s capacity analysis. Ms. Clark responded that even if we lose the 82 residential units, the city would still be within our range. It was also discussed that yes, the city would lose multifamily land, but office is a better fit for the area. The motion carried (unanimous). It was m/s to reject the staff recommendation for Site-Specific Request #3, Velasco (Sally Ramos). Discussion was held that the city should be sensitive to the residents’ concerns. Other areas of the city are better suited for office uses. A 20-foot buffer is not very big. The site is not useless for residential, it can be buffered from the arterials. It was suggested that the conditions could be made more rigid (only one-story, no windows in the back of the building). Concerned was expressed about the number of employees and parking. It was stated that commercial would fit with the other new commercial in the area. Concerned was expressed about drainage and driveways on the arterials. The motion carried (one nay, three ayes). It was moved to request staff to consider more rigid conditions, if the applicant is willing. The motion died for the lack of a second. Ms. Clark gave a presentation on the major changes to Chapters 1 (Introduction), 2 (Land Use), 4 (Economic Development), and 5 (Housing). Most of the proposed changes are housekeeping. She stated that there are few changes to Chapter 3 (Transportation) because the city is currently doing a traffic analysis and will incorporate that information into the year 2000 amendments. It was m/s add language expressing the compatibility to the neighborhood to the definition of Professional Office on page III-19 of Chapter 2 (Land Use). Discussion was held and the motion carried (unanimous. The Public Hearing was continued to May 17, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS None. Planning Commission Page 4 May 3, 2000 AUDIENCE COMMENT None. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. K:\COMMON.AD\PLANCOM\2000\Meeting Summary 05-03-00.doc/Last printed 1/11/2005 9:36 AM