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