Planning Comm MINS 09-20-2000
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
September 20, 2000 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Hope Elder, Karen Kirkpatrick, John Caulfield, Nesbia
Lopez, and William Drake. Commissioners absent: Eric Faison. Alternative Commissioners present: None.
Staff present: Community Development Services Deputy Director Kathy McClung, and Administrative
Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of June 21, 2000, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung announced the resignation of Community Development Services Director Stephen Clifton.
She will be interim director until such time a new director is chosen. The Community Development
Services Department has seven positions open and is currently searching for people to fill the positions.
Due to the good economy, the department is having a difficult time finding good prospects. To date, the
City has received more applications than last year, but mainly for small projects.
COMMISSION BUSINESS S Cluster Subdivisions
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:12 p.m.
Ms. McClung gave the staff presentation, which included examples of cluster subdivisions in the City and
other jurisdictions. The Planning Commission expressed concern over who would maintain the open space.
It was suggested that a mandatory Homeowner’s Association be added to the Open Space Criteria. Staff
will research this issue.
The Commission also requested the staff to research if Options e. and f. of the proposed Approval Criteria
(pages 8 & 9 of the Staff Report) are already in the Federal Way City Code (FWCC) and if they should
apply to the City in general, not just cluster subdivisions.
Planning Commission Page 2 September 20, 2000
Ms. McClung read letters from Leonard and Harriet Hills and Brooks Powell (attached) into the record.
The Public Comment period was opened at 8:35 p.m., with no comments given. The Commission thanked
the staff for their work and researching what other communities have done. The Commission commented
that the City needs cluster subdivisions in order to plan for growth. They expressed their concern that the
City not dictate the specifics and not micro-manage. The Commission went over each of the proposed
options cited in the Staff Report.
C. Subdivision Code Amendment Options
1. Purpose Statement – The Commission requested the words, “…sensitivity to the surrounding
environment…” be added to the statement. They questioned how would the City know if it is
affordable housing? The Commission supports the staff recommendation with this change.
2. Applicability – The Commission supports the staff recommendation.
3. Density – The Commission supports the staff recommendation.
4. Lot Size – The Commission expressed concern that 3600 is too small. The Commission supports
options b, c, and e.
5. Open Space – The Commission supports the staff recommendation. Suggested adding a goal
statement addressing that the open space be maintained.
6. Approval Criteria – The Commission suggested that criteria a, b, and d relate to cluster
subdivisions, while criterion c relates to the broader based residential guideline design criteria.
They requested that the words “owner occupied” be removed from criterion a. They requested
staff to research if criteria e and f are covered elsewhere in the FWCC. They deferred discussing
criterion d.’
D Design Criteria (Zoning Code)
The Commission deferred discussion of this issue.
E. Zero Lot Line Development
The Commission supports the existing language. They are in favor of criteria a, b (but 10 percent is
low, 30 percent would be good), e, and f. They do not support criteria c and d.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Chair Vaughan announced that he would not be seeking reappointment. He thanked the staff for all of their
work. Ms. Piety announced that the Planning Commission agenda and minutes are now available on the
City’s web page. The Federal Way Comprehensive Plan will be available soon.
The Commission stated that they would like to see the Commission mentioned in the press. Staff replied
that they will watch for opportunities to promote the Commission through the press.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
K:\CD Admin Files\PLANCOM\2000\Meeting Summary 09-20-00.docLast printed 1/11/2005 9:32 AM