Planning Comm MINS 10-18-2000
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
October 18, 2000 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Hope Elder, Eric Faison, Nesbia Lopes, and William
Drake. Commissioners absent: Karen Kirkpatrick and John Caulfield. Guests present: None. Staff present:
Community Development Services Deputy Director Kathy McClung, Interim City Attorney Bob Sterbank,
Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Consultant Rick Sepler, Crime Prevention/Public Information Officer
Mark Harreus, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung announced that this is Chairman Vaughan’s last meeting after seven years of service. Ms.
McClung thanked him for his dedication and Chairman Vaughan thanked the staff and Commission for
their support and work.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
At 7:10 p.m., Chairman Vaughan announced that the Commission would recess to an Executive Session to
discuss potential litigation under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), for about 10 minutes. The meeting reconvened at
7:20 p.m.
Public Hearing – Adult Retail Uses Code Amendments
The public hearing opened at 7:20 p.m. Ms. McClung gave the staff presentation. When this code was
amended in 1999, the amendments did not include excluding nonconforming residential uses from the
1,000-foot restriction. The amendment changes that. The City is looking at nonconforming residential uses
differently because they will not be a long-standing use; eventually they will become commercial. The
amendment clarifies current practice. There was no public testimony. It was m/s/approved (no nays) to
accept the staff recommendation and forward it on to the Land Use/Transportation Committee. The public
hearing was closed at 7:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Page 2 October 18, 2000
K:\Planning Commission\2000\Meeting Summary 10-18-00.doc/Last printed 1/11/2005 9:30 AM
Public Hearing – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Code Amendments
The public hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Clark introduced Rick Sepler, Principal Planner, from
Madrona Planning & Development Services. Mr. Sepler gave the staff presentation. CPTED is a means for
communities to lower crime. It is used during the planning stage of a new development, usually as part of
design guidelines. There are three key concepts to CPTED: Natural Surveillance, Access Control, and
Ownership.
Many communities adopt performance-based standards, which are helpful, but not specific enough to be
prescriptive. The first staff report (Alternative A) is performance based and includes prescriptive standards
in the code. After further research, the staff developed Alternative B (handed out at the meeting), which
includes the principles in the code with the standards in a checklist. It is staff’s intent to prepare a merger
of the two styles to bring back to the Commission.
Officer Harreus commented that CPTED would produce a nice looking neighborhood. They would help
Police and Fire by requiring highly visible addresses. Currently, it is very difficult to locate some of the
addresses in this City. The Commission inquired if CPTED could be required of existing buildings? The
staff will research this issue. They asked Officer Harreus if there is a priority of CPTED design principles.
He replied that increased lighting is a high priority. Staff is considering adding a lighting plan.
The Commission likes the idea of a checklist. It would allow developers an easy way to check if they are
meeting the code. They also agree that address numbers on buildings need to be enlarged. They asked if
number 14, on page 17, conflicts with the recent cluster subdivision code amendments. Staff replied that it
appears to and they will research the issue. The Commission asked about allowing rustproof paint instead
of requiring only vinyl coating for chain link fences. Staff will research.
Discussion was held that these amendments are micro managing and could be cost prohibitive. Staff
replied that CPTED usually does not cost much more. They are not aesthetic in nature, but rather health
and safety issues. Officer Harreus commented that apartment complexes that meet CPTED statistically
have lower crime rates. The Commission suggested that the staff add data to back up their claims. Staff
suggested that codifying the data is not a good idea because it changes. They suggested adding it to the
checklist as background information.
It was m/s/approved (no nays) to continue the public hearing to November 15, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Currently, the City has received five applications for the Commission (deadline is October 20). Officer
Harreus announced that the City would be presenting a CPTED training school on October 26 and 27. In
addition, a Crime-Free Multi-Housing course will be offered December 12 and 13.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.