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Planning Comm MINS 10-23-2002K:\Planning Commission\2002\Meeting Summary 10-23-02.doc City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION Regular Meeting October 23, 2002 City Hall 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers MEETING SUMMARY Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Dave Osaki, Hope Elder, Dini Duclos, Marta Justus Foldi, and Grant Newport. Commissioners absent (excused): Bill Drake. Alternate Commissioners present: Tony Moore, Lawson Bronson, and Christine Nelson. Alternate Commissioners absent (unexcused): Merle Pfeifer. Staff present: Community Development Director Kathy McClung, Community Development Deputy Director Patrick Doherty, Associate Planner Rox Burhans, Assistant City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety. Chair Caulfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF SUMMARY It was m/s/c to approve the September 18, 2002, meeting summary. AUDIENCE COMMENT None. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT None. COMMISSION BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARING – Continued City Center-Core Supplementary Development Standards Code Amendment Mr. Burhans delivered the staff report, which was a response to the issues raised by Commissioners at the last meeting. As requested by the Commission, he showed a picture of a development in North Seattle of housing above a shopping center. The Public Testimony was opened at 7:20 p.m. Jerry Lutz, Perkins Coie LLP – He represents the owners of SeaTac Village and presented a letter from them. He complimented Mr. Burhans on the staff’s willingness to work with them. The owners of SeaTac Village are still concerned that this is the wrong approach in an untested area. The process has left out real discussion with businesses in the area. They strongly recommend an outreach to the 20 largest businesses in the City Center on this issue. They requested that the Planning Commission not recommend approval of this code amendment. Should they recommend approval, the letter contains some modifications they would like to see implemented. As the owners of SeaTac Village understand, this code amendment would view existing business as Planning Commission Summary Page 2 October 23, 2002 K:\Planning Commission\2002\Meeting Summary 10-23-02.doc/Last printed 1/10/2005 3:54 PM almost exempt. They feel that they are almost exempt because if a disaster were to occur (such as a fire) that required them to rebuild and they were unable to do so within the designated timeframe or at a cost equal to or less than 75 percent of the value of existing improvements, they would have rebuild to the proposed code amendment standards. They want to be 100% exempt. They would be in favor of a master plan, so long as it is realistic. The Public Testimony was closed at 7:35 p.m. Commissioners expressed concern that there has not been much input/dialog from business owners in the area. Many feel that the proposed amendment is a piecemeal approach to the problem. The Commission felt it would be better to do a master plan. In response to questions, Mr. Doherty commented that the City intends to prepare a Planned Action SEPA for the City Center. The Planned Action SEPA would describe the area and define the uses allowed. It would be based on the vision and research of the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Market Study. It would be somewhat like a subarea plan focused on development. The Commission and staff discussed the reasons why the City Council does not want “big box” retail in the City Center. It is not that they do not want that type of retailer, but rather that they want more intense use of the land in the City Center and therefore, this code amendment is proposed to bring about more intense use of the land. It was m/s/c to close the Public Hearing. It was m/s/c (unanimous) to recommend that the proposed code amendment not be adopted and that the City enter into a dialogue with stakeholders to continue formulating options for a future code amendment. Chair Caulfield thanked the staff for their work on this code amendment. Commissioner Osaki encouraged the staff to review the Planned Action SEPA process. He commented that the City needs to identify exactly what they want the Planned Action SEPA to be and should enter into dialogue with stakeholders on the issue. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS John Caulfield was nominated for Chair. There were no other nominations. The vote was held and it was unanimous in favor of him. Hope Elder was nominated for Vice-Chair. There were no other nominations. The vote was held and it was unanimous in favor of her. The Commission welcomed new Commissioner Marta Justus Foldi and new Alternate Commissioners Merle Pfeifer and Lawson Bronson. Commissioners Osaki and Duclos will not be in attendance November 6, 2002. AUDIENCE COMMENT None. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.