Planning Comm MINS 03-03-2004K:\Planning Commission\2004\Meeting Summary 03-03-04.doc
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
March 3, 2004 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Hope Elder, Dave Osaki, Bill Drake, and Marta Justus Foldi.
Commissioners absent: Grant Newport and Dini Duclos (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Tony
Moore, Lawson Bronson, and Merle Pfeifer. Alternate Commissioners absent: Christine Nelson (excused).
Staff present: Community Development Services Director Kathy McClung, Community Development
Services Deputy Director Greg Fewins, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Karen
Jorgensen, Management Services Director Iwen Wang, City Council Member Linda Kochmar, Jones &
Stokes Gregg Dohrn, Jones & Stokes Lisa Grueter, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chair Caulfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was m/s/c to adopt the December 10, 2003, minutes as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION – Potential Annexation Area (PAA) Subarea Plan
Mr. Fewins commented that the purpose of the study session is to educate the Commission so they may
hold meaningful discussion on this complex project. The Commission is being asked to consider adopting
the PAA Subarea Plan, and to make a decision regarding the four sit-specific requests for rezone in the
PAA. The PAA Feasibility Plan is provided for background/reference material. Adoption of the PAA
Subarea Plan would set the zoning for when the area is annexed into the City; it is not an annexations
procedure. Mr. Fewins then introduced Gregg Dohrn and Lisa Grueter, who delivered the staff
presentation.
The Commission expressed concern over the possibility of businesses having to close because they are not
allowed according to the Federal Way City Code (this would occur only if the PAA Subarea Plan is
adopted and later an area is annexed into the City). Specifically, the concern is over a junkyard located in
the PAA (junkyards are not allowed in the City). The City has held discussions with the junkyard owner on
this issue. One possible solution is to change the code to allow junkyards.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 3, 2004
K:\Planning Commission\2004\Meeting Summary 03-03-04.doc
The Commission express concern over applying the proposed new Freeway Commercial zone to an area
without first knowing what the proposed new zone entails. Staff commented that the public hearing on the
new zone will be held at the next Commission meeting and information will go out in the next agenda
packet. When asked, staff replied that there are no significant environmental concerns identified in the
PAA. The Commission then discussed the financial aspects of the Plan and asked, considering possible
legislation that would reduce the amount of funds available to cities, can the City financially support
annexing the PAA (recognizing that adoption of the Plan does not mean annexation of the area)?
The Commission asked what effect would this Plan have on current King County zoning? Mr. Dohrn
replied that the Plan address future land use/zoning (and only if the area were to annex to the City), and
would not affect current zoning.
Ms. Clark commented that on March 17, 2004, the Planning Commission will hold public hearings on the
PAA Plan and the new Freeway Commercial zone. Once the PAA plan is adopted, it will become part of
the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan and will take the place of the current PAA chapter.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. McClung informed the Commission of the various land use projects. The volunteer dinner is
scheduled for June 4, 2004. The Police/Court are scheduled to move into the new City Hall in June and the
remainder of the staff is scheduled to move in August. She introduced Isaac Conlen, the new Associate
Planner, and announced that Ms. Piety was promoted to Administrative Assistant II.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Alternate Commissioner Bronson asked if Planning Commission minutes could be placed on the website
before they are approved by the Commission, because months could go by between meetings. Ms.
McClung replied that it is City policy that minutes are not placed on the website until they are adopted, but
she will research the possibility of earlier placement for the Planning Commission minutes.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.