Planning Comm MINS 02-16-2005K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 02-16-05.doc
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
February 16, 2005 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Dave Osaki, Dini Duclos, Bill Drake, Merle Pfeifer, and Lawson
Bronson. Commissioners absent: Hope Elder (unexcused). Alternate Commissioners present: None.
Alternate Commissioners absent: Pam Duncan-Pierce and Christine Nelson (excused) and Tony Moore
(unexcused). Staff present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Traffic Engineer Rick Perez, 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 January 19, 2005, minutes as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Clark informed the Commission that Ms. McClung is still working on arranging a meeting with the
Mayor. There will be a public hearing on March 2, 2005, on allowing signs on the inside of fences in ball
fields. A public hearing is also scheduled for March 16, 2005, on the 2004 Comprehensive Plan Updates.
Because some Commissioners will not be available, the March 16 public hearing was moved to March 23rd.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
WORKSHOP – Transportation
Mr. Perez informed the Commission that the Streets Division in the Public Works Department deals with,
maintenance, pavement condition, right-of-way issues (including permits), street sweeping, etc. The Traffic
Division deals with traffic signals, traffic safety program, transportation planning, reviewing development
projects, etc. He then went over the City’s Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The selection
for projects on this list is based on City Council criteria. Concurrency (which basically means that no
development is to occur without being able to provide for it) is a big driver. In addition to City funds,
grants help pay for these projects, but so do new developments. When a large development comes into the
City, they may be required to prepare a traffic study. Depending on the impact of the development on TIP
projects, they are required to mitigate the projects and can do so by paying a pro-rata share. The City must
use this money on the particular TIP project stipulated within five years of payment.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 16, 2005
K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 02-16-05.doc
Mr. Perez went on to explain some of the larger projects. The City is working with the Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on what is called the Triangle Study. The intent of this project is
to relieve traffic congestion at the I-5 and SR18 interchange. A preferred alternate has been chosen for this
project. It will be further reviewed for environmental and traffic impacts. Another large project the City is
in the midst of is the City Center Access Study. The intent of this project is to relieve traffic congestion
throughout the City Center and the I-5/320th interchange. Two alternatives have been chosen for further
study of environmental and traffic impacts. A third large study is the 272nd Interchange project, the purpose
of which is to improve traffic congestion and transit access.
The Traffic Division spends about 40 percent of its time on development review. Signal coordination also
takes up a good deal of time. Signal coordination gives significant improvement to travel time, but due to
changing traffic, the coordination should be redone about every three years for best performance.
In addition to the above, there are a number of issues that Mr. Perez would like the Traffic Division to
work on. These issues include: sidewalk and streetlight retro-fit programs; bicycle compatibility index;
concurrency/traffic impact fee; clarification of traffic calming requirements; clarification of the minimum
number of accesses in residential zones; lighting standards for pedestrian access; and others.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.