Planning Comm MINS 03-02-2005K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 03-02-05.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 2, 2005 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Hope Elder, Dave Osaki, Dini Duclos, Merle Pfeifer, and Lawson
Bronson. Commissioners absent: Bill Drake (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: None. Alternate
Commissioners absent: Pam Duncan-Pierce, Christine Nelson, and Tony Moore (all unexcused). City
Council present: Mayor Dean McColgan and Council Member Jack Dovey. Staff present: Community
Development Services Director Kathy McClung, Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall; Recreation
Coordinator John Hutton, 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 February 16, 2005, minutes as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Moved to Additional Business
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Chair Caulfield stated that if there is no objection, the Commission will hold a roundtable discussion with
Mayor McColgan and Council Member Dovey on issues raised at the Commission’s annual dinner meeting
held December 8, 2004. Hearing no objection, the roundtable was held.
ROUNDTABLE – Discussion with Mayor McColgan and Council Member Dovey
One issue the Commission has is concern over the role of the Planning Commission. Is it a useful
expenditure of citizen’s time to attend a Planning Commission and then a Land Use/Transportation
Committee (LUTC) meeting, and finally a City Council meeting, only to see the recommendation of the
Planning Commission overturned? Mayor McColgan and Council Member Dovey explained that the
Planning Commission does play an important role in clarifying issues and obtaining citizen input. Chair
Caulfield suggested, and all at the table agreed, that when a divisive issue comes before the Commission,
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he or the Vice-Chair will attend the LUTC to communicate the reasoning behind the Planning
Commission’s recommendation. In another method of keeping the lines of communication open, it was
agreed that copies of the LUTC minutes that deal with issues that have been before the Planning
Commission will be given to the Commissioners. In addition, the Commission requested that if the LUTC
and/or City Council returns an issue to the Planning Commission, they provide a sense of direction with it.
Commissioner Bronson asked if the City could add the meeting minutes to the website before they are
approved, with a caveat that they are draft. This would provide quicker information to citizens. Mayor
McColgan replied that minutes are not placed on the website until they are approved in case there are
mistakes. However, he will ask if the Law Department can research the ramifications of placing draft
minutes on the website.
The Commission asked if there were ways in which they could assist the City Council. The Mayor replied
that improving communication as they discussed earlier will help. He encouraged them to let the Council
know of any issues/ideas that arise from either the Commissioners or citizens (Celebration Park was an
idea from a citizen). Ms. McClung commented that given their knowledge of the Federal Way City Code
and Federal Way Comprehensive Plan, they would have much to contribute to studies, open houses,
forums, etc.
They discussed the role of alternates. Mayor McColgan and Council Member Dovey feel that Alternates
are Commissioners in training and want them to participate as much as possible. It was determined that
Alternates should sit at the dais or the staff area and be encouraged to give public testimony.
Finally, the Commission asked what are the City Council’s priorities. Do they have a work program?
Mayor McColgan and Council Member Dovey replied that the goals from the City Council’s retreat are
their “work program.” The Commission suggested these be placed on the City’s website.
PUBLIC HEARING – Signs in Ball Fields Code Amendment
Ms. McClung delivered the staff report. The current code does not have a provision for advertising on
fences surrounding sports fields. Both the Little League Organization and the City of Federal Way Parks
Department have requested that a code provision be reviewed. One of the ways organizations have
historically been able to generate revenue for the maintenance of these facilities is to sell advertising and
post that advertising on fences. The proposed amendment would exempt from sign permits advertising at
sports fields as long as they meet the size requirement and are oriented to the interior of the field. In
addition, the signs must not extend beyond the height of the fence and be securely fastened and
maintained. The suggested size for these signs (32 square feet) was arrived at by researching what other
cities allow. Ms. McClung noted that the size is consistent with what the City allows for business signs. In
order to be more inclusive, staff recommends replacing the words “ball fields” with “sports fields.”
Commissioner Duclos asked if the Parks Commission is aware of this proposed amendment. Staff replied
that they are not sure and would make sure they are told of the issue. The Commission asked who will
decide upon the fee and who will be responsible for maintenance of the signs? Staff replied that it will be
the responsibility of property owners to decide the fee and enter into an agreement with advertisers for
maintenance of the sign(s). Mr. Hutton commented that in regards to maintenance, the City is considering
light-weight signs that are made from a foam core material that would allow wind to pass through and
would be easy to install and remove. The Parks Department is in the midst of researching a fee that would
be a fair market value and affordable. The fees will go to the Parks general fund. The department is already
receiving inquiries from advertisers. The signs would go up when the fields open (which this year is
February 28th) and come down when the fields close at the end of September.
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When asked what kind of advertising would be allowed, Ms. Pearsall replied that would be up to the
property owner. If this amendment is adopted, the City would develop a policy on the type of advertising
allowed. Mr. Hutton commented that the Parks Department has researched what types of advertising other
cities allow and it can be considered family friendly.
Ms. McClung read a March 2, 2005, letter from Bill Foulkes, President of the Federal Way National Little
League, into the record that was favorable to the proposed amendment. There was no further public
testimony.
It was m/s/c to recommend adoption of the text amendment as proposed, and with the replacement of the
words “ball fields” with “sports fields.” The Commission requested that when they are placing the signs,
the Parks Department keep in mind that some people like to be able to observe the game through the fence.
In addition, the Commission suggested that after the first year, the Parks Department review how well or
poorly this program is working.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Ms. McClung provided the Commission with a Permit Activity Update. She noted that she only listed plats
with 10 or more lots and did not include items in the newly annexed areas. An article in the February 23,
2005, Federal Way News cited the number of apartments in Federal Way. That number is inaccurate. She
thinks the reason it is inaccurate is because they used the ZIP code and the ZIP code boundaries
encompasses more than the City of Federal Way. Currently the City has (not counting the newly annexed
areas) 18,377 single-family homes, 13,635 apartments, and 1,200 mobile homes. Ms. McClung also
informed the Commission that the City will start a test pilot this year on a WI-FI (wireless internet) system.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.