Planning Comm MINS 03-23-2005K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 03-23-05.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 23, 2005 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Hope Elder, Bill Drake, Dini Duclos, Merle Pfeifer, and Lawson
Bronson. Commissioners absent: Dave Osaki (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Pam Duncan-
Pierce. Alternate Commissioners absent: Christine Nelson (excused) and Tony Moore (unexcused). Staff
present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall, Consultant Betsy Czark,
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 March 2, 2005, minutes as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Piety informed the Commission that the Annual Volunteer Dinner is scheduled for April 22, 2005. This
year the City will be hosting a mystery dinner put on by the company that does the Murder Mystery Dinners
on the Dinner Train. It should be a lot of fun and she hopes all the Commissioners will be able to attend.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING – 2004 Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The Commission first discussed the Site-Specific Request. Ms. Clark delivered the staff presentation. She
stated that the proposed amendment includes the Kitts Corner Site-Specific Request that the Commission
has already reviewed and therefore, is not part of this Public Hearing. The Site-Specific Request that is the
subject of this Public Hearing is Puget Center Partnership’s application to amend the comprehensive plan
designation and zoning of 4.03 acres located north of South 312th Street and east of 1st Avenue South from
Professional Office (PO) to Neighborhood Business (BN). The Commission had no questions for staff and
the Public Testimony was opened.
Don Barker – He is with Powell Development and is the developer for this project. He
commented that as Ms. Clark explained, any development would require mitigation. He has
worked on another project in the City and knows to expect strict requirements. He feels the
project will enhance the water quality of the area and will help control flooding. He believes the
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City will require them to construct curb, gutter, and sidewalk, which will enhance pedestrian
activity in the neighborhood. He envisions this to be a neighborhood shopping center; a place
people can go to meet their neighbors for a cup of coffee. He stated they can give it an aesthetic
connection to the neighborhood.
Paul Benton – He represents the owner of the shopping center. He read a letter into the record.
In the letter, he states that he believes, “…that water quality and flooding issues will be
adequately addressed through current City rules and regulations.” In addition, the letter states
they are willing to, “…deed restrict the property from being used as a bar, tavern, cocktail
lounge, adult bookstore, adult video store, or other adult entertainment business and for the
renting, leasing, or selling of any boat, motor vehicle, or trailer.”
Robert Burton – He is an Associate Broker and has been in the real estate business for 38 years.
In addition, he teaches corporate real estate at a local college. He has researched retail uses in
Federal Way. He commented that a small shopping center draws from within one mile. He feels
this neighborhood would be better served by a small shopping center. He stated that the last
three grocery stores in Federal Way have gone into neighborhoods.
Bob Roper – He is the President of the Mirror Lake Resident’s Association. He commented that
BN is more intense than PO. He feels we have enough BN in the City. He doesn’t agree with the
water quality standards used by the City. He feels the City should be using standards that deal
more with phosphates. In a recent Mirror Lake Resident’s Association meeting, there was no
support for this rezone.
Don Barker – In response to a question from a Commissioner, he stated that they are talking to
retailers, but no one has signed on as yet.
Bob Roper – His comments are in regard to the discussion the Commission had regarding water
quality. He stated that the City uses the King County Surface Water Design Manual, which has
two menus for pollution in lakes and streams. One menu deals mostly with zinc and the other
mostly with phosphates. While there is not a current problem, Mirror Lake has the potential for a
serious problem with phosphates.
There was no further public testimony on this issue.
Ms. Czark delivered the staff presentation on the update to the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWCP)
Housing chapter. There is no major vision change. Staff has rearranged and condensed information. In
addition, language was added regarding possible methods to increase capacity, affordable housing, and
housing choice. Finally, two new sections were added on household size and housing cost and affordability.
Ms. Czark commented that Federal Way has the largest household size in South King County and close to
the highest median household income, but still has a large number of low income households. She went
over the policy changes and noted that HP22 should be deleted because HP21 says the same thing. In
addition, a heading, “Emergency and Transitional Housing,” was added to HG6 because there was no
heading previously.
There was no public testimony on the Housing Chapter. Commissioner Duclos expressed her concern with
the transitional housing requirements and how she feels those requirements discriminate against people in
need of transitional housing by signaling them out for special requirements. The entire Commission agreed
that sometime in the future they would like to review the requirements for transitional housing.
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It was m/s/c to recommend to the City Council adoption of the proposed comprehensive plan amendments
as drafted in the staff report, with the modification that Puget Sound Partnership’s proposed deed
restrictions be put into place.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Ms. Clark informed the Commission that the next meeting will be April 20th, at which time there will be a
public hearing on signs along Interstate-5.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.