Planning Comm MINS 08-17-2005
K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 08-17-05 Updated.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
August 17, 2005 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Hope Elder, Dave Osaki, Dini Duclos, Merle Pfeifer, Bill Drake, and Lawson Bronson.
Commissioners absent: John Caulfield (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Christine Nelson and Pam
Duncan-Pierce. Alternate Commissioners absent: Tony Moore (unexcused). Staff present: Development Services
Director Kathy McClung, Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall, Contract Planner Janet Shull, and
Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Vice-Chair Elder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Duclos moved (and it was seconded) to adopt the July 27, 2005, minutes as presented. The motion
carried (unanimous).
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING – Neighborhood Business (BN) Code Amendment
Ms. Shull delivered the staff presentation. The staff’s recommendation has taken into account the Commission’s
suggestions/comments from the Workshop and citizen comments. The proposed amendments include new
definitions, new uses for the BN zone, some minor changes to the BN zone, and some housekeeping changes
intended for clarification.
Commissioner Duclos (and other Commissioners) thanked the staff for taking the Commission’s suggestions/
comments into account while developing the staff recommendation. Commissioner Osaki commented that Note #2
of the self-service storage facilities chart seems to indicate that if a lot is larger than three acres, it cannot have a
self-service storage facility, is this the intent? Ms. Shull responded that the intent is to limit the self-service storage
use to three acres, but the lot itself can be larger. Staff will clarify this language to make the intent clear.
Commissioner Bronson asked why the change is recommended regarding bay doors. Ms. McClung explained that
under the current code, applicants assume the restriction on bay doors refers to all uses, while the original intent
was to limit the restriction to vehicle service or repair. The recommendation spells out this limitation. The meeting
was opened to public testimony.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 August 17, 2005
K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 08-17-05 Updated.doc
Vilma Taylor – She owns Velma Signs, which is a family owned business and has been in Federal Way
for about 20 years. She supports the proposed amendments and would like her property included in the
changes so that it will be in conformance. She has employees that live in Federal Way and is supportive
of the community and wants to see her children continue her business in Federal Way.
Denise Hamel – She is representing Brian Lawler and spoke in favor of the proposed amendment for the
self-service storage facilities. Overall, they are pleased with the amendment, but have two
requests/suggestions. They would like to see outside “covered storage” allowed for large recreational
vehicles and boats. There is a need for storage for such vehicles and fully enclosed storage would be
expensive. The storage could be three-sided and could be oriented away from residential areas. In
addition, they would like to have one or two moving trucks allowed. This truck, or trucks, would not be a
fleet of rental vehicles; instead, it would be used to just move items in and out of the self-storage facility.
Commissioner Pfeifer moved (and it was seconded) to send a recommendation of adoption of the amendments as
proposed to the Land Use/Transportation Committee. The motion, as amended below, was carried (unanimous).
Commissioner Duclos asked for staff’s opinion on the covered storage and moving truck issues. Ms. Shull
responded that staff had researched both of these issues. Currently, outdoor storage (the covered storage) is not
permitted for any use in the BN zone. The use is allowed in other zones, as are self-service storage facilities. In
addition, covered storage is not allowed by other cities in compatible zones. Storage of commercial vehicles
(moving truck) is also not currently allowed for any use in the BN zone. Staff felt that allowing a moving truck
would open the door for storage of other types of commercial vehicles. For these reasons, staff decided not to
propose allowing covered storage and moving trucks.
The Commission discussed the covered storage and moving truck issues. Commissioner Duclos moved (and it was
seconded) to amend the motion to allow one moving truck at self-service storage facilities, exclusively to serve the
customers. The motion carried (unanimous) as amended below. Commissioner Bronson moved (and it was
seconded) to amend the amendment to the motion to state that the moving truck cannot be so large as to require a
commercial driver’s license. The motion carried (unanimous).
Commissioner Bronson asked why the requirement that self-service storage facilities have the appearance of a
pitched roof? Ms. Shull responded that the appearance of a pitched roof would blend in better with the surrounding
residential uses. Ms. McClung commented that any non-residential uses allowed in residential zones (churches,
schools, etc.) are required to have the appearance of a pitched roof.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
The next meeting will be a Workshop on Cottage Housing to be held September 21, 2005. Ms. McClung
commented that the staff is working on developing downtown code amendments in response to the Interim Zoning
Ordinance. Staff is inviting all property and business owners in the City Center to a meeting on this issue next
week. Staff will also be meeting with the Federal Way Chamber next week on this issue.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.