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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.