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Planning Comm MINS 02-15-2006 K:\Planning Commission\2006\Meeting Summary 02-15-05.doc CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PLANNING COMMISSION February 15, 2006 City Hall 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES Commissioners present: Hope Elder, Dave Osaki, Merle Pfeifer, Dini Duclos, Bill Drake, Lawson Bronson, and Pam Duncan-Pierce. Commissioners absent: none. Alternate Commissioners present: Richard Agnew. Alternate Commissioners absent: none. Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, 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 December 7, 2005, and January 18, 2006, minutes with the correction to the January 18, 2006, deleting Commission Osaki from Commissioners present and adding him to Commissioners absent (excused). The motion carried (seven yes). AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Ms. Clark informed the Commission that the Planning Commission Work Program will go to the City Council on February 21, 2006. They added a sign code amendment for signs for special events. COMMISSION BUSINESS ELECTIONS Commissioner Pfeifer nominated Dini Duclos as Chair. Commissioner Drake nominated Hope Elder as Chair. There being no other nominations, the vote was held with three votes for Commissioner Duclos and three votes for Commissioner Elder, a tie. Commissioner Duclos withdrew, leaving only Commissioner Elder nominated, with no other nominations. The vote was held with six votes for Commissioner Elder. Commissioner Duclos was nominated Vice-Chair and with no other nominations, the vote was held with six votes for Commissioner Duclos. The votes were unanimous as Commissioner Duncan-Pierce arrived after the elections. PUBLIC HEARING – Off-Site Real Estate Signs Code Amendment Ms. Clark delivered the staff report. In addition to some housekeeping changes, the proposed amendments are a reduction in the 200 foot lineal separation requirement for off-site real estate directional signs when necessary to indicate a turn or change in direction of travel, and an increase from six to ten signs per property per agent. The public hearing was opened for public testimony. Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 15, 2006 K:\Planning Commission\2006\Meeting Summary 02-15-05.doc Marilyn Gates – She has been a real estate agent in Federal Way for 26 years. She had requested the City make the proposed amendments. She stated that increasing the number of signs to ten sounds like a lot, but that many signs would only be used to bring people in from two major arterial streets. Not many agents are eager to put up ten signs. Sam Pace, Housing Specialist for Seattle-King County Association of Realtors – He gave the Commission two documents, one is an outline of his testimony and the other is a letter giving an analysis of municipal ability to maintain real estate specific sign regulation in light of Ballen v. Redmond. He supports the proposed code amendments. He stated that real estate signs are unique and placement is different for each sale. They have a beginning and ending date. Research shows that real estate signs are essential for prospective buyers to find houses. They are the third most common way of finding a listing agent. The Seattle-King County Association of Realtors has a self-policing program. They invite the City to take advantage of it. They would discipline brokers who do not follow the City’s regulations. He stated that the analysis he handed out supports the proposed amendments. Commissioner Duclos informed the Commission that while she was campaigning last year she talked with Mr. Pace a number of times, but never about this particular issue. Commissioner Osaki informed the Commission that he has worked with Mr. Pace regarding signs for the City of Auburn, but they have never discussed any Federal Way issues. Mr. Pace commented that he has never spoken with any of the Commissioners or City Council Members on this issue. The Seattle-King County Association of Realtors is very careful to keep all their dealings open and above board. Commissioner Duclos moved (and it was seconded) to adopt the proposed code amendments as written by staff. The motion carried (seven yes). ADDITIONAL BUSINESS None AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.