Planning Comm MINS 03-07-2007
K:\Planning Commission\2007\Meeting Summary 03-07-07.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 7, 2007 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Hope Elder, Bill Drake, Merle Pfeifer, Lawson Bronson, and Wayne Carlson.
Commissioners absent: Dave Osaki and Dini Duclos (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Kevin King and
Caleb Allen. Alternate Commissioners absent: Richard Agnew (excused). Staff present: Community Development
Services Director Kathy McClung, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Contract Planner Janet Shull, Public Works
Deputy Director Ken Miller, Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chairwoman Elder called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Bronson moved and it was seconded to adopt the February 14, 2007, minutes with a change to two
places where Commissioner Bronson’s name was incorrect on page two. The motion carried. Commissioner
Bronson moved and it was seconded to adopt the February 21, 2007, minutes. The motion carried.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC MEETING – Zero Lot Line Townhouses and Small Lot Detached Development Code Amendments
Ms. Shull delivered the staff report. It was noted that this is a public meeting as opposed to a public hearing (the
public hearing will be March 14th) and therefore, no public testimony will be taken. In addition to amendments for
Zero Lot Line (ZLL) Townhouses and Small Lot Detached Development, these amendments include various
proposed miscellaneous amendments for “housekeeping.” The miscellaneous housekeeping amendments include
increasing the number of lots for short plats from four to nine and a corresponding change to exempt up to nine lots
from SEPA review; change the submittal requirements for plats, etc. to help with data collection for Buildable
Lands; and add language to address problems with mass grading (this issue is intended to be followed by a more
in-depth code amendment as part of the 2007 Planning Commission Work Program).
The proposed amendments started as two requests by citizens. Wally Costello (Quadrant Corporation) requested
that small lot detached development be allowed on 2400 square foot lots in the Multifamily Residential 2400 (RM
2400) zone. Jon Potter (Stateside Investments) requested that ZLL townhouse development be allowed on
individual lots in the RM 2400 zone. Jim Sprott (Quadrant) and Mr. Potter were in attendance to answer any
questions. Mr. Potter requested that the lot size in the RM 2400 zone be reduced to 1,500 square feet, as opposed
to the staff recommended 1,800 square feet. Ms. Shull stated that as long as all other development standards are
met, staff has no objection to this request.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 7, 2007
K:\Planning Commission\2007\Meeting Summary 03-07-07.doc
Staff recommends that since small lot detached development will be located in a multi-family zone, but will not
look like multi-family housing, a demonstration project be done similar to what is being done for cottage housing.
ZLL’s and small lot detached developments will be processed through the subdivision process. Two setback
options are proposed because garages may be placed in front or behind the building.
The alley and roadway standards (Exhibit 16 of the staff report) are not a code amendment; they are an amendment
to the Public Works Development Standards. The alley and private street standards will only apply to ZLL’s, small
lot detached, and cottage housing developments. Mr. Miller commented that the road standards depend on the
number of lots and the staff worked with the fire department to develop these standards. Under certain
circumstances, South King Fire and Rescue will require the alley and/or private street to be striped for no parking
in order to ensure access for fire department vehicles. Commissioner Drake asked who will be responsible for this
striping. Mr. Miller replied it will be the homeowners association. Commissioner Carlson asked if there will be a
vertical separation between the road and pedestrian walkway (i.e. a step up to a sidewalk). Mr. Miller responded
that a vertical separation is depicted in the standards, but it may not always be feasible.
Commissioner Drake asked if the fire department approves of the setback between the buildings. Mr. Miller replied
they approved it, but may require that buildings have sprinklers. Commissioner Bronson asked who owns the open
space and can a setback be used as open space. Ms. Shull replied that the homeowners association will own the
open space and a setback can be used as open space as long as it is usable space (i.e., not a driveway).
Commissioner Bronson expressed his concern that the Public Works Development Standards can be changed
without public notice. Ms. Clark commented that it is the Public Works Director who is the decision maker for the
Public Works Development Standards.
Commissioner Pfeifer asked Mr. Potter to explain why they want the lot size changed to 1500 square feet. Mr.
Potter replied that with everything that must be included with the buildings (such as roads) the number of actual
lots was too small to make developing the property they are considering feasible. Having smaller sized lots would
give them enough lots to make developing feasible.
Commissioner Drake asked who would be responsible for maintenance. If there is a maintenance problem, can the
city deal with it? What if there is a problem with the sewer system? Ms. Clark replied that staff will follow-up on
these issues.
Commissioner Carlson asked if there will residential design standards (he’s thinking of such things as the size of
garage doors). Ms. Shull responded that the plan for small lot detached developments is to have demonstration
project(s) similar to those for cottage housing. A separate ordinance would be prepared that outlines how the
demonstration project(s) would work. This ordinance would include design standards. If the demonstration project
is not well received, than there may not be any other small lot detached developments allowed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.