Planning Comm MINS 05-02-2007
K:\Planning Commission\2007\Meeting Summary 05-02-07.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
May 2, 2007 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Dini Duclos, Bill Drake, Merle Pfeifer, Lawson Bronson, and Wayne Carlson.
Commissioners absent: Hope Elder and Dave Osaki (both excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Kevin King.
Alternate Commissioners absent: Caleb Allen and Richard Agnew (both not excused). Staff present: Senior
Planner Margaret Clark, City Attorney Patricia Richardson, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Vice-Chairwoman Duclos called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Clark informed that Commission that the Zero Lot Line Townhomes and Small Lot Detached Development
Code Amendments have passed first reading at the City Council and will presented for second reading on May 15,
2007. The 2006 Comprehensive Plan Update, BP/BC Zoning Text Amendments, and Shoreline Mater Program
Updates are all scheduled for the May 21, 2007, LUTC.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING – Village at Federal Way Amendment to Conditions of Approval
Commissioner Duclos disclosed she had meet with Mr. Potter a long time ago when he was making courtesy calls
to neighbors. She informed him she is on the Planning Commission and they did not discuss this issue. She has not
spoken to him since. Commissioner Carlson disclosed that he knows Mr. Potter because Mr. Potter is a friend of
Commissioner’s Carlson’s boss, but there is no business relationship and they have never discussed this issue.
Ms. Clark delivered the staff report. Jon Potter is seeking this change to increase the square footage of the building
footprint of the two anchor buildings because retailers that have 50,000 square foot footprints or smaller have not
been interested n the Federal Way market. He cannot attract tenants with the current footprint. SEPA was issued on
the comprehensive plan amendments. One of the conditions for this project is that they submit a master plan and
that master plan will undergo SEPA.
At the time that a development permit is applied for, the Traffic Division or the applicant will conduct a
Concurrency Analysis. If the development results in greater impacts than anticipated in the six-year Transportation
Improvement Plan (TIP), the developer would be required to scale the project back , wait until the project is added
to the TIP, or make the required traffic improvements.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 May 2, 2007
K:\Planning Commission\2007\Meeting Summary 05-02-07.doc
The requested amendments are:
Increase the gross square footage of the two anchors from 100,000 to 140,000 square feet.
No one anchor may exceed an 80,000 square foot footprint (an increase from 50,000 square feet).
Change the width to depth ratio of the anchors from 1.5:1 to 1.25:1 (i.e. change from the width being no
more than 1½ times the depth to width being no more than 1¼ times the depth [building would become
more square rather than rectangular]).
Increase the building footprint of commercial mixed-use buildings from 10,000 to 30,000 square feet, with
a width to depth ratio not to exceed 1.5:1.
Increase the building footprint of commercial/residential mixed-use buildings from 10,000 to 12,000
square feet, with a width to depth ratio not to exceed 2:1.
The limits on the building footprint would exclude integrated parking, i.e., parking that is part of the building.
Keep the building footprint of non-anchor, non-mixed use buildings to 10,000 square feet with the
provision for an increase up to 20,000 square feet for two buildings if certain conditions are met. No
change in the width to depth ratio of 2:1.
No public comments were received. Staff recommends accepting the amendments as proposed.
Mr. Potter and his design consultant, Joe Donahou, were available to answer questions. Discussion was held on the
change of the width to depth ratio of the anchor buildings. This discussion indicated that it would be more limiting
to the applicant to change the width to depth ratio as requested. Because they want as much flexibility as possible,
the applicant concluded that it would be in their best interest to not change the width to depth ratio.
Commissioner Bronson moved (and it was seconded) to recommend adoption of the proposal with an amendment
that the depth to width ratio be retained at the original 1.5:1 for the anchor buildings. The vote was held and
passed, no nays.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Bronson will be on vacation the month of June and Commissioner Drake will not be available the
first week of June. It was noted that the City’s Volunteer Dinner is May 18th.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.