Planning Comm MINS 11-07-2007
K:\Planning Commission\2007\Meeting Summary 11-07-07.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
November 7, 2007 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Hope Elder, Dini Duclos, Merle Pfeifer, Wayne Carlson, Bill Drake, and Lawson Bronson.
Commissioners absent: Dave Osaki, (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Kevin King. Alternate Commissioners
absent: None. Staff present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Senior Planner Janet Shull, Associate Planner Matt Herrera, and
Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
Chairwoman Elder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved (and it was seconded) to approve the minutes of April 18, 2007, September 19, 2007, and October 17,
2007, as presented. The motion passed; no nays.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Ms. Clark introduced Associate Planner Matt Herrera.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
It was decided to delay the election of officers to the next Planning Commission meeting.
STUDY SESSION – Clearing & Grading/Tree Retention Code Amendment
Ms. Clark and Ms. Shull delivered the staff report. They discussed existing code regulations and noted that
significant trees are dealt with in different sections of the code. One of the intents of this code amendment is to
consolidate the regulations.
Chair Elder commented that clearing a site can have a detrimental effect (due to erosion, etc.) on nearby property.
Mr. Carlson commented that he has noticed that one or two large trees may not be the best solution. A number of
medium sized trees (especially of various sizes) work better to mitigate detrimental effects. He also commented that
the City may have particular species of trees that they would want to preserve. Mr. Bronson commented that
definitions are needed for large trees, medium trees, and heritage trees. Ms. Duclos commented that she would like
to have incentives to preserve a greater percentage of trees. It was stated that it would be a good idea to identify
trees on adjacent properties that might be affected by development. Mr. Bronson commented that Google provides
aerial surveys and asked if the City uses them. Ms. Clark replied that the City does use aerial surveys. Ms. Duclos
asked how a homeowner would know if a tree is protected or significant. Mr. Bronson asked is there a penalty for
cutting a tree that is blocking view and planting smaller ones in its place. Ms. Shull commented that these are
excellent points that the City will consider.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 November 7, 2007
K:\Planning Commission\2007\Meeting Summary 11-07-07.doc
Public Comment
John Norris, Norris Homes – He commented that he is passionate about building houses that people can
afford. He feels that the current proposal has nothing in it that would make houses affordable. He urged the
Commission to understand that the regulations cost money and price homes out of the reach of families.
Allowing flexibility is very important. Trees are a renewable resource. There are a number of older
neighborhoods that had been mass graded that now have large, beautiful trees. More restrictive regulations
are making the building of homes more expensive, which in turn, drives up the cost to potential buyers.
Mr. Bronson commented that we need to decide what we want Federal Way to look like. Do we want to look like
San Francisco, with no trees and small yards, or do we want neighborhoods with lots of trees and large yards?
The Commission would like additional study sessions on this topic with “experts” on these issues. Ms. Clark
replied that staff will invite agency representatives, developers, and other interested parties to a future study
session.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Mr. Bronson announced that the November 29th Terrorism Awareness Presentation needs participants and
encouraged Commissioners to attend.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.