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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.