ORD 12-718ORDINANCE NO. 12-718
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Federal Way, Washington, relating
to Complete Streets: adding a new section to FWRC 19.135.
(Amending Ordinance Nos.10-625, 09-630, 07-554, 06-515, 02-417, 02-
414, 00-363, 98-330, and 90-43)
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to periodically modify Title 19 of the Federal
Way Revised Code (FWRC), "Zoning and Development Code," in order to conform to state and
federal law, codify administrative practices, clarify and update zoning regulations as deemed
necessary, and improve the efficiency of the regulations and the development review process;
and
WHEREAS, this ordinance, containing amendments to development regulations and the
text of Title 19 FWRC, has complied with Process VI review, chapter 19.80 FWRC, pursuant to
chapter 19.35 FWRC; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the City Council to adopt a new Complete
Streets policy which establishes provision for the reasonable and appropriate accommoda.tion for
pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit passengers of a11 ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses
and automobiles within the City of Federal Way; and
WHEREAS, the term "Complete Streets" describes a comprehensive, integrated
transportation network with infrastructure and design that allows safe and convenient travel for
all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicle drivers, and public transit users; and
WHEREAS, walking and biking enhances health through physical activity and helps to
reduce air pollution; and
WHEREAS, Federal Way's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element goals include
providing a connected system of pedestrian and bicycle ways that is integrated into a coordinated
regional network as well as providing for an enhanced high capacity transit system; and
Ordinance No. 12-718 Page 1 of 6
WHEREAS, Federal Way's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element policies
support increased access to alternative modes of transportation and emphasize transportation
safety and efficiency; and
WHEREAS, the City of Federal Way is developing a citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian
Master Plan that addresses increased mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists, and increased access
to transit; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a workshop session on this code
amendment on May 18, 2011; and
WHEREAS, an Environmental Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) was properly
issued for the Proposal on November 26, 2011, and no comments or appeals were received and
the DNS was finalized on December 27, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission properly conducted a duly noticed public hearing
on these code amendments on December 7, 2011; and forwarded a recommendation of approval
with modification to the City Council as follows: (1) delete the word "their" from proposed
sections 19.135.205(2)(a) and (2)(c); and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Transportation Committee of the Federal Way City Council
considered these code amendments on January 9, 2012, and recommended adoption of the text
amendments as recommended by the Planning Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findinss. The City Council of the City of Federal Way makes the following
findings with respect to the proposed amendments.
Ordinance No. 12-718 Page 2 of 6
(a) These code amendments are in the best interest of the residents of the City and
will benefit the City as a whole by reinforcing the city's commitment to ensuring infrastructure
improvements are made with the consideration for safe and convenient travel for multiple modes.
(b) These code amendments comply with Chapter 36.70A RCW, Growth
Management.
(c) These code amendments are consistent with the intent and purpose of Title 19
FWRC and will implement and are consistent with the applicable provisions of the Federal Way
Comprehensive Plan,
(d) These code amendments bear a substantial relationship to, and will protect and
not adversely affect, the public health, safety, and welfare.
(e) These code amendments have followed the proper procedure required under the
FWRC.
Section 2. Conclusions. Pursuant to chapter 19.80 FWRC and chapter 19.35 FWRC, and
based upon the recitals and the findings set forth in Section l, the Federal Way City Council
makes the following Conclusions of Law with respect to the decisional criteria necessary for the
adoption of the proposed amendments:
(a) The proposed FWRC amendments are consistent with, and substantially
�
implement, the following Federal Way Comprehensive Plan goals and policies:
TP3 Provide integrated, multiple travel options to residents and workers,
especially those with disabilities that are also effective alternatives to the
SOV.
TP9 Identify and implement changes to the transportation system that reduces
reliance on the single occupant vehicle. Support state, regional, and local
visions and policies.
TP31 Integrate the traffic circulation network with high capacity transit, HOV,
bicycle, and pedestrian networks with consideration to regional system
needs, including air and port facilities.
Ordinance No. 12-718 Page 3 of 6
TP38 Include sufficient area in rights-of-way for bike lanes, sidewalks, and
landscaped medians to provide separation from motorized traffic as funds
allow. Use landscaped medians to separate opposing traffic when safety and
aesthetic purposes dictate the need.
TG4 Enhance community livability and transportation by providing a connected
system of pedestrian and bicycle ways that is integrated into a coordinated
regional network.
TP50 Provide sidewalks on both sides of all arterial streets as funding allows.
TP51 Provide a one-mile grid of bicycle facilities connecting major activity centers
recreational facilities, and schools.
TP52 Incorporate pedestrian and bicycle features as design elements in the City
Center as reflected in the FWCP Vision and City Center Street Design
Guidelines.
TP53 Ensure that City facilities and amenities are ADA compatible.
TP54 Work to extend the existing system of sidewalks, bikeways, and equestrian
ways in the city to provide safe access to public transit, neighborhood and
business centers, parks, schools, public facilities, and other recreational
attractions.
(b) The proposed FWRC amendment bears a substantial relationship to the public
health, safety, and welfare because it ensures that transportation improvements consider the
safety and mobility of all modes of travel, and the varying abilities of citizens to move
throughout the community. Overall public health is improved when people have the ability to
move throughout the community safely and easily on foot and bicycle.
(c) The proposed amendment is in the best interest of the public and the residents of
the City of Federal Way because complete streets are focused on increased safe and convenient
movement of people using all modes of travel. Complete streets also support economic
development as access to commercial areas and between neighborhoods and commercial areas is
enhanced with greater emphasis on connectivity. Livability is improved as it becomes easier to
move about the community.
Ordinance No. 12-718 Page 4 of 6
Section 3. Chapter 19 of the Federal Way Revised Code is hereby amended to add a new
section 19.135.205 Complete Streets to read as follows:
19.135.205 Comnlete Streets.
(1�Complete Streets Polic�
The Citv of Federal Way will plan for, desi�n, and construct a11 new and retrofitted
transportation projects to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation for pedestriansi
bicvclists, and transit passengers of a11 ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses, and
automobiles, with a goal of street connectivitv that creates a comprehensive, integrated,
connected network for all modes.
�2) Exceptions.
Facilities for bic, cl�pedestrians, transit users and /or_persons of all abilities are not
required to be provided:
(a) Where establishment would be contrarv to public safetv;
(b) Where there is no identified lon� term need, as established in cit�plans and future
travel demand models:
(c) Where inclusion in a small proiect would create a verv short section of improvements
with Uroblematic transitions on either end, or that are unlikelv to be followed bY
similar improvements at either end, resultin� in little progress on implementin�multi-
modal networks as set forth in the transportation chapter of the Federal Wav
Comprehensive Plan; and/or
(d) Where a modification, deferment, or waiver to the re�uirements of this chapter has
been granted by the public works director per FWRC 19.135.070.
Section 4. Severabilitv. The provisions of this ordinance are declared separate and
severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or portion of
this ordinance, or the invalidity of the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall
not affect the validity of the remainder of the ordinance, or the validity of its application to any
other persons or circumstances.
Section 5. Corrections. The City Clerk and the codifiers of this ordinance are authorized
to make necessary corrections to this ordinance including, but not limited to, the correction of
scrivener/clerical errors, references, ordinance numbering, section/subsection numbers and any
references thereto.
Section 6. Ratification. Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective
date of this ordinance is hereby ratified and affirmed.
Ordinance No. 12-718 Page 5 of 6
Section 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective five (5) days after passage
and publication as provided by law.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Federal Way this 21 st day of February, 2012.
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
r
MAYOR, S IP PRIEST
ATTEST:
s
CITY CLERK, CAROL M ILLY, CMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
�G' '`� � ����a�
CITY ATTORNEY, PATRICIA A. RICHARDSON
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COLTNCIL:
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
ORDINANCE NO.:
1-31-2012
2-21-2012
2-24-2012
2-29-2012
12-718
Ordinance No. 12-718 Page 6 of 6