Planning Comm PKT 03-07-2012 City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 7, 2012 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 22, 2012
4. AUDIENCE COMMENT
5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
6. COMMISSION BUSINESS
• BRIEFING
Planning Commission Work Program
7. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
8. ADJOURN
Commissioners City Staff
Merle Pfeifer, Chair Tom Medhurst, Vice -Chair Patrick Doherty, Director of Community & Economic Development
Lawson Bronson Wayne Carlson Margaret Clark, Principal Planner
Hope Elder Sarady Long E. Tina Piety, Administrative Assistant
Tim O'Neil 253 -835 -2601
tina.pietv@cilvoffederalway.com
K:\Planning Commission\2011 \Agenda 03- 07- 12.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 22, 2012 City Hall
7:00 . .m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Wayne Carlson, Tim O'Neil, and Sarady Long.
Commissioners absent: Merle Pfeifer and Lawson Bronson (both excused). Staff present: Planning
Manager Isaac Conlen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Peter Beckwith, and
Administrative Assistant II Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice - Chair Medhurst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of February 1, 2012, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING — Proposed Amendments Related to Allowing Signs for City Sponsored Civic or
Community Events in the Public Right -of -Way
Ms. Clark delivered the staff report. This issue is not part of the Planning Commission Work Program. At
their January 28 2012, council retreat, the City Council requested staff to prepare a code amendment to
allow sign and pole banners over and in the right -of -way for city sponsored civic and community events.
Numerous city- sponsored civic and community events that occur in the city are advertised via newspapers
and online, but many people still do not hear about them. This would give those events added exposure,
which in turn should increase the audience. The city will purchase and erect the poles for the over the
street banners (already have poles in the right -of -way for pole banners). The poles will be engineered to
withstand the wind, which might mean one pole on each side of the street and one (or two) in the median.
Organizations will purchase banners that the city will put up. Duration of the banners will be on a case -
by -case basis. Normally, the Planning Commission's recommendation goes first to the city's Land Use/
Transportation Committee (LUTC) for review and then to the city council for a first reading and then a
second reading at the next city council meeting. The City Council has instructed staff to bypass the LUTC
and send the Planning Commission's recommendation directly to City Council for first and second
reading (with adoption or rejection) to the March 6, 2012, City Council meeting. They have requested this
short timeline in order to have the poles in place for events that will happen soon.
The hearing was opened to public comment.
K:\Planning Commission\201 t'Meeting Summary 02- 22- 12.doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 22, 2012
Wayne Triplett — He is strongly in favor of the proposed amendment. He is with the Federal Way
Kiwanis and stated there has been a long time need for event banners in order to advertise events.
Many people do not know about the events they would support if they knew. He meets many
people who have no idea an event is happening. He has talked to people who did not know the
sand sculpturing event happened. Some say they would have gone if they had known. He
suggested the proposed amendment be expanded to include banners for service groups (Kiwanis,
Rotary, etc.). He suggests a banner with a logo of all the Federal Way service groups that would
be placed during times no event is being advertised.
Beverly Triplett — She also spoke strongly in favor of the proposed amendment.
John Hatcher, Sand Sculpturing Tournament — It would have been beneficial to the tournament to
have had banners for additional advertising. He works as a caterer and knows there are events
held almost all year long that would benefit from this additional advertising. Banners would
provide a persistent, constant message for their duration. He is thrilled the City Council has
shortened the procedure timeline.
Bob Kellogg — The King County Aquatic Center holds events that are sparsely attended because
few know about them. He has spoken to people who did not know the Center held the synchronized
swimming trails last year. Many of the Center's events generate a lot of money for the city's
economy and banners are likely to bring more people and more money to the city's economy.
Commissioner Elder commented that she has been in favor of banners in the right -of -way for many years
and is very happy it is finally happening. She has spoken to many people who were unaware of events
that were happening and this should help advertise those events.
Commission Carlson noted that the staff report alludes only to placing banners over 320 Street. Could
they be placed on other streets? Also, he supports the idea of service organization banners, but does not
want to slow down the process for this proposed amendment. He suggests that the issue be placed on the
Planning Commission's work program. Commissioner Elder also likes the idea of service organization
banners. Principal Planner Clark stated that the proposed amendments do not limit over - the - street banners
to 320 Street.
Commissioner Long noted that in Table 1, the civic event or community service event wall mounted signs
have a timeline and suggested that the proposed street pole and over the street banners also have a
timeline. Commissioner Carlson stated he likes the idea of 30 days in advance, but what if there are two
events close together? Would the earlier event have 30 days and the second event fewer? Principal
Planner Clark responded this is why staff proposed the case -by -case basis.
Commissioner Medhurst asked for the proposed banners, how is city- sponsored and government defined?
For example, the city supports FUSION, but does not give financial support to their annual event. Would
FUSION qualify for a banner under the proposed amendment? Assistant City Attorney Beckwith
responded that the city code does define civic event and government. In order for an event to be
considered a city- sponsored event, the city council would need to acknowledge that they support the
event. Commissioner Medhurst asked who would control the content of the banner. Planning Manager
Conlen commented that it would be up to the city council to develop policies about whom and what type
of language they would support.
Commissioner O'Neil asked who would pay for the poles and put up the banners. Principal Planner Clark
replied that the city would purchase and construct the poles. The organization would purchase the
banner(s) and the city would put the banner(s) up.
K:\Planning Commission\2011\Meeting Summary 02- 22- 12.doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 February 22, 2012
Commissioner Carlson moved (and it was seconded) to recommend adoption of the proposed amendments
to FWRC Chapter 19.140, "Signs," as presented by staff. The motion carried (unanimously).
The public hearing was closed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
The next Planning Commission meeting will be March 7, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. It
will be a briefing on the Planning Commission's Work Program.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
K:\Planning Commission\2011\Meeting Summary 02- 22- 12.doc
CITY OF
Federal Way
STAFF REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
DATE: February 27, 2012
TO: Merle Pfeifer, Chair Planning Commission
FROM: Patrick Doherty, Director of Community and Economic Development
Margaret H. Clark, AICP, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: 2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program
MEETING DATE: March 7, 2012
A. BACKGROUND
At the beginning of each calendar year, the Planning Commission's Work Program for that year is
approved by the City Council. The purpose of this memorandum is to update the Planning
Commission as to the status of the 2011 Work Program and to get input from the Planning
Commission on potential new work items for 2012. The Planning Commission's input, as well as
information in this memorandum, will be used to assist the Land Use/Transportation Committee
(LUTC) and City Council in approving a work program for 2012. This memorandum includes the
following information:
• Section B — Completed items
• Section C — Status of items started in 2011 to be carried over into 2012 (code amendments
only)
• Section D — 2012 Code Amendment Requests
• Section E — 2011 and 2012 Annual Comprehensive Plan Update
• Section F — 2015 Major Comprehensive Plan Update
• Section G — Other Long Range Planning Responsibilities. This is a list of other long range
planning responsibilities that are not part of the Planning Commission Work Program but are
required to be done by long range planning staff.
• Section H — Potential Planning Commission Work Program/Staff Recommendation. This
includes work such as monitoring and reporting and the annual comprehensive plan
amendments which must be done. It also includes a prioritized list of potential code
amendments.
• Section I — Next Steps
B. COMPLETED ITEMS
• Amendments related to keeping chickens and ducks (2011)
• Amendments related to portable signs in the right -of -way (2011)
• Amendments related to allowing animal kennels and animal care facilities in the Neighborhood
Business (BN) Zone (2011)
• Amendments related to seating capacity of restaurants in the Office Park (OP) Zone (2011)
• Shoreline Master Program (2011)
• Amendments related to accessory uses and convention centers in the Office Park (OP) Zone
(2011)
• Amendments related to SEPA Exemptions in Critical Areas (2011)
• Amendments related to High Profile Signs (2012)
• Amendments related to Wall Mounted Banners (2012)
• Amendments related to Temporary Uses (2012)
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (2012) (to be included in the 2012 comprehensive plan update)
• Sub -Area Plan for the Twin Lakes Commercial District (2012)
• Policies for healthy eating and increased access to health foods (anticipated to be approved March
6, 2012) (To be included in the 2012 comprehensive plan update)
• Banner Signs in the right -of -way for city- sponsored civic and community events (anticipated to be
completed March 6, 2012. City Council requested that staff prepare this code amendment in their
January 28, 2012, Council Retreat)
C. STATUS OF ITEMS TO BE CARRIED OVER INTO 2012 (CODE AMENDMENTS ONLY)
Description Status
Clarify process for additions to developed sites and change of use. Delete Work has commenced
the requirement for Process I Review for developed sites when a building
permit application is also under review. Expand exemptions to the review
processes, such as external improvements that are not visible off -site.
Increase the maximum allowable building height and amend requirements In research stage
for open -space set -aside in the City- Center Core (CC -C) zoning district.
Specify parking ratios for all uses. In research stage
Adopt a more streamlined process for binding site plans. In research stage
Stream line review processes to make variances and critical area Not started
exemptions administrative approvals and reduce the number of required
processes.
Broaden uses and standardize bulk and dimensional requirements by Not started
zone.
Reduce or eliminate front yard setbacks in commercial zones. Evaluate Not started
appropriate side and rear setbacks and landscape buffers for adjacent
commercial uses.
Planning Commission Staff Report Meeting Date: March 7, 2012
2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program Page 2
Description Status
Consider incentives for development projects such as flexible road Not started
standards and increased density.
D. 2012 CODE AMENDMENTS REQUESTS
The Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) requires the City to accept applications for code
amendments on an annual basis. The city received the following citizen - initiated code amendments
for the 2012 amendment cycle:
File No. 12- 100516 -00 -AD — Request from Safely Senior for a code amendment to allow senior
housing/assisted living in the Professional Office (PO) Zone.
E. 2011 AND 2012 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
The FWRC requires the city to accept applications for amendments to the comprehensive plan on an
annual basis. The city received three requests in September 2011 for the 2012 amendment cycle.
1. Requests Received in 2011
(i) File No. 11- 103859 -UP — Request from Edward Hoit for a comprehensive plan
amendment and rezone of 1.82 acres (parcel 112103 -9131) located to the west of Dumas
Bay Park from Single Family Low - Density and Suburban Estates (SE, one unit per five
acres) to Single Family Medium Density and RS 15.0 (Single Family, one unit per 15,000
square feet).
(ii) Request from Eric Hildebrandt for a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone of 1.18
acres (parcel 292104 -9071) located at 1320 South 359 Street from Single Family
Medium Density and RS 15.0 (Single Family, one unit per 15,000 square feet) to Multi -
Family and RM 2400 (Multi - Family, one unit per 2,400 square feet).
(iii) Request from Mark Barrett for a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone of 0.35
acres (parcel 785360 -0008) located at 1836 South 308 Street from Single Family High
Density and RS 7.2 (Single Family, one unit per 7,200 square feet) to Multi - Family and
RM 3600 (Multi - Family, one unit per 3,600 square feet).
2. Request Received in 2010
The following request was received in 2010 and has already been selected by the city council for
further review. Staff is in the process of working with the applicant on moving it forward to the
environmental analysis stage. Staff proposes that this request be combined with the requests
received in 2011 for further processing,
File 10- 104109 -UP — Request from Joe Kunkel of The Healthcare Collaborative Group on
behalf of St. Francis Hospital for a comprehensive plan amendment to remove the planned
Planning Commission Staff Report Meeting Date: March 7, 2012
2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program Page 3
principal collector shown on Map I11 -5 of the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWCP).
This planned street extends from 9 Avenue South on the east along the north boundary of
the hospital campus to connect to 1s Way South on the west, just north of the Federal Way
Regional Library.
F. 2015 MAJOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130(4)(a), "Comprehensive plans — Review procedures and schedules —
Amendments," the City of Federal Way, along with King County and its cities, must take action
every seven years to review and if needed, revise their comprehensive plans and development
regulations to ensure the plan and regulations comply with the Growth Management Act (GMA). The
Legislature has extended this deadline from December 1, 2011, to December 1, 2015. Staff will be
initiating work on the major comprehensive update during this calendar year.
G. OTHER LONG RANGE PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES
The following describes reporting or monitoring work required by the state, county, or other agencies.
This is part of the Long Range Division Work Program, but not part of the Planning Commission Work
Program:
• Prepare an annual report on building permit and other housing - related data to the Washington
Office of Financial Management, which is used to determine the population of the City as of
April l' of each year.
• Prepare an annual report on the number of building permits broken out by type and achieved
densities of all residential development and floor area ratios of non - residential development to King
County to be used for the King County Benchmark and Annual Growth Information Reports, the
Buildable Lands Report, and annual reports prepared by the Puget Sound Regional Council
(PSRC).
• Provide information on an annual basis to King County on affordable housing, acres of parkland,
Urban Center activity, and miles of streets to be used as benchmarks in measuring how the city is
meeting the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA). This information is also
included in the King County Benchmark and Annual Growth Information Report.
• Provide information on an annual basis on subdivision activity to King County.
• Respond to surveys from University of Washington, PSRC, and other institutions.
• Work on a city interdepartmental team to prepare a capacity analysis for residential units and
employment and coordinate population projections and land use allocations for the city and its
related Transportation and Analysis Zones (TAZ's).
• Review proposed amendments to the King County Countywide Planning Policies and provide
information to the city council for their feedback.
Planning Commission Staff Report Meeting Date: March 7, 2012
2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program Page 4
H. POTENTIAL 2011 PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM/STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The long range planning staff is comprised of 1.5 Full Time Equivalents (FTE). In the past, current
planning staff has assisted the long range division based on their capacity and depending on the level
of development activity. The current planning staff level was reduced from 3.5 FTE's to 2.5 FTE's in
the last budget cycle, so it is unlikely that current planning staff will have the capacity to assist with
long range planning this year.
Based on past experience, the majority of the long range planning staff's time is expected to be spent
on the annual comprehensive plan update process and reporting and monitoring work required by
state law. Staff recommends the following Planning Commission Work Program. However, it is
probable, given staff resources that some items may have to be carried over to the 2013 Work
Program.
The potential Work Program is organized as follows:
MANDATORY— Anticipated to be completed in 2012
• Complete the 2011 and 2012 Comprehensive Plan Update.
• Monitoring and Reporting — Includes Report to the Office of Financial Management; Buildable
Lands Report; and Report to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).
• Start the 2015 Major Comprehensive Plan Update (not required but recommended to be started
this year).
NOT MANDATORY — Organized by High, Medium, and Low Priority
High Priority
• Clarify process for additions to developed sites and change of use. Delete the requirement for
Process I Review for developed sites when a building permit application is also under review.
Expand exemptions to the review processes, such as external improvements that are not visible
off -site.
• Increase the maximum allowable building height and amend requirements for open -space set -
aside in the City- Center Core (CC -C) zoning district.
• Stream line review processes to make variances and critical area exemptions administrative
approvals and reduce the number of required processes.
• Specify parking ratios for all uses.
Medium Priority
• Reduce or eliminate front yard setbacks in commercial zones. Evaluate appropriate side and
rear setbacks and landscape buffers for adjacent commercial uses.
Planning Commission Staff Report Meeting Date: March 7, 2012
2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program Page 5
• Adopt a more streamlined process for binding site plans.
• Adopt zoning regulations for the Twin Lakes Commercial Sub -Area.
• Adopt regulations for Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture.
Low Priority
• Broaden uses and standardize bulk and dimensional requirements by zone.
• Consider incentives for development projects, such as flexible road standards and increased
density.
• Allow oversize vehicles in approved enclosures in residential zones.
• Adopt regulations to inspect rental housing on a yearly basis.
• Housekeeping amendments.
I. NEXT STEPS
Staff will add the Planning Commission's recommended comprehensive plan and code amendments
to the list of potential amendments and provide a prioritized list to the LUTC, which may further
refine the list before council consideration.
Planning Commission Staff Report Meeting Date: March 7, 2012
2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program Page 6