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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