Planning Comm MINS 03-07-2012
K:\Planning Commission\2011\Meeting Summary 02-22-12.doc
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 7, 2012 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Merle Pfeifer, Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Lawson Bronson, Tim O’Neil, and
Sarady Long. Commissioners absent: Wayne Carlson (excused). Staff present: Planning Manager Isaac
Conlen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Peter Beckwith, and Administrative
Assistant II Darlene LeMaster.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pfeifer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of February 22, 2012, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Planning Manager Isaac Conlen reported the following:
1. There are no items scheduled for the March 21st Planning Commission meeting, therefore the
March 21, 2012 Planning Commission meeting will be cancelled.
2. Beginning in 2012, commissioners are receiving all documents and agenda packets electronically
as part of frugal innovation and trying to cut costs wherever possible. Planning Manager Conlen
asked for feedback from the commissioners. The commissioners stated they would like to
continue receiving all commission related items electronically.
3. Tina Piety, Administrative Assistant II, is very ill and it is not known how long she may be out
for. In the interim, Darlene LeMaster, Administrative Assistant II, will be staffing the Planning
Commission meetings.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
BRIEFING – 2012 Planning Commission and Long Range Planning Work Program
Ms. Clark delivered the staff report and prefaced the report with each year the Planning Commission’s
work program for that year is approved by the City Council. The staff report and any input from either
the Planning Commission or the Land Use and Transportation Committee will be used in assisting the
City Council to approve a work program for 2012.
Ms. Clark briefed the Commissioners on a list of Work Program items that were completed in 2011 along
with those carried over to be completed in 2012 (code amendments only). Ms. Clark also updated the
Commissioners on 2012 code amendment requests, 2011 and 2012 Comprehensive Plan amendment
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 7, 2012
K:\Planning Commission\2011\Meeting Summary 03-07-12.doc
requests, the 2015 major Comprehensive Plan update, and other long range planning responsibilities. Ms,
Clark then presented staff’s recommendations for a potential 2012 Work Program divided into categories
of mandatory, non-mandatory: high, medium and low priority.
Once the Planning Commission recommends forwarding the 2012 Planning Commission and Long Range
Work Program, it will be recommended for approval from the Land Use and Transportation Committee
and approved by the City Council. As an approved Work Program, it will come back to Planning
Commission for further action.
Chair Pfeifer called for any questions or discussion from the commissioners.
Commissioner Bronson asked for clarification about potentially adopting a streamlined process for a
binding site plan. Ms. Clark explained that a binding site plan is requirement whenever there is a lease or
purchase of commercial property. Staff is recommending adopting a short plat process that will be
shorter and simpler than the existing binding site plan.
Commissioner O’Neil used the example of selling a strip mall in its existing condition, would the seller
have to go through a binding site plan? Ms. Clark answered yes, a binding site plan would be required.
Staff may want to suggest separating selling vs. leasing a commercial piece of property. Ms. Clark
clarified her statement by explaining a binding site plan would be required if the seller was selling/leasing
a portion of the strip mall.
Commissioner Medhurst asked about canopy codes and how they apply to view properties and the
ability/inability to remove trees that block views. Are people ignoring these codes? Planning Manager
Conlen stated that staff feels the current canopy codes have been effective. The codes allow for removal
of diseased or dying trees, specify a ratio for trees to lot sizes and address critical areas and steep slopes.
Commissioner Long asked for clarification on how items were prioritized in the staff report. Ms. Clark
commented that items were categorized as noted above: mandatory, non-mandatory, high, medium and
low priority, but not further prioritized beyond that point. Commissioner Long also asked if it possible to
combine the parking stall ratio with the maximum allowable height amendment code. Ms. Clark
answered that these two examples of code amendments would not work well together because one is a
very simple amendment while the other is much more difficult.
Commissioner Bronson had one last item to ask about the canopy code and how the recent winter storm
may impact that. Planning Manager Conlen stated that the trees that came down as a result of the recent
storm were removable without a permit due to the exemptions in the code. Commissioner O’Neil also
noted out canopy code, like most any other code, is enforceable through the code compliance complaint
process.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
The next Planning Commission meeting will be April 4, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
ADJOURN
Chair Pfeifer adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m.