Planning Commission MINS 09-18-2013t_11'Y0FVLDLRAL AV
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 18, 2013 City Hall
7 -nn n m Cnnnril Clam arc
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Merle Pfeifer, Hope Elder, Tom Medhurst, Sarady Long, Wayne Carlson, and
Tim O'Neil. Commissioners absent: Lawson Bronson (excused). Staff present: Planning Manager Isaac
Conlen, Senior Planner Janet Shull, Contract Planner Jim Harris, Assistant City Attorney Peter Beckwith,
and E. Tina Piety, Administrative Assistant lI.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pfeifer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of June 24, 2013, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING — Proposed Zoning Code Amendments Related to Urban Agriculture
Senior Planner Shull delivered the staff report. She noted that Skye Schell with Forterra (the non -profit
agency representative who worked on the project with the city) is in the audience, along with a number of
citizens who will be giving public testimony. She also noted that staff (and Forterra) has taken into
consideration and inputted Planning Commissioner's comments /suggestions from the January 16, 2013,
study session on this topic.
Senior Planner Shull went over the background and overall goals of the proposed amendments. The
overall goals include implementing policies to support access to healthy food and to be responsive to
community interest in growing food for health, education, and economic benefit. A summary of the
proposed amendments is as follows:
1. Provide definitions for urban agriculture uses.
2. Amend the existing sign tables to include urban agriculture uses to allow for permanent
and temporary identification /informational signs.
3. Amend the existing Suburban Estates (SE) use zone chart and add new use zone charts
allowing urban agricultural uses in each existing zone.
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4. Add anew section to Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) Title 19 Division VII,
"Supplemental Zoning Regulations" (which is where one can find regulations related to
the keeping of animals, home occupations, and temporary uses) with regulations and
procedural requirements specific to urban agriculture.
The meeting was opened for Public Testimony.
Jim Cox, Project Manager (with his wife) of the Light of Christ Community Garden — He stated
the purpose of the Light of Christ Community Garden is to provide food to the community and to
bring people together to help one another. They have had some 300 different people (varying in
age from 3 to 83 years) volunteer in the garden. There are people there every day volunteering.
He described one man from the Ukraine for whom the garden is a very special place and who is
there two or three times a day. They produced some 3000 pounds of food this year for donations.
They support Fusion, Mitchell Place, Reach Out, and the Multi- Service Center, among others. All
people, no matter their faith (or lack thereof) are welcome to volunteer to work in the garden. The
garden meets genuine needs and it almost did not happen. When they went to the city for permits,
the city did not have any regulations for community gardens. The proposed amendments would
make the process easier for future applicants.
Maria Brememan — She supports the proposed amendments. She stated they clarify the code and
remove ambiguity and barriers. They are practical and supportive of urban agriculture.
Skye Shell, Forterra — He is excited the proposed amendments are moving forward Forterra has
been working with the city for about a year on this project. The proposed amendments will not
only create access to healthy food, but will provide opportunity for economic development and
small businesses.
Karla Kolibab, Federal Way Farmer's Market — She stated that not having permanent signage is
a problem for the Farmer's Market. Currently they are allowed only temporary signs during the
day of the market. Having a permanent sign would let more people know about the market and
potentially bring more people to the market.
Chair Pfeiffer stated that the Farmer's Market has moved a number of times since they started.
Would this not be a problem if they have a permanent sign? Ms. Kolibab replied they are working
with the Commons Mall on an agreement that would allow them to stay where they are for a
number of years.
Rose Ehl, Federal Way Farmer's Market — She stated the Federal Way Farmer's Market provides
fresh produce and plants /flower, arts & crafts, and processed food; in addition, a master gardener
is available. They host a number of community events and are a venue for WIC and senior
assistance. They have discussed a permanent sign with city staff and the plan is to locate it at the
corner of 324`" and Pacific Highway South. They would also have to have clearance from the
Commons Mall. They hope to have a permanent sign for next year.
Public Testimony was closed.
Commissioner Carlson thanked staff for their work and said the proposed amendments are clear and well
written. On page 7 of the staff report in item IS. it talks about soil testing for sites impacted by the
Tacoma smelter plume. How much of the city is affected? What percentage of the city would have to do a
soil test? Senior Planner Shull replied that she does not know the specifics, but according to a map the
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area primarily affected is a strip on the western edge of the city. She stated staff has talked to Washington
State Ecology about this issue and they do not think anyone would be denied a garden. They want people
to be aware of the issue and to take appropriate steps if needed. Commissioner Carlson asked that staff
inform applicants what the city would want them to do if they are located in the plume area. Planning
Manager Conlen commented that a map of the area can be given to applicants.
Commissioner Long noted that in some cases a notice of the proposed garden must be given. Is there a
standard area for the notice? Senior Planner Shull replied currently notices are sent to a 300 foot area and
that would be the same for these notices.
Commissioner Medhurst commented that he is grateful for the community gardens and the work they do.
On page 1 of Exhibit A3, it states that farmers markets, "the majority of products for sale should be food -
related products." He is concerned that the word "should" is not strong enough and a farmers market
could develop into a flea market. Senior Planner Shull stated that staff did discuss this phrase and the
word "should" with the stakeholders. No one could think of an appropriate stronger word. Planning
Manager Conlen commented that the word could be changed to "shall." Commissioner Carlson stated he
would support changing the word to "shall" with the understanding that majority would be based on the
width of saleable space.
Commissioner Medhurst asked why (as stated on page 3 of Exhibit D) are structures such as greenhouses
limited to 15 feet in height, while others, such as hoophouses limited to 6 feet in height. Senior Planner
responded that the items limited to six feet in height are not considered "structures." Hoophouses and
similar items are designed to be moved, unlike greenhouses.
Commission Carlson moved (and it was seconded) to recommend adoption of the proposed amendments
to urban agriculture with the modifications that the word "should" in the definition of farmers market will
be changed to "shall," and a definition added that clarifies that the majority of food related products
referred to in the farmers market definition is based on the width of saleable space. There was no further
discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
The public hearing was closed.
PUBLIC HEARING — Proposed Code Amendments Related to Provisions for Allowing Departures
from Required Community Design Guidelines in all Zoning Districts
Contact Planner Harris delivered the presentation. He went over the background and the overall goal,
which is to increase the flexibility of the community design guidelines to act as performance objectives
rather than to act as specific and /or numeric requirements, while still meeting the larger intent to protect
property values, enhance general appearance, and improve and expand pedestrian circulation and public
spaces in the city. The proposed changes consist of the addition of two sentences to FWRC 19.115.020,
"Administration." There was no public testimony.
Commissioner Long asked if the proposed amendments will allow buildings to be placed closer to the
sidewalk. Contract Planner Harris replied that the proposed amendments will not likely trigger buildings
to be placed closer to the sidewalk. Commissioner Carlson agrees with the proposed amendment. Without
it, it can make for weird designs in order to fit the code requirements. Commissioner Medhurst asked if
there was a specific catalyst for this amendment. Contract Planner Harris replied that there is no specific
catalyst, but the requirements have caused issues in the past. Planning Manager Conlen stated that in the
past, applicants have proposed design that would probably work better, but the city was not able to
approve them because they did not meet the community design guideline requirements.
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Commissioner O'Neil moved (and it was seconded) to recommend adoption of the proposed amendment
to the community design guidelines as written. There was no further discussion and the motion carried
unanimously.
The public hearing was closed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Planning Manager Conlen stated that currently there is no date for the next Planning Commission meeting
(it will likely be in November).
Commissioner Elder expressed her concern about the parking disappearing at the Commons Mall. Is the
city monitoring that? Planning Manager Conlen replied that the city is monitoring the parking with the
use of a parking study.
Commissioner O'Neil asked what the direction of the city's urban core is. Nothing seems to change.
Planning Manager Conlen replied that the vision is for denser, mixed -use buildings, while also being
pedestrian friendly. The downturn in the nationwide economy has hindered development over the last five
years. Also, it is difficult for a city like Federal Way to compete with Seattle or Bellevue for that type of
development. Commissioner Carlson commented that the city has had proposals for high- rises, but it
needs the middle ground of mid -rises first. Planning Manager Conlen responded that the city is receptive
to mid -rise development and is hopeful see proposals of this nature.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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