Planning Commission MINS 05-21-2014CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
May 21, 2014 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Sarady Long, Tim O'Neil, and Wayne Carlson.
Commissioners absent: Lawson Bronson and Merle Pfeifer (both excused). Staff present: Planning
Manager Isaac Conlen, Senior Planner Janet Shull, Assistant City Attorney Peter Beckwith, and
Administrative Assistant 11 Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Medhurst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of January 15, 2014, and March 19, 2014, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Planning Manager Conlen announced that the City Council approved four new departmental positions:
Associate Planner, Code Compliance Officer, Development Specialist, and Plans Examiner/Inspector.
The date of the next meeting was discussed. Since some Commissioners will be absent, it was decided
that the next meeting will be the first Wednesday of July.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION — Proposed Amendments Related to Group Homes Type III
Senior Planner Janet Shull delivered the staff report. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the
topic and related issues and obtain community and Planning Commissioner input and comments.
Specifically, staff is seeking input on four issues related to the proposed amendments:
1. Appropriate zones for Group Homes Type 111.
2. Proposed amendments to language specifying that certain Group Homes Type II shall be
treated as a Group Home Type III.
3. Appropriate separation standards for Group Homes Type IIl.
4. Clarifying the definition and providing a cross - reference between Title 19 ( "Zoning and
Development Code ") and Title 12 ( "Businesses ") related to housing for sex offenders and
Group Homes Type III.
KAPIanning Commission \2014 \Meeting Summary 05- 21- 14.doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 May 21, 2014
The City Council enacted a moratorium on siting of Group Homes Type III and sex offender housing
and directed staff to begin working on recommended regulations. Group Home Type II is for
juveniles and Group Home Type III is for sexually- motivated and violent adult offenders.
Commissioner O'Neil asked if the city has a Group Home Type I and Group Home Type IV. Senior
Planner Shull replied that we do not. Commissioner O'Neil asked if they are required to have a
business license with the city. Senior Planner Shull replied that the FWRC was recently amended to
add "significant impact business," which regulates Group Homes (called congregate residential
facility) and requires a business license.
1. Appropriate Zones — Senior Planner Shull asked if the Commissioners agree with the general siting
recommendations outlined in Table 2 in the staff memo.
Commissioner Long asked if there is any Group Homes Type II currently in the RM zone. Senior
Planner Shull replied the city is not aware of any. None have applied to the city. Commissioner
Elder commented that she is concerned about housing sex offenders with violent offenders. Sex
offenders are not necessarily violent. Commissioner Carlson agrees. Assistant City Attorney
Beckwith replied that the city is not changing the risk definition and how offenders are housed is a
court decision. Chair Medhurst asked how realistic it is to place them in the BC and CE zones. How
high is the concentration of housing in these commercial zones? Senior Planner Shull replied that
currently residences are not allowed in the CE zone and only some are allowed in the BC zone.
Given the city's zoning pattern, and the proposed separation standard (1,000 feet from schools,
parks, churches, etc.), it is likely that BC and CE are the only zones they could find an area to
locate. The city can consider reducing the separation standard. Commissioner O'Neil asked if staff
could provide him with an address that would meet the proposed regulations that he could view.
Senior Planner Shull replied that they will. Commissioner Long asked if there is data available from
other jurisdictions with similar business license language. Senior Shull replied there are not many.
2. Proposed amendments to language specking that certain Group Homes Type II shall be treated as a
Group Home Type III. Senior Planner Shull asked if Commissioners agree with the recommendation
for treating Group Homes Type II as Group Homes Type III when residents have been convicted of
the offenses listed under Group Homes Type III, even if the residents are juveniles.
Chair Medhurst asked how the city would enforce it. Senior Planner Shull replied that juvenile sex
offenders have to register with law enforcement. Commissioner Long is also concerned with the
enforcement issue. Commissioner O'Neil expressed concern about placing juvenile offenders with
adult offenders. Senior Planner Shull replied that juveniles would not be required to be placed with
adults. Staff will seek input from the Police Department on this issue and will request a
representative attend the public hearing.
3. Appropriate separation standards for Group Homes Type III. Senior Planner Shull asked if
Commissioners agree with the proposed 1,000 -foot separation from sensitive land uses (parks,
schools, churches, etc.), with an additional 300 -foot separation from residential zones.
Senior Planner Shull commented that other jurisdictions have residential separation standards that range
from 300 to 1,000 feet. The city is proposing 300 feet because a larger separation may not provide an
adequate amount of area for these homes. Commissioners support the proposed amendment.
Commissioner Long commented that Use Process IV (the process that will be used for Group
Homes) requires a notice to all property within 300 feet. He does not feel this is adequate for this
type of use. Commissioners Carlson and Elder agree. Senior Planner Shull replied that she will ask
the Law Department if a special notice requirement can be done for Group Homes.
K Tlanning CommissionA2013 \Meeting Summary 06 -24 -13 doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 May 21, 2014
4. Clarifying the definition and providing a cross - reference between Title 19 ( "Zoning and
Development Code') and Title 12 ( "Businesses') related to housing for sex offenders and Group
Homes Type III.
Commissioners had no comments and agree with the proposed amendment.
Other
Commissioner Carlson asked, once a juvenile turns 18, do they have to leave or can they stay in the
home. Senior Planner Shull will research this issue.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
K:APIanning CommissionA2013Weeting Summary 06-24-13 doe