Planning Commission MINS 11-19-2014CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
November 19, 2014 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tom Medhurst, Lawson Bronson, Hope Elder, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble -
Gulliford, Tim O'Neil, and Anthony Murrietta. Commissioner absent: Sarady Long (excused). Staff
present: Planning Manager Isaac Conlen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Ryan
Call, and Administrative Assistant II Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Medhurst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of October 15, 2014, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Planning Manager Conlen announced that Alternate Coleman- Porter has resigned from the Commission
because she moved out of the city. In addition, Senior Planner Shull has taken a position with the City of
Seattle. The next meeting is scheduled for December 17 and will be a briefing on FWCP Chapter Six,
"Capital Facilities." Given that this is the holiday season, is there anyone will not be attending? Senior
Planner Herrera will hold a workshop on the Critical Areas update the first meeting in January (7th). Critical
Areas is Chapter 9 of FWCP. Staff wants to get citizen input (like kick -off meeting). Would Commissioners
be available for a 6 p.m. start time? At the beginning of the meeting, there will be an Economic
Development Strategy briefing by Economic Development Director Tim Johnson. Planning Manager
Conlen announced he will be out of the office for approximately a month on paternity leave. He will miss
the December meeting, but plans to be here for the January meeting.
Chair Medhurst asked if the City Council will appoint an additional alternate. Planning Manager Conlen
replied he does not expect them to. Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked if Economic Director Johnson
will be in attendance for briefings on FWCP chapters that deal with economic development issues. Planning
Manager Conlen replied that he will invite Economic Director Johnson to the briefings that deal with
economic development issues.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 November 19, 2014
COMMISSION BUSINESS
BRIEFING — Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWRC) Major Update — Chapter Five, "Housing"
Principal Planner Clark delivered the presentation. The City received a letter today from the Housing
Development Consortium, but has not had a chance to review it. A copy of this letter has been provided to
each Commissioner. This is a data heavy chapter and some of the tables still need to be updated. The
majority of the edits update demographic and statistical information and eliminate duplicative
information. The "Introduction" was expanded to address shifting demographic trends and the changing
market for types of housing. Three new goals and two new policies are proposed. A number of goals and
policies will be updated or eliminated.
Commissioner Elder commented that the graphs and tables have been informative. She asked if there are
any units in construction or contemplated that are not reflected in the graphs and tables. Principal Clark
stated all units she is aware of are reflected in the graphs and tables. Committer O'Neil asked if the homes
in the manufactured home parks are rented, or can they be sold. Principal Planner Clark replied that there
are eight manufactured home parks in the city and of those, in only one are the lots owned by the
homeowner, all others are leased spaces.
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford noted that in 2000, Federal Way was number one in home value
compared with other cities, we are now number four. Why have we fallen in the ranking? Principal Clark
replied that she is not sure of the answer, but new jobs in Federal Way are retail based and therefore, are
not high- paying. Commissioner Noble - Gulliford is concerned about Federal Way home values falling.
She suggested the city could encourage the building of higher end housing, which may draw those who
are able to afford this type of housing. Planning Manager Conlen commented that is a good thought
provoking idea. He noted that it is a national trend that more affordable housing is located in suburbs
further from the city. He stated that housing mix is a complicated issue because higher end housing can be
a draw. Commissioner Bronson commented that since the finance information is not based on the
consumer price index, that may be part of the reason for the difference.
Alternate Commissioner Murrietta commented that the city has a unique opportunity with Weyerhaeuser
moving out. The city could consider changing the zoning in that area to manufacturing/distribution and
thereby draw such industries that tend to offer better paying jobs. We also need to consider traffic flow
and the ability to move around the city. Commissioner Carlson would also like to see the Weyerhaeuser
area remain a place for jobs. Planning Manager Conlen commented that changing the zoning may be a
problem because there is a zoning agreement for the Weyerhaeuser property.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked if the City has a survey of historical properties in Federal Way.
Principal Planner Clark replied that she has talked to our GIS people and they are researching the issue.
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford commented that we do have historical properties in Federal Way, but
without such a survey, how will developers know if the property they are interested in is a historical
property without such a survey. Commissioner Bronson commented that he is not aware of any
designated historical properties in Federal Way. Principal Planner Clark commented that there are some
on the state's historical register. Commissioner Carlson commented the City should consider developing
local policies for historical properties.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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