Planning Commission MINS 01-21-2015CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
January 21, 2015 City Hall
6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tom Medhurst Lawson Bronson, Hope Elder, Tim O'Neil, and Anthony
Murrietta. Commissioner absent: Sarady Long and Wayne Carlson (both excused) and Diana Noble -
Gulliford (unexcused). Staff present: Planning Manager Isaac Conlen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark,
Assistant Attorney Mark Orthmann, and Administrative Assistant II Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice -Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of January 7, 2015, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Planning Manager Conlen reported that staff expects the Commission to be meeting the first and third
Wednesdays in February and March. The update to the comprehensive plan needs to be completed by June
30, 2015, and much still needs to be done. He anticipates the Commission will be very busy this year.
Commissioner Bronson stated he will not be available on February 18.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
BRIEFING — Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWRC) Major Update — Chapter Eight, "Potential
Annexation Areas"
Principal Planner Clark delivered the presentation. She went over the history and update process. A
Potential Annexation Area (PAA) is that area adjacent to a city that could be annexed to the city in the
future and is created by agreement between neighboring cities and King County. Based on the GMA,
VISION 2040, and the CWPPs, a city would ultimately annex and provide services within its PAA. The
City of Federal Way PAA lies generally east of the City of Federal Way and Interstate 5.
In 2003, the city prepared a sub -area plan for its PAA to guide the annexation. This sub -area plan was
developed into FWCP Chapter 8. No updates have been done since that time; so much of the information
in the chapter is out of date. In 2005, the city annexed the Redondo East, North Lake, and southwest
portion of the Parkway area. In 2007, the city attempted to annex the remaining PAA, but it was rejected
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 January 21, 2015
by the voters. Currently, the city has no plans to pursue annexation of the remaining PAA. The city would
have to undertake a major study to update much of the information in the chapter and it does not make
sense to pursue such a study until the city plans to annex the area. Citizens in the area do have the option
to petition for annexation. If residents petition for annexation, new studies and the feasibility of annexing
the area will be prepared.
The updated Chapter 8 will be more of an inventory with goals and polices to govern future annexation.
Much of the outdated information will be removed. Staff is still in the process of researching some
information. The city worked with various agencies (Federal Way School District, South King Fire &
Rescue, and utility providers) and city departments (Parks and Public Works) on the updates. They
provided updates to their sections within the chapter and to their maps. Staff is waiting to hear from some
agencies. Staff provided handouts of updated maps. No changes are planned for the pre- annexation
zoning map.
Commissioner O'Neil asked what would be a trigger for the city to annex. Principal Planner Clark replied
that the city has no plans to annex. If citizens want, they may petition the city to annex an area.
Commissioner O'Neil asked if King County is doing anything to encourage cities to annex. Planning
Manager Conlon replied that in the past, King County has offered financial incentives to cities to annex
their PAA's. The city has not considered annexations in the last six to seven years, so Planning Manager
Conlon does not know if King County is currently offering any incentives to cities to annex.
Commissioner Murrietta asked if citizens want to be annexed to the City, how many must make the
request. Planning Manager Conlon replied that 10% of the citizens of the area must make the petition to
annex. A vote must be held in the entire area and at least 60% must vote yes for the annexation to be
approved. The King County Boundary Review Board has information regarding annexations.
Commissioner Bronson commented that he sees a potential conflict with Chapter 9, "Natural
Environment," and this chapter. Last meeting, during the Open House, citizens commented on Chapter 9
and many of them were encouraging no further growth and want Chapter 9 to express that. Chapter 8
appears to encourage growth. Planning Manger Conlon commented that each chapter has different goals
and they may conflict. It is the job of staff (and the Planning Commission and City Council through this
process) to seek a balance between the chapters and any conflicting goals.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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