Planning Commission MINS 03-18-2015CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 18, 2015 City Hall
6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Wayne Carlson Tim O'Neil, Sarady Long, Diana
Noble - Gulliford, and Anthony Murrietta. Commissioner absent: Lawson Bronson (excused). Staff
present: Planning Manager Isaac Conlen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Economic Development
Director Tim Johnson, Assistant Attorney Mark Orthmann and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Medhurst called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no minutes.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Planning Manager Conlen announced the next meeting is scheduled for April 1 and will be a continuation
of the proposed critical areas regulations study session and a study session on regulations for manufactured
home parks. Staff expects the Commission will be meeting twice a month in April, May, and June.
Planning Manager Conlen asked if the Commissioners would be willing to meet an additional day if
needed in order to complete the 2015 Comprehensive Plan Update. The Commissioners stated they would.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
BRIEFING — Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWRC) Major Update — Chapter Four, "Economic
Development"
Principal Planner Clark delivered the staff presentation. Much of the proposed changes update policies
and demographic information. Sections with old language and dated material are proposed to be deleted.
The housing section is proposed to be deleted because that information may be found in the Chapter 5,
"Housing." Some of the information in this chapter comes from the city's economic development
strategy, "Some Assembly Required."
Commissioner Long noted that under the current conditions summary section, the Performing Arts and
Conference Center (PACC) is referenced, but the Farmers Market is not. Should not the Farmers Market
be included? Principal Planner Clark responded that staff can add the Farmers Market to the retail section
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of the current conditions. Commissioner Long noted that Wild Waves (Norpoint Entertainment LLC) is
included in the table of major employers in Federal Way, but is this not misleading because they are
seasonal workers. Principal Planner Clark replied that staff will research the issue.
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked if staff knows how many part-time vs full -time jobs are in Federal
Way. Principal Planner Clark replied that staff does not know, but will research the issue.
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford stated that the City Council had received a briefing last night on transit
oriented development from Sound Transit. Would staff explain what transit oriented development is?
Planning Manager Conlen that he does not know how Sound Transit defines it, but to his understanding
transit oriented development draws upon the symbiotic relationship between development (such as
residential, retail, or office) and transit. She asked if it is possible to have a formula for the number of jobs
we might be able to attract using the transit oriented development concept. Planning Manager Conlen
replied that it would be complicated (it would have to take into account capacity for development and
market conditions /factors) but it may be possible. Principal Planner Clark will talk to the Puget Sound
Regional Council for help in developing a formula.
Commissioner Carlson commented he agrees with streamlining the chapters, but is concerned it may have
gone too far. He is concerned that much that provided a connection between the chapters is being deleted.
He suggested staff consider an Executive Summary that would show the connections between the
chapters. Principal Planner Clark replied that staff will consider it, but there may not be enough time to
write an Executive Summary.
Commissioner O'Neil commented that staff has talked about encouraging a university satellite to locate in
Federal Way. Given the city's demographics (a young population with lower income) it sounds like a
good idea and he asked about the status of project. Economic Director Johnson replied that staff is
actively recruiting universities and hopes to have an announcement of one locating in Federal Way in
about nine months.
Commissioner O'Neil asked what can be done to encourage the redevelopment of the Weyerhaeuser
property. Economic Director Johnson commented that the concomitant agreement (that outlines how the
land may be used) is very helpful. The city has been talking to corporations that have expressed an
interest in purchasing the property to use as a corporate campus.
Commissioner Long expressed concern that Economic Development Goal 3 specifically names
Weyerhaeuser. Since this is a long -term document and the Weyerhaeuser property is likely to change
hands within the next year, it does not seem appropriate to refer specifically to Weyerhaeuser. Planning
Manager Conlen replied that the goal could refer to the former Weyerhaeuser property. Alternate
Commissioner Murrietta suggested using the word corporation instead of Weyerhaeuser. Commissioner
Carlson feels the goal should be left as it is. This way, when the time comes again to update the chapter, it
will show the progress the city has made.
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked if the chapter contains information on tourism. Principal Planner
Clark noted that tourism is dealt with as part of Services. Commissioner Noble - Gulliford commented that
since the city is seeking tourism through the PACC, tourism should be more prominent.
Commissioner Medhurst asked is not the multi - family tax exemption (whereby a developer of a mixed -use
project can receive a tax exemption if 20% of their project is designed for lower incomes) contrary to the
city's effort to raise the median income in the city and provide higher level housing. Planning Manager
Conlen replied it is not because the forrimula that calculates affordable housing allows a developer to earn
the multi - family tax exemption for not truly low income housing. He noted that the city needs to strive for
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a balance between lower and higher income housing. Commissioner Medhurst asked what percentage the
city is seeking in order to arrive at a balance of housing. Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked what the
city can do to attract higher end housing.
Commissioner Long commented that the goals and policies should have language indicating how they will
be financed. Planning Manager Conlen replied that it is not appropriate for a city policy document (such as
the comprehensive plan) to contain language specific financing as budgeting is a city council decision.
Commissioner Carlson expressed concern that only one citizen is attendance for this important discussion
about the future of Federal Way. Planning Manager Conlen and Principal Planner Clark explained that the
staff has been doing as much as possible to advertise the meetings. There have been open houses and
flyers were sent home with school kids advertising the open house. The meetings are on the city calendar
which may be accessed on the city's website. In addition, the city has a list of citizens on the Notify Me
function of the city website and information about the meetings is sent to them.
Peter Townsend — He has given this chapter much thought and feels if the city gets it right, it will
attract people to the city. While he not yet prepared with specific comments, one general
comment he has is that it seems the amount of goals and policies is excessive. They should be
more concise and meaningful. He does intend to provide specific written comments.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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