Planning Commission PKT 01-20-2016City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
January 20, 2016 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Patrick Maher Room
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 7, 2015
4. AUDIENCE COMMENT
5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
6. COMMISSION BUSINESS
• Election of Chair and Vice -Chair
• Update on 2016 Planning Commission Work Program
• Year -End Statistical Report
7. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
8. ADJOURN
Commissioners
Tom Medhurst, Chair
Lawson Bronson, Vice -Chair
Hope Elder
Wayne Carlson
Tim O'Neil
Sarady Long
Diana Noble- Gulliford
Anthony Murrietta, Alternate
KAPlanning Commission\2016Wgenda 01- 20- 16.doc
City stair
Isaac Conlen, Planning Manager
Margaret Clark, Principal Planner
E. Tina Piety, Administrative Assistant
253 -835 -2601
www. cityo�'ederalway. com
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 7, 2015 City Hall
7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Hope Elder, Wayne Carlson, Sarady Long, Tim O'Neil, Diana
Noble - Gulliford, and Anthony Murrietta. Commissioner absent: Tom Medhurst (excused). City Staff
present: Community Development Director Michael Morales, Planning Manager Isaac Conlen, Senior
Planner Matt Herrera, Assistant City Attorney Mark Orthmann, and Administrative Assistant Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice -Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of September 2, 2015, were approved as presented.
Vice -Chair Bronson asked if there were any objections to changing the order of the meeting to hold the
Telecare Presentation before the Manufactured Home Park Update. Hearing no objections, the meeting
order was changed.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
Presentation by Telecare on Mental Health Facilities Proposed for Federal Way
Director Morales introduced Faith Richie and Cameron Coltharp of Telecare. Commission Long stated
that as a city employee, he will be working on this project. Since this is just an informational presentation,
he requested that he be allowed to stay, rather than recusing himself. Vice -Chair Bronson stated he saw
no conflict with Commissioner Long staying for the presentation.
Telecare is planning to build a 16 -bed acute psychiatric treatment facility. They are working closely with
the Community Development Department on the planning of this facility. They had originally considered
a site near the Federal Way High School. After further consideration and talks with the city, they decided
to find another site. Currently, they are considering a site on 1P Place South, close to the Multi- Service
Center. Director Morales stated that the city is required to provide the opportunity for these types of
facilities to be sited in Federal Way. The Federal Way Revised Code has regulations regarding such
facilities, and staff is encouraging Telecare to go above and beyond these regulations.
Ms. Richtie provided the Commission with a folder of information about Telecare. They have three
programs like the one considered for Federal Way in other areas of the state; in addition to nine facilities in
California. They also have other types of mental health facilities throughout the country. The proposed
Federal Way facility will offer adult residential treatment consisting of evaluation and treatment programs
K:\PiminingCommission\2015\Meeting Summery 10- 07.15.doc
Planning Commission ':/IlnuteS Page 2 October 7, 2015
for people with acute mental health issues. Patient must be referred by mental health professionals and may
be considered a danger to themselves and /or others. The facility will be locked and while it will have an
outside space, that area will also be locked. The facility will be staffed by multiple disciplined mental health
professionals at a ratio of one to four (about 40 staff). The average length of stay will be 10 to 15 days.
When discharged, patients will be discharged to a specific place, such as family or additional care /service.
There is a desperate need in the South King County for such services. Some 20 to 25 percent of all King
County acute referrals come from South King County and the nearest facility is in Tukwila. Many
patients are forced to go outside of the area, causing additional difficulties and costs to patients and family
members. The proposed 16 -bed facility will serve approximately 400 individuals per year in a recover -
based environment close to home.
Mr. Coltharp is with Telecare's Building Facilities and will work with the city on the siting, development,
and ongoing operations of the facility. They are currently considering two parcels on 13th Place South
close to the Multi- Service Center. The parcels would allow them to create a good buffer from the street
and nearby businesses. One of those businesses is a KinderCare. Telecare and the city will be working
closely with KinderCare to address any concerns they may have. They will build one single -story building
of 10,000 to 12,000 square feet. The facility will have one and two person rooms; a day room; group
treatment areas; counseling spaces; and offices. It is intended to be a home in which patients can recover.
The facility and outside areas will be secured. Telecare has about 80 programs in 60 locations. They are in
regular communities next to parks and schools. They believe in being a good neighbor and will engage the
community and speak to their neighbors after the preapplication conference with the city. They will hold a
public forum to address any concerns and questions and will include these in the design of the facility.
Commissioner Elder asked what age will the facility serve and will it serve men and women? Ms. Richtie
replied that is will serve only adults (those 18 and older) and will serve men and women.
Commission O'Neil asked how quickly the facility will be full. Ms. Richtie replied given the need, it will
likely be full the first week the facility is open for business.
Commissioner Carlson asked why does it seem you have less concern locating near a KinderCare than
you do next to the Federal Way High School. Ms. Richtie replied that KinderCare is a secure facility
where parents /guardians drop off the children and the children stay in the facility until the parents/
guardians pick them up. Federal Way High School is an open campus with students coming and going at
all hours of the day. Telecare will be working with KinderCare on the design of the facility.
Commissioner Carlson asked how many sites they reviewed. Mr. Coltharp replied that they considered
some 25 sites in and around Federal Way over the last 10 months.
Commissioner Long asked once your facility reaches capacity, would you consider another site in Federal
Way? And, what about transit? Ms. Richtie replied that King County is working with another provider on
another facility. Telecare is considering a facility in the Tacoma area. Mr. Coltharp commented that they
want to locate near transit for the staff, but it is unlikely it will be used by patients. Patients are usually
picked up or put in a taxi.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Manufactured Home Park Stakeholder Group Update
Director Morales reported that they have met again and are working well together. The city has talked to
the King County Assessor on the methodology of how manufactured home parks are assessed. The goal is
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 7, 2015
to work together to come to a proposed zoning to reduce the assessed value. It is likely the city will have
to work with other assessors in the state for a legislative change.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Public Hearing — Proposed Zoning & Development Code Amendments Related to Variance
Procedures of the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC)
Senior Planner Herrera delivered the staff report. The proposed amendment will streamline the decision
making process for variances by changing the final decision maker from the Hearing Examiner to the
Community Development Director for variances of up to 25 percent of code requirements. Any variance
greater than 25 percent, and any variance that is appealed, will still go to the Hearing Examiner. All
variances will still be required to notice those within 300 feet and accept comments. The proposed
streamlined decision will reduce the process time significantly. Under the current regulations, variances
must go to a public hearing before the Hearing Examiner. This requires additional noticing for the
hearing, scheduling the hearing based on the Hearing Examiner's schedule, and a 10- working day
allowance provided to the examiner to issue the decision following the hearing.
Commissioner O'Neil asked how many applications this proposed amendment would affect. Senior
Planner Herrera replied that he does not have a specific number, but since the city incorporated, there
have been 15 to 20 variance applications (he does not know how many fall below the 25 percent
threshold). Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked how this will relate to homeowner association
covenants. Senior Planner Herrera replied that the city does not enforce CC &Rs. Homeowners will need
to check their CC &Rs since the city zoning may allow something that the CC &Rs do not. Commissioner
Long asked if there has been any variance requested by a commercial project. Senior Planner Herrera
replied that there has been, but they are rare because the code allows more flexibility for commercial
projects. Commissioner Carlson stated this is a good amendment because it allows for flexibility in
response to challenges. Commissioner Bronson asked if the city has a maximum timeline to process a
variance application. Senior Planner Herrera responded that the city has 120 days to issue a decision once
an application is deemed complete. The 120 day timeline may be extended if the city requests additional
information from the applicant. He noted that variances usually do not take that long to process.
Commissioner Carlson moved (and it was seconded) to recommend adoption of the FWRC text
amendments as proposed. Assistant City Attorney Orthmann noted that there was no public in attendance
and therefore, no public testimony. There was no further discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
Hearing no objections, the public hearing was closed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
It is likely the Commission will not meet again until the first meeting in December (December 2nd)
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
KAPIanning Commission \2015 \Meeting Summary 10- 07- 15.doc
th�ry
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 23, 2015
TO: Land Use and Transportation Committee
VIA: Jim Ferrell, Mayor
FROM: Michael A. Morales, Community Development Director
Margaret H. Clark, AICP, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: Amended 2016 Planning Commission Work Program
A. BACKGROUND
The City Council approved the Planning Commission's Work Program on October 20, 2015, as
shown in Section B of this memorandum. Since that time, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Reed v.
Town of Gilbert, that sign codes placing unconstitutional content based restrictions on speech violate
the First Amendment. Based on advice from the Law Department, the City will need to review and
change its sign code to comply with the holding of the Supreme Court. In addition, the Law
Department has advised that the City's open space requirements for subdivisions may be problematic
as they are based on a flat 15 percent dedication of gross land area. In order for dedication
requirements to be defensible, the City needs to show a nexus between the amount of open space
required to be dedicated and the need for additional open space generated by a subdivision.
As a result, the Mayor recommends that the 2016 Planning Commission Work Program be amended
as shown in Section C of this Memorandum.
B. ADOPTED 2016 PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM
REQUIRED ACTIONS
ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR COMPLETION
2016 Annual Comprehensive Plan Update
2nd Qtr. 2016
Address marijuana- related code amendments in
1' Qtr. 2016 (Completed). The City voted to
response to its legalization within the state of
prohibit all marijuana- related businesses
Washington.
(medical and recreational). The City has also
ended a moratorium on recreational marijuana-
related businesses. (The medical marijuana
moratorium is still in lace.)
Staff Report Meeting Date: January 5, 2015
Amended 2016 Planning Commission Work Program Page 1
DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS
ESTIMATED TIME FRAME
FOR COMPLETION
Amend the language in the Environmental Policy related to the time
1s1 Qtr. 2016
horizon of the Planned Action SEPA.
I" Qtr. 2016 (Completed)
Advocate for legislation to address the sustainability of manufactured
2nd Qtr. 2016
home parks.
1st Qtr. 2016
Review of growth targets as they relate to multi - family housing.
2nd Qtr. 2016
Amend regulations to address development regulations and design
3rd Qtr. 2016
guidelines in the City Center.
Amend the language in the Environmental Policy related to the time
Adopt an ordinance establishing a historic preservation program and
3rd Qtr. 2016
request certification as a "Certified Local Government."
Advocate for legislation to address the sustainability of manufactured
Amend regulations to broaden uses and standardize bulk and
4`' Qtr. 2016
dimensional requirements by zone, and to provide more appropriate
Review of growth targets as they relate to multi-family housing.
setbacks and landscape buffers for commercial uses. This code
Amend regulations to address development regulations and design
amendment would also address types of improvements or structures
guidelines in the City Center.
allowed in required yards.
Adopt an ordinance establishing a historic preservation program and
C. MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION
The Mayor recommends that the 2016 Planning Commission Work Program be amended to add those
items shown as underlined in the following table:
REQUIRED ACTIONS
ESTIMATED TIME FRAME
FOR COMPLETION
2016 Annual Comprehensive Plan Update.
2' Qtr. 2016
Address marijuana- related code amendments in response to its
I" Qtr. 2016 (Completed)
legalization within the state of Washington.
Amend the language of the Sign Code to make it content neutral in
1st Qtr. 2016
res onse to case law.
DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS
Amend the Subdivision Code to address open s ace requirements.
2nd Qtr.
Amend the language in the Environmental Policy related to the time
Is' Qtr. 2016
horizon of the Planned Action SEPA.
Advocate for legislation to address the sustainability of manufactured
2nd Qtr. 2016
home parks.
Review of growth targets as they relate to multi-family housing.
2nd tr. 2016
Amend regulations to address development regulations and design
3rd Qtr. 2016
guidelines in the City Center.
Adopt an ordinance establishing a historic preservation program and
3rd Qtr. 2016
request certification as a "Certified Local Government."
Amend regulations to broaden uses and standardize bulk and
4" Qtr. 2016
dimensional requirements by zone, and to provide more appropriate
setbacks and landscape buffers for commercial uses. This code
amendment would also address types of improvements or structures
allowed in required yards.
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Staff Report Meeting Date: January 5, 2015
Amended 2016 Planning Commission Work Program Page 2
2014 End of Year
Permit Center Report
5618 in- person customers assisted
7936 phone calls taken and assisted
662 Emails ** taken and assisted
4.67 minutes average a customer had to wait in the lobby
167 days where 20+ customers were served in the lobby; 27 of those were over 30 customers
46 Over - the - Counter review appointments were performed
Number of Permit Annlications
CO
DE
EL
FP
ME
MF
PL
SF
SG
Total
230
13
2542
148
718
59
156
370
118
1 2086
Number of Permits Issued
CO
DE
EL
FP
ME
MF
PL
SF
SG
Total
220
13
2001
144
584
53
121
366
120
3632
Number of Land Use applications
AD*
AU
AX
IA
PC
SE
SH
SU
UPI
Total
114
1
0
9
16
20
9
10
48
113
*Number not included in total
Fees collected through December 31, 2014:
Fee Type
Total
SM
(thru 12/31/14)
Building Fees
$1,126,728
Plan Review Fees
$1,004,047
Plumbing Fees
$105,923
Mechanical /FP Issuance Fees
$180,336
Electrical Fees
$337,432
Sign Permit Fees
$17,841
Automation Fees ($20)
$82,246
School Impact Fees (Admin)
$62,461
Totals:
$2,917,013
** Began tracking Emails on 10/13/2014
1 I I: \Reports - Yearly \2014 Mid -Point Permit Center Report
Number of Public Works applications
CN
EN
SM
Total
7
21
10
1 38
2015 End of Year
Permit Center Report
5307 in- person customers assisted
6547 phone calls taken and assisted
1622 Emails taken and assisted
4.02 average minutes a customer had to wait in the lobby
150 days where 20+ customers were served in the lobby; 15 of those days were over 30 customers
54 Over- the - Counter review appointments were performed
Number of Permit Annlicntinnc
CO
DE
EL
FP
ME
MF
PL
SF
SG
Tota l
181
22
2387
120
845
109
196
342
�S]G
4318
Number of Permits Issued
CO
DE
EL
1
FP
ME
MF
PL
SF
SG
Total
170
22
1826
120
722
116
144
304
107
3531
Number of Land t1se apnlications
AD
AU
AX
IA
PC
SE
SH
SU
UP
Total
144*
4
0
26
30
116
19
15
40
150
*Number not included in total
Fees collected through December 31, 2015:
Fee Type
Year Total
Total
(thru 12/31/15)
Building Fees
$1,396,357
Plan Review Fees
$469,505
Plumbing Fees
$122,286
Mechanical /FP Issuance Fees
$197,791
Electrical Fees
$271,921
Sign Permit Fees
$13,928
Automation Fees
$80,620
School Impact Fees (Admin)
$49,985
Totals:
$2,602,393
1 11: \ Reports- Monthly \2015 End Of Year Permit Center Report
Number of Public Works applications
CN
EN
SM
Total
11
12
9
32
F
2014 -2015 Permit Center Permit and
Application Comparison
f 2014 U2015
t 4318
2086
Permit Applications
$2,950,000
$2,800,000
$2,650,000
$2,500,000
$2,350,000
$2,200,000
$2,050,000
$1,900,000
$1,750,000
$1,600,000
$1,450,000
$1,300,000
$1,150,000
$1,000,000
151 182
Land Use & Public Works Applications
3632 3531
Permits Issued
2014/2015 Permit Revenue
2 I: \Reports - Monthly \2015 End Of Year Permit Center Report
. ` 2014
v 2015