Planning Commission MINS 10-07-2015CITY 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. Commissioner 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 131h 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
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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 13'h 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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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 2 "a)
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
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