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Planning Commission MINS 03-16-2016CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PLANNING COMMISSION March 16, 2016 City Hall 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Wayne Carlson, Sarady Long, Tim O'Neil, Diana Noble - Gulliford, and Anthony Murrietta Commissioners absent: none. City Staff present: Community Development Director Michael Morales, Planning Manager Isaac Conlen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Mark Orthmann, and Administrative Assistant Tina Piety. CALL TO ORDER Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of January 20, 2016, were approved as presented. AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Director Morales informed the Commission that during this year's Homeless Count, the city experienced an increase of 140% from last year's count. Discussion was held regarding some reasons why the city's count is so high. One reason is a large increase of people sleeping in vehicles. Since homeless camps are not allowed under the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC), the city is working to close them down and clean them up. The city is waiting for the permit application for the proposed homeless day center. The city is informing and working with businesses on the block the center is proposed for. COMMISSION BUSINESS Historical Preservation Program Proposal Director Morales introduced the subject. The city does not have regulations pertaining to how to handle historic preservation. The city intends to develop those regulations and want the program to be sanctioned (and standardized) by national organizations. To this end, the city hired Artifacts Consulting (a premier consultant in the state on historic preservation) to draft a feasibility report on historic preservation referred to as Certified Local Government (CLG) program. The report was completed in October 2015. The report reviewed the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan, King County programs, and the state's inventory/report of historical sites. King County has an interlocal with some communities to oversee their CLG programs and Federal Way has the option to enter into an interlocal with King County. A CLG program is a best standard and if adopted, will mean funding from national, state, and local sources for historic preservation. For the CLG program, the city will create a board or commission to oversee it. The KAPIanning Commission\201MMeeting Summary 03- 16- 16.doc Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 16, 2016 CLG program was set up at the federal level and is linked with environmental protection laws. It creates processes and tools to deal with historical items and questions such as: What does the city want to keep? How will it be defined? How will the city steward the items. According to the Washington State Heritage Register, properties are historic if they are 50 years old or older. King County uses 40 years and it is up to the city to determine how old a property must be to be considered historic. There is a special tax valuation from the state for properties that are categorized as historic. Commissioner Noble - Gulliford commented that as the President of the Federal Way Historical Society, she is pleased the city is taking this important first step. She noted that 4Culture will fund some improvements for private owners of historical property. Commissioner O'Neil asked if the city creates a historical preservation commission, who decides if the commission with be advisory (to the city council), or hold regulatory power? The city will adopt an ordinance to have an historical preservation program and that ordinance will state if the commission is advisory or regulatory; so it is the city council's decision if the commission is advisory or regulatory. The ordinance will detail all the aspects of the CLG program. Such aspects include how a property is designated historic. Commissioner Carlson commented that given that Federal Way is a young city without a solid downtown, are we creating a solution to a problem we don't have? If a major reason for seeking this program is to rehabilitate neighborhoods with tax incentives (an idea that was mentioned), is this worth the time and cost to do so? Do we have that many deteriorating properties? Director Morales stated that the city does have a problem. We do have deteriorating neighborhoods and this is one step to mitigate that over the long term. Commissioner Elder asked what is the difference between the city having its own CLG program and contracting with King County. Director Morales replied that having our own CLG program will give the city more authority and control over the program. Multi- Family Housing Inventory & Policy Considerations Director Morales and Principal Planner Clark delivered the presentation. This was presented at the City Council retreat in response to a concern related to the impact to schools of multi - family properties. Over 800 apartment units have been built in a short period of time; many, if not most, for low- income residents (Section 8). This has resulted in negative impacts to our traffic and schools. The community perception is that Federal Way has more than its share of Section 8 housing. Director Morales stated that it may appear this way because most of the subsidized units are concentrated in one area (he notes that this includes senior citizen housing). While we do not have more than our fair share, the city feels we have met our fair share. We need to amend our regulations to result in more aesthetically pleasing apartment buildings; while encouraging single - family developments and higher elevation/mixed use developments in our downtown. The market is there; we have one in the development/planning stage at this time. Principal Planner Clark went over the data reports. These reports compared housing in selected cities and Federal Way. The reports found that Federal Way's numbers are similar to other South King County cities. Federal Way has a higher percentage of owner occupied housing. Federal Way has more moderate and low- income housing available, but very few very-low income housing units available. Commissioners discussed the potential code amendments presented with the agenda packet. Commissioner Carlson stated the proposal to minimize bulk by units per structure seems aimed at getting quality buildings, but he is not sure this would help with that. Commissioner Medhurst expressed his concern that K TIanning Commission\2016\Meeting summary 03- 16- 16.doc Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 March 16, 2016 this topic seems intended to restrict the "type" of people who are welcome to reside in Federal Way. These apartments were welcomed by the city, until it was discovered they were subsidized. Alternate Commissioner Murrietta commented that in the proposals he doesn't see a minimum square footage or parking requirements and is concerned that could lead to congestions of cars on the street. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Commissioner Carlson moved (and it was seconded) to start the Planning Commission meetings at 6:30 p.m. It was noted that some will have trouble to making it to the meeting by 6:30. The vote was held with one no and six yes; the motion passed. Chair Bronson asked about the status of the proposed amendments to the sign code. Director Morales replied that the city attorney has delayed the issue to give the city the opportunity to look at additional sign issues. Commissioner Bronson asked for an updated time frame. Commissioner Medhurst asked if we will have an April 61h meeting. Planning Manager Conlen replied staff probably will not be ready by April 61h. Staff has about five projects currently in process. Our next meeting is likely to be May 4th ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. KAPlanning Commission \2016\Meeting Summary 03- 16- 16.doc