Planning Commission MINS 10-19-2016CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 19, 2016 City Hall
6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Sarady Long, Tim O'Neil, Diana
Noble - Gulliford, and Anthony Murrietta. Commissioners absent: Wayne Carlson (excused). Deputy
Mayor Jeanne Burbidge. City Staff present: Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Senior Planner Dave Van
De Weghe, Assistant City Attorney Mark Orthmann, and Administrative Assistant Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of October 5, 2016, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Principal Planner Clark noted that the deadline for applications to the Planning Commission is this
Friday, October 2151
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Study Session — Historical Preservation Program
Senior Planner Van De Weghe delivered the staff report. The Planning Commission 2016 Work Program
calls for adoption of a Historic Preservation Ordinance and application for Certified Local Government
(CLG) status. CLG is a state designation that will provide incentives, such as grants. The first step in the
process is to adopt an ordinance. The ordinance will create a Historic Preservation Commission, criteria
to designate historic landmarks, a process to nominate historic landmarks, a process to review Certificates
of Appropriateness, and a special tax valuation for adopted historic landmarks. The city has two options,
the first is to adopt an independent historic preservation program, wherein the city would draft an
ordinance as stated above and would be responsible for providing all of the services stated. The second
option is to enter into an interlocal agreement with King County (which many of the cities in the county
have done) and King County would provide the stated services. Senior Planner Van De Weghe went over
the services in more detail and outlined what the current King County ordinance states regarding them.
Commissioner Long asked how long will the implementation take for each option. Senior Planner Van De
Weghe replied that an interlocal with King County would take approximately three months and an
independent city ordinance at least that long. Commissioner Long asked if the city uses the 40 year
threshold (used by King County) how many landmarks in Federal Way would meet the criteria. Senior
KAPlanning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 10- 19- 16.doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 19, 2016
Planner Van De Weghe responded that he does not know the exact number (a survey would need to be
done) but there are some that he does know about and he listed those. Vice -Chair Medhurst inquired how
the costs of the interlocal are allocated. Senior Planner Van De Weghe replied that cities are billed
quarterly based on the hourly rate of King County staff (per application). Commissioner O'Neil inquired
if there is a private organization in Federal Way to help with this program. Commissioner Noble -
Gulliford responded that there is the Historical Society of Federal Way (she is the president), but they
focus mainly on history, not finding and developing historic landmarks; though, they have at times
assisted property owners to find a way to preserve their homes. She noted that 4Culture has also helped
owners of historic landmarks.
Commissioner O'Neil asked if one would need the owner's consent to nominate a property. Senior Planner
Van De Weghe commented that under King County, the owner's consent is not required to nominate a
property. Commissioner O'Neil asked if the owner's consent is needed before a determination is made.
Senior Planner Van De Weghe replied that it is not. Commissioner O'Neil commented that this sounds like
it could be onerous on the owner; they would have to obtain permission if they want to make changes/
upgrades to the exterior of their building. Senior Planner Van De Weghe commented that the owner would
have to hire a historic expert to oversee the project. He went on to state that King County has said the city
could make changes to the King County ordinance that would apply to Federal Way. One possible change
would be to state that the owner has a say in the process. Alternate Commissioner Murrietta inquired if the
owner wants to make exterior changes, would they have to pay for the historic expert's research. Senior
Planner Van De Weghe responded that the owner would have to pay for the research.
Vice Chair Medhurst asked once a property has been nominated, researched, and a recommendation made,
who makes the final determination. Senior Planner Van De Weghe replied that a public hearing would be
held before the Landmark Commission, who will make the final decision. Commissioner Long asked what
kind of notification is done for this public hearing. Senior Planner Van De Weghe responded that King
County does not have a procedure for notification. The city could use their current notification procedures.
Commissioner Long asked if King County would provide an inventory. Senior Planner Van De Weghe
replied that the city would have to perform the survey, but King County would help. Commissioner Long
asked if the city contracts with King County, could we change to an independent historic preservation
program in the future. Senior Planner Van De Weghe responded the city would be able to do that.
Commissioner Noble - Gulliford asked if the city would be using the SEPA process as part of the research.
It concerns her because she feels the state's environmental checklist is lacking when it comes to questions
on historic landmarks. Senior Planner Van De Weghe replied that the city could develop its own checklist
for historic landmarks.
Chair Bronson asked if the historic preservation program would include the interior of buildings as well as
the exterior. There are some buildings with interior design that he feels could be designated as landmarks.
Senior Planner Van De Weghe replied that the program would only consider the exterior of buildings.
Commissioner O'Neil asked if the city has to have a historic preservation program. Senior Planner Van
De Weghe replied that the city does not (and the commission can recommend that developing a program
not be pursued); however, the city's comprehensive plan encourages one and it is on the Planning
Commission's Work Program. Vice Chair Medhurst asked if the city has missed out by not having a
historic preservation program before this. Senior Planner Van De Weghe replied that there are grant
opportunities that the city is not eligible for because we do not have a program. In addition, it will protect
the city's cultural and historic resources that otherwise have no protection. Senior Planner Van De Weghe
and Commissioner Noble - Gulliford went over some of the properties in Federal Way that could be
considered historic landmarks.
KAPlanning Commission\2016Weeting Summary 10- 19- 16.doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 19, 2016
Vice Chair Medhurst suggested that currently the city enter into a modified interlocal with King County
and in the future, consider an independent historic preservation program.
There was some discussion about interior changes to a property designated a historic landmark. There was
concern that there could be interior damage that needs to be addressed. There was also a discussion about
landscaping and how that could also be of historic importance.
Simone Perry — She commented that when she visits, the first thing she does is look for historical sites
to visit. Having a historic preservation program and designated landmarks brings tourism. One issue to
consider is that an owner may not be willing to recognize the historic importance of their property that
others in the community do. In addition, having a recognized landmark in a neighborhood will raise the
property value.
Commissioner O'Neil had questions regarding how it works for jurisdictions that have an interlocal with King
County historic preservation: how is it done and what kinds of problems occur. Senior Planner Van De Weghe
replied that staff can provide examples.
Chair Bronson commented that currently the Commission's consensus is to enter into a modified interlocal
with King County that states the owner has a say in the process and that landscaping be part of the process.
Staff will hold an additional study session on this topic.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
KAPIanning Commission\2016Weeting Summary 10- 19- 16.doc