Planning Commission MINS 12-07-2016CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
December 7, 2016 City Hall
6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Wayne Carlson, Sarady Long, Tim O'Neil, Diana
Noble - Gulliford, and Anthony Murrietta. Commissioners absent: Lawson Bronson (excused). City Staff
present: Principal Planner Margaret Clark, Senior Planner Dave Van De Weghe, Assistant City Attorney
Mark Orthmann, and Administrative Assistant Tina Piety. King County Historic Preservation Program:
Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Meisner and Preservation Architect Todd Scott.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice -Chair Medhurst called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of October 19, 2016, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Principal Planner Clark stated that the City Council extended multi - family moratorium for six months. Currently,
staff intends to bring a public hearing to the Planning Commission on this matter in March 2017.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Study Session — Historical Preservation Program
Senior Planner Van De Weghe delivered the staff report. He reviewed what was discussed at the last
Planning Commission study session on this topic. He also went through the staff responses to questions
raised by the Commissioners at the last session, as stated in the staff report. Staff is seeking guidance for
changes to the King County ordinance the Commission would like to see. (At the last study session, the
Commission indicated they want to enter into an interlocal with King County, but there are changes they
want to make to the ordinance.)
Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Meisner and Preservation Architect Todd Scott from the King
County Historic Preservation Program also gave a presentation to the Commission. Historic Preservation
Officer Meisner gave an overview of the King County Historic Preservation Program. The purpose of the
program is to identify, evaluate, protect, and enhance historic properties; and sustain the historic
character. According to the King County Comprehensive Plan, "The County shall advocate for and
actively market its historic preservation services to agencies and cities that could benefit from such
services." This is why the county offers an interlocal agreement (ILA) to county cities to assist with
managing a historic preservation program. She noted that they have an archeologist on staff to provide
archeological services. She went over the responsibilities under the ILA of the county, city, special
commissioner, and ILA staff. Under the ILA, Federal Way would appoint a special commissioner to sit
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 December 7, 2016
on the King County's Historical Preservation Committee. The King County Historic Preservation
Program Historic offers free training on their services to ILA cities. Preservation Officer Meisner stated
that the ILA can vary with each jurisdiction. It is an incentive based program that can provide benefits to
homeowners (such as a special valuation tax program). Preservation Architect Scott described the City of
Kirkland's program. He went over how they identify historic resources and engage volunteers. He also
spoke about their historic residence ordinance and showed some of their landmark properties. He noted
that Federal Way could have signage and/or design guidelines in the ILA.
One of the aspects of the ILA will be a survey. King County will work with the city on this survey. It is
likely that King County will have some information. They will work with the Federal Way Historic
Society and will also use the report completed by the city's consultant, Artifacts, in October 2015.
Commissioner Long asked what kind of modifications other ILA cities have requested. Preservation
Architect Scott replied that appeal procedures may differ and some require council review and/or
approval of designation requests. They have not received any appeals for landmark designations; they
have received a few for the requests to make changes to a landmark designated building. King County
works with the requester /owner on the application to be sure they understand the process and what is
expected of them and what to expect once a decision has been made.
Discussion was held about how the tax incentive works.
It was noted that an entire neighborhood could be designated as a historic district. Depending on how the
ILA is worded (i.e. owner consent is not needed), a property could be declared part of a historic district
even if they do not want to be.
Vice -Chair Medhurst opened the meeting to public comment.
Simone Perry, 33030 38`" Avenue South, Federal Way — If I have a property that does not have a
historic designation, is there any protection? — Historic Preservation Officer Meisner responded
that property is not protected if it has not been designated a historic landmark. — Ms. Perry
commented that she is concerned that historic properties may be lost because they have not been
designated.
The next step will be for staff to present a draft ordnance and ILA to the Planning Commission for their
recommendation.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Principal Planner Clark announced that Community Development has a new director (Brian Davis). He apologizes
that he is unavailable this evening. He will attend the next Planning Commission meeting.
Commissioner Carlson asked about the status of the required NPDES permit principles. Principal Planner
Clark stated that SW Quality Program Coordinator Mindi English is working on it and the city anticipates
meeting its requirements.
Vice -Chair Medhurst validated the work of the Planning Commissioner who is also on city staff. There
has never been an occasion where the integrity or decision making of this commission has been
compromised. The Commissioner brings much knowledge and value.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
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