Planning Commission MINS 04-05-2017CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
April 5, 2017 City Hall
6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers Fe
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Tim
O'Neil, Anthony Murrietta, and Dale Couture. Commissioners absent: Wayne Carlson and Dawn Meader
McCausland (both excused). City Staff present: Community Development Director Brian Davis, Principal
Planner Margaret Clark, Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Rob Van Orsow, Deputy 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 March 15, 2017, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Public Hearing — Multi -Family Housing Proposed Text Amendments
Chair Bronson re -opened the public hearing. Principal Planner Clark delivered the staff report. She went
over the background, summary of the proposed amendments, a procedural summary, summary of
comments, Planning Commission decisional criteria, and the Mayor's recommendation. Solid Waste/
Recycling Coordinator Van Orsow delivered the staff report on the solid waste proposed amendments. He
went over the background and a summary of the proposed amendments. He stated that the city is
proposing the addition of surface water protection provisions. Chair Bronson opened the hearing to public
comment.
Cheryl Hurst, 3416 S 368`" Pl, Auburn — She lives in the Federal Way school and fire
districts and uses the Federal Way Police at times. She stated no one is thinking of the
impact this will have on our infrastructure (especially schools, and fire and police
protection). There is no money available to deal with this. Every time you allow
multifamily to be built, it has an impact on those in and out of the city. They will negatively
affect the schools, roads, and fire and police protection. You can't predict how many cars
people will have or how many children. Schools are under budget. You can't do this. This
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isn't about low income. It isn't about people who can't afford homes. It is about managed
growth. Don't overburden fire, police, and schools. Talk to people about what is happening.
Even with my Auburn address, I work and shop in Federal Way and feel this is my city.
Nicki Olivier Hellenkamp, Housing Development Commission — The Housing Development
Commission supports policy #14. Several Washington cities have similar programs. They
support it because it ensures housing is safe and healthy. It protects the investment in
housing made by the owner. She noted that indoor air quality can lead to asthma (many
times due to mold). These types of programs are beneficial and she requests you to ask
Council to pursue it.
Monte Powell, 29607 88`" Avenue South — He has developed senor housing in the city for
many years. He stated the proposed amendments try to include a lot under one umbrella. He
believes the amendments should give the Community Development Director power to deal
with unusual issues. He is concerned with the surveillance proposals; they may conflict
with state code. He feels the city should slow down the process and get more input from
citizens and developers. There is some inherent conflict with the development community.
He will submit comments in writing.
Alex Kim, Bellevue — He has been a developer and investor in Federal Way since 2000. It
seems to him the Council changes ordinances every three years. In 2010 there was a large
code change (on the Community Business zone, which includes senior housing) that
involved many citizens and much research was done on the issue. Now the city is changing
the ordinance again. This only leaves developers confused. Once you have a big project, the
city changes ordinance. How can we do business if the ordinances keep changing?
Commission O'Neil asked Mr. Kim what changes the proposed amendments will bring to
him. Mr. Kim replied that he is in process of developing a 500 unit multifamily (senior
housing) project. Since the city did all that research in 2010 and made changes based on
that, why more now? The city needs an unchanging plan for the next 20 to 30 years. With a
500 unit proposal, any changes could cost him millions.
Tim Matelich, USA Realty — He works with Mr. Kim on the property in Federal Way. Has a
senior citizen project, there will not be a lot of traffic and no impact to schools. They hope
to come in for building permits in next 30 days.
Chair Bronson closed public testimony. Commissioner O'Neil thanked those who commented. He stated
that city officials have a difficult position. They want the city to grow and be economically viable, but
also to have a city that protects the environment and the people that live in it. He noted the city
infrastructure is not keeping up with the changes. He asked Principal Planner Clark for a brief synopsis of
what areas the proposed amendments will happen in. She responded the proposed amendments will bring
changes to parking, private open space, design guidelines, increased setbacks, and solid waste changes.
Vice -Chair Medhurst commented that this is a very complex issue. Staff has done a very good job
understanding that not all can be done in the Council's timeline. Is there a legal liability to the city to
extend the moratorium? Deputy City Attorney Orthmann replied that the moratorium can be extended per
a public hearing. Director Davis stated that at their meeting, the Council stated they would not approve a
further extension. He further stated that these proposed amendments are a first step and not a solution to all
problems. As developments come in, the staff may determine the proposed amendments are not working
well. It is likely there will be issues in the future that will need to be addressed at that time. Commissioner
Elder commended staff for their work. She stated that while it may be disturbing to developers, it is best
for the city to consider changes. It is what needs to be done to become the city we what to be.
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Commissioner Murrietta stated he is in favor of proposed amendments. The impact to the city of
developments affects our quality of life; it is not simply just adding 500 new units, the city needs to deal
with traffic and parking. He is impressed by the work done by the staff. He would like more time to
consider the proposals—it needs to be done right, not just done.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford commented that this is a huge undergoing for staff. She has mixed
feelings about the moratorium and where we are going as a city. She also would like more time to absorb
this proposal. She understands the need to have the certainty of regulations in place (citizens are torn; the
city is adding new police officers; and there are school, park, road, and traffic issues), but this is a very
small part of the solution. Our citizens are looking for more. Sound Transit light rail has been approved
and the Commons has been sold during this second moratorium, we are likely looking at significant
changes to our city center, we need to consider this and transit oriented development as part of this
proposal. She came prepared not to vote on current proposal because the city needs to address larger
concerns as well.
Chair Bronson also thanked staff for their work. To address Mr. Kim's concerns, the city has to address
solid waste management and parking issues. In regards to Mr. Powell concern about surveillance and how
do we monitor, but not invade people's space, there is no good answer. He commented that he works in
the shipping industry and even with strict surveillance and regulations, they still have accidents.
Vice -Chair Medhurst commented that he believes the moratorium was put into place to mitigate the effect
multifamily develop has on the community; but the proposed amendments do not address the community
as a whole (schools traffic, etc.). The city needs to address community as a whole; he feels the proposed
amendments do not address the intent of the moratorium.
Commissioner Elder moved to adopt the proposed amendments with the addition that the proposed
changes to parking for senior housing be removed. The motion died for the lack of a second.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford moved to forward the proposed amendments without a recommendation
(seconded by Vice -Chair Medhurst). Commissioner O'Neil asked how this motion will deal with the
concern of addressing the whole community. Commissioner Elder commented that she opposes the
motion because by passing it the Commission evades doing their job of making a recommendation to the
Council. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford commented that she hopes this motion will encourage the
Council to extend the moratorium, thereby giving more time to deal with the issues. The vote was held
with three in favor and two opposed; the motion passed.
Chair Bronson closed the public hearing.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Vice -Chair Medhurst commended the Commissioners. He believes the Commissioners did a good job and
hopes the City Council will consider extending the moratorium. Chair Bronson thanked all who gave
public comment.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
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