LUTC MINS 12-04-2017City of Federal Way
City Council
Land Use /Transportation Committee
December 4, 2017 City Hall
5:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Committee member Mark Koppang and Committee member Lydia Assefa- Dawson.
Councilmembers in attendance: Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge and Councilmember Susan Honda.
Staff in Attendance: Public Works Director Marwan Salloum, Community Development Director Brian Davis, Deputy Public
Works Director El Walsh, Deputy Public Works Director /Street Systems Manager Desiree Winkler, Deputy City Attorney Mark
Orthmann, Senior Policy Advisor Yarden Weidenfield, Planning Manager Robert "Doc" Hansen, Surface Water Manager
Theresa Thurlow, Principal Planner Margaret Clark, SWM Project Engineer Tony Doucette, Street Systems Engineer Jeff
Huynh, and Administrative Assistant II Mercedes Tenuta.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Administrative Assistant II Mercedes Tenuta called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Deputy City
Attorney Mark Orthmann stated that due to the rare occurrence of no chair, a nomination must be submitted. Nomination
and election completed to elect Committee member Mark Koppang to chair the meeting as well as chair the next LUTC
meeting scheduled to be held on Monday, January 8, 2018.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Cindy Flanagan with the Rainier Audubon in coalition with the Save Weyerhaeuser Campus Group working to
conserve the Eastlake basin area and is commenting in favor of agenda item C to be approved. Ms. Flanagan
explained that the Rainier Audubon was able to share environmental data regarding the bird species, habitat and
sensitivity of the Hylebos stream system with City staff working on the CFT grant. She advised that preserving the
54 acres along the western shoreline in Northlake will help to keep water quality healthy and water quantity flows
more consistent.
• Richard Pierson, a resident of Federal Way, spoke to support Cindy Flanagan's public comment in support of approval
of agenda item C. Mr. Pierson also spoke in favor to approve the City's 2080 State Legislative priority at the
December 5, 2017 Council meeting particularly pertaining to the former Weyerhaeuser corporate headquarters to
obtain [more] funding to ensure open space and public access on trails is maintained.
• Pam Otteson spoke on agenda item F. Ms. Otteson stated she is in favor of rezoning of the group of properties in
her area which would allow for high density housing that will give better access to public transportation, clog less
surface streets, as well as a current curve in the road become straight during the development process.
■ Greg Amann spoke on behalf of the site - specific request property owners pertaining to agenda item F. Mr. Amann
explained that the denial of the 6 site - specific requests #4 -9 is due to a checkerboard pattern being created. He
further stated that three (3) additional property owners expressed their desire and support to have their properties
rezoned to a higher density but did not meet the deadline. If you take all properties into consideration, it would
eliminate the checkerboard pattern and instead have approximately 43.5 acres in a compact contiguous area. Mr.
Amann urged the committee to recommend to the Council to consider an area -wide rezone.
• Edith Neether, a resident of Federal Way, spoke on agenda item F in support of the rezone for site - specific request
No. 5 at 37322 Milton Rd South. Ms. Neether expressed her concern for the City's need for more housing. She stated
that with the light rail coming and its easy access to the freeway, the rezone would help promote more housing.
Committee Members City Staff
Mark KoPvpar.g, Chair Marwan Salloum P.E., Public Works Director
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 1 Mercedes Tenuta, Administrative Assistant II
(253) 835 -2701
• Mark Spaur, a resident of Federal Way, spoke on agenda items F and G. Mr. Spaur stated he is in support of the
Resolution as written to deny site - specific requests #4 -9 due to potential impacts to the sensitive wetlands, traffic
would be difficult to mitigate at Milton Rd S and Enchanted Parkway, as well as 19th Ave S becoming a fast
thoroughfare next to a park. He also stated he is in support of the Ordinance as written to approve site - specific
requests #1 -3.
Richard (Rick) Beard, a resident of Federal Way, spoke on agenda item F in support of the rezone for site - specific
requests #4 -9. Mr. Beard stated the sharp hairpin turn on Milton Road would be improved by being straightened out
and the land on the corner would be moved over to further improve the roads.
• Roger von DoenhoffF a resident of Federal Way, spoke on agenda item F in support of the Resolution as written to
deny the site - specific requests #4 -9 due to the fact he will continue to live there whereas he believes others in favor
of the rezone won't continue to live there. Mr. Doenhoff further expressed concerns pertaining to the lack of traffic
studies until the project level, spot zoning, and the environmental impacts.
3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS:
Topic Title/ Description
A. Approval of Minutes: November 6, 2017
Committee approved the November 6, 2017 LUTC minutes as presented.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded: Koppang
• Passed: 2-0
B. 2017 Asphalt Overlay Project — Final Acceptance
Street Systems Engineer Jeff Huynh stated that prior to release of retainage on a Public Works construction
project, City Council must accept the work as complete to meet the State Department of Revenue and Labor
& Industries requirements. Mr. Huynh explained that this project came in below budget by $265,349.28.
Committee forwarded Option #1 (Authorize final acceptance of the 2017 Asphalt Overlay Project
constructed by Lakeside Industries, Inc. in the amount of $1,762,982.72 as complete) to the
January 2, 2018 Council Consent Agenda for approval.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded: Koppang
• Passed: 2 -0
C. Acceptance of the FY 2018 King County CFT Funds
SWM Project Engineer Tony Doucette explained that the Conservation Futures ( "CFT') grant funds are available
annually to government agencies within King County to pursue acquisition of open space for preservation and
conservation. In February 2017, Council authorized SWM staff to apply for $1M and in November 2017 the full
amount was awarded. Mr. Doucette presented maps illustrating the 17 target parcels located in the East Hylebos
Basin as well as outlined the next steps to include defining purchase areas, price negotiations, Council
authorization for acquisition, and SWM staff to work with the King County CFT program manager to finalize and
execute an amendment to the inter -local agreement.
Mr. Doucette, Public Works Director Marwan Salloum, and Councilmember Honda held a brief discussion
regarding how many parcels are able to be purchased, next steps, and the challenges surrounding whether or
not the parcel with the glue house on it will be able to be preserved.
Mr. Doucette and Chair Koppang also briefly discussed SWM fund allocations for the matching funds, the duration
of the grant, and the possibility for applying for funds out of next years' budget.
Committee Members City Staff
Mark Koppang, Chair Marwan 5alloum P. E., Public Works Director
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 2 Mercedes Tenuta, Administrative Assistant 11
(253) 835 -2701
Committee forwarded Option #1 (Authorize SWM staff to accept the FY 2018 King County CFT
funds in the amount of $1,000,000) to the January 2, 2018 Council Consent Agenda for approval.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded:Koppang
• Passed: 2-0
D. Grant Funding for Transportation Improvement Projects — Authorization to Accept Grant Funding
Deputy Public Works Director /Street Systems Manager Desiree Winkler explained that of the three (3) grant
applications submitted this past summer the project that was awarded Funding is the Sacajawea MS and Park
Sidewalks — Phase 2 (SR 509 — 9th PI S to Sacajawea Park). The grant award is $400,000 for a $1.4M estimated
project cost. Ms. Winkler also identified the two (2) projects that were unsuccessful as SW 340th St
Improvements (37th Ave SW — City Limits) and 21St Ave S (S 316th St to S 314th St) Pedestrian Connection (Grand
Staircase).
A brief discussion was held with Ms. Winkler, Committee members and Councilmember Honda regarding the
reasons the two projects were not successful as well as what improvements are planned for the SW 340th St
Improvements project.
Committee forwarded Option #1 (Authorize staff to accept the grant funding under the 2019
Transportation Improvement Board ("TIB'°) Funding Program in the amount of $400,000 for the
Sacajawea MS Sidewalks Phase 2 (SR 509 from 9th PI S to Sacajawea Park) Project) to the
January 2, 2018 Council Consent Agenda for approval.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded:Koppang
• Passed: 2-0
E. RESOLUTION: Setting a Public Hearing for Amendment of the 2018 -23 Transportation
Improvement Plan
Deputy Public Works Director /Street Systems Manager Desiree Winkler explained that to finalize the grant
acceptance for the project presented in agenda item D (Sacajawea MS and Park Sidewalks — Phase 2; SR 509
— 9th Place S to Sacajawea Park), the Transportation Improvement Plan ( "TIP ") must be amended. In order to
amend the TIP, a Public Hearing must be set. Ms. Winkler stated she would be back to LUTC on January 8, 2018
to review the TIP amendment.
Committee forwarded Option #1 (Authorize staff to proceed setting the Public Hearing date for
the proposed amendment to the 2018 -23 Transportation Improvement Plan on January 16, 2018)
to the January 2, 2018 Council Consent Agenda for approval.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded:Koppang
• Passed: 2-0
F. RESOLUTION: 2017 Amendments to the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan, Comprehensive Plan
Map, and Zoning Map
Principal Planner Margaret Clark explained that of the 9 citizen - initiated rezone requests, 6 are being presented
as a Resolution for denial. Ms. Clark summarized the 6 requests using maps and pictures, outlined the procedural
summary, and went over citizen comment with City responses that occurred during the selection and SEPA
process. The 6 citizen - initiated requests are summarized as follows:
• Rezone request from Single Family Medium Denst (RS 35.0) to Single Family High Density (RS 7.2)
❖ Site - specific Request #4 — Johnson: 0.44 acres north & west of Milton Rd S. Reason for the
request is the need for more single - family housing in the city.
❖ Site - specific Request #6 — Otteson: 4.18 acres north and west of Milton Rd S/S 372nd St & south
of I -5. Reason for the request is they no longer have horses, there is no need for pasture, and
the need for more single - family housing.
Committee Members City Staff
Mark Koppang, Chair Marwan 5alloum P. E., Public Works Director
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 3 Mercedes Tenuta, Administrative Assistant H
(253) 835 -2701
❖ Site - specific Request #7 — Beard: 4.52 acres south of Milton Rd S. Reason for the request is to
make the parcels sub - dividable.
❖ Site - specific Request #9 — Dararak: 2.4 acres south of Milton Rd S/S 372nd St. Reason for the
request is to encourage development.
+ Rezone request from Single Familv Medium Densitv (RS 35.0) to Single Family Hiah Densitv (RS 5.0
❖ Site - specific Request #5 — Neether: 2.66 acres east of Milton Rd S. Reason for the request is to
be consistent with the neighbors' request for higher density.
❖ Site - specific Request #8 — Ellingson: 13.38 acres east of Milton Rd S & north of S 376th St.
Reason for the request is the need for more housing in the area.
All 6 citizen - initiated requests were denied for the same reason which is because approval of the requested
change in designation would result in a spot zone, and checkerboard pattern, making the parcel incompatible
with the remaining parcels in this area, and, is therefore not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, the King
County Countywide Planning Policies and VISION 2040.
Committee members and Councilmember Honda asked clarifying questions regarding the meaning of the
environmentally critical area regulations, what options are available for the area to be rezoned if other property
owners were to join in, and how the Critical Areas Ordinance would apply.
Community Development Director Brian Davis mentioned briefly that it would be best if all property owners
agree and to come forward or to have the city initiate a legislative action to rezone the entire area.
Committee forwarded the proposed resolution to the January 2, 2018 Council Business Agenda
for approval.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded:Koppang
• Passed: 2 -0
G. ORDINANCE: 2017 Amendments to the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan, Comprehensive Plan
Map, and Zoning Map
Principal Planner Margaret Clark explained that of the 9 citizen - initiated rezone requests, 3 are being presented
as an Ordinance for approval. Ms. Clark summarized the 3 requests using maps and pictures, outlined the
procedural summary, and went over citizen comment with City responses that occurred during the selection
process. The 3 citizen - initiated requests and reason for approval are summarized as follows:
Site - specific Request #1— Puget Center: 4.03 acres north of S 312th St & east of 1St Ave S
Rezone from Neighborhood Business to Single Family High Density (RS 7.2).
d• Reason for request is that King County is facing a housing crisis and the best use for the land
is residential housing.
❖ Reason for approval is it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan goals, the Growth
Management Act goal to encourage development in urban areas, the King County Countywide
Planning Policies for growth, and with the "PSRC" goal of Vision 2040.
• Site- soecific Request #2 — Campbell: 5.0 acres west of 8th Ave S between S 373rd St & S 376th St
❖ Rezone from Single Family Low Density (SE) to Single Family Medium Density (RS 35.0).
Reason for request is there is a need for additional single family homes in Federal Way.
❖ Reason for approval is that RS 35.0 would be consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive
plan, the King County Countywide Planning Policies, and Vision 2040.
Site- specific Request #3 — Dematteis /Gabrielson: 2.3 acres south of S 320th St & west of 21St Ave SW
❖ Rezone from Professional Office to Single Family High Density (RS 5.0).
Reason for request is to better utilize the property due to a 21% vacancy rate and provide
affordable single family lots.
❖ Reason for approval is the re- designation would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan
statement that the demand for and development of single - family housing is expected to
continue for the foreseeable future and compatible and in scale with the existing neighborhood.
Committee Members City Staff
Mark Koppang, Chair Marwan Salloum P. E., Public Works Director
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 4 Mercedes Tenuta, Administrative Assistant 11
(253) 835 -2701
Ms. Clark and Committee member Assefa- Dawson had a brief discussion regarding the rezone of site - specific
request #2 in relation to the cemetery nearby.
Committee forwarded the proposed ordinance to First Reading on January 2, 2018.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded: Koppang
• Passed: 2-0
H. 2018 Planning Commission Work Program
Planning Manager Robert "Doc" Hansen presented 2018 Planning Commission Work Program in a new format
to include four major items:
1. Streamline the review procedure to potentially remove the current formal hearing process which
determines whether or not to consider items, and replacing it with a new docket process for Council
review in the 4th Quarter.
2. Introduction and adoption of the [new] docket that would potentially group items for automatic
consideration instead of each individual item having a formal hearing.
3. Examine possible solutions for reducing multi - family housing and research the need for various types
of housing in the City.
4. Resolving the issue surrounding an increase in self- storage facilities and find a solution to lift the
moratorium.
Mr. Hansen, Deputy Mayor Burbidge, Chair Koppang, and Councilmember Honda had a brief discussion about
what it would take to begin work on the work program item #11 pertaining to the Twin Lakes Sub -area,
clarification regarding the streamlining of the consideration process and its format, and the potential change to
the deadline for citizen - initiated requests.
Further discussion ensued outlining the reasons for streamlining the consideration process including a cost
savings to the City as well as time savings to staff members while at the same time not taking away any decision
making power from the Council.
Committee forwarded the proposed 2018 Planning Commission Work Program to the
January 2, 2018 Council Business Agenda for approval.
• Moved: Assefa- Dawson
• Seconded: Koppang
• Passed: 2-0
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5. FUTURE MEETINGS /AGENDA ITEMS:
The next LUTC meeting will be Monday, January 8, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
6. ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at: 6:36 p.m.
Attest:
Mercedes Tenuta
Administrative Assistant II
Approved by Committee:
I 10AIP)
Committee Members
Mark Koppang, Chair
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member
City Staff
5 Marwan Salloum P. E., Public Works Director
Mercedes Tenuta, Administrative Assistant II
(253) 835 -2701