Planning Commission MINS 09-20-2017CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 20, 2017 City Hall
6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Tim
O'Neil, Dawn Meader McCausland, and Dale Couture. Commissioners absent: Hope Elder, Anthony
Murrietta (ex). City Staff present: Planning Manager Robert "Doc" Hansen, 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 September 6, 2017, were approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Public Hearing — Proposed Amendments to FWRC Title 19 for Code Clarification and Use Tables
Planning Manager Hansen delivered the staff report. He commented that there are a number of additions
and corrections to the staff report that he will point out as they are appropriate. There are ten different
amendments. They will go before the Land Use/Transportation Committee on October 7th and to City
Council for first reading on October 17th and second reading on November 6th (becoming effective
November 15th). The proposed amendments involve a number of sections of the code and are intended to
clarify past interpretations. In addition, staff (at the direction of the City Council) is proposing a new land
use within the Suburban Estates (SE) zone. Planning Manager Hansen went over each of the proposed
amendments.
Proposal #1 is intended to clarify the requirement of public notice board locations. After further research,
city staff determined that the proposal is confusing and current code is able to address the issue; therefore,
an amendment is not needed.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 September 20, 2017
Chair Bronson opened the public testimony.
H. David Kaplan — He commented regarding micro -wineries; has the city staff talked to the
owner of Abbe Vineyard? Do the definitions and regulations fit what they are doing at Abbe
Vineyard and what they want to do in the future? He encouraged city staff talk to the owner of
Abbe Vineyard,
Chair Bronson closed the public testimony.
Commissioner O'Neil asked in regards to request #3 and requiring landscaping for buildings that do not
meet the property boundary, at what point will this be required. If I change the landscaping, will I have to
follow this regulation? Planning Manager Hansen replied the requirement is for new and redeveloped
structures. Commissioner O'Neil asked what if my landscaping is in conflict with fire requirements.
Planning Manager Hansen replied that would require a director's decision.
Commissioner O'Neil asked why not allow distilleries in an addition to micro -breweries. Planning
Manager Hansen replied that the proposed amendment is intended to take advantage of small operations
and distilleries are not small enterprises. It can be hard to determine what a micro -distillery is.
Commissioner O'Neil commented that he feels the city is missing out on possible business opportunities
by not allowing distilleries.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked if micro -breweries will be allowed in other zones. Planning
Manager Hansen stated that currently through this proposed amendment, they will be allowed only in the
Suburban Estates (SE) zone. Staff can later evaluate allowing them in other zones. Commissioner Meader
McCausland expressed concern that they are classified as urban agriculture. What if they are only bottling
or testing and are not growing grapes on the property? She feels this classification may be too restrictive
and suggests changing or striking it. She is also concerned that classifying them as home occupations will
also be too restrictive. In particular, limiting the number of visitors to the site. What if they need more
than one delivery per day? What if they do not want to live on the site? She is concerned that city is too
restrictive on areas that will not have damaging impacts. Further discussion on these issues was held.
Commissioner Carlson commented that he does not feel comfortable adopting the proposed amendments
tonight because of the number of changes and corrections made by staff. Also, he would like to know
what other jurisdictions are doing in regards to wineries. He feels the general direction is good. In regards
to request #3 and allowing a certified landscaper to complete landscape plans, if the city is striving for
higher design, the city should not make this change and should remove certified landscaper from places
they are allowed and allow only landscape architects to complete landscape plans. In regards to request #2
and removing grid pavers, he feels exception #2(a) regarding wood decks should also be removed. He
also suggests that permeable pavement be included.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford commented that she has received a number of inquiries about allowing
wineries. She would like to broaden the zoning now rather than having to revisit the topic. She feels they
should be allowed in all zones except residential zones. She believes they will attract tourism and
additional business and does not want Federal Way to "miss the boat."
Vice -Chair Medhurst agrees with what has been said. He feels the proposed regulations for the proposed
wineries zoning are putting up barriers before we even start. He feels that if the streets can support the
traffic, then it should be allowed.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 September 20, 2017
Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend the proposed code amendments as presented and corrected
by staff in their presentation on September 20, 2017, with the exception of FWRC 19.65.070, to the
regular Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting. The motion includes FWRC 19.11.010,.020(2)(c),
and delete 2(a) under 19.11.020 related to wood deck and its calculation of impervious surface as it is
covered in the King County Stormwater Design Manual. The motion also includes everything that staff is
proposing as corrected in Exhibit C, FWRC 19.125.030, 19.125.035, 19.125.040, 19.125.170, and .180;
everything in Exhibit D, FWRC 19.135.100 section 2, FWRC 19.135.130 section 2; omitting in its
entirety the contents of Exhibit E with direction to staff for additional study; including all of the contents
in Exhibits F and G. Commissioner Meader McCausland seconded. Deputy City Attorney Orthmann
commented that he may be able to draft a motion that would be easier for the record. In light of this,
Commissioner Carlson withdrew his motion.
Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend the proposed code amendments as presented and corrected
by city staff on September 20, 2017, that are included within Exhibit C of the staff report to the regular
Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting. Commissioner O'Neil seconded. There was no further
discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend the proposed code amendments as presented and corrected
by city staff in its presentation on September 20, 2017, that are included within Exhibit D of the staff
report to the regular Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting. Commissioner O'Neil seconded.
There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend the proposed code amendments as presented and corrected
by city staff in its presentation on September 20, 2017, that are included within Exhibit F of the staff
report to the regular Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting. Commissioner O'Neil seconded.
There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend the proposed code amendments as presented and corrected
by city staff in its presentation on September 20, 2017, that are included within Exhibit G of the staff
report to the regular Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting. Commissioner O'Neil seconded.
There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Carlson moved to recommend the proposed code amendments as presented and corrected
by city staff in its presentation on September 20, 2017, that are included within Exhibit B of the staff
report to the regular Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting with one additional revision to remove
19.110.020(2)(a) related to a wood deck as it is covered under the King County Stormwater Manual.
Commissioner O'Neil seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Carlson moved to direct staff to further explore the allowance of breweries and wineries
not just in SE zoning but in other zoning districts and provide support for the various criteria.
Commisison Noble-Gulliford seconded. Commissioner O'Neil moved to amend the motion to include
distilleries. Commissioner Carlson seconded. Deputy City Attorney Orthmann commented this motion is
likely to become complicated with a number of amendments made by Commissioners to express the
issues they feel it is important that staff includes in their exploration and drafting proposed amendments.
He feels the Commissioners could simply let staff know their concerns. Staff will consider the concerns
brought forth in this evening's meeting on the topic. Commissioner O'Neil withdrew his amendment and
Commissioner Carlson withdrew his motion.
Commissioner Carlson moved to direct staff to further study the issues and identified in Exhibit E of the
staff report and return to the Planning Commission at a future date. Commissioner O'Neil seconded.
There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 September 20, 2017
Commissioner Carlson moved to not recommend forwarding the proposed code amendments as presented
by city staff in its presentation on September 20, 2017, that are included within Exhibit A of the staff report.
Commissioner O'Neil seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
Chair Bronson closed the public hearing.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
KAPlanning Commission\2016\Mee[ing Summary 09-20-17.doc