Planning Commission MINS 10-02-2019CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 2, 2019
City Hall
6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Wayne Carlson, Tom Medhurst, Hope Elder, Lawson Bronson, Dawn Meader
McCausland, Tim O'Neil, Diana Noble-Gulliford, and Dale Couture. Commissioners absent: Eric Olsen
(ex). City Staff present: Planning Manager Robert "Doc" Hansen, Principal Planner Margaret Clark,
Surface Water Manager Theresa Thurlow, and Deputy City Attorney Mark Orthmann.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
AUDIENCE COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Planning Manager Hansen announced that on Monday, staff completed an application to the Department
of Commerce for a grant for $100,000 for the ability to create a Housing Action Plan. Six jurisdictions
will be involved on this project. Each jurisdiction will have its own action plan. The jurisdictions will
share funding for a consultant to develop an Interactive Model that will show the distribution of housing
in the region. It will show how changes in one jurisdiction will impact another. We will know by the end
of the month whether we have received the grant or not.
UPDATE: Sound Transit Link Extension Projects
An email was sent to Commissioners about the history behind the decision to not construct a pedestrian
bridge overpass.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION: Code Text Amendment of Title 19, Division III, Mitigation and Fees
Surface Water Division Manager Thurlow delivered the staff report. Staff is proposing an amendment to
Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) Title 19, Division III, Mitigation and Fees, related to the collection
of system development charges (SDC's) for connecting to the city's stormwater conveyance system. The
Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 October 2, 2019
SDC's will apply to new and significantly redeveloped projects (those creating additional significant
demand). For redeveloped property, the SDC would only be assessed on new impervious surface. She
went over the background and reason for the proposal.
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Discussion was held over how the surface water is collected and if it is treated. The city does not "treat"
the water, other than what occurs naturally in collection ponds. The city does educate people on how to
reduce the amount of pollutants that might enter the water. Commissioner O'Neil asked how does the
city's calculations differ from other jurisdictions. The city will charge $1123 per ESU (3200 square feet).
Manager Thurlow replied that the ESU for other jurisdictions may be different from the city's. Some
jurisdictions have a straight charge as opposed by square footage. Manager Thurlow will prepare a
comparison chart of the cost that will consider how the cost would be assessed ori a typical parcel.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked if all parcels within the city are assessed stormwater fees.
Manager Thurlow replied that they are. Residential parcels are all assessed the same fee of one ESU.
Commercial properties are charged based on how many ESU's (or impervious surface) they have. Multi -
Family is charged as commercial. All non -single-family residential is charged as commercial.
Commissioner Couture commented that not all parcels are the same (infiltration can differ). Is this taken
into consideration? Manager Thurlow replied that the developer is required to consider low -impact
development (LID) and if he/she can meet the development requirements for LID (with good soils and not
in a landslide hazard area) the developer can reduce the impervious surface with lower pervious concrete
and so on, reducing the development's total impervious surface and thereby, the charge. In addition, some
developments will be able to have detention on-site and thereby reduce the amount of impervious surface
and the charge. Developments are charged by how much they impact the stormwater system.
Chair Carlson asked if a development had such good permeable soil so that if much of the site is
impervious, but there is a pond whereby all the run off quickly disperses (it doesn't flood), would they
still have to pay the stormwater runoff charge just based on the ESU? Manager Thurlow replied that there
will never be a 100 percent closed system, so there will be some charge for stormwater runoff.'-
Commissioner
unoffCommissioner Noble-Gulliford asked where does the money go. Manager Thurlow replied that the funds
will be placed into an account for stormwater utility that can only be used for this need (the effects of
development on capacity, for vaults, catch basins, etc.). May not be used for operation and maintenance,
fish passage, or purchase of conservation property.
Commission O'Neil commented that would it not be fairer to base this charge only on the amount of
water that will leave the site. Manager Thurlow that the burden that would put on the city's development
review would be substantial. Commissioner O'Neil suggested requiring the developer to prove that less
water will flow out from the site. Manager Thurlow replied that is something staff could consider adding
to the ordinance. There is a section that would allow a developer to apply for a credit if they disagree with
the city's assessment.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked what might happen in the future if a developer is assessed a
lower SDC but then the property is further developed with more impervious surface. Manager Thurlow
commented that any new or redevelopment would have to go through the planning process and additional
funds might be assessed at the time if warranted.
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked if staff considered possible future climate change. Manager
Thurlow replied that issue is up for discussion. There is discussion in the stormwater community to
change the capacity threshold to address climate change. We are having higher intensity rainwater events.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 2, 2019
Commissioner Meader McCausland asked if other jurisdictions treat their stormwater and if so, do they
bundle it with their stormwater fee. Large jurisdiction (Seattle, Tacoma, etc.) are required to retrofit for
treatment. Their fee only addresses water quantity, not quality. Treatment fee is part of what is assessed to
the rate payer.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
KAPlanning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 10-02-19.doc
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 2, 2019