10-06-2020 HousekeepingMinor Code Amendments to
Federal Way Revised Code
Presentation to the
City Council
October 6, 2020
1
Should the City Council approve proposed minor
amendments to the Code to improve consistency,
provide updated public notification, and meet State
law?
Policy Question
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•33
Background
Staff has identified several “Housekeeping” items to
amend Title 14, Title 18, and Title 19 of the Federal Way
Revised Code (FWRC)
The minor amendments reduce conflicts,
inconsistences, or omissions related to state law
Provide necessary updates and code clarification that
will allow for a streamlined review process
•44
SEPA Threshold Determination Timing
Requirement to issue threshold determination or to
decide significance within 90 days
Not a requirement for cities under the GMA
Reduce the number of formal extension requests the
applicant submits
Proposed Minor Amendments
•55
Refine the definition of “lot” and “tract”
Not clear whether “tracts” should be counted as ‘lots’
Clarify that tracts which are not buildable and/or are
intended for public dedication, environmental
protection, or stormwater facilities within a proposed
development are not included in determining the
number of lots created.
Proposed Minor Amendments
•66
Adding notices to owners adjacent to Short Plats
Mailing notice to properties within 300 feet of subject
property
Provide landowners adjacent to a short plat the same
courtesy as provided land owners adjacent to a long
plat, especially since short plats are expanded to include
projects with nine lots or less
Proposed Minor Amendments
•77
Revising public notice posting locations
Remove posting at public libraries and City Hall lobby
Outdated mode of public notice in the digital age
Not required under WAC or RCW
New standards are needed due to Covid-19 since these
locations are closed to the public
Notices will still be published in the newspaper of
general circulation in the City
Staff would still post at City Hall as a standard practice
once City Hall is open again
Proposed Minor Amendments
Proposed Minor Amendment
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City staff to create a link
to the Land Use Public
Notices on the City’s main
page on website
•99
Refine the definition of “dwelling
unit”
“Special Needs Housing” is only
allowed as stacked dwelling units
Staff can distinguish between
proposals which are designed for a
special need, such as convalescent
center/memory care, and a unit that
is designed for independent living
Proposed Minor Amendments
•1010
Remove the Double Notice Requirements for
Administrative Variances
Initial Notice of Application gives public opportunity to
comment
Parties of Records will receive decision and can appeal
The extra 15-day notice of impending decision can cause
delay of projects that are time sensitive
Proposed Minor Amendments
•1111
Update family day care requirements to meet state
standards
Correct inconsistencies between FWRC and RCW
The City cannot impose conditions that are more
restrictive than conditions imposed on other residential
dwellings in the same zone
Proposed Minor Amendments
Planning Commission recommended approval of the
proposed code amendments, following a Public
Hearing on September 2, 2020. No public comments
were received.
LUTC reviewed Planning Commission
recommendation and proposed adoption of the
ordinance on September 14, 2020.
Recommendations
•12
The Mayor recommends adopting the ordinance for
minor amendments to Title 14, Title 18, and Title 19 of
the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) as proposed.
Mayor’s Recommendation
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