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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 •2 •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Minor Amendments •77 Revising public notice posting locations Remove posting at public libraries and City Hall lobby Outdated mode of public notice in the digital age Not required under WAC or RCW New standards are needed due to Covid-19 since these locations are closed to the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 8 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 13