2020-12-02 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 December 2, 2020
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
December 2, 2020 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tom Medhurst, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Tim
O’Neil, Dale Couture, and Eric Olsen. Commissioners absent: Hope Elder. City Staff present: Principal
Planner Robert “Doc” Hansen, Associate Planner Chaney Skadsen, Public Works Director EJ Walsh,
Public Works Deputy Director Desiree Winkler, City Attorney Eric Rhoades, and Administrative
Assistant II Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
MINUTES
The November 4, 2020, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Commission Noble-Gulliford moved (and it was seconded) to change the order of the meeting by moving
Commission Business Item b) before Item a). There was no further discussion and the motion passed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Public Hearing, Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan on Rezone/ Reclassification of a Residential
Zone (Shelter Resources) – Principal Planner Hansen delivered the staff report. The proposed amendment
has gone through City Council First Reading; however, the applicant has requested to amend the
proposed amendment by adding a parcel. Commissioner O’Neil moved (and Commissioner Carlson
seconded) to recommend approval of the proposed parcel addition to the original proposed amendment.
There was no further discussion and the motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing, Code Amendments to the FWRC Titles 4 and 19 Related to Wireless Communication
Facilities – Commissioners expressed dismay and concern that they did not receive (nor was it placed on
the city’s meeting webpage) the agenda packet until yesterday morning. This is not enough time for them to
review and consider the proposed amendments; especially given the technical nature of this issue. They
would like to hear the staff presentation. Commissioners would have liked to have had a study session on
this issue. Commissioners also stated they have received comments from industry leaders today and need
more time to review them. Deputy Public Works Director Winkler commented that the proposed
amendments are not substantial changes. It is mainly relocating and consolidating information into one
chapter. She noted that some of the proposed amendments are from an interim code amendment adopted
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 December 2, 2020
two years ago that expires in January 2021. Deputy Director Winkler delivered the staff presentation. The
proposed amendments will consolidate the regulations into one chapter and will remove redundancies. In
addition to other changes, Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.256 will be deleted and replaced in order
to consolidated all permitting and design standards (both within the right-of-way and on real property). In
their comments, industry leaders requested the city consider sitting major Wireless Communications
Facilities in residential zones. However, these regulations are in a different section of the code and would
require an additional amendment. Chair Bronson opened the meeting for Public Testimony.
Greggory Busch, Wireless Policy Group, Representing AT&T – He stated he has submitted a lot
of information and feels a continuance is a good idea to give the Commissioners time to consider
the information. He would like the city consider allowing major Wireless Communications
Facilities in residential zones.
Kim Allen, Wireless Policy Group, Representing Verizon –She also provided the Commission
with a lot of information. She would like the city consider allowing major Wireless
Communications Facilities in residential zones with this proposed amendment. She noted that the
current city code for major Wireless Communications Facilities has items that conflict with
federal regulations, Major Wireless Communications Facilities are the backbone of networks
providing wireless communications. Due to the pandemic, they are carrying much larger loads.
The city could, for example, allow them in school and church parking lots within residential
zones. She also supports continuing the hearing.
Commissioner Carlson feels consideration of major Wireless Communications Facilities should be
postponed. He suggested an amendment be added to the Planning Commission Work Program and that it
be made a high priority in order to address the FCC rules.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked who is responsible for maintenance at the ground level? Deputy
Director Winkler replied the city is responsible for the pole and any accessory, and the industry owner
maintains any accessories for the wireless communications facility. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford
inquired if there are different regulations for public and private property? Deputy Director Winkler
responded that there are different standards and they most likely will be different types of installations.
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked if there is a cost to the city? Deputy Director Winkler replied there
will be no cost to the city because the applicant will have to obtain a permit to place a wireless
communication facility. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford inquired if there are different design regulations
for different zones? Deputy Director Winkler responded they will be placed in city right-of-way and the
design standards for rights-of-way is the same throughout the city. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked
what about maintenance of trees? Deputy Director Winkler replied that maintenance of trees depends on a
number of factors, including typography and spacing of poles and trees. The city will need to monitor
trees. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford inquired if joint use of poles is mandatory? Deputy Director
Winkler responded that joint use is not mandatory, but it is encouraged. She stated that the city will not
allow our decorative light poles or signal light poles to be used for wireless communication facilities,
Commissioner O’Neil stated that the industry input is very helpful. He asked that definitions be included
as many of the words are very technical. He also asked that staff show pictures of how these poles look in
other jurisdictions to give a basic idea of what to expect.
Vice-Chair Medhurst moved (and Commissioner O’Neil seconded) to continue the public hearing on
Code Amendments to the FWRC Titles 4 and 19 Related to Wireless Communication Facilities to the
Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. There was no further discussion and
the motion passed unanimously.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 December 2, 2020
Discussion, Planning Commission 2021 Work Program – Principal Planner Hansen delivered the staff
presentation. The purpose of the presentation is to inform the Commission of what is proposed and to receive
feedback and any suggestions. Planner Hansen commented that because of Covid 19, the deadline for the
major update to the comprehensive plan has been moved from 2023 to 2024.The Council wants to update the
city center chapter and will hire a consultant for this project. Currently, the city has two applications for
comprehensive plan rezones. The Work Program will go to the Council next month. Commissioner Carlson
suggested an amendment to major wireless communication facilities be added to the work program. Planner
Hansen commented that it is already included as part of the Public Works amendments. Commissioner
Carlson suggested that it also be included as a Community Development amendment.
STAFF BUSINESS
a. Manager’s Report –None.
NEXT MEETING
December 16, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 P.M.
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