2021-03-03 Planning Commission PacketCommissioners City Staff
Lawson Bronson, Chair Tim O’Neil, Vice-Chair Brian Davis, CD Director
Wayne Carlson Hope Elder E. Tina Piety, Administrative Assistant
Diana Noble-Gulliford Tom Medhurst 253-835-2601
Dale Couture Eric Olsen, Alternate www.cityoffederalway.com
Jae So, Alternate Anna Patrick, Alternate
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City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 3, 2021, 6:30 p.m. City Hall, Zoom Meeting
AGENDA
Notice: Pursuant to Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28, all in-person meetings are prohibited until further
notice. The Mayor and City Council are providing opportunities for public comment by submitting written comment
or calling into the meeting to provide oral testimony. To access these options please use the following:
DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT TO ACCESS THE LINKS.
Click here for a form to sign-up to give citizen comment during the meeting (via telephone, number
below) / you will be given access during the public testimony portion (we request you sign up at least 2
hours before the meeting starts).
Click Here to submit written comments to the Planning Commission (we request you submit them at least
two hours before the meeting starts); please reference Planning Commission Meeting – March 3rd
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://cityoffederalway.zoom.us/j/92039948345?pwd=b3RBOGdQeUw5ZEFQSi8rblhlZ0hRQT09
Listen to the live meeting: (888) 788-0099 or 253-215-8782, Meeting ID: 920 3994 8345
Watch from the Zoom mobile app with meeting: 920 3994 8345 and password: 431768
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Planning Commission Meeting of February 17, 2021
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
5. COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. Discussion – Preliminary Sound Transit Briefing
6. STAFF BUSINESS
a. Director’s Report
7. NEXT MEETING
a. March 17, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 February 17, 2021
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 17, 2021 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tim O’Neil, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Hope
Elder, Dale Couture, Jae So, and Anna Patrick. Commissioners absent: Tom Medhurst and Eric Olsen
(ex). City Staff present: Associate Planner Chaney Skadsen, 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 January 20, 2021, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Discussion, Housing Action Plan; Summary to Date – Planner Skadsen presented the staff report. The
objective of the city’s Housing Action Plan (HAP) document is to lay out comprehensive housing policy
direction from which regulatory changes can be implemented. The intent is that the goal of the regulatory
changes will be to increase the residential building capacity in the city. Key findings to-date include:
1. Federal Way is underproducing residential units.
2. The current housing stock is not aligned with household sizes in the community.
3. Housing costs are outpacing incomes making housing less affordable.
4. There is a large gap between the regulated affordable units available and those that are
cost-burdened.
5. There are the least affordable housing options for the lowest income groups.
6. Displacement is occurring disproportionately affecting BIPOC communities.
Discussion was held regarding the make-up of the Advisory Group. Commissioner Carlson expressed
concern that there may not be a broad diversity of background and knowledge of group members.
Commissioner Noble- Gulliford expressed concern the Advisory Group may not fully reflect all those
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 17, 2021
living in Federal Way; specifically, those in single-family neighborhoods. It was discussed that the HAP
is a policy document and specific code issues will not be addressed until later. Staff will prepare a
schedule for the timing of this; an implementation schedule is a requirement of the grant. It was
commented that staff needs to think through the consequences of any proposed changes; both good and
bad. Discussion was held that the HAP may be used as the housing element in the city’s comprehensive
plan when the next major update is done. Discussion was held regarding the online survey and how to
obtain additional public comments. Chair Bronson and Commissioners stated they want to review
minutes and data from the Advisory Group/Consultant. Planner Skadsen stated the Advisory Group
agendas are on the city’s webpage (https://www.cityoffederalway.com/node/4727). They state what was
discussed. She will speak to the Consultant about providing their raw data. Commissioner Patrick
commented that the city needs to consider creative regulations to address housing issues. Commissioners
requested staff show examples of what different types of housing would look like in current city
neighborhoods. All agreed the city needs a broad diversity of housing types, from affordable to expensive.
Discussion, Commissioner’s Orientation – Attorney Rhoades presented an orientation of the roles and
rules of the Planning Commission. He discussed the Open Public Meetings Act and Conflict of Interest.
There was no further discussion.
STAFF BUSINESS
Director’s Report – Administrative Assistant Piety informed the Commissioners that the March 3, 2021,
agenda will have discussions on a Housing Action Plan Strategies Briefing and Preliminary Sound Transit
Briefing. The March 17. 2021, agenda will have discussions on a Sound Transit DEIS Briefing and a
Preliminary Growth Targets Briefing. In addition, she informed the Commissioners that the city is
seeking to fill the Planning Manager position; with Stacey Welsh serving as Interim Planning Manager.
NEXT MEETING
March 3, 2021, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
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