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2021-03-03 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 March 3, 2021 CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PLANNING COMMISSION March 3, 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, Tom Medhurst, Eric Olsen, Jae So, and Anna Patrick. Commissioners absent: none. City Staff present: CD Director Brian Davis, Senior Planner James Rogers, 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 February 17, 2021, minutes were approved as presented. Commissioner Carlson requested future minutes be more inclusive. PUBLIC COMMENT None COMMISSION BUSINESS Discussion, Preliminary Sound Transit Briefing – Planner Rogers delivered the staff report. It includes an overview/update of the Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE), Tacoma Dome Link Extension (TDLE), and Operations and Maintenance Facility South (OMFS) projects. The FWLE is 7.8 miles (from SeaTac to Federal Way at 320th) and will have three stations (Kent/Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way). The Federal Way Transit Center (FWTC) will be the end of the line until the TDLE is complete. The FWLE is 25 percent complete and is projected to be complete (and service will begin) in 2024. Once complete, there will be Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at the FWTC. Planner Rogers went over the construction progress at the Star Lake Station, along I-5, and the FWTC. Commissioner Patrick asked where will the storm drainage pond be located? Planner Rogers replied that stormwater facilities will be located underground at the FWTC. He continued his presentation on the FWTC design, area layout, parking, and pedestrian crossing. He noted there will be 35 percent total fewer pedestrian lane crossings. A discussion was held regarding pedestrians crossing 320th. The Commissioners have several concerns. Currently, the crossing will be at street level at the current intersection. Commissioner Patrick asked if a pedestrian overpass has been considered? Planner Rogers and Director Davis responded that one has been considered and the city would prefer an overpass; however, the city does not have the funds and Sound Transit (ST) has determined that Federal Way does not meet the designated “need” for them to provide one. Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 3, 2021 There is also the concern that an overpass will lead to crime. Commissioner O’Neil commented that trains will be arriving every ten minutes and with the number of pedestrians expected, a street-level crossing does not seem as safe as an overpass; especially concerning that residential development is being considered on the mall property and the FWTC will be the “end of the line” until at least 2030 when the TDLE is planned to begin service. Commissioners expressed they do not understand why ST will provide overpasses at other new transit sites, but not Federal Way. Commissioners commented that they have been told ST will provide funds for an additional stoplight and crosswalks for pedestrians. What is the status of this? Director Davis and Planner Rogers responded that they are not aware of the specifics of this stoplight proposal. It could be part of an entire connectivity plan and Public Works should be aware of it. Staff will consult with Public Works and update the Commission. Commissioners commented that an additional stoplight would add to the congestion and frustrations of those driving down 320th with little benefit. Director Davis assured the Commissioners that the city shares many of the concerns that were raised and will continue to work with ST for plans that are beneficial to the city. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford commented that an earlier plan showed an area for an additional 400 parking stalls; will these now be located in the FWTC? Planner Rogers responded that yes, space for an additional 400 parking stalls will be added to the FWTC. A discussion was held regarding TOD. Commissioner O’Neil asked if ST will sell the TOD property to private developers. Planner Rogers replied that ST will sell to private developers. Commissioner Noble- Gulliford asked if there will be development standards on the TOD property. Planner Rogers stated that developers will have to comply with state, ST, and city standards for TOD. TOD will need to consider (not an all-inclusive list): • RCW 81.112.350 • City Center design standards • Housing Action Plan • Downton planning study • Growth targets Commissioners expressed concern about the loss of tax revenue to the city as a result of the TOD and OMFS development; and what if the TOD is leased? Planner Rogers responded he is not fully knowledgeable of the tax situation of these projects. He will research the issue and respond to the Commissioners. Director Davis commented that the city has shared the concern regarding taxes for the OMFS development and had financed a separate study/analysis of the economics of the proposed sites. Staff will send this report to the Commissioners. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked if the TOD will be required to have retail on the first floor. Planner Rogers replied that it will not be a requirement, but will be encouraged. Planner Rogers continued his presentation with the TDLE and Federal Way South Transit Center. The TDLE is 10 miles (Federal Way to Tacoma) and will have four stations (Federal Way South, Fife, Portland Avenue, and the Tacoma Dome). The Tacoma Dome Station will have links to other regional transit options, including the Sounder and Amtrak trains, etc. Currently, construction is expected to start in 2025, with service beginning in 2030. The location of the South Station has not been determined; there are three alternatives. One is located on I-5 south of 356th Street and the other two are along 316th Avenue South/Enchanted Parkway near South 352nd Street. Also, the alignment has not been determined; alternatives are along Enchanted Parkway or I- 5, with Enchanted Parkway being the preferred alignment and site. Again, construction is expected to start Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 March 3, 2021 in 2025, with service beginning in 2030. Planner Rogers went over the proposed plans for the Federal Way South Station. He then noted that the cost estimate for the TDLE preferred alternative has increased from ~$2.9 billion to ~$3.3 billion (10%). This is partially due to changes to stormwater facilities, station and pedestrian circulation improvements, and guideway profile changes (surface to elevated). Commissioner O’Neal comment that locating the Federal Way South Station on 352nd Street would do the most to stimulate development and he recommends it be placed there. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked when will the decision be made on the alignment and how will the BPA power lines be dealt with? Planner Rogers replied the determination of the alignment will be done next year. He does not know how the BPA power lines will be dealt with and will research the issue. Planner Rogers finished his presentation by discussing the OMFS. There are three site alternatives (one in Kent and two in Federal Way). It will provide fleet support 24/7/365 and will provide 470 good-paying jobs. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be available on March 5, 2021; a comment period ends on April 19, 2021. The preferred alternative will be selected in late 2021 and the Final EIS and project selection will be done in mid-2022. The 2020 cost estimates of the potential OMFS sites has increased, partially due to the following: • Federal Way Sites: $759 million to $1.167 billion (+54%) • Changes to stormwater facilities • Refined site configuration and size (50% larger) • Midway Landfill Site: $1.366 billion to $2.424 billion (+77%) • Continual ground settlement issues • Increased structural support The COVID19 crisis has reduced ST’s revenues. As a result, ST won’t be able to meet proposed deadlines without alternative revenue from state or federal sources. (Projects already in progress are expected to meet their original timelines.) Through a process called realignment, ST will determine which project timelines for voter-approved projects will need to change. The realignment process includes: • January: review project evaluation The Board held a workshop and provided realignment requirements and processes. • February: discuss realignment approaches Board is reviewing financial updates. • March: define realignment approaches for public feedback Board reviews financial updates; discusses public engagement plans. • April: engage with the public and key stakeholders Board asks what is important for them to consider before they make final realignment decisions. • May: discuss realignment options Board hears public engagement results and identifies priorities for a draft realignment plan. • June: develop draft realignment plan The Board outlines priorities and requirements for realigned plans and directs staff to prepare the final plan/ action for Board consideration in July. • July: take realignment action. Commissioner O’Neil asked if the estimated cost includes acquisition. Planner Rogers replied that it does, but the main driver of the estimate for the Midway site is the cost to mitigate for the settlement of the ground. ST will have to either remove and replace the soil or place pillars down to the stable soil and build on the pillars. One of the Federal Way sites is most likely to be the preferred alternative. Director Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 March 3, 2021 Davis commented that the cities of Federal Way and Kent prefer the Midway site. Commissioner Noble- Gulliford commented that the FWTC will be the end of the line until the TDLE is complete, and to her, it makes more sense to have the OMFS at Midway, which is further north. Commissioner Elder expressed her concern over the funding and continuing this project in regards to many people working from home due to COVID19. It has been said that many people will continue to work from home in the future. Will there be enough ridership to make the project feasible? Planner Rogers responded that he agrees that many people will be working from home in the future, but we don’t know that for sure. We have to make decisions from the data we have. Chair Bronson expressed his frustration with the process. He was an original stakeholder for the TDLE and to him, ST is not listening to their recommendations. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford stated she is following the progress of all the light-rail projects and noted that in the north they seem to be competing for the same funding we are. Why is the Midway site a topic of their discussions? Director Davis replied that he does not know and will look into it. STAFF BUSINESS Director’s Report – Director Davis apologized for missing the last meeting. Interviews will be held next week for the Planning Manager. He wants the Commission to be more involved in planning issues and will keep them informed of the issues. Sound Transit will make a presentation on the DEIS at the next meeting. Staff will make a presentation on the Housing Action Plan Strategies at the next meeting and April 7th. The public hearing for the Housing Action Plan will be on April 17th. Also, a presentation on growth targets will be given on April 7th. Chair Bronson stated that according to the city code, recordings of Planning Commission meetings will be kept by the city. Where can someone obtain the recordings? Director Davis and Assistant Piety responded that the recordings are kept, but due to computer server space, IT needs to keep them on a server that may not be accessed by other staff. Assistant Piety continued that if anyone wants a recording, all they need do is make public records requests and the recording will be provided. Commissioner O’Neil commented that one of his clients had a good experience working with the city. Commissioner Patrick asked if the department is doing anything differently because of COVID19? Director Davis replied the department has gone digital ahead of schedule due to COVID19. The department is always working to improve our processes and welcomes any suggestions for improvement. NEXT MEETING March 17, 2021, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:53 P.M. K:\Planning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 03-03-21.doc