DT Plan Scope LUTCDowntown Comprehensive Plan
May 3, 2021 Land Use/Transportation Committee
Presented by: James Rogers, Senior Planner
Scoping Discussion Follow-up
Why Are We Here Today?
Task: Downtown Comprehensive Plan Update
Two year project 2021/22
Currently 50% funded at $100,000
Consultant to be retained
Staff is seeking direction on a task outlined in the
Planning Commission 2021 Work Program
In 2020, Council expressed a desire to conduct extra downtown planning efforts. During the 2021-22 budget deliberations, the $200,000 project cost estimate was partially funded with
$100,000 allocated to the 2021-22 General Fund. This funding is to be used for consultant services.
Staff is seeking feedback from the LUTC on possible options that meet the needs of the request with half of the funding budgeted.
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Scope?
Multiple Complex Issues
More Discussion Time Needed
Smaller Focused Meetings
Feedback Alternatives
Prior Discussion
During our initial discussion on April 5th, we asked councilmembers about their needs and desired outcomes for the planning effort, in order to get a better idea of the scope of the
project.
Due to the complexity of this topic, it became clear that this needed to be a longer conversation in order to better understand the expectations of the entire Council. To achieve that
end, smaller, more personalized meetings were held over the following two weeks with each Council member.
After these meetings staff now believe that we have a good idea of the Council’s expectations for the Downtown neighborhood.
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Planning Area – City Center
Defined Downtown
Pedestrian Friendly
Housing Diversity
Jobs/Housing Mix
Vibrant Living Space
Public Amenities
Destination
What We Heard From You
We heard from you that the desired outcome of this project is to ensure that the downtown neighborhood (City Center) develops into a well-defined, pedestrian friendly area, with a good
mix of housing and jobs that will produce a vibrantly active downtown, both day and night. A diversity of housing including market rate and affordable, rental and ownership, with
increased retail and office uses, along with a network of public spaces and parks. A place with an attractive streetscape and a safe, livable environment. The City Center should be
a desirable place to live, work and play, as well as a regional destination for shopping, entertainment and social gatherings.
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By the end of the comprehensive planning horizon in 2035, the Federal Way City Center has evolved into the cultural, social, and economic center of the City and fulfilled its role as
one of Puget Sound’s regional network of urban centers. This role is reinforced by pedestrian-oriented streetscapes; an efficient multi-modal transportation system; livable and affordable
housing; increased retail, service, civic, and office development in a compact area; a network of public spaces and parks; superior urban design; and a safe and vibrant street life….
Aligned Vision
What we heard is that your description/vision happens to align very well with the current vision statement, in the comprehensive plan, for City Center.
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Most Common Topics
During our meetings with council we discovered some topics or concerns that resonated with most of you.
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Topics by Type
We also found that most of those concerns related to land use, design and street life, followed closely by housing and jobs.
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Phase 1
City Property
ST Properties
Commons Mall
City Center Plaza
Initial Work Program
21st Ave Spine
City Property Uses
Private Property Plans
Alternative #1
Prioritized Sector Implementation
To accomplish this vision, staff are proposing two (2) concept alternatives for consideration, as well as a list of known actions that could be folded into either alternative.
Alternative 1 would envision prioritizing City efforts by sub-area within the City Center. The Center would be divided into 3 phased sub areas.
Phase 1 (Blue Area) would include those parcels within the Core zone most influenced by the new transit station. The area would include the currently City-owned properties, the Sound
Transit surplus properties, the Commons Mall property and the City Center Plaza properties.
This work would be centered around a pedestrian/bicycle spine (21st Ave S); planning for the Sound Transit surplus parcels; use of the City-owned parcel; and, working with the private
property owners on redevelopment plans.
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Phase 2
Expand focus to include remaining CC-C zone
Phase 3
Expand into CC-F
Fine tuning
Added opportunities
Alternative #1 (Cont.)
Prioritized Sector Implementation
To accomplish this vision, staff are proposing two (2) concept alternatives for consideration, as well as a list of known actions that could be folded into either alternative.
Alternative 1 would envision prioritizing City efforts by sub-area within the City Center. The Center would be divided into 3 phased sub areas.
Phase 1 (Blue Area) would include those parcels within the Core zone most influenced by the new transit station. The area would include the currently City-owned properties, the Sound
Transit surplus properties, the Commons Mall property and the City Center Plaza properties.
This work would be centered around a pedestrian/bicycle spine (21st Ave S); planning for the Sound Transit surplus parcels; use of the City-owned parcel; and, working with the private
property owners on redevelopment plans.
Phase 2 would focus additional City efforts on the other properties currently zoned CC-C. (Green Area)
Finally, the City would look at a finer level of detail in Phase 3 (White Area) for remaining opportunities to achieve the desired vision.
Work on these 3 Phases would need to happen sequentially revisiting the vision after each Phase.
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Pros:
Focused Resources
Lessons learned before expansion
Alternative #1 (Cont.)
Prioritized Sector Implementation
Pros:
Allows resources to be focused on a smaller area (Phase 1 is approximately 100 acres). This would allow a finer-grained lens to be applied to the problems and opportunities.
By focusing on a portion of the Center first, the City will be able to look at the other areas (Phases 2 & 3) understanding what has been accomplished and what may have been missed during
the Phase 1 implementation.
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Completed Actions
Town Square Park
Performing Arts and Events Center
Establish a High Capacity Transit Center
Development of an Economic Development Strategy
Alternative #2
Continue Implementation by Prioritizing Actions
Next Steps
Evaluate action items for timeline and budget
Prioritize remaining action items
The implementation strategies and actions currently outlined in the City Center Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan were written to achieve the vision. Some actions have been completed
over the past few years. Some of the bigger more recognizable actions were:
Town Square Park
Performing Arts and Events Center
Establish a High Capacity Transit Center
Development of an Economic Development Strategy
There are 15 implementing actions identified in the Plan for the 2015-2035 timeframe (pages VII 29-30).
The initial work items would include;
Evaluating the action items and developing a timeline and budget for each incomplete item.
Developing a prioritization list of the remaining action items.
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Request Sound Transit convey surplus properties to the City for development
Pursue public-private partnerships to leverage desired development on publicly owned properties.
Work with Sound Transit and property owners to create development agreements that will help the City achieve the vision of a high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian friendly downtown, including
the dedication of rights-of-way to augment the street network.
Develop safe pedestrian and bicycle crossing of S 320th St
Develop designs for: 21st Ave S pedestrian/bike spine; Gateway and wayfinding features for the Downtown neighborhood; and streetscape amenities such as benches, waste receptacles, streetlights,
bike racks, etc.
Audit Comprehensive Plan for any necessary revisions.
Audit Title 19 to uncover whether there are any code revisions necessary.
Proposed Actions
For Either Alternative
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Your Vision Aligns with Vision in the Comprehensive Plan
Primary Topics of Concern
Land Use
Street Life/Culture
Design
Housing
Jobs
Non-Motorized
Commercial Dev
In Summary
Alternative 1: Phased Implementation
Phase 1: Station Area
Phase 2: Add remaining CC-C
Phase 3: Expand into CC-F
Alternative 2: Continue Implementation Plan
Covers all of City Center
Prioritize Action Items
Timeline & Budget
Use Funding for Design Professional
In Summary…
Your Thoughts?
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