2021-07-07 Planning Commission MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes Page 1 July 7, 2021
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
July 7, 2021 City Hall
6:30 p.m. Zoom
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Tim O’Neil, Wayne Carlson, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Tom Medhurst, Dale
Couture, Hope Elder, Jae So, and Anna Patrick. Commissioners absent: Eric Olsen and Lawson
Bronson (both excused). City Staff present: CD Director Brian Davis, Planning Manager Keith Niven,
Senior Planner James Roger, Assistant City Attorney Kent van Alstyne, and Administrative Assistant II
Tina Piety.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair O’Neil called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M.
MINUTES
Commissioner Carlson moved to adopt the June 16, 2021, minutes as presented (Commissioner Noble-
Gulliford seconded). Commissioner Carlson withdrew his motion. Commissioner Carlson moved to adopt
the June 16, 2021, minutes with the change to remove the first mention of Vice-Chair O’Neil’s name
indicating he was in attendance and to leave it showing he was absent. Vice-Chair O’Neil seconded; the
vote was held and the motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Discussion; Sound Transit Update – Planner Rogers delivered the presentation. It is informational only. He
reviewed each of the proposed projects: Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE), Tacoma Dome Link
Extension (TDLE), and Operations and Maintenance Facility South (OMFS). He went over the current
construction progress (with pictures). He noted Military Road South will be closed on July 10th (5am to
10pm) for equipment modification. He showed the current plan for the Federal Way station. He noted the
area designated for TOD development after Sound Transit is finished using those areas for construction
staging. The new garage location frees up property for TOD. He noted the end of line facility (small Pink
Box) and drop-off loop just north of 320th Street. The end of line facility will be converted to a Police
Station when all work (Federal Way and Tacoma) is done in 2030. The selection of the Federal Way South
station is part of the TDLE process and is expected to be done in 2022.
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The COVID-19 crisis is significantly reducing the revenues Sound Transit relies on to expand its regional
transit system. (In addition, costs are rising.) With greatly depleted revenues, ST won’t be able to deliver
expansion projects on their original timelines without alternative revenue from federal or state sources.
Through a process called realignment, Sound Transit is working to determine which project timelines for
voter-approved projects will need to change due to lower revenue projections. Realignment will not affect
projects currently underway, so the FWLE projects will continue on schedule. However, the TDLE and
OFMS projects could be affected, as properties are not yet secured and construction agreements are not
yet in place for those projects. The process for capital program realignment will culminate this summer,
after including input from the public and partner organizations. The Chair of the Board is proposing a
scenario where projects might be delivered based on a tiered system.
Projects in Tier 1 would be completed with a two year or less delay
OMFS 2029
TDLE without parking 2032 (originally scheduled for 2030)
Projects in Tier 4 would be delayed 10+ years
TDLE Parking 2040 (delay of parking only)
The Federal Way City Council discussed this proposed realignment schedule at their July 6th meeting and
as a result, have sent Sound Transit a letter opposing the delay of parking. The letter states:
“As with all new development, Link light rail extensions need to mitigate for their impacts and
be built in their entirety. Both alternatives for the TDLE propose to construct a light rail station
in Federal Way that is neither located near existing residences nor in a zone that currently
permits residential uses. Transit and nonmotorized transportation options are more limited in
this area than in cities with greater densities such as Seattle. A significant number of people
using this future light rail station will need to drive to it to meet ridership expectations.
“Proposing to build garages so long after the light rail stations that will generate the parking
demand introduces unnecessary schedule and budget risk to implementing Sound Transit 3
projects. Alternative mitigation to providing access to future riders will require other
nonmotorized transportation or transit improvements that may well exceed the cost of building
the parking garage as planned. Furthermore, no public outreach has been done in the context of
not providing parking at this station. As the DEIS for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension is
expected to be released in the near future, this would render a significant amount of previous
public outreach contradictory to a new direction for the project.”
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked if staff has an answer to her question from the last meeting
regarding the relocation of the BPA towers. Planner Rogers responded that BPA is working with Sound
Transit and needs ST’s input about where the ST track will go and the alignment of the new I-5 onramps
in order to determine where BPA will relocate the towers. A draft decision on the location of the track is
expected in the middle part of 2022. Commissioner Noble-Gulliford asked in regards to the letter from
the City Council regarding delaying parking structures, are parking structures planned for other
jurisdictions (Fife, Tacoma, Puyallup) also proposed to be delayed. Planner Rogers replied it is his
understanding that yes, all structures not started would be included in the proposed delay.
Commissioner Patrick commented that the name of the End of the Line doesn’t sound good and suggest
they name it something different; words matter. Planner Rogers stated the name isn’t going on the
building, and isn’t official. Commissioner Patrick what groups will be choosing the artwork and how can
we be sure community is involved and make the choice. Planner Rogers replied he does not know if any
community groups are included in the section of the artwork, but ST will be including community input
in the decision. Commissioner Patrick asked in regards to the possible OMFS at the Kent landfill site, has
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ST looked into options for restoration of land? Planner Rogers stated he does not know, but sure they
have. Commissioner Patrick asked him to share what discussions have occurred regarding restoration of
land and what options were considered. She feels the city is being short-changed with the proposed
placement of the OMFS Planner Rogers commented the OMFS is needed before complete of the TDLE
so it can support expansion of the system. Commissioner Patrick why are there two sites in Federal Way?
Planner Rogers replied he is not sure, but it was a long process. Commissioner Patrick asked given the
expanded timeline can something else be considered?
Commissioner Medhurst if the proposed controlled pedestrian crossing on 320th and a new light still being
considered? If yes, he feels the city should have future discussion about the possibility of a better
solution. Planner Rogers replied that city staff are looking for other options.
STAFF BUSINESS
Manager’s Report – Manager Niven stated the next meeting will be an informational preview of the
comprehensive plan amendments. Staff is working on code amendments responsive to House Bill 1220,
whereby cities must plan for and accommodate homeless housing. This has a deadline of by end of
September. He expects to have it to the Planning Commission in August. Manager Niven stated he briefed
the City Council on short-term rentals and they requested more information on the issue
Commissioner Couture asked about the status of his replacement. Staff will check with the City Clerk and
report back at the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING
July 21, 2021, 6:30 pm
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:07 P.M.
K:\Planning Commission\2016\Meeting Summary 07-07-21.doc