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02-15-2022 Public Transportation FacilitiesAmending Title 19 regarding Public Transportation Facilities Presenting: Brian Davis Community Development Director 2/15/2022 1 POLICY QUESTION Should Title 19 of the Federal Way Revised Code be amended to allow Light Rail or Commuter Transit Facilities as a permitted use within the Commercial Enterprise (CE) and City Center Core (CC-C) zones? Background • This ordinance was deferred from the October 19, 2021 City Council meeting to allow staff more time to refine the code language in coordination with Sound Transit. • Currently, light rail and commuter rail facilities are not listed as separate uses in the zoning code. These projects are currently allowed, as required by State law, as Essential Public Facilities. • Adding this as a use would allow the City to apply more specific controls through development regulations for that use where currently the requirements they must meet are broadly defined. • This code specifically implements parking requirements for these uses, including setting a minimum number of spaces. Key Changes to the Code • Two new definitions are added: • "Light rail or commuter rail transit facility" is added to define elements used as part of a regional light rail or commuter rail transit system. • "Transit Station" is defined as a major rail, ferry, or bus terminal. This does not include on -street bus stops which is defined separately in the existing code. • The requirements for reviewing Essential Public Facilities is updated to clarify they must meet the Essential Public Facilities requirements in the code as well as any specific zoning provisions within their respective zoning district. • Public Transportation Facilities are listed as permitted uses in the CC-C and CE zones. Parking • This code requires that light rail stations in the CE and CC-C zones must provide a minimum of 500 parking spaces. • With regards to the future Tacoma Dome Link Extension project, Sound Transit's Board recently passed a budget resolution that effectively plans to open a light rail station in South Federal Way with no parking at opening day. • As the Tacoma Dome Link Extension project is still in the planning phase, City and Sound Transit staff coordinated on how this project could be provided flexibility to propose innovative ways to meeting the minimum parking requirements. Parking (cont.) There are 4 key special provisions related to parking in the proposed ordinance: • Reduction. An applicant can apply to reduce the minimum number of parking spaces for their project if they submit a parking study that finds the use will still have its parking needs met without impacting the surrounding property owners. The study is subject to City review and approval. • Phasing. A provision is included that the applicant may propose to phase the parking as part of the parking study subject to City review and approval. The applicant must present a phasing plan with specific milestones for constructing the parking and demonstrate that the facility will have its parking needs met at each phase. Parking (cont.) • Structured. Parking must be structured except where it may not be practical for future users, such as with short-term parking spaces, or where the land cannot be developed, such as under an elevated rail line. • Shared. Parking may be provided through a shared parking agreement with other property owners provided that the parking is still accessible to the use. The existing development and proposed facility both must have adequate parking available for this to be permitted. Options Considered: 1. Adopt the proposed ordinance adding Light Rail or Commuter Rail Transit Facilities as a permitted use to the CE and CC-C zones. 2. Do not approve the ordinance and provide direction to staff. Mayor's Recommendation, The Mayor recommends Option 1, to approve the ordinance. Questions?