2021-11-17 Planning Commission Minutes
Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 November 17, 2021
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
November 17, 2021
6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioners present: Lawson Bronson, Tim O’Neil, Wayne Carlson (via Zoom), Diana Noble-Gulliford
(via Zoom), Hope Elder, Jae So (via phone), Eric Olsen (via Zoom), and Anna Patrick. Commissioner
absent: Tom Medhurst (excused).
City Staff present: Planning Manager Keith Niven, City Attorney Kent van Alstyne, and Administration &
Permit Center Supervisor Kari Cimmer.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bronson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.M.
MINUTES
The October 20, 2021, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Planning Manager Niven summarized each proposed amendment, in turn.
1. SEPA Noticing – Libraries
Commissioner Noble-Gulliford expressed concern over the ability to easily find items on the city
webpage.
2. Final Plat
Commissioner Carlson is in full support of this amendment. Commissioner O’Neill wanted
clarification on who approves preliminary plats. Planning Manager Niven responded that the City
Council has delegated this to the Hearing Examiner.
3. Plat Alteration
Discussion about approval processes.
4. Docket Process & Noticing
No questions or discussion.
5. Convalescent Centers
No questions; Commissioner Noble-Gulliford would like a map of the RM zoned properties in the
City to see areas affected.
6. Planning Commission
No questions; supported the proposals.
7. Non-substantive housekeeping items
Planning Manager Niven provided two examples of the changes.
8. Electric fences
Discussed examples.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 November 17, 2021
9. ADU parking
Discussion. The commission asked staff to consider incorporating language from the RCW into the
draft code.
10. Height for Accessory Structures
Planning Manager Niven spoke of clarifying language to solve ambiguity in the code.
11. ADU Permit
This proposal is to assist staff by clarifying the language in the current code. Commissioner Patrick
would like to see examples of ADU’s causing the issues.
12. SEPA Categorical Exemptions
Seeking direction regarding the noticing and the state-initiated SEPA thresholds changes.
13. Unrelated persons
This amendment is to align Federal Way code with state law. Staff will be providing more details on
this for the next meeting. City attorney van Alstyne noted that Federal Way’s code has no limit on
occupants that are related; only limits the number of unrelated. Planning Manager Niven indicated
staff are still looking at examples from other cities.
14. Boundary Line Adjustment
Planning Manager Niven noted the language proposed is to ensure all pertinent aspects of the code
are applied in the creation of new plats.
Planning Manager Niven noted that these 14 amendment proposals will go to hearing on 12/1/21 and he will
provide more written details prior to the hearing.
MANAGER REPORT
The 12/1/21 meeting will be the last meeting of the year. Planning Commission members will need to
nominate and vote for individuals for the 2022 Chair and Vice-Chair at next meeting.
A possible development agreement for Bally’s and the Emergency/support housing licensing are going to
LUTC on December 6, 2021.
We were successful in getting the Housing Action Plan grant money and intend to use the grant to evaluate
the commercial zones to see why multifamily development isn’t being proposed there. We did not get the
Transit-Oriented Development grant.
Community Development requested and received a budget adjustment to hire a consultant to create a sub
area plan near the South Sound Transit station as part of the Comprehensive Plan periodic update.
NEXT MEETING
December 1, 2021 Public Hearing
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner O’Neill called for adjournment; Commissioner Elder seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
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