06-07-2022 Council Minutes - Special,� Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
City Hall — Council Chambers*
*remote attendance available via zoom
June 7, 2022 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Linda Kochmar, Deputy Mayor
Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Erica Norton,
Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Jack Walsh, and Councilmember Jack Dovey.
City staff in attendance: Interim City Administrator Brian Davis, City Attorney Ryan Call, and
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
3. STUDY SESSION — REPORT ON FORECASTED HOUSING NEEDS
Planning Manager Keith Niven provided an overview of the presentation which will be made by
Evan Lewis, Associate Planner and Chaney Skadsen, Senior Planner. He noted this is a look
at the current housing supply; types of housing, both current and past; and what it costs to own
housing in the city.
Associate Planner Evan Lewis provided information regarding the types of housing in the last
thirty years, and the housing production history from the 1960's to 2010's reflecting both the
single-family production and multifamily production. He provided a map with current zoning and
noted the location of developable vacant land and lots with the potential to be re -developed.
Mr. Evan noted the remaining capacity in single-family zones is 1,793 units, assuming one (1)
unit per lot and current minimum lot size per zoning. The future housing target for 2021-2044
is 11,260 housing units. The city is running out of single-family developable land and at some
point, a majority of housing in the city will be multi -family.
Senior Planner Chaney Skadsen provided information on the cost of housing in the city
providing a sampling of homes within the city currently on the market and images to show the
appearance of affordable housing. She provided examples of cost -burdened (people who pay
more than 30% of their income on housing) and severely cost -burdened (people who pay more
than 50% of their income on housing).
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 1 of 2
June 7, 2022
Ms. Skadsen noted income disparities in King County with South King County and Federal
Way, specifically, having a lower median income than North and East King County.
• Federal Way $68,672
• Shoreline $91,524
• Seattle $97,186
• Bellevue $129,497
She provided market rate multi -family examples for Studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-
bedroom examples in Kent, Burien, and Tukwila; along with minimum income for the same size
units. Affordability for studio units saw incomes ranging from $58,000 to $104,000 to $150,000
to $306,000 for 3-bedroom units. New housing in the city, both rental and ownership, is
expensive and unaffordable to many.
Councilmembers thanked Ms. Skadsen, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Niven for the informative
presentation. Clarifying questions were asked regarding what percentage of city residents are
cost -burdened in the city and if information is available for North Pierce County. Council inquired
to capacity and if rezoning is required to hit housing targets; Mr. Niven stated with current zoning
city capacity is around 14,000 units which is higher than the targets.
Councilmembers also discussed the growing concern with the "missing middle", lack of
availability for first-time home buyers, and interest in inter -generational opportunities for
families. Questions were also asked about School Impact Fees and if they are hindering
development and about demands on other community investments such as parks, utilities, and
streets.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• Collective Bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b)
At 5:53 p.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would recess to Executive Session for the
purpose of Collective Bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) for approximately twenty
minutes.
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
Attest:
1*� &d#n
t_ h nie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 00I 2AI2022-
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 2 of 2
June 7, 2022