Federal Way committee forwards privately initiated 320th‑Street comp‑plan amendment for study after mixed public comment

Acting Chair Susan Honda and the Land Use & Transportation Committee voted Feb. 2 to forward a privately initiated comprehensive‑plan map amendment for a 16‑acre parcel at South 320th Street and 1st Avenue South to the full City Council for docketing and further analysis.

Senior Planner Evan Lewis told the committee the applicant, DHI Communities, seeks to change the site’s comprehensive‑plan designation from commercial to Residential 2—an implementing zone that typically allows townhomes, duplexes and low‑ to mid‑rise multifamily up to 35 feet in height (and 30 feet within 100 feet of single‑family). Lewis said the docketing step is a “filtering” decision: if the council dockets the proposal it will move to full staff evaluation, traffic review, a SEPA determination and a planning‑commission recommendation.

The staff report noted the site is “well served by urban infrastructure,” is within walking distance of parks and regional trails and is located near the city center and Regional Growth Center. Lewis said the applicant provided a preliminary traffic comparison and that staff and reviewers raised no immediate concerns about docketing; both the planning commission and the mayor recommended moving the application forward.

Residents and stakeholders offered mixed comments during the public comment period. Nearby residents such as Andrea Evans and Mary Duquelin expressed worries about wetlands and wildlife on the parcel, loss of privacy and neighborhood traffic impacts, with Evans saying new development could “gentrify our area.” Other residents, including Alex Milston and Mike Ballexiglier, supported rezoning and development to add more housing and generate tax revenue. Steven Barbarossa urged the city to investigate King County Conservation Futures grants as an alternative to preserve the parcel, noting the property appears to be in a county opportunity area for conservation funding.

The committee asked detailed questions about likely infrastructure needs, wetlands, required frontage and stormwater improvements, buffer widths and how the proposed RM implementing zone compares to the current Office Park uses. Staff said wetland assessments and detailed public‑works review would occur at the later land‑use application stage and that on‑site open‑space requirements and park impact fees apply to future residential development.

Council member [mover] moved to forward the amendment to the Feb. 17 council meeting (moved, seconded, and amended to place the item on the council 'business' agenda rather than consent); the motion passed by voice vote. Acting Chair Honda and Council President Martin Moore emphasized the docketing vote does not approve rezoning—rather, it authorizes staff and council to study the proposal further and collect evidence for a later decision.

Next steps: if the City Council dockets the application on Feb. 17, staff will perform a full evaluation including any required traffic and wetland studies, conduct SEPA review and the planning commission will make a recommendation before the council makes a final decision.