The Federal Way Planning Commission invites the public to a 90-minute public workshop as part of the update to the Critical Areas Ordinance.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 in the Federal Way City Hall Council Chambers, 33325 Eighth Ave S.

The program will include a brief open house and breakout sessions with citizens, business owners, commissioners and staff to discuss how best to protect the city’s environmental resources.

Critical areas are resource lands that include wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat areas and aquifer recharge zones.

Critical areas also include the city’s potentially hazardous areas such as steep slopes, landslide prone hills and frequently flooded areas.

The city’s Critical Areas Ordinance are zoning regulations that limit development on and near resource areas and potentially hazardous environments. These regulations affect both public and private property.

The ordinance is in the process of being updated in accordance with state law and must be completed by this June.

Citizen participation is vital to the update process. The Planning Commission is seeking public input prior to making its recommendations to the City Council.

For more information on the Critical Areas Ordinance update, please visit www.cityoffederalway.com/criticalareas and/or contact Matt Herrera, senior planner at 253-835-2638 or matt.herrera@cityoffederalway.