Technical Comments_HTH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
253-835-7000 www.cityoffederalway.com
Megan Espinoza April 12, 2024
SMR Architects
114 South Main Street, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104
mespinoza@smrarchitects.com
RE: File #24-100317-00-UP and 24-100318-SE; TECHNICAL COMMENT LETTER
Health Through Housing, 1400 South 320th Street, Federal Way
Dear Megan Espinoza:
The Community Development Department is in receipt of your February 1, 2024, Process III and State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Master Land Use (MLU) application. City staff have the following preliminary
comments in response to the Health Through Housing Process III application. The proposal is for a change
of use of a former hotel to permanent supportive housing project containing 86 efficiency dwelling units.
Minor improvements to the site, including outdoor area are proposed. Pursuant to Federal Way Revised Code
(FWRC) 19.15.045, the application was deemed complete on February 22, 2024.
TECHNICAL COMMENTS
The following comments provided by staff reviewing your project must be addressed prior to issuance of a
land use Process III application decision, or as otherwise noted. Questions regarding technical review
comments should be addressed to the referenced staff representative.
Community Development – Planning Division
Becky Chapin, 253- 835-2641, becky.chapin@federalwaywa.gov
1. Burden of Proof –During the Notice of Application comment period, the city received one public comment
letter and three additional written comments were received at the March 19, 2024, City Council Meeting,
which are enclosed. Please review and address the comments to support your project. Per FWRC
19.65.080:
19.65.080, “Burden of Proof”
“The applicant has the responsibility of convincing the director that, under the provisions of
this chapter, the applicant is entitled to the requested decision.”
Public Works – Development Services Division
Rockey Hansen, 253-835-2751, rocky.hansen@federalwaywa.gov
Development Services has reviewed the plans submitted 02/01/2024 and makes the following comments;
Megan Espinoza
Page 2 of 3
April 12, 2024
24-100317-00-UP Doc. I.D. 83901
The submittal to the identified issues comments appears to be nonresponsive. The FWRC
19.125.150 section quoted on the plans is incomplete. The following are also applicable parts of this
code to this project. Be aware using the stated dimensions on plans the trash enclosures area call-
outs do not match the dimensions on the plans. Refer to enclosed redlined Sheet GO11.
1. FWRC 19.125.150 Solid waste receptacles Sec 6 (d,ii) Storage areas larger than 175 square feet in
size must have a roof covering the storage area. This roof shall provide adequate overhang surface
to prevent the direct entry of precipitation to the enclosure area. Storage areas with a roof require
adequate floor drainage connected and conveyed to sanitary sewer. Precipitation runoff from the
roof shall not be discharged to the sanitary sewer. Roofed or covered storage areas must provide
adequate clearances to allow access by haulers and collection equipment.
2. FWRC 19.125.150 Solid waste receptacles Sec 6 (d) Weather protection. All solid waste storage
areas (enclosures) require a spill prevention plan for management of liquids generated on or
discharged from the storage area. The storage area spill prevention plan must detail how all liquids
either precipitated, sprayed, washed, spilled, leaked, dripped, or blown onto the storage area will be
collected and managed in compliance with city surface water protection standards. The storage area
spill prevention plan shall be provided to the city’s surface water management program, to be kept
on file in order to inform periodic site monitoring.
Please explain size discrepancy and show appropriate design features.
Lakehaven Water & Sewer District
Brian Asbury, 253-946-5407, BAsbury@lakehaven.org
The applicant has completed and submitted to Lakehaven an application for Certificate(s) of Availability, and
Lakehaven issued these Certificates on 12/19/23. No other application has been submitted to Lakehaven that
is necessary to be able to determine the applicant’s specific requirements for connection to Lakehaven’s water
and/or sewer systems to serve the subject property. The applicant will need to submit application to
Lakehaven for a sewer service connection permit (installation of a pretreatment device for proposed new
kitchen area).
CLOSING
Please be aware that this review does not preclude the city from requesting additional information related to
any of the topics discussed above. Please submit the revised application materials as appropriate, by electronic
submittal (https://www.federalwaywa.gov/page/electronic-document-submittal), a letter explaining how
these comments have been addressed, and the completed “Resubmittal Information Form” (enclosed).
Individual documents or materials may be submitted to me or the appropriate reviewer for further discussion
purposes, but these email submittals are not considered resubmittals.
Please note, the original plan review fee collected at submittal of your permit covers the initial review and one
resubmittal. The city has begun charging applicants for any additional staff time necessary to complete each
review following the first resubmittal.
Megan Espinoza
Page 3 of 3
April 12, 2024
24-100317-00-UP Doc. I.D. 83901
Pursuant to FWRC 19.15.050, if an applicant fails to provide additional information to the city within 180
days of being notified that such information is requested, the application shall be deemed null and void and
the city shall have no duty to process, review, or issue any decisions with respect to such an application.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at becky.chapin@cityoffederalway.com, or
253-835-2641.
Sincerely,
Becky Chapin
Senior Planner
enc: Public Comment Letters
Resubmittal Information Form
c: Andrew Norton, Plans Examiner
Rocky Hansen, Development Services Reviewer
Kathy Davis, Senior Traffic Engineer
Brian Asbury, Lakehaven Water & Sewer District
Scott Gerard, South King Fire
Christa Wood, King County Capital Project Manager, cwood@kingcounty.gov