HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-104849_Deviation Modification Letter_11-16-2021_v1 TENW Transportation Engineering NorthWest Transportation Planning | Design | Traffic Impact & Operations PO Box 65254, Seattle, WA 98155 | Office (206) 361-7333 November 2, 2021 EJ Walsh, P.E., Director of Public Works City of Federal Way 33325 8th Ave. S Federal Way, WA 98003 Subject: Redondo Heights TOD Driveway Design/Driveway Approach/Street Frontage Design Modification Requests Dear Mr. Walsh: Please see the attached materials in support of a several Driveway Design Modification Requests per the City of Federal Way requirements. The first Design Modification request for Redondo Heights TOD project falls under Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC), section 19.135.280 Separation of intersections and driveways. Under this code, a minimum of 150 feet of offset is required where a median is existing/proposed and volumes are limited to right-in, right-out only on City arterials. However, as this driveway would be onto Pacific Highway (SR 99), the City references the WSDOT 250-foot offset requirement. The second and third Design Modification requests are under FWRC 19.135 required „Developer Improvements‰ for a driveway approach and for sidewalk/landscaping frontage requirements given existing overheard power pole conflicts based on our TeamÊs recent meetings and discussions with City Planning and City Public Works. Driveway Offset As part of the Redondo Heights TOD project, two vacant parcels are proposed to be developed that would include approximately 72 multifamily apartment units and an 6,000 square-foot commercial building that would provide a food bank program. The total lineal frontage of Pacific Highway (SR 99) is approximately 305 feet of these two vacant parcels with a raised median island preventing left turns. Both of these adjacent parcels currently have separate driveway curb- cuts along Pacific Highway S (SR 99), however, the applicant is proposing to provide a single access driveway that would be located approximately 324 feet south of the existing Silver Shadows Apartment community. This location however, would be offset by approximately 78 feet to an existing gated driveway that serves an auto repair business to the south. The following related components in support of the Design Modification request included with this submittal package are provided through FWRC 19.135.290 Modification procedures, where, modifications to the standards in FWRC 19.135.280 may be made as determined by the public works director. The subject parcels have no alternative means of access through existing easements, dedicated tracts, or access to roadways with a lower class. If developed separately, two access driveways would be required to provide a means of access to each legal parcel. Through consolidation and Redondo Heights TOD Driveway Design/Driveway Approach/Street Frontage Modification Requests Page 2 November 2, 2021 Transportation Planning | Design | Traffic Impact & Operations PO Box 65254 |Seattle, WA 98155 | Office (206) 361-7333 would be required to provide a means of access to each legal parcel. Through consolidation and relocation away from the existing driveway with higher use rates, the turning volumes that are limited to right-in, right-out only movements would be kept at the maximum distance possible maintaining better safety levels and would not appreciably reduce roadway capacity. With redevelopment of the parcels to the south in the future, a future access easement could be granted to properties to the south from the Redondo Heights TOD project, given remaining multiple lot frontages ranging from approximately 75 feet to 245 feet to provide an alternative means of access. The proposed driveway location Design Modification request to the City meets the following other applicable sound engineering standards or guidelines:  Provides safe entering and stopping sight distance.  Provides the opportunity for future driveway consolidation through future granting of an access easement to under-developed/undeveloped properties to the south.  Maximizes driveway spacing from a signalized intersection to eliminate conflicts from vehicle queuing.  Provides the required fire/emergency vehicle accessibility to the proposed development. Driveway Approach Modification The project requests a modification from the standard two-lane Commercial/Industrial Driveway Approach. We are proposing to separate the standard two-lane driveway into 2 distinct enter and exit driveways with a landscape island between. Pedestrian safety is enhanced by the refuge the landscape island creates, benefiting the neighborhood and City. The proposed project includes a Food Bank located south of the new access driveway. Food Bank customers arriving from the existing transit center and future light rail station to the north will need to cross the 30Ê access drive. Some of these customers may be disabled or have small children. The landscape island will provide a protected area for pedestrians to queue as cars enter and exit the property. An existing median separates the north and south bound traffic of Pacific Highway (SR 99), restricting all left turning movements. The existing median forces vehicle movements to be a right-in and right-out only at the driveway. This condition creates an opportunity to split the two turning movements into two narrower drives and provide a landscape island for pedestrian safety. Splitting the driveway and adding the landscaped island also signals drivers this is a pedestrian oriented residential entry and not a commercial or industrial entry and will tend to serve as a traffic calming feature. Landscape plant materials will be selected to maintain the maximum height requirements to protect vehicular sight lines and visibility. Redondo Heights TOD Driveway Design/Driveway Approach/Street Frontage Modification Requests Page 3 November 2, 2021 Transportation Planning | Design | Traffic Impact & Operations PO Box 65254 |Seattle, WA 98155 | Office (206) 361-7333 Driveway Approach Modification Our Team have established that the existing east curb face of Pacific Highway (SR 99) can remain in its present location based on topographic survey and the CityÊs roadway section standard of Type A. Behind the existing curb however, are existing high voltage overhead power poles that we understand canÊt be moved. Given this overhead power conflict, we request to provide the 8Ê foot sidewalk and planter required per City Type A Road Section as shown on in Attachment C to allow the existing power poles to remain and provide a larger than 6Ê landscape planter and the 8Ê sidewalk. We also request the new 8Ê sidewalk placed behind the existing right-of-way be allowed in an easement. Summary As demonstrated in our review, the proposed driveway location onto Pacific Highway South would meet best engineering practices through relocation farthest away from an existing signalized intersection and a driveway that currently serves the Silver Shadow Apartment complex. Given restricted turning movements along the arterial, all movements would be limited to right-in, right-out. The resultant driveway offset to the south is estimated to be approximately 78 feet, but operates as a gated driveway serving an auto repair center. With redevelopment of the parcels to the south (including multiple lot frontages ranging from approximately 75 feet to 245 feet), a future access easement from the proposed driveway location could be granted in the future to properties from the Redondo Heights TOD project, providing an alternative means of access. The proposed driveway approach to enhance pedestrian safety and the frontage modifications to the standard sidewalk/landscape requirements are necessary due to overhead power conflicts. We appreciate your review of the attached materials and approval of these Design Modification requests. Please feel free to call me with any questions at (206) 361-7333 ext. 101. Sincerely, Transportation Engineering NorthWest Michael J. Read, P.E. Principal Attachment A Project Site Plan VISITOR PARKING VISITOR PARKIN G PROJECT NUMBER 01DRAWING ISSUE LOG Approval stamp Site:Redondo Heights2100638 NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION LAND USE SUBMITTALSite C: 261 PaFiIiF +iJKZa\ SoXtK FeGeral Wa\ WA 8003Site C: FroQtaJe NeZ CoQstrXFtioQC No.Description Date C1.00 Attachment B Existing Adjacent Driveway Exhibit with Offsets Attachment C Proposed Frontage Improvement Modifications Raised CrosswalkAccess StairMultifamily Driveway Approach perStandard Plan6' SidewalkRedondo TOD Site CFrontage Concept - OPTION 2A1" = 20' C|A 10/26/2021Raised Planter6'-6 1 / 2 "8' Sidewalk11'-6"