06-103143 Nih, CITY OF CITY HALL
33325
Federal Way Maihn 8th Avenue South
Mailing Address: PO Box 9718
Federal Way, WA 98063-9718
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.corn
July 21, 2006
Sadler/Barnard & Assoc. Inc.
Mike Luna
12714 Valley Ave E, Suite B
Sumner, WA 98390
RE: Permit#06-103143-00-SM;KIRK 24TH AVE SHORT PL4 T
*no site address*-Road Modification Response
Dear Mr. Luna:
This letter responds to your request to waive the (pedestrian) block perimeter standards for the
referenced subdivision, as required under Federal Way City Code (FWCC) design provisions (Sections 20-
151, 20-156).
FWCC Section 20-156 (c) allows the Public Works Department to grant a request to modify the required
pedestrian connection due to topographical constraints. The subject property slopes 17 to 19 feet from
24th Ave. S. down to Military Rd. S. Construction of an assessable pathway would require switchbacks,
resulting in a significant amount of land area dedicated to the pedestrian connection. The steepness of
the trail coming down to Military Rd. S. could also create a hazardous situation with a perpendicular
connection to the direction of traffic.
The Public Works Department hereby waives the requirements to meet block perimeter standards for a
pedestrian connection between 24th Ave. S. and Military Rd. S. as part of this development. _ _
This waiver will be applicable for a period not to exceed the duration of approval as set forth in FWCC
Section 20-131, subsequent to the date of preliminary short plat approval. If plat improvements are not
substantially complete within the duration of approval time limit, this waiver will be void, and a new
request for modification must be submitted. If you have any questions, please call Sean Wells, Sr.
Engineering Plans Reviewer at (253) 835-2731.
Sincerely,
NAw
Ken Miller, P.E.
Deputy Public Works Director
KM/SRW
cc: Andy Bergsagel,Associate Planner
Maryanne Zukowski,Sr.Traffic Engineer
Project file/SRW
Day file
I:\csdc\docs\save\19846043097 doc
` CITY OF CITY hL
Federal Way33325 Mailing 8th
Avenue South
Mailing Address: PO Box 9718
Federal Way,WA 98063-9718
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.corn
July 21, 2006
Sadler/Barnard &Assoc. Inc.
Mike Luna
12714 Valley Ave E, Suite B
Sumner, WA 98390
RE: Permit#06-103143-00-SM;KIRK 24TH AVE SHORT PLAT
*no site address*-Road Modification Response
Dear Mr. Luna:
This letter responds to your request to waive the (pedestrian) block perimeter standards for the
referenced subdivision, as required under Federal Way City Code (FWCC) design provisions (Sections 20-
151, 20-156).
FWCC Section 20-156 (c) allows the Public Works Department to grant a request to modify the required
pedestrian connection due to topographical constraints. The subject property slopes 17 to 19 feet from
24th Ave. S. down to Military Rd. S. Construction of an assessable pathway would require switchbacks,
resulting in a significant amount of land area dedicated to the pedestrian connection. The steepness of
the trail coming down to Military Rd. S. could also create a hazardous situation with a perpendicular
connection to the direction of traffic.
The Public Works Department hereby waives the requirements to meet block perimeter standards for a
pedestrian connection between 24th Ave. S. and Military Rd. S. as part of this development. - -
This waiver will be applicable for a period not to exceed the duration of approval as set forth in FWCC
Section 20-131, subsequent to the date of preliminary short plat approval. If plat improvements are not
substantially complete within the duration of approval time limit, this waiver will be void, and a new
request for modification must be submitted. If you have any questions, please call Sean Wells, Sr.
Engineering Plans Reviewer at (253) 835-2731.
Sincerely,
v!�. NA:_v\42i
Ken Miller, P.E.
Deputy Public Works Director
KM/SRW
cc: Andy Bergsagel,Associate Planner
Maryanne Zukowski,Sr.Traffic Engineer
Project file/SRW
Day file
l:\csdc\docs\savc\19846043097.doc
RECEIVED C - IQ 3( 1
JUN 2 3 2006
SADLER i' * b & ASSOC. , INC.
12714 VALLEY AVENUE EAST, SUITE "B"
SUMNER, WASHINGTON 98390-1522
PHONE (253) 826 - 8135
FAX (253) 826 - 8136
TOLL FREE 1 - 888 - 941 - 1599
February 16, 2006
Ken Miller
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Ave South
Federal Way, Wa. 98063
Subj: Right of Way Modification Request for File # 05-106353-00-SU
Dear Mr. Miller,
In sections 20-151(d), 20-156(b) and (c), City code requires a block perimeter no longer than 1320 feet
for non-motorized access. The City has requested that this project provide a pedestrian connection from 24th
Ave to Military Road to meet this requirement. The cross section required is a Special Cross Section ZZ, a 12
foot sidewalk with a 4 foot planter on each side. Currently a building permit has been applied for on what we
have proposed to be Lot 1. The proposed access could be located anywhere along the frontage of proposed
Lot 2 or if there was a sharp turn to the south after leaving the right of way of 24th Ave., anywhere within
proposed Lot 3. If the site was flat this would not be an issue. However a major problem arises because there
is a 17 to 19 foot drop across the site. This issue, combined with the realization that the landing at Military
Road will be replaced farther to the west when Military Road is widened in the coming six years, leads us to
request a right of way modification to this requirement.
Section 20-156 (c) provides for a modification of this requirement based on the 3 following reasons:
1. Topographical constraints.
2. Environmentally sensitive areas.
3. Adjacent development not being conducive.
We request a modification based on topographical restraints of the site. The site slopes from 24th Ave
down to Military Road. There is a fairly consistent 10-11% slope over the areas where the access would be
required to be installed. This proposed path must be ADA accessible. The engineering standard for this path is
a max of 8.3% slope with a landing for every 30" of elevation change. Roughly this will come out to 7 or 8
landings over the 167 to 180 feet of length. To accomplish this a series of switchbacks will be required. This
produces several unfortunate issues.
The first issue is that while this may be technically ADA accessible, the length of the path and elevation
change will make this path unusable to weaker individuals not only in wheelchairs but also to those with heart
and/or back issues. When rain, wind and ice are factored into the picture, this sloping path actually becomes a
liability for the city(as it will be dedicated to the city). In all reality this long, steep path remains as much a
barrier to the weak and infirm as the existing natural slope.
The second issue is that while this might be a nice path for some, the inherent nature of children is to
hop on their bikes or skateboards and see how fast they can go down this nice wide, paved slope. Because of
the slope involved and the ADA requirements, a handrail will be required. It's easy to see a child losing control
and flipping over the handrail after the third or fourth switchback or worse yet, at the landing next to Military
Road. A child flying over the rail into the traveled way of a major arterial would be a disaster. Of course, in
today's litigious society, the law suit resulting from this type of accident would surely come quickly for the City.
Add the weather issues and the likelihood of these occurrences increases.
While the requirement to install the access is listed under FWC 20-151(d), 20-156(b) and (c), we also
request this modification based on FWC 22-1477 as the access path will terminate in a public right of way
slated to be constructed under 2006-2011 TIP project#22. Road improvements in the area were previously
waived under the modification request dated Jan 5, 2006. It only makes sense that this requirement would also
be included in said modification. Assuming we can engineer this path in such a fashion as to allow easy access
to people of almost any health state and still prevent daredevil kids from being kids, the landing at the bottom
will have to be moved to the west when Military Road is improved under 2006-2011 TIP project#22. There is
very little logic in requiring the path to be designed and installed to the current conditions only to have it redone
in the near future. Also when the landing is moved it will most likely change the grade of the last portions of the
access path, requiring it to be rebuilt as well.
In conclusion we request the requirement to provide a pedestrian access from 24th Ave to Military Road
be waived. We believe our request is justified by the following reasons.
1. The topography is at such a slope that to make this access ADA accessible, the length and steepness
of the path would be counter productive to providing easy access for disabled members of our City.
2. By providing this access on a slope of this nature is to encourage children to perform daredevil stunts
next to a major arterial. The life safety issue involved with this decision is not a small one. The liability
retained by the City for any injuries or accidents occurring here is also well out of proportion to the
benefit gained by this connection.
3. The expansion of Military Road under the TIP will require the removal and reconstruction of a good
portion of the path if installed for this Short Plat. City code recognizes the folly of installing
improvements only to have them removed shortly thereafter.
I appreciate your time in reviewing this matter and am available to answer any questions.
Best regards,
Michael Luna
Planner
741\
.11
SADLER/BARNARD &ASSOCIATES, INC.
TAKING SURVEYING INTO THE FUTURE
12714 VALLEY AVE. E. SUITE B
SUMNER.WA 98390-1522
PHONE:253-826-8135
FAX:253-826-8136
TOLL FREE: 1-888-941-1599
July 11, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
Subject: Letter of Authorization
I hereby authorize Sadler/Barnard and Associates, Inc. to act as agent
for Van Kirk in matters regarding the proposed short plat of property located
at 285xxx 24th Avenue South, Federal Way, Washington (Tax Parcel #
3322049027).
,F;
7'
Signature
/41/ 4te u
Print Position
Date