17-100674 r
FILE
CITY OF CITY HALL
33325 8th Avenue South
"�.., Fed e ra I Way Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.corn
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
February 13, 2017
Pastor Noah Orj i
3208 South 259th Place
Kent, WA 98032
Sent via email: noahorji'adgmail.com
RE: File#17-100674-00-AD; RIGHTEOUSNESS-ADORNED ZION
2420 SW 307th Street,Federal Way
Dear Pastor Orji:
This letter represents the Planning Division initial response to your February 8, 2017, inquiry and letter of
intention to use property at 2420 SW 307`h Street,Federal Way. With the information provided in your
February 8, 2017 letter,City staff cannot determine the category of land use you are proposing. In order
for the City to respond more thoroughly to your inquiry(Letter of Intention),you will need to provide
more information as discussed below.
Based on the information in your February 8,2017 letter,upon initial review, it appears the proposed land
use would not be permitted at the subject property, as the subject property is zoned single-family
residential.
Under any situation,the timeframe of February 15,2017, identified in your letter is not achievable. We
strongly encourage you to not occupy the subject site until all required approvals are secured.
Please note that the subject property is zoned RS 9.6.The Residential Single Family(RS)zone allows a
limited range of land uses including Senior Citizen or Special Needs Housing per Federal Way Revised
Code(FWRC) 19.200.100, subject to a Process IV land use review. Process IV review is a Hearing
Examiner(public hearing)review and decision.A Process IV review and decision usually takes a
minimum of 120 days to process following complete application submittal.
Given the vague description of the proposed use in your letter,City staff is unable to determine if the
proposed use is considered special needs housing or some other category of land use. Therefore, in order
to further review your inquiry,please provide further information as outlined below.
1. Please explain if the proposed use is Senior Citizen and Special Needs Housing as defined in the
FWRC (below)and per the zone use chart and notes FWRC 19.200.100 (enc).
Upon initial review of the description in your letter, it appears the proposed use may not fall
within the Senior Citizen and Special Needs Housing category.
2. Please explain about the special needs populations cited in your letter.
Pastor Orji
February 13,2017
Page 2
3. Is the proposed use a"Social Services Transitional Housing"use as defined by FWRC below?If
the proposed use meets this definition of Social Service Transitional Housing,then it is not
permitted at the location referenced in your letter in the RS zone.
For your information,Social Service Transitional Housing is permitted in the(RM)Residential
Multiple-Family zoning district subject to Process III review and decision per FWRC 19.205.080.
4. Please explain the nature of the residents expected in the house.
Are the residents released from prison?
If yes,of what type of crimes have the residents been convicted?
Are the residents recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction?
Are the residents convicted sex offenders?
Provide any additional description to assist in review.
5. Is the proposed use a Group Home Type II or Group Home Type III as defined in FWRC 19.05
(enc). Group homes are not a permitted use in the RS zone.
Below are Federal Way Revised Code Definitions FWRC 19.05:
"Social service transitional housing"means facilities providing temporary and transitional housing to
individuals on an as-needed basis, operated by a nonprofit social service agency, licensed as required by
the state, including,but not limited to,emergency shelters,homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters,
and other such crisis intervention facilities; but excluding offices and group homes as defined in this
chapter. Any limitation on the number of residents in social service transitional housing shall not be
applied if it prohibits the city from making reasonable accommodations to disabled persons in order to
afford such persons equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling as required by the Federal Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988,42 USC 3604(f)(3)(b).This definition shall not be applied to the extent that it
would cause a residential structure occupied by persons with handicaps, as defined in the Federal Fair
Housing Amendments Act of 1988,to be treated differently than a similar residential structure occupied
by other related or unrelated individuals. See FWRC 19.105.060 and FWRC Title 19,Division VI,
Zoning Regulations.
"Special needs housing"means housing not specifically defined by this title, and which will be
processed under the classification most closely related to the proposed use, as determined by the director.
17-I00674 Doc.I .75411
Pastor Orji
February 13,2017
Page 3
Please provide a written response to the information request above. Upon submittal of additional
information, City staff will determine if your proposed use is permitted in the RS zoning district. Again,
we urge you to not occupy the subject site until all required approvals are secured,and be advised that the
proposed use must meet all applicable City requirements in order to be approved. Please contact me at
253-835-2652 or jim.barrcityoffederalway.com if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Harris
Planner
enc: FWRC 19.200.100
Group Home Type II or Group Home Type III definition 19.05
17-100674 Doc.1.D.75411
' B 06
cm OF F L WAY
RIGHTEOUSNESS-ADd NED ZION
3208 S 259'"'PI,Kent WA 98032,U.S.A—Tel:(206)592-6555;(253)951-1942
City of Federal Way
Attn:Stacey Welsh,AICP
Acting Planning Manager
Community Development Department
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
Date:February 8,2017
Sir/Madam,
LETTER OF INTENTION OF THE USE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT:2420 SW 307TH STREET,FEDERAL WAY,WA 98023
Our organization is a non-profit 501(c)3 that has our main goal of making disciples of Christ Jesus in the pattern,
principles and doctrine of the original apostles as outlined in the Bible and expressed in Acts of the apostles.As
part of our call to service,Pastor Noah Orji,President/Founder of RIGHTEOUSNESS ADORNED ZION(A Ministry of
Reconciliation)created RAZ Community Services as an outreach ministry to the community.
RAZ Community Services has help hundreds of people;men and women coming out from our penitentiary and
from our homeless population.Our services include the provision of housing,support and wraparound which these
Senior Citizens and people with special needs require to turn their lives around. RAZ Community Services has
recorded huge success in these areas of providing housing and essential needs which is helping to reduce the
recidivism of offenders,create home for the homeless and making our community safer.
Our organization is growing and our services are in greater demand especially at the cold weather.We are blessed
to secure the property located at 2420 SW 307T"Street,Federal Way WA,98023 and writing you officially for our
business intension.RAZ Community Services currently do business from their houses in Kent WA and is intending
to extend this humane ministry to the city of Federal Way and need every help that we can get as to continue in
this ministry.It is also important that we run this through your office so we can get the help of identifying what's
needed in other to come to compliance with city requirements as to ensure a smooth take off of our services at
the area indicated above which we are hoping on the 15th day of February,2017.
I could be reached by phone at 253-951-1942 or via email at noahorii@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
NiklIP• 1111°
Pastor Noah Orji:President/Founder,RIGHTEOUSNESS ADO' ED ZION;President/Founder,RAZ Community Services
RAZ is a non-profit 501(c)3 serving the community under RAZ Community Services
Stacey Welsh
From: Jim Harris
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 11:08 AM
To: Stacey Welsh
Cc: Brian Davis
Subject: Counter Inquiry Halfway House
This morning I had an inquiry about the possibility of siting a halfway house with sex offenders. The proposed site is in
an RS 9.6 zoning district.
The person inquiring was Pastor Noah. He noted that he has done some of these halfway houses in Kent.
I told him this type of use is not shown as permitted in the RS zone use charts, and for him to pursue it further he would
need to submit a written inquiry to the City with more details, etc. Let me know if you have any questions.
Jim Harris
Planner
Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
Phone: 253/835-2652 Fax: 253/835-2609
www.cityoffederalway.com
Office Hours Mon -Thur, 8:00 AM—3:30 PM or by appointment
1