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20-102489-Retaining Wall Modification-2020-10-13-V3October 13, 2020 Stacey Welsh, Principal Planner City of Federal Way Department of Community Development 33325 – 8th Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003 RE: Request for Modification of Retaining Wall Height Pape Kenworth Northwest Files #20-102489-UP, 20-102490-SE and 20-102492-AD City of Federal Way, King County, Washington Our Job No. 20833 Dear Stacey: This modification request has been prepared in response to the review comment provided in the Community Development, Planning Division section of the letter dated September 15, 2020 to justify the use of retaining walls over six feet in height. Section 19.120.120 (3) (a) FWRC states that “For commercial and multifamily lots, rockeries and retaining wall shall be a maximum of six feet in height as measured from finished grade at the base of wall to the top of wall”. The Pape Kenworth Northwest project is a truck maintenance facility with areas for office, showroom and parts warehouse and a separate structure to be used as a body shop. The property also includes a storage area for trailers that arrive on the site in association with maintenance or repair. The topography of the site is rolling with steep slopes and sensitive areas. The project site proposed grades are flat as required by use for truck maneuvering and access which requires the use of retaining walls. In order to minimize disturbance to sensitive areas and maximize use of the property, retaining walls over six feet in height will be required. All retaining walls are designed for structural stability and will be landscaped in accordance with city standards. The following are justifications for approval of this modification as required by the city. a. “There are no feasible and reasonable alternatives to the clearing, grading or tree/vegetation removal activity being proposed;” Response: Due to rolling topography of the site with steep slopes and sensitive areas, there is no feasible and reasonable alternative to avoid construction of retaining walls. In order to minimize disturbance to the sensitive area buffer and provide a reasonable and functional site layout for the intended use of this property, retaining walls over 6-foot in height are the best alternative. Using standard 6-foot high retaining walls would require more area of clearing and would have an adverse impact on the site layout and reasonable use of the property for its intended use. b. “The proposed modification will result in the same or less impacts than meeting the standards;” Response: The proposed modification to use retaining walls over 6-foot high will result in less impact to the sensitive area buffer reduction and would result in a more efficient site layout for safer traffic movement which will be in the public interest. Stacey Welsh, Principal Planner City of Federal Way Department of Community Development -2- October 13, 2020 We believe that this modification should be granted for this project, since it is demonstrated that the use of retaining walls over six feet in height would provide maximum use of the site as proposed and would not be detrimental to public safety. Please review at your earliest convenience and please feel free to contact me with any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Sincerely, Daniel K. Balmelli, P.E. Executive Vice President DKB/yg 20833c.007.doc enc: As Noted cc: Quinn Closson, Pape Group Bart Dickson, Cobalt Development Howard Kimura, H.G. Kimura Architect, PLLC Ali Sadr, Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc. Ben Eldridge, Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc.