21-100434-PC-Underground Stormwater Request Letter-02-03-2021-V1
February 3, 2021 Job No. 1316-03-020
Ms. Ann Dower
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue S
Federal Way, WA 98003
RE: Request for Approval of Underground Stormwater
WSDOT Twin Lakes Cluster Subdivision
Dear Ms. Dower:
ESM has submitted a Pre-Application meeting request for the WSDOT Twin Lakes property. The
project concept under consideration utilizes the City’s cluster subdivision option. The purpose of
the City’s cluster subdivision provisions are to:
“(P)rovide design flexibility, sensitivity to the surrounding environment, and innovation
consistent with the site and the comprehensive plan; promote compatibility with housing on
adjacent properties through lot size and design; promote affordable housing; promote
reduction of impervious surface; promote usable open space; and promote the retention of
native vegetation.”
During our conceptual planning efforts in laying out an efficient project, we quickly discovered the
value in co-locating the stormwater facility and the open space (park) amenity. Both of these design
features require set asides of significant portions of the site, particularly with the level 3 flow control
required in this particular basin. PWDS 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 require above-ground storm for projects
outside of the City Center Core unless otherwise approved by the Public Works Department. If
storm and open space is kept in separate dedicated tracts, the value in pursuing the cluster
subdivision is greatly diminished, if not eliminated.
To enable the proposed project to meet the cluster subdivision objectives, we request Public Works’
consideration of a request to allow underground stormwater flow control and treatment for this
cluster subdivision project. It is our understanding that the approval of underground storm may take
place during preliminary plat, such as occurred with Creekside Commons. However, since this
matter is of critical importance to the overall design concept for this project and to our client’s due
diligence efforts, we seek to make this request during the Pre-Application.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to answering any questions you have about
the request or discussing the conditions under which approval may be possible.
Very truly yours,
ESM CONSULTING ENGINEERS, L.L.C.
JOHN EVERETT
Planning Director
cc: Justin Holland