21-101964-Request for Preapplication Conference-05-17-2021-V1May 17, 2021
Mr. Keith Niven
Planning Manager
Department of Community Development
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue S
Federal Way, WA 98003
RE: Request for Pre-Application Conference
vonDoenhoff Boundary Line Adjustment
Dear Mr. Niven:
On behalf of the vonDoenhoff family, ESM Consulting Engineers is submitting this letter
and accompanying information as our request for a Pre-Application Conference with the
City of Federal Way for a Boundary Line Adjustment of properties located at 1414 S 376th
Street. The properties include 3 King County tax parcels: 322104-9063, -9162 and -9163,
grossing approximately 20.2 acres.
As you may be aware, this project lies within both City and County jurisdictions. Based on
prior discussion with both jurisdictions, we understand that the BLA application will be
primarily reviewed and approved by the City of Federal Way; however, a secondary review
and approval by King County will be required.
The following is a general project narrative describing the proposed Boundary Line
Adjustment concept.
Zoning and Layout
The majority of the northern property, -9063, is located within the City of Federal Way,
zoned Single-Family Residential – RS 7.2, and contains an existing single-family home
with a detached barn and an onsite septic system. The southern ±30’ of the parcel is
located in unincorporated King County.
The undeveloped southern properties, -9162 and -9163, are both located entirely within
unincorporated King County. Parcel -9163 has been determined to be a legal lot of record;
however, it does not currently meet zoning standards for a single-family residential lot
under the current King County zoning of R-1 (1 DU/Acre).
Mr. Keith Niven
May 17, 2021
Page 2
The property owner would like to adjust the existing boundary lines to accomplish three
goals. Please refer to the included Conceptual BLA map included with this application for
clarification.
1) Align the property lines with the applicable jurisdictional boundaries;
2) Adjust parcel -9163 so that it meets the underlying standards of the R-1 zone; and
3) Shift one lot from King County jurisdiction to the City of Federal Way in order to
allow for the vonDoenhoff’s to better plan for their estate.
Critical Areas
The overall project site contains two preliminarily delineated wetlands, a portion of another
wetland, and one preliminarily delineated stream. Included with this application is a
preliminary delineation of these areas as shown on the Conceptual BLA Map.
Since the developed site contains an existing onsite septic system that will continue to be
in use, King County will require an approved Critical Areas Designation (CAD) of all critical
areas onsite. The applicant will process a separate CAD for the critical areas within
unincorporated King County. We request that the City provide a letter to the King County
Health Department affirming the City’s determination on the existing critical areas within
the City of Federal Way following the City’s protocol with a third-party review of a complete
Critical Areas Report.
Site Access
The existing single-family home is currently accessed directly from S 376th Street. The
proposed BLA will include two separate access and utility easements, one on each side
of the property abutting the S 376th Street right-of-way for both northern lots as proposed.
Utilities
Lakehaven Water and Sewer District currently provides sewer and water along S 376th
Street, east of the project site. The existing single-family home is currently connected to
Lakehaven water and utilizes an onsite septic system (OSS) for sewage disposal.
We understand that one of the City’s application requirements includes approval from the
King County Health Department due to the existing OSS that will continue to be used
following the BLA recording. The applicant is currently working with septic locate and
design companies to meet King County Health Department standards for approval, but the
company scheduling is not available until this summer. As such, the applicant is
requesting the opportunity to submit a Sewer Availability Certificate in lieu of health
department approval in order to begin the review of the proposed BLA.
Pre-Application Conference Submittal
The following items are included in this submittal:
Project Narrative (this letter);
Master Land Use Application;
Conceptual BLA Map (GIS);
Draft BLA Map;
Lakehaven Water and Sewer Availability Certificates; and
Vicinity Map.
Mr. Keith Niven
May 17, 2021
Page 3
We understand that these materials constitute a complete submittal and ask that the City
schedule a Pre-Application Conference at your next available date. Please contact me
upon your receipt and review of this information to confirm the date and time.
Thank you for your attention to this project and we look forward to working with the City.
Sincerely,
ESM CONSULTING ENGINEERS, L.L.C.
SAVANNA NAGORSKI, MS
Planner
Enc: As Noted
cc: Roger and Jayne vonDoenhoff, Property Owners
Letter-003