wild waves pre app summary letter signed33325 8th Avenue
South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
253-835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
January 31, 2022
Laura Bartenhagen
ESM Consulting Engineers LLC
33400 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
Via email – laura.bartenhagen@esmcivil.com
Re:File #21-105190-00-PC, PREAPPLICATION CONFERENCE SUMMARY
Wild Waves Activity River Ride, 36201 Enchanted Parkway South, Federal Way
Dear Ms. Bartenhagen:
Thank you for participating in the preapplication conference with the City of Federal Way’s
Development Review Committee (DRC) held January 13, 2022. We hope that the information
discussed at that meeting was helpful in understanding the general requirements for your project
as submitted.
This letter summarizes comments given to you at the meeting by the members of the DRC. The
members who reviewed your project and provided comments include staff from the City’s
Planning and Building Divisions, Public Works Department, and representatives from
Lakehaven Water and Sewer District and South King Fire and Rescue. Some sections of the
Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) and relevant information handouts are enclosed with this
letter. Please be advised, this letter does not represent all applicable codes. In preparing your
formal application, please refer to the complete FWRC and other relevant codes for all additional
requirements that may apply to your project.
The key contact for your project is me, Jim Harris, 253 350-9283,
jim.harris@cityoffederalway.com. For specific technical questions about your project, please
contact the appropriate DRC representative as listed below. Otherwise, any general questions
about the preapplication and permitting process can be referred to your key contact.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Replace two existing rides (activity pool and river tube ride) with an activity river ride at
existing developed Wild Waves facility at 36201 Enchanted Parkway South, Federal Way, King
County tax id parcels 282104-9025 and -9026.
Laura Bartenhagen
January 31, 2022
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MAJOR ISSUES
Outlined below is a summary of the major issues of your project based on the plans and
information submitted for preapplication review. These issues can change due to modifications
and revisions in the plans. The major issues section is only provided as a means to highlight
critical requirements or issues. Please be sure to read the comments made by all departments in
the following section of this letter.
Planning Division
1.Process I land use review is required.
2.SEPA compliance is required.
Public Works Development Services Division
1.A Surface and Stormwater Utility System Development Charge is required. System
development charges (SDCs) are one-time fees that will be paid at the time of
development and are intended to recover a share of the cost of system capacity needed to
serve growth.
Public Works Traffic Division
1.Transportation Concurrency Management (FWRC 19.90) – To be determined based
on the trip generation.
2.Traffic Impact Fees (FWRC 19.91) – To be determined based on the trip generation
study.
3.Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) – A trip generation study prepared by a licensed
engineer in Washington is required to determine the number of trips generated by the
development.
4.Frontage Improvements (FWRC 19.135.040) – To be determined based on the 25%
threshold specified in FWRC 19.135.030 and trip generation study results.
DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
Outlined below are the comments made by the representatives of each department present at the
preapplication conference. Each section should be read thoroughly. If you have questions, please
contact the representative listed for that section.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – PLANNING DIVISION
Jim Harris, 253-350-9283 jim.harris@cityoffederalway.com
1.Zoning Designation and Use – The current zoning designation for the subject site is Office
Park-4 (OP-4). The proposed activity river ride is an element of the amusement park site and
is permitted as a Regional Commercial Recreational Facility, as defined in the adopted
Concomitant Development Agreement (CDA).
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January 31, 2022
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2.Land Use Application – The project requires Use Process I according to the CDA. Process I is
an administrative site plan review process per FWRC 19.55, with a final written decision
issued by the Community Development Director:
3.State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) – In order to determine if a SEPA environmental
threshold determination is required for the proposal, a completed SEPA checklist with
detailed project information must be submitted with the accompanying SEPA application
fee. City staff will review the SEPA checklist and information to determine if a threshold
determination is necessary, or if the proposal is categorically exempt from SEPA under
WAC 197-11-800 and FWRC 14.15.
4.Public Notice –.Public notice required for the SEPA application including publication in the
Federal Way Mirror, mailing to 300-foot adjacent properties, site posting and other posting
as required by FWRC will be conducted by City staff, except any sign posting on site will be
installed by the applicant, with City supplied notice boards as applicable. Process I does not
require public notice.
5.Land Use Application Submittal Requirements – Please refer to the enclosed Bulletin #054,
“Submittal Requirements for Use Process I or Process II,” to determine what materials must
be submitted with the SEPA and Process I land-use application.
6.Effect of Use Process Decision – Per FWRC 19.15.100(1), “Lapse of Approval - Generally,”
The applicant must substantially complete construction for the development activity, use of
land, or other actions approved, and complete the applicable conditions listed in the Process I
decision within one year after the final decision of the city on the matter, or the decision
becomes void. Provisions for extension of time are contained within FWRC 19.15.110,
“Lapse of Approval – Time Extension.”
7.Key Development Regulations – The water activity ride must meet the minimum and
maximum dimensional standards identified in the CDA. The preliminary site plan with the
pre-application complies with applicable setbacks, and height limitations in the CDA.
8.Landscaping/Tree Retention – Given the proposed location of this new ride within the
existing park border, site perimeter and parking lot landscaping requirements are not
triggered/affected. Show any trees to be removed on the site plan / landscape plan, and
identify any proposed landscaping,
9.Clearing & Grading – Show preliminary details for clearing and grading on the site plan or
an additional plan sheet. Final clearing and grading plans are reviewed and approved in
conjunction with the engineering and building permit associated with the proposed
development.
10.Critical Areas – This new activity river ride is proposed within a developed portion of the
subject property located generally between Mud Lake and Milton Road South. There are no
known critical areas in this portion of the site. Disclose and identify any critical areas on the
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SEPA checklist and site plan. Development on or adjacent to critical areas is regulated by
FWRC Chapter 19.145, and the CDA as applicable.
11.Community Design Guidelines –A review of the proposal under the city’s design guidelines,
Chapter 19.115 FWRC is not applicable for this application, as there are no buildings
proposed, and the area is not visible from a residential area or public right-of-way as it is
within the confines of the existing park border.
12.Building permit – The building permit process is separate from land use review and subject
to its own fees and timelines. Unless authorized by the Community Development Director,
no construction permit applications may be submitted until all land use decisions and
associated appeal periods are completed, and any conditions of project approval are met;
however, a demolition permit can be issued after SEPA but before Process I decision. No
clearing or grading may occur on site in advance of required permits. Also, for any building
demolition you will need a demolition permit,
13.Application Fees & Submittal – Please contact the Permit Center at
permitcenter@cityoffederalway.com, or 253-835-2607, for updated fee schedule information
for the applications and permits and for upload links and electronic submittal. An additional
fee of 30 percent of the original application fee is charged and collected at the time of any
second resubmittal of land use application materials.
PUBLIC WORKS – DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION
Sam Basmeh, 253-835-2746, Samir.Basmeh@cityoffederalway.com
Land Use Issues – Stormwater
1.Surface water runoff control and water quality treatment will be required per the 2021 King
County Surface Water Design Manual (KCSWDM) and the City of Federal Way Addendum
to the manual. This project meets the requirements for a Full Drainage Review. At the
time of land use site plan submittal, a preliminary Technical Information Report (TIR),
addressing the relevance of the project to the nine core and five special requirements of the
KCSWDM will be required. A Level 1 downstream analysis shall also be provided in the
preliminary TIR. The City Addendum can be found at the following website:
www.cityoffederalway.com/node/1467.
2.The project lies within a Conservation Flow Control Area; thus, the applicant must design
the flow control facility to meet this performance criteria. In addition to flow control
facilities, Best Management Practices (BMP’s) are required as outlined in the KCSWDM.
The project also lies within an Enhanced Basic Water Quality Area. Water Quality
Treatment shall be designed to meet the treatment criteria of the Enhanced Basic Water
Quality Menu. The City will accept treatment systems which are listed on the Department of
Ecology’s General Use Level Designation (GULD) for the required level of water quality
treatment.
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January 31, 2022
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3.Onsite closed depressions, ponding areas, and wetlands require special consideration when
determining detention performance targets; if altered, they can shift the point of compliance
downstream. A minor floodplain analysis is required for onsite or adjacent lakes, wetlands,
and closed depressions that do not have an approved floodplain or flood hazard study (see
Section 4.4.2; note the exceptions). Minor floodplain studies establish an assumed base
flood elevation below which development is not allowed. Where wetlands are identified on
the site, the applicant shall submit a critical area report at a level determined by the City to
adequately evaluate the proposal and probable impacts.
4.Effective January 1, 2020, the city implemented a stormwater System Development Charge
(SDC). The SDC is based on the amount of new impervious surfaces added for any
development project. For calculating the SDC for commercial and multi-family
development, impervious surface is expressed as an Equivalent Service Unit: 1 ESU = 3,200
square feet (SF) of impervious surface added. Therefore, the SDC = SF of new impervious
surface added ÷ 3,200 x current SDC fee. A five percent administration fee will be added to
the total SDC. All SDC fees are payable at permit issuance. The current (2022) SDC is
$1,035.00 per ESU.
5.Detention and water quality facilities outside the City Center Core must be above ground
(i.e. open pond). For short plats, the detention and water quality facilities shall be within a
separate tract, that will be owned and maintained by the owners of the platted lots.
Underground facilities are allowed only with approval from the City of Federal Way Public
Works Department.
6.Show the proposed location and dimensions of the detention and water quality facilities on
the preliminary plans.
7.If more than one acre will be disturbed during construction, a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) construction storm water permit may be required. Information
regarding this permit can be obtained from the Washington State Department of Ecology at
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/construction/index.html or by calling 360-
407-6048.
8.If work is to be done below the ordinary high-water mark, a Hydraulic Project Approval
(HPA) permit may be required. Information regarding this permit can be obtained from the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
9.If infiltration is proposed, soil logs prepared by a licensed geotechnical engineer or septic
designer must be provided to verify infiltration suitability.
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January 31, 2022
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Right-of-Way Improvements
1.See the Traffic Division comments from Sarady Long, Sr. Transportation Planning for
traffic related items.
2.If dedication of additional right-of-way is required to install street frontage improvements,
the dedication shall be conveyed to the City through a statutory warranty deed. The
dedicated area must have clear title prior to recording.
3.All stormwater treatment and detention requirements outlined above may apply to any
improvements within the public right-of-way.
Building (or EN) Permit Issues
1.Engineered plans are required for clearing, grading, road construction, and utility work.
Plans must be reviewed and approved by the City. Engineering review fees are ($3,325.00)
for the first 12 hours of review, and $184.00 per hour for additional review time. A final
TIR shall be prepared for the project and submitted with the engineering plans. Both the TIR
and the plans will require the signature/seal of a professional engineer registered/licensed in
the State of Washington.
2.In addition to engineering approval, projects that will be filling or grading in the area of the
future building pads are required to obtain a separate grading permit from the Building
Department.
3.The Federal Way Public Works Development Standards Manual (including standard detail
drawings, standard notes, and engineering checklists) is available on the City’s website at
http://www.cityoffederalway.com/index.aspx?nid=171 to assist the applicant’s engineer in
preparing the plans and TIR.
4.Bonding is required for all street improvements and temporary erosion and sediment control
measures associated with the project. The bond amount shall be 120 percent of the estimated
costs of the improvements. An administrative fee deposit will need to accompany the bond
to cover any possible legal fees in the event the bond must be called. Upon completion of
the installation of the improvements, and final approval of the Public Works Inspector, the
bond will be reduced to 30 percent of the original amount and held for a two-year
maintenance period.
5.The developer will be responsible for the maintenance of all storm drainage facilities
(including the detention and water quality facilities) and street systems during the two-year
maintenance period. During that time, the Public Works Inspector will make periodic visits
to the site to ensure the developer’s compliance with the maintenance requirements. Upon
satisfactory completion of the two-year maintenance period, the remainder of the bond will
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be released. Maintenance for public roads and subdivision drainage facilities then become
the responsibility of the City. Maintenance for private roads and drainage facilities,
including short plats, remain the responsibility of the individual property owners.
6.When topographic survey information is shown on the plans, the vertical datum block shall
include the phrase “DATUM: N.G.V.D.-29” or “DATUM: K.C.A.S.,” on all sheets where
vertical elevations are called out.
7.Drawings submitted for plan review shall be submitted electronically. Site plans shall be
drawn at a scale of 1″ = 20′, or larger. Architectural scales are not permitted on engineering
plans.
8.Provide cut and fill quantities on the clearing and grading plan.
9.Temporary Erosion and Sediment control (TESC) measures, per Appendix D of the 2021
KCSWDM, must be shown on the engineering plans.
10.The site plan shall show the location of any existing and proposed utilities in the areas
affected by construction.
PUBLIC WORKS TRAFFIC DIVISION
Sarady Long, 253-835-2743, sarady.long@cityoffederalway.com
Transportation Concurrency Analysis (FWRC 19.90) and Trip Generation Study
1.Staff is unable to determine trip generation for the proposed development using the Institute
of Transportation Engineers ITE’s Trip Generation. Therefore, the applicant needs to submit
a trip generation study to determine the number of trips generated by the proposed
development. The methodology for determining the trip generation shall be based on Section
4.3 of the agreement.
2.A concurrency permit and appropriate application fee will be required if the replacement ride
add additional ride capacity resulting in new PM trips. Please note that supplemental
transportation analysis and concurrency mitigation may be required if the proposed project
creates an impact not anticipated in the six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
Transportation Impact Fees (TIF) (FWRC 19.91)
1.Staff is unable to determine the impact fee using the adopted fee schedule. The impact fee
will be calculated using the data from trip generation study. If the development generates
new PM trips, the impact fee will be assessed at the time a completed building permit
application is filed and must be paid prior to permit issuance. If no building permit is
required, the fee shall be calculated and paid based on the impact fee schedule in effect on
the date of the underlying permit approval.
Laura Bartenhagen
January 31, 2022
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Street Frontage Improvements (FWRC 19.135)
1.It appears this proposal will not likely exceed the 25 percent threshold criteria for requiring
street frontage improvements as identified in the FWRC 19.135.030. However, the
applicant/owner must submit an appraisal for the subject property, or King County
Assessor’s records may be used and the value of the proposed project. The Public Works
Development Services Division will evaluate the submitted appraisal data to determine and
confirm if the project is below the City’s 25 percent threshold for not requiring street
frontage improvements.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – BUILDING DIVISION
Greg Kirk, 253-835-2621, greg.kirk@cityoffederalway.com
1.Building Codes. The structure will be treated as a new building permit application and must
meet all current codes including:
International Building Code (IBC), 2018
Washington State Amendments WAC 51-50
International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018
Washington State Amendments WAC 51-52
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2018
Washington State Amendments WAC 51-56 & WAC 51-57
International Fire Code (IFC), 2018
Washington State Amendments WAC 51 -54
National Electric Code (NEC), 2020
Accessibility Code (ICC/ANSI A117.1), 2009
International Residential Code, 2018
Washington State Amendments WAC 51-51
Washington State Energy Code, 201 WAC 51-11
2.Building Criteria. The following applies to the proposed structure:
Occupancy Classification: A-3
Type of Construction: N/A
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Floor Area: Unknown at this time
Number of Stories: 0 at grade
Fire Protection: None
Wind/Seismic: Basic wind speed 85 Mph, Exposure, 25# Snow load, Seismic Zone D-1
3.Building Permit Application Process. A completed building permit application and
commercial checklist are required. The commercial checklist will be filled out by staff and
provided at the time of Land Use Approval. Copies of application and checklist may be
obtained on our web site at www.cityoffederalway.com.
Appointments are required for intake of new commercial building permit submittals. Please
call or email to schedule an intake appointment with the Permit Center staff at (253)835-2607
or permitcenter@cityoffederalway.com.
Some projects may require a third-party review or inspection. The cost to cover these fees is
the responsibility of the applicant. Any third-party fee is in addition to regular permit fees
and costs.
Please note, Land Use Approval is recommended prior to submitting the building permit
application to avoid delay in project review. If the project has not received Land Use
Approval, it may be placed on hold until Land Use review is completed.
4.Review Timing. Federal Way reviews plans on a first in, first out basis; however, there are
some small projects with inconsequential review requirements that may be reviewed out of
order.
The first comment letter can be expected within 5-7 weeks of submittal date. Re-check of
plans will occur in one to three weeks after re-submittal.
Revised or resubmitted plans shall be provided in the same format, size, and amount as the
originally submitted plans. Revised/resubmitted drawings shall indicate by means of
clouding or written response, what changes have been made from the original drawings. You
or your representatives will be required to affix the city’s date stamp on each page of
resubmitted plans and to collate loose plans into existing plan sets. Plans for all involved
departments will be forwarded from the Community Development Department.
5.Other Permits & Inspections. Separate permits may be required for electrical, mechanical,
plumbing, fire suppression systems, and signs. Applicants may apply for separate permits at
any time prior to commencement of construction.
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January 31, 2022
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When required, special inspections shall be performed by WABO approved agencies or by
agencies approved by the building official prior to permit issuance. Construction must be
approved by all reviewing departments prior to final building division inspection.
All concerned departments (Planning, Public Works, Electrical, & Fire) must sign off before
the Building Department can final the structure for occupancy. Building final must be
approved prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
Construction projects may be required to have a pre-construction conference. If a pre-con
meeting is required, the general or representative, all subs, the architect or representative, the
engineer or representative, electrical contractor, and any other interested party, should attend
this meeting. Meetings will occur at the Building Department and will be scheduled by the
inspector of record for the project.
6.Site-Specific Requirements.
A building permit is required for the bridge and the wooden structure over the river that
the swimmers pass under.
When designing the access bridge take into account the width of the bridge and the
anticipated number of occupants of the center island for exiting purposes.
A plumbing permit will be required.
A mechanical permit will be required.
The information provided is based on limited plans and information. The comments
provided are not intended to be a complete plan review and further comments are possible
at time of building permit plan review.
LAKEHAVEN WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
Brian Asbury, 253-946-5407, BAsbury@lakehaven.org
Lakehaven’s comments below, regarding the proposed replacing of two (2) existing rides
(activity pool and river tube ride) with an activity river ride on parcels 2821049026 &
2821049026. Let me know if there’s any questions or if additional information is needed.
All Lakehaven Development Engineering related application forms, and associated standards
information, can be accessed at Lakehaven’s Development Engineering web pages
(http://www.lakehaven.org/204/Development-Engineering).
All comments herein are valid for one (1) year and are based on the proposal(s) submitted
and Lakehaven’s current regulations and policies. Any change to either the development
proposal(s) or Lakehaven’s regulations and policies may affect the above comments
accordingly.
Water &/or Sewer Certificates of Availability issued separately by Lakehaven may be required
to be submitted with any land use and/or building permit applications (check with land use
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agency for requirement). Certificates are valid for one (1) year from date of issuance. If
Certificates are needed, allow 1-2 work days to issue for typical processing. 2022 cost for a
Water or Sewer Certificate of Availability is $64.65 (each).
A service connection application submitted separately to Lakehaven is required for each new
service connection to the water distribution or sanitary sewer system, or any modification to an
existing water or sewer service connection, in accordance with standards defined in
Lakehaven’s current ‘Fees and Charges Resolution’.
SOUTH KING FIRE AND RESCUE
Sean Nichols, 253-946-7242, Sean.Nichols@southkingfire.org
No comments received. Comments will be provided on building permit application.
CLOSING
This letter reflects the information provided at the preapplication meeting and is intended to
assist you in preparing plans and materials for formal application. We hope you found the
comments useful to your project. We have made every effort to identify major issues to eliminate
surprises during the City’s review of the formal application. The completion of the
preapplication process in the content of this letter does not vest any future project application.
Comments in this letter are only valid for one year as per FWRC 19.40.070 (4).
As you know, this is a preliminary review only and does not take the place of the full review that
will follow submission of a formal application. Comments provided in this letter are based on
preapplication materials submitted.
Modifications and revisions to the project as presented for this preapplication may influence and
modify information regarding development requirements outlined above. In addition to this
preapplication letter, please examine the complete FWRC and other relevant codes carefully.
Requirements that are found in the codes and CDA that are not addressed in this letter are still
required for your project.
If you have questions about an individual comment, please contact the appropriate department
representative noted above. Any general questions can be directed towards me, the key project
contact, Jim Harris, at 253-350-9283, or jim.harris@cityoffederalway.com. We look forward to
working with you.
Sincerely,
Jim Harris
Senior Planner
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January 31, 2022
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enc:Submittal Requirements for Use Process I or Process II
c: Jody Kneupper, jkneupper@wildwaves.com
Samir Basmeh
Sarady Long
Brian Asbury
Sean Nichols