21-101296-Response Letter_08-16-2021-V2Ms. Becky Chapin
Page 1 of 5
August 16, 2021
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
33325 8th Avenue
South Federal Way, WA
98003-6325
253-835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
August 16, 2021
Ms. Becky Chapin
Senior Planner
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
becky.chapin@cityoffederalway.com
Re: File #21-101296-00-UP; TECHNICAL REVIEW LETTER RESPONSE
Olympic View K-8 School, 2626 SW 327th Street, Federal Way
Dear Ms. Chapin:
The design team has reviewed the Technical Review Letter dated August 5, 2021 and have formatted this response
letter to include each comment with our responses to each below. Our responses are noted in bold and include
references to updated drawings or documents to assist you and your staff to identify the location of the revisions.
TECHNICAL COMMENTS
Unless otherwise noted, the following comments provided by staff reviewing your project must be addressed
prior to issuing the administrative site plan decision. Please direct questions regarding any of the technical
comments to the appropriate staff representative.
Becky Chapin, Planning Division, 253-835-2641, becky.chapin@cityoffederalway.com
1. General – Technical comments made about an item on one sheet, or in a document, may necessitate
changes to other related sheets and documents. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine any such
necessary adjustments. Please ensure consistent information is communicated throughout the plan set
and associated application materials.
Response: We have made the required revisions and have assured that each revision is coordinated within our
complete resubmittal package.
2. Impervious Surface – It appears the project will meet impervious surface requirements. However, the
impervious surface calculation on Sheet LU1.03 (52.3%) is different than Sheet C0.00 (54.4%). Please
verify which is correct and revise as necessary.
Response: The impervious calculations on the referenced sheets have been updated.
Ms. Becky Chapin
Page 2 of 5
August 16, 2021
3. Landscaping – Pursuant to Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.125.060(2), Type III landscaping a
minimum of 10 feet in width is required along all perimeter property lines. Type III landscaping is a
mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees, large shrubs, and groundcover, spaced to provide a visual
buffer creating a partial visual separation. Per the Sheet L2.00 of the submitted landscape plan, it does
not appear that Type III landscaping 10 feet in width is depicted along the east and south property
line. In some areas, the landscaping buffer is 16 feet +/- from the property line. If for some reason the
site cannot meet perimeter landscape requirements, a landscaping modification needs to be requested
in accordance with FWRC 19.125.100.
Response: On the east property line, the existing topography of the site rises up from the elevation of 26th Ave
SW. Therefore, at the frontage where new work is occurring, we have located the required Type III buffer on
the high side of this area between the parking lot and the street, this will provide a better buffer from the
street than locating at the bottom of the slope. Additionally, we have proposed an undulating form for the
buffer to fit the natural context of the site. This undulating buffer will provide an increase to the area of
planting compared to the minimum required 10 ft buffer. The northern length of this street frontage is
proposed to retain the existing trees and vegetation.
East Perimeter parking lot, 10’ of Type III landscape East parking lot:
Area required: 352 linear feet X 10’ width = 3,520 SF
Area provided: Undulating between 8’-19’ width = 5,262 SF
An additional 40 larger evergreen shrubs and 7 evergreen trees have been added to the buffer as well.
On the south property line, the existing topography of the site slopes down below the elevation of SW 327th
Street. Therefore, we have revised the location of the required Type III buffer to the property line / back of
sidewalk, as required. Since the property line falls in the middle of this 10’ required buffer, we have provided
the 10’ width from property line and planted the area from back of walk to property line (13’ width total), as
shown on L2.02.
South Perimeter parking lot, 10’ of Type III landscape South parking lot:
Area required - 288 linear feet X 10’ width = 2,880 SF
Area provided – 288 LF X 13’ width = 3,739 SF
An additional 25 larger evergreen shrubs and 5 evergreen trees have been added to the buffer as well.
Per FWRC 19.125.070(5), the parking area adjacent to the public right-of-way must incorporate a berm at
least three feet in height within the perimeter landscape area; or alternatively, add substantial shrub
plantings to the required perimeter landscape type, and/or provide architectural features of appropriate
height with trees, shrubs, and groundcover, in a number sufficient to act as efficient substitute for the
three-foot berm, to reduce the visual impact of parking areas and to screen automobiles.
Response: See previous summary regarding the proposed landscape buffer including increases to the
minimum requirements.
4. Design Guidelines – Regarding façade modulation, screening options, and institutional uses significant
modulation, if any portion of the building façade is visible from a right-of-way or adjacent residential use
or zone, then the entire building façade must meet façade treatment and/or modulation requirements. I
don’t anticipate there to be an issue, please verify that the entire west façade meets modulation and
screening options and structural offset.
Response: We have removed the Site Perspectives and diagram on LU1.01 and have updated the Land Use
Analysis on LU1.03 to show compliance of all building facades. The Project Narrative has also been updated
accordingly.
Ms. Becky Chapin
Page 3 of 5
August 16, 2021
Kevin Peterson, Public Works Dev. Services, 253-835-2730, kevin.peterson@cityoffederalway.com
Plans and Technical Information Report (TIR)
1) Provide cross-sections of both 26th Avenue SW and SW 327th Street. Each section shall show all existing
and proposed improvements, existing and proposed right of way lines, and include dimensions from
centerline to the new/proposed improvements and right-of way lines.
Response: Roadway Sections for both 26th Ave SW and SW 327th ST have been included. See Sheet C6.00.
2) Provide a “typical” cross-section for the proposed detention/infiltration systems—two sections cut at 90-
degrees to each other.
Response: Typical Details and Sections for Detention/Infiltration system have been provided. See Sheets
C4.10 and C4.20.
3) The TIR indicates that “finger drains” may be required under the pipe system being considered for
infiltration. This type of system may be subject to review and approval by the Washington State
Department of Ecology (DOE) under their Underground Injection Control Program (UIC). It’s advised
that the applicant confirm this with DOE.
Response: Noted. We will confirm and coordinate with DOE and provide the necessary documentation and
registration of the “finger drains” if they are deemed UIC’s.
4) For the Level 1 downstream drainage analysis, the engineer shall prepare a map of the
downstream drainage system, as well as providing a description of the system (per the Offsite
Analysis Drainage System Table – Reference 8-Bof the 2016 King County Surface Water Design
Manual [KCSWDM]).
Response: Level 1 downstream analysis, including maps and exhibits, is now provided in the revised
preliminary TIR.
5) If stormwater runoff from the public streets will be directed into the private on-site drainage systems,
then the owner will need to record a stormwater covenant on the property, similar to what was done for
the recently constructed elementary school projects.
Response: Per discussion with drainage reviewer, Kevin Peterson, stormwater runoff in the right-of-way is to
be separated from the on-site stormwater, therefore no stormwater from the right-of-way will be directed to
the on-site storm system.
6) Per city standards, maximum driveway widths are limited to 40 feet. The driveway on 26th Avenue
SW shall be revised to a maximum of a 40-foot width. The two driveways on SW 327th Street may
require wider throats, due to their being used for busses. The city traffic division will likely have
further comments on the driveways.
Response: The driveway on 26th Ave has been revised to 40 feet, see C6.00. The bus driveways on 327th St are
designed to accommodate busses and are also 40 feet or less in width and will be reviewed by the Traffic
Engineer.
7) Comment on Street Lights – A street light plan will be required as part of the street improvement plans
at the time of the building permit submittal. The street light plans shall be prepared by an
engineering firm capable of designing such systems. The city does not accept designs prepared by
Puget Sound Energy’s lighting consultant (Intolight).
Response: We have consulted with PSE and Intolight for street lighting on 26th Ave and 327th St. These street
lighting plans have been added to our submittal package, see E1.00L.
Ms. Becky Chapin
Page 4 of 5
August 16, 2021
8) Landscape Plans – A sod lawn is required in the planter strip in the city right-of-way (between the
sidewalk and curb).
Response: The originally submitted plans L2.01 & L2.02, indicate sod lawn in the planter strip, this is
designated with a hatch pattern.
9) Solid Waste and Recycling (SWR) Enclosure – Based on the plans submitted, it’s difficult to tell if the
SWR enclosure meets all applicable code requirements. It’s recommended that the applicant
review FWRC 19.125.150 to ensure the enclosure meets all applicable design standards.
Response: We have reviewed FWRC 19.125.150 and coordinated with Waste Management for the Solid
Waste and Recycling Enclosure. The gate entrance has been increased per FWRC. We are also providing a
roof structure and sanitary sewer drain.
Jason Kennedy, Public Works Traffic, 253-835-2744, jason.kennedy@ciytoffederalway.com
1. Per FWRC 19.135.270, the maximum driveway width is 40 feet for a three-lane two-way driveway.
The three-lane two-way driveway shown on the submitted plans on 26th Avenue SW appears to be
wider than 40 feet (plans indicate 49 feet-10 inches). Provide a Vehicle Turning Diagram
demonstrating the need for a wider driveway to accommodate vehicles, or otherwise reduce to 40
feet or less.
Response: The driveway on 26th Ave SW has been revised to be 40 feet. A Vehicle Turning Diagram for Fire
Truck has been included indicating the 40-ft driveway width can accommodate a fire truck entering and
leaving the site.
2. Provide the conceptual illumination plan for lighting on SW 327th Street and 26th Avenue SW. The
illumination plan shall be designed by a professional engineer and will need to be submitted as part
of the engineering plan submittal.
Response: We have consulted with PSE and Intolight for street lighting on 26th Ave and 327th St. These street
lighting plans have been added to our submittal package, see E1.00L.
3. The civil plans should depict the bulb-outs at the intersections of 26th Avenue SW / SW 325th Place, 26th
Avenue SW / SW 325th Street, and new driveway / SW 326th Street per discussions between the city and
FWPS.
Response: Per our 06.23.2021 meeting with Jason Kennedy, we have added mid-block bulb-outs along 26th
Ave frontage at three locations: SW 325th St, SW 325th Pl and the northside of the new driveway. Striping has
been added south of the new driveway to allow adequate clearance for bus turning. See C6.00.
4. The applicant must submit a Vehicle Turning Diagram to the Public Works Traffic Division for a
school bus for the driveway on SW 327th Street. This diagram will show how the appropriate
design vehicle (such as: bus, garbage truck, and WB-62) can enter, maneuver, and leave the site
without encroaching onto opposing traffic lanes or mounting a curb.
Response: The bus driveways along SW 327th ST are designed to accommodate busses and are 40 feet or less
in width. Vehicle Turning Diagrams for busses, which will be the largest vehicle entering and leaving the site
on SW 327th ST, has been included indicating the driveway widths can accommodate busses.
5. Street improvements must include replacement of the existing Greenway Plan shared lane use markings.
Response: The replacement of the recently installed shared lane use markings have been included as a noted
on C6.00.
Ms. Becky Chapin
Page 5 of 5
August 16, 2021
Sean Nichols, South King Fire & Rescue, 253-946-7242, sean.nichols@southkingfire.org
The hydrant on SW 327th Street is the only hydrant within 550 feet. The hydrant needs to either be
relocated before the others are taken out of service or kept in service until the others are installed.
Response: A note has been added to Sheet C1.00 for existing fire hydrant to remain in use during construction
until proposed fire hydrants along SW 327th ST are installed, tested, inspected, approved, and brought online.
APPLICATION STATUS
The review period for the Use Process III application has stopped and the application is on hold until
requested items are resubmitted. Please be aware that this review does not preclude the city from
requesting additional information related to any of the topics discussed above, or any other elements of
the proposal. Please submit revised application materials as appropriate, accompanied by the completed
“Resubmittal Information Form” (enclosed).
Pursuant to FWRC 19.15.050, if an applicant fails to provide additional information to the city within
180 days of being notified that such information is requested, the application shall be deemed null and
void and the city shall have no duty to process, review, or issue any decisions with respect to such an
application.
All materials for resubmittal need to be submitted electronically thru the city’s on-line permit center portal on
the city’s website at Document Upload Link, or https://www.cityoffederalway.com/node/4588.
Individual documents or materials may be submitted to me or the appropriate reviewer for further discussion
purposes, but these email submittals are not considered resubmittals.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at becky.chapin@cityoffederalway.com, or
253-835-2641.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there are any questions regarding this resubmittal package.
Sincerely,
Kris Stamon
Project Manager
c: Michael Swartz, FWPS
Mike Kwaske, FWPS