21-102929-UP-Project Narrative-07-16-2021-V1 Page 1 of 2
TO: City of Federal Way DATE: July 12, 2021
FROM: Lucas Johnson
Tacoma - (253) 383-2422
PROJECT NO.: 2210134
PROJECT NAME: Federal Way High School
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
SUBJECT: Project Narrative
The project will create a space for the Pre-Apprenticeship Program, as part of the Federal Way High School
(FWHS) Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum. The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a partnership
between the Federal Way School District (FWSD) and local labor unions, and its intent is to give students an idea
of what an actual union apprenticeship programs entail. This space is an extension of the existing
vocational/woodshop area in the Federal Way High School.
The project (CTE Yard) is located on the existing lawn area adjacent to the existing Federal Way High School
building, immediately Northwest of the Woodshop area. The CTE Yard would consist of a fenced enclosure, a
canopy work area for teaching and practical demonstrations, and seating/teaching steps. The project has been
designed per provisions in FWRC Chapter 19.115 – Community Design Guidelines, as noted below.
19.115.040 – Security Program
The project is located on the existing FWHS campus and as such will be managed per the existing FWSD and
FWHS security/safety protocols and emergency management plan. Existing site lighting provides sufficient
illumination for circulation and general safety. Additional lighting will be provided within the canopy work area to
support the teaching activities. The CTE Yard will be enclosed by 6’ high metal picket fence on all sides. The
fence will be square picket-style fence, to match existing school fencing, approximately 4”picket spacing, painted
black. No plantings are planned in the CTE Yard thus ensuring maximum visibility from all directions.
19.115.050 – Site Design – All Zoning Districts
The materials for the project will be selected to match the existing materials palette on FWHS. Access into the
CTE Yard will be through two vehicle gates and two pedestrian gates. All gates will be locked and monitored by
the existing FHWS security networks (cameras and locks). Panic hardware will be provided on the two pedestrian
gates to allow unhindered egress. The project area is centrally located on the FWHS campus and as such would
not result in lighting spilling into adjacent properties. The lighting provided in the canopy area will be sufficient for
teaching activities and would remain on during non-school hours for added security. Light fixtures in the canopy
area will be selected with cut-off shields, to provide down lighting. The concrete seating/teaching steps would
allow auditorium-type seating for demonstrations, impromptu lectures, etc.
19.115.060 – Building Design – All Zoning Districts
The canopy teaching area will be a heavy timber pole barn structure, with a 52’x24’ footprint, approximately 20’
high, with a low-slope metal roof sloping in one direction. To ensure visibility, and to allow flexibility of use, the
canopy structure will not have any walls, only roof. The 20’ height allows the canopy to be used for a variety of
different teaching activities and practical demonstrations (wood framing, tool usage, etc). However, at 20’ high
the canopy is only a fraction of the height of the existing high school building and as such recognizes the
supporting and ancillary function of the canopy on the overall FSHS campus. The canopy structure will be
procured and permitted at a later date as a deferred design-build installation.
19.115.070 – Building and Pedestrian Orientation – All Zoning Districts
While it is located adjacent to an existing parking lot, access into the CTE Yard is provided from the walkway in
front of the existing Woodshop area in FWHS. The space will be used for limited group classes and lessons and
will be used for public functions.
19.115.080 – Mixed Use Residential Building in Commercial Zoning Districts
Does not apply to this project.
Project Memo Page 2 of 2
2210134
July 12, 2021
19.115.090 – District Guidelines
Does not apply to this project.
19.115.100 – Institutional Uses
Does not apply to this project.
19.115.105 – Self-Service Storage Uses
Does not apply to this project.
19.115.110 – Design Criteria for Public Spaces
Does not apply to this project.
19.115.115 – Design Criteria for Residential Usable Open Space and Fee-in-Lieu Option
Does not apply to this project.
19.115.115 – Design for Cluster Residential Subdivision Lots
Does not apply to this project.
LJ/
c: Stephen Nutt and Michael Swartz (FWPS)
Aleks Janjic and Connie Zheng (Bassetti)leks Janjic and Connie Zheng (Bassetti)
David Nason (AHBL)
Q:\2021\2210134\10_CIV\NON_CAD\REPORTS\20210712_Narrative.docx