21-103716-Response to Comments (10-25-2021)Wetland & Aquatic Sciences
Wildlife Ecology
Landscape Architecture
2111 N. Northgate Way, Ste. 219 Seattle, WA 98133 206-525-8122 www.raedeke.com
Associates, Inc.
Raedeke
October 25, 2021
Mr. Brian Meister
BAU Meister Studio Group
6755 Saranac Street
San Diego, CA. 92115
RE: Response City Correction Letter #2 ECA Wetlands
R.A.I. Project #2021-052-001
Dear Mr. Meister,
The purpose of this letter is to respond to comments provided by the City of Federal Way staff
dated October 13, 2021 (Federal Way 2021a) for the Meridian Court Apartment project site
located at 31420 23rd Ave South in the City of Federal Way, Washington. The property is
identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 0921049190. In addition to updating our wetland
delineation report, we have included our responses to the comments below:
Comment #1:
Provide an addendum to the wetland report addressing how the proposed trail meets the
standards in FWRC 19.145.440(2)(a)-(c).
Pursuant to FWRC 19.145.220(2), the director may provide written approval for passive
pedestrian recreation facilities designed in accordance with an approved critical area
report and the following standards:
(a) Trails are composed of pervious surfaces no more than five feet in width. Raised
boardwalks and wildlife viewing structures composed of non-treated pilings may also
be considered;
(b) Trails are generally located parallel to the perimeter of the wetland and within the
outer 25 percent of the buffer; and
(c) Trails shall avoid the removal of mature trees.
Mr. Brian Meister
October 25, 2021
Page 2
Response:
In lieu of an addendum, our wetland delineation report has been updated to address how the
proposed trail meets the standards in FWRC 19.145.220(2)(a)-(c) (see Section 5, pgs 11-12, RAI
2021). The proposed trail would be constructed of pervious material and would be 5-feet-wide.
The trail would also be located in the outermost 25 percent of the buffer and aligned parallel to
the wetland. No trees would be removed as part of the trail construction.
Comment #2:
Update the site plan to clearly show the wetland buffer and proposed trail. Provide trail
details cross section, and location in the outer 25% of the wetland buffer.
Response:
The updated site plan is provided as Figure 7 in the updated delineation report. The proposed
trail is shown in the outer 25 percent of the wetland buffer. Standards described in FWRC
19.145.220(2)(a)-(c) (Federal Way 2021b) have been met.
LIMITATIONS
We have prepared this report for the exclusive use of BAU Meister Studio Group and their
consultants. No other person or agency may rely upon the information, analysis, or conclusions
contained herein without permission from.
The determination of ecological system classifications, functions, values, and boundaries is an
inexact science, and different individuals and agencies may reach different conclusions. With
regard to wetlands and streams, the final determination of their boundaries for regulatory
purposes is the responsibility of the various agencies that regulate development activities in
wetlands. We cannot guarantee the outcome of such agency determinations. Therefore, the
conclusions of this report should be reviewed by the appropriate regulatory agencies prior to any
detailed site planning or construction activities.
We warrant that the work performed conforms to standards generally accepted in our field, and
has been prepared substantially in accordance with then-current technical guidelines and criteria.
The conclusions of this report represent the results of our analysis of the information provided by
the project proponent and their consultants, together with information gathered in the course of
the study. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made.
If you have any questions or comments, or wish to discuss this issue further, please contact me at
(206) 525-8122 or at cwright@raedeke.com.
Mr. Brian Meister
October 25, 2021
Page 3
Sincerely,
RAEDEKE ASSOCIATES, INC.
Christopher W. Wright
Vice President/Soil and Wetland Scientist
LITERATURE CITED
Federal Way, City of. 2021a. File #21-103716-UP; Technical Review Comment Letter #1 for
Meridian Court Apartment, 31510 23rd Avenue South, Federal Way. Dated October 13,
2021.
Federal Way, City of. 2021b. Chapter 19.145: Environmentally Critical Areas: Article IV
Wetlands, updated 2021. Available at:
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/html/FederalWay19/FederalWay1914
5.html
Raedeke Associates, Inc. 2021. Meridian Court Wetland Delineation Report for BAU Meister
Studio Group. Updated October 25, 2021.