Lee Wetland Review Signed21-101348-00-AD Doc. I.D. 81542
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 33325 8th Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
253-835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
James & Mimi Lee July 22, 2021
4005 96th Avenue SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
jimlamlee08@gmail.com
Re: File #21-101348-AD; 3RD PARTY WETLAND REVIEW
Lee Commercial Properties, Parcels 0821049074, -9076, & -9167, Federal Way
Dear James & Mimi Lee:
On April 19, 2021, the City of Federal Way received your request for third party review of the Wetland
Delineation for the James Lee Commercial 3-lots in Federal Way, prepared by John Comis Associates, LLC (April
2021). The city forwarded your request to our wetland consultant, ESA, for their review. ESA completed a site
visit, reviewed relevant documents, and prepared a memorandum (July 21, 2021) in which they concur with the
delineation of Wetland “A” and its categorization as a Category III wetland with an 80-foot buffer. The city
concurs with this assessment.
There are technical comments in the memorandum from ESA that require revisions to the critical areas report
for its future use; however, the comments do not materially change the delineation, category, and buffer. Please
note that ESA was unable to fully evaluate the north end of the site due to current transient activity, and they
recommend that portion of the site be fully assessed as part of any future development application process.
Requests for wetland buffer averaging pursuant to Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.145.440(5), or wetland
buffer reduction with enhancement pursuant to FWRC 19.145.440(6), require review and approval of a Use
Process III application and are typically done in conjunction with review of a site development proposal.
The city’s critical areas review has concluded. When you apply for future applications include a copy of this
letter and an updated critical areas report that includes the corrections requested by ESA with your submittal.
Additional report content pursuant to FWRC 19.145 may be required if development is proposed within the
wetland or wetland buffer. The wetland, buffer, and critical areas building setback must be delineated on the
site plan of any development application in conformance with FWRC 19.145.150(4).
Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at stacey.welsh@cityoffederalway.com
or 253-835-2634.
Sincerely,
Stacey Welsh, AICP
Principal Planner
enc: July 21, 2021, Memorandum from ESA