03-102747CITY OF CITY HALL
k%1%Federal WayFeder 1 st Way South • Box 9718
Federal Way, WA 98063-9-9718
(253)661-4000
www. cityoffederalway.. com
July 22, 2003
Mr. Chang Kim
Fio
L E
Colliers International
1102 Commerce Street, Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98402-4375
Re: File 903-102747-00-AD; PROPOSAL FOR CERAMIC TILE AND IN ARBLE
32812 Pacific Highway South, Federal Way, King Couty Tax #797880-0020
Dear Mr. Kim:
This letter is in response to an inquiry about the Ceramic Tile, Marble, and Granite, Inc. business locating
to a site on Pacific Highway South in Federal Way. The letter discusses zoning, uses, and code
requirements for this site. A brief discussion of other zones is included.
PROPOSAL
The site in question is at 32812 Pacific Highway South. This contains a 29,806 square foot lot with a one-
story 1,452 square foot building originally built as a residence in 1948. The last known use was a "One
Hour" sign shop. However, this business ceased operation in 1999 and no other approved uses are
documented.
The inquiry letter proposes to use the existing building as a showroom for the ceramic and tile business,
and to construct a large shop east of the showroom.' The shop would be connected to the show room with
a walkway. A driveway would connect the shop to Pacific Highway South, with customer parking located
between the showroom, and with the street.
COMMUNITY BUSINESS ZONING
The subject site is located in a Community Business (BC) zoning district. The showroom use is permitted
in the BC zone as an office/retail use as provided for in Federal Way City Code (FWCC) Section 22-751.
Under this section note #3 states:
Assembly of goods or services on the subject property is permitted only if:
a. The assembly or manufacture is clearly accessory to an allowed use conducted on the
subject property and is directly related to and dependent on this allowed use;
b. The assembled or manufactured goods are available for purchase and removal from
the subject property and are for sale only to retail purchasers; and
c. There are no outward appearance or impacts from the assembly or manufacture.
1 A 10,000 square foot shop size is proposed.
Mr. Chang Kim
Page 2
July 22, 2003
Based on these criteria, a shop building that is accessory to the showroom could be permitted. However,
in order to be accessory, the shop building cannot be larger in size than the showroom building.2 Given
the�existing building size, the shop could not exceed the 1,452 square feet in size.
REVIEW PROCESS AND REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS
If the applicant proposes to use the existing building for a showroom and build a small shop, Process II
review is required. This is an administrative process that requires approval by the Director of Community
Development Services. If a new and separate building is proposed, it must comply with all development
requirements applicable to the geographic portion of the site on which the new structure and any related
improvements are to be constructed, pursuant to FWCC Section 22-334(3)(b). In addition, the provisions
of FWCC Section 22-334(5) apply to the existing building, as it has been vacant for more than one year.
However, any changes to the existing building must meet current city code standards for parking, required
yards, height, landscaping, design guidelines, etc.
Please be advised that this particular building site is located in Phase II of the City's Pacific Highway
South HOV lane improvements. With these improvements, the right-of-way will be widened to the front
of the building, eliminating parking opportunities. In negotiations with the City, the owner has obtained
two parking stalls and a back up area on the south side of the building. A single lane driveway will be
permitted at the north end and the south end of the site. Additional parking to accommodate any use in the
building will have to be provided at the rear of the building. Also, any impervious areas proposed in
excess of 2,000 square feet in size will require on -site storm drainage facilities in accordance with the
King County Surface Water Design Manual (KCSWDM), as amended by the City. Alternatively, storm
water flows may be permitted to drain into the City's Kitts Corner Regional Storm Water Detention
Facility subject to a per acre fee.
OUTDOOR STORAGE
According to photographs provided with the inquiry letter, some the construction materials are typically
stored outside. Should this be proposed with a new project site, the stored material must meet the
requirements of outdoor activities and storage ,3 and must meet required buffers, must be screened by a
solid screening fence, shall not be stored more than six feet in height, and may not inhibit safe vehicular
and pedestrian movement to, from, and on the subject property. Outdoor storage areas that are used more
than two months per year will be considered in calculating the gross floor area of a use or development.
PREAPPLICATION CONFERENCE
To learn about these and other requirements that apply to the BC zoned site, I'd recommend that you or
your client apply for a preapplication conference. The conference is an opportunity to meet with
representative from the City's Planning, Building, and Public Works Divisions/Department, and with
representatives of the Federal Way Fire Department and Lakehaven Utility District to learn which code
requirements apply to the proposal. The $382.50 preapplication conference fee is refunded when a formal
application is submitted.
2 Accessory is defined in the FWCC as a use, activity, structure, or part of a structure that is subordinate and incidental to the
main activity or structure on the subject property.
3 FWCC Section 22-1113
File 403-102747-00-AD Doc. I.D. 24058
Mr. Chang Kim
Page 3
July 22, 2003
BUSINESS PARK ZONING
Another zone in the City of Federal Way does provide for more intensive construction and manufacturing
related uses. Under FWCC Section 22-861, the Business Park (BP) zone permits engraving and stone
cutting uses. Note #3 of the section states:
Under this section, this use may include accessory office utilizing no more than 50 percent of
the gross floor area of the use and accessory retail sales and service facilities utilizing no more
than 20 percent of the gross floor area, provided, however, that the primary use utilizes a
minimum of 50 percent of the gross floor area of the use.
In this case, a 10,000 square foot building in the BP zone could have 2,000 square feet of showroom and
offices, with the balance of the building left as the shop.
SUMMARY
The proposed business location on Pacific Highway South would permit the marble and tile retail sales
showroom use, but an accessory shop area would be limited in size. FWCC requirements apply to the
existing building as well as any new buildings. The site will be impacted by future improvements to
Pacific Highway South. The BP zone may provide the flexibility that you seek.
The City's zoning map (which is available for viewing at the City's web site, www.cityoffederalway.com}
may be a useful reference tool for you and your client. I've enclosed copies of the referenced code
sections, as well as a preapplication conference handout. I can be reached at 253-661-4103 should you
have any questions about this letter.
Sincerely,
Deb Barker
Associate Planner
enc: Preapplication Conference Handout
Master Land Use Application
FWCC Section 22-751 (BC)
FWCC Section 22-861 (BP)
FWCC Section 22-334, "Nonconformances"
FWCC Section 22-1113, "Outdoor Storage"
Patrick Doherty, Public Works Economic Development Director
Al Emter, Public Works Streets Project Engineer
Attn: Mike, Ceramic Tile, Marble, and Granite, Inc., 2100 South 314`h Street, Federal Way, WA 98003
Doc I D. 24058
File #03-102747-00-AD
CERAMIC TILE, MARBLE & GRANITE, INC
2100 S 314TH STREET -
FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003
253-946-7667 FAX 253-946-7661
DESCRIPTION OF CERAMIC TILE, MARBLE & GRANITE, INC OPERATION:
WE, CERAMIC TILE, MARBLE & GRANITE, INC ARE CONSIDERING
PURCHASING PROPERTY ON PACIFIC HIGHWAY IN FEDERAL WAY.
WE ARE A FULL SERVICE TILE/NATURAL STONE SALES AND
CUSTOMIZATION OF SLABS. THIS INCLUDES A SHOWROOM WITH
SELECTIONS FOR RETAIL SALES OF CERAMIC TILES, PORCELAIN AND
NATURAL STONE, TILES. OUR SHOP TAKES SLABS OF NATURAL STONE
AND CUSTOMIZES THE EDGES AND ALSO SHAPES EACH PIECE TO FIT THE
INDIVIDUAL CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS FOR MAINLY KITCHEN, VANITIES,
TABLETOPS, ECT, POLISHING AND FINISHING WORK OF STONE IS ALSO
INCLUDED IN THIS PROCESS.
THE SHOWROOM HAS BEEN 1N FEDERAL WAY SINCE
IDEALLY WE WOULD LIKE TO STAY LOCATED 1N THIS AREA TO GROW AND
BE A PRODUCTIVE AND POSITIVE PART OF FEDERAL WAY,,
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FkEC,Et11Ei]
JUL Q 3 Rll:3
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