23-103436-UP-Road Modification-Frontage-07-25-2023
CIVIL ENGINEERING SURVEYING LAND PLANNING
P.O. Box 949, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
4706 97th St. NW, Suite 100
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Phone: 253-857-5454
Fax: 253-509-0044
Email: info@contourpllc.com
June 30, 2023
Kathy Davis P.E., PTOE
City of Federal Way
Public Work, Traffic Division
33325 8th Ave South
Federal Way, WA 98003
SUBJECT/RE: Requested Road Modification for Commercial Development at 1420 S. 348th St
Frontage improvements
Contour Project #23-014
Dr. Ms. Davis:
The projected commercial development at 1420 S. 348th St (parcel # 202104-9088) would be required to
install frontage improvement along S 348th St. that are consistent with the roadway cross section for
Principal Arterial Type A. Per file #22-105134-PC, Preapplication Conference Summary, city staff have
indicated that the improvements required on S 348th St. consist of a 90-ft street with curb and gutter,
six-foot planter strips with street trees, eight-foot sidewalks, and street lights in a 124-foot right-of-way.
The applicant would be responsible for half-street improvements along the principal arterial. From our
review of the existing site conditions the frontage along S. 348th Street appears to have been built out to
the furthest extent possible. The existing half street improvements include a vegetated median, three-
travel lanes including a carpool lane, curb and gutter, a 10-foot combination sidewalk landscape buffer
with street trees in tree wells, a retaining wall and a 24-foot modified frontage road/access lane that
provides vehicular and pedestrian access to 4 separate parcels (ids 8897000115, 8897000100,
2021049088, and 2021049021). The overall right of way width for S. 348th St is variable with a width
taper that runs from east to west. Along with this letter we are providing an exhibit showing the existing
condition along S. 348th Street along with the improvements that would be required per the standard
detail per a Principal Arterial type A.
Per Federal Way Revised Code Title 19.135 the criteria to request a street modification are:
1. The improvement as required would not be harmonious with existing street improvements, would
not function properly or safely or would not be advantageous to the neighborhood or city as a
whole.
To comply with the Principal Arterial Type A requirements, a six-foot planter strip and an
eight-foot sidewalk would need to be added to the frontage to replace the 10-foot
combination sidewalk. This would require the retaining wall to be relocated approximately
4.5 ft to the west. This change would impact access to all 4 parcels that rely on the modified
frontage road for access and the relocation of stormwater structures and conveyance. The
roadway surface would narrow to 20-feet along the property's frontage. Furthermore,
relocating the wall would create an unnecessary and awkward shift to the wall to the east.
This shift would not be harmonious to the existing built environment as a creates an
irregular traffic lane. It is unknown if or when future redevelopment of properties to the
east could take place, leaving this irregular configuration for an undetermined amount of
time.
2. Unusual topographic or physical conditions preclude the construction of the improvements as
required.
The site and the surrounding properties are located above the grade of South 348th St. and
rely on the revised frontage road for access. As mentioned above, for the project to comply
with requirements to add a six-foot planter strip and an eight-foot sidewalk the retaining
wall would need to be relocated which would reduce the width of the frontage road to 21-ft
feet, Further impacts into adjacent properties that utilize the frontage road are not feasible
as well due to current development build-out. The previous installation of the 348th road
improvement does not allow for the currently required half street section.
3. Proper vertical or horizontal alignments cannot be determined because the existing streets do not
have correct alignments.
A modification to vertical and/or horizontal alignments is not required.
4. The required improvement is part of a larger project that has been scheduled for construction in
the city’s adopted six-year transportation improvement program.
As mentioned previously S. 348th Street appears to have already been built to the furthest
extent possible. There are no transportation improvement plans proposed for South 38th
Street in the 2021-2026 Transportation Improvement Plan and Arterial Street Improvement
Plan.
The applicant is requesting a modification to the roadway cross section for Principal Arterial Type A. As
the road is fully buildout we request that no additional frontage improvements be required for the buildout
of this site.
Sincerely,
Stephen Bridgeford.
Senior Land Planner