06-103727 • • F ILE
‘1116, CITY OF CITY HALL
Federal Way 33325 8th Avenue South
Mailing Address: PO Box 9718
Federal Way,wA 980639718
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
August 17, 2006
Ms. Roshawna Atmore
Common Ground
401 Second Avenue South, Suite 500
Seattle,WA 98104
RE: File#06-103727-00-AD; PROPOSED VALLEY HEIGHTS HOUSING PROJECT
31000 18th Avenue South,Federal Way,WA
Dear Ms.Atmore:
This letter is in response to your inquiry regarding a proposal to develop 17 housing units to serve low
income homeless individuals.' The targeted population would be homeless single adults with serious
mental illnesses and/or co-occurring(mental health and chemical dependency)disorders.You have
identified a proposed parcel in the Community Business(BC)zoning district for this proposed
development.The Federal Way City Code(FWCC)permits both special needs housing and convalescent
centers within the BC zoning district.
This administrative decision responds to your request dated July 26, 2006,for interpretation of the FWCC
definition of special needs housing as it relates to your proposed rental housing development for
homeless,mentally ill adults earning adjusted incomes 30%or below of the area median income.We
have reviewed your written request,and project description for the Valley Cities Counseling and
Consultation(VCCC)Valley Heights project,and determined that the proposed rental housing
development for homeless,mentally ill adults is consistent with the definition of special needs housing
based on the following analysis.
Findings of Fact
1. Your project description states that VCCC proposes to develop sixteen permanent housing units in
South King County for a target population of homeless, single adults who are chronically homeless
or episodically homeless.The seventeenth unit would be for the on-site resident manager hired by
VCCC.As needed by the population served,residents of the proposed facility will receive intensive
long-term support and services with a great emphasis on increasing stability,reducing harm, and
managing symptoms.This includes a continuum of assessment that ranges from brief eligibility
screening to comprehensive clinical assessment for both mental health and chemical dependency,
community based behavioral health services,psychiatric assessment and medication management,
case management services and referrals for primary health services,educational services,vocational
services, and supportive employment. You verbally stated that the facility would be an independent
living setting for individuals in fully equipped units.Homeless couples or homeless families would
not be served.Residents would receive services both on site and off site.VCCC would have office
space in the facility,and a community room would be provided.There would be no age limitation on
residents,who would have permanent housing as long as they met facility requirements.
'Proposed 16 units for clients and 1 housing unit for resident manager.
410 •
Ms.Atmore
August 15,2006
Page 2
2. FWCC Article I, Section 22-1 defines special needs housing as"housing not specifically defined by
this chapter,and which will be processed under the classification most closely related to the
proposed use,as determined by the Director of Community Development Services."Special'needs
housing is permitted within the BC zoning district pursuant to FWCC Section 22-756.
3. The proposed facility is closely related to the Convalescent Center use, also permitted within the BC
zoning district, and which is defined in FWCC Article I, Section 22-1 as"an inpatient facility,
excluding facilities defined as hospitals, for patients who are recovering from an illness or who are
receiving care for chronic conditions; mental,physical,emotional or development disabilities;
terminal illness,or alcohol or drug or treatment, and may include assisted living facilities."
However, in that the proposed development would not serve as an in-patient facility,it would not
meet the full definition of a convalescent center.
4. Clients of the facility may meet the definition of disabled in that they may have a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and as a result may be
homeless. Protections provided to disabled persons under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of
1988,42 USC 3604(f)(3)(b)provide protection from housing discrimination.No limitations are
imposed for the proposed facility under special needs housing provisions of the FWCC.
5. You have stated that the housing is for persons earning adjusted incomes 30% or below of the area
median income.Pursuant to FWCC Section 22-976,affordable housing provisions apply only when
a new single-family or multi-family project involves 25 or more new dwelling units.In the case of
the 16 units,affordable housing is not required under FWCC. One or two of the units will be
designed to be accessible under the Americans with Disabilities(ADA)Act.
Conclusion
Based on the foregoing analysis,the proposed housing complex meets the definition of Special Needs
Housing, as a permitted use within the BC zoning district.Next steps for your client would be to apply for
a preapplication conference for the proposed complex.A preapplication handout and master land use
application are enclosed along with all references.
Please contact Deb Barker, Senior Planner, at 253-835-2642 with any questions.
Sincerely,
—6 /41 nit
Kathy Mc lung,Director
Community Development Services
enc: Definitions
Preapplication Handout
Master land use application
c: Deb Barker,Senior Planner
Kelli O'Donnell,CDBG Coordinator
Scott Sproul,Assistant Building Official
Pat Richardson,City Attorney
Neal Beets,City Manager
06-103727 Doc.I . 37608
— ( O:3727
ry
Common PG fa a- ?ffr 316-of 7e7
OGround
Low-income housing solutions
July 26, 2006
Greg Fewins, Deputy Director
Community and Development Services
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue
Federal Way, WA 98063
Dear Mr. Fewins,
Please accept this letter as a formal request to confirm if a property is purchased;
it will meet our intended needs.
My client, Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation (VCCC) is proposing to
develop sixteen (16) permanent housing units (i.e., a 16 unit multi-family building)
to serve as rental housing for homeless, mentally ill adults earning adjusted
incomes 30% or below of the area median income. The proposed project site
location is 31000 18th Avenue South, Federal Way. This property is currently a
vacant piece of land and is zoned "Business Commercial" (BC).
It is to my understanding that the proposed project may be developed on the
aforementioned property under the "Special Needs Housing" classification. The
current Federal Way City Code states that "Special Needs Housing will be
processed under the classification most closely related to the proposed use, as
determined by the Director of Community Development Services".
As a result, I would like to request that if the property were purchased; would the
City permit VCCC to develop housing units for their homeless, mentally ill clients.
Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation is a private, non-profit behavioral health
organization serving South King County since 1965. Through its Homeless
Family Services Program, VCCC has been providing case management and
other supportive services necessary to link homeless families to housing since
1997. This program has a staff of 15 professionals that provide a wide range of
supportive housing services to their clients.
VCCC has worked with the homeless population for many years by providing
housing, supportive and behavioral health services. The purchase and
development of housing units directly correlates with VCCC's organizational
mission "to contribute to healthy and secure communities and quality of life in
SEATTLE SPOKANE
401 Second Ave S,#500•Seattle,WA 98104 829 W Broadway•Spokane,WA 99201
Tel:206.461.4500•Fax:206.461-3871 www.commongroundwa.org Tel:509.326.3678•Fax:509.326-5964
• •
July 26, 2006
Greg Fewins, Deputy Director
Community and Development Services
City of Federal Way
South King County through the development, promotion and delivery of
exemplary behavioral healthcare services and related human services".
Importantly, the development of this project is in direct alignment with the
Committee to End Homelessness in King County Ten-Year Plan to End
Homelessness, which calls for the need of 2,900 housing units that incorporate
intensive support services. This endeavor will not only provide stable and
permanent housing but will fill a gap in available housing and services for
homeless individuals who experience mental health and substance use issues.
VCCC plans to provide intensive supportive services for residents residing in the
proposed project. The proposed supportive services program is designed for
homeless single adults who have serious mental illnesses and/or co-occurring
(mental health and chemical dependency) disorders. This target population will
receive a variety of intensive, long-term support services that are often required
for consistent mental stability.
Your time, consideration and support are truly appreciated. Please contact me
directly at (206) 461-4500 ext.127 if there are further questions or concerns.
Thank You,
Pfs4ka,u,,--J krn- --<"
Roshawna Atmore
Housing Developer
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