20-102775-Concurrency Application-07-15-2020-V1
TRAFFIC CONCURRENCY INFORMATION
What is a Concurrency Application?
The City uses the concurrency application to look at new development's impact on the transportation network. The
purpose of the test is to verify if there is adequate capacity in the transportation network and identify possible
mitigation for failing intersections. The test uses the City's adopted level of service standards (LOS) as identified
in the Comprehensive Plan as a basis for determining whether new development can proceed. Concurrency
application is required for all development permits within the city that generate new trips in the PM peak hour,
except for development exempt under FWRC 19.90.060 of the Transportation Concurrency Management
Ordinance. All new development must pass concurrency test before completing other land use processes.
When is a Concurrency Application Required?
An application must be submitted concurrent with a development activity permit application such as Land Use
application. The City will perform the concurrency analysis on a first come first serve basis. The applicant may
request a concurrency feasibility analysis at any time. However, since a concurrency feasibility analysis
application is not tied to a development permit, a Capacity Reserve Certificate (CRC) will not be issued.
What needs to be submitted with the Concurrency Application?
Completed Concurrency Application and Fees
To scale site plan
Vicinity map
Independent Trip Generation to be considered (if available).
All required information in the Concurrency Application must be filled out or the application will be returned.
Traffic Division staff will review the completeness of the application and contact the applicant if further
information is needed. The application will be vested at the time the Concurrency Application is deemed
complete.
How much is my concurrency permit application fees? And when do I pay this fee?
Application fees for the concurrency application will be based on the total new trips the development is estimated
to generate. The Public Works Department uses information provided (project size and land use type) in the pre-
application application to estimate the number of trips and the appropriate application fee as outlined in Table 1
below. Concurrency permit application fees must be paid concurrent with the underlying land use application
submittal. This fee may change if the proposed development is significantly different than the project scope as
provided in the preapplication application. At the applicant's discretion, the applicant may hire their own
Engineer licensed in the State of Washington to calculate the trip generation.
Table 1 – 2018 FW Concurrency Application Fee
Net New PM Peak Hour Trips Less than 10 11 - 50 51 - 500 Greater Than
500
Total Concurrency
Application Fee (2018 rates) $1,669.00 $4,790.00 $8,760.00 $14,044.00
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way WA 98003-6325
253-835-2700; Fax 253-835-2709
www.cityoffederalway.com
Am I finished with this process after I paid the concurrency permit application fee?
No. The concurrency review process is the first phase of your development project's process with the Public
Works Department. Once staff has completed the concurrency analysis, the applicant and/or owner will be
notified of the result (Pass or Fail). If the project “Passes” the concurrency test, staff will issue a Capacity
Reserve Certificate (CRC) allowing the project to proceed to other applicable development permit processes.
If the project “Fails” the concurrency test, staff will propose mitigation measure(s) to address the LOS
failure at that particular intersection(s). Examples of potential mitigation measures could be:
Construct turn lanes
Modify or construct a new traffic signal
Other traffic control measures (such as channelization improvements)
The applicant has 30 calendar days to review and response to staff proposed mitigation. Within that period,
the applicant must either accept staff recommended mitigation or propose alternative mitigation measures for
any LOS failure. Once an agreement has been reached on the mitigation measures, staff will issue a
Capacity Reserve Certificate (CRC), allowing the project to proceed with other applicable permit processes.
However, if the applicant fails to respond with the 30 days period, a “Denial” letter will be issue and the
project will not be approved.
If my project fails the concurrency test, what are my options?
1. Accept staff proposed mitigation measure(s),
2. Reduce the size of the development or change the type of uses to reduce the trip generation rate until
the standard is met;
3. Delay the application until additional improvements have been identified by the City in the 6-Year
(TIP) or constructed by others;
4. Propose appropriate mitigation to include Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures.
The proposed mitigation measures shall be constructed and approved concurrent with the
development, typically prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Depending on what option is chosen, the applicant may have to restart the concurrency application process
again.
Can I appeal the Concurrency Denial Notice?
Yes. The applicant may appeal the concurrency denial notice as part of the appeal process for the
underlying Development Permit application.
How long does a Capacity Reserve Certificate last?
As long as there is activity on the Development Permit and you do not change the trip generation
characteristics of the development (no increase in net new trips is incurred from a change in the project), the
CRC Certificate vests the development’s new trips for the life of the project. If the project's size changes
significantly as determine by the Public Works Department staff, the applicant may need to go through the
process again and pay another concurrency application fee.
What if my project changes?
Any thing that changes the trip generation rates can generate a need for an amendment to the process, and
this process may start over. If the trip generation is greater than 10% of the original estimated trip generated
rates the project will require an amendment and the process starts over. Please be conservative and as
specific about your project as you can. If you have any questions please ask.
What if I do not have a development permit ready for my project?
Staff can provide the same level of analysis as a feasibility study for the project. However, the estimated
trips generated by the project analyzed will not be reserved or vested. If you decide to proceed with the
project, staff will revise the analysis using any transferable data at our hourly rate.
Does this mean we will never have to prepare a Traffic Impact Analysis?
No. The Public Works staff will calculate your trips and identity impacts to the City Transportation
system. The following are examples of additional requirements the applicant may need to hire an
Engineer to complete:
Parking Demand and Utilization
Queuing and gap analysis
Specialized Land Use and Trip Generation
Sight Distance Analysis
Neighborhood Traffic Impacts
Design of Mitigation Improvements (such as signals, turn lanes, access, or new roads)
Traffic impacts over 100 trips in other peak hours (morning and weekends)
What is the Concurrency Permit Process?
A flow chart diagram of the process is depicted on the back page. If you have any additional questions,
please contact Sarady Long, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer (253) 835-2743 or
sarady.long@cityoffederalway.com.
E:\TR Media Information\Concurency Permit Process Rev. Jan2018.doc
CONCURRENCY PERMIT PROCESS
* Denotes tasks that may be prepared by the applicant. Staff reviews and approves all applicant-prepared materials.
Concurrency
Result
PASSED
CITY * proposes
mitigation for failing
intersections
FAIL
CITY issues
Concurrency Reserve
YES NO
CITY * performs trip
generation/assignment
CITY * performs
concurrency analysis
(START) - Applicant submit
Concurrency application with
appropriate fee
YES
To Development
Permit process
Applicant
accepts
mitigation?
Applicant
proposes
alternative
mitigation
CITY issues
Denial letter
NO