Davita Modification ApprovalCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 33325 8th Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
253-835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
July 21, 2020
Mr. Todd Olson
McGranahan Architects
2111 Pacific Avenue, Suite 100
Tacoma, WA 98402
todd.olson@mcgranahan.com
Re: File #20-102279-AD; REQUEST TO MODIFY CONDITION OF UP I APPROVAL
DaVita Business Office Parking & Landscaping Modification, 32275 32nd Avenue South, Federal Way
Dear Mr. Olson:
The city is in receipt of your request received on June 24, 2020, for the Community Development Director to
revise condition of approval #2 (listed below) of the Use Process I approval for the DaVita Business Office
Parking & Landscaping Modification (September 12, 2019, city file 19-103604-UP) and for the addition of
metal walkway covers to the site.
Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.15.090(3) states:
“(3) A request to modify a process I through IV approval, an approved site plan or a condition of
approval for a proposal that has been approved through processes I through IV must be
submitted in writing to the director of community and economic development and/or the hearing
examiner based upon the level of the underlying approved use process review. The director
and/or hearing examiner shall have the discretion to approve those requests that are consistent
with city codes. The director or hearing examiner may require notice to parties of record and/or
adjacent property owners as deemed appropriate. Any requests to the hearing examiner must be
submitted through the department of community and economic development.”
The request asks for condition for approval #2 to be reconsidered. Condition #2 is as follows:
2. The two new pedestrian pathways shall be continuous with a distinct pavement texture and color
that extends across drive aisles.
In addition, DaVita has requested that aluminum covers be added to the connecting walkways in the parking
islands, which were not proposed as part of the Use Process I submittal. The prefabricated metal walkway
covers are intended to provide weather protection for employees traveling between the existing and newly
constructed DaVita buildings. DaVita believes the visual impact of the canopies in the parking islands along
with high-visibility white paint stripes at the drive aisle crossings will provide a safe environment for their
employees and other site users, while avoiding the disruption to parking access that would be required to
replace pavement with new concrete crossings at drive aisles.
Mr. Todd Olson
Page 2 of 3
July 21, 2020
20-102279-00-AD Doc. I.D. 80607
ANALYSIS
This property is subject to the provisions of the Weyerhaeuser Company Concomitant Pre-Annexation
Development Agreement (CZA) and Office Park Zone (OP-1) zoning regulations in effect on August 23,
1994 (Federal Way City Code [FWCC]). Any procedural requirements must meet today’s codes (FWRC Title 19).
The four proposed aluminum walkway covers are approximately 7 feet wide by 36 feet long by 10 feet tall.
They are proposed to be placed over the portion of the walkways in the parking islands. They will not require
removal of parking spaces or required landscaping. The covers meet the 20-foot side and rear yard setbacks
off of the eastern and southern property lines per FWCC 22-826.
Proposed projects in the city are subject to the following FWRC design guidelines:
“FWRC 19.115.050(4)(b) – Pedestrian pathways and pedestrian areas should be delineated by
separate paved routes using a variation in paved texture and color, and protected from
abutting vehicle circulation areas with landscaping. Approved methods of delineation
include: stone, brick or granite pavers; exposed aggregate; or stamped and colored concrete.
Paint striping on asphalt as a method of delineation is not encouraged; and (c) Pedestrian
connections should be provided between properties to establish pedestrian links to adjacent
buildings, parking, pedestrian areas and public rights-of-way.”
While the pedestrian connection proposal on the existing DaVita site is exempt from the current code’s design
guidelines, the site and surrounding properties in East Campus already contain this feature. In addition, the
FWCC states that one of the purposes of site plan review is, “To encourage proposals that embody good
design principles that will result in high quality development on the Subject property.” The new DaVita
building project was encouraged to incorporate the current code’s design guidelines to the extent possible. The
proposed DaVita building and parking lot sites include continuous pedestrian paths with a distinct pavement
texture and/or color that extends across drive aisles.
As stated in Finding of Fact #6 from the Use Process I decision (city file 19-103604-UP):
The submittal indicates the two new pedestrian pathways will be sidewalks constructed in widened landscape
islands with crosswalk striping between the islands. A condition of approval will require the two new
pedestrian pathways to be continuous with a distinct pavement texture and color that extends across drive
aisles. This is similar to other pedestrian pathways associated with the existing and proposed DaVita sites
and surrounding developments that have implemented this feature in their site design.
The addition of canopies in the parking area landscaping/walkway does not remove the need, or substitute for
the pavement treatment on the drive aisles. Regarding the stated interest in removing the pavement treatment
requirement due to disruption to parking access that would be required to replace pavement with new concrete
crossings at drive aisles, this requirement has been known since the Use Process I decision was issued in
September 2019. Due to the COVID pandemic, many businesses have had employees working from home for
months with customers being served remotely. There has been opportunity for this condition to be met with
minimal inconvenience to the applicant. As a result, and in consideration of the analysis above, the condition
will not be eliminated. The conditions of approval for the Use Process I decision (city file 19-103604-UP)
remain in effect and unchanged. The walkway covers are approved and will require a building permit.
Mr. Todd Olson
Page 3 of 3
July 21, 2020
20-102279-00-AD Doc. I.D. 80607
The Department of Community Development is implementing safety protocols and modifying our services.
As a result, our doors will remain closed for in-person business. Staff will be able to serve customers
electronically by email (permitcenter@cityoffederalway.com), by electronic submittal (Document Upload Link
or https://www.cityoffederalway.com/node/4588), or by phone (253-835-2607). This practice is intended to
help protect our citizens, customers, and staff from potential exposure to the virus. We thank you for your
understanding in this matter.
If you have questions regarding this response contact Principal Planner Stacey Welsh at 253-835-2634, or
stacey.welsh@cityoffederalway.com.
Sincerely,
Brian Davis
Community Development Director
Digitally Signed July 21, 2020, at 11:49 AM
Enc: Parking & Paving Plan (Sheet RD-01)
Elevation Drawing (Shortways with Beams)
c: Stacey Welsh, Senior Planner
Greg Kirk, Plans Examiner
Kevin Peterson, Senior Engineering Plans Reviewer
Arthur Richey, arthur.richey@davita.com
Todd J. Weiss, VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P., ARC TRSEAWA001, LLC
2325 East Camelback Road, 9th Floor, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, realestate@vereit.com