Woodbridge B ApprovalCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 33325 8th Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
253-835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
Mr. Eric LaBrie July 6, 2021
ESM Consulting Engineers, LLC
33400 8th Avenue South, Suite 205
Federal Way, WA 98003
eric.labrie@esmcivil.com
Re: File #17-104236-UP; PROCESS III PROJECT APPROVAL
Woodbridge Building “B”; 3120 South 344th Street, Federal Way
Dear Mr. LaBrie:
The Community Development Department has completed an administrative land use review of the proposed
Woodbridge Building “B” (formerly Greenline Warehouse “B”) project located at 3120 South 344th Street.
The applicant proposes the construction of a 45-foot-tall, 214,050 square-foot general commodity warehouse
with 245 parking spaces, and associated site work, including wetland fill, on a 16.85-acre site (parcel
6142600200), along with improvements to the right-of-way for Weyerhaeuser Way South.
In a February 8, 2019, letter you requested that the Greenline Warehouse “B” project now be referred to as
Woodbridge Building “B.” They are the same project and any reference to Greenline Warehouse “B” should
be considered as a reference to Woodbridge Building “B.”
The Process III Master Land Use application submitted September 1, 2017, with subsequent resubmittals of
September 11, 2017, September 29, 2017, June 28, 2018, July 10, 2018, August 15, 2018, September 18, 2018,
October 9, 2018, February 12, 2019, and July 30, 2020, is hereby approved with conditions based on the enclosed
findings of fact, incorporated into this decision in full, and the following conclusions based on those facts:
1. The proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan;
2. As conditioned, the proposal is consistent with applicable zoning regulations in effect on
August 23, 1994 (Federal Way City Code [FWCC]), and procedural requirements of the current
code (Federal Way Revised Code [FWRC]);
3. As conditioned, the proposal is consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare;
4. As conditioned, the streets and utilities in the area of the subject property are adequate to
serve the anticipated demand from the proposal;
5. As conditioned, the proposed access to the subject property is at the optimal location and
configuration; and
6. As conditioned, traffic safety impacts for all modes of transportation, both on and off-site,
are adequately mitigated.
The remainder of this letter outlines the land-use review process required for this particular site improvement;
summarizes the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process; lists conditions of the land use decision; and provides
other procedural information. This land-use decision does not authorize the initiation of construction activities.
REVIEW PROCESS
The proposal is subject to the provisions of the 1994 Weyerhaeuser Company Concomitant Pre-Annexation
Development Agreement (CZA) and zoning regulations in effect on August 23, 1994 (FWCC). Any
procedural requirements must meet the current code (FWRC). The site is within the Corporate Park (CP-1)
zoning district. Warehousing, distribution, and corporate offices are permitted uses in this zone according to
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17-104236-UP Doc ID 81256
CZA Exhibit C, Section VII. The proposed uses, not exempt from SEPA, are procedurally reviewed under
Use Process III, Project Approval. The Director of Community Development makes a written decision on the
application based on the criteria listed under FWRC 19.65.100.
SEPA PROCESS
The City of Federal Way issued a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) on October 9, 2020,
according to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 197-11-350. Following the review of the environmental
checklist, the city determined the proposal, with appropriate mitigation, would not have a probable significant
adverse impact on the environment, an Environmental Impact Statement would not be required, and SEPA-based
mitigation is necessary. A SEPA appeal was filed on November 12, 2020. The SEPA appeal hearing will occur
after issuance of the Use Process III decision and expiration of its associated appeal period. The SEPA
mitigation measures have been incorporated into the Use Process III conditions of approval, listed below.
PRIOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Both concerning the city’s Use Process III review and the corollary SEPA analysis for the Woodbridge
Building “B” proposal, the city has carefully considered and has been guided by, as applicable, the prior
administrative and judicial decisions issued concerning the applicant’s adjacent Building “A” proposal.
Without limitation of the foregoing, the city has been appropriately informed by the Hearing Examiner’s
September 12, 2019, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Final Decision, and the Examiner’s October
29, 2019, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision on Reconsideration in Cause No. HEX 18-003;
19-001, as well as the King County Superior Court’s June 10, 2020, Order Denying Land Use Petitions in
Consolidated Case No. 19-2-30502–9 KNT.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval, which are listed in Finding of Fact #37 in Exhibit “A,” are reasonably necessary, and
are proportionately tailored, to eliminate or minimize any undesirable effects of granting application approval.
BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
This Process III land use decision does not constitute a building permit or authorize clearing/grading activities.
See the enclosed Commercial Building Permit Checklist. If you have any questions regarding building permit
submittal, please contact the Permit Center at permitcenter@cityoffederalway.com or 253-835-2607.
REQUESTS FOR CHANGE OF VALUATION
Per FWRC 19.65.100(4)(i), affected property owners may request a change in valuation for property tax
purposes, notwithstanding any program of revaluation.
APPROVAL DURATION
Per FWRC 19.15.100(2), “. . .the applicant must substantially complete construction for the development
activity, use of land, or other actions approved and complete the applicable conditions listed in the use
process III decision within five years after the final decision of the city on the matter, or the decision
becomes void. If a land-use petition is filed under Chapter 36.70C RCW in King County superior court, the
time limits of this section are automatically extended by the length of time between the commencement and
final termination of that litigation. If the development activity, use of land, or other action approved under
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17-104236-UP Doc ID 81256
this chapter includes phased construction, the time limits of this section may be extended in the decision on
the application, to allow for completion of subsequent phases.” Time extensions to the decision may be
requested before the lapse of approval following the provisions listed in FWRC 19.15.110.
APPEALS
Per FWRC 19.05.360, the effective date of issuance is three calendar days following the date of this letter, or
July 9, 2021. According to FWRC 19.65.120(1), this land-use decision may be appealed by the applicant, any
person who submitted written comments or information, any person who has specifically requested a copy of
the decision, or the city. According to FWRC 19.65.120(2), a written notice of appeal must be delivered to the
Community Development Department within 14 calendar days after issuance of the decision of the director,
or July 23, 2021. The appeal must be accompanied by cash or a check, payable to the City of Federal Way, in
the amount of the fee as established by the city. The notice of appeal must contain a statement identifying the
decision being appealed, along with a copy of the decision; a statement of the alleged errors in the director’s
decision, including identification of specific factual findings and conclusions of the director disputed by the
person filing the appeal; and the appellant’s name, address, telephone number and fax number, and any other
information to facilitate communications with the appellant. Appeals are governed by process IV (Federal
Way Hearing Examiner).
CLOSING
This land-use decision does not waive compliance with future City of Federal Way codes, policies, and
standards relating to this development. If you have any questions regarding this decision, please contact
Principal Planner Stacey Welsh at 253-835-2634 or stacey.welsh@cityoffederalway.com.
Sincerely,
Digitally Signed July 6, 2021, at 8:00 AM
Brian Davis
Community Development Director
enc: Exhibit “A,” Findings for Project Approval
Right-of-Way Modification Letter from City of Federal Way to ESM Consulting Engineers, June 22, 2018
Commercial Building Permit Checklist
Approved Elevations
Approved Site Plan
Approved Landscape Plan
c: Stacey Welsh, Principal Planner
Ann Dower, Senior Engineering Plans Reviewer
Rob Van Orsow, Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator
Sarady Long, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer
Brian Asbury, Lakehaven Water & Sewer District
Sean Nichols, South King Fire & Rescue
Duffy McColloch, WSDOT, mccolld@wsdot.wa.gov
John Wilson, King County Assessor, #ADM-AS-0708, 500 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, assessor.info@kingcounty.gov
Dana Ostenson, dostenson@irg.cc
Nohely Moreno, nohely.moreno@esmcivil.com
UP III Commenters
SEPA Commenters