Final Response Letter to Applicant 11102019-105382-00-AD Doc. I.D. 80931
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 33325 8th Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
253-835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
Jongwon Woo Hwang & Eui Hwang November 10, 2020
32604 45th Court SW
Federal Way, WA 98023
jongwon0109@gmail.com
Re: File #19-105382-00-AD; 3RD PARTY WETLAND REVIEW
Hwang Property, 32604 45th Court SW, Federal Way
Dear Jongwon Woo and Eui Hwang:
On November 8, 2019, the City of Federal Way received your request for third party review of the August 7, 2018, Wetland
and Stream Delineation Report, prepared by The Watershed Company. The city responded with a December 16, 2019, technical
comment letter requesting revisions prior to conducting the peer review. On March 3, 2020, the city received a revised
Wetland and Stream Delineation Report, prepared by the Watershed Company.
The city forwarded your request to our wetland consultant, Landau, for their review. Landau completed a site visit, reviewed
relevant documents, and prepared an August 5, 2020, memorandum in which they agreed with the delineated boundaries
and ratings of the wetlands, and the ordinary high-water mark and water type of Joes Creek included in the January 2020
Report. In addition, the memorandum detailed revisions to the report that were requested.
A revised report was received by the city on October 1, 2020, and routed to Landau. Landau reviewed relevant documents,
and prepared a November 5, 2020, memorandum in which they agree with the delineated boundary and wetland ratings
and stream type determinations presented in the September 2020 Report, which are, Wetland A (Category III, 150-foot
buffer); Wetland B (Category III, 80-foot buffer); Wetland C (Category III, 80-foot buffer); and Joe’s Creek (Type F, 100-
foot buffer). The city concurs with this determination. As a reminder, Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) requires a five-foot
building setback from critical area buffers per FWRC 19.145.160.
The city’s critical areas review has concluded. When you apply for future permits, include a copy of this letter with your submittal.
Application for a short plat requires wetlands, streams, and their buffers to be placed in tracts in accordance with FWRC
19.145.150, and evaluation of existing altered buffer extents in accordance with FWRC 19.145.270(4) and/or 19.145.440(4).
The property contains a home, driveway, and accessory structures. For reference, per FWRC 19.145.440(4) and 19.145.270(4),
the director may provide written approval for a wetland or stream buffer reduction when existing conditions are such that
portions of the required buffer exist in a permanently altered state (e.g., roadways, paved parking lots, and permanent structures)
and do not provide any buffer function. The buffer may be reduced up to the area where the altered conditions exist.
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 phone (253-835-2607), or by electronic submittal (Document Upload Link or
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/node/4588). 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.
Should you have any questions about this letter, please contact me at 253-835-2634, or stacey.welsh@cityoffederalway.com.
Sincerely,
Stacey Welsh, AICP
Planning Manager
enc: November 5, 2020, Memorandum from Landau
c: Kevin Peterson, Senior Engineering Plans Reviewer
Mr. Steve Joo, S.J. Architects, steve.joo@hotmail.com