21-103988-Application Narrative-09-27-2021-V1Plan Amendment Application – Narrative, James K. Lee
1
James K. Lee
Birch Crest Apartments
PO Box 358,
Mercer Island, WA 98040
August 16, 2021
Community Development Department
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal WA, WA 98003-6325
To Whom it may concern,
I am applying for a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone for three contiguous subject
parcels of: 0821049167, 0821049076 & 0821049074 totaling approximately 4.03 acres
(hereinafter PROPERTY). The respective site addresses are 30901, 31001, and 31200 1st Ave S
in the city of Federal Way. All three parcels are presently forested and undeveloped. The
PORPERTY borders to the west 1st Avenue and to the south S 312th Street. A vicinity map is
illustrated below.
The PROPERTY’s current and proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations are
summarized in the table below.
Comprehensive Plan Zoning
Existing Single Family, High Density RS 7.2
Proposed Multi-Family RM 1800
Plan Amendment Application – Narrative, James K. Lee
2
The figures below illustrate the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Maps.
The proposal seeks to redesignate the subject parcels from Single Family, High Density to Multi-
Family, consistent with the property just south and northwest of the site (brown parcels).
Subject
Properties
Plan Amendment Application – Narrative, James K. Lee
3
The proposal seeks to rezone the subject parcels from RS 7.2 to RM 1800 to allow multi-family,
consistent with a property just northwest (dark orange). Furthermore, additional RM 2400 multi-
family zoning exists just south of the subject parcels (light orange).
Subject
Properties
Plan Amendment Application – Narrative, James K. Lee
4
Intent & Background
The PROPERTY was purchased in mid-2018 and has since remained undeveloped. In the time
since our ownership, we have struggled to keep vagrants and homeless activity off-site. This is a
consistent problem that impacts our neighbors, the community, and our property. Considerable
time and resources have been used in an effort to clean, secure, and keep activity from occurring
on the property. The community has even organized one or two clean-ups under the leadership of
neighbor Ken Blevens.
The proposed map amendments and subsequent land development would clean up the area,
improve safety, and provide much needed housing opportunities within the City.
In relation to the criteria listed below:
A. The effect upon the physical environment.
The parcels are currently undeveloped and would subsequently be developed into
proposed multi-family buildings. Any development would conform to the latest City
standards and environmental review so as to minimize the effect on the environment.
B. The effect on open space, streams, and lakes.
There are no lakes or known streams located on-site that would be impacted. While the
land is presently undeveloped, it is forested and secured in an attempt to keep out
homeless activity. Any new proposed development would adhere to current City
standards for open space inclusion.
C. The compatibility with and impact on adjacent land uses and surrounding neighborhoods.
The proposal for multifamily is consistent with the surrounding land uses which are
primarily residential. Moreover, a parcel northwest of the site is zoned Multi-Family (RM
1800) while directly south of the subject property are zoned multifamily (RM 2400).
D. The adequacy of and impact on community facilities including utilities, roads, public
transportation, parks, recreation, and schools.
Proper technical analysis and reports would be prepared to evaluate any impact to the
City’s surrounding infrastructure. However, any development would include frontage
improvements to address infrastructure needs, including an approximate 500-foot missing
segment of sidewalk along 1st Avenue S. The PROPERTY is also within walking
distance to Lake Grove Elementary School and King County Transit Route 901.
E. The benefit to the neighborhood, city, and region.
The rezone and subsequent development would provide neighborhood benefit by
eliminating the persistent homeless activity that occurs on-site. Further benefits to the
city and region in the form of increased affordable housing in an effort to address the
Plan Amendment Application – Narrative, James K. Lee
5
current housing shortage and growing population in the area. With a finite land supply,
increasing the allowed density can address the housing shortage needs and reduce urban
sprawl.
F. The quantity and location of land planned for the proposed land use type and density and
the demand for such land.
Per the City’s housing targets and the Growth Management Act (GMA), additional
housing units are needed to meet demands. Chiefly, more affordable units that are
accessible to all demographics are needed. By allowing an increased density in the form
of RM 1800, costs per unit decrease which typically translates into more affordable rent
for prospective tenants. RM 1800 is available along 1st Avenue just northwest of the
PROPERTY and further south (south of S 320th Street).
G. The current and projected population density in the area.
The City is experiencing population growth as depicted in the graph below taken from the
City of Federal Way Comprehensive Plan:
As shown, the City is currently and continued to expect an increasing population rate.
With more population, additional housing units will be needed to accommodate demand.
Plan Amendment Application – Narrative, James K. Lee
6
H. The effect upon other aspects of the comprehensive plan.
We’re willing to work alongside the City to build and design a project that preserves the
neighborhood and allows for more diverse unit types in the area. According to LUG4 in the
City’s Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 2,
Provide a wide range of housing types and densities commensurate with market demand,
adopted housing targets, and the community’s needs and preferences.
And from the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 5,
Preserve, protect, and enhance Federal Way’s existing high quality residential
neighborhoods and promote a variety of opportunities to meet the housing needs of all
residents of the community and region.
The proposed comprehensive plan amendment and rezone is aligned with the City’s goals
and policies and would be designed to meet all current standards while achieving more
housing units for a growing population. We look forward to this opportunity in working
alongside the City to develop these parcels.
Best,
James K. Lee
Owner, Birch Crest Apartments
Jimlamlee08@gmail.com