411 Yelm Ave W OlyKirk LLC (2)
Pre-Submission Notes
August 29, 2018
Keith Stottlemyre has proposed to redevelop the property at 411 Yelm Avenue West. The project
would demolish the existing residence and construction of a retail building with onsite parking.
Mr. Stottlemyre has proposed two options, one with the building fronting Yelm Avenue, and the
other with buildings along the western property line and restricted access from Yelm Avenue.
Process
The approval process from initial concept to final occupancy consists of three steps: land use
review, civil plan review, and building life/safety review.
LAND USE
The removal of the home requires a demolition permit from the Olympic Region Clean Air
Authority. Once this permit is issued, the City can issue the City demolition permit.
As the proposal, as submitted, is an allowed use in the Central Business District, the project would
be approved through the administrative site plan review process. The administrative site plan
review process allows notification of the application to surrounding property owners, but does
not trigger a public hearing. A complete application will be routed to the City Public Works
Department, Thurston County, and other state agencies (including the Department of
Transportation) for comment. The proposal at some point may trigger environmental review if
the project requires any landfill/excavation for 1,000 cubic years throughout the project.
After the review process, City staff will begin to craft the approval. A typical approval includes
conditions designed to ensure the proposal is consistent with the development standards of the
City. The project can only be denied if it will have significant environmental impacts or is
inconsistent with City, County, or State development regulations.
The administrative site plan review process typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks. The decision
may be appealed to the City's Hearing Examiner.
CIVIL PLAN REVIEW
The City reviews site construction plans for constructability and consistency with the City's
engineering standards and details. Civil construction plans detail all the proposed site
improvements down to the size of water and sewer lines and the location of the water meter.
Civil plans must be prepared by an engineer licensed in the State of Washington.
The City uses a third party peer review service as well as a review by City staff. A first review
typically takes 3 to 4 weeks. Additional reviews may be needed depending on the quality of the
initial plans set.
BUILDING LIFE/SAFETY
Yelm has adopted the International Building Codes and reviews building plans for life/safety and
consistency per these codes, as adopted by Washington State. Electrical permits and inspections
are through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
A first review of structural plans typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Additional reviews may be needed
depending on the quality of the initial plan sets.
Consistency with Development Standards
POTABLE WATER
The site is currently served by City water. There is an AC line in the alley that will need upgraded
to a poly line along the property frontage. Complete details of this upgrade may be dependent
upon fire flow and proposed usage in the new building.
Water connections are based on the use of 875 cubic feet of water usage per month. An
engineer’s calculation of proposed water usage will be required at the time of tenant
improvement to determine if additional water connections will be required.
Any wells onsite must be decommissioned pursuant to Washington Department of Ecology
standards, and water rights dedicated to the City.
All commercial buildings and irrigation systems are required to provide for cross-connection
control through the provisions of a back flow prevention device (RPBA) installed on the water
service and a Double Check Valve Assembly on irrigation meters. A list of approved devices can
be found at Chapter 246-290-490 WAC.
The City currently has a limited number of water connections available for development,
although we are pursuing additional water rights and investing in water system infrastructure to
increase capacity. If the City does not have sufficient approved water connections at the time a
building permit for the proposed development is ready to issue, the permit will be denied until
additional water resources are available.
WASTE WATER
The site is connected to City sewer service. The STEP tank will have to be upgraded to a Class 1
Division 1 Commercial tank with a 2inch service line connecting to the main located in the alley.
Typically, each building would be served by a single STEP tank. The engineer preparing the civil
plans will determine the appropriate size and placement for these tanks, which have to be
assessable to City staff and protected from damage. STEP tank location may impact the design
and layout of the project. Sewer connections are based on water usage of 875 cf per month.
Any commercial use that potentially generates Fats, Oils, or Greases (FOG) are required to
remove FOG from the wastewater before it enters the STEP tank. The City encourages your
engineer to consider the potential future uses of the general retail buildings and incorporate
appropriate measures to remove FOG during the design of the project.
Any onsite septic systems must be abandoned pursuant to Thurston County Department of
Health standards.
STORM WATER
The City does not operate a storm water collection and treatment system, so storm water must
be collected, treated, and infiltrated on the project site. The engineer preparing the civil plans
will determine the required level of treatment and will prepare a storm water plan to the City for
review as part of the civil plan review process. The City has adopted the most recent version of
the Washington State Department of Ecology Storm Water Manual.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Maps indicate the property contains soils moderately suitable as habitat for the Mazama Pocket
Gopher, a protected species listed on the Washington Priority Species and Habitat List as well as
the Federal Threatened Species List.
As part of the land use review process, City staff will conduct a site investigation. If there is
evidence of pocket gopher activity on the property, a critical areas report would then be required
before the permit is processed. If a critical areas report is required, it must be prepared by a
qualified professional.
Compliance with Yelm’s requirements under the Critical Areas Code does not ensure compliance
with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act, and a federal permit may be required if pocket
gophers are found on the property. This permit would be issued through the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (360.753.5823).
TRANSPORTATION
Yelm Development regulations require all new and expanded developments to improve street
frontages to current City standards. Yelm Avenue West (SR 510) is considered an Urban Arterial
and includes a center turn lane, an 11’ traffic lane, a 5’ bike lane, 8’ planter strip and 6’ sidewalk.
While frontage improvements are required for all new development in the City, partial
improvements are typically not encouraged and a deferral would be considered for the Yelm
Avenue frontage.
Ingress and egress at the site shall be consistent with the Yelm Development Guidelines, Section
4B.140. It is likely that direct access from Yelm Avenue (SR 510) will not be allowed due to the
lack of center turn lane or barrier to prevent left hand turns. Access would, therefore, be from
the alley, which would have to be improved and posted one way.
SITE DESIGN
The Unified Development Code includes standards for parking lot design and landscaping,
requires adequately sized service areas for commercial uses, pedestrian access between
buildings, corner enhancements, and mailbox clusters on site.
Retail establishments are required to provide one parking space for every 250 square feet of
gross floor area, and one parking space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area for
professional offices.
Full size parking spaces are 9 feet in width by 20 feet in length and require a 23 foot drive aisle.
Parking shall be arranged as to make it unnecessary for a vehicle to back out into the street or
public right of way.
Landscaping is required around the perimeter of the sight and within parking areas. The
perimeter landscape areas are 8 feet in width. Services areas are to be located away from street
frontages, and effectively screened. Mailboxes are to be cluster box units located on site.
BUILDING DESIGN
The Central Business District does not have specific building setback requirements.
The Unified Development code provides several ways to meet building design standards such as
attractive street edges and pedestrian amenities. Buildings at street corners should provide
architectural elements and corner locations to include a decorative screen wall. Service areas
and biofiltration swales are to be located to the rear of the property unless incorporated as a
water feature. All buildings and activities should provide pedestrian connections that are ADA
compliant. Building details include modulated roof lines, building facades, treatment for blank
walls, and approved building materials.
Fees & Charges
LAND USE REVIEW
Administrative Site Plan Review $750
SEPA $150
CIVIL PLAN REVIEW
City Staff Review $250
Consultant Review Actual Cost
BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW
Plan Review Based on value
Building Permit Based on value
Sewer SDC (per non residential ERU) $6,394
Water SDC (per non residential ERU) $6,490
Traffic Impact Fee (per new Peak PM Trip) $1,497
These notes are based solely on the site plan and description submitted August, 2018. They are
meant to map out the process for approval and to point out any potential conflicts with City
standards and are NOT meant to fully review the proposed project with all regulations.