1102 Rhoton.docx
PRE-SUBMISSION NOTES
March 11, 2020
Samith Choun proposes to develop unimproved properties at 1102 Rhoton Road into an auto
wrecking yard, dismantling vehicles and selling parts. (Parcels 64300800301, 64300800302,
64300800303, & 64300800304). The property is zoned Industrial District (I).
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
As the proposal, as submitted, is an allowed use in the Industrial zoning 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.
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
Civil plans are required for the construction of driveways, parking areas, stormwater treatment
and public infrastructure. Civil plans must be prepared by an engineer licensed in the State of
Washington.
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.
CONSISTENCY WITH DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Potable Water
The property is located in the City of Yelm’s water service area, and is not currently connected to
City water service. There is an existing 8 inch water main located in Rhoton Road.
Connection to City water service is required. Water connections are based on a consumption
rate of 875 cubic feet a month. The Civil engineer shall provide estimated water calculations at
the time of civil plan review to determine the number of water connections needed to serve the
project. Any on site wells will need to be abandoned and any water rights associated 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 (reduced pressure backflow
assembly) installed on the water services. A list of approved devices can be found at Chapter
246-290-490 WAC. The backflow device is required to be installed after the meter and tested by
a certified backflow tester.
WASTE WATER
The property is located in the City of Yelm’s STEP sewer system service area, and is not connected
to the City of Yelm’s STEP sewer system. There is an existing 4 inch sewer main located in Rhoton
Road. Connection to City sewer service is required. Sewer connections are based on the water
consumption rate of 875 cubic feet a month.
Any on-site septic systems will need to be abandoned prior to site plan review approval.
Food preparation requires a grease interceptor to be installed. There are options for grease
interceptor size and location, based on the size of the use. The grease interceptor must be
designed by a licensed engineer and reviewed by the City. If additional water connections are
required, additional sewer connections will also be required.
STORM WATER
Stormwater 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.
Based on the limited information of the site plans submitted, it appears that the project may
trigger a Department of Ecology Industrial Stormwater General Permit and/or a Department of
Ecology Construction Stormwater General Permit (SWPPP).
Vehicle Recyclers: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/94146.pdf
Contact Douglas Howie @ Department of Ecology 360.407.6444
General Construction Permits: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/construction/
Contact Honor Carpenter @ Department of Ecology 360.407.7320
Please submit any letters of waivers or exemptions from the Department of Ecology with the
application submittal.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental review is required.
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.
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).
Flood Insurance Rate Maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicate
that a port of the property is within the 100 year floodplain of Yelm Creek.
The Critical Areas Code at Chapter 18.11 YMC and Chapter 18.21 YMC requires all new
development including structures, utilities, and other improvements, to be located outside the
100 year floodplain. The boundary of the floodplain will need to be established by a licensed
surveyor in the State of Washington and shown on civil construction plans. The proposal as
submitted shows buildings located outside the floodplain.
All of Yelm is considered a critical aquifer recharge area. Protection measures for development
within a critical aquifer recharge area are met through treating and disposing of stormwater
through an approved stormwater system.
TRANSPORTATION
Ingress and egress at the site shall be consistent with the Yelm Development Guidelines, Section
4B.140. Vehicular access into the site will need to be reviewed. The project will require a
commercial access per the Yelm Development Guidelines.
Frontage improvements are required for all new development within the city. Frontage
requirements for Rhoton Road include improvements as a Commercial Collector to include an
11’ travel lane, a 5’ shoulder, a 7’ planter strip, street lights, and 5’ sidewalk. According to
available records, right-of-way was dedicated during the short subdivision process.
Section 4B.080 (C) Yelm Development guidelines allows the City to determine when frontage
improvements are required, and under certain circumstances may permit deferral of installation
of such improvements to a later date.
PARKING
The requirements for off-street parking and their design shall be regarded as the minimum;
however, the owner, developer, or operator of the premises for which the parking facilities are
intended shall be responsible for providing adequate amounts and arrangement of space for the
particular premises even though such space is in excess of the minimum set forth.
Chapter 17.72 YMC requires industrial uses to provide one space per employee based on the
greatest number of employees on a single shift, plus one square foot parking per square foot of
display, and one space for each vehicle owned or operated by the company.
SITE DESIGN
Building setbacks are 15 feet from the rear, front and side yards. The maximum building height
is forty (40) feet.
Perimeter site landscaping consists of a standard eight foot strip with a combination of deciduous
and evergreen trees, and shrubs. Parking lot landscape includes planter islands and equal at least
24 square feet for each parking stall proposed. Any above ground stormwater shall incorporate
onsite landscaping.
Chain link fencing is not allowed when visible from a public right-of-way. Alternate fencing or
dense landscape barrier is required where chain link fencing is installed.
Service areas and outdoor storage shall be located away from neighboring properties and located
behind the building. No refuse container shall be permitted between a street and the front of a
building.
The refuse area must be large enough to accommodate a dumpster and recycle bin. Refuse areas
must be screened with an enclosure of a material and design compatible with the overall
architectural theme and landscaped consistent with the required perimeter landscaping.
Outdoor storage shall be maintained in an orderly manner consistent with good housekeeping
practices and shall be effectively fenced and screened from all residential areas and public rights
of way.
Mailboxes shall be cluster box units and located on site.
Blank walls must be treated through trellis and plantings, landscaping beds or other methods.
BUILDING
The building use when determined will be reviewed for life/ safety, seismic design, accessibility
and energy code requirements for its particular use.
Concurrently with Site Plan Review two sets of building and accessory building elevations must
be submitted for review of the building for consistency with the Design Guidelines.
FEES & CHARGES
LAND USE REVIEW
Administrative Site Plan Review $750
CIVIL PLAN REVIEW
City Staff Review $250
Consultant Review Actual Cost
BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW
Sewer SDC (per ERU) $6,394
Water SDC (per ERU) $6,725
Traffic Impact Fee (per new Peak PM Trip) $1,497
Fire Impact Fee (per square foot of building) 0.36
These notes are based solely on the site plan and description submitted March, 2020. 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 proposal.