14334 Yelm Ave Buddhist Temple
May 4, 2021
Delicia Durden, Administrative Assistant
Resource Stewardship Department
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502-6045
Re: Project #2021102093 Presubmission for Buddhist Temple Parcel 21713320200, 14334 Yelm Avenue SE, Yelm, WA
Dear Ms. Durden:
Thank you for the opportunity to review the above referenced presubmission application by Swalling Walk Architects to expand the existing Buddhist Temple on parcel 21713320200, 14334
SE Yelm Avenue, Yelm, WA.
As the property is within Yelm’s urban growth area, development should be consistent with the requirements of the Yelm Unified Development Code as well as Thurston County design standards.
The property is pre-zoned Moderate Density Residential upon annexation into the City of Yelm. This zoning district allows churches and places of worship as a special use within the
district.
Pursuant to Thurston County County-wide Planning Policy III.3.2(f), coordination occurs through developing, and ensuring the enforcement of, agreements between Thurston County and the
cities and towns within its borders, that ensure development occurring within unincorporated urban growth areas is consistent with City utility and storm water planning and conforms
to the development standards and road/street level of service standards of the associated city or town.
The Yelm Unified Development Code should consider frontage improvements to Yelm Avenue consistent with The City of Yelm Urban Arterial standards, with access reviewed for safety and
distance to adjacent streets. The City specifically requests the opportunity to review and comment on any traffic analysis and civil construction plans in regard to access. Building
setbacks and screening from adjoining uses should be considered.
All of Yelm is considered a critical aquifer recharge area and the City requires the treatment and infiltration of stormwater in a manner approved by the City of Yelm. The City has adopted
the most recent Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington published by the Washington Department of Ecology which requires that stormwater generated from development be treated
for sediments before infiltration.
The South Thurston County Coordinated Water System Plan adopted by the City of Yelm and Thurston County limits the approval of new water systems in the Yelm Water Service Area, which
includes the entire UGA, to satellite systems approved and managed by the city of Yelm. It appears that the existing well is to be upgraded to a Group B system. It would be appropriate
to address this, and other site planning issues through the land use permitting process
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at tamim@yelmwa.gov.
Sincerely,
/
Tami Merriman, Associate Planner
Community Development Department