14334 Yelm Ave Buddhist Temple (2)
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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