20130108 NOD 08232013
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
105 Yelm Avenue West
Yelm, WA 98597
360-458-3835
NOTICE OF DECISION
DATE: August 23, 2013
PROJECT NAME: Rochester Short Plat
nd
PROJECT LOCATION: 108 2 Street SE, Yelm, WA 98597
PARCEL NUMBER: 6440070110
20130108
CASE NUMBER:
N
that the Community Development Department issued a short
OTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
subdivision approval to Richard and Thelma Rochester, in order to subdivide one parcel
into two parcels, at the above referenced location.
The complete decision may be viewed on the City’s website at www.ci.yelm.wa.us and
choosing ‘Agendas/Notices’ and ‘Public Notices’ from the menu system. A copy of the
decision may also be obtained at the Community Development Department in City Hall
at 105 Yelm Avenue West, Yelm, WA 98597 during normal business hours for a fee of
15 cents per page. For additional information, please contact the Community
Development Department at 360-458-3835.
STAFF REPORT
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
Case Number: 20130108 Rochester Short Plat
Applicant: Richard & Thelma Rochester
th
4810 45 Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Agent: Butler Surveying, Inc
PO Box 149
Chehalis, WA 98532
Request: Subdivide one parcel into two lots.
Recommendation: Approval, with conditions
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to subdivide an approximately .6020 sq. ft. parcel into 2
single-family residential lots. The property is zoned Central Business District (CBD),
which allows for residential development on existing lots of record one acre or less.
Property Characteristics
nd
The property is located at 108 2 Street SE, Yelm, WA 98597. The property is
currently identified by Assessor Tax Parcel Number 64400701100.
The property has been used for residential purposes, with two existing homes. One of
.
the homes sustained substantial damage due to a fire, and must be demolished The
surrounding properties are zoned Central Business District (CBD) with commercial
development to the west and south, and residential uses to the east and north.
Notice of Application
Notice of this application was mailed to state and local agencies, and property owners
within 300 feet of the project site on July 26, 2013.
Washington State Department of Ecology noted that if contamination occurs during the
proposed SEPA action, testing must be conducted, and clearing of one or more acres of
soil survey may require a NPDES permit. As this project is exempt from SEPA
environmental review, and the parcel is less than one acre, nothing is required to
address these comments.
State Environmental Policy Act
This short subdivision is exempt from SEPA environmental review pursuant to Section
197-11-800(6)(a) WAC.
Concurrency
Chapter 15.40 YMC requires the reviewing authority to determine that required urban
infrastructure is available at the time of development. Concurrency means the facilities
necessary to serve a proposed development are in place or planned for and properly
funded with a reasonable expectation that the facilities will be in place at the time
needed to preserve adopted levels of service.
Concurrency with sewer infrastructure is achieved pursuant to Section 15.40.020 (B)(1)
YMC when the project is within an area approved for sewer pursuant to the adopted
sewer comprehensive plan for the city and improvements necessary to provide city
standard facilities and services are present to meet the needs of the proposed
development.
The project is within the sewer service area and is currently connected to the City STEP
sewer system. Improvements required to serve the project will be specifically identified
during civil plan review and will have to be installed by the developer and approved by
the City prior to final Short Subdivision approval. This satisfies the requirement for
concurrency with sewer infrastructure.
Concurrency with water infrastructure is achieved pursuant to Section 15.40.020 (B)(2)
YMC when the project is within an area approved for municipal water service pursuant
to the adopted water comprehensive plan for the city and improvements necessary to
provide city standard facilities and services are present.
The project is within Yelm’s water service area and is currently connected to the City’s
water system. This satisfies the requirement for concurrency with water infrastructure.
Staff Report Page 3 of 9
Concurrency with transportation infrastructure is achieved pursuant to Section
15.40.020 (B)(5) YMC when the project:
Makes on-site and frontage improvements consistent with city standards and
roads necessary to serve the proposed project consistent with safety and public
interest;
Makes such off-site facility improvements, not listed on the capital facilities plan,
as are necessary to meet city standards for the safe movement of traffic and
pedestrians attributable to the project;
Makes a contribution to the facilities relating to capacity improvements identified
in the adopted six-year traffic improvement program, in the form of a
transportation facility charge.
nd
Frontage improvements for 2 Street SE and Jefferson Avenue are required to be
constructed to current standards. The applicant has requested a deferral of the above
frontage improvements.
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.
The City has adopted a Transportation Facility Charge (TFC) of $1,321.00 per pm peak
trip. Traffic Facility Charges are applied at the time of building permit issuance. These
conditions satisfy the requirement for concurrency with transportation infrastructure.
Concurrency with Fire Protection is achieved pursuant to Section 15.40.020 (6) YMC
when the developer makes a contribution to the fire protection facilities as identified in
the most current version of the capital facilities plan adopted by the SE Thurston
Regional Fire Authority and endorsed by resolution of the Yelm City Council. The
Council has waived the fire impact fee by Resolution 533 until the SE Thurston Regional
Fire Authority establishes a region wide impact fee. This fee is subject to change by
City Council resolution and is collected at the time of building permit issuance.
Concurrency with school infrastructure is achieved pursuant to Section 15.40.020(B)(4)
YMC when the developer provides a letter from the local school district that the school
facilities impacted by the proposed development are present, or are on an approved
and funded plan, to assure that facilities will be available to meet the needs and impacts
of the proposed development.
Comments received from Yelm School District require school mitigation fee for the new
home. The applicant shall negotiate a school mitigation agreement with Yelm Public
Schools.
Staff Report Page 4 of 9
Lots Size and Setbacks
The Yelm Zoning Code does not establish minimum or maximum lot sizes, although it
does require standard setbacks which create a building envelope.
The CBD zoning district does not have specific setback requirements, however states
that development must stay within the character of the neighborhood. The existing
building, and proposed location for replacement of the burnt structure meets current
minimum setback and height requirements as one home is existing, and the new
construction is proposed in approximately the same footprint as the previous residence.
Open Space
The Growth Management Act establishes a goal for open space and recreation that
states “encourage the retention of open space and development of recreational
opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource
lands and water, and develop parks” [RCW 36.70A.020(9)].
The City may waive the open space requirements when the applicant makes an
adequate showing that the purpose of the required open space may be otherwise
served. In this instance, the homes were preexisting, and the required amount of open
space would be too small to provide any benefit to the public.
Sewer System
The City’s Sewer Comprehensive Plan identifies the property as being within the sewer
service area and both homes have been connected to the City’s STEP sewer system.
nd
The home located on the proposed Lot 1, on the northwest corner of 2 Street and
Jefferson Avenue is served by an existing STEP tank located on the adjoining property
to the east. In the event that the existing STEP tank needs replaced or repaired,
adequate reserve area shall be provided for on proposed Lot 1 for the installation of a
STEP tank and service lines.
The second home on the parcel was also connected to the above referenced tank at
one time. This connection has been removed, and any residence on this site is required
to install a STEP tank on the new parcel serving the new structure.
Water System
The City’s Water Comprehensive Plan identifies the property as being within the water
service area and both residential units connected to the City’s water system. No
additional water connections are required at this time.
Staff Report Page 5 of 9
nd
The home located on the proposed Lot 1, on the northwest corner of 2 Street and
Jefferson Avenue is served with water by an existing meter adjacent to the house. The
location of this meter does not meet current development guideline standards. The
meter should be moved to the City right-of-way in the alley near the southwest corner of
the proposed Lot 2. A service line shall be installed from the meter to the existing
home. The service line shall be protected by either a standard ten (10) foot utility
easement on both properties, or by a private easement between the two parcels.
Transportation and Site Access
The City of Yelm Development Guidelines and the concurrency requirements of Chapter
15.24 YMC require all new subdivisions to improve street frontages to current City
standards.
The applicant has requested a deferral of required street frontage improvements via a
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letter dated July 22, 2013. The project fronts 2 Street and Jefferson Avenue, both of
which are unimproved. The completion of full frontage improvements at this time would
result in the mismatching of existing frontages of surrounding properties with the new
frontages of the subject property. Based on the existing conditions of the street
frontages and to promote public benefit, the City is in support of the deferral at this time.
There is a public benefit in coordinating small improvements with a larger project such
as through Local Improvement Districts (LID). Deferred frontage improvements shall be
secured for installation at a later date by a waiver of protest, and commitment to
participate in a local improvement district. The property owner shall execute and record
a covenant document that insures the participation of the subject property owner(s) in
any local improvement district formed for the construction of such frontage
improvements.
The City has adopted a Transportation Facility Charge (TFC) of $1,321.00.00 per pm
peak trip. The Ordinance provides a default table that the applicant can use to
determine new pm trips generated by the proposed use. The project does not create
any additional peak pm trips, as one of the residences already exists, and the proposed
new residence replaces a previous residence, therefore Transportation Facility Charges
are not required.
Chapter 16.16.090 YMC requires that the layout of new subdivisions provide for the
continuation of streets existing in adjoining subdivisions and to provide for the
continuation of new streets within the subdivision to adjacent properties that have not
been subdivided. In this instance, it is not necessary to create future street connections
nd
due to the alley located to the south of the lots and their existing frontage along 2
Street and Jefferson Avenue.
Staff Report Page 6 of 9
Parking
Chapter 17.72 YMC requires minimum parking ratio of two spaces per dwelling unit,
which is typically met in subdivisions through a standard width driveway with a 20 foot
approach. The proposed project meets the minimum parking requirements by providing
a 20 foot driveway approach.
Stormwater Quality and Quantity
Impervious surfaces create stormwater runoff which, when uncontrolled and untreated
can create health, safety, and environmental hazards. The City of Yelm has adopted
the 1992 Department of Ecology Stormwater Manual, which requires all development to
treat and control stormwater.
The project is not proposing any additional impervious surfaces and thus does not
require a preliminary stormwater plan for the treatment of stormwater runoff.
Short Plat Name and Addressing
A Short Subdivision name must be reserved with the Thurston County Auditor’s Office
prior to submitting for final plat approval.
Addressing and street naming within the short subdivision will be assigned by the
Community Development Department prior to civil engineering plan approval.
Landscaping
Landscaping and screening are necessary to provide screening between compatible
and incompatible land uses, to safeguard privacy and to preserve the aesthetic assets
of the City. Chapter 17.80 YMC requires all development to provide on site
landscaping.
Type II landscaping is intended to provide visual separation of uses from streets, and
visual separation of compatible uses so as to soften the appearance of streets, parking
areas and building elevation. It is used around the perimeter of a site with a minimum
planting area of eight-feet in width, although for a residential subdivision a solid wood
fence may be used for perimeter landscaping. In this instance, the subject parcel and
adjoining parcels are preexisting, and have been developed as residential lots for many
years. The requirement of perimeter landscaping between existing residential lots is not
required.
Type III landscaping is intended to provide visual relief where clear sight is desired. This
type is utilized along pedestrian corridors and walks for separation of pedestrians from
streets and parking areas. The minimum width for Type III landscaping shall be six-feet,
a four-foot width may be used through parking area pedestrian walks where accent
Staff Report Page 7 of 9
trees are used. The applicant has requested a deferral of frontage improvements and
thus the Type III landscaping is not required at this time.
Type V landscaping to provide visual relief in stormwater retention/detention areas with
vegetation that is suitable and will thrive in hydric soils. The project is not creating any
additional impervious surfaces and thus does not require a stormwater facility to treat
storm water runoff.
Critical Areas
All of Yelm is considered a critical aquifer recharge area, and existing development
regulations address the potential impacts to this critical area. The primary regulation for
protecting the aquifer is the requirement for collection, treatment, and infiltration of
stormwater from a project site.
Yelm’s critical areas maps indicate that the property is located outside of wetlands and
flood zones, and high groundwater areas.
Staff Recommendation
Section 16.12.170 YMC requires written findings prior to a decision on a preliminary
short subdivision.
The applicant has established that the proposed short subdivision, if conditioned,
adequately provides for the public health, safety and general welfare and for such open
spaces, drainage ways, streets, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and
recreation, schools, and sidewalks.
That the public use and interest will be served by the short subdivision of the property, if
conditioned as recommended in this report.
The short subdivision, if conditioned as recommended in this report, is in conformance
with the Yelm-Thurston County Joint Comprehensive Plan, the City of Yelm Zoning
Code, the City of Yelm Subdivision Code, and the City of Yelm Development
Guidelines.
1. Deferred frontage improvements shall be secured for installation at a later date
by a waiver of protest, and commitment to participate in a Local Improvement
District (LID).
2. The applicant shall show on the final plat, a reserve area adequate for the
placement of a future STEP tank and service, should the existing service need
abandoned on Lot 1.
Staff Report Page 8 of 9
3. The applicant shall move the water meter for the proposed Lot 1 to the alley at
the southeast corner of Lot 2, and provide either a standard ten (10) utility
nd
easement along the front of both parcels on 2 Street, or a private easement
between the parcels. This easement shall be shown on the face of the plat.
4. The applicant shall negotiate a school mitigation agreement with Yelm Public
Schools.
5. Prior to the submission of final plat application, a short subdivision name must be
reserved with the Thurston County Auditor’s Office.
The request for preliminary approval is hereby granted subject to the conditions
contained in the conclusions above.
nd
Prepared this 22 day of August, 2013 by
_________________________
Tami Merriman, Associate Planner
nd
APPROVED this 22 day of August, 2013 by
Grant Beck, Director of Community Development
Site Plan Review Committee
City of Yelm
Staff Report Page 9 of 9