104 Yelm Ave E Hughes
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
105 Yelm Avenue West
Yelm, WA 98597
Pre-Application Meeting
April 8, 2015
These comments are preliminary in nature and are not intended to represent final comments and or
requirements for the City of Yelm. Until a complete application is made, the Community Development
Department can only attempt to inform the applicant of general requirements as they appear in the form
presented by the applicant at the time of pre-submission.
Proponent: Bryce Hughes
Project Proposal: Convert existing retail space to a restaurant
Project Location: 104 Yelm Avenue East
Tax parcel numbers: 64400600800
Property Background and Characteristics
The application submitted proposes to convert an existing retail space into a restaurant.
The building at 104 Yelm Avenue was previously a Frame and art store, which is
considered a retail establishment. Operating a restaurant at this location requires a
ministerial site plan review approval.
The property is zoned Central Business District (CBD) which is codified at Chapter
18.35 YMC. The CBD district is intended to promote the special characteristics of the
existing downtown Yelm area, and to provide a pedestrian shopping atmosphere. The
property is located within the “Old Town District” of the Yelm Design Guidelines.
Chapter 18.35 provides permitted uses, to include service oriented businesses (with the
exception of drive-through establishments), subject to site plan review. Residential
uses are allowed provided the development occurs on existing lots of record, one acre
or less.
Critical Areas
Critical area maps indicate that the property is located outside of wetlands, flood zones,
and high ground water areas.
All of Yelm is considered a critical aquifer recharge area. Existing development
regulations relating to the control and treatment of stormwater address the potential
impacts to this critical area.
Development Standards
Water
The property is located within the City‘s water service area and is connected to City
services. Water connections are based on the use of 875 cubic feet of water usage per
month. It is probable that additional water connections will be needed based on other
restaurants in town or similar size. An engineer’s calculation of proposed water usage
may be used.
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.
Sewer
The property is located within the City’s sewer service area, and is connected to sewer
service. The existing system should be adequate for the proposed use. Sewer
connection fees are based on water usage of 875 cubic feet per month. If additional
water connections are required, additional sewer connections are also required.
All food service requires grease protection to be installed (i.e. Grease trap or
interceptor) sized according to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) Chapter 10, section
1015 Fats, Oils, and Grease.
Transportation
Frontage improvements are required for all new development within the City. Yelm
Avenue (SR 507) is considered an Urban Arterial, and includes a center turn lane, an
11’ traffic lane, and a 5’ bike lane. This section of Yelm Avenue is considered a
Pedestrian Oriented Street, which requires a 12 foot sidewalk and street trees within
tree grates.
While frontage improvements are required for all new development in the City, partial
improvements are typically not encouraged. A deferral request would be considered for
a portion, or all of frontage requirements.
Parking
The requirements for off-street parking and their design are found in Chapter 18.54
YMC. Restaurants are required to provide one parking space for every 200 square feet
of gross floor area. A 1,325 square foot restaurant is required to provide 7 parking
stalls.
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The CBD allows for flexibility in these requirements where onsite parking is
unachievable, and on street parking is available. Parking requirements are the
minimum, provided that the owner is responsible for providing adequate amounts and
arrangement of space for the particular premises even though such space is in excess
of the minimum in the code.
Stormwater
Developments with impervious surface are required to provide stormwater facilities
pursuant to the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SMMWW).
Low Impact Development standards such as rain gardens may be allowed based on the
SMMWW manual.
Design Standards
Site and Building
Properties fronting on a pedestrian oriented street shall include paved pedestrian
walkways, transparent window areas or window displays, sculptural, or bas relief
artwork, pedestrian oriented space or other special landscaping or building design
features.
Buildings in the “Old Town District” are required to follow the design standards for
materials and color. Building shell colors shall be earth tones, such as taupe, brown,
red-brown, gray, cream, brick or stone. Trim should be white, black, or dark colors.
Bright accent colors shall not cover more than 10% of any building façade.
Service areas and outdoor storage shall be located to the rear of the building and
requires screening. Trash enclosures shall be constructed of CMU, wood or
architectural steel. Chain link fencing is not allowed.
Approval Process
Ministerial Site Plan Review
Site plan review and approval is required prior to the use of an existing building for a
use that is not similar to the previous use considering the impacts of the two uses, the
Standard Industrial Code Classification Manual Divisions and major groups, and the
intent of the zoning district in which the property is located.
A Site Plan Review application as established by Chapter 18.10 YMC is an
administrative review process. The minimum application requirements can be found at
Section 18.10.110 YMC and are listed on the application form.
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The Site Plan Review Committee approves a site plan review application if the
proposed development meets the improvement and development standards of the
Zoning Code and Development Guidelines. The ministerial site plan review process
should take between 3 – 6 weeks.
The site plan review committee’s decision on a site plan review application may be
appealed to the Hearing Examiner, who would hold an open record hearing on the
issue. The Examiner’s decision can be appealed to the City Council, which would hold
a closed record hearing and determine if the decision was supported by substantial
evidence or contrary to law.
A site plan review approval typically contains conditions of approval that the applicant
must complete prior to receiving a building permit. Upon satisfactory completion of all
conditions of land use approval, the applicant can submit building plans for approval.
State Environmental Policy Act
A SEPA threshold determination is required, unless listed as categorically exempt in
section 197-11-800 WAC. The construction of any office, school or commercial up to
and including 4,000 square feet with associated parking designed for up to and
including 20 automobiles are exempt.
The SEPA threshold determination is appealable to the Hearings Examiner, who would
hold an open record hearing on the issue. The Examiner’s decision may be appealed to
City Council, which would conduct a closed record hearing and determine if the
Examiner’s decision was contrary to law and supported by substantial evidence.
Civil Plan Review Process
Civil Plan review generally takes place after a land use approval. The Yelm
Development Guidelines contain application requirements and standard details for all
infrastructure requirements.
Building Permit Process
Building Plan review, permitting and inspections will be based on Chapters 18.22 –
18.26 YMC, adopting the International Codes, Uniform Plumbing Code and Washington
State Energy Code. By resolution, the City of Yelm re-adopted the 1997 UBC, UMC
and UPC Fee schedules. Additions, alterations, repairs and change of occupancy will
be based on Chapter 34 of the International Building Code or the International Existing
Building Code.
The proposal is to change a 1,325 square foot square foot retail M Occupancy space
into a restaurant of an A-2 or B Occupancy. A dining area greater than 700 square feet
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will classify you as an A-2 Occupancy. The Occupancy load will be determined by net
usable space, calculate 15 square foot per person in the dining area and 200 square
foot per person in the kitchen. Net usable space does not include toilet rooms and
common areas such as hallways.
This will be considered a Change of Occupancy. A Change of Occupancy will require
the following:
One accessible building entrance will be required for a restaurant with and
occupancy load of less than 50 (B-Occupancy) and two accessible building
entrances for a restaurant with an occupancy Load greater than 50 (A-2
Occupancy).
One exit will be required for an occupancy load of less than 50 (B-Occupancy)
and 2 for greater than 50 (A-2 Occupancy).
Emergency exit lighting will be required
An accessible route from the entrance to all primary functions within the
restaurant shall be supplied.
If you provide onsite parking:
One accessible parking stall is required for every 25 stalls.
One van accessible stall is required for each six accessible stalls, provided at
least one van accessible stall is provided.
An accessible path will be required from building entrance(s) to public ways
and accessible parking stalls if provided.
Accessible toilets and fixtures shall be required for both men and women.
Mechanical ventilation and exhaust shall meet the IMC.
HVAC, Plumbing or building replacement or alterations shall meet code.
Areas altered during the change of occupancy shall meet the Washington State
Energy Code.
A hood will be required for all kitchen equipment that create steam or grease
laden vapors. Clearance to the hood from combustible construction may be
reduced by the IMC or NFPA 96 provisions. Hood exhaust fan can be horizontal
or vertical as long as it meets the 10 foot set back from property lines, grade or
fresh are intakes
Hoods will overlap cooking equipment by six inches.
All cooking equipment will meet the manufacturer’s requirements for installation
and clearances from combustible construction.
Building elevations, site utility screens and refuse pad wall showing compliance with
City of Yelm Design Guidelines shall be submitted with the site plan review application.
Spaces used for food service shall be reviewed and approved by the Thurston County
Health Department prior to building permit issuance.
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Building Plans showing conformance to the above requirements and any other items
deemed necessary may be submitted after Site Plan Review approval. Five(5) sets of
plans, one of which may be half scale, two (2) sets of engineering calculations, energy
calculations and specifications will be required. All fire related items 5’ outside the
building will be subject to civil review along with domestic water, waste, and storm
water.
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.
Allow at least 8 to 12 weeks for Building Plan Review and 2 weeks for design guideline
review.
Fees & Charges
Site Plan Review $350.00 + $50 per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area
Civil Plan Review Billed on a cost recovery basis
Building Plan Review Based on 1997 UBC fee Schedule
Building Permit Based on 1997 UBC fee Schedule
Sewer Connection Fee $6,394 per ERU
Sewer Inspection Fee $145.00 per ERU
Water Connection Fee $6,063.00 per ERU
Water Meter Fee Based on meter size
Transportation Facilities Charge $1,612.00 per peak PM trip
The Transportation Facility Charge (TFC) is per new PM peak trip generated by the
development. The code provides a default table that the applicant can use to determine
the number of new PM trips generated by a proposal. A credit shall be given for the
previous residential use.
A sit-down restaurant (not fast food) generates 6.13 new PM peak hour trips per 1,000
square feet of gross floor area. The TFC, with credit for the previous use is $7,966.90.
Re-Cap
Ministerial Site Plan Review Required
Probable additional water/sewer connection fees
RPBA required
Grease interceptor or grease trap required
Deferral of frontage improvements by Owner signature of Waiver of Protest
TFC $$