HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2019-11-25 Item 4F - Resolution - Administrative Variance to Allow Wet-Floodproofing of Improvements to Starfire Athletic CenterCo uNcm AGENDA SYNOPSIS
---------------------------------Initials
Meefin
,g Date
Prepared �y
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Council review
11/25/19
GL
12/02/19
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ITEM INFORMATION
ITEM NO.
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—71
AFF SP(.)NSOR: RYAN LARSON
ORK; INA], Ac; [�INDA DAT11-': 11/25/19
AGENDA Yrf,,m Tri,i.j,; Starfire Sports Athletic Center Improvements
Resolution approving an Administrative Variance for Wet- Flood proofing
CAT1-1*G,0RY E Discussion
M1 ,g Date 11125119
E Motion
Mtg Dale 12102119
E] Resolution
M1 ,g Date
F-1 Ordinance
Mt ,g Date
E].Bid Award
Mt Date
Fj Public Hearing
AIR ,g Date
Ej Other
Mi ,g Date
SPONSOR EjCauncil DMayor E]IIR E]DCD EJEinance Elf"ire E] TS E]P&R E]Pofice EPWIr E] Court
SP()NS0R'S Council is being asked to approve this Resolution that allows an administrative variance be
SUMMARY granted to the City's Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 16.52 for wet-floodproofing to the
Starfire Athletic Center. Resolution No. 1526 was the original variance for construction to
be within a flood hazard area using wet-floodproofing techniques. This new proposed
Resolution will allow an administrative variance for improvements to the Athletic Center
that will enclose areas below the stadium currently used for storage.
Rr,A`IEWU1I) BY ❑ C.O.W. mtg. Ej CDN Comm F-1 Finance Comm. [] Public Safety Comm.
Trans &Infrastructure Ej Arts Comm. [:] Parks Comm. Ej Planning Comm.
DATE: 11/19/19 COMMITTEE CHAIR: ACTING - D. ROBERTSON
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN. Public Works Department
CONIM111'FIE Unanimous approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE, Rf,QuIRF'11) AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
11/25/19
12/02/19
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
11/25/19
Informational Memorandum dated 11/15/19 (revised 11/20/19)
Draft Resolution
Starfire Sports Variance Request Letter
Resolution No. 1526 from 2003
Minutes from the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee 11/ 19/ 19
12/02/19
1
ME
112
111 .... . .........
Public Works Department - Henry Hash, Director
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
FROM: Henry Hash, Public Works Director, ,
BY: Ryan Larson, Senior Program Manager
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: November 15, 2019 (revised 11/20/19)
SUBJECT: Starfire Sports Athletic Center Improvements
Resolution approving an Administrative Variance to allow Wet-Floodproofing
ISSUE
Approve a Resolution providing an administrative variance to Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 16.52 to
allow wet-floodproofing of improvements to the Starfire Athletic Center within Fort Dent Park.
BACKGROUND
The City of Tukwila participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. This program requires that
the City adopt floodplain management standards and a floodplain construction permit process to
ensure that all new developments and redevelopment within flood hazard areas meet federal
standards. These standards require that when development is proposed within a flood hazard area, all
structures must either be elevated or floodproofed one foot above the base flood elevation.
Floodproofing is not allowed for residential construction.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) standard for floodproofing is a method known
as dry-floodproofing. Dry-floodproofing requires that the structure is watertight one foot above the base
flood elevation and prevents the inundation of floodwaters into the structure. Wet-floodproofing is
allowed for certain situations and is accomplished by letting flood water inundate the structure. The
structure is constructed of materials that will not be damaged by floodwaters to an elevation one foot
above the base flood elevation. All materials subject to damage must be located above this elevation.
Since wet-floodproofing is not the standard established by FEMA or included in our City TMC, a
variance must be issued by Resolution to allow the use of this method for floodproofing a structure.
Resolution No. 1526 granted the original variance that allowed the construction of the Starfire Athletic
Center to be within a flood hazard area using wet-floodproofing techniques. This new proposed
Resolution will allow an administrative variance for improvements to the Athletic Center that will
enclose areas below the stadium currently used for storage and provide more secure storage and
covered flex areas for practice.
DISCUSSION
City staff have reviewed FEMA guidelines, the City's TMC, and sought guidance from the State
Department of Ecology who administers flood control issues for FEMA and determined that wet-
floodproofing is permitted under limited situations. These situations include:
• The applicant desires to wet-floodproof
• Notification to the applicant that a variance will not alter the actuarial rating of a structure for
flood insurance purposes
• That a lesser degree of floodproofing will not subvert the goals of floodplain management
W:\PW Eng\PROJECTSV\- DR Projects\Starfire Sports - Flood Variance\Info Memo Wet Floodproofing Variance Rev 112019.docx
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Info Memo
Starfire Resolution
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• That the structure must be protected to the maximum extent possible using an appropriate
alternative flood protection technique
• Providing dry-floodproofing would cause an exceptional hardship
• A variance is obtained to permit this method
The Starfire Athletic Center is a large soccer complex containing two soccer fields and elevated
restrooms, offices, and a concession area. The soccer fields were constructed approximately 4-feet
below the base flood elevations. Storage areas were also constructed below the base flood elevation
and a chain -link fence material was used for security of stored items and to allow the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters. The new improvements include replacing the chain -link fencing with concrete
blocks containing windows and doors. Some of the enclosed areas will continue to be used for storage
and the remainder will be covered with artificial turf and used as indoor practice areas for their
Academy STEM -based gamification program. All materials used will be flood resistant and all enclosed
areas will be fitted with flood vents that automatically allow the entry and exit of floodwaters.
RECOMMENDATION
Council is being asked to approve this Resolution that allows an administrative variance be granted to
the City's TMC Chapter 16.52 for wet-floodproofing to the Starfire Athletic Center and consider this item
at the November 25, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting and subsequent December 2, 2019 Regular
Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Draft Wet Floodproofing Resolution
• Starfire Sports Variance Request Letter
• Original Resolution No. 1526
WAPW Eng\PROJECTS\A- DR Projects\Starfire Sports - Flood Variance\Info Memo Wet Floodproofing Variance Rev 112019.docx
114
DRAFT
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ALLOWING FOR THE
ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE TO TUKWILA MUNICIPAL
CODE CHAPTER 16.52 AND ALLOWING FOR THE WET-
FLOODPROOFING OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
STARFIRE ATHLETIC CENTER.
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila has entered into an agreement with Starfire Sports
to develop and operate park athletic, recreation and associated facilities at the Fort Dent
Park; and
WHEREAS, portions of Fort Dent Park are within the Green River floodplain; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila participates in the National Flood Insurance Program
and this program requires the City to adopt floodplain management standards and a
floodplain construction permit process; and
WHEREAS, the Indoor Athletic Center was permitted and constructed under
Resolution No. 1526 that allowed the use of wet-floodp roofing techniques; and
WHEREAS, Starfire Sports has requested another variance that would allow for
modifications to the existing Athletic Center and allow wet -flood proofing of indoor practice
and storage areas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila follows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flood -
Proofing Regulations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Floodproofing Standards, and the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) Regulations,
which allow the City to grant wet -flood proofing variances to those standards and
requirements if certain criteria are met as found in 44 CFR 60.6(a) of FIA Regulations;
and
WHEREAS, wet-floodproofing will not result in increased flood heights, additional
threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on
or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances; and
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WHEREAS, it has been determined that a variance is the minimum necessary,
considering the flood hazard, to afford relief; and
WHEREAS, Starfire Sports has shown good and sufficient cause for a variance; and
WHEREAS, the federal standard (d ry-flood proofing) would cause an exceptional
financial hardship to Starfire Sports; and
WHEREAS, the improvements will not be located within a floodway; and
WHEREAS, the criteria set forth in 44 CFR 60.6(a) of FIA Regulations has been met;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The above Whereas recitals are herein adopted as Findings of Fact.
Section 2. The City of Tukwila Public Works Department is hereby authorized to
grant a flood zone permit allowing the use of wet-floodproofing for modifications to the
existing Starfire Athletic Center. Wet -flood proofing shall be an administrative variance to
Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 16.52 due to the compelling public policy reasons stated
herein.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at
a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 12019.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk
Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney
Kathy Hougardy, Council President
Filed with the City Clerk:_
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
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Page 2 of 2
October 25, 2019
Henry Hash
Public Works Director
City of Tukwila- Public Works
6300 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Dear Mr. Hash,
Starfire Sports would like to ask for a flood variance the same we were granted in
2003 to construct the buildings. The variance is to enclose the rest of the ground
level. The two main reasons are to secure areas that has multiple breaks ins and
secondly and more importantly to create flex spaces for our Academy STEM
program.
Starfire is seeking to extend the success of the Starfire Sports Academy soccer
programs by offering our student athletes the opportunity to participate in STEM
programs. Similar to our soccer programming approach, we want to reduce the
barriers of entry by making STEM classes fun, approachable, and accessible to all.
Our goal is not to replace the role of schools, but to help prepare our youth to
engage and fully embrace STEM learning opportunities at their schools. We will do
this by using STEM -based gamification products that will engage our student
athletes, cultivate their curiosity, and make them comfortable with the underlying
science and technology through project -based learning. From the soccer field to the
classroom, we seek to make our student athletes as confident joining a robotics or
coding club in high school as they are trying out for the soccer team.
These spaces will allow us to better serve our community while keeping the facility
safe for all. With no other space here not in the floodplain it is the only reasonable
option. We ask for your and the Tukwila City Council's support to help create these
much -needed spaces.
Sincerely
Ben Oliver
11 ,
President & CEO
Starfire Sports
Starfire Sports
14800 Starfire Way
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone: 206.431.3232
Fax: 206.431.6811
www.starfiresports.com
info@stafresports.com
IWA
Min.
IMKOJ
City of Tukwila
Washington
Resolution No. _14�4
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, ALLOWING FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE TO
TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 16.52 AND ALLOWING FOR THE WET-
FLOODPROOFING OF THE STARFIRE ATHLETIC CENTER.
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila has entered into an agreement with Starfire Sports to develop and
operate park athletic, recreation and associated facilities at the Fort Dent Park; and
WHEREAS, portions of Fort Dent Park are within the Green River floodplain, and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and this
program requires the City to adopt floodplain management standards and a floodplain construction permit
process, and
WHEREAS, the proposed Indoor Athletic Center does not meet the federal standards for floodplain
construction in accordance with Chapter 16 52 of the Tukwila Municipal Code, dry floodproofing
methods must be used, and
WHEREAS, Starfire Sports has requested a variance that would allow for wet-floodproofing of the
Indoor Athletic Center, an acceptable alternative under limited situations, and
WHEREAS, The City of Tukwila has adopted the U S Army Corps of Engineers Flood -Proofing
Regulations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Floodproofing Standards, and the
Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) Regulations which allow the City to grant wet-floodproofing
variances to those standards and requirements if certain criteria are met as found in FIA Section 1910 6(a)
of FIA Regulations, and
WHEREAS, the proposed Starfire construction meets all of the FEMA wet-floodproofing variance
criteria, to wit wet-floodproofing will not alter the actuarial rating of the Athletic Center for flood
insurance purposes, will not subvert the goals of flood plain management, the Athletic Center will have
elevated offices, restrooms, and concession area, and all components subject to flood damage will be at
least one foot above the base flood elevation, and the federal standard (dry-floodproofing) would cause an
exceptional financial hardship,
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
DO HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS
Section i The above Whereas recitals are herein adopted as findings of fact
Section 2. The Public Works Department is hereby authorized to grant a flood zone permit allowing
for wet-floodproofing of the Starfire Athletic Center Wet-floodproofing shall be an administrative
variance to Tukwila Municipal Code 16 52 due to the compelling public policy reasons stated above
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Y OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a
�eeting thereof this oi3
day of .2003
ATTEST/
AUTHENTICATED-
e E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
ROVED AS TO F M BY
Office of the City Attorney
Pam Carter, Council President
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council.,
Resolution Number- / S6 Z4
Resolution Starfire 6/19/03 doe
120
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes ............................................................................. November19,2019
D. Contract Amendment: 53 d Avenue South (South 137 th to South 144 1h Streets) Project
Staff is seeking Council approval of Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. 15-159 in the amount of
$176,278 with KPG, Inc. This will allow continued construction engineering, inspection, and
documentation compliance support for the full completion of the 53 rd Avenue South Project.
Discussion ensued that additional construction management services will confirm the value of
a correct close-out. APPROVAL. FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2, 2019 REGULAR CONSENT
AGENDA.
E. Resolution for Administrative Variance
Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution that would provide an administrative variance
to Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 16.52 to allow wet -flooding of improvements to the Starfire
Athletic Center within Fort Dent Park. This proposed variance will allow the enclosure of
storage areas below the stadium and covered flex areas for practice. The practice area will be
covered with artificial turf and used for their Academy STEM -based garnification program.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 25,2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
F. Ordinance: Concurrency Standards and Transportation Impact Fees
Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance that would amend Tukwila Municipal Code
Chamber 9.48 to update the Transportation Impact Fee Schedule, use of traffic impact fees,
and exemptions. The updates include project costs from the current CIP, final project costs
from closed out projects, additions and deletions reflecting current needs, and other updates
as outlined in the memo. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 25, 2019
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
The Transportation Committee Meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Committee Chair Approval
Minutes by HK, reviewed by GL
121