NOTICE OF APPLICATION and
SEPA DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE
Oak Vista Multi-Family Development
ADM21-0003, MIS21-0008, VAR23-0006, and SEP21-0017

The City of Auburn is issuing a Notice of Application (NOA) and using the optional process for a SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) for the following described project.

Proposal: Site preparation and construction of 480 multi-family housing units and 224 senior living housing units on an approx. 24-acre site consisting of five parcels within the “Auburn Adventist Academy” campus. The proposal will be constructed in three Phases with staggered starting dates: Phase 1 proposed in 2024, consists of approx. 224 multi-family residential units, in buildings 1-14; Phase 2, proposed in 2025 consists of approx. 256 multi-family residential units in buildings 15-19; and Phase 3, proposed in 2027 consists of 224 senior living units (60 memory care beds, 84 assisted living units, and 80 independent living unit in a one building.  The multi-family portion of the project will provide approximately 834 parking stalls (Phases 1 and 2) and 145 parking stalls to be constructed in Phase 3.  Vehicle access to the project will be via Auburn Way South (State Route 164) and 32nd St. SE. The applicant is proposing to fill an existing approx. 11,150 square foot (sf) on-site Category IV wetland and pursuant to Chapter 16.10 Auburn City Code (ACC) proposes off-site Fee-in-Lieu mitigation via participation in the King County Mitigation Reserves Program. 

Location: The project site is within the “Auburn Adventist Academy” campus and designated Special Planning Area under the City of Auburn’s Comprehensive Plan, directly east of Auburn Way S (State Route 167) within SW¼ of Section 27, Township 21, Range 5. King County Assessor Parcel Nos. 2721059117, 2721059055, 2721059090, 2721059079, 2721059086.

Notice of Application:
December 19, 2023
Application Complete: 
August 30, 2021
Permit Application:
July 23, 2021 

File Nos. 
ADM21-0003
MIS21-0008
VAR23-0006
SEP21-0017

Applicant:
Bob Sanders, Senior Development Manager
Creations Northwest 
735 E Clarendon St., Suite 201 
Gladstone, Oregon 97027 

Applicant’s Representative:
Mariah Mitchell, Land Use Planner
DOWL
7200 NE 41st St., Suite 204 
Vancouver, Washington 98662

Property Owner:
Doug Bing, President
Western WA Conference of SDA
2229 Weyerhaeuser Way S 
Federal Way, WA 98001   

Studies/Plans Submitted With Application (PDFs):
Project Narrative and Evaluations, DOWL, November 16, 2023
Revised SEPA Checklist, DOWL, November 10, 2023
Preliminary Civil Plans, DOWL, November 10, 2023
Critical Areas Assessment, Habitat Technologies, July 9, 2019
Compensatory Mitigation Program For Unavoidable Wetland Impacts, Habitat Technologies, November 1, 2023 
Architectural Elevations, Lenity Architecture, Inc., November 10, 2023 
Geotechnical Report, Associated Earth Sciences Incorporated, December 16, 2020 
Infiltration Testing Memo, Associated Earth Sciences Incorporated, April 6, 2021 
Preliminary Stormwater Site Plan, DOWL, July 21, 2023 
Traffic Impact Assessment, Heath and Associates, November 7, 2023 
Neighborhood Review Meeting Documentation, DOWL, February 2, 2021 
Various Non-disclosable Cultural Resource Information, Willamette Cultural Resources  Associates, LTD., received 2021 and 2023 

Other Permits, Plans, and Approvals Needed:
Current applications:
Administrative Use Permit to authorize multi-family housing & senior housing in the I, Institutional zoning district.
Administrative Variance to construct the multi-family buildings five feet over the maximum 30-foot building height and allow 35 feet in the I, Institutional zoning district.
Design Review Adjustment from the Multi-Family & Mixed-Use Development Architectural & Site Design Standards pursuant to ACC 18.31.200(I)(1)(a).

Future or forthcoming applications:
Public Facility Extension (FAC) / Grading Permit(s) / Boundary Line Elimination

Statement of Consistency and List of Applicable Development Regulations:  This proposal is subject to and shall be consistent with the Auburn City Code, Comprehensive Plan, and Public Works Design and Construction Standards.

Lead Agency:  City of Auburn
The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request. 

Public Comment Period: This may be your only opportunity to comment on the environmental impact of the proposal. All persons may comment on this application. This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-355 the lead agency will not act on this proposal for 15 days from the date issued below. Comments must be in writing and submitted by 5:00 PM on January 3, 2024 to the mailing address of 25 W Main St., Auburn, WA, 98001 or to [email protected]. Any person wishing to become a party of record shall include in their comments that they wish to receive notice of and participate in any hearings, if relevant, and request a copy of decisions once made. Any person aggrieved of the City's determination may file an appeal with the Auburn City Clerk at 25 W Main St., Auburn, WA 98001-4998 within 14 days of the close of the comment period, or by 5:00 PM on January 17, 2024.