HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Extension Request from Applicant_190412.pdfHakam Grewal
23423 1191h Ave SE
Kent, WA 98031
Alex Morganroth
Community & Economic Development
Renton City Hall, 6th Floor
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-3232
Re: Plat Christelle Ridge 013001069
Dear Alex Morganroth:
My partners and I seek a waiver for delaying the expiration of its construction permits regarding our
project known as Christelle Ridge in Renton on 95" Way. Our permit will expire on October 29th, 2019
and we are unable to complete the construction of the subdivision and receive final plat approval in that
time. If we can receive an extension of one year from the current expiration date, we would be able to
complete the project to the City of Renton's satisfaction and receive final plat approval.
Specifically, we are unable to finish the construction for the following reason.
My partners and I applied for construction permits to take the project to final engineering in October
2012. We have not received final engineering to this date. Being first time developers, it has been a very
difficult process for my partners and I to advance the project to this stage and to stay committed
throughout the long delay between application and receipt of permits. When we began engineering for
this project we had hired an engineer recommended to us by many, known as Touma Engineers. Touma
Engineers inefficiency to coordinate meetings with the city in a timely manner to understand what
needs to be done for an approved plan for this project, to make corrections on submitted plans, and
overall meet the standards of the city for plat approval delayed the receipt of approved permits for a
very long time. After noticing that Touma Engineers was advancing the plans through the city at a very
slow rate, we contracted a new engineer known as Pacific Engineering. In doing so, we lost another 4
weeks due to the availability of civil engineers at the time and another 2 weeks for the firm to research
the project and discuss with the city as to what remains to be completed for plat approval. Once we had
overcome this obstacle, the City of Renton's Planning Department made many changes to planners and
engineers that worked the project. The project has seen 4 different engineers and 3 different reviewers
since the start of this process. This led to the plan being reviewed for a longer period than what is
normally taken, as every new reviewer had to go over the entire plan from the start to grasp an
understanding of the project before delivering any comments to my partners and I, to submit to Pacific
Engineering for revisions for resubmittal. This furthermore delayed the receipt of approved permits and
now has left us with inadequate time to complete the construction of the development.
The most recent delay has been caused by the sewer plan for this development. The sewer plan is the
only item awaiting approval, to be able to take the engineering to final. Originally this property was
designed to be served by a sewer station. However, in March 2018, Coal Creek Sewer District made their
sewer service available to this parcel, which led the entire sewer plan to be altered and resubmitted.
Currently we are awaiting approval of the sewer plan from Coal Creek Sewer District and are unable to
move forward with this project until this is completed. Coal Creek Sewer District had sent the City of
Renton a legal contract regarding the sewer that is to serve this development 2 months ago. City of
Renton has yet to provide a response to this contract. Until this contract is not signed off by City of
Renton, Coal Creek will not approve the sewer plan and due to this we are unable to begin any
construction at the site, as we do not have final engineering. This is one of the many delays we have
seen throughout this process that has led to a delay in receiving approved permits for construction.
My partners and I are taxi drivers, that have invested our life savings towards this project. We would not
be able to afford the costs to resubmit this project from the start and re-engineer the entire plan. This
would cause us to have to drop the project, which leads us to not be able to pay off our loans taken out
regarding this development.
Our lack of funds and inexperience in this field, the delay from Touma Engineers in drafting a plan in a
timely manner, the long review periods in the City of Renton due to changes in the Planning
Department, and the changes in development standards over the years have all caused this project to
require an extension to be completed. We've overcome several challenges to keep this project going
and have this one obstacle left, to deliver a completed development with final plat to the City of Renton.
I hope you accept our apologies for any inconveniences and will consider our request of allowing us the
additional time to complete the project. Please let me know if this extension can be made. Thank you in
advance for your prompt response.
Yours Sincerely,
Hakam Grewal