Duvall planners back asking council to consider fee waivers for shelter operator’s redevelopment

The Duvall Planning Commission on June 10 heard a staff presentation on a land‑use application from nonprofit Acres of Diamonds for redevelopment on Kennedy Drive and voted to ask the City Council to consider waiving additional fees for the project.

Associate Planner Maddie Lawrence told the commission the consolidated application (SPR‑25‑1 and CU‑25‑2) would keep one existing community residential facility on the north side of the parcel, demolish a south‑end multifamily building, and construct a new community residential facility that provides supportive services. "The applicant is Acres of Diamonds. They—re nonprofit and they serve women in need in the community," Lawrence said, summarizing the proposal and the consolidated site plan and conditional use review process.

Why it matters: the project would replace existing housing stock with a facility intended to provide shelter and supportive services for women and children; the commission—s endorsement to council on fee waivers could materially affect the applicant—s costs and the timing of further reviews.

Staff walked commissioners through the application timeline: a pre‑application meeting in March 2024, initial documents in February 2025, council approval in May 2025 of a fee waiver limited to staff review fees and public works inspection fees (third‑party and building permit fees were not waived), a notice of complete application in July 2025, and a notice of application in August 2025. Lawrence said the file has gone through two review rounds, minor outstanding comments remain, and staff is awaiting an archaeological report before issuing a SEPA determination. As a Type III consolidated application, the hearing examiner is the decision maker; staff described the maximum review time (170 days) and reported the current time under review at 89 days.

Commissioners pressed staff on timing, displacement and accessibility. Staff said the applicant owns the property and that one building would remain in place while redevelopment is planned; building permit submittals will determine construction timing. On accessibility, staff confirmed the project must provide an ADA‑accessible path from the sidewalk and that required parking and accessible site areas will be shown at the building permit stage.

After discussion of fees, one commissioner moved that the planning commission express to City Council "a desire that any request for fee waiver by the applicant be strongly considered and approved." The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

What comes next: staff said design review before the planning commission is expected soon (a July date was suggested pending applicant coordination), followed by a SEPA determination once the archaeological report is complete and then the hearing before the hearing examiner. If the applicant submits building permits next spring and the land‑use and permit processes proceed on a typical schedule, staff estimated construction could begin the following year, though precise timing depends on permit submittals and review.

The commission did not take final land‑use action tonight; commissioners recommended relaying support for fee relief to City Council and signaled readiness to review the project at design review.