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SR_ERC_Lew_Boatlift_FINAL (003)
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC Meeting Date: October 30, 2023
Project File Number: PR21-000432
Project Name: Lew Boatlift
Land Use File
Number:
LUA23-000321, ECF, SSDP
Project Manager: Jill Ding, Senior Planner
Owner: Sin Lew, 3101 Mountain View Ave N, Renton, WA 98056
Applicant/Contact: Zion Napier, Seaborn Pile Driving, 1080 W Ewing Pl, #300, Seattle, WA 98119
Project Location: 3101 Mountain View Ave N (Parcel No. 3342103895)
Project Summary: The applicant is requesting a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Environmental
(SEPA) Review for the installation of a new boat lift for the property owners of 3101
Mountain View Ave N on an existing dock. The existing dock was recently permitted under
LUA22-000126. The project site and adjacent properties are zoned as R-8. The site is on
the shoreline of Lake Washington (Reach E) within the Shoreline Residential and Aquatic
designations. The proposed boat lift would be located approximately 144’ waterward of
the ordinary high water mark on the south side of the dock. The boat lift would be 12’-2”
wide by 15’-11” long. The bunk of the boat lift would extend 18” above the ordinary high-
water mark and the lift will sit on the lake bed of Lake Washi ngton on foot pads. No
dredging, fill, or excavation would be done for the project.
Exist. Bldg. Area SF: N/A Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint):
Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross):
N/A
N/A
Site Area: 37,742 sq. ft. (0.87 acres) Total Building Area GSF: N/A
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of
Non-Significance (DNS).
DocuSign Envelope ID: 90C75C65-AD2D-4872-A0C3-281417E44DC7
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Lew Boatlift
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA23-000321, ECF, SSDP
Report of October 30, 2023 Page 2 of 4
SR_ERC_Lew_Boatlift_FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project impacts
that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations.
A. Environmental Threshold Recommendation
Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials:
Issue a DNS with a 14-day appeal period
B. Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Plan Set
Exhibit 3: Lake Study/No Net Loss Determination, prepared by Northwest Environmental
Consulting, LLC, dated July 2022
Exhibit 4: Duwamish Tribe Comments
Exhibit 5: Advisory Notes
C. Environmental Impacts
The Proposal was circulated and reviewed by various City Departments and Divisions to determine whether the
applicant has adequately identified and addressed environmental impacts anticipated to occur in conjunction with
the proposed development. Staff reviewers have identified that the proposal is likely to have the following probable
impacts:
1. Earth
Impacts: The upland portion of the project site is mapped within a moderate landslide hazard area.
However, the installation of the proposed boatlift would occur primarily below the Ordinary High Water
Mark (OHWM), within Lake Washington, which is outside of the mapped landslide hazard area, therefore
a geotechnical report was not required to be submitted with the application materials. No mitigation is
recommended as the proposed dock would be constructed outside of the mapped moderate landslide
hazard area.
Mitigation Measures: None recommended.
Nexus: N/A
2. Water
a. Lakes
Impacts: The applicant submitted a Lake Study/No Net Loss Determination (Exhibit 3), prepared by
Northwest Environmental Consulting, LLC, dated May 2022 with the project application materials. The
Lake Study was originally submitted with the application materials for the Lew Residence Dock
(LUA22-000126) and has been updated to include the impacts for the proposed boatlift. The project
site abuts Lake Washington, a Shoreline of the State, and is within reach E and the Shoreline
Residential and Aquatic designations. Juvenile Chinook salmon, and other salmonids, rear and migrate
along the Lake Washington shoreline. The proposed project would generate temporary construction
impacts from noise and disturbed sediments during installation of the boatlift. Construction impacts
would be minimized by complying with the prescribed in water work window and use of applicable
Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent construction spills and debris from escaping the area.
The boatlift would be placed at the end of the dock within the deepest water possible to mitigate
potential impacts from turbidity during docking and cast-off.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 90C75C65-AD2D-4872-A0C3-281417E44DC7
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Lew Boatlift
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA23-000321, ECF, SSDP
Report of October 30, 2023 Page 3 of 4
SR_ERC_Lew_Boatlift_FINAL
The submitted Lake Study/No Net Loss Determination (Exhibit 3) concludes that the proposed boatlift
would utilize BMPs to reduce project impacts. As part of the previous dock permit, the applicant
installed shoreline plantings to mitigate for any adverse impacts that may result from the dock
construction. A surety device has been posted and the plantings are currently within the five year
maintenance and monitoring period (MM22-000269). The updated Lake Study concludes that the
combination of the utilization of BMPs during project construction as well as the previous planting of
native vegetation along the shoreline would improve ecological functions or prevent further
degradation of habitat and will result in No Net Loss of ecological functions at the site. No further
mitigation is recommended.
Mitigation Measures: None recommended
Nexus: N/A
3. Vegetation
Impacts: The submitted Lake Study/No Net Loss Determination (Exhibit 3), noted that the project site is
currently vegetated with lawn area and variance ornamental landscape beds and tr ees. As part of the
previous dock permit (LUA22-000126) mitigation plantings were planted along the shoreline would
increase habitat conditions at the project site. The mitigation plantings are currently within the five-year
maintenance and monitoring period (MM22-000269). The Lake Study concluded that the plantings would
provide overhanging cover, structural diversity for birds and wildlife, detritus for aquatic inv ertebrates
and long-term recruitment of woody material and other allochthonous food sources for aquatic
invertebrates and fish species. The Lake Study also concluded that the installed mitigation plantings would
mitigate any adverse impacts that would result from the installation of the boatlift as well as the original
dock construction. No further mitigation is recommended.
Mitigation Measures: None recommended
Nexus: N/A
4. Wildlife
Impacts: The submitted Lake Study/No Net Loss Determination (Exhibit 3), noted that Lake Washington is
known to provide habitat to river otters, beavers, nutrias, and muskrats. In addition, deer and coyotes
have been observed within the vicinity of the project site. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s
(WDFW) Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) mapping and SalmonScape mapping tools show the following
salmonid species using Lake Washington for migration and/or rearing: residential coastal cutthroat
(Oncorhynchus clarki), winter steelhead (O. mykiss), Dolly Varden/bull trout (Salvelinus malma), sockeye
salmon (O. nerka), fall Chinook (O. tshawytscha), coho salmon (O. kisutch), and kokanee (O. nerka). The
Salmonscape database maps the project site as critical habitat to the Endangered Species Units (ESU) of
Threatened Chinook and steelhead. Sockeye spawning is mapped as occurring along the shoreline at or
adjacent south of the site and within a few hundred feet to the north of the project site. May Creek (a
Type F stream) is located approximately 3,000 feet north of the project site. May Creek is modeled by
WDFW for spawning of non-listed coho and sockeye and listed Fall Chinook and winter steelhead trout.
Juveniles may rear in the waters near the project site when traveling from spawning sites on other lake
tributaries to the lake’s outlet at the Locks. The project site is accessible to any fish migrating or rearing
in the lake, and Lake Washington is designated as critical habitat for Endangered Fall Chinook salmon.
Comments were received from the Duwamish Tribe (Exhibit 4) requesting that in water work not occur
during required fish and wildlife windows. The work is proposed to be completed within the in-water work
window for Lake Washington, which is July 16-December 31.
As previously discussed above, the proposed boatlift has located towards the end of the dock, within the
deepest waters possible and would utilize BMPs to reduce project impacts. The combination of the
utilization of BMPs during project construction as well as the siting of the boatlift within the deepest water
DocuSign Envelope ID: 90C75C65-AD2D-4872-A0C3-281417E44DC7
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Lew Boatlift
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA23-000321, ECF, SSDP
Report of October 30, 2023 Page 4 of 4
SR_ERC_Lew_Boatlift_FINAL
possible would prevent further degradation of habitat and would result in No Net Loss of ecological
functions at the site, therefore no further mitigation is recommended.
Mitigation Measures: None recommended
Nexus: N/A
D. Comments of Reviewing Departments
The proposal has been circulated to City Department and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their comments
have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or “Advisory Notes to Applicant.”
✓ Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report.
The Environmental Determination decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within the 14 -day
appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680).
Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing
on or before 5:00 p.m. on November 13, 2023. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal
period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at
cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub Monday through Friday. The appeal fee,
normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted
electronically. The appeal submitted in person may be paid on the first floor in our Finance Department. Appeals to
the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and additional information regarding the appeal process may be
obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@rentonwa.gov.
EXPIRATION: The Conditional Use Permit decision will expire two (2) years from the date of decision. A single two (2)
year extension may be requested pursuant to RMC 4-9-030.
RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be reopened by the
approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily discoverable prior to the
original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After review of the reconsideration
request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original decision, there will be no further
extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action must file a formal appeal within the 14-day
appeal time frame.
THE APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE: provides that no ex parte (private one-on-one) communications may
occur concerning the land use decision. The Doctrine applies not only to the initial decision, but to Appeals to the
Hearing Examiner as well. All communications after the decision/approval date must be made in writing through the
Hearing Examiner. All communications are public record and this permits all interested parties to know the contents
of the communication and would allow them to openly rebut the evidence in writing. Any violation of this doctrine
could result in the invalidation of the appeal by the Court.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 90C75C65-AD2D-4872-A0C3-281417E44DC7
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
Lew Boatlift
Land Use File Number:
LUA23-000321, ECF, SSDP
Date of Meeting
October 30, 2023
Staff Contact
Jill Ding
Senior Planner
Project Contact/Applicant
Zion Napier
Seaborn Pile Driving
1080 W Ewing Pl, #300,
Seattle, WA 98119
Project Location
3101 Mountain View Ave N (Parcel
No. 3342103895)
The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report:
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Plan Set
Exhibit 3: Lake Study/No Net Loss Determination, prepared by Northwest Environmental Consulting,
LLC, dated July 2022
Exhibit 4: Duwamish Tribe Comments
Exhibit 5: Advisory Notes
DocuSign Envelope ID: 90C75C65-AD2D-4872-A0C3-281417E44DC7