HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_KC_Parks_Soos_Creek_Trail_CAE_231127_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Durr_1115 N 27th Pl_CAE_231122_Fin
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: January 19, 2024
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA24-000017, CAE
PROJECT NAME: PR24-000001 Soos Creek Trail
PROJECT MANAGER: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
APPLICANT/CONTACT: Tom Early, Capital Project Manager
201 S. Jackson Street, Suite 5702, Seattle, WA 98104
OWNER: King County Parks
201 S. Jackson Street, Suite 5702, Seattle, WA 98104
PROJECT LOCATION: Soos Creek Trail (APN 3323059057, 3323059010, 1332730840, 3323059073)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Critical Area Exemption for pruning and clearing of
vegetation around the Soos Creek Trail. The work is proposed on five (5) parcels (APN 3323059057, 3323059010,
1332730840, 3323059073, and 0422059124) near the intersection of SE 192nd St and 124th Ave SE. The clearing is
proposed in order to facilitate the establishment of approximately 80 shovel probe sites as part of a Historic
Preservation Program survey the applicant is required to complete. Each shovel probe (see attached site plan)
would be approximately 20 centimeters deep and be spaced approximately 60 meters on center. Vegetation near
each probe site would be cut down to within one-inch of the ground surface to provide a nine-foot (9’) by nine-
foot (9’) clear area for the excavation work to be completed. Vegetation would also be pruned in order to create
a pathway approximately two-feet (2’) wide connecting the various probe sites. The vegetation within the pathway
would be trimmed down to approximately six inches (6”) above the ground surface. According to the applicant,
the location of the probe sites and pathway have been chosen in order to avoid native vegetation. The
predominant vegetation to be pruned includes non-native Himalayan blackberry and Reed canarygrass. The
vegetation pruning would occur in the winter and spring of 2024, except for clearing needed near any standing
water, which would then occur during the drier months of summer 2024. According to COR Maps, multiple critical
areas are present on the four (4) parcels including a high seismic hazard, wetlands (unclassified), Big Soos Creek
(Type F), a floodway, and a special flood hazard area. No trees are proposed for removal and no in-water work
would occur.
CRITICAL AREA: High seismic hazard, wetlands (unclassified), Type F stream, floodway, special flood hazard area
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code, Section 4-3-050C.3.b.ii. Site Investigative Work: Site
investigative work necessary for land use application submittals such as surveys, soil logs, percolation tests and
other related activities. Investigative work shall not disturb any more than five percent (5%) of the critical area and
DocuSign Envelope ID: 712F273C-C40E-4E54-97FF-0D2CC945C96F
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Soos Creek Trail LUA24-000017, CAE
Permit Date: January 19, 2024 Page 2 of 3
D_KC Parks Soos Creek Trail_CAE_241117_v1
required buffer. In every case, impacts shall be minimized and disturbed areas shall be immediately restored at a
one-to-one (1:1) ratio. Within shoreline jurisdiction, this includes the marking of property lines or corners on state-
owned lands, when such marking does not significantly interfere with the normal public use of the surface water.
Limitations on site exploration and investigative activities are defined in WAC 173-27-040(2)(m) for properties
within shoreline jurisdiction.
FINDINGS: The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to RMC section
4-3-050C.2.d:
i. The activity is not prohibited by this or any other provision of the Renton Municipal
Code or State or Federal law or regulation;
Staff Comment: The activity is not prohibited. The Critical Areas Regulations allow site
investigative work within critical areas and their buffers.
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by industry
standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
Staff Comment: The proposed work would be completed in a manner that limits impacts
to native vegetation. Hand tools would be used where possible, including for excavation
of the probe sites.
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
Staff Comment: According to the applicant, vegetation would be pruned to a height of
either two inches (2”) or six inches (6”) for the shovel probe sites and pathway. While
the pruned vegetation is anticipated to reestablish, the vegetation immediately
adjacent to the shovel probe sites would likely be permanently disturbed or destroyed.
Therefore, staff recommends as a condition of approval, the applicant shall restore any
permanently disturbed areas with native plant species within six (6) months of the site
investigative work concluding. Upon completion of the restoration work, the applicant
shall contact the Current Planning Project Manager for a site inspection.
iv. Where water body or buffer disturbance has occurred in accordance with an exemption
during construction or other activities, revegetation with native vegetation shall be
required;
Staff Comment: No in-water work is proposed. See the recommended condition of
approval above related to reestablishment of native vegetation in disturbed areas.
v. If a hazardous material, activity, and/or facility that is exempt pursuant to this Section
has a significant or substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality, then the
Administrator may require compliance with the Wellhead Protection Area
requirements of this Section otherwise relevant to that hazardous material, activity,
and/or facility. Such determinations will be based upon site and/or chemical-specific
data.
Staff Comment: The proposed scope of work would not impact any groundwater or a
Wellhead Protection Area.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 712F273C-C40E-4E54-97FF-0D2CC945C96F
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Soos Creek Trail LUA24-000017, CAE
Permit Date: January 19, 2024 Page 3 of 3
D_KC Parks Soos Creek Trail_CAE_241117_v1
DECISION: An exemption from the Critical Areas Regulations is hereby Approved with Conditions* .
Condition of Approval: The applicant shall restore any permanently disturbed areas with native plant species within
six (6) months of the site investigative work concluding. Upon completion of the restoration work, the applicant
shall contact the Current Planning Project Manager for a site inspection.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Matthew Herrera, Acting Planning Director Date
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.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner
on or before 5:00 PM on February 2, 2024. 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: Five (5) years from the date of decision (date signed).
Attachment: Site Plan
DocuSign Envelope ID: 712F273C-C40E-4E54-97FF-0D2CC945C96F
1/19/2024 | 2:52 PM PST
EagleView Technologies, Inc.
0 20 40 60 80Meters
0 100 200 300Feet
1:2,000
1 centimeter = 20 meters
Landscape area?NOTE: Avoid clearing
vegetation in areas of
standing water.
Clear 2-foot wide path in
noxious weeds between
shovel probe sites. Clear
noxious weeds to within
6-inches of ground surface.
Path shall meander to
preserve/protect native
plants.
2'-0"
2'-0"~ 60 FEET9'-0"9'-0"
Shovel probe site, to be
adjusted to preserve/protect
native plants.
Area around each shovel
probe to be cleared of
noxious weeds to within
1-inch of ground surface.9'-0"9'-0"
VEGETATION CLEARING PLAN VIEW
Updated Potential
Probe Locations in
Red. Otherwise,
Potential Probes
Marked by Green Dots.
Brush Clearing
Area Request
(Outlined in Blue)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 712F273C-C40E-4E54-97FF-0D2CC945C96F