HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Taxiway_A_SME_241211_v4_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: December 11, 2024
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA24-000208, ECF, SME
PROJECT NAME: Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements
PROJECT MANAGER: Alex Morganroth, Prinicipal Planner
APPLICANT/CONTACT: William Adams, Civil Engineer III
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
OWNER: City of Renton – Renton Municipal Airport
City of Renton, 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057
PROJECT LOCATION: 616 W Perimeter Rd (APNs 0723059007 & 0723059096)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, the City of Renton, is requesting a Shoreline Exemption for a
maintenance and improvement project at the Renton Municipal Airport site located at 616 W Perimeter Rd
(APNs 0723059007 and 0723059096). The airport site totals 152.5 acres in area and is located within the
Medium Industrial (IM) and Heavy Industrial (HI) zones. The entire site is within the Comprehensive Plan
Employment Area land use designation. The proposed work is primarily located within Taxiway A and the
adjacent connector taxiways (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7), as well as the infield areas on the western
portion of the site. Improvements proposed by the applicant include airfield pavement rehabilitation, service
road rehabilitation, drainage improvements, lighting upgrades, signage upgrades, and a water line upgrade
(Attachment B). According to the applicant, the proposed in-field grading would result in approximately 2,659
cubic yards (CY) of cut and 1,714 CY of fill. Approximately 17.7 acres of existing asphalt is proposed for
rehabilitation. A high seismic hazard area, high erosion hazard area, regulated slopes, and Downtown
Wellhead Protection Area Zones 1 and 2 are mapped on the site according to COR Maps. A Flood Hazard Area
pursuant to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) is also located on the subject site. The hazard area
on the site, a Special Flood Zone AE (base flood elevation determined), is classified as a 100-year flood plain.
The FIRM maps indicate the base flood elevation to be 26 feet (26’) Mean Sea Level (MSL). No trees are
proposed for removal. The applicant submitted a geotechnical report, drainage report, lake and stream study,
and an Environmental (SEPA) Checklist with the application.
The project site is located along the western shore of the Cedar River and southern shore of Lake Washington,
both Shorelines of the State. Reach A of the Cedar River shoreline is adjacent to the site and is designated as
High Intensity. Reach J of the Lake Washington shoreline is adjacent to the site and is designated as High
Intensity. No work proposed as part of the project would occur within 200 feet (200’) of the Cedar River
ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) and therefore no analysis related to the Cedar River was included in the
Docusign Envelope ID: F3176F52-3C7A-42DE-BD18-2CAD799887A6
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements LUA24-000208, ECF, SME
Permit Date: December 11, 2024 Page 2 of 4
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements
documents submitted with the application. Portions of the project including pavement rehabilitation and
drainage infrastructure replacement would occur within 200 feet (200’) of the Lake Washington OHWM.
Therefore, the applicant submitted a Lake Study and Habitat Data Report, prepared by ESA, dated April 2024
(Attachments C).
The Lake Study and Habitat Data Report describes the project area near Lake Washington as highly
developed, with limited ecological value. The western shoreline is entirely paved for seaplane access and
lacks vegetation, while the eastern shoreline features a narrow riparian zone dominated by invasive species
like Himalayan blackberry, reed canary grass, and English ivy. This zone provides minimal ecological
functions, including limited habitat for small mammals and birds, minor contributions to erosion control, and
input of organic matter. No trees are present within 100 feet (100’) of the project area.
A site visit in March 2024 by ESA biologists noted small mammal activity, such as squirrel excavations, and
observed 20 bird species, including a bald eagle, in an area known to host 187 bird species. Likely inhabitants
include small mammals (e.g., raccoons, muskrats), amphibians, reptiles, and invasive nutria. While no fish
were observed, Lake Washington supports diverse fish populations, including five (5) salmonid species and
federally listed species such as Chinook salmon and bull trout.
The proposed project will occur entirely within the built environment, avoiding in-water work or disturbance
to riparian areas. The report concludes the project will not affect state or federally listed species, migratory
corridors, or fish habitats and will result in no net loss of ecological function for Lake Washington. Temporary
grass disturbances will be reseeded after construction.
SEC-TWN-R: NE 07-23-05
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
(King County Assessor)
POR SECS 7 & 18-23-5 & POR TOBINS D C INCL POR PLATTED & VAC STS LY WLY
OF COMM W W # 2 N OF N LN DIXIE AVE & ELY OF STATE HWAY # 5 & ELY & SLY OF
FOLG LN BEG ON ELY MGN SD HWAY AT PT 5 FT S OF N LN OF LOT 8 BLK 18 BRYN
MAWR TH E 89.23 FT TH N 05-16-51 E 438.90 FT TH N 40-09-47 E 188.55 FT TH N
60 FT TH N 29-00-40 W 197.07 FT TH S 88-27-28 E 90.83 FT TH N 01-32-32 W 40 FT
TH S 88-27-28 E 234.53 FT TH S 35-00-00 E 142.41 FT TH E 403.70 FT LESS LOTS
19 TO 22 INCL BLK 4 RENTON REAL ESTATE COS 1ST ADD LESS PORTION FOR
LANE HANGAR CONDOMINIUM -TGW POR OF RAINIER AVE N PER RENTON VAC
ORD #5780
PORTION CW #2 LOCATED ON W BANK OF CEDAR RIVER IN E 1/2 OF SECTION
07-23-05 & MORE PARTICULARY DESCRIBED AS TRACTS 1 THRU 6 AS SHOWN
ON CITY OF RENTON ENGINEER MAP B 92-50 DATED MAY 23, 1957 TGW BLOCK
A & B OF LAKE WASHINGTON SHORE LANDS 3RD SUPL
WATER BODY/REACH: Lake Washington Reach J and Cedar River Reach A
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION/DECISION: An exemption from a Shoreline Management Substantial
Development Permit is hereby Approved on the proposed project in accordance with RMC 4-9-190C
“Exemption from Permit System” and for the following reasons:
Docusign Envelope ID: F3176F52-3C7A-42DE-BD18-2CAD799887A6
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements LUA24-000208, ECF, SME
Permit Date: December 11, 2024 Page 3 of 4
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements
Normal maintenance or repair of existing structures or developments, including damage by accident, fire or
elements. "Normal maintenance" includes those usual acts to prevent a decline, lapse, or cessation from a
lawfully established condition. "Normal repair" means to restore a development to a state comparable to its
original condition, including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location, and external
appearance, within a reasonable period after decay or partial destruction, except where repair causes
substantial adverse effects to shoreline resource or environment. Replacement of a structure or development
may be authorized as repair where such replacement is the common method of repair for the type of structure
or development and the replacement structure or development is comparable to the original structure or
development including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location and external appearance and
the replacement does not cause substantial adverse effects to shoreline resources or environment.
Pursuant to the City of Renton's Environmental Ordinance and SEPA (RCW 43.21C, 1971 as amended), on
November 25, 2024, the Environmental Review Committee issued a Determination of Non-Significance -
Mitigated (DNS-M) for the Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements project with three
(3) mitigation measures (Attachment A). A 14-day appeal period commenced on November 25, 2024, and
ended on December 9, 2024. No appeals were filed. A SEPA environmental impact statement (EIS) was not
required under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.21C.030(2)(c).
Repair, remodeling, and maintenance activities. The following activities shall be categorically exempt: The
repair, remodeling, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing private or public structures, facilities, or
equipment, including utilities, recreation, and transportation facilities involving no material expansions or
changes in use beyond that previously existed, except that, where undertaken wholly or in part on lands
covered by water, only minor repair or replacement of structures may be exempt (examples include repair or
replacement of piling, ramps, floats, or mooring buoys, or minor repair, alteration, or maintenance of docks).
Staff Comment: The proposal for a maintenance and improvement project at the Renton Municipal Airport
would qualify as an Exemption from a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit under the allowance for
Maintenance and Repair. The proposed maintenance and improvement work noted in the ‘Project
Description’ section above would allow the airport, an important transportation infrastructure element for the
entire region, to continue operating in a safe and efficient manner and therefore is classified as a Maintenance
and Repair project. The proposal would not impact any vegetation or habitat and would result in no net loss
of ecological functions and values on the project site.
FINDINGS: The proposed development is:
i. Consistent with the policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
ii. Not Applicable to the guidelines of the Department of Ecology where no Master Program
has been finally approved or adopted by the Department.
iii. Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Master Program.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
_____________________________________ ______________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
Docusign Envelope ID: F3176F52-3C7A-42DE-BD18-2CAD799887A6
12/11/2024 | 1:36 PM PST
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements LUA24-000208, ECF, SME
Permit Date: December 11, 2024 Page 4 of 4
Taxiway A Reconstruction/Rehab and Associated Improvements
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 December 26, 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: Two (2) years from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Environmental (SEPA) Review Committee Determination of Non-Significance - Mitigated
(DNS-M), dated November 25, 2024
Attachment B: Civil Construction Plans
Attachment C: Lake Study and Habitat Data Report, prepared by ESA, dated April 2024
Docusign Envelope ID: F3176F52-3C7A-42DE-BD18-2CAD799887A6