HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_ERC_Determination_Agency_Letter_180316
Enclosure
cc: King County Wastewater Treatment Division Ramin Pazooki, WSDOT, NW Region
Boyd Powers, Department of Natural Resources Larry Fisher, WDFW
Karen Walter, Fisheries, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Duwamish Tribal Office
Melissa Calvert, Muckleshoot Cultural Resources Program US Army Corp. of Engineers
Gretchen Kaehler, Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation Washington State Department of Ecology
March 16, 2018
Washington State
Department of Ecology
Environmental Review Section
PO Box 47703
Olympia, WA 98504-7703
Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) THRESHOLD DETERMINATION
Transmitted herewith is a copy of the Environmental Determination for the following project reviewed
by the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) on March 12, 2018:
SEPA DETERMINATION: Determination of Non-Significance - Mitigated (DNS -M
PROJECT NAME: Southport Office Helipad
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA18-000115, ECF, CU-H
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on
March 30, 2018, together with the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South
Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and
information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510.
Please refer to the enclosed Notice of Environmental Determination for complete details. If you have
questions, please call me at (425) 430-7289.
For the Environmental Review Committee,
Clark H. Close
Senior Planner
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE
- MITIGATED (DNS-M)
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA18-000115, CU-H, ECF
APPLICANT: David Ketchum, Airsafe / PO Box 287 Greenbank, WA 98253
PROJECT NAME: Southport Office Helipad
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Hearing Examiner Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) and Environmental (SEPA) Review to construct a rooftop helipad near the south end
of Tower 2 at the Southport Office Complex. The structure on which the helipad is proposed is part
of a three-structure office complex that has been permitted separately and is currently under
construction. Tower 2 is located in the Urban Center (UC) zoning district on a 245,086 square feet
(5.63 acres) parcel at 1101 Lake Washington Blvd N. The 9 -story Southport Office Building 2 has
been designed to support a thickened concrete helipad slab measuring 30 ft x 30 ft (900 sf) in size.
The helipad would be classified as “private-use” helipad for light-turbine helicopters, classified as
H-1. The surrounding landmarks include Renton Municipal Airport to the west, I -405 Freeway to
the east and Lake Washington approximately 650 feet to the north. The proposed helipad is
expected to have minimal effect on adjacent properties.
PROJECT LOCATION: 1101 Lake Washington Blvd N Renton, WA 98056
LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee
Department of Community & Economic Development
The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee has determined that it does not have a probable significant
adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW
43.21C.030(2)(c). Conditions were imposed as mitigation measures by the Environmental Review Comm ittee
under their authority of Section 4-9-070D Renton Municipal Code. These conditions are necessary to mitigate
environmental impacts identified during the environmental review process. Because other agencies of
jurisdiction may be involved, the lead agency will not act on this proposal for fourteen (14) days.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on March 30,
2018. Appeals must be filed in writing together with the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton,
1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more
information may be obtained from the Renton City Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510.
PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 16, 2018
DATE OF DECISION: MARCH 12, 2018
DEPARTMENTOFCOMMUNITYANDECONOMICDEVELOPMENTSIGNATURES:0GreggZimrm,AministratorPublicWorIsDepartmentKelyBeymer,AministratorCommunityServicesDepartme3)iz)’isDatRickM.Marshall,AdministratorRentonRegionalFireAuthorityJzfDateC.E.ChipVincent,AdministratorDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentDate
ERC Mitigation Measures and Advisory Notes Page 1 of 5
DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE – MITIGATED
(DNS-M) MITIGATION MEASURES AND ADVISORY NOTES
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA18-000115, ECF, CU-H
APPLICANT: David Ketchum, Airsafe / PO Box 287 Greenbank, WA 98253 /
(360) 678-0345 / David@airsafeheliports.com
PROJECT NAME: Southport Office Helipad
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Hearing Examiner Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) and Environmental (SEPA) Review to construct a rooftop helipad near the south end of
Tower 2 at the Southport Office Complex. The structure on which the helipad is proposed is part of a
three-structure office complex that has been permitted separately and is currently under construction.
Tower 2 is located in the Urban Center (UC) zoning district on a 245,086 square feet (5.63 acres) parcel
at 1101 Lake Washington Blvd N. The 9-story Southport Office Building 2 has been designed to support
a thickened concrete helipad slab measuring 30 ft x 30 ft (900 sf) in size. The helipad would be classified
as “private-use” helipad for light-turbine helicopters, classified as H-1. The surrounding landmarks
include Renton Municipal Airport to the west, I-405 Freeway to the east and Lake Washington
approximately 650 feet to the north. The proposed helipad is expected to have minimal effect on
adjacent properties.
PROJECT LOCATION: 1101 Lake Washington Blvd N Renton, WA 98056
LEAD AGENCY: The City of Renton
Department of Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
MITIGATION MEASURES:
1. The Southport Office Helipad operator shall limit engine and rotor-system running times to
the minimum necessary for safe operations and consistency with helicopter and engine
manufacturer recommendations.
2. The operator of the Southport Office Helipad shall employ Helicopter Association
International’s (HAI) Fly Neighborly Program.
3. Helipad operating hours shall be restricted to the hours between seven o’clock (7:00) a.m.
and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., Monday through Friday. Operating hours on Saturdays shall be
restricted to the hours between nine o’clock (9:00) a.m. and six o’clock (6:00) p.m. No flights
shall be permitted on Sundays.
4. The helipad shall be restricted to a maximum of twelve (12) landings and takeoff per week.
5. The helipad shall be restricted to light-turbine helicopters only, except for larger helicopters
in case of an emergency.
Nexus: RMC 4-9-070, Environmental Review Procedures and RMC Chapter 7, Noise Level
Regulations.
ERC Mitigation Measures and Advisory Notes Page 3 of 5
ADIVISORY NOTES:
The following notes are supplemental information provided in conjunction with the administrative
land use action. Because these notes are provided as information only, they are not subject to the
appeal process for the land use actions.
Planning:
(Contact: Clark H. Close, 425-430-7289, cclose@rentonwa.gov)
1. RMC section 4-4-030.C.2 limits haul hours between 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through
Friday unless otherwise approved by the Development Services Division.
2. Commercial and other nonresidential construction activities shall be restricted to the hours
between seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., Monday through Friday. Work
on Saturdays shall be restricted to the hours between nine o’clock (9:00) a.m. and eight o’clock
(8:00) p.m. No work shall be permitted on Sundays.
3. This permit shall comply with the Bald and Golden Eag le Protection Act. The permitted is
responsible for adhering to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Bald Eagle Management
Guidelines (2007) and /or your U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit.
Development Engineering:
(Contact: Ian Fitz-James, 425-430-7288, IFitz-James@rentonwa.gov)
1. See Attached Development Engineering Memo dated March 8, 2018.
Fire Authority:
(Contact: Corey Thomas, 425-430-7024, cthomas@rentonwa.gov)
1. Proposed helistop shall comply with Section 2007 of the International Fire Code, 2015 Edition.
2. Fuel spill control shall be provided.
3. Proper exit stair shall be provided.
4. Fire Standpipe shall be provided.
5. A type 80BC rated portable fire extinguisher shall be provided.
Technical Services:
(Contact: Amanda Askren, 425-430-7369, aaskren@rentonwa.gov)
1. Reviewed, no comment.
Community Services:
(Contact: Leslie Betlach, 425-430-6619, lbetlach@rentonwa.gov)
1. Reviewed, no comment.
Police:
(Contact: Cyndie Parks, 425-430-7521, cparks@rentonwa.gov)
1. Reviewed, no comment.
Building:
(Contact: Craig Burnell, 425-430-7290, cburnell@rentonwa.gov)
1. Reviewed, no comment.
ERC Mitigation Measures and Advisory Notes Page 4 of 5
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY &
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: March 8, 2018
TO: Clark Close, Senior Planner
FROM: Ian Fitz-James, Civil Engineer III
SUBJECT: Utility and Transportation Comments for Southport Helipad
LUA18-000115
I have reviewed the application for the Southport Helipad proposed for the roof of Tower 2 in the
Southport Office Towers located at 1101 Lake Washington Boulevard N. and have the following
comments:
WATER COMMENTS
1. Any standpipe that is required to serve the helipad that is connected to the City’s water
system must be protected by an approved backflow prevention assembly.
SEWER COMMENTS
1. The proposal will not require any sanitary sewer improvements.
STORM DRAINAGE COMMENTS
1. Based on the information provided in the application and further review of the 2017
Renton Surface Water Design Manual (RSWDM) and the 2014 Washington Department of
Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW), the City
does not consider the helipad to be pollution generating impervious surface (PGIS). No
additional stormwater improvements will be required for the proposed helipad. The
approved drainage plans and technical information report on file for the Southport Office
Towers already accounts for the helipad surface as non-pollution generating impervious
surface.
a) The 2017 RSWDM defines “PGIS” as surfaces subject to vehicular use, industrial
activities, or storage of erodible or leachable materials, wastes, or chemicals and
that receive direct rainfall or the run-on or blow-in of rainfall. The 2017 RSWDM
also defines “subject to vehicular use” as a surface regularly used by motor vehicles
including but not limited to motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, aircraft, tractors, and
heavy equipment. The definition goes on to provide examples of surfaces subject
to vehicular use and not subject to vehicular use.
The following surfaces are considered regularly used by motor vehicles by the
2017 RSWDM: roads, un-vegetated road shoulders, bike lanes within the traveled
ERC Mitigation Measures and Advisory Notes Page 5 of 5
lane of a roadway, driveways, parking lots, unrestricted access fire lanes,
vehicular equipment storage yards, and airport taxiways and runways. The
following surfaces are not considered regularly used by motor vehicles by the
2017 RSWDM: paved bicycle pathways separated from and not subject to
drainage from roads for motor vehicles, fenced or restricted access fire lanes, and
maintenance access roads with a recurring use of no more than one routine
vehicle access per week.
b) The 2014 SWMMWW defines vehicular use as the regular use of an impervious or pervious
surface by motor vehicles. The 2014 SWMMWW goes on to provide examples of surfaces
subject to vehicular use and not subject to vehicular use.
The following surfaces are considered subject to regular vehicular use by the 2014
SWMMWW: roads, un-vegetated road shoulders, bike lanes within the traveled lane of a
roadway, driveways, parking lots, unrestricted access fire lanes, vehicular equipment storage
yards, and airport runways. The following are not considered subject to regular vehicular use
by the 2014 SWMMWW: paved bicycle pathways separated from and not subject to drainage
from roads for motor vehicles, restricted access fire lanes, and infrequently used
maintenance access roads.
The proposed helipad is similar in function to that of a restricted access maintenance road which is
not considered PGIS by both the 2017 RSWDM and 2014 SWMMWW. The risk of leaking fluids is
negligible. There is no pollution being emitting from brake pads since helicopters do not require
runways to take off and land.
TRANSPORTATION/STREET COMMENTS
1. The proposal will not generate any new traffic and will not require any improvements to the nearby
public streets.