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HomeMy WebLinkAboutECF_SEPA_Checklist_250117_V1.pdf SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 13 SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST Purpose of checklist: Governmental agencies use this checklist to help determine whether the environmental impacts of your proposal are significant. This information is also helpful to determine if available avoidance, minimization or compensatory mitigation measures will address the probable significant impacts or if an environmental impact statement will be prepared to further analyze the proposal. Instructions for applicants: This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. Please answer each question accurately and carefully, to the best of your knowledge. You may need to consult with an agency specialist or private consultant for some questions. You may use “not applicable” or "does not apply" only when you can explain why it does not apply and not when the answer is unknown. You may also attach or incorporate by reference additional studies reports. Complete and accurate answers to these questions often avoid delays with the SEPA process as well as later in the decision- making process. The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal, even if you plan to do them over a period of time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help describe your proposal or its environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist may ask you to explain your answers or provide additional information reasonably related to determining if there may be significant adverse impact. Instructions for Lead Agencies: Please adjust the format of this template as needed. Additional information may be necessary to evaluate the existing environment, all interrelated aspects of the proposal and an analysis of adverse impacts. The checklist is considered the first but not necessarily the only source of information needed to make an adequate threshold determination. Once a threshold determination is made, the lead agency is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the checklist and other supporting documents. Use of checklist for nonproject proposals: For nonproject proposals (such as ordinances, regulations, plans and programs), complete the applicable parts of sections A and B plus the SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET FOR NONPROJECT ACTIONS (part D). Please completely answer all questions that apply and note that the words "project," "applicant," and "property or site" should be read as "proposal," "proponent," and "affected geographic area," respectively. The lead agency may exclude (for non-projects) questions in Part B - Environmental Elements –that do not contribute meaningfully to the analysis of the proposal. A. Background [HELP] 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Homestead Willowcrest II Townhomes 2. Name of applicant: Third Place Design Cooperative SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 2 of 13 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: Third Place Design Cooperative Attn: Brent Chastain 304 Alaskan Way S, Suite 301 Seattle, WA 98103 206.330.2186 4. Date checklist prepared: 01/09/25 5. Agency requesting checklist: City of Renton, Department of Community and Economic Development 6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): Construction will begin in late spring/early summer 2025 and include all site work and building construction for the Homestead Willowcrest II Townhomes. It will include connection to Willowcrest I access drive and Edmonds Avenue NE. It will also include utility connections in Edmonds Avenue NE. 7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. There are no plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity. 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. Geotechnical Report Technical Information Report (TIR) 9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. A NEPA Confirming Review is being conducted for the proposal. An application for a Binding Site Plan and a Planned Urban Development are pending approval from the City of Renton. 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. Binding Site Plan Approval Planned Urban Development Permit Civil Constrution Permit NPDES Permit (Washington State DOE) Building Permits 11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 3 of 13 page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project description.) The proposal includes the subdivision of an existing undeveloped parcel to construct 19 single- family townhomes, landscaped common areas, and a shared access drive with surface parking. Townhomes will range in size from 1500sf to 1800sf. The existing parcel of 41,350 sf will be subdivided 19 lots and two tracts. Tracts C and D and 19 lots totaling 41,350 sf will comprise the site area. 2,951 sf of street frontage along Edmonds Ave NE will be developed as part this development. 12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. The parcel to be subdivided is located at 1132 Edmonds Ave NE in Renton, WA. Parcel # 943280-0130 Township 23N Range 5E Section 9 B. Environmental Elements [HELP] 1. Earth [help] a. General description of the site: (circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, other: gradual slope east to west b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? 15% c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat, muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any agricultural land of long-term commercial significance and whether the proposal results in removing any of these soils. Soils are primarily silty sand underlain by impermeable glacial till soil. d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so, describe. No e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of any filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate source of fill. Approximately 2000 cubic yards of cut and 500 cubic yards of fill will be needed for the proposal. Fill areas will range in height from 0-5 feet. Fill will be obtained from a Washington Department of Transportation approved source. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 4 of 13 f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe. Geotechnical analysis indicates erosion potential of on-site soils is low to moderate. Construction erosion and sediment control systems will be designed and provided for review at construction permit submittal. Geotechnical recommendations regarding minimizing soil disturbance during wet weather conditions will be observed. g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)? 26,773 sf / 40,0005 sf = 67% h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any: • Clearing limits will be delineated by perimeter silt fencing and chain link fencing • Temporary cover will be installed if an area is to remain unworked for more than 7 days in the dry season or more than 2 working days in the wet season. Any area to remain unworked for more than 30 days shall be seeded and sodded. • Perimeter protection will be implemented by silt fencing around the site perimeter as required by drainage paths • A stabilized construction entrance will be built for construction traffic • Catch basin protection will be provided • Surface water will be controlled and conveyed via swales with check dams if necessary • Dust control, if required, will be provided through the limited use of water trucks. • Subgrade areas will be proof rolled to located any soft or pumping soils. If soft or pumping soils are observed, they should be removed and replaced with compacted structural fill. • If deep pockets of soft or pumping soils are encountered outside the building areas, they should be supported with non-woven geotextile fabric prior to placing structural fill. • For earthwork that occurs in wet weather, the ground surface should be sloped so that surface water is directed away from the work area and ponded water does not develop. • Earthwork activities should not take place during periods of moderate to heavy precipitation • Slopes with exposed soils should be covered with plastic sheeting. • Site soils to be used as fill should not be left uncompacted and exposed to moisture. Soil stockpiles that will be used as structural fill should be covered with plastic sheeting. • Permanent cut or fill slopes should be constructed at inclinations of 2H:1V or flatter, 3H:1V where possible for landscape purposes. 2. Air [help] a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction, operation, and maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate quantities if known. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 5 of 13 During construction there will be emissions from construction vehicles. After construction and during occupancy, the main source of emissions to the air will be resident use of private automobiles for transportation to and from the site. b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so, generally describe. No c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any: The Willowcrest II Townhomes are designed to be superinsulated and daylit to reduce heating, cooling, and lighting demands. High-efficiency, Energy Star-certified equipment and lighting will be installed throughout the homes. Additionally, each home will be solar-ready. Pedestrian paths throughout the site connecting to neighborhing sites, as well as the site proximity to public transportation offer further opportunities for reducing emissions. 3. Water [help] a. Surface Water: [help] 1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into. No 2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans. N/A 3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected. Indicate the source of fill material. N/A 4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. N/A 5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan. No 6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so, describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge. No b. Ground Water: [help] 1) Will groundwater be withdrawn from a well for drinking water or other purposes? If so, give a general description of the well, proposed uses and approximate quantities withdrawn from the well. Will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. No 2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or other sources, if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the following chemicals. . . ; agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the number of such systems, the number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve. N/A SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 6 of 13 c. Water runoff (including stormwater): 1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe. Stormwater runoff will be created from new impervious surfaces including building roof areas, sidewalks, driveways, and access roads. A detention vault is proposed to meet the Peak Rate Flow Control Standard requirement. Perforated pipe connections will be installed for all roof drain connections from the five proposed townhome buildings. 2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe. No 3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If so, describe. The proposal considers the stormwater needs for the site, the adjacent Willowcrest I, as well as the offsite ROW areas of Edmonds Ave NE that will be required to be improved with a sidewalk and bio retention cell. d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage pattern impacts, if any: The site is classified as a Large Lot BMP site, and on-site flow control BMPs to mitigate the increased impervious coverage of the site will be investigated as the project’s stormwater design advances. 4. Plants [help] a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site: _X__deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other _X___evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other _____shrubs ____grass ____pasture ____crop or grain ____ Orchards, vineyards or other permanent crops. ____ wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other ____water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other ____other types of vegetation b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered? All vegetation and trees will be removed. There are large areas of invasive blackberry and Ivy that will be removed. Also, all of trees on the site that will be removed including Cotonwoods, Maples, Douglas fir, Spruce, and a Madrona. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 7 of 13 c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site. None d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance vegetation on the site, if any: New landscaping will consist of drought-tolerant native species with 90% of the plants producing edibles. e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site. Site has blackberries and ivy that will be removed 5. Animals [help] a. List any birds and other animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known to be on or near the site. Examples include: birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other: mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other ___None_____ b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site. None c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain. No d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any: None e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site. None 6. Energy and Natural Resources [help] a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating, manufacturing, etc. Electricity will be the main energy source for the townhomes, and will be used for space heating, ventilation, lighting, and appliance needs. Additionally, each home will be solar- ready to facilitate homeowner installation of roof-mounted PV arrays. b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties? If so, generally describe. No c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any: The building envelopes will be superinsulated to reduce heating and cooling demand. Passive ventilation strategies are incorporated into the designs to improve natural cross- and stack-ventilation and provide natural cooling during warmer weather. Ample daylighting is provided to reduce demand for electric lighting during the day. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 8 of 13 7. Environmental Health [help] a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal? If so, describe. No 1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses. Site is undeveloped and does not present a contamination risk. 2) Describe existing hazardous chemicals/conditions that might affect project development and design. This includes underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines located within the project area and in the vicinity. N/A 3) Describe any toxic or hazardous chemicals that might be stored, used, or produced during the project's development or construction, or at any time during the operating life of the project. N/A 4) Describe special emergency services that might be required. N/A 5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any: N/A b. Noise 1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)? Traffic 2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indi- cate what hours noise would come from the site. Noise generated during construction will be a short-term consideration and will be limited to the the daily and hourly schedule allowed by the local jurisdiction. Long-term noise generated by the project will be typical for the existing residential neighborhood. Minimal residential traffic is expected throughout the development at peak morning and evening commute hours and occasionally throughout the day. 3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any: None 8. Land and Shoreline Use [help] a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Will the proposal affect current land uses on nearby or adjacent properties? If so, describe. The project site is currently undeveloped, Willowcrest I townhomes exist to the East of the site and Edmonds Avenue NE is on the West of the site. Multi-family developments are to the North and South of the development. The new townhomes will be similar to the adjacent Willowcrest I townhomes and will have no affect on the current nearby land uses. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 9 of 13 b. Has the project site been used as working farmlands or working forest lands? If so, describe. How much agricultural or forest land of long-term commercial significance will be converted to other uses as a result of the proposal, if any? If resource lands have not been designated, how many acres in farmland or forest land tax status will be converted to nonfarm or nonforest use? No 1) Will the proposal affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land normal business operations, such as oversize equipment access, the application of pesticides, tilling, and harvesting? If so, how: No c. Describe any structures on the site. None, site is undeveloped d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what? N/A e. What is the current zoning classification of the site? Center Village (CV) f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site? The property is referred to as Site C on the Sunset Terrace Redevelopment Master Plan. The site is also located within Urban Design District ‘D’. g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site? N/A h. Has any part of the site been classified as a critical area by the city or county? If so, specify. No i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project? Approximately 48 people will reside at the project once completed total. There will be (10) three bedroom units, and (9) two bedroom units. j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace? None k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any: N/A L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and plans, if any: The proposed site design accounts for both current and future neighbors and creates shared circulation and common space between neighboring sites. m. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts to agricultural and forest lands of long-term commercial significance, if any: N/A 9. Housing [help] a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, mid- dle, or low-income housing. 19 affordable homeownership units, priced for residents at the 60-80% AMI level. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 10 of 13 b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high, middle, or low-income housing. None c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any: N/A 10. Aesthetics [help] a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is the principal exterior building material(s) proposed? Maximum ridge height among the buildings is 35’-3/8” on Building D. Principal exterior building materials are fiber cement siding, wood composite siding, and composite roofing. b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed? The existing Willowcrest I Townhomes have views to the west of the currently undeveloped site. The proposed site plan preserves views through the Willowcrest site, so Willowcrest I residents still have views through and over the proposed development to the west. c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any: The proposal considers the existing aesthetic context, City of Renton Residential Design Standards, and overall aesthetic appeal and durability in exterior appearance and material selections. 11. Light and Glare [help] a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly occur? There will be site lighting for resident safety to illuminate pedestrian paths and the access drive, which will be on during hours of darkness. b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views? No c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal? None d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any: None 12. Recreation [help] a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity? There is a play area at the adjacent Glenwood Apartments and Sunset Neighborhood Park is within ¼ mile of the development. b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe. No d. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any: SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 11 of 13 The project proposes the completion of a pedestrian connection from Glenwood Avenue NE and Edmonds Avenue NE and a large open space area in the south west corner of the site where opportunites for community gardnening and passive recreation can occur. 13. Historic and cultural preservation [help] a. Are there any buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the site that are over 45 years old listed in or eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers ? If so, specifically describe. No b. Are there any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation? This may include human burials or old cemeteries. Are there any material evidence, artifacts, or areas of cultural importance on or near the site? Please list any professional studies conducted at the site to identify such resources. No evidence of Indian or historic use has been found on site. Per City of Renton Ordinance No. 5813, Attachment B no native “A” horizon was identified at the site, and no further archaeological investigations are recommended for this area. c. Describe the methods used to assess the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources on or near the project site. Examples include consultation with tribes and the department of archeology and historic preservation, archaeological surveys, historic maps, GIS data, etc. N/A d. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, and disturbance to resources. Please include plans for the above and any permits that may be required. N/A 14. Transportation [help] a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site or affected geographic area and describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any. Main access to the site will be from the west via a proposed access drive from Edmonds Ave NE. Additional access will be from Glennwood Avenue NE through and easement at Glennwood apartments and Willowcrest I. b. Is the site or affected geographic area currently served by public transit? If so, generally describe. If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop? The site is within a half-mile of multiple bus routes, and a future Rapid Ride expansion is planned for the neighborhood. c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate? The proposal locates the minimum number of required parking in garages (19 total) and provides 3 additional surface parking spots throughout the site. Three parking spot on Willowcrest I will be relocated. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 12 of 13 e. Will the proposal require any new or improvements to existing roads, streets, pedestrian, bicycle or state transportation facilities, not including driveways? If so, generally describe (indicate whether public or private). Frontage improvements along Edmonds Ave NE are required. e. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air transportation? If so, generally describe. No f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project or proposal? If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur and what percentage of the volume would be trucks (such as commercial and nonpassenger vehicles). What data or transportation models were used to make these estimates? The proposal will generate approximately 137 vehicle trips per typical weekday, with 9 trips during the weekday AM peak hour and 7 trips during the weekday PM peak hour. Trip generation for the proposed townhomes was estimated based on the Institute ofTransportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual, 11th Edition (version 6.0.2 December 2022). The Single-Family Attached Housing (#215) land use category and average trip rate was assumed, which is representative of single-family housing units that share a wall with an adjoining dwelling unit. Weekday daily and AM and PM peak hour trip generation estimates are summarized in Table 1.These estimates are presented in detail in a memo dated 10/23/2024 from the project transportation engineer included in the application materials. The peak hour totals do not exceed the City’s minimum threshold requiring a Traffic Impact Analysis. g. Will the proposal interfere with, affect or be affected by the movement of agricultural and forest products on roads or streets in the area? If so, generally describe. No g. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any: A woonerf-type access drive is used throughout the proposal to make the streetscape more pedestrian-friendly and calm traffic. 15. Public Services [help] a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection, police protection, public transit, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe. b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any. None 16. Utilities [help] a. Circle utilities currently available at the site: electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system, other Storm water utility connections are on site, otherwise no utilities are currently available on the undeveloped project site. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 13 of 13 h. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service, and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might be needed. Electrical service will be brought to the site through lines routed underground below the access drive. Domestic water service will be proided through connection to an existing public water main. Fire hydrants will be installed on site per the civil site plan. All townhomes will have fire sprinklers. Stormwater runoff will be collected by roof drains, catch basins, and area drains. Runoff will then be routed to a detention vault on the west edge of the site, which will discharge to an existing storm drain main onsite that connects to Edmonds Ave NE. C. Signature [HELP] The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the lead agency is relying on them to make its decision. Signature: ___________________________________________________ Name of signee _________Brent Chastain_________________________________________ Position and Agency/Organization Director of Landscape Architecture, Third Place Design Co- operative_________________________________ Date Submitted: ____01/09/2025_________ Commented [KC1]: Sign/scan/add to pdf