HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Boulevard_Lane_Park_Rehabilitation_Project_CAE_250422DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project_CAE_250422
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: April 22, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000101, CAE
PROJECT NAME: Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project
PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Associate Planner
APPLICANT/OWNER: King County Parks
201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
CONTACT: Josh Tasler, King County Parks
201 S. Jackson St, Unit 500, Seattle, WA 98104
PROJECT LOCATION: 12500 SE 188th Pl, Renton, WA 98058 (APN 3323059057)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, King County Parks, is proposing to rehabilitate several features in
Boulevard Lane Park. The subject property is a 16.8-acre site located at the dead end of SE 188th Pl along
the King County/City of Renton border. This site has a zoning designation of Resource Conservation (RC) and
a designation of Residential Low Density (RLD) in the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation. According
to the Critical Areas Report and Mitigation Plan (Attachment C), the rehabilitation work proposed includes
replacement of playground equipment and stormwater drainage entirely within the existing playground
footprint of 2,450 square feet, installing turf safety surfacing, removal of two (2) retaining walls, replacement
of an existing asphalt playground access pathway to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance
and potentially replacing existing drainage pipes and/or catch basins within the play area footprint while
maintaining existing drainage patterns. Additionally, approximately 785 square feet of existing asphalt
pathways would be replaced with root barrier installation, without relocation or expansion of the pathway.
The playground equipment that is being replaced is located within the wetland buffer in the eastern portion
of the subject property. The project involves demolishing an adjacent non-functioning restroom building,
removing the restroom’s foundation, placing topsoil at the removed restroom area to create a raised knoll to
provide for positive drainage and prevent ponding. The scope of work also includes regrading to provide a
gentler slope to the playground and the removal of two (2) high-risk trees with subsequent replanting of native
tree species. The restroom demolition includes the removal of 915 square feet of impervious surface from
the critical area buffer. According to the Tree Assessment (Attachment E), the developed park is
approximately 1.8-acres and contains approximately 30 significant trees, including pine, western red cedar,
red maple, birch, and cottonwood. The two (2) trees proposed for removal are identified as Tree #2, a 20.5-
inch (20.5”) diameter at breast height (dbh) red maple tree, and Tree #4, a 22-inch (22”) DBH pine tree, with
one being a high-risk tree whose root zone would be impacted by the restroom demolition. Access to the site
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City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project LUA25-000101, CAE
Permit Date: April 22, 2025 Page 2 of 4
D_Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project_CAE_250422
would remain via the existing entrance off SE 188th Pl. According to COR Maps, there is a high seismic hazard
area, a special flood hazard area, floodway, Type F stream (Big Soos Creek), Springbrook Wellhead
Protection Area Zone 2 and a wetland mapped on the site. As stated within the Critical Areas Report and
Mitigation Plan (Attachment C), Boulevard Lane Park is partially within the Big Soos Creek wetland buffer. Big
Soos Creek flows through a heavily vegetated wetland (Wetland A) located to the west of the developed park
area, as shown in the Vicinity Map (Attachment B). The stream is classified as a Type F stream with a 115-
foot buffer. According to the applicant, during the field reconnaissance on August 4, 2022, the Parks and
Recreation Division ecologist visually confirmed that the wetland boundary is still in approximately the same
location and condition as described in the 2014 Wetland and Stream Delineation Report (Attachment F). Due
to the project not being located within the wetland itself, only the buffer, the wetland was not delineated for
this project.
CRITICAL AREA: High seismic hazard, Wetland A (unclassified), Type F stream (Big Soos Creek),
Springbrook Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2, floodway, and special flood hazard area (FEMA Zone - AE).
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code, Section 4-3-050C.3.e.ii. Maintenance, Operation,
and Repair of existing Parks, Trails, Roads, Facilities, and Utilities, and the Construction of New Trails:
Normal and routine maintenance, operation and repair of existing parks, trails, streets, roads, rights-of-way
and associated appurtenances, facilities and utilities where no alteration or additional fill materials will be
placed other than the minimum alteration and/or fill needed to restore those facilities or to construct new
trails to meet established safety standards. The use of heavy construction equipment shall be limited to
utilities and public agencies that require this type of equipment for normal and routine maintenance and
repair of existing utility structures and rights-of-way. In every case, critical area and required buffer impacts
shall be minimized and disturbed areas shall be restored during and immediately after the use of
construction equipment.
CRITICAL AREA EXEMPTION 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 Comments: Maintenance and repair of existing parks, trails, facilities and utilities are
exempt activities and are permitted within geologic hazard areas, habitat conservation
areas, streams and lakes, and wetlands according to the City of Renton’s Critical Areas
Regulations. This decision does not exempt the applicant from any other agency approvals
needed to do the proposed work.
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by industry
standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
Staff Comments: The proposed work would be completed in a manner that limits impacts
on native vegetation. Per the Site Plan (Attachment A), the project is located within the
wetland buffer and a portion of the project (playground area) is located within the FEMA
100-year floodplain critical area buffer. The project has been designed to minimize impacts
to the wetland buffer by keeping the play area rehabilitation entirely within the existing
footprint. According to the Critical Areas Report and Mitigation Plan, the project avoids all
direct impacts to Big Soos Creek and Wetland A (Attachments A and C). Work proposed
within the 100-year flood plain would be limited replacement of the underdrain system and
converting safety surfacing from wood chips to artificial turf and foam padding. Prior to
permitting the playground area improvements within the 100-year flood plain, staff
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City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project LUA25-000101, CAE
Permit Date: April 22, 2025 Page 3 of 4
D_Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project_CAE_250422
recommends, as a condition of approval, that the applicant demonstrate that the proposed
underdrain system, artificial turf, and foam padding comply with the adopted flood plain
regulations as found in RMC 4-3-050, including the compensatory storage requirements.
Necessary plans and/or reports demonstrating compliance with the flood plain
requirements shall be submitted to the Current Planning Project Manager for review and
approval at the time of the Building Permit review.
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately restored;
Staff Comments: According to the applicant, the proposal avoids all direct impacts to Big
Soos Creek and Wetland A. The project is located within the critical area buffer and has
been designed to minimize impacts to the buffer by working entirely within the existing park
footprint (2,450 square feet). The new concrete pads for the new benches are
approximately 80 square feet. Approximately 785 square feet of existing asphalt pathways
will be replaced and root barriers will be installed. To mitigate the 3,315 square feet of
disturbed area, the lawn in the buffer would be restored with native plant species. The play
area Rehabilitation Planting Plan (Attachment D) outlines the proposed native plants
species which include five (5) redstem dogwood (cornus sericea), five (5) Pacific ninebark
(physocarpus capitatus), five (5) hooker willow (salix hookeriana), two (2) six-foot (6’) tall
vine maple (acer circinatum) trees, and two (2) six-foot (6’) tall shore pine (pinus contorta)
trees. The buffer mitigation is provided as 3,500 square feet. The applicant is proposing
compensation for wetland buffer impacts to exceed the standard enhancement and
restoration ratio of one to one (1:1). As a result, the proposed mitigation for buffer impacts
includes the enhancement of degraded buffers by planting native species, removing
structures and impervious surfaces within buffers, and other restoration measures within
the park.
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 Comments: No in-water work is proposed. The project has been designed to
minimize impacts to buffers by keeping the play area rehabilitation entirely within the
existing footprint (2,450 square feet). The applicant’s proposal includes a rehabilitation and
planting plan for the re-establishment 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 Comments: Not applicable. It is not anticipated that the proposal would result in
hazardous materials infiltrating the groundwater as the proposed work is located outside
the Springbrook Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2. The scope of work includes replacing
stormwater drainage entirely within the existing playground footprint, and existing drainage
pipes and/or catch basins within the existing play area footprint may be replaced if they are
damaged or nonfunctional. Existing drainage patterns would be maintained.
DECISION: An exemption from the Critical Areas Regulations is hereby Approved with Conditions* .
Docusign Envelope ID: DBD7813C-D43D-40DE-B4D8-D78A8A99E014
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project LUA25-000101, CAE
Permit Date: April 22, 2025 Page 4 of 4
D_Boulevard Lane Park Rehabilitation Project_CAE_250422
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed underdrain system, artificial turf, and foam
padding comply with the adopted flood plain regulations as found in RMC 4-3-050, including the
compensatory storage requirements. Necessary plans and/or reports demonstrating compliance
with the flood plain requirements shall be submitted to the Current Planning Project Manager for
review and approval at the time of Building Permit review.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Matthew Herrera, 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 May 6, 2025. 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: Site Plan
Attachment B: Vicinity Map
Attachment C: Critical Areas Report and Mitigation Plan, prepared by Lindsey Miller, Wetlands Ecologist,
King County Parks and Recreation Division, dated August 4, 2023
Attachment D: Rehabilitation Planting Plan
Attachment E: Tree Assessment, prepared by King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks,
dated February 15, 2023
Attachment F: Wetland and Stream Delineation Report, prepared by The Watershed Company, dated
September 2014
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4/22/2025 | 11:12 AM PDT