HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair_SME_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair_SME_FINAL
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: January 21, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000012, SME
PROJECT NAME: Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair
PROJECT MANAGER: Jill Ding, Senior Planner
APPLICANT/OWNER/
CONTACT: Betsy Severtsen, City of Renton
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
PROJECT LOCATION: 19XX Maple Valley Hwy (APN 1723059026)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Shoreline Exemption for emergency, interim repairs
to an approximately 130-foot section of failed retaining wall along the south side of the Stoneway Property /
Cedar River Park, immediately adjacent to the Cedar River. The work is intended to stabilize the riverbank,
restore structural integrity, and protect adjacent infrastructure while a permanent solution is evaluated. The
site is a remediated property with documented elevated pH and arsenic in buried soils and is subject to an
environmental covenant with the Washington State Department of Ecology. All work shall be performed in
compliance with the covenant, applicable permits, and regulatory requirements. The scope of work includes:
mobilization, site setup, and establishment of staging and stockpile areas; installation, maintenance, and
removal of temporary erosion and sediment control measures, including in-water silt screens or curtains;
removal of damaged retaining wall components, fencing, and debris from upland and in-water areas as
necessary to complete stabilization; excavation and regrading of the riverbank, including temporary and final
reconstructed slopes; installation of five-man boulders and Class 5 riprap to restore toe protection and
stabilize reconstructed slopes, without encroachment beyond the original wall alignment; stockpiling,
handling, testing, reuse, or disposal of excavated soils as directed by the City and on-site environmental
oversight; and final site restoration, surface stabilization, and revegetation or hydroseeding of disturbed
upland areas. According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, the site is mapped within a Wellhead Protection Area,
Zone 1, a high seismic hazard area, a moderate and severe channel migration zone, 100 year floodplain,
floodway (FEMA Zone – AE), and sensitive and protected slopes. In addition, the site is located along the
Cedar River, which is a Shoreline of the State. The project site is located within the High Intensity Environment
Designation of reach C of the Cedar River.
SEC-TWN-R: SE 17-23-05
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: POR OF SE 17-23-05 BEING KNOWN AS REV LEGAL DESC OF EXHIBIT E OF
Docusign Envelope ID: DA4D4353-7EAB-4B1C-A8B9-E03D18187A51
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair LUA26-000012, SME
Permit Date: January 21, 2026 Page 2 of 3
D_Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair_SME_FINAL
(King County Assessor) BOUNDARY LINE AGREEMENT REC #20090112001505 APPROVED BY CITY OF
RENTON DAVID CHRISTENSEN DATED 01-22-09 SEE SURVEY 20090112900011
WATER BODY/REACH: Cedar River, Reach C
SHORELINE EXEMPTION FINDINGS:
The proposed development is consistent with the following findings:
YES i. Consistent with the policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
Staff Comments: The proposed retaining wall repair would qualify as maintenance and
repair of an existing structure and would be exempt from a Shoreline Substantial
Development Permit as specified in the Shoreline Management Act.
YES ii. Not Applicable to the guidelines of the Department of Ecology where no Master Program
has been finally approved or adopted by the Department.
Staff Comments: Not Applicable.
YES iii. Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Master Program.
Staff Comments: The City’s adopted Shoreline Master Program permits the repair of
existing shoreline stabilization structures (RMC 4-3-090F.4.c), provided it serves to
perform a shoreline stabilization function for a legally established land use, but shall be
subject to the provisions in RMC 4-3-090F.4.c.ii-iv if the land use for which the shoreline
stabilization structure was constructed is abandoned per RMC 4-10-060,
Nonconforming Uses, or changed to a new use. The proposed repairs to the existing
retaining wall are resulting from impacts from the December 2025 flood event and are
not the result of any change of use to the existing property.
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
“Exemptions from Permit System” and for the following reasons:
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.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
___________________________________________ __________________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
Docusign Envelope ID: DA4D4353-7EAB-4B1C-A8B9-E03D18187A51
1/21/2026 | 2:52 PM PST
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair LUA26-000012, SME
Permit Date: January 21, 2026 Page 3 of 3
D_Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair_SME_FINAL
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 4, 2026. 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: Project Narrative
Attachment B: Site Plan
Docusign Envelope ID: DA4D4353-7EAB-4B1C-A8B9-E03D18187A51
Stoneway Retaining Wall Repair
City of Renton, Washington
This project consists of emergency, interim repairs to an approximately 130-foot section of
failed retaining wall along the south side of the Stoneway Property / Cedar River Park
(Parcel ID: 1723059026), immediately adjacent to the Cedar River in Renton, Washington.
The work is intended to stabilize the riverbank, restore structural integrity, and protect
adjacent infrastructure while a permanent solution is evaluated.
The site is a remediated property with documented elevated pH and arsenic in buried soils
and is subject to an environmental covenant with the Washington State Department of
Ecology. All work shall be performed in compliance with the covenant, applicable permits,
and regulatory requirements.
The scope of work includes:
• Mobilization, site setup, and establishment of staging and stockpile areas.
• Installation, maintenance, and removal of temporary erosion and sediment control
measures, including in-water silt screens or curtains.
• Removal of damaged retaining wall components, fencing, and debris from upland
and in-water areas as necessary to complete stabilization.
• Excavation and regrading of the riverbank, including temporary and final
reconstructed slopes.
• Installation of five-man boulders and Class 5 riprap to restore toe protection and
stabilize reconstructed slopes, without encroachment beyond the original wall
alignment.
• Stockpiling, handling, testing, reuse, or disposal of excavated soils as directed by
the City and on-site environmental oversight.
• Final site restoration, surface stabilization, and revegetation or hydroseeding of
disturbed upland areas following City acceptance.
ATTACHMENT A
RECEIVED
01/12/2026 jding
PLANNING DIVISION
Docusign Envelope ID: DA4D4353-7EAB-4B1C-A8B9-E03D18187A51
Wall Failure & Debris
Removal Location
Install Anchored Silt
Screen
Removal Extents for 3:1
Slope
Stockpile Location #1 for Removed Dry
Material - Incl. Plastic Underneath Material
Stockpile Location #2 for Wet Material - Incl. Plastic
& Perimeter Trough for Water Handling
Dewatering through adjacent soil
City of Renton - Cedar River Wall Repair
Site Plan
ATTACHMENT B
RECEIVED
01/12/2026 jding
PLANNING DIVISION
Docusign Envelope ID: DA4D4353-7EAB-4B1C-A8B9-E03D18187A51