HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Thompson_Email_171228.pdf.pdf1
Clark Close
From:Erick Thompson <erick.thompson@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, December 28, 2017 2:16 PM
To:Clark Close; Vanessa Dolbee; Planning Customer Service
Subject:Extension of comment period for LUA17-000803 (S. Singh Short Plat)
Clark,
I am the owner of the house at 1301 S 9th Street. I am writing to formally request an extension of the comment
period for Concerns about LUA17-000803 (S. Singh Short Plat), which extends along the block to the
immediate west of my house. I got the notice of the plan around Dec 9th, and sent an email to you (Clock Close)
on Dec 13th. I got response and some of the planning documents on Dec 21st, and so I have not had time to
comment and response. Mona suggested that the comment window could be extended until Jan 5th, which
should be enough time to understand and comment on the planning documents.
The reasons and questions for the extension are as follows.
Background
As you may know, Renton Hill had significant coal mining in the 1900s. When I purchased the house in 2008,
the lot next door to me (south side, 851 Renton Ave S) was empty. I assumed it would remain so, as there was a
mine entrance in the middle of the lot. Nevertheless, someone bought the lot and went forward with building a
very large house on the lot. There were numerous problems, both during the construction and after. Some of
these problems have permanently damaged my house. The land in question (LUA17-000803) is just across the
road, and has similar characteristics, and so I want to ensure that the similar problems do not arise during
development of that lot.
General areas of concern
Coal Mine shafts and soil stability
For the coal map hazard on the geotechnical report, is there a standard map that was used? The geotechnical
report states that the eastern portion of the lot (where the proposed lots would be) are in a medium area, but
Coal Mine Hazard map
(http://rentonwa.gov/uploadedFiles/Government/FIT/GIS/PDF_Files/Coal%20Mine%20Hazard.pdf) seems to
show that part of the lot being in a high risk area. I’ve been made aware that these maps are approximate (for
example, they did not contain the entrance on the 851 Renton Ave S lot), so I would like additional time to look
at historical coal mine maps. However, I know these are also not complete, so how was the determination of
risk performed?
If the maps are not accurate enough to have prevented issues during the construction at 851 Renton Avenue
South, how will issues where the slope is far greater and risk of erosion/landslide greater
(see http://rentonwa.gov/uploadedFiles/Government/FIT/GIS/PDF_Files/Erosion%20Hazard.pdf and http://rent
onwa.gov/uploadedFiles/Government/FIT/GIS/PDF_Files/SteepSlopes.pdf) be prevented?
Stream, swarm/marsh, etc
2
I briefly scanned the critical area report, and one thing jumped out at me. The stream outlet on the northeast side
of the lot was marked as seasonal and runoff based. The stream is in the storm drain, and while it does run more
heavily in the winter, it is a year-round stream that drains into a marshy area in the northeast corner of the lot.
There are frogs and lizards out there, as my kids and I would go across the street and see them. You can hear the
frogs very well all summer. Opening the storm drain to access the stream is actually our earthquake water
source in case of emergency. The plan shows that corner as being one of the lots (lot 1). Is the storm drain going
to be extended to keep the stream underground? Does the year round nature of the stream change the plan? If it
isn't handled, then the soil will become saturated with water, making it more likely to have subsidence issues.
Issues with construction at 851 Renton Avenue South by same owner
I made the owners aware of the mine prior to construction starting, and he expressed surprise and said he wasn’t
aware of a coal mine entrance. Nevertheless, construction was started without any preparation, at least that I
could see. As a result, there were issues that arose during the construction of the house that could have been
prevented.
When I purchased my house (1301 S 9th Street), I checked the soil, and confirmed that the house was built on
clay (likely tailings from the mine). At the time I moved in, there was a single crack in the foundation and no
cracks in either of the driveways, and all the floors were level.
Sometime during or soon after the neighboring house was built, the land shifted resulting in half of the house
having a slight slope (enough that a ball will roll on the floor), and a number of cracks in the foundation and
driveway. There was significant land settling, including a cave-in on our neighbors lot (1348 S 9th St). This was
likely due to the mine entrance in the middle of the lot, and the shafts that connect to it.
They ended up pumping a great deal of concrete into the site to stabilize the land, and the construction ended up
taking the better part of a year. This again calls into question the accuracy of the coal mine maps. However, it
also illustrates the general quality of the construction process. The same owners are developing the lot in
LUA17-000803, and so I am especially concerned about shortcuts and inadequate planning and preparation.
Summary
I need to digest the other portions of the application, but above is what I noticed on a first pass. Let me know if
you need additional details to support the extension of the comment period.
Thanks,
Erick