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SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 14
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:
Penney Lofts
2. Name of applicant:
Michael Smith
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3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
303 Nickerson St
Seattle WA 98109
206.632.1818
4. Date checklist prepared:
April 29 2019
5. Agency requesting checklist:
City of Renton – Community & Economic Development
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable):
Begin Fall of 2019 – Opening spring 2020
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain.
No
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal.
None
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.
No
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
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
page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project
description.)
Renovate existing 2story (plus basement) ~34500sf type IIIB building on 11500sf lot to create 2 levels (B+1)
of retail / business space and 1 level of residential apartments.
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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.
Project is located on NE corner of Burnett Ave S and S 3rd St in Renton WA
Legal: Block: 25 Lot: 9-10 RENTON TOWN OF W 115 FT
Tax ID: 723150-2185
B. Environmental Elements [HELP]
1. Earth [help]
a. General description of the site: Flat
(circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, other _____________
b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)?
~ .5%
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.
Existing site is entirely developed (100% impervious) soils testing has not been done
d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so,
describe.
None known
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.
No excavation / fill proposed
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe.
No – there is no excavation / fill proposed
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project
construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
Site is currently 100% impervious (downton urban)
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any:
N/A
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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.
Minor site welding / Painting / Concrete cleaning (~1000 sf) Concrete cutting (~176’ LF)
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so,
generally describe.
None
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any:
Standard best practices – Low VOC materials / isolation / wetting
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
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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.
Project will be on city sewer and designed to serve 143 occupants (based on IBC fixture calcs)
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.
Existing storm water runoff is collected at public catchbasin and conveyed to Cedar River
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
If waste materials are swept into public catchbasin - yes
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If
so, describe.
No
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage
pattern impacts, if any:
Existing drainage systems and patterns to remain
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4. Plants [help]
a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site:
__2__deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other
____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?
None – existing street trees to remain
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:
None
e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
None
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.
Birds: Common pigeons and seagulls
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.
Unknown - unlikely
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.
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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.
Electric – climate control / cooking / mechanical exhaust
b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties?
If so, generally describe.
Unlikely, subject building is lower than structure to North and buffered by 60’ ROW to west and south
Approx 10’ higher than building to East, buffered by 10’ ROW
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:
Upgraded windows and doors. Upgraded wall furring and exterior XPS at roof
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.
Potential site welding. Removal / decommission of existing oil furnace
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
None known
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.
None known
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.
None known
4) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
Ambulance if construction accident
5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any:
Best practices and licensed professionals
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment, operation, other)?
Traffic
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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.
Short –term, standard construction noise during acceptable hours ~ 7am-5pm
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
Construction during acceptable hours ~ 7am-5pm
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.
Site is abutting residential apartments to north, 10’ alley and retail to east, 60’ ROW and bank to south and 60’ ROW
and public green space to west. All should remain unaffected.
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.
One existing structure - 2story (plus basement) ~34500sf type IIIB building on 11500sf lot
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
No
e. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
CD – Center Downtown
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
Commercial mixed use
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.
Wellhead protection area (zone 1)
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
24 residential tenants + (assumed) 2 employees per retail spaces + 6 at restaurant = ~48 total
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j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
None – building is currently without tenants
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any:
None needed
L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land
uses and plans, if any:
Pre-app meeting with city officials
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.
24 residential units at market rate
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:
None proposed
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?
Loft addition to 36’ max height.
Existing shell is masonry – Principle proposed material to be new glazing ~1841sf / cementitious panels ~ 1600sf
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
None
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
Adding new/improved visual interest
11. Light and Glare [help]
a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly
occur?
Residential units – intermittiant evening light
Business spaces at main level – lit during business hours
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b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views?
Unlikely
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:
Exterior lighting will be shielded and dirested away from adjacent properties.
12. Recreation [help]
a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?
Plaza park and Renton Pavilion Event Center across street to west.
Veterans Mamorial Park, Renton History Museum, Liberty Park and Cedar River Trail off leash Area to East
Cedar River Trail and Jonas Park to North
Tonkin Park and Burnett Linear Park to South
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe.
No
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation
opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any:
None
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.
Subject building was built it 1955
Adjacent structure F.W. Woolworth Co. appears on National and Washington Heritage Registers
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, no, none
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.
Historic photos, DAHP website
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
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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.
I-405 located to east / south and I-5 located to west
Site is located on NE corner of Burnett Ave S and S 3rd St in Renton WA
Nearby parking garage located off Burnett
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?
Yes, public bus, nearest stop is adjacent to subject building on Burnett Ave S
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal
have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate?
0 / 0
d. 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).
Not directly – Impact fees to be assessed
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?
Per included traffic memo - ~ 18
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
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any:
None
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D. Supplemental sheet for nonproject actions [HELP]
(IT IS NOT NECESSARY to use this sheet for project actions)
Because these questions are very general, it may be helpful to read them in conjunction
with the list of the elements of the environment.
When answering these questions, be aware of the extent the proposal, or the types of
activities likely to result from the proposal, would affect the item at a greater intensity or
at a faster rate than if the proposal were not implemented. Respond briefly and in
general terms.
1. How would the proposal be likely to increase discharge to water; emissions to air; pro-
duction, storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or production of noise?
Building is currently empty, adding ~34 tenants will increase discharge, emissions and noise. There are no
plans for production, release or storage of any hazardous substance.
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce such increases are:
Low flow fixtures, increased shell insulative value, new upgraded glazing and mechanical systems.
2. How would the proposal be likely to affect plants, animals, fish, or marine life?
N/A
Proposed measures to protect or conserve plants, animals, fish, or marine life are:
N/A
3. How would the proposal be likely to deplete energy or natural resources?
Building is currently empty, adding ~34 tenants will increase energy demands, assuming electrical
generation is not coal fired, natural resources should not be depleted
Proposed measures to protect or conserve energy and natural resources are:
Low flow fixtures, increased shell insulative value, new upgraded glazing and mechanical systems.
4. How would the proposal be likely to use or affect environmentally sensitive areas or
areas designated (or eligible or under study) for governmental protection; such as parks,
wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, threatened or endangered species habitat, historic or
cultural sites, wetlands, floodplains, or prime farmlands?
Tenants are likely to use nearby public parks (and services)
Proposed measures to protect such resources or to avoid or reduce impacts are:
Impact fees to be assessed
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5. How would the proposal be likely to affect land and shoreline use, including whether it
would allow or encourage land or shoreline uses incompatible with existing plans?
Residentail tenants will likely enjoy adjacent riverside parks and pathways
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce shoreline and land use impacts are:
Impact fees to be assessed
6. How would the proposal be likely to increase demands on transportation or public
services and utilities?
Adding ~34 new tenants will increase utility demand of building. Adjacent bus stop will likel see increased
use
Proposed measures to reduce or respond to such demand(s) are:
Impact fees to be assessed
7. Identify, if possible, whether the proposal may conflict with local, state, or federal laws or
requirements for the protection of the environment.
None identified