HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergize Eastside LUA18-000055 (6)From:Jill Ding
To:"Janis Medley"
Subject:Energize Eastside, LUA18-000055
Date:Tuesday, November 26, 2019 2:18:40 PM
Dear Jan,
Thank you for your comments on Puget Sound Energy’s Energize Eastside Conditional Use Permit
Application, your comments have been included in the official file for consideration by the decision
maker. In addition, you have been added as a party of record for this project, as a party of record,
you will receive copies of correspondence from the City on this project. Your original email to me
included concerns related to bifurcation of the permit applications, project need, pole height, tree
removal, and other less costly options for energy reliability. My responses to your comments are
provided below:
1. Bifurcation: PSE’s CUP application covers all project activities proposed by PSE in Renton –
there is no proposal to bifurcate or phase the project in Renton.
2. Project Need: The proposed transmission line upgrade is permitted within the City of
Renton subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Hearing Examiner.
The City’s regulations do not require that the applicant demonstrate that the project in
needed in order for a Conditional Use Permit to be granted. However, PSE has conducted
studies regarding the need of the project and has made those studies available for City staff
and the public to review. The Phase 1 DEIS specifically states: “The EIS Consultant Team,
represented by Stantec (an electrical system planning and engineering subconsultant
working in support of the Energize Eastside EIS effort), has reviewed this background
information and studied the process used by PSE to establish a need for the proposed
Energize Eastside Project. Stantec prepared a memorandum evaluating the stated need for
the project, and confirmed that PSE’s Eastside Needs Assessment was conducted in
accordance with industry standards for utility planning (Stantec, 2015).”
3. Pole Height: Utility poles and Wireless Communication Facilities (i.e. monopoles) do not
qualify as buildings and are therefore not subject to the same height restrictions as buildings
are within the surrounding zoning designations.
4. Tree Removal: The City will review the proposal for compliance with the adopted Tree
Retention and Land Clearing Regulations. As the proposed transmission line upgrade is
proposed within PSE’s existing transmission line corridor, fewer trees will be required to be
removed than if PSE were proposing a new corridor. Although vegetation will be removed
within the corridor as part of the project, PSE is proposing to replace removed trees with
transmission line compatible species. Outside of the corridor, opportunities exist to replace
removed trees with taller growing species.
5. Lower Cost Alternatives: The City’s CUP process does not require that the applicant identify
alternatives to the project proposal. However, as part of the EIS process PSE was required to
study other alternatives, including conservation/energy efficiency, new generation, and
batteries. These alternatives were eventually eliminated because they did not solve the
problem, did not meet federal planning standards, and would be difficult to permit, or rely
on voluntary participation. Here is a link to the submitted Eastside System Energy Storage
Alternatives Assessment submitted by PSE:
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/DocView.aspx?
id=1338646&dbid=0&repo=CityofRenton
A public hearing on the proposal has been tentatively scheduled for December 17th at 9:00 am in the
City Council Chambers located on the 7th floor of City Hall, you may wish to attend and testify.
Please let me know if you have additional questions regarding this project.
Thank you,
Jill Ding
Senior Planner
City of Renton
Community and Economic Development
6th floor
1055 S Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
425-430-6598
jding@rentonwa.gov