HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR_HEX_WSDOT_I405/SR-167D_Direct_Connect_Sewer_150406, _ ... • DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
REPORT TO THE HEARING EXAMINER
A. SUMMARY AND PURPOSE OF REQUEST
REPORT DATE:
Project Nome:
Project Number:
Project Manager:
Owner:
Applicant:
Contact:
Project Summary:
Project location:
Exist. Bldg. Area SF:
Site Area:
April 6, 2016
1-405/SR-167 Direct Connect Sewer Relocation
LUA16-000212, V-H
Vicki Grover, Civil Engineer Ill
City of Renton/Washington State Department of Transportation
Michael Benoit, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057-
3232
Same as Applicant.
The City of Renton, Wastewater Utility requests a variance from RMC 8-7-2
{Noise Regulations, Maximum Environmental Noise Levels) in order to conduct
construction work at night in an area with residential uses. The construction
work would occur during 10 non-consecutive nights of construction from May
1, 2016 through September 30, 2017, to allow for relocation of sewer, due to
the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) 1-405/SR-167
Direct Connect Project. The sewer relocation project is located south and east
of 1-405, north of South 15th Street and west of Smithers Avenue South along
South 14th Street. The project includes work and improvements within the City
of Renton and within the State Department of Transporation Right of Way
limits.
Noise levels resulting from project construction activity would generate peak
noise levels of 76 to 88 dBA as perceived at a distance of 50 feet from the
proposed sewer main alignment. A variance from RMC 8-7-2 is necessary in
order to conduct the nighttime work, as maximum permissible environmental
noise levels (per WAC 173-60-040, incorporated by reference in RMC 8-7) limit
extended periods of noise from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am to levels between 45 dBA
and 60 dBA, with exceedances of 5 to 15 dBA permitted for periods of 1.5 to 15
minutes in any one-hour period (WAC 173-60-040).
Along South 14th Street between South 15th Street and Smithers Avenue South
N/A
Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint):
Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross):
N/A
1,600 Lineal Feet Tata/ Building Area GSF: N/A
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
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1 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
\ 1-405/SR-167 DIRECT CONNECTOR SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT LUA16-000111, V·H
\ Report of April 6, 2016 Page 2 of 7
Ir-------------------------------, I I B, PROJECT DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
I The City of Renton (COR) requests a variance from RMC 8-7-2 {Noise Regulations, Maximum
\ Environmental Noise Levels) in order to conduct construction work at night in an area with residential
\ uses. The construction work would occur over 10 non-consecutive nights from May 1, 2016 to September
I 30, 2017. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin construction of the 1-405 /
I SR-167 Direct Connector project later this year. As a result of the proposed expansion of the highway
'\ limited access right-of-way, the public utilities that serve the residential neighborhood in the Talbot Hill
area will need to be relocated. WSDOT is responsible for the relocation of the utilities. Because of the
timing and coordination issues, the State has requested the sanitary sewer be relocated prior to their
1 contractor mobilizing onto the site. WSDOT is contracting with the City of Renton to relocate the sewers.
\ The project would consist of a trenchless method of pipe installation called horizontal directional drill
I I (HDD). This methodology would be used to install approximately 800 lineal feet of the total 1,600 lineal
\ feet of sewer main to be relocated. Construction equipment used during the nighttime operations will
\include, but is not limited to: dump trucks, generators, portable lighting (light plants), excavators, loaders,
:mud pumps, drill rig that conducts the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and a separation plant. Noise
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levels resulting from the project construction activity would generate peak noise levels of 76 to 88 dBA as
I perceived at a distance of 50 feet from the proposed pipe alignment.
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To limit the potential effect of construction-related noise at the residences near the HDD portal sites,
several noise mitigation measures have been considered.
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Construction of a 16-foot tall noise wall around the perimeter of the portal site. The
truck/equipment entrance will be placed to face away from houses and would not require a barrier
Give at least 72 hour advance notice to nearby residents of the time periods when particularly
noisy work and potential nighttime construction activities (i.e. The Pilot Bore, Reaming or Pipe
Installation) will be occurring through mailers, door hangers, or other similar notification methods.
Create and utilize a noise mitigation training program, which shall be implemented for all field-
worker supervisory personnel including sub-contractor supervisors. (Required in construction
contract.)
Take noise level readings. At a minimum, the contractor will be required to take a base noise level
reading before the start of construction activities, at the start of the drilling, and after noise
mitigation measures have been installed.
Equip all vehicles with ambient sensitive backup warning devices. The Contractor may use back-up
observers in lieu of back-up warning devices for all equipment except dump trucks in compliance
with WAC Chapter 296-155-610 and 296-155-615. The Contractor shall use back-up observers and
back-up warning devices for dump trucks in compliance with WAC Chapter 296-155-640.
When feasible, temporary noise shields would be placed around construction equipment and
trucks will not be allowed to park or idle near residences.
An after-hours noise complaint phone number will be provided to the local residents to register
complaints to be mitigated.
Alternative mitigation measures include using acoustical blankets, pads, and/or boards to control
metal-on-metal clanging noise or other banging noises that can occur while picking up drill pipe and
setting to and from the storage racks; and offering to relocate the nearest residents during nights
when construction activities would occur (i.e. The Pilot Bore, Reaming or Pipe Installation) or
during days with particularly noisy daytime activities.
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
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._;.. • • City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
1-405/SR-167 DIREcr CDNNEcrDR SEWER RELDCATIDN PRDJEcr
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
LUA16-000212, V-H
Report of April 6, 2016 Page 3 of 7
The project is located along South 141h Street between South 15th Street and Smithers Avenue South within
the City of Renton limits and right of way properties newly acquired by WSDOT for the 1-405 / SR-167
Direct Connect Project. The project will include nighttime work where the zoning is all residential varying
from R-8 to R-6 and has the 1-405 corridor as the northern boundary to the sewer relocation project.
A variance from RMC 8-7-2 is necessary in order to conduct the nighttime work, as maximum permissible
environmental noise levels (per WAC 173-60-040, incorporated by reference in RMC 8-7) limit extended
periods of noise from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am to levels between 45 dBA and 60 dBA, with exceedances of 5 to
15 dBA permitted for periods of 1.5 to 15 minutes in any one-hour period (WAC 173-60-040).
I C. EXHIBITS:
The following exhibits were entered into the record:
Exhibit 1: Staff Report dated April 6, 2016
Exhibit 2: Memorandum dated February 12, 2016 from Public Works requesting the variance
Exhibit 3: Project Narrative
Exhibit 4: Justification for the Noise Variance Request
Exhibit 5: Proposed Nighttime Noise Mitigation Measures
Exhibit 6: Exhibit of the location of work being proposed along S. 14th St. between S. 15th St.
and Smithers Avenue S.
Exhibit 7: 11" X 17", 100% Design Plans
Exhibit 8: Correspondence, Application and Special Provisions for a Temporary Franchise
Agreement between WSDOT and the COR.
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
City of Renton Department of Community & .mic Development
1-405/SR-167 DIRECT CONNECTOR SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT
NOISE VA.CE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
LUA16-000212, V-H
I Report of April 6, 2016 Page 4 of 7
: I D. FINDINGS:
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Having reviewed the written record in the matter, the City now makes and enters the following:
1. Request: Noise Variance from RMC 8-7-2 {Maximum Environmental Noise Levels) for work
between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am over 10 non-consecutive nights from May 1, 2016 to September
30, 2017.
2. Variance: The proposal requires a public hearing with the Hearing Examiner.
3. Existing Land Uses: Single family residences
4. Zoning: Residential -6 Dwelling Units per Acre (R-6), Residential -8 Dwelling Units per Acre {R-8)
CONSISTENCY WITH VARIANCE CRITERIA:
Section 8-7-8.D. Lists 7 criteria thot the Hearing Examiner is osked to consider, olong with oil other
relevant information, in making a decision an a Noise Vorionce opplicotion. These include the
following:
The Hearing Examiner shall have authority to grant a variance upon making a determination, in writing,
that the conditions specified below have been found to exist:
1. That the applicant suffers practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship and the variance is
necessary because of special circumstances applicable to the applicant's property or project, and
that the strict application of this Chapter will deprive the subject property owner ar applicant af
rights and privileges enjoyed by others.
Staff Analysis: COR is not specifically scheduling to do night work for the sanitary sewer pipe
relocation, however, when conducting horizontal directional drilling {HOD) needed for the 800
lineal feet portion of this project, "momentum" is key. Once you have begun one of the three steps
involved in the process {i.e. The Pilot Bore, Reaming or Pipe Installation), you cannot efficiently
stop the task and restart at a later time. To stop the step prior to completion would create
difficulties and liardship as it would be highly likely that the contractor could not overcome the
inertia and friction to restart the task.
The plan is and every effort will be made to do the work between the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00
pm. However, during specific steps related to the HDD {i.e. The Pilot Bore, Reaming or Pipe
Installation), if the contractor runs into problems or the work is proceeding slower than anticipated
they will need to continue the work until the specific step is completed, even if that means
continuing past 10:00 pm. For this portion of the project, the COR proposes to install about 800
feet of 12-inch sewer main installed by HOD method. That 800 feet of pipe needs to be pulled into
place as one continuous task. The installation process could go easily and the task could be
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
" · · Cit'; of Renton Department of Community .nomic Development
l-40S/SR-167 DIRECT CONNECTOR SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT
Report of April 6, 2016
NOISE .NCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
LUA16-000212, V-H
Page 5 of 7
completed in a normal working day or the contractor may run into difficulties and the specific step
would need to continue into the night.
The majority of the noise will be confined to the two entry/ exit points on either end of the HOD.
There will be the need to continually move the "mud" (the material used to lubricate and cool the
drill head, casing and pipe during the process and stabilize the borehole) from the receiving pit
back to the entry pit so the area between the pits would be subject to truck noise as they haul this
material from the receiving point back to the entry point.
2. That the granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public health, welfare
or safety, or unduly injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity of the location for
which this variance is sought.
Staff Analysis: The noise from the HOD construction method would occur during a maximum of 10
non-consecutive nights over the course of 17 months. The relocation of the sanitary sewers would
allow for the continued provision of a public health service to the residents of Talbot Hill as the
State performs the needed transportation improvements to their highway system.
When distance is incorporated into the assessment as well as topography and the proposed
mitigation measures, we estimate that the nearest residences would notice the nighttime work but
not as severe as without the listed mitigation measures. Citizens will be impacted to the minimum
extent possible and there is no likelihood that the public health or safety will be diminished. If any
noise related complaints are received, the contractor along with the City will work with the
complainant to resolve the issue(s). Staff posted and mailed a notice to all residents within a 300
feet radius of the project corridor. No comments have been received.
3. That the variance sought is the minimum variance which will accomplish the desired purpose.
Staff Analysis: The work would occur over 17 months on 10 non-consecutive nights. The work
would impact approximately 800 lineal feet. Mitigation measures are proposed by the applicant to
diminish the impact on the surrounding area. Staff believes that the request is the minimum
number of nights required to complete this portion of the relocation project including any major
construction contingencies to the critical path needed to accomplish the necessary pipe
installation.
4. That the variance contains such conditions deemed to be necessary to limit the impact of the
variance on the residence ar property owners impacted by the variance. The variance approval
may be subject to conditions including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Implementation of a noise monitoring program;
b. Maximum noise levels;
c. Limitation on types of equipment and use of particular equipment;
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
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I City of Renton Department of Community & .mic Development I l-405/SR-167 DIRECT CONNECTOR SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT
NOISE VA.CE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION •••
LUA16-000212, V·H
f Report of April 6, 2016 Page 6 of 7
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d. Limitation an back-up beepers for equipment;
e. Required use af noise shields or barriers;
f. Restrictions to specific times and days;
g. Specific requirements for documentation of compliance with the noise variance
conditions;
h. Specific requirements for notification to nearby residents;
i. Required cash security to pay for inspection services to verify compliance;
j. Required access to the project by the City to verify compliance with the noise variance
conditions;
k. Specific program to allow for temporary hotel vouchers to effected residents;
I. Requirements for written verification that all workers understand the noise variance
conditions for the project; and
m. Provision allowing the City to immediately revoke the variance approval If the variance
conditions are violated.
Staff Analysis: Noise shields will be used as directed by the engineer and when feasible. Back-up
beepers will be ambient sensitive backup alarms, and truck tailgate banging will not be allowed. An
after-hours noise complaint phone number staffed by the City of Renton Wastewater Department
and or their contractors will be provided.
Staff recommends as a condition of approval that the Wastewater Department provide the City's
project manager with the after-hours noise complaint phone number and a summary of any
complaints and the response provided, within 2 days of receiving the complaint. In addition, staff
recommends that the applicant provide notice to the City's project manager of the dates of
expected night work, a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the work.
5. The importance of the services provided by the facility creating the noise and the other impacts
caused to the public safety, health and welfare balanced against the harm to be suffered by
residents or property owners receiving the increased noise permitted under this variance.
Staff Analysis: The State Highway system, in and through the City of Renton, is heavily travelled
and improvements to this system outweigh the limited-term noise impacts to residents and
property owners. Additionally, the residents of the City also deserve continued service from the
City's Wastewater Department to dispose of household wastes. The applicant has identified
measures to be implemented to reduce excessive noise. Impacts are further mitigated by the
existing ambient noise level emanating from the 1-405 corridor just to the north of the proposed
sewer alignment.
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
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:. · · 6~ of Renton Department of Community & l,omic Development
1-405/SR-167 DIRECT CONNECTOR SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT
Report of April 6, 2016
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NOISE ANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION
LUA16-000212, V-H
Page 7 of 7
6. The availability of practicable alternative locations or methods for the proposed use which will
generate the noise-
Staff Analysis: The work is a relocation of sewer pipe due to the expansion of the 1-405 and SR-
167 corridor transportation project funded by the State Legislature. Various alternative alignments
for the pipe location were considered and this was the final alternative agreed upon between the
COR and WSDOT.
7. The extent by which the prescribed noise limitations will be exceeded by the variance and the
extent and duration of the variance-
Staff Analysis: The work of installing 800 lineal feet (per the HDD method versus the open cut
method) of the total 1,600 lineal feet of pipe would occur over a 17 month period on 10 non-
consecutive days.
F. CONCLUSIONS: THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN PROPERTIES OWNED BY THE CITY OF RENTON
AND WSDOT. THE PROPOSED PIPE LALIGNMENT IS LOCATED ALONG S.14TH STREET BETWEENS. lSTH
STREET AND SMITHERS AVENUES. THE WORK WOULD OCCUR OVER 5 MONTHS ON 10 NON-
CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS.
1. The work requires a variance from RMC 8-7-2 (Noise Regulations, Maximum Environmental Noise
Levels) as levels of noise for night time would be exceeded.
2. Analysis of the proposal according to variance criteria of RMC 8-7-8-0 is found in the body of the
Staff Report.
I G. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Variance for the 1-405/SR-167 Direct Connect Sanitary Sewer Relocation,
File No. LUA16-000212, V-H be approved subject to the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall provide the City of Renton project manager with the phone number for
after-hours noise complaints prior to commencement of construction. Any complaints from
within the Renton city limits will be summarized and reported to the City's project manager
within 2 days of the complaint.
2. The applicant shall implement proposed mitigation measures and alternate mitigation
measures to diminish or eliminate noise during construction.
3. The applicant shall notify the City of Renton project manager with the date and areas of
expected night work prior to commencement of night work, a minimum of 24 hours in
advance of the work.
NOISE VARIANCE HEX REPORT SEWER RELOCATION