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Home My WebLink AboutSR_ERC__Cedar_Ridge_Church_Expansion_160321DEPARTMENT OF COMMUN' AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT --------•Renton 8 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: March 21, 2016 PART ONE: PROJECT BACKGROUND Project Nome: Project Number: Project Manager: Owner: Applicant/Contact: Project Location: Project Summary: Exist. Bldg. Area SF: Site Area: 168,630 sf STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Cedar Ridge Church Expansion LUA16-000128, ECF, CUP Jill Ding, Senior Planner Cedar Ridge Church, 11411 SE 1641h Street, Renton WA 98055 David Pagel, Gabbert Architects Planners, 18422 103'd Avenue, Bothell, WA 98011 11411 SE 1641h Street (Parcel No. 008800-0320) The applicant is requesting Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit approval for the proposed addition to the Cedar Ridge Church. The proposed addition would occur in two phases. Phase 1 would include the addition of 8,908 square foot sanctuary to the existing church building and would increase the existing total seating capacity within the church to 301. The existing original 2,540 square foot church building would remain as part of this phase and would be converted to classroom and fellowship hall space. In Phase 2 the existing original 2,540 square foot church building would be demolished and replaced with a 6,879 square foot addition which would include a kitchen, fellowship hall, and additional meeting and classrooms. The project site totals 168,630 square feet (3.87 acres) and is zoned Residential-8 (R-8). The proposed '· project includes the addition of 55 parking spaces by the end of phase 2, resulting in a total of 95 parking spaces on site. A total of 61 spaces would be available after the completion of phase 1. Access to the site would remain off of SE 164th Street via one curb cut. A sensitive slope (grade between 25 and 40 percent) and two Category 3 wetlands have been identified on the project site (Wetlands A and B). Wetland A would have a standard buffer of 100 feet and Wetland B would have a standard buffer of 75 feet. Wetland buffer averaging is proposed to accommodate the proposed church expansion. 2,540 sf Proposed New Bldg. Area (phase I}: Proposed New Bldg. Area (phase II}: 8,908 sf 6,879 sf Toto/ Building Area GSF (phase I & II): 15,787 sf Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS). Project Location Map ERC Report_Cedar Ridge Church_16-0001ZB City of Renton Department of Community & .mic Development CEDAR RIDGE CHURCH EXPANSION • vironmental Review Committee Report LUA16-00012B, ECF, CUP Report of March 21, 2016 Page 2 of S i PART TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations. A. Environmental Threshold Recommendation Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials: Issue a DNS with a 14-day Appeal Period. B. Mitigation Measures C. 1. None recommended Exhibits Exhibit 1 Exhibit 2 Exhibit 3 Exhibit 4 Exhibit 5 Exhibit 6 Exhibit 7 Exhibit 8 Exhibit 9 Exhibit 10 Environmental Review Committee Report Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, prepared by Nelson Geotechnical Associates, Inc., dated September 25, 2015 Critical Areas Study and wetland delineation prepared by ACRE Environmental Consulting, LLC, dated January 1, 2016 Technical Information Report (TIR) prepared by Touma Engineers, dated February 14, 2016 Traffic Impact Analysis, prepared by Christopher Faulkner, PE, dated January 30, 2016 Site Plan Phase I and II (Sheets Al.0 and Al.1), prepared by Gabbert Architects Planners, dated 2/18/16 Landscape Plan Building Elevations (Phase I and II) Grading and Drainage Plan Advisory Notes D. Environmental Impacts The Proposal was circulated and reviewed by various City Departments and Divisions to determine whether the applicant has adequately identified and addressed environmental impacts anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposed development. Staff reviewers hove identified that the proposal is likely to have the following probable impacts: 1. Earth Impacts: A Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, prepared by Nelson Geotechnical Associates, Inc., dated September 25, 2015 (Exhibit 2) was submitted with the project application. A Sensitive Slope is mapped on the southwest portion of the project site. The applicant has indicated that grading would occur across approximately 70,719 square feet of the site and that the cut and fill would be balanced across the project site. According to the geotechnical report (Exhibit 2), the topography of the project site has a relatively level "bench" area within the central portion of the property. The ground surface slopes down ERC Report_Cedar Ridge Church_16-000128 City of Renton Department of Community & .omic Development CEDAR RIDGE CHURCH EXPANSION Report of March 21, 2016 .vironmental Review Committee Report LUA16-000128, ECF, CUP Page 3 of s gently to moderately in all directions from the central "bench" area. Moderate south-and southwest-facing slopes are located along the western and southern portions of the property that descend from the existing gravel driveway and parking areas to neighboring properties and wetland areas at an approximate grade of 36 percent. The site is generally vegetated with grass and sparse trees within the proposed development area and with trees and blackberries within the southern and western portions of the property. No surface or groundwater seepage was observed at the time of the site visit on September 4, 2015. A total of eleven test pits were excavated on the project site with depths ranging from 2.0 to 8.5 feet below the existing ground surface using a mini-trackhoe. In all test pits 0.5 to 1.0 feet of surficial grass and topsoil was encountered. Underlying the topsoil in Test Pits 1, 8, 9, and 11 2.0 to 7.0 feet of loose/stiff brown to red-brown silty fine to medium sand with gravel with varying amounts of gravel, organics and debris and sandy silt with organics that were interpreted as undocumented fill soils, were encountered. Underlying the surficial topsoil in Test Pits 2-7, and 10, and the undocumented fill in Test Pits 1, 8, 9, and 11 dense to very dense, red-brown silty fine to medium sand with fractured sandstone and gray sandstone interpreted to be native sandstone bedrock deposits was encountered. All test pits were terminated within the native and unweathered bedrock deposits. Groundwater was not encountered in any test pits. The report concludes that the site is compatible with the planned development and the native bedrock soils should provide adequate support for foundation, slab, and pavement loads. The soils are not conductive for typical on-site infiltration due to the relatively high silt content and shallow bedrock deposits interpreted to underlie the project site. Shallow infiltration systems in the form of pervious pavements, bio swales, or rain gardens may be feasible at specific areas within the site. It is recommended that construction take place during the summer months due to the drier weather conditions as construction during wet weather may disturb the soils and result in additional delays and expenses. The report included recommendations regarding erosion control, site preparation and grading, temporary and permanent slopes, foundations, retaining walls, structural fill, slab-on- grade, pavements, utilities, and drainage. It is anticipated that the City's currently adopted erosion control, construction, and drainage regulations would adequately mitigate for any impacts that could result from the proposed development; therefore no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measure: None recommended. Nexus: Not Applicable. 2. Water a. Wetlands Impacts: The applicant submitted a Critical Areas Study and wetland delineation prepared by ACRE Environmental Consulting, LLC, dated January 1, 2016 with the application (Exhibit 3). Two Category Ill wetlands (Wetlands A and B) were identified on or near the project site. Wetland A is the larger of the two wetlands and is located within a transmission line easement on the southern portion of the project site and extends off-site to the south. Wetland B is smaller in area than Wetland A and is located offsite to the west, within the transmission line easement near the southern portion of the project site. Wetland A was identified as having a habitat value of 5 points and would have a standard buffer requirement of 100 feet. Wetland B was identified as having a habitat value of 4 points and would have a standard buffer requirement of 75 feet. ERC Report_Cedar Ridge Church_16-000128 .---------------------------------------------- City of Renton Department of Community & .omic Development CEDAR RIDGE CHURCH EXPANSION Report of March 21, 2016 .vironmental Review Committee Report LUA16·000128, ECF, CUP Page 4 of 5 There are existing physical improvements in the form of maintained lawn and gravel parking in and adjacent to the outer portion of the wetland buffer areas. The majority of the on-site buffer areas is located beneath an overhead transmission line easement and is dominated by Himalayan blackberry. Wetland buffer averaging is proposed to accommodate the expansion of the parking lot, the stormwater detention pond, and landscaping. The northern buffer around Wetland A is proposed to be reduced from 100 feet to 75 feet and the northeastern buffer around Wetland B is proposed to be reduced from 75 feet to 57 feet. The City's adopted Critical Areas Regulations (RMC 4-3-050) include requirements for wetland buffer averaging and buffer reduction with enhancement. The proposal will be reviewed in conformance with the adopted Critical Areas Regulations as part of the staff recommendation for the Conditional Use Permit; therefore no further mitigation is recommended at this time. Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. b. Storm Water Impacts: A Technical Information Report (TIR) prepared by Touma Engineers, dated February 14, 2016 was submitted with the project application (Exhibit 4). The project site falls within two drainage basins. The northerly portion of the site slopes to the north and drains to the Black River drainage basin, and the south portion of the site, with steeper slopes (classified as Sensitive Slopes), drains to the Soos Creek basin. The site falls within the Flow Control Duration Standard (matching forested site conditions). The surface water runoff for the northern portion of the project site drains to the north and is intercepted by open ditches on the south site of SE 164'h Street. The flow is directed west and then north via an existing culvert to an existing drainage swale situated under the Bonneville Power Line right-of-way. The flow is then directed northwesterly until it reaches Puget Drive. The flow is then directed west along Puget Drive and flow into the storm system situation on the west side of Talbot Road where it is directed west to Springbrook Creek and eventually the Black River. The surface water runoff for the southern portion of the project site is direct to two Category Ill wetlands. The flow continues as sheet flow to the south crossing of SE 168'h Street and flows into the upper end of Soos Creek. The flow control facility proposed for the north basin stormwater runoff is a concrete vault under the proposed expanded parking lot. The south basin is proposed to drain into a stormwater detention pond. The sizing and design of the proposed flow control facilities would be reviewed for compliance with the adopted 2009 King County Surface Water Design Manual and City of Renton amendments; therefore no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 3. Transportation Impacts: A Traffic Impact Analysis, prepared by Christopher Faulkner, PE, dated January 30, 2016 was submitted with the project application (Exhibit 5). The proposed project would maintain access to SE 164'h Street via an existing 20-foot wide driveway. The church currently has three activites scheduled at the site during the week, the largest being Sunday morning services from 9:00 am to ERC Report_Cedar Ridge Church_16-000128 City of Renton Department of Community & .omic Development CEDAR RIDGE CHURCH EXPANSION Report of March 21, 2016 .vironmental Review Committee Report LUA16-000128, ECF, CUP Page 5 of 5 11:00 am. The church is also used on Wednesday evenings for a Bible Study class that starts at 6:30 pm. In addition, there is a Friday night youth group, which meets from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. There is currently no Church office on site, nor is an office included in the proposed plans. None of the scheduled church activities fall within the Weekday Peak Hours of 6:00 am to 9:00 am or 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. All of the anticipated traffic generated by the project proposal would occur during non- peak hours. Therefore, it is anticipated that the proposed project would not result in an increase in peak hour trips to the project site and no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. E. Comments of Reviewing Departments The proposal has been circulated to City Department and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their comments have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or "Advisory Notes to Applicant." ./' Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report. The Environmental Determination decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing together with the required fee to: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, on or before 5:00 p.m. on April 8, 2016. RMC 4-8-110 governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner and additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office, Renton City Hall -7'h Floor, (425) 430-6510. ERC Report_Cedar Ridge Church_16-000128