HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR_ERC_Report_Perotto_LiftsDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
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D_Perotto Lifts ERC Report
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC Meeting Date: April 19, 2021
Project File Number: PR20-000305
Project Name: Perotto Lifts
Land Use File Number: LUA20-000255, ECF, SSDP
Project Manager: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
Owner/Applicant: Gregory Perotto & Kristopher Bristow, 1526 19th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Contact: Evan Wehr, Ecco Design Inc., 203 N 36th St. Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98103
Project Location: 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 98056
Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review and a Shoreline
Substantial Development Permit to install a new boat lift with a translucent
canopy and a double jet-ski lift at 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N (Parcel number
3342700011). The upland portion of the site is within the Residential-6 (R-6)
Zone and Residential Medium Density comprehensive land use designation. The
waterward portion of the site is located in the Lake Washington Reach D and is
designated Shoreline Residential. The upland portion of the site is mapped with
sensitive slopes and high landslide hazards. The shoreline is currently armored
with a rock bulkhead. The existing pier is a joint-use pier that is shared with two
other parcels. The proposed boat lift and canopy would be located
approximately 14 feet waterward of the ordinary high water mark on the south
side of the pier. The proposed boat lift is 14 feet wide by 21 feet long. The bunk
of the boat lift would extend 18 inches above the ordinary high water mark and
the lift would sit on the lake bed of Lake Washington on foot pads that are 18
inches by 24 inches. The proposed canopy, which would be attached to the
proposed boat lift, is made of translucent materials and would be 12 feet wide
by 39 feet long. The double jet-ski lift is 8 feet wide by 10 feet long and would sit
on the lake bed. The applicant submitted a Lake and Stream Study with the
project application.
Site Area: 42,527 SF (0.98 acres)
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a
Determination of Non-Significance (DNS).
DocuSign Envelope ID: 34909DAB-6019-4F61-92EB-7B00837F3E54
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Perotto Lifts
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA20-000255, ECF, SSDP
Report of April 19, 2021 Page 2 of 5
D_Perotto Lifts ERC Report
PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND
The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review and a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit to install
a new boat lift with a translucent canopy and a double jet-ski lift at 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N (Parcel number
3342700011). The upland portion of the site is within the Residential-6 (R-6) Zone and Residential Medium Density
comprehensive land use designation. The waterward portion of the site is located in the Lake Washington Reach D
and is designated Shoreline Residential. The upland portion of the site is mapped with sensitive slopes and high
landslide hazards. The shoreline is currently armored with a rock bulkhead with a grated ramp from the shoreline to
the existing fully grated pier. The existing pier is a joint-use pier that is shared with two other parcels and includes
two deeded slips for neighboring properties.
The property contains shoreline native plantings and a poured concrete walkway that starts approximately 10 feet
from the bulkhead and continues landward to the house approximately 3 to 4 feet. The property line to the north
has a walkway that goes between the subject property and the property to the north. The shoreline near the north
property line is planted with a hemlock tree, evergreen huckleberry, thimbleberry, dogwood shrubs, and sword fern.
The middle of the shoreline is planted with dogwood shrubs, black cottonwood, sword fern, and red-flowering
currant. The south end of the shoreline has the ramp and pier with plantings of Pacific willow, evergreen
huckleberry, beaked hazelnut, and snowberry. Most of these shrubs and trees are overhanging the water, providing
shade to the lake.
The proposed boat lift and canopy would be located approximately 14 feet waterward of the ordinary high water
mark on the south side of the pier. The proposed boat lift is 14 feet wide by 21 feet long. The bunk of the boat lift
would extend 18 inches above the ordinary high water mark and the lift would sit on the lake bed of Lake
Washington on foot pads that are 18 inches by 24 inches. The proposed canopy, which would be attached to the
proposed boat lift, is made of translucent materials and would be 12 feet wide by 39 feet long. The double jet-ski lift
is 8 feet wide by 10 feet long and would sit on the lake bed. The substrate of the lake is sand and cobble. No milfoil
was observed during the site visit. The applicant submitted a Lake and Stream Study (Exhibit 6) with the project
application.
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
None
C. Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Site Plan
Exhibit 3: Neighborhood Detail Map
Exhibit 4: Project Narrative
DocuSign Envelope ID: 34909DAB-6019-4F61-92EB-7B00837F3E54
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Perotto Lifts
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA20-000255, ECF, SSDP
Report of April 19, 2021 Page 3 of 5
D_Perotto Lifts ERC Report
Exhibit 5: SEPA Checklist
Exhibit 6: Lake and Stream Study prepared by Northwest Environmental Consulting, LLC (dated
March 2021)
Exhibit 7: 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 have identified that the proposal is likely to have the following
probable impacts:
1. Water
a. Wetland, Streams, Lakes
Impacts: The applicant submitted a Lake and Stream Study, prepared by Northwest Environmental
Consulting, Inc., dated August, 2020, with the project application, which was later revised on March,
2021 (Exhibit 6). According to RMC 4-3-090E.1, residential boat lifts are allowed as accessory to a
residential dock, provided that all lifts are placed as far waterward as feasible and safe and platform
lifts are fully grated.
The report states that project impacts will be minimized by placing the proposed boat lift and jet-ski
lift in the deepest water possible. The report further states that, generally, to protect outmigrating
juvenile salmonids, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have determined that the most critical zone is within 30 feet of the
shoreline.
Due to the topography of the shoreline to the south which parallels the existing dock for
approximately 62 feet, moving the lift and canopy further west would not place the boat lifts 30 feet
beyond the shoreline. The proposed boat lift and canopy is located 14 feet from the ordinary high
water mark and the proposed jet-ski lift is located 15 feet and 3 inches (15’3”) from the ordinary
high water mark.
The report states that the waterward side of the boat lift will be in water approximately 11 feet
deep. At this depth, the report states the effects of propwash should be negligible. The report
clarifies that propwash is one of the primary concerns of placing moorage close to the shoreline.
Because the dock is a joint-use dock, the boat lift cannot be placed on the north side of the dock to
move it further from the parallel shoreline. The report states that placing the boat lift further west
would expose the boat to additional wave action when trying to moor, which could cause damage to
the boat when mooring in rough waters. Placing the boat lift in deeper water would also require
additional reinforcement to the lift framing, which would offset the benefits of moving it into
deeper waters. The report states that the jet-ski lift cannot be placed on the waterward side of the
boat lift, because it will block the boat from using the moorage. Therefore, Northwest
Environmental Consulting, Inc. concluded that the proposed the lifts and canopy are placed as far
waterward as feasible and safe.
However, the report states that some impacts to the Lake will occur despite attempts to place the
boat lift in the deepest water possible at the site. In order to meet the City of Renton and WDFW
requirements, the report proposes as a mitigation measure to plant 6 shrubs, including snowberry
and red flowering currant, within 10 feet of the shoreline. In addition, the report states that angular
cobble has become imbedded in the shoreline sediments that was probably dropped when building
the current bulkhead. The non-structural cobble is proposed to be removed from the lake along 123
linear feet of shoreline, which will enhance the shoreline over existing conditions. Proposed work
DocuSign Envelope ID: 34909DAB-6019-4F61-92EB-7B00837F3E54
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Perotto Lifts
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA20-000255, ECF, SSDP
Report of April 19, 2021 Page 4 of 5
D_Perotto Lifts ERC Report
would be conducted within the in-water work windows designated by the WDFW and the Army
Corps of Engineers. The report concludes that the conservation and mitigation measures are
designed to improve ecological functions or prevent further degradation of habitat and will result in
no net loss of ecological functions at the site. Staff concurs with the report’s assessment that the
proposed boatlift would not create any significant new impacts to the shoreline or lake. It is
anticipated that the application of the current Shoreline Master Program regulations is sufficient to
mitigate for any potential impacts that could be generated by the project proposal, therefore no
further mitigation measures are recommended at this time.
Mitigation Measures: None recommended.
Nexus: Not Applicable
2. Vegetation and Wildlife
Impacts: The proposed project would take place primarily in-water and no disturbance of the upland
vegetation would occur. The Lake and Stream Study (Exhibit 6) submitted with the application states
that existing native plantings in the study area provide habitat functions along the shoreline. Riparian
and overhanging vegetation along the shoreline includes Pacific willows, dogwoods, vine maple,
thimbleberry, evergreen huckleberry, sword fern, black cottonwood, and western hemlock. Planting
additional native plantings will further increase habitat conditions at the project site. These plants will
provide overhanging cover for fish, structural diversity for birds and wildlife, detritus for aquatic
invertebrates and long-term recruitment of woody material and other allochthonous food sources.
The report identified bird species observed on or near the project site, including raptors, herons, eagles,
cormorants, waterfowl, and songbirds. No wild mammals were observed during the site study, but the
report states that Lake Washington is known to have river otters, beavers, nutrias, and muskrats. Deer
and coyotes are also known to be present in the vicinity. In addition, the study indicates that, based on
the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) mapping data, salmonids known to be present
in Lake Washington include residential coastal cutthroat, winter steelhead, Dolly Varden/bull trout,
sockeye salmon, fall Chinook, coho salmon, and kokanee.
The report states that Sockeye salmon are known to spawn along the shoreline approximately 1,000
feet south of the project area. The nearest spawning stream is May Creek, located approximately 250
feet north of the project area. May Creek is identified by the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW) for spawning coho, sockeye, and fall Chinook salmon. The report states that Juveniles
may rear in the waters near the project when traveling from spawning sites on other lake tributaries to
the lake’s outlet at the Locks. The project site is accessible to any fish migrating or rearing in the lake,
and Lake Washington is designated as critical habitat for endangered fall Chinook salmon.
Best management practices identified by the report include limiting construction of the boatlift to the
WDFW in-water window and utilizing a floating boom around the in-water work area to contain any
floating debris that may escape during construction. The barge will have a perimeter containment sock
to absorb oil and grease that may wash from the barge during construction. Hazardous material
containment practices, such as spill absorbent pads and trained personnel, will be used onsite during
any phase of construction where machinery is in operation near surface waters.
Based on the information submitted by the applicant, specifically the proposed BMPs and proposed
mitigation efforts, impacts to both wildlife and plants created by the proposal are expected to be
limited. It is anticipated that the application of the current Shoreline Master Program regulations and
the current Critical Areas Regulations is sufficient to mitigate for any potential impacts that could be
generated by the project proposal, therefore no further mitigation measures are recommended at this
time. Conditions that would help mitigate project impacts may be added to the Shoreline Substantial
Development Permit expected to be issued for the proposed boat and jet-ski lift.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 34909DAB-6019-4F61-92EB-7B00837F3E54
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Perotto Lifts
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA20-000255, ECF, SSDP
Report of April 19, 2021 Page 5 of 5
D_Perotto Lifts ERC Report
Mitigation Measures: None 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 on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 3, 2021. Due to Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25 (“Stay Home,
Stay Healthy”), the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, appeals must be submitted
electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is
submitted, will be collected at a future date. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and
additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office,
cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. If the situation changes such that the City Clerk’s Office is open when you file your
appeal, you have the option of filing the appeal in person.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 34909DAB-6019-4F61-92EB-7B00837F3E54
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
Perotto Lifts
Land Use File Number:
LUA20-000255, ECF, SSDP
Date of Meeting
April 19, 2021
Staff Contact
Angelea Weihs
Associate Planner
Project Contact/Applicant
Evan Wehr
Ecco Design Inc.
203 N 36th St. Suite 201,
Seattle, WA 98103
Project Location
3905 Lake Washington Blvd N,
Renton, WA 98056
The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report:
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Site Plan
Exhibit 3: Neighborhood Detail Map
Exhibit 4: Project Narrative
Exhibit 5: SEPA Checklist
Exhibit 6: Lake and Stream Study prepared by Northwest Environmental Consulting, LLC (dated
March 2021)
Exhibit 7: Advisory Notes
DocuSign Envelope ID: 34909DAB-6019-4F61-92EB-7B00837F3E54