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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEx 05_SEPA Determination.pdfMITIGATED DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 403 New Elementary School #16 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: The proposed action is to construct a new elementary school at the subject site. The new elementary school is designed for a capacity of 650 students with classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a warming kitchen, a gymnasium, and administrative spaces with accommodation for mechanical, electrical and building services. The programmed building area is approximately 77,000 square feet over two stories, with a mechanical platform above. The building height is approximately 42.6’. In addition to the building, there will be an outdoor classroom area, a multipurpose playfield, hard/soft play areas and a covered play area. A vehicle access point will be developed at the southeast corner of the property along Duvall Ave NE. Parent queuing and drop-off will be located at the south end of the site in a parking lot accessed from Duvall Ave NE. To reduce impacts to the principal arterial, the proposed vehicular access will be right-turn in, right-turn out only. An additional exit-only drive will be developed at the southwest corner of the property onto Chelan Ave. The school bus drop-off will be located on the east side of the site, accessed from Duvall Ave. To reduce impacts to the principal arterial, the proposed bus access will be right-turn in, right-turn out only. The proposed design also includes new playfields, a covered play area, and pedestrian plazas and pathways across the site. Estimated earthwork quantity for the project includes: Cut = 32,575 cubic yards; and Fill = 9,700 cubic yards. Two wetlands exist on the site with a proposal to fill Wetland B and use the City of Renton/WSDOT wetland bank for mitigation. The proposal will require approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Site Plan Review, Parking Modification and building/other public works permits from City of Renton. CITY OF RENTON FILE NUMBERS: #PRE20-000219, LUA21-000167, PR20-000097; PROPONENT: Renton School District No. 403 LOCATION OF PROPOSAL: The Renton School District’s proposed Elementary School #16 is comprised of 11 parcels and is located within the city limits of Renton, in King County, Washington. The subject site contains the following King County Tax Parcels: 102305-9076, 102305-9096, 102305-9107, 102305-9124, 102305-9138, 102305-9139, 102305-9173, 102305-9202, 102305-9249, 102305-9275, and 102305-9332, which total 11.08± acres in size. Physical addresses associated with the parcels include: 1028, 1058, 1070, 1102, 1103, 1123, 1137, 1138, and 1146 Chelan Ave NE, and 1012 Duvall Ave NE (Renton, Washington). ZONING: The majority of the subject site is zoned as R-8. The northwestern-most parcel is zoned as R- 10. GENERAL POLICY PLAN: The majority of the subject site is designated as Residential Medium Density. The northwestern-most parcel is designated as Residential High Density. LEAD AGENCY: The Renton School District No. 403 (District) is the lead agency for this Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS). The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This determination assumes compliance with State law and City of Renton (as the permitting jurisdiction) ordinances related to general environmental Renton School District No. 403 Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance Page 2 New Elementary School #16 protection. Issuance of this threshold determination does not constitute approval of the permit(s). This proposal will be reviewed for compliance with all applicable City of Renton (City) codes, which regulate development activities. This decision was made after review of a completed Environmental Checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public upon request. It is the policy of the District that, when undertaking an action involving the exercise of substantive SEPA authority, the District shall consider, as appropriate under the circumstances, the ramifications of such action as to one or more of the factors listed in Renton School District Policy 6890, Section 3.3 Substantive Authority. This Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) is issued with the following conditions: Water • There are two existing wetlands on-site. The project avoids impacts to the higher-functioning, Category III, Wetland C, and limits permanent impacts to the lower-functioning, Category IV, Wetland B. The buffer area temporarily impacted by clearing and grading associated with the installation of the multi- use playfield is vegetated with invasive or non-native vegetation. Mitigation and restoration of Wetland C will be provided consistent with City standards. The proposed filling of Wetland B will be mitigated through the use of a wetland bank, as approved by the City. A comprehensive five-year maintenance and monitoring plan is included in the mitigation plan. This plan will ensure that proposed enhancement plantings will be maintained, monitored, and successfully established within the first five years following implementation. • For security reasons, black vinyl-coated, four- or six-foot-tall chain link fencing is proposed to be installed along the property boundaries (a six-foot-tall cedar fence will be installed along a portion of the southern boundary). To minimize impacts to Wetland C and its buffer, the fabric will be raised 12 inches off the ground to allow the passage of small animals. Concrete footings will not be utilized to secure fence posts in wetland areas. The fencing will be reviewed and approved by the City. Transportation • The District will require the selected contractor to develop a construction management plan (CMP) that addresses traffic and pedestrian control during school construction. • The City collects transportation impact fees and has outlined fee rates for a variety of uses. The transportation impact fee for the elementary school project is calculated to be $356,377. This relates to a fee rate of about $4.63 per square foot (SF) based on the proposed school size of 77,000 SF. The impact fee will be paid, with the final fee established by the City. • In order to comply with street frontage improvement requirements outlined by the City, the project will dedicate right-of-way along the street frontages of Duvall Ave NE and Chelan Ave NE. • Frontage improvements will be made along Duvall Ave NE and Chelan Ave NE. The District will coordinate with the City to integrate the dedication areas and frontage improvements with the City’s planned roadway improvement in that segment. • To mitigate school-related traffic impacts, the project will install a traffic signal (replacing the existing HAWK beacon signal) at the NE 10th Street / Duvall Ave NE intersection. Installation of the new traffic signal will include pedestrian actuated signals and crosswalks on all four legs and final design will be approved by the City. • To ensure safe routes to school access, the District will construct a sidewalk along the 1155 Duvall Ave NE frontage with ramp at NE 12th St. Design and construction of the sidewalk improvements is being discussed with the City, with the final design to be reviewed and approved by the City. Renton School District No. 403 Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance Page 3 New Elementary School #16 • To discourage pick-up and drop-off on Chelan Ave NE, the District will install City approved signage at the intersection of NE 10th St and Chelan Ave NE that identifies the street as a no vehicle pick-up or drop-off area. • The District will develop a Transportation Management Plan (TMP) to educate families about the access load/unload procedures for the site’s layout. The plan will define clear procedures and travel routes for family vehicles and instruct family drivers not to block or partially block travel lanes with queued or waiting vehicles. The TMP will include one school year of monitoring and other requirements, which may be required by the City. The TMP will be reviewed and approved by the City prior to Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. This MDNS is issued under WAC 197-11-350(2). The lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the published date below. Comments must be submitted by July 8, 2021 to the Responsible Official as named below. Responsible Official: Matt Feldmeyer, Architect Title: Executive Director – Capital Planning & Construction Address: Renton School District No. 403, 7812 South 124th Street, Seattle, WA 98178- 4830 Phone: 425.204.4475 (Office) / 206.482.5253 (Mobile) Email: matthew.feldmeyer@rentonschools.us Signature: ______________________________ Date: _ _________________ Date Published: June 25, 2021 There is no administrative appeal process for this determination.