HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Certificate_of_Exemption_VMAC_Natural_Grass_Resurfacing_Project_220111DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Certificate_of_Exemption_VMAC_Natural_Grass_Resurfacing_Project
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: January 11, 2022
PROJECT FILE NUMBER: PR21-000476
PROJECT NAME: VMAC Natural Grass Resurfacing Project
LAND USE FILE NUMBER:
PROJECT MANAGER:
LUA21-000448, SME, ECF
Clark H. Close, Senior Planner
APPLICANT/CONTACT: Sean Vanos
Seattle Seahawks
12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056
OWNER: Port Quendall Company
ATTN: Steve Van Til
505 5th Ave S, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104
PROJECT LOCATION: 12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056 (APNs 2924059001 and 2924059015)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Shoreline Exemption and Environmental (SEPA) Review to
resurface the natural grass fields at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC). The VMAC is located at 12 Seahawks
Way in the Commercial Office Residential (COR) zone (APNs 292405-9001 and -9015). The project proposal includes
excavation of approximately 250,000 square feet of sand and organic material deposited on three (3) outdoor
practice fields via regular maintenance activities over the last 14 years and grading of existing topsoil and
reinstallation of new turf/sod. The outdoor fields are partially within the Shoreline High Intensity designation
associated with Lake Washington Reach C. A portion of the work would occur within the shoreline designated area
located approximately 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). No native soils or soils associated with
the existing three-foot (3’) soil cap layer would be disturbed. Excavated material would be transported using small
dump trucks to a barge via temporary access ramp and steel plating on a 16-foot-wide section of VMAC’s shoreline
for offsite disposal. The excavated material would be recycled in the production of topsoil at a port facility in
Tacoma. Shoreline plants located within the existing restored shoreline buffer would be transplanted from the ramp
zone to avoid damage and reinstalled after the project is completed. One (1) existing balsam poplar tree within the
barge ramp area has the potential to be removed within the shoreline buffer in which additional permitting or
approval(s) may be required. The project is proposing a mitigation plan to compensate for the buffer impacts by
enhancing approximately 480 square feet of shoreline buffer after completion of the field resurfacing. The field
maintenance project would commence after the Seattle Seahawks football season and the estimated total
timeframe for excavation is anticipated to take 5 to 7 days to complete. The applicant submitted a Technical
DocuSign Envelope ID: A379E119-2198-44F2-B981-B2F8590275FE
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
VMAC Natural Grass Resurfacing Project LUA21-000448, SME, ECF
Permit Date: January 11, 2022 Page 2 of 3
D_Certificate_of_Exemption_VMAC_Natural_Grass_Resurfacing_Project
Memorandum with the application.
Pursuant to the City of Renton's Environmental Ordinance and SEPA (RCW 43.21C, 1971 as amended), o n January
10, 2022 the Environmental Review Committee issued a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) for the VMAC
Natural Grass Resurfacing Project. A 14-day appeal period commenced on January 10, 2022.
SEC-TWN-R: SW 29-24-05
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
(King County Assessor)
"BAXTER PARCEL NORTH" RENTON LUA-00-044 LLA REC NO 20010105900005 WCH IS
POR OF SW 1/4 29-24-05 LY WLY OF BN RR CO R/W
"BAXTER PARCEL SOUTH" RENTON LUA-00-044 LUA REC NO 20010105900005 WCH IS
POR OF SW 1/4 29-24-05 LY WLY OF BN RR CO R/W
WATER BODY/REACH: Lake Washington Reach C
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION/DECISION: An exemption from a Shoreline Management Substantial Development
Permit is hereby Approved with Conditions* on the proposed project in accordance with RMC.4.9190C “Exemption
from Permit System’ and for the following reasons:
WAC 173.27.040 (2)(b) - Normal maintenance or repair of existing structures or developments, including damage
by accident, fire or elements. "Normal maintenance" includes those usual acts to prevent a decline, lapse, or
cessation from a lawfully established condition. "Normal repair" means to restore a development to a state
comparable to its original condition, including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location and external
appearance, within a reasonable period after decay or partial destruction, except where repair causes substantial
adverse effects to shoreline resource or environment. Replacement of a structure or development may be
authorized as repair where such replacement is the common method of repair for the type of structure or
development and the replacement structure or development is comparable to the original structure or
development including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location and external appearance and the
replacement does not cause substantial adverse effects to shoreline resources or environment.
FINDINGS: The proposed development is:
i.Consistent with the policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
ii.Not Applicable to the guidelines of the Department of Ecology where no Master Program has
been finally approved or adopted by the Department.
iii.Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Mater Program.
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
The Applicant shall comply with the mitigation measure issued as part of the Determination of Non-Significance –
Mitigated, dated January 10, 2022.
1.The project restoration work shall comply with the recommendations found in the submitted Technical
Memorandum, prepared by Raedeke Associates, Inc., dated November 30, 2021, and future addenda.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A379E119-2198-44F2-B981-B2F8590275FE
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
VMAC Natural Grass Resurfacing Project LUA21-000448, SME, ECF
Permit Date: January 11, 2022 Page 3 of 3
D_Certificate_of_Exemption_VMAC_Natural_Grass_Resurfacing_Project
2.If any archaeological/cultural resources (Indian artifacts) are found, all construction activity shall stop
and the owner/applicant shall immediately notify the City of Renton planning department, concerned
Tribes’ cultural committees, and the Washington State Department of Archeological and Historic
Preservation.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
_____________________________________ ______________________________
Vanessa Dolbee, Planning Director Date
RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be reopened by
the approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily discoverable prior
to the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After review of the
reconsideration request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original decision, there will be
no further extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action must file a formal appeal within
the 14-day appeal time frame.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing
Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on January 25, 2022. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day
appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Due to the ongoing state of emergency enacted by
Governor’s Proclamation 20-05, the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, appeals must be
submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub
only on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be
collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. 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.
EXPIRATION: Two (2) years from the date of decision (date signed).
Attachments: SEPA Environmental Review Report with Exhibits 1-11
cc: Abigail Pearl DeWeese, Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson P.S. / Party of Record
Sydney Hanson, DAHP / Party of Record
Kenneth Ziebart, DOE / Party of Record
DocuSign Envelope ID: A379E119-2198-44F2-B981-B2F8590275FE
1/11/2022 | 12:18 PM PST