HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC_Applicant_Ltr_220110
February 14, 2022
Ben Newton
University of WA
Campus Box 352210
Seattle, WA 98195
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL THRESHOLD (SEPA) DETERMINATION
UW Medicine Testing Lab CUP, LUA21-000463, ECF, CUP
Dear Mr. Newton:
This letter is written on behalf of the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) to advise you that they have
completed their review of the subject project and have issued a threshold Determination of Non-Significance.
Please refer to the enclosed ERC Report and Decision for more details.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on February 28,
2022. 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.
If the Environmental Determination is appealed, a public hearing date will be set and all parties notified. If you
have any questions or desire clarification of the above, please call me at (425) 430-7246.
For the Environmental Review Committee,
Brittany Gillia
Assistant Planner
Enclosure
cc: B. H. 1601 Lind Avenue, LLC/ Owner
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SIGNATURES:
Martin Pastucha, Administrator
Public Works Administrator, Chair
Date Anjela Barton, Fire Marshal
Renton Regional Fire Authority
Date
Kelly Beymer, Administrator
Community Services Department
Date Chip Vincent, Administrator Date
Community and Economic Development
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF
NON-SIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
PROJECT NUMBER: PR21-000430 /LUA21-000463, ECF, CUP
APPLICANT: Ben Newton, University of WA /Campus Box 352210 Seattle, WA 98195
PROJECT NAME: UW Medicine Testing Lab CUP
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, University of Washington, is requesting approval of a Conditional
Use Permit and Environmental (SEPA) review for the change of use from office space to laboratory facilities in an existing
structure in the CO zone (Exhibit 2). State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review is required as the action is not
categorically exempt pursuant to WAC 197-11-800(3), specifically a change of use within a building in excess of 4,000
square feet (RMC 4-9-070G.1.C). The applicant proposes relocation of their Medicine Testing Lab facilities (primarily
testing for COVID-19) to the first floor of a vacant office building located at 1601 Lind Ave SW (APN 3340404006) (Exhibit
3). The 5.29-acre site is located in the Commercial Office (CO) zone, Urban Design District ‘D’, and the Employment Area
Comprehensive Plan land use designation. The proposed laboratories: research, development, and testing use within a
CO zone requires Conditional Use Permit approval pursuant to RMC 4-2-060N. The testing lab will contain equipment to
perform several tests on samples that are collected in other locations and couriered to the facility using small courier
vehicles including cars and small panel trucks (Exhibit 4). All chemical waste from the site will be collected and disposed
and will not enter the public wastewater system (Exhibit 5). Patients requiring testing are not expected to visit the site.
The proposal will occupy approximately 39,834 square feet of the first floor of the total 199,168 gross square footage of
existing vacant office space and approximately 15,240 square feet of that space will consist of testing lab facilities.
PROJECT LOCATION: 1601 Lind Ave SW (APN 3340404006)
LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee
Department of Community & Economic Development
The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee 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 of Non-Significance is issued under WAC 197-11-340. Because other agencies of jurisdiction may be
involved, the lead agency will not act on this proposal for fourteen (14) days.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on February 28, 2022. 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.
DATE OF DECISION: February 14, 2022
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3FB88489-C97A-493A-A1A9-1E21C2491C8D
2/14/2022 | 1:24 PM PST
2/14/2022 | 1:33 PM PST 2/14/2022 | 1:37 PM PST
2/14/2022 | 2:21 PM PST
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Planning Division
1055 South Grady Way, 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057 | 425-430-7200, ext. 2
www.rentonwa.gov
OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
ISSUANCE OF A DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
POSTED TO NOTIFY INTERESTED PERSONS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
DNS: The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee (ERC) has determined that the proposed action does not have
a significant adverse impact on the environment. This DNS is issued after using the optional DNS process in WAC 197-11-
355. There is no further comment period.
DATE OF NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
DETERMINATION:
February 14, 2022
PROJECT NAME/NUMBER: PR21-000430 UW Medicine Testing Lab CUP / LUA21-
000463, ECF, CUP
PROJECT LOCATION: 1601 Lind Ave SW (APN 3340404006)
APPLICANT/PROJECT CONTACT PERSON: Ben Newton, University of WA /Campus Box 352210 Seattle, WA 98195/
benewton@uw.edu
LOCATION WHERE APPLICATION MAY BE
REVIEWED:
Applicant documents are available online through the City of Renton
Document Center website. See also https://cutt.ly/YIdcZ9v
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, University of Washington, is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit and
Environmental (SEPA) review for the change of use from office space to laboratory facilities in an existing structure in
the CO zone (Exhibit 2). State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review is required as the action is not categorically exempt
pursuant to WAC 197-11-800(3), specifically a change of use within a building in excess of 4,000 square feet (RMC 4-9-
070G.1.C). The applicant proposes relocation of their Medicine Testing Lab facilities (primarily testing for COVID -19) to
the first floor of a vacant office building located at 1601 Lind Ave SW (APN 3340404006) (Exhibit 3). The 5.29-acre site is
located in the Commercial Office (CO) zone, Urban Design District ‘D’, and the Employment Area Comprehensive Plan
land use designation. The proposed laboratories: research, development, and testing use within a CO zone requires
Conditional Use Permit approval pursuant to RMC 4-2-060N. The testing lab will contain equipment to perform several
tests on samples that are collected in other locations and couriered to the facility using small courier vehicles including
cars and small panel trucks (Exhibit 4). All chemical waste from the site will be collected and disposed and will not enter
the public wastewater system (Exhibit 5). Patients requiring testing are not expected to visit the site. The proposal will
occupy approximately 39,834 square feet of the first floor of the total 199,168 gross square footage of existing vacant
office space and approximately 15,240 square feet of that space will consist of testing lab facilities.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on Feburary 28, 2022.
Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more information regarding the appeal process may be
obtained from the Renton City Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510. 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.
PUBLIC HEARING: If the Environmental Determination is appealed, a public hearing will be set and all parties notified.
NOTICE