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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC Report RMC Title IV - TBMP Amd 2023DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ERC Report RMC Title IV-TBMP Amd 2023 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: December 4, 2023 Project Name: PR23-00002 Trails and Bicycle Master Plan-2023 Amendment Owner: City of Renton Applicant: City of Renton Contact: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager File Number: LUA23-000377, ECF Project Manager: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review for an amendment to the Trails & Bicycles Master Plan. The Plan contains the following sections: Vision, Goals, & Objectives; Current Situation Assessment; Community Involvement; Needs and Trends; Trails & Bicycle System Plan; Implementation Strategies; and Project Sheets. The proposed amendment is to amend related maps to show a direct connection from proposed project #34 May Creek Trail to proposed project #33 May Creek Hillclimb in the northern portion of the City. Project Location: Downtown Renton Exist. Bldg. Area SF: N/A Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): N/A N/A Site Area: N/A Total Building Area GSF: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS). PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND This is a non-project action. There is no action in terms of trail construction being taken. The Master Plan seeks to create an accessible, diverse, and safe trail and bike system that offers places for active recreation, community connection, and equitable access to destinations and opportunities. The Plan is based on the community input received and identifies 80 proposed projects intended to increase user comfort and reduce traffic stress to encourage walking and biking throughout the city. Since adoption, the City has become aware of an opportunity to connect two trails that was not previously identified in the plan. Since the Plan was adopted more than 4 years ago, a new opportunity has been identified to make a connection between two trails that was not envisioned in the Plan, specifically #33 May Creek Hill Climb and #34 May Creek Trail. Through the Washington State Department of Transportation’s work on the I-405 Renton-to-Bellevue improvements an opportunity to make this connection has been created. This presents a tremendous opportunity further the goal of creating a continuous non-motorized regional trail connection between Lake Washington and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildlands Park. If completed, the connection would City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report TRAILS AND BICYCLE MASTER PLAN-2023 AMENDMENT LUA23-000377, ECF Report of December 4, 2023 Page 2 of 2 ERC Report RMC Title IV-TBMP Amd 2023 facilitate a connection to the Park and Ride facility under construction at Exit 7, which will have a Bus Rapid Transit stop on the Sound Transit Burien to Bothell Stride. Lastly, there is a large planned apartment project at the former Pan Abode site and the future residents there would have access to the trail system and regional public transportation. Staff recommend amending the network map and project sheets to ensure the opportunity to make the connection is preserved. The network map and project sheet attached include the proposed amendment. 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 None. D. Environmental Impacts There are no environmental impacts that are anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposal. E. Comments of Reviewing Departments The proposal will be circulated to City Department Division Reviewers and appropriate agencies. All substantive comments will be provided to the Responsible Officials for their consideration and possible recommendation that the comments be incorporated as “Advisory Notes to Applicant.” 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 December 18, 2023. Appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub Monday through Friday. 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. The appeal submitted in person may be paid on the first floor in our Finance Department. 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.