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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR_ERC_Report_New_Life_Church_240603_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Project Location Map SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC Meeting Date: June 3, 2024 Project File Number: PR23-000146 Project Name: New Life Church Office Building Land Use File Number: LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Project Manager: Alex Morganroth, Principal Planner Owner: New Life Church @ Renton, 15711 152nd Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Applicant/Contact: John Kay, K+ Architects, 10317 8th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125 Project Location: 15711 152nd Ave NE (APN 2323059021) Project Summary: The applicant is requesting approval of a Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit, Hearing Examiner Site Plan Review, height Variance, two (2) street Modifications, and Environmental (SEPA) Review in order to construct a new office building on the site. The subject site is approximately 55.1 acres (2,401,898 sf) and is located at 15711 152nd Ave SE (Parcel no. 2323059021). The project site is currently developed with a 54,320 square foot religious institution (New Life Church), a 36,000-square foot church auditorium, and a 38,680-square foot private school serving children from K-8th grade. The site is also developed with a parking lot with approximately 796 parking stalls, a storm water system, outdoor play areas, and a multi-purpose playfield. The applicant proposes to construct a new 6,400 sq. ft. 2-story office building on the northern-most portion of the existing surface parking lot. According to the applicant, construction of the building would eliminate approximately 40 surface parking stalls and require rerouting of some storm detention pipes. A secondary fire exit is proposed via an exterior stairway off of the south side of the building. Site access is proposed to remain via two existing curb cuts off of 152nd Avenue SE. Wetlands, a Type F stream, steep slopes, a high erosion hazard, a Special Flood Hazard area – FEMA Zone A, and a high seismic hazard areas are mapped on the site. The site is also located within Maplewood Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2. Eight (8) trees are proposed for removal. Partial frontage improvements are proposed along SR 169 (Maple Valley Hwy). The applicant submitted a Critical Areas Study, TIA, Geotechnical Report, an Arborist Report, and an Environmental Checklist to evaluate the proposal. Exist. Bldg. Area SF: 129,000 Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): 3,200 6,400 Site Area: 56.56 acres Total Building Area GSF: 135,400 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance - Mitigated (DNS-M). DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 2 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL 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-M with a 14-day appeal period B. Mitigation Measures 1) The applicant shall comply with the recommendations of the Subsurface Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, and Stormwater Infiltration Feasibility Report, prepared by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. dated January 31, 2024, and any future addenda. 2) The applicant’s geotechnical engineer shall review the project’s construction and building permit plans to verify compliance with the geotechnical report(s). The geotechnical engineer shall submit a sealed letter stating they have reviewed the construction and building permit plans and in their opinion the plans and specifications meet the intent of the report(s). 3) The applicant shall submit an Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP) prepared by a qualified professional prior to the start of any construction. The applicant shall provide notification to Tribes’ cultural committee prior to the start of construction. C. Exhibits Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report Exhibit 2: SEPA Checklist dated April 21, 2023 Exhibit 3: Site Plan Exhibit 4: Civil Plan Drawing (Overall Site Plan, Grading and Utility Plans, and Fire Access Plan) Exhibit 5: Landscape Plans Exhibit 6: Architectural Plan Drawings Exhibit 7: Arborist Report, prepared by Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc dated November 15, 2023 Exhibit 8: Tree Retention Memo, prepared by Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. dated October 25, 2023 Exhibit 9: Subsurface Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, and Stormwater Infiltration Feasibility Report, prepared by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. dated January 31, 2024 Exhibit 10: Preliminary Technical Information Report, prepared by PacLand dated June 2023 Exhibit 11: Critical Areas Study, prepared by Altmann Oliver Associates, LLC dated July 8, 2022 Exhibit 12: Stream Buffer Restoration Plan, prepared by Altmann Oliver Associates, LLC dated March 4, 2024 Exhibit 13: Traffic Impact Analysis, prepared by Transpo Group dated August 2023 Exhibit 14: Street Modification Requests DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 3 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL Exhibit 15: Conditional Use Permit Request and Justification Exhibit 16: Transportation Concurrency Memo dated December 15, 2023 Exhibit 17: Duwamish Tribe Comments dated December 4, 2023 Exhibit 18: Department of Fish and Wildlife Comments dated December 11, 2023 Exhibit 19: Construction Mitigation Description Exhibit 20: 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. Earth Impacts: According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, a high seismic hazard, a high erosion hazard, and sensitive and protected slopes are located on the project site. As such, the applicant submitted a Subsurface Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, and Stormwater Infiltration Feasibility Report, prepared by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. dated January 31, 2024 (Exhibit 9). The topography of the developed portion of the site is generally flat, but ascends significantly to the south behind the existing church building with a maximum elevation change of approximately 300 feet across the site. According to the submitted report, the site is underlain by alluvial sediments, which are in turn underlain by Vashon or pre-Vashon sediments, all soils associated with ridges and hills derived from glacial drift. The report relies on subsurface exploration information from previous studies completed by the consultant for past projects between 1998 and 2022. The studies relied on three (3) hand-auger borings, 23 subsurface exploration borings, eighteen exploration pits, and two infiltration trenches. The report notes that the nature and extent of any variations between the historic field explorations may not become fully evident until construction and warns that it may be necessary to re-evaluate specific recommendations in the report and make appropriate changes in the field. Exploration borings nearest the project site and included in the report include EB-9, EB 10, EB 11, EB 12, EB 13, and EB 14. The borings ranged in depth from approximately four (4) to 34 feet. During previous testing, the geotechnical engineer encountered fill approximately one to nine feet (1’ to 9’) of fill sediments (not naturally deposited) consisting of very loose to medium dense, silty, gravelly, fine sand, to silty, sandy gravel with fragments of concrete, brick, and other construction materials. The report states that due to the variable density and organic content in the fill, it is not suitable for direct structural report and recommends assessment and remedial preparation of the existing fill to be completed at the time of construction below all structures that are not pile-supported. Due to the silty and moisture sensitive characteristics of the fill, the report recommends that construction occurs during dry weather conditions. Based on past explorations, the site contains alluvium beneath the fill or surfacing materials, consisting of loose to very loose, moist silt to sand with varying organic content and gravel. These soils are interpreted as overbank deposits from the Cedar River, formed by flood events since the last glaciation. The fine - grained alluvium layer, 5.5 to 15 feet thick, is underlain by Holocene-age gravel. In previous work on the site, loose to medium dense gravel or sandy gravel was found beneath this alluvium in the northern part of the site, likely deposited by the Cedar River and often saturated with groundwater seepage. Due to its variable density and susceptibility to liquefaction during seismic events, the report concludes that Holocene alluvium is unsuitable for structural support and stormwater infiltration. Below the Holocene alluvium, deeper borings encountered dense to very dense, moist, silty sand with gravel. The material was DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 4 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL interpreted as an older Vashon or pre-Vashon-age glacially consolidated deposit and was found in historic borings EB-1 through EB-3 and EB-7 below approximately 30 feet, and in EB-4 through EB-6, EB-8, and EB- 12 through EB-20 below approximately 15 feet. Other borings near the current project site terminated in the Holocene alluvium. In previous studies, groundwater was found at depths of 4.5 to 14 feet below the surface, in dicating a shallow water table aquifer. In the northwest part of the site, moderate to heavy seepage came from sand or gravel beds. A monitoring well installed in 2014 showed a seasonal high groundwater level of about two-feet (2’) below the surface. In August 2022, moderate water flow was observed in Madson Creek, 2 two-feet (2’) below its bank full elevation of 104 feet. The report next discusses the various geological hazards and if needed, recommended mitigation measures for the hazard. Regarding the sensitive and protected slopes on the site, the report concludes that no detailed quantitative assessment was conducted or deemed necessary due to the distance of approximately 1,000 feet between the toe of slopes and the proposed work. The high seismic hazard present across the site creates the potential for liquefaction during a seismic event. A liquefaction analysis for the project completed using Liquefy Pro software found a predicted settlement during a design-level seismic event range from approximately four to nine inches (4” to 9”). Therefore, the report recommends the use of pin piles for the new building in order to mitigate the effects of settlements during a seismic event. Lastly, the report includes various recommendations to mitigate for the high erosion hazard mapped on the site. Specific recommendations include, but are not limited to, avoiding construction activity during wet season, implementation of TESC elements and flow control prior to the start of demolition and grading, and the immediate revegetation of any disturbed areas. The report concludes that the proposed 6,400 sq. ft. building should be supported on pin piles to reduce the risk of future floor slab settlement. However, the report also notes that a less expensive conventional spread footing is acceptable but carries risk of post-construction static and seismically induced settlement fill due to the weak sediments found below grade. Full infiltration is deemed infeasible due to the wide- spread prevalence of glacially consolidated soils and shallow groundwater. Due to the report’s confirmation of the liquefaction potential for the site and recommendations for mitigating its effects during an earthquake, Staff recommends, as a mitigation measure, the applicant comply with the recommendations of the geotechnical report, prepared by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc, dated January 31, 2024, and any future addenda. Staff recommends the applicant’s geotechnical engineer review the project’s construction and building permit plans to verify compliance with the geotechnical report. The geotechnical engineer shall submit a sealed letter stating they have reviewed the construction and building permit plans and in their opinion the plans and specifications meet the intent of the report(s). Mitigation Measures: 1) The applicant shall comply with the recommendations of the Subsurface Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, and Stormwater Infiltration Feasibility Report, prepared by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. dated January 31, 2024, and any future addenda. 2) The applicant’s geotechnical engineer shall review the project’s construction and building permit plans to verify compliance with the geotechnical report(s). The geotechnical engineer shall submit a sealed letter stating they have reviewed the construction and building permit plans and in their opinion the plans and specifications meet the intent of the report(s). 2. Air Impacts: It is anticipated that some temporary air quality impacts could be associated with site work and building construction. Project development impacts during construction may include dust as a result of grading and exhaust from construction vehicles and equipment. Dust control would be mitigated through the use of temporary erosion control measures, watering or other measures to remediate impacts as needed. Long term emissions from vehicles owned by residents and delivery companies would occur following project completion. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 5 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL No further site-specific mitigation for the identified impacts from typical vehicle and construction exhaust is required. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 3. Water a. Surface Water (Stream and Wetlands) Impacts: The project site is mapped with a wetlands and Type F stream (Madson Creek). As such, the applicant submitted a Critical Areas Study, prepared by Altman Oliver Associates, LLC, dated July 8, 2022, and a Stream Buffer Restoration memo, prepared by Altman Oliver Associates, LLC, dated March 4, 2024 (Exhibits 11 and 12). The Critical Areas Study was prepared for a project on the site involving an addition to the main building that had the potential to impact the wetlands due to its location in the buffer. However, the proposed new building is located fully outside of both the wetlands and stream buffer. The report identifies Wetland A, located along the west property line of the site, as a Category II wetland with seven (7) habitat points, which requires a 150-foot buffer and 15-foot structure setback per Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050G. According to the consultant’s observations, the wetland consists of a historically excavated pond that consists of a forested plant community dominated by willow, black cottonwood, and salmonberry. Overflow runoff within Wetland A drains west through a concrete dam and eventually drains into Madson Creek which flows from northeast to southwest to the northwest of the proposed project area. Work associated with the new proposed building would be located approximately 700 feet from the edge wetlands buffer and therefore no impacts are anticipated. Madson Creek is a Type F stream that requires a 115-foot buffer and 15-foot structure setback per RMC 4-3-050G. The creek flows from south to north adjacent to the existing building and parking a lot, bisecting the site until it reaches the Maple Valley Hwy right-of-way (ROW). The creek then runs east along the northern property line of the site until reaching a pipe that crosses under Maple Valley Hwy. The ordinary high water (OHW) of the north side of the creek was delineated by the consultant on January 25, 2024 and was subsequently surveyed. Per the Complete Street Standards in RMC 4-6-060, the applicant is required to underground any new utilities proposed as part of the project. The applicant has proposed the installation of fiber line to connect the new building to a utility pole with fiber near the northwest corner of the property within the Maple Valley Hwy ROW. The fiber line would be installed in trench dug between Madson Creek and the sidewalk along the Maple Valley Hwy frontage until reaching the east property line. The trench, resulting in approximately 2,100 sq. ft. of disturbed area, would be located inside of the 115-foot buffer, which is heavily degraded between the creek and the sidewalk and mostly vegetated with manicured grass and Himalayan blackberry. The applicant has proposed restoring approximately 2,097 sq. ft. of disturbed area with native species including Red-osier dogwood, Ocean spray, Tall Oregon-grape, Nootka rose, Kinnikinnick, and Salal. The applicant has also proposed approximately 837 sq. ft. of buffer enhancement outside of the disturbed area. The enhancement proposed would include replacing manicured grass and non-native Himalayan blackberry with native plants. The report contends that the proposed restoration and enhancement would provide a higher quality buffer that increases the stream function. Staff would further evaluate the proposal as part of the formal site plan review and therefore no site-specific mitigation measures are recommended. The city received a comment from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on December 11, 2023 recommending the applicant begin the free Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) pre-application process to determine whether the trenching occurring near Madson Creek would be required to get a HPA (Exhibit 18). Staff forwarded the comment from WDFW to the applicant upon receiving it. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. b. Ground Water DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 6 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL Impacts: The COR mapping system has identified the property as located within the Maplewood Wellhead Protection Zone 2. Open facilities and open conveyance systems may require a liner in accordance with the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual. The implementation of best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater control is preferable, and BMPs that rely on infiltration are allowed in Zone 2. However, based on the results of the Subsurface Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, and Stormwater Infiltration Feasibility Report submitted by the applicant, infiltration is not feasible due to shallow ground water and poor quality fill on the site. No fill is anticipated to be brought on the site. However, if fill is brought on site, fill materials shall be from a verifiable source in order to ensure it is clear of contaminants. The City’s grading and excavation regulations require imported fill in excess of 50 cubic yards within a Wellhead Protection Zone to provide a source statement certified by a qualified professional or confirm the fill was obtained from a WDOT approved source. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. c. Stormwater Impacts: The applicant submitted a Preliminary Technical Information Report, prepared by PacLand, dated June 2023 (Exhibit 10) and preliminary drainage plan (Exhibit 4). Based on the City of Renton’s flow control map, the site falls within the Flow Control Duration Standard – Matching Forested. The site falls within two (2) drainage basins including the Lower Cedar River Drainage Basin and Madson Creek sub- basin. The proposed office building would interrupt existing drainage patterns in the parking lot and therefore the applicant proposes new catch basins and a new twelve-inch (12”) storm drainage pipe to collect and convey stormwater around the building to the existing on-site storm drainage system. No new impervious surface is proposed as a result of the project. The majority of stormwater runoff from the site sheet flows towards the north and enters the existing conveyance system within the site. From there, runoff flows east and north into an existing retention pond adjacent to SR 169, where it eventually discharges into the public conveyance system in the SR 169 ROW. Improvements proposed for the project include the installation of a new 12-inch surface water pipe to the west and north of the proposed building, in addition to three (3) new catch basins. In the preliminary TIR, the applicant discusses Core Requirements 1 through 9. No new flow control or water quality treatment infrastructure is proposed. The report concludes under Core Requirement #4 that the proposed new twelve-inch (12”) pipe would have adequate capacity to convey existing flows. Project construction is required to comply with the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual (RSWDM). The TIR submitted is based on a full drainage review as required in the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual. Core requirements one through nine, as well as the six special requirements, have been discussed in the Technical Information Report. All requirements would be addressed in the final TIR submitted and reviewed with the civil construction permit application. The advisory notes (Exhibit 20) highlight several errors in the TIR that need to be addressed in the Final TIR. Staff’s opinion is that any changes can be addressed with the civil construction permit review and are not critical at this time. A Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (CWWPPP) and Erosion and Sediment Control plan (ESC) are also required for the site. The development would be subject to stormwater system development charges. It is anticipated that the requirements set forth by the 2022 City of Renton Surface Water Design Manual (2022 RSWDM), or a future stormwater manual adopted by the City of Renton, would be sufficient to mitigate stormwater impacts generated by the proposed development and no specific mitigation measures are recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 7 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL 4. Environmental Health a. Noise Impacts: Noise impacts would primarily result from the construction of the proposed road improvements and new structure. The construction noise would be regulated through the City’s adopted noise level regulations per Chapter 8-7, RMC. The City’s noise regulations limit haul hours between 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday unless otherwise approved by the Development Services Division. Permitted work hours in or near residential areas are restricted to the hours between seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m. for multi-family construction activities from Monday through Friday. Work on Saturdays is restricted to the hours between nine o’clock (9:00) a.m. and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m. No work is permitted on Sunday. Haul hours shall be restricted to the hours between eight-thirty (8:30) a.m. and three-thirty (3:30) p.m., Monday through Friday unless otherwise approved in advance by the Development Services Division. The applicant included a Construction Mitigation Description with the applicant and noted that all work is anticipated to be completed during normal hours (Exhibit 19). All noise levels would be required to comply with City of Renton code (Chapter 7 Noise Level Regulations) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC 173-60, Maximum Environmental Noise Levels). The anticipated temporary noise impacts would be those commonly associated with mixed-use construction. No further site-specific mitigation is proposed. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 5. Vegetation Impacts: The area near the location of the new building is primarily developed with impervious surface. However, construction of the building would result in the removal of three (3) trees within existing parking lot landscape islands. In addition, the installation of frontage improvements near the northeast corner of the site will result in the removal of five (5) trees in the Maple Valley Hwy ROW. As such, the applicant submitted an Arborist Report, prepared by Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc, dated November 15, 2023 (Exhibit 8). The report identifies three (3) Sweetgum trees ranging in size from five-inches (5”) to 6- inches (6”) DBH, four (4) Freeman maple trees all three-inch (3”) DBH, and one ten-inch (10”) DBH Scouler’s willow. While five (5) of the trees are located in areas of likely future ROW improvements to be completed along Maple Valley Hwy as part of the project, City staff would evaluate these five (5) trees at the time of civil construction permit application review to determine whether adjustments to frontage improvements can be made in order to retain these trees. The planting of new trees and various ground cover species would occur as part of the proposal along the street frontage, within the surface parking lot area, and around the new building. Additional analysis of existing and proposed trees, including analysis of the location, species, and size of retained trees, would occur during review of both the site plan and the civil construction and building permits, therefore no site-specific mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 6. Historic and Cultural Preservation Impacts: A representative of the Duwamish Tribe submitted a comment (Exhibit 17) to City staff on December 4, 2023 indicating the project site is located in an area the Tribe considers culturally significant. In addition, the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation mapping tool indicates a high potential for a historic Native trail in the area. The comment from the Tribe identifies the high potential for discovery of unknown archeological deposits and requests notification of any archeological work performed, the submittal of an inadvertent discovery plan (IDP), and the use of native vegetation for any proposed re-planting. The applicant has already proposed replanting with native vegetation according to the stream buffer restoration plan (Exhibit 12) and the landscape plan (Exhibit 5). As such, DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 8 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL staff recommends as a mitigation measure that the applicant submit an inadvertent discovery plan (IDP) prior to the start of any construction. The applicant shall provide notification to Tribes’ cultural committee prior to the start of construction. Mitigation Measures: The applicant shall submit an Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP) prepared by a qualified professional prior to the start of any construction. The applicant shall provide notification to Tribes’ cultural committee prior to the start of construction. Nexus: City of Renton Comprehensive Goals and Policies, L-AA, L-45 and L-46; Chapter 27.53 RCW, Archaeological Sites and Resources; Chapter 27.44 RCW, Indian Graves and Records; Chapter 197-11 WAC, SEPA Rules. 7. Transportation Impacts: The proposed project fronts 152nd Ave SE along the eastern property line. 152nd Ave SE is classified as a Commercial-Mixed Use & Industrial Access street and has an existing right-of-way (ROW) of approximately 56 feet. To meet the City’s complete street standards for Commercial-Mixed Use & Industrial Access streets, a minimum ROW width of 69 feet is required. Complete half street improvements required for 152nd Ave SE include a 20-foot (20’) wide paved road, an eight-foot (8’) wide parking lane, a six-foot (6’) wide sidewalk, a one-half foot (0.5’) wide curb, an eight-foot (8’) wide planting strip, two-foot (2’) clearance between the sidewalk and property line, street trees and storm drainage improvements. However, the City’s Transportation Department determined the existing curb to curb width is sufficient. The applicant submitted a modification to retain the existing pavement, which staff finds conceptually acceptable and will formally evaluate as part of the site plan review process. The proposed project fronts Maple Valley Hwy (SR 169) along the northern property line. SR 169 is classified as a Principal Arterial and has an existing right-of-way (ROW) width varying between 150 feet and 165 feet. The paved roadway width adjacent to the site is approximately 84 feet consisting of two (2) travel lanes in each direction, a center turn lane, a right turn lane on the south side, and a bus stop lane on the north side. There is a concrete curb and five-foot (5’) wide sidewalk directly behind the curb along each side of the roadway. Maple Valley Hwy is owned and maintained by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). To meet the City’s complete street standards for Principal Arterial streets with seven (7) lanes, a minimum ROW width of 125 feet is required. Complete half street improvements required include six (6) eleven-foot (11’) wide travel lanes, one (1) twelve-foot (12’) wide left turn lane, and two (2) five-foot (5’) wide bike lanes. A half-foot wide (0.5’) wide curb, eight-foot (8’) wide planter, eight-foot (8’) wide sidewalk, two-foot (2’) clear space behind sidewalk, street trees and storm drainage are required along each side of ROW. However, the City’s Transportation Department determined the existing curb to curb width is sufficient. The applicant submitted a modification to retain the existing ROW width, relocate approximately 200 feet of sidewalk near the northeast corner of the site behind a new planter strip varying in width between six and eight feet (6’ – 8’), and retain the existing above-ground utility lines, which staff finds conceptually acceptable and will formally evaluate as part of the site plan review process. The applicant will also need WSDOT approval for any modifications to the ROW width or improvements. ADA improvements are also proposed for the SR 169 and 152nd Ave SE crossings (Exhibits 4 and 19). A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) is required when a project proposal would result in the generation of 20 new a.m. or p.m. peak hour trips. A TIA prepared by Transpo Group and dated August 2023 (Exhibit 13) was submitted with the land use application. Due to the unique nature of the existing use, which has a larger number of trips during weekend or non-peak hours due to various events and church services, the TIA analyzed both typical weekday conditions and event conditions. Typical Conditions According to the TIA, the proposed project is estimated to generate 70 new weekday daily trips, with 10 new trips occurring during the weekday AM peak hour (9 in, 1 out), and 9 new trips occurring during the weekday PM peak hour (2 in, 7 out). The calculation is based on the ITE Manual for Trip Generation, 11th Edition. The TIA discussed traffic impacts at a future year of 2024 and evaluates the Level of Service (LOS) DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 9 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL at two (2) off-site intersections, 152nd Ave SE/SR 169 and 152nd Ave SE/SE 155th Pl. According to the report, all study intersections are expected to operate at LOS E or better during the weekday AM and PM peak hours in 2024 with or without the proposed project. Therefore, no project-specific off-site transportation improvements are proposed as the existing transportation facilities are anticipated to accommodate the additional traffic generated by the proposed project during typical conditions. Staff concurs with the assessment provided by the applicant. Event Conditions Currently, New Life Church hosts multiple annual events with higher attendance than usual, such as Easter and Christmas Eve. According to the TIA, the church collaborates with the City and community, communicates event details in advance, adds traffic control and U-turn enforcements, and provides off- site parking with shuttle services to minimize impacts and traffic disruptions to the surrounding neighborhood. The proposed project is not expected to increase event demands or change event conditions due to the office use-nature of the new building. However, Staff requested the applicant’s consultant review traffic and parking for events compared to non-events. According to the counts submitted by the applicant, a typical Sunday in July of 2023 had an attendance totaling 2,155 people across three (3) services, Easter Sunday in 2023 had a total 3,569 attendees across three (3) services, and Christmas Eve in December of 2022 had a total of 2,750 attendees. Both holidays have higher peak attendance than typical Sundays, with Easter having the highest. The event trip generation was estimated using observations from Easter Sunday, July 2023, calculating an average vehicle occupancy (AVO) of 2.80 attendees per vehicle. Easter Sunday was used due to it having the highest attendance among the various events. During the peak hour (10:15 – 11:15 a.m.), there were 626 vehicles (304 outbound for the first service and 322 inbound for the second service). For Easter, this translates to an estimated peak hour trip generation of 803 vehicles. The consultant acknowledges that the number may be conservative since holiday services often have more families per vehicle. The peak hour trip generation calculation shows a 28% increase in peak hour trips (177 additional vehicles) for event Sundays compared to typical Sundays. The additional trips were added to future 2024 Sunday peak hour traffic volumes. The TIA discussed traffic impacts at a future year of 2024 and evaluates the Level of Service (LOS) at two (2) off-site intersections, 152nd Ave SE/SR 169 and 152nd Ave SE/SE 155th Pl during Sunday peak hour. According to the report, all study intersections are expected to operate at LOS C or better during the Sunday peak hour in 2024 with or without the proposed project. Therefore, no project- specific off-site transportation improvements are proposed, as the proposal is not anticipated to increase the number of Sunday peak hour trips. Staff concurs with the assessment provided by the applicant. Parking The parking was reviewed under the event conditions given the reduction in parking supply proposed with the addition of the office. The site currently has 796 parking stalls, but the project will eliminate 40, leaving a total of 756 stalls. During peak events, 373 vehicles are estimated for the first service and 430 for the second, resulting in a potential peak demand of 803 vehicles if services overlap. Typical Sunday demand is 626 vehicles. Though full overlap is unlikely, the estimated peak demand exceeds the available parking by 47 vehicles. This excess demand is managed by providing off-site parking and shuttle service from Ron Regis Park at 1501 Orcas Ave SE across from the site on the north side SR 169, which has 80 parking stalls, and is sufficient for the largest annual event. The consultant claims the applicant has a formal agreement with the City of Renton for the use of the 80 stalls, which was verified by staff. Staff will complete additional parking analysis at the time of formal site plan review to ensure compliance with the parking regulations in RMC 4-4-080, therefore no further site-specific mitigation is recommended. Transit Services Transit service in the study area is provided by King County Metro. The nearest bus stops to the project site are located at the intersection of Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) and 152nd Ave SE and is served by Route 907. Route 907 is a dial-a-ride transit (DART) route, which has fixed routing and limited variable DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 10 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL routing with hourly service from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. between Renton and Black Diamond. Additionally, the project site (New Life Church) serves as a park and ride lot. Safety A review of the collision records from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was conducted to identify traffic safety issues around the project site. The intersection of Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) and 152nd Ave SE/154th Pl SE had the highest annual average of collisions at about four (4) per year, mostly rear-end collisions causing property damage, which is typical of congested areas with stop-and-go traffic according to the consultant. Along 152nd Ave SE, near the project site and SE 155th Pl, less than one collision per year was reported. There were no fatalities or collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists in the study area. Overall, no safety concern patterns were identified from the collision data and therefore no site-specific mitigation measures are recommended. Transportation Concurrency Staff determined that at completion of the project, the development will have met City of Renton traffic concurrency requirements (Exhibit 17), which is based upon a test of the citywide Transportation Plan, consideration of growth levels included in the LOS-tested Transportation Plan, site specific improvements, and future payment of Transportation Impact Fees. The transportation impact fee that is current at the time of building permit issuance would be levied. It is anticipated that compliance with the City’s adopted Street Standards (modified) and the payment of required Traffic Impact Fees would mitigate any adverse impacts that could be generated by additional traffic attributed to the proposed subdivision; therefore, no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 8. Fire & Police Impacts: Police and Fire Prevention staff indicated that sufficient resources exist to furnish services to the proposed development; provided the applicant constructs Code required improvements and pays associated impact fees (Exhibit 20). 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 June 17, 2024. 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. ✓ DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development New Life Church Office Building Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Report of June 3, 2024 Page 11 of 11 SR_ERC Report_New Life Church_240603_FINAL DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A CITY OF RENTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE EXHIBITS Project Name: New Life Church Office Building Land Use File Number: LUA23-000330, ECF, CUP-H, SA-H, V-H Date of Meeting June 3, 2024 Staff Contact Alex Morganroth Principal Planner Project Contact/Applicant John Kay, K+ Architects, 10317 8th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125 Project Location 15711 152nd Ave NE (APN 2323059021) The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report: Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report Exhibit 2: SEPA Checklist dated April 21, 2023 Exhibit 3: Site Plan Exhibit 4: Civil Plan Drawing (Overall Site Plan, Grading and Utility Plans, and Fire Access Plan) Exhibit 5: Landscape Plans Exhibit 6: Architectural Plan Drawings Exhibit 7: Arborist Report, prepared by Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc, dated November 15, 2023 Exhibit 8: Tree Retention Memo, prepared by Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. dated November 15, 2023 Exhibit 9: Subsurface Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, and Stormwater Infiltration Feasibility Report, prepared by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc.dated January 31, 2024 Exhibit 10: Preliminary Technical Information Report, prepared by PacLand dated June 2023 Exhibit 11: Critical Areas Study, prepared by Altmann Oliver Associates, LLC dated July 8, 2022 Exhibit 12: Stream Buffer Restoration Plan, prepared by Altmann Oliver Associates, LLC dated March 4, 2024 Exhibit 13: Traffic Impact Analysis prepared by Transpo Group dated August 2023 Exhibit 14: Street Modification Requests Exhibit 15: Conditional Use Permit Request and Justification Exhibit 16: Transportation Concurrency Memo dated December 15, 2023 Exhibit 17: Duwamish Tribe Comments dated December 4, 2023 Exhibit 18: Department of Fish and Wildlife Comments dated December 11, 2023 Exhibit 19: Construction Mitigation Description Exhibit 20: Advisory Notes DocuSign Envelope ID: 8DC95E5E-DFD2-4FC3-AECA-A837B4E4B02A