HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Maplewood_Driving_Range_Restoration_CAEDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Maplewood Driving Range Restoration_CAE_FINAL
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: September 17, 2024
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA24-000265, CAE
PROJECT NAME: Maplewood Driving Range Restoration
PROJECT MANAGER: Jill Ding, Senior Planner
APPLICANT/OWNER: Steve Meyers, City of Renton
4050 SE Maple Valley Rd, Renton, WA 98058
CONTACT: Derrick Eberle, Braumwelt, PLLC
919 MLK Way, Tacoma, WA 98405
PROJECT LOCATION: 4050 SE Maple Valley Rd, Renton, WA 98058
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Critical Areas Exemption and a SEPA Exemption for
restoration improvements to the existing Maplewood Golf Course Drive Range located at 4050 SE Maple Valley Rd
(APN 2223059010). The proposed work would include the replacement of the existing turf with a second use
infilled turf (Attachment A). The surface replacement turf would total approximately 130,000 square feet in area.
Up to 280 cubic yards of 5/8" minus crushed rock may be brought in to fill various pockets that have settled within
the driving range. In addition, the proposed work would include repairs to the existing fencing, however no change
in location or height of the existing fencing is proposed. According to the City of Renton’s (COR) mapping system,
the subject property is within a High Erosion Hazard area, 100-year flood hazard area, a Moderate Landslide Hazard
area, a Very High Hazard area, sensitive and protected slopes onsite, High Seismic Hazard Area, within shoreline
jurisdiction, within 200 feet of wetlands, the Maplewood Wellhead Protection Area: Zone 1 Modified and the
Maplewood Wellhead Protection Area: Zone 2. However, no construction would occur within existing protected
slopes, any wetland or buffer areas, within the 100-year floodplain, nor within the 200-foot shoreline jurisdiction
of the Cedar River. Work is proposed abutting a very high landslide hazard area, within a seismic hazard area and
within the Maplewood Wellhead Protection Area: Zone 1 Modified and Zone 2. No further encroachments into
any critical areas are proposed.
CRITICAL AREA: Work would abut a very high landslide hazard area, is within a high seismic hazard
area and Maplewood Wellhead Protection Area; Zone 1 Modified and Zone 2.
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: RMC 4-3-050C.3.g.i Remodeling, Replacing, Removing Existing Structures, Facilities,
and Improvements: Remodeling, restoring, replacing, or removing structures, facilities and other improvements
in existence or vested on the date this Section becomes effective and that do not meet the setback or buffer
requirements of this Section provided the work complies with the criteria in RMC 4-10-090.
Docusign Envelope ID: 6C0FEF0F-BBDA-4151-91DC-7FC64C5DF83C
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Maplewood Driving Range Restoration LUA24-000265, CAE
Permit Date: September 17, 2024 Page 2 of 4
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A legally nonconforming, regulated activity or structure that was in existence or approved or vested prior to the
passage of the Critical Area Regulations, RMC 4-3-050, and to which significant economic resources have been
committed pursuant to such approval but which is not in conformity with the provisions of RMC 4-3-050 may be
continued; provided, that:
1. No such legal nonconforming activity or structure shall be expanded, changed, enlarged or altered in any way
that infringes further on the critical area that increases the extent of its nonconformity with this Section
without a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of RMC 4-3-050;
Staff Comment: The proposal includes the restoration of an existing driving range; no expansion of the driving
range is proposed that would infringe further into the very high landslide hazard area.
2. Except for cases of ongoing agricultural uses, if a nonconforming activity is discontinued pursuant to RMC 4-
10-060, any resumption of the activity shall conform to this Section;
Staff Comment: The driving range use is existing and has not been discontinued; the proposal includes
restoration improvements to the existing driving range.
3. Except for cases of ongoing agricultural use, if a nonconforming use or activity or structure is destroyed by
human activities or an act of God, it shall not be resumed or reconstructed except in conformity with the
provisions of RMC 4-3-050, 4-10-050 and 4-10-060;
Staff Comment: The existing driving range has not been destroyed by an act of God; the proposal includes
improvements to the existing driving range so that its use may be continued.
4. Activities or adjuncts thereof that are or become nuisances shall not be entitled to continue as nonconforming
activities.
Staff Comment: The existing driving range is not a nuisance that should be discontinued.
FINDINGS:
The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to RMC section
4-3-050C.2.d:
i. The activity is not prohibited by this or any other provision of the Renton Municipal
Code or State or Federal law or regulation;
Staff Comment: The proposed driving range improvements are not prohibited by any
provisions of the Renton Municipal Code or State or Federal law or regulation.
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by industry
standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
Staff Comment: The proposed driving range improvements would be conducted utilizing
best management practices as established by industry standards as described in the
submitted Geotechnical Report (Attachment B).
Docusign Envelope ID: 6C0FEF0F-BBDA-4151-91DC-7FC64C5DF83C
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Maplewood Driving Range Restoration LUA24-000265, CAE
Permit Date: September 17, 2024 Page 3 of 4
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iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
Staff Comment: There is existing fencing between the existing driving range and the
abutting very high landslide hazard area. Proposed improvements would not extend
beyond the limits of the existing fencing, therefore no new impacts to the landslide
hazard area are anticipated.
iv. Where water body or buffer disturbance has occurred in accordance with an exemption
during construction or other activities, revegetation with native vegetation shall be
required;
Staff Comment: Not applicable, no water body or water body buffer disturbance is
anticipated.
v. If a hazardous material, activity, and/or facility that is exempt pursuant to this Section
has a significant or substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality, then the
Administrator may require compliance with the Wellhead Protection Area
requirements of this Section otherwise relevant to that hazardous material, activity,
and/or facility. Such determinations will be based upon site and/or chemical-specific
data.
Staff Comment: It is not anticipated that the proposed driving range improvements
would result in hazardous materials infiltrating the groundwater.
DECISION: An exemption from the Critical Areas Regulations is hereby Approved .
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Matthew Herrera, 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 October 1, 2024. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period
(RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). 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
Docusign Envelope ID: 6C0FEF0F-BBDA-4151-91DC-7FC64C5DF83C
9/17/2024 | 1:01 PM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Maplewood Driving Range Restoration LUA24-000265, CAE
Permit Date: September 17, 2024 Page 4 of 4
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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:
Attachment A: Plan Set
Attachment B: Geotechnical Report
cc: City of Renton / Owner
Docusign Envelope ID: 6C0FEF0F-BBDA-4151-91DC-7FC64C5DF83C