HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Critical_Areas_Exemption_Decision_20170601DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY CITY OF
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Renton ��•
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE:
June 1, 2017
PROJECT NUMBER:
LUA17-000339
PROJECT NAME:
WSDOT 1-405 Test Borings for Renton to Bellevue
Expansion Project
PROJECT MANAGER:
Clark H. Close, Senior Planner
APPLICANT/CONTACT:
Linda Cooley / WSDOT / 600 108th Ave NE, Suite 400 /
Bellevue, WA 98004
PROJECT LOCATION:
1-405 (near Exit 7)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT) Northwest Region, is requesting a Critical Areas Exemption to
allow geotechnical investigations within City of Renton critical areas along the east and
west side of 1-405. The critical areas exemption is necessary to allow five (5) test borings
holes, approximately 4" in diameter, as part of the site work required to complete the
Renton to Bellevue Project SR 169 to 1-90. The Renton to Bellevue project was funded in
the 2015 Connecting Washington transportation package. The project will add new
capacity to create a two-lane express toll lane system. The specific boring locations have
been identified as follows: R2B-23vw-17, R213-21-17, R2B-22vw-17, R213-24-17, and R26 -
S27 -17 (see attachment). The borings would result in impacts to May Creek Buffer zone
and wetlands located west of Jones Ave NE.
To minimize the temporary disturbances proposed, the applicant is proposing to access the
western locations through WSDOT roadway right-of-way (R2B-23vw-17 and R213-21-17)
and the eastern locations on foot (R2B-22vw-17, R213-24-17, and R213 -S27-17). The borings
accessed by foot would use portable drilling equipment to complete the site investigative
work. Woody plants in the stream buffer would not be disturbed. However, some fallen
wood and invasive blackberry vines would need to be cleared in order to gain access to the
wetland area on the east side of 1-405. In order to prevent erosion to bare soils created by
the project, new mulch or straw would be applied to stabilize the ground upon completion
of the drilling work. Re -vegetation is not proposed as part of the boring project.
CRITICAL AREA: Protected slopes, sensitive slopes, high landslide
hazard areas, high seismic areas, erosion hazard
areas, regulated shorelines, steams, flood hazards,
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption from Critical Areas Regulations
WSDOT 1-405 Test Borings for Renton to Bellevue Expansion Project LUA17-000339
DATE OF PERMIT: June 1, 2017 Page 2 of 3
and wetlands.
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code (RMQ 4-3-050 Critical Areas
Regulations Subsections C.3.f.i Temporary Wetland Impacts and Subsection C.3.b.ii Site
Investigative Work.
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;
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by
industry standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
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;
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.
DECISION: An exemption from the critical areas regulations is Approved.
DATE OF DECISION ON LAND USE ACTION:
SIGNATURE:
7
0Jennifer Henning, Planning Director Date
The above land use 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).
APPEALS: An appeal of this administrative land use decision must be filed in writing together
with the required fee to the City of Renton Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South
Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, on or before 5:00 p.m., on June 15, 2017. RMC 4-8-110
governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner and additional information regarding the appeal
process may be obtained from the Renton City Clerk's Office, (425) 430-6510.
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption from Critical Areas Regulations
WSDOT 1-405 Test Borings for Renton to Bellevue Expansion Project LUA17-000339
DATE OF PERMIT: June 1, 2017 Page 3 of 3
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.
EXPIRATION: Five (5) years from the date of decision (date signed).
Attachments: Test Boring Locations Map