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January 11, 2019
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1055 S. GRADY WAY
RENTON, WA 98057
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am pleased to submit this letter to request an exemption for utility pole replacement activities within
environmentally critical areas in the right-of-way at several locations in Renton, WA. The required
permit information appears below.
Applicant/Contact: Maura Patterson, Seattle City Light, Environmental Management & Compliance
700 5th Avenue, Suite 3316
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 684-8461, maura.patterson@seattle.gov
Exemption Type: RMC 4-3-050 C(3)
Project Location: In the rights-of-way or easements bounded by approximately Lind Ave SW and
Oaksdale Ave SW north of SW 27th St (see attached project map and photo)
Property owners: The electric utility assets belong to Seattle City Light. The pole replacement utility
project entails work within the street right-of-way or easement.
Project Description:
Nine (9) Seattle City Light transmission poles within the jurisdiction of Renton need to be replaced; the
poles share the right-of-way with Seattle Public Utilities’ water mains. Eight (6) of the nine (9) poles fall
within an environmentally critical area (ECA) inclusive of 100-year flood hazard areas, wetlands, and/or
habitat conservation areas and will be replaced in approximately the same or nearby (within 5-25 feet)
locations with fiberglass/composite material poles (with exception to two locations, which will be
replaced with wooden poles). Work will include pole replacement and above-ground line work.
Crews will follow all best management practices (BMPs) for soil and erosion control and working near
sensitive water bodies to prevent deleterious material from entering the nearby Panther and
Springbrook Creeks, as outlined in an internal environmental review given to the project engineer and
crews by Seattle City Light Environmental Management and Compliance. The crews will adhere to any
requirements as outlined in the ECA exemption administered by the City of Renton.
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This replacement project falls under RMC 4-3-050 C.3, which exempts activities relevant to the
maintenance, operation, repair, and construction of utilities within critical areas and their buffers and
within existing rights-of-way or easements provided a letter of exemption (RMC 4-3-050 C.2) has been
issued. The project includes normal maintenance/repair of existing infrastructure and will be completed
in-kind. The majority of wood-treated transmission poles (those adjacent to Panther and Springbrook
Creeks) will be replaced with fiberglass/composite poles. Work will not further encroach outside of the
existing right-of-way, nor will it alter the existing areas.
Enclosed with this letter are project maps and photos as a component of the application. Please feel
free to call or email me if you need clarification on any aspect of the project, as we are trying to
complete this work as soon as possible. I would also be pleased to provide any additional material that
you might require.
Please invoice me at the address listed above. Thank you very much for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Maura Patterson
Sr. Environmental Analyst
/Enclosures (map, photo)
Maura Patterson