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HomeMy WebLinkAboutECF_Environmental_Checklist_190215_v1.pdf SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 15 SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST Purpose of checklist: Governmental agencies use this checklist to help determine whether the environmental impacts of your proposal are significant. This information is also helpful to determine if available avoidance, minimization or compensatory mitigation measures will address the probable significant impacts or if an environmental impact statement will be prepared to further analyze the proposal. Instructions for applicants: This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. Please answer each question accurately and carefully, to the best of your knowledge. You may need to consult with an agency specialist or private consultant for some questions. You may use “not applicable” or "does not apply" only when you can explain why it does not apply and not when the answer is unknown. You may also attach or incorporate by reference additional studies reports. Complete and accurate answers to these questions often avoid delays with the SEPA process as well as later in the decision- making process. The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal, even if you plan to do them over a period of time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help describe your proposal or its environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist may ask you to explain your answers or provide additional information reasonably related to determining if there may be significant adverse impact. Instructions for Lead Agencies: Please adjust the format of this template as needed. Additional information may be necessary to evaluate the existing environment, all interrelated aspects of the proposal and an analysis of adverse impacts. The checklist is considered the first but not necessarily the only source of information needed to make an adequate threshold determination. Once a threshold determination is made, the lead agency is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the checklist and other supporting documents. Use of checklist for nonproject proposals: For nonproject proposals (such as ordinances, regulations, plans and programs), complete the applicable parts of sections A and B plus the SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET FOR NONPROJECT ACTIONS (part D). Please completely answer all questions that apply and note that the words "project," "applicant," and "property or site" should be read as "proposal," "proponent," and "affected geographic area," respectively. The lead agency may exclude (for non-projects) questions in Part B - Environmental Elements –that do not contribute meaningfully to the analysis of the proposal. A. Background [HELP] 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Excel Public Charter School 2. Name of applicant: RECEIVED 03/06/2019 amorganroth PLANNING DIVISION SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 2 of 15 Anna Johnson Washington Charter School Development 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: 107 Spring Street, Suite 4025 Seattle, WA 98104 503-970-7487 4. Date checklist prepared: 2/14/2019 5. Agency requesting checklist: City of Renton Community & Economic Development 6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): Construction estimated to occur 9/2019 through 6/2020 7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. No 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. Phase 1 Environmental Report (GeoEngineers, DRAFT report dated January 25, 2019. Compltion of final report is pending) Geotechnical Report Asbestos/Lead survey of existing building 9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. No. 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. Conditional Use Permit, Building Permit, Demolition Permit, Electrical Permit, Mechanical Permit. 11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project description.) Renovation of existing 40,000 SF building for a charter middle and high school. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 3 of 15 12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. The project is located at 16950 116th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058, in the existing Cascade Village shopping center. The building is the eastern-most building on the site. B. Environmental Elements [HELP] 1. Earth [help] a. General description of the site: (circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, other _____________ b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? Approximately 18% c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat, muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any agricultural land of long-term commercial significance and whether the proposal results in removing any of these soils. Silty sand with gravel over weathered glacial till over undisturbed glacial till. d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so, describe. No e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of any filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate source of fill. Excavation and backfill of for building structural modifications (footings) is estimated to consist of less than 100 cubic yards. f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe. The potential for erosion during construction operations will be mitigated through the implementation of Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices as part of the construction requirements. There is no potential for erosion to occur as a result of use as all disturbed areas will be stabilized through permanent plantings or surfacing. g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)? 75% h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any: SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 4 of 15 Amendment of all disturbed areas to meet the DOE post constrcution soild depth requirements will be implemented. In addition, exisitng impervious area within the project site will be reduced. 2. Air [help] a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction, operation, and maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate quantities if known. Construction-related equipment during construction. b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so, generally describe. No. c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any: Construction activities will be subject to all applicable requirements. 3. Water [help] a. Surface Water: [help] 1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into. No. 2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans. No. 3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected. Indicate the source of fill material. None. 4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. No. 5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan. No. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 5 of 15 6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so, describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge. No. b. Ground Water: [help] 1) Will groundwater be withdrawn from a well for drinking water or other purposes? If so, give a general description of the well, proposed uses and approximate quantities withdrawn from the well. Will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. No. 2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or other sources, if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the following chemicals. . . ; agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the number of such systems, the number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve. None. c. Water runoff (including stormwater): 1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe. Source of runoff will be pervious and impervious on site areas, including roofs, hardscape and planted areas. Collection will be through a combination of existing and new structures, pipes and surface flow, with release to the public piped storm system. 2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe. No. 3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If so, describe. No. d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage pattern impacts, if any: Impervious surface coverage within the area of work will be reduced as a result of the project, thereby reducing the effects of previous land conversion on the project site. 4. Plants [help] SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 6 of 15 a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site: __x__deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other ____evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other __x_shrubs __x__grass ____pasture ____crop or grain ____ Orchards, vineyards or other permanent crops. ____ wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other ____water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other __x__other types of vegetation b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered? Approximately 8,000 square feet of existing ground cover and low shrubs will be replaced with new plantings, consisting of ground cover, shrubs, grass, and new trees. New plantings will consist primarily of native, drough tolerant vegetation. c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site. Not known. d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance vegetation on the site, if any: Landscaping will consist of plantings around the perimeter of the site within the project area of work, and planting beds along the edge of the building and pedestrian plaza. Planting types will be a predominantly Northwest palette requiring minimal water after initial establishment. e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site. Extensive areas of the site, outside the area of work, are covered in blackberry. 5. Animals [help] a. List any birds and other animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known to be on or near the site. Examples include: birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other: mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other _ _______ None observed. b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site. None known. c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain. None known. d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any: SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 7 of 15 None. e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site. None known. 6. Energy and Natural Resources [help] a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating, manufacturing, etc. Electric heat pump heating and cooling. Gas water heating and HVAC supplemental heating. Electrical lighting and equipment. b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties? If so, generally describe. No. c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any: Design to 2015 Washington State Energy Code. 7. Environmental Health [help] a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal? If so, describe. No. 1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses. Contamination from a former dry cleaning business, located approximately 200 feet of the project location has been documented. 2) Describe existing hazardous chemicals/conditions that might affect project development and design. This includes underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines located within the project area and in the vicinity. Underground PSE gas lines are located at the street, with underground on-site lines serving the existing buildings. 3) Describe any toxic or hazardous chemicals that might be stored, used, or produced during the project's development or construction, or at any time during the operating life of the project. None. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 8 of 15 4) Describe special emergency services that might be required. None. 5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any: None. b. Noise 1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)? None. 2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indi- cate what hours noise would come from the site. Construction related noises will be generated during construction. The school will be in session during day time hours only. The school is expected to operate between 8:00am and 3:30pm. After school programs for students are expected to operate until 5:00pm. 3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any: Noise Generated by construction related activities will be limited to hours and levels allowed by the City of Renton. 8. Land and Shoreline Use [help] a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Will the proposal affect current land uses on nearby or adjacent properties? If so, describe. The site is used as a shopping center, and consists of commercial and retail uses in four buildings on the project parcel, plust two additional buildings on an adjacent parcel. The project’s building is a former grocery store. Adjacent properties include single- and multi-family housing. The proposal will not affect current land uses or nearby or adjacent properties. b. Has the project site been used as working farmlands or working forest lands? If so, describe. How much agricultural or forest land of long-term commercial significance will be converted to other uses as a result of the proposal, if any? If resource lands have not been designated, how many acres in farmland or forest land tax status will be converted to nonfarm or nonforest use? No. 1) Will the proposal affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land normal business operations, such as oversize equipment access, the application of pesticides, tilling, and harvesting? If so, how: SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 9 of 15 No. c. Describe any structures on the site. 1) 25,492 SF commercial structure to remain 2) 36,872 SF commercial structure to remain 3) 1,745 SF commercial structure to remain 4) 40,547 SF commercial structure to remain with alterations (project location) d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what? Approximately 1,140 square feet portion of an existing building is to be demolished as part of this proposal. e. What is the current zoning classification of the site? CA (Commercial) f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site? Commercial Mixed Use g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site? Not Applicable. h. Has any part of the site been classified as a critical area by the city or county? If so, specify. No. i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project? 525 Students and 30 Teachers will occupy the school during school hours. j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace? None. k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any: Not Applicable. L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and plans, if any: The project will be subject to a conditional use review by the City of Renton. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 10 of 15 m. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts to agricultural and forest lands of long-term commercial significance, if any: None. 9. Housing [help] a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, mid- dle, or low-income housing. None. b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high, middle, or low-income housing. None. c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any: None. 10. Aesthetics [help] a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is the principal exterior building material(s) proposed? The tallest portion of the building is 28’ above grade plane, with rooftop mechanical equipment extending up to approximately 30’ above grade plane. Principle exterior building materials will consist of metal panel siding, composite panel siding, and storefront glazing. b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed? None. b. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any: Development standards per City of Renton Land Use Code requirements. 11. Light and Glare [help] a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly occur? Interior building lighting, visible through building fenestrations will operate during facility hours. Shielded, exterior light fixtures will operate after daylight hours. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 11 of 15 b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views? No. c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal? None. d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any: Shielded cut-off exterior light fixtures will be used. 12. Recreation [help] a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity? CVAC Baseball Field is adjacent to the site. b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe. No. c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any: The project will include an outdoor recreation area for use by students. 13. Historic and cultural preservation [help] a. Are there any buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the site that are over 45 years old listed in or eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers ? If so, specifically describe. No. b. Are there any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation? This may include human burials or old cemeteries. Are there any material evidence, artifacts, or areas of cultural importance on or near the site? Please list any professional studies conducted at the site to identify such resources. No. c. Describe the methods used to assess the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources on or near the project site. Examples include consultation with tribes and the department of archeology and historic preservation, archaeological surveys, historic maps, GIS data, etc. Review of GIS data, City of Renton Historical Museum Website, Washington State Historic Map archive. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 12 of 15 d. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, and disturbance to resources. Please include plans for the above and any permits that may be required. None. 14. Transportation [help] a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site or affected geographic area and describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any. The project is bounded by 116th Ave SE to the west and SE 168th St to the north. Vehicular access consists of driveways from SE 168th St and 116th Ave SE. Pedestrian-only access is available to 119th Ave SE (connecting to S 170th PL). No modifications to existing access is proposed. b. Is the site or affected geographic area currently served by public transit? If so, generally describe. If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop? The site is served by King County Metro Route 906, with the nearest stops on 116th Ave SE, immediately adjacent to the site. c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate? The project will provide 68 parking spaces in place of 172 existing parking spaces, for a net reduction of 104 parkings spaces. d. Will the proposal require any new or improvements to existing roads, streets, pedestrian, bicycle or state transportation facilities, not including driveways? If so, generally describe (indicate whether public or private). No. e. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air transportation? If so, generally describe. No. f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project or proposal? If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur and what percentage of the volume would be trucks (such as commercial and nonpassenger vehicles). What data or transportation models were used to make these estimates? The project is estimated to generate approximately 1,300 vehicle trips per day. The peak volumes would occur during the morning peak hour (between about 7:15 and 8:15 a.m.) and SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 13 of 15 the school afternoon peak hour (between about 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.). The project is estimated to generate about 425 total vehicle trips (259 inbound, 166 outbound) during the AM peak hour, and 305 total vehicle trips (128 inbound, 177 outbound) during the school afternoon peak hour. Approximately 89 total vehicle trips (38 inbound, 51 outbound) are projected during the commuter PM peak hour. Accounting for the vehicle trips eliminated by removal of the existing supermarket use at the site, the project is expected to result in a net decrease of about 3,040 vehicle trips per day, including net trip decreases during the school afternoon and commuter PM peak hours; an increase of 270 net new trips is projected during the AM peak hour. Vehicle trip estimates were calculated based upon rates and methods presented in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual (10th edition, 2017) and were corroborated with observations completed by Heffron Transportation, Inc. at the existing school site. It is expected that truck trips would comprise less than 1% of total daily trips, primarily consisting of garbage pick-up and occasional deliveries. g. Will the proposal interfere with, affect or be affected by the movement of agricultural and forest products on roads or streets in the area? If so, generally describe. No. h. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any: The School would develop and implement a Transportation Management Plan (TMP) to manage school-day on-site queuing and parking, to manage event parking, and to encourage travel of faculty, staff and students by bus, walking, biking, and carpool. The project would also pay Transportation Impact Fees in accordance with City requirements. 15. Public Services [help] a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection, police protection, public transit, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe. No. b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any. None. 16. Utilities [help] a. Circle utilities currently available at the site: electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system, other ___________ c. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service, and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might be needed. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 15 of 15 Proposed measures to protect or conserve energy and natural resources are: 4. How would the proposal be likely to use or affect environmentally sensitive areas or areas designated (or eligible or under study) for governmental protection; such as parks, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, threatened or endangered species habitat, historic or cultural sites, wetlands, floodplains, or prime farmlands? Proposed measures to protect such resources or to avoid or reduce impacts are: 5. How would the proposal be likely to affect land and shoreline use, including whether it would allow or encourage land or shoreline uses incompatible with existing plans? Proposed measures to avoid or reduce shoreline and land use impacts are: 6. How would the proposal be likely to increase demands on transportation or public services and utilities? Proposed measures to reduce or respond to such demand(s) are: 7. Identify, if possible, whether the proposal may conflict with local, state, or federal laws or requirements for the protection of the environment.