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Bradford, Brenda
From:Bradford, Brenda
Sent:Friday, November 9, 2018 5:06 PM
To:Clark Close
Cc:Miller, Lindsey; Worsley, Colin; Karissa Kawamoto (karissa.kawamoto@hdrinc.com);
Walling, Christopher; Killian, Kyle (Kyle.Killian@hdrinc.com); Hall, Deena
Subject:KC Parks Renton Shop - LAND USE ID# 584394 King County Parks - Renton Shop - SEPA
Lead Agency Determination
Clark,
RE: LAND USE ID# 584394 King County Parks - Renton Shop
3005 NE 4th Street, Renton, WA 98056
Tax Parcel ID 1434000012
The purpose of this communication is to notify the City of Renton via email of King County Parks and Recreation
Division’s (Parks) determination that it will be assuming lead agency status for the above referenced project in
connection with the SEPA process.
As you are aware, Parks has been in the planning and feasibility stages of a redevelopment of our existing operations
and maintenance shop for several years. As part of this process Parks has developed extensive familiarity with the
proposed project, the technical underpinnings of the project, and its environmental impacts on the existing
environment. Parks routinely acts as SEPA lead on our own projects and have internal staff skilled and experienced with
the SEPA process (Lindsey and Colin, cc’d).
Our SEPA process is outlined generally as follows:
· Reports and research necessary to advise the SEPA checklist are performed (Critical Areas, TIA, etc)
· SEPA checklist is prepared for the project by our consultant with input from the project manager, and peer
reviewed by the SEPA lead.
· Threshold Determination is drafted, reviewed, and ultimately signed by the Division Director.
· The TD is issued, published, SEPA sign installed, and taxpayers, residents, agencies and interested parties are
provided mail notification.
· Comments are monitored with central email and voicemail by the leads.
· After comment period ends, Parks issues responses and the Notice of Action Taken.
Stakeholders:
We will have your name on the list of Stakeholders and Interested Parties and provide you with notification so that you
may comment.
If you wish other Renton departments to be on the stakeholders list, please let us know.
Timeline:
We are targeting early December for SEPA Issuance.
We look forward to working with you as work progresses towards final planning, conditional use permit, permitting, and
construction.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.
Thanks.
Brenda Bradford, Architect
Capital Project Manager
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King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Capital Project Management
201 South Jackson Street, #700, Seattle, WA 98104
Wk. 206-477-1030 Cell Ph. 206-549-2902
Brenda.Bradford@kingcounty.gov
King County Parks SEPA Environmental Checklist WAC 197-11-960 Page 1 of 24
Renton Shop November 16, 2018
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Parks and Recreation Division
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street, Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98104
http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks
SEPA Environmental Checklist
A. BACKGROUND 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable:
King County Parks - Renton Shop
City of Renton Land Use ID# 584394
2. Name of applicant:
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
Brenda Bradford, Capital Project Manager IV
King County Parks and Recreation Division
201 South Jackson Street, Room 700
Seattle, WA 98104
206-477-7372 (SEPA)
KCParks.SEPA@kingcounty.gov
4. Date checklist prepared:
November 16, 2018
5. Agency requesting checklist:
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable):
Design and Permitting 2018-2019
Construction and Demolition 2020-2022 - The existing facility would continue to operate throughout
construction of the new structures, with demolition of the existing buildings following occupancy of
the new buildings.
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Renton Shop November 16, 2018
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain.
The site plan provides for future accommodation of additional office space located on the west side of
Building A. Timing of this phase of work is not known at this time and is currently unfunded.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal.
Traffic Impact Analysis (HDR, 2018)
Critical Areas Overview Technical Memorandum (HDR, 2018)
Environmental Noise Study (Greenbusch Group, 2018)
Hazardous Materials Survey (NVL Labs, 2017)
Preliminary Geotechnical Evaluation (Aspect, 2018)
Preliminary Geotechnical Design Report (King County, 2017)
King County Historic Preservation Program Cultural Resources Review Form (King County, 2017)
Project information is available for review on the King County website at
http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/publicnotices
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.
We are not aware of other pending applications affecting the Renton Shop property.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
King County: SEPA Determination
Industrial Waste Discharge Permit
City of Renton Planning Department: Conditional Use Permit
Administrative Site Plan Approval
City of Renton Building Department: Demolition Permits
Site Civil Construction Permit
Building Permits
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Permits
WA State Dept. of Ecology: NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency: Notice of Construction
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Renton Shop November 16, 2018
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.
King County Parks consists of more than 200 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 215 miles of
backcountry trails–totaling more than 28,000 acres of property to operate and maintain. Their
headquarters for operations and maintenance (O&M) is located at the Central Maintenance Facility
(Renton Shop, 3005 NE 4th Street in Renton (see vicinity map). The King County Department of
Natural Resources and Parks, Parks and Recreation Division is proposing to replace the existing
Central Maintenance Facility. The existing post-World War II-era facility is aging, is not connected to
the City’s sanitary sewer system, and cannot accommodate the planned expansion of staff, equipment,
and vehicles. The replacement facility, developed on the same site, will be called the King County
Parks - Renton Shop. The Renton Shop will address currently unmet service needs, be built to current
building and environmental standards, and will accommodate projected future staff growth. The
Renton Shop will provide improved function and space for shop operations, enhanced vehicle and
pedestrian safety, better site circulation and flow, and provide needed office space, meeting rooms,
storage, and support spaces to support planned growth. The facility is also being designed to meet the
goals of Net Zero Energy pursuant to the Living Building Challenge certification process.
The project site was subdivided into an approximately 5.7 acre (248,672 square foot) parcel from a
larger County-owned property in 2016 (REC #20160303900006), and is zoned light industrial. The
new facility would consist of 3 new buildings, staff and visitor parking, fleet and equipment parking,
and covered and uncovered storage. The Crew/Administration Building A (2-story, approximately
27,000 sq. ft.) is oriented to take advantage of the southern exposure and southerly winds to act as
natural ventilation and cooling. The Shop Building B (2-story, approximately 20,900 sq. ft.) is more
centrally located on the site. Along the north and west boundaries, a variety of storage areas will
include ecology block material storage bins, utility trailers and other equipment parking,
approximately 7,700 SF of which is covered, but not fully enclosed. Along the north boundary
enclosed and covered storage is planned in Building C (single-story, approximately 4,500 sq. ft.).
The site utilities would be upgraded to include constructing approximately 2,000 LF of 12-inch
diameter water main extension for fire and domestic water use to serve the site. The water system will
be installed from the intersection of Jefferson Avenue NE and NE 2nd Street going north on Jefferson
Avenue toward NE 4th Street where it will be capped and terminated for future expansion/connection.
A sewer main will be constructed partially within City of Renton right-of-way, new utility easement
from NE 3rd Street south between the self-storage development and the Renton Technical College
property, and on-site. The sewer improvement is comprised of approximately 600 feet of 12-inch
diameter sewer main and 300 feet of 8-inch diameter sewer main. The project will include other dry
utility construction to underground approximately 600 feet of electrical power lines and extend fiber
optic and communication systems into the site.
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Renton Shop November 16, 2018
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.
3005 NE 4th Street, Renton
Parcel No. 1434000012
Section 16 Township 23, Range 5
Legal Description: CASSIDY COVE LOT X RENTON SP #LUA15-00676 REC #20160303900006
SD SP DAF LOT A OF SD ADD
A vicinity map and site plan is included as part of this checklist.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
1. Earth 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)?
The steepest slope can be found along the western property line towards the northwest
corner. City of Renton Critical Area Mapping designates a small strip of land as being in
<25 percent to >40 percent slope category between the Renton Shop site and the adjacent
mini-storage facility
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.
Geotechnical explorations have been conducted by King County Geotechnical staff in 2017 and by
the Project Geotechnical Consultant (Aspect Consulting) in 2018.
Borings performed by King County found fill consisting of silty sand and mixtures of sand and
gravel. Below the fill, outwash deposits (Qpa) consisted of interbedded mixtures of medium
dense, poorly-graded mixtures of sand and gravel including some cobbles and boulders.
Borings performed by Aspect Consulting found fill materials consisting of brown silty GRAVELS
(GM) with sand and cobbles. Glacial outwash deposits (Qpa) were found underlaying the fill,
consisting of gray, well-graded, and poorly-graded SAND (SW or SP) with variable gravel
content.
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Renton Shop November 16, 2018
d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity?
If so, describe.
No indications or history of unstable soils are known.
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.
The phased construction would require the majority of the almost 6 acre site to
experience earthwork activities at some point. Common excavation would be performed
to remove the existing surface material to create appropriate subgrade for foundations as
well as grading to install the stormwater and other utilities infrastructure. Approximately
13,000 CY of excavation is anticipated.
Fill material would be used for leveling between the existing grade and sub-grade, rock
used for the stormwater infiltration galleries, base material and fill material used under
slabs, and pavement totaling approximately 19,500 CY. The fill material would be
expected to come from a local, approved, commercial source arranged by the contractor.
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally
describe.
Minor erosion could occur as a result of the vegetation clearing and ground disturbance
associated with construction activities. Erosion would be minimized by implementing
Best Management Practices (BMPs). All phases of construction would comply with
applicable temporary erosion and sedimentation control provisions of the City of Renton
Code and an NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit’s Surface Water Pollution
Prevention Plan, where required.
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after
project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
Approximately 75 percent of the site would be covered by structures, asphalt or other impervious
surfaces.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if
any:
Construction:
Proposed measures would include:
• Limiting total amount of soil disturbance to only the immediate area under construction.
• Employing temporary measures such as straw mulch and plastic sheeting for short term;
hydro seeding for long-term or permanent areas of disturbance.
• Watering or covering exposed soils to minimize wind transport of soil during dry summer
months.
• Vegetating disturbed areas pursuant to the landscaping or restoration plan as soon as
possible after grading or construction is complete.
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Operation:
Proposed measures would include:
• The proposed project includes improvements to the on-site stormwater system which
would result in reduced erosion and sedimentation impacts compared to current
conditions.
2. Air 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.
Temporary emissions to the air during construction would be from typical large equipment and
machinery powered by diesel or gasoline but would be short-term in duration. Operational
activities of the new facility that could contribute emissions to the air would be similar in nature to
what currently occurs on-site. The paint shop fumes are contained through an exhaust unit, as is
emissions generated from the metal shop welding and plasma cutters. The carpentry shop
generates sawdust and features a special dust collection system. Other sources of emissions
include the typical exhaust from the fleet vehicles daily trips on and off the site.
Energy efficient design, with a goal of meeting Net Zero Energy, would contribute to the long-term
reduction in GHG emissions. Through design of the new facility, King County is striving to
reduce carbon emissions through sensitive design and equipment. The existing facilities have a
benchmark Energy Use Intensity (EUI) range between 60-70 EUI. To achieve Net Zero Energy,
preliminary energy modelling EUI target is less than 22 and the design is anticipated to achieve
this through techniques such as daylight harvesting, use of photovoltaic, HVAC & natural
ventilation measures, and incorporating carbon cutting efforts related to the building envelope.
The estimated CO2 (GHG) emission from the proposed design is 125.32 MTE per year. The
photovoltaic system will offset up to 180.92 MTE per year of CO2 (more than produced)
emissions resulting in a range of -55.6 MTE per year to 125.32 MTE per year of CO2 emissions.
As design progresses, these strategies and calculations will be refined for reporting purposes.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal?
If so, generally describe.
The proposed Renton Shop is in the vicinity of the King County Roads Division Maintenance
Shop and the King County Renton Solid Waste Transfer Station. Both land uses potentially could
produce emissions or odor that could affect the project; however, the existing Parks maintenance
facility has operated out of this same location for many years and has not been negatively affected.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any:
During construction, mitigation measures for project impacts to air quality, odor, and GHG
emissions could include but would not be limited to the following:
• Spraying water, when necessary, during construction to reduce emissions of
fugitive dust.
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Renton Shop November 16, 2018
• Covering dirt, gravel, and debris piles as needed to reduce fugitive dust and wind-
blown debris.
• Covering open-bodies of trucks in accordance with RCW 46.61.655, wetting
materials in trucks, or providing adequate freeboard (space from the top of the
material to the top of the truck) to reduce fugitive dust emissions.
• Conserving and reusing construction materials on-site to reduce exhaust emissions
and traffic delays because additional materials would not need to be delivered to the
site.
• Turning off construction equipment when not in use to minimize idling and reduce
GHG emissions.
• Replanting vegetation temporarily disturbed by construction activities with native
vegetation within 1-year or growing season after construction is complete.
During Operation the project has set a goal of meeting Net Zero Energy as defined in the
Living Building Challenge certification. This will minimize overall site emissions in the
long-term.
3. Water a. Surface Water: 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 surface water bodies are located on or in the immediate vicinity of the site.
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 work over, in, or adjacent to a surface water as part of this project is proposed.
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.
No fill or dredge material would be place in or removed from surface waters as part of this
project.
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
There would be no surface water withdrawals or diversions as part of this project.
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5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site
plan.
The project does not lie within a 100-year floodplain.
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.
The project does not involve any discharges of waste materials to surface water.
b. Ground Water: 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.
The site is located in a Zone 2 Wellhead Protection Zone per the City of Renton. Groundwater
would not be withdrawn from a well for drinking water. Stormwater will be treated and infiltrated
onsite using facilities such as rain gardens, bioretention swales, infiltration galleries, and detention
facilities. Only treated water will be infiltrated.
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.
The site will include storage of hazardous materials including vehicle fuel, fertilizers, pesticides,
and equipment maintenance fluids. The City regulates the storage of hazardous materials within
wellhead protection zones, including requiring secondary containment, periodic monitoring, and
emergency collection devices (RMC 4-3-050 G.8.b). King County will comply with applicable
development standards for the Zone 2 wellhead protection area described in RMC 4-3-050 G.8.b,
during construction and operation of the facility.
A significant improvement planned as part of this project would be the connection to the
City of Renton sanitary sewer system and decommissioning of the existing septic tanks and
drain field.
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.
Rainfall provides the only source of stormwater runoff at the site. The project is being designed to
incorporate a number of drainage features to collect, convey, treat, detain and infiltrate this runoff.
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Design is underway but treatment and detention features could include rain gardens, bioretention
swales, infiltration galleries, and detention facilities. All stormwater, for the design event, is
treated and infiltrated on site.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
There would be a slight possibility that small amounts of waste materials (i.e. petroleum,
petroleum products, sediment, concrete materials) could occur from construction and
operation activities. Spill prevention BMPs would be followed during construction to
avoid such spills. The contractor would be required to prepare a Spill Prevention Control
and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan for the project prior to beginning construction and
submit to King County for approval.
As a maintenance facility there are areas where storage of chemicals, equipment, and
supplies are housed in specific locations. Those areas with potential for spills are designed
with containment areas to avoid possible stormwater contamination.
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the
site? If so, describe.
No, the proposal does not alter or affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site. The
majority of the existing drainage infiltrates onsite. After construction, it is anticipated that
all drainage will continue to infiltrate onsite.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage
pattern impacts, if any:
Proposed measures designed to reduce or control surface, ground and runoff water impacts include,
but not limited to the following:
• Confine the construction impacts to the minimum area necessary to complete the project.
• To the extent practicable, construction work would be performed during the dry season.
• Exposed soils would be stabilized with a vegetative cover or other erosion control
treatment immediately following construction.
• Employ erosion control BMPs such as mulch, silt barriers, containment systems, interim
stormwater controls, cover measures (straw or plastic) and reseed areas temporarily
disturbed by construction.
• Develop and implement BMPs such as a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
that would include a Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control (TESC) Plan and a Spill
Prevention and Countermeasures Control (SPCC) Plan.
Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground and runoff water impacts during
operation would include but not be limited to the following:
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• Stormwater treatment facilities would be constructed to treat and infiltrate stormwater
runoff from new and existing impervious surfaces. Stormwater treatment would comply
with Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington and the City of
Renton Stormwater Manual.
• Sustainable features including rooftop rainwater harvesting, and green roof would be
incorporated into the Renton Shop to minimize the amount stormwater runoff collected for
treatment and discharge. Pervious areas of the project would be designed to maximize
infiltration through the use of engineered rain gardens, biofiltration swales/galleries, and
other infiltration facilities allowed by the City of Renton code. Harvested rooftop
stormwater would be conveyed to a cistern to use for landscape irrigation and other non-
potable uses.
• Decommissioning of existing septic system and connection to sanity sewer to provide long
term protection for groundwater.
4. Plants
a. Circle the types of vegetation found on the site:
X deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen
X evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine
shrubs
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
____ other types of vegetation
b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
There is very little vegetation currently on-site:
• Three (3) evergreen and deciduous trees near the current administration building would be
removed (a 30-inch dbh deciduous, 14-inch dbh conifer, and a 9-inch dbh deciduous).
• Along the west property line are a row of evergreen trees may require removal to make
way for the utilities connecting the site to NE 3rd/4th Street.
c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
There are no known threatened or endangered plant species know to be on or near the site. The
WDFW Priority Habitats and Species, IPaC databases, and Washington Department of Natural
Resources Natural Heritage Program feature lists were checked for threatened or endangered plant
species. No reports of rare or endangered plants in the vicinity of the Renton Shop were found.
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d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or
enhance vegetation on the site, if any:
Any vegetation temporarily disturbed by construction would be replaced with native vegetation
within one year of the growing season after construction is complete.
e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
Himalayan Blackberry is evident in undeveloped areas along the west property line.
5. Animals 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 - rabbit
fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other
b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
There are no known occurrences of threatened or endangered fish or wildlife species on or near the
site. WDFW Priority Habitats and Species, and IPaC databases were checked for threatened or
endangered species in the vicinity of the Renton Shop facility.
c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain.
The project site is located within the Pacific Flyway, which is a major north-south route of travel
for migratory birds in America, extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Migrating and nesting birds
within the project area will be protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any:
If nesting or roosting birds are discovered on site during the protected nesting months set forth in
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, consultation with King County staff on proper protection methods
prior to start of construction would be required. The proposed landscaping planting plan includes a
predominantly native plant pallet with a variety in plant branching structure, heights, evergreen
cover, and fruiting plants. It is anticipated that this pallet of landscape improvements will enhance
opportunities for wildlife habitat.
e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site.
No known invasive animal species are known to be on or near the site.
6. Energy and natural resources 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.
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The facility is being designed to meet the goals of Net Zero Energy pursuant to the Living Building
Challenge certification process. The concept of a Net Zero Energy building is one that is based on
producing as much energy as one consumes over the course of a year. The goal is to minimize the
amount of energy consumed through sensitive design and by using energy efficient products and a
sustainable infrastructure. Electric and photovoltaic solar would be the primary energy source.
b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties?
If so, generally describe.
The Renton Shop is not anticipated to affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent
properties.
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:
• The intent is to design and construct a replacement facility that achieves Net Zero Energy
certification using photovoltaic solar as the primary energy source, with a battery back up
system, and connection to the electric grid to address fluctuation in solar performance
during summer and winter.
• Energy efficient lighting systems would be implemented as appropriate.
• Use of southern exposure and southerly winds for heating and cooling of Building A.
7. Environmental health 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.
During construction, some risk of fuel spills/leakage from heavy equipment exists; however, this
risk would not be greater than the risk normally associated with construction activities of this type.
A Hazardous Materials Survey (NVL Labs, 2017) was conducted at the existing shop, office
building, small building and storage shed, to identify suspect asbestos containing building
materials, lead paint coatings, and Mercury (Hg) / PCB containing devices. All three hazards were
found to be present and recommended disposal methods and protocols are identified in the report.
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
The site has operated with an on-site septic and drainfield system for several decades. In addition,
there are three underground storage tanks (USTs) on the site from previous use. These tanks were
filled in-place and decommissioned in the 1960’s. Recent soil borings on-site include six
geotechnical borings performed by King County on April 13, 2017 to a depth of 26.5 feet and four
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additional borings drilled by Aspect on February 16, 2018 around the perimeter of two (2) readily
accessible USTs to a depth of 15 to 20-feet deep. Results from these soil borings and laboratory
analysis did not find ground contaminants above thresholds of concern.
The area surrounding the decommissioned USTs did not have indications of contaminated soil.
Although no field or laboratory indication of product release from the USTs were measured or
observed, the steel USTs could have leaked while these were in service. Because the soils around
and below the USTs are course-grained and permeable, and release from the USTs would have
migrated vertically. If the tanks will be removed as part of construction, it is recommended that
field-screening the soil directly under the tanks for indications of contamination and, if detected,
completing additional analytical laboratory tests (Aspect, 2018).
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.
Previous activities on-site included vehicle fueling. Three USTs were decommissioned in place
during the 1960’s and would likely require removal as part of this proposal construction. Puget
Sound Energy has an overhead utility easement across the southeast corner of the site. Design has
purposefully avoided placement of structures in that area.
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.
The existing facility houses small quantities of a variety of potential toxic or hazardous chemicals
used on a regular basis such as fertilizer, pesticides, paints, oils, fuel containers for handheld
equipment, and cement for use at park sites. These types of chemicals will remain onsite during
and after construction with appropriate containment. Storage of oils, lubricants, and fuel to
maintain machinery and equipment used by the field crews would also be safely accommodated
on-site during and after construction.
Contractors should be aware that concealed suspect asbestos-containing building materials may be
discovered during demolition or renovation work (NVL, 2017). Concealed suspect materials may
include, but are not limited to: non-fiberglass pipe or roof drain insulation, spray-applied coatings,
cement board, asphalt or paper vapor barriers, floorings and adhesives. Contractors should have
contingency plans in place in the event these materials are found.
Lead-containing paint was found in numerous samples collected from the property structures
(NVL, 2017). The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) sample result contains
lead (Pb) contaminants below the threshold of 5.0 ppm and thus, the solid waste stream of the
demolition debris from the structures is considered regular demolition debris.
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4) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
No special emergency services are currently needed at the existing facility, nor is a need
anticipated for the replacement facility.
5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any:
Measures would be incorporated into the project construction and long-term operation to avoid
or minimize impacts from hazards or hazardous materials. These measures will be identified in
the SPCC Plan, including engineered and operational methods for preventing, containing, and
controlling potential releases, and provisions for a quick and safe cleanup. The SPCC Plan
would comply with the requirements of the International Building Code and the Uniform Fire
Code.
All asbestos-containing materials to be removed as part of the demolition are to be handled and
disposed of in accordance with Washington State regulations. Washington State Department of
labor and Industries and Puget Sound Clear Air Agency (PSCAA) requires that the abatement be
performed by a certified asbestos removal contractor.
The TCLP testing of the lead samples found the representative sample to be below the 5.0 ppm
threshold. Demolition debris from the structures can be treated as regular solid waste.
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment, operation, other)?
Noise generators in the vicinity include traffic noise from cars and trucks. The King
County Roads Division Maintenance Facility is located immediately south of the subject
site as well as the King County Solid Waste Division, Renton Transfer Station is also
located to the south. Both uses contribute to background noise levels.
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)? Indicate what hours noise would come from the site.
Construction and Demolition
Construction activities associated with the Renton Shop facility could result in temporary
noise increases within and adjacent to the project area. The noise would be generated
primarily by vehicular traffic and construction equipment. Large vehicles transporting
construction materials and heavy equipment and equipment typically used during
construction will create short term noise and vibration impacts associated with excavation,
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material removal and hauling, and demolition. Construction activities are anticipated to
occur during normal working hours which are exempt from state and local sound limits.
Operation
Overall, the daytime activities currently occurring on site would not significantly change
with operation of the new Renton Shop. Sound sources would include vehicular traffic,
mobile and stationary equipment, and the “shops” which consists of the
carpentry/woodworking and metal working areas. The administrative and O&M
supervisory staff are on-site during general working hours Monday through Friday, 7:30
am to 4:30 pm. The field crew staff report to the facility Monday through Thursday at 6:00
am and remain onsite for an hour to receive their daily itinerary and prepare their
equipment and fleet vehicles for the day before leaving to their assigned site and returning
between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to conduct end of day business before leaving at 4:30 pm.
The crew staff increase of seasonal employees between March and November has been
accounted for in the projected staff totals.
The “shops” are identified as a potential noise generator from the operation of loud power
tools. Located on the north side of building B, the woodworking shop would have a
10’X10’ roll-up overhead door and rely on natural ventilation. A 3-D computer noise
modeling software, Cadna/A, was used to predict sound levels at neighboring property
lines (The Greenbusch Group, 2018). Under a scenario where both the carpentry shop and
the metal shop had both their roll-up doors open with multiple power tools and dust
collectors running at the same time, noise exceedances of 2 to 5 dBA was shown at the
north property line. (The Greenbusch Group, 2018).
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
Operation
The noise model was run once without any acoustically absorptive materials on the walls of the
carpentry and metals shop. The model was then modified to run with varying amounts of
acoustically absorptive materials on the walls to demonstrate a decrease in the amount of sound
radiating out of an open door. The amount of acoustically absorptive material in the model was
adjusted until sound level limits were met at the receiving property lines, including a reasonable
safety factor.
Adding 1,600 square feet of 1-inch K-13 Spray-On Insulation or a similar product with a minimum
NRC of 0.80 to the ceilings of all shop spaces was shown to reduce the sound level limits to an
appropriate range.
Noise generated from exterior HVAC equipment located north of build A should be revisited when
better data from the chosen equipment is available. While not predicted to have an effect on
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property line noise levels, the HVAC equipment may expose the second floor offices and first floor
event spaces to excessive exterior noise that could be mitigated through HVAC enclosures or use
of high STC construction in those sensitive rooms.
8. Land and shoreline use 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 current use of the site will be the same as with the new facility. The existing buildings
house administrative offices, operation and maintenance shops, and storage. Adjacent uses
include:
• North: former King County Public Health office building recently purchased for
redevelopment by Renton Technical College
• South: owned by King County Roads Division, vehicle and equipment storage
• East: beyond the access road is a vacant private parcel that historically was mined for
sand and gravel and is now being used to accept fill dirt under a City of Renton Grading
Permit
• West: Self-Storage business
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?
The site is not known to have been used for agriculture.
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:
The Renton Shop would not affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land
operations.
c. Describe any structures on the site.
The existing facility has three primary buildings: the first houses crews, administrative and
supervisory staff, and the other building contains shops and additional crew areas. These are
located towards the western half of the site. The third building, located centrally on the site,
provides covered and enclosed storage.
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
All of the existing structures would be demolished; however, construction would be phased to
allow parks operations to continue while the new structures are built.
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e. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
The site is zoned Light-Industrial by the City of Renton.
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
The comprehensive plan designation is light industrial.
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.
City of Renton critical areas mapping (City of Renton Maps, accessed June 2018) shows the
steepest section on the site as a Regulated Slope, between 15 and 25 percent slope. The property is
also within the City’s Wellhead Protection Area, Zone 2.
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
The Renton Shop facility is envisioned to accommodate approximately 103 staff upon opening and
will be designed to accommodate up to 131 staff.
j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
The project would not displace any people.
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any:
The Renton Shop facility would not result any displacement impacts and therefore no
measures are proposed.
l. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and
projected land uses and plans, if any:
The proposed project would be designed and permitted in accordance with the City of Renton
development code and comprehensive plan.
m. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with nearby agricultural
and forest lands of long-term commercial significance, if any:
The project would not result in impacts to nearby agricultural or forest land and therefore, no
measures are proposed.
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9. Housing a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high,
middle, or low-income housing.
No housing units are proposed.
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high,
middle, or low-income housing.
No housing units would be eliminated.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any:
No measures are proposed.
10. Aesthetics a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas;
what is the principal exterior building material(s) proposed?
Building B would be the tallest structure. It would be a 2-story building with a roof height of 34-
feet. Materials will be a combination of glass, insulated metal panels, and metal roof systems.
Colors have not been finalized; however a natural pallet of colors are envisioned. A preliminary
rendering of the main entrance is attached.
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
No views in the immediate vicinity are anticipated to be altered or obstructed.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
An architecturally pleasing facility where all 3 buildings have a similar look and feel with a natural
color pallet is proposed.
11. Light and glare a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it
mainly occur?
Exterior lights on structures and on poles throughout the parking and storage area would produce
some nighttime light and glare; however, these lights are required for safety and security purposes
and are not expected to impact adjacent properties. Daytime light and glare may occur from
sunlight shining on windows and solar panels.
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b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with
views?
Light or glare from the finished project would not be a safety hazard or interfere with views.
c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
No off-site sources of light or glare would affect the proposed project.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any:
Exterior light and glare would be limited through lighting placement and design. Light
fixtures would be pointed straight down or with shields to prevent off-site light spillage.
12. Recreation a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate
vicinity?
There are no designated or informal recreational opportunities in the immediate vicinity; however,
Renton Shop is the Operations and Maintenance Section headquarters for the King County Parks
and Recreation Division. As an operations hub, it supports operations and maintenance functions
county-wide, including 9 work units (located at the project site) and 16 work units (other district
maintenance offices and programs). Construction and operation of the new facility will enable
King County Parks to provide more efficient service to its parks and trails.
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe.
The Renton Shop facility would not displace any existing recreational uses and would improve
King County’s ability to efficiently maintain existing recreational facilities throughout King
County.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation
opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any:
No measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation are proposed. Construction and operation
of the Renton Shop will enable King County to continue to operate and maintain our recreation
parks, facilities, trails, and open spaces.
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13. Historic and cultural preservation 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 located on or near the site? If so, specifically describe.
According to review by the King County Historic Preservation Program, there are no listed,
eligible, or potentially eligible historical buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the
project area (King County, 2017).
There are three buildings over 45 years in age in the project area. All three structures within the
project footprint have been substantially altered and are in substandard condition, so they would
not be considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The
buildings on site are also ineligible for the Washington Heritage Register and they do not meet
King County Landmark standards.
Other historical buildings and structures have been recorded within one-half mile radius of the
project area, as well. These include the Renton Transfer Station, a handful of residential structures
built during the 1950s and 1960s, and the old Northshore Public Health Center. The Northshore
Public Health Center (now owned by Renton Technical College) is adjacent to the project. Two
modern cemeteries (45KI887 and 45KI888) are also nearby. A check of the Washington State
Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) online inventory confirms that the
nearby buildings and structures are either not eligible for listing in the NRHP or have yet to be
formally evaluated. Either way, there will be no impact to historical buildings or structures
recorded near the project area.
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 visible significant landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation
are present in the project area. There is no remaining material evidence, artifacts, or areas of
cultural importance on or near the proposed work site. The project area is a large open lot that is
completely covered in gravel and asphalt.
According to the predictive model developed by King County, there is a moderate probability of
encountering buried archaeological resources in the project area. An Indian trail at one time
crossed the project area according to a list of ethnographic places and maps. The trail connected
what is now the Renton Highlands to the surrounding valleys through what would have been thick
forest. The forests were logged soon after Euromerican settlement. The project area remained open
land until it was developed as a tank test track for Pacific Car and Foundry Company. The
company graded the land to build their track, which is visible in aerial photographs from the 1950s.
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The archaeological sensitivity of the project setting is tempered by the landform and land use
history. The project is on a stable glacial landform that has been subject to limited natural
sedimentary deposition. If present, archaeological materials would be identified close to the ground
surface. Due to previous activities such as logging, grading, and building construction, any near-
surface archaeological materials that may have been present would probably have been thoroughly
disturbed. Therefore, the project is assigned an overall low probability of encountering intact
archaeological resources.
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.
Archaeologist Phil LeTourneau and Preservation Planner Ivy Freitag with the King County
Historic Preservation Program reviewed this project in 2017 and recommended that work be
allowed to proceed with no additional cultural resources investigations. Along with DAHP’s online
database, King County’s review included examination of nearby previously completed cultural
resources assessment reports, ethnographic accounts, historical maps, aerial imagery, and a
predictive model built off GIS proxies that include (but are not limited to) geology, slope,
proximity to water and other natural resources, aspect, and elevation. As stated above, the project
has low archaeological sensitivity and will not impact any significant historical features belonging
to the built environment.
King County contacted the Duwamish Indian Tribal Community, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe,
the Snoqualmie Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, and the Tulalip Tribes to provide them with
information about the project and to solicit concerns and other background information. Moving
forward, the King County Parks’ Archeologist will continue to inform the appropriate Tribes of
project updates as the design develops.
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.
King County Parks maintains an inadvertent discovery plan that will be distributed to the project
contractor for use during upcoming construction phases. The plan has been submitted to and
generally approved for use by DAHP and the affected Tribes. The plan addresses the discovery of
archaeological materials during construction and includes all pertinent process and procedures for
notification, halting work in the vicinity, and inspection and assessment in regard to using NRHP
criteria.
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14. Transportation 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 site itself is accessed from a private road (Jefferson Avenue NE) owned and
maintained by King County. Jefferson Avenue NE connects via a signalized intersection
with NE 3rd Street, north of the project site. The new facility will feature 2 access drives
off Jefferson Avenue NE.
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 itself is not directly served by public transit. King County Metro Route 105 runs east-west
along NE 4th Street, passing through the NE 3rd Street/Jefferson Ave NE intersection. King County
Metro Route 111 runs east-west on NE 4th Street, to Monroe Ave NE (one intersection east of the
NE 3rd Street/Jefferson Ave NE) where it runs north-south north of NE 4th Street.
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project
proposal have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate?
The current facility has an informal gravel parking lot for staff and visitors. The new Renton Shop
will feature 149 parking spaces for visitors and staff, including five electric vehicle charging spaces
and seven accessible (Americans with Disabilities Act Adult Guideline compliant) spaces. There
would also be an expansive lot with parking for 123 fleet vehicles and heavy machinery within the
confines of the facility.
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).
The project would not require any new improvements to existing public or private roads.
e. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or
air transportation? If so, generally describe.
No, the project does not occur in the immediate vicinity of water, rail, or air transportation.
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?
A Traffic Impact Analysis (HDR, 2018) was prepared to evaluate the traffic operational impacts
from the new vehicle trips generated by the new facility. Approximately 222 net new daily trips
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and 111 new hourly trips for the AM and PM peak hours would be generated. The AM peak hour
occurs from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. with the PM peak hour occurred from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
according to analysis of the traffic count data provided by the City of Renton at the NE 3rd and
Jefferson Ave NE intersection.
Traffic analysis for intersection operation was conducted using the version 10 of SynchroTM
software.
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.
The project would not interfere with movement of agricultural or forest products.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any:
The traffic analysis showed the change in traffic operations would be minimal and the study
intersection would continue to operate in an acceptable level of service (LOS B). No additional
study or mitigation measures are proposed.
15. Public services 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.
The proposed facility would be servicing the same land use as the existing facility and maintaining
similar on-site activities. An increased need for public services is not anticipated.
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any.
No measures to reduce or control impacts on public services is proposed.
16. Utilities a. Circle utilities currently available at the site:
electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic
system, other.
b. 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.
The site utilities would be upgraded to include constructing approximately 2,000 LF of 12-inch
diameter water main extension for fire and domestic water use to serve the site. The water system
will be installed from the intersection of Jefferson Avenue NE and NE 2nd Street going north on