HomeMy WebLinkAbout2041.01 McCarthy Emergency Exemption Ltr
19019 36th Avenue West, Suite E Lynnwood, Washington 98036 (425) 582-9928
Zipper Geo Associates, LLC
Geotechnical and Environmental Consulting
Project No. 2041.01
September 6, 2019
Mary McCarthy
3403 Burnett Avenue North
Renton, WA 98105
Subject: Land Use Emergency Exemption
McCarthy Slope Stabilization
3403 Burnett Avenue North
Renton, WA
Dear Ms. McCarthy:
Zipper Geo Associates, LLC prepared retaining wall construction plans and stability calculations for the
proposed slope stabilization project located on your property dated August 8th , 2019. The City of
Renton Land Use department was apparently unaware of the emergency nature of this project. After
correspondence with Ms. Vanessa Dolbee, City of Renton Planning Manager regarding the emergency
nature of this project, Ms. Dolbee has requested additional information in order to grant the project a
temporary emergency exemption from certain land use code requirements. The purpose of this letter
is to provide the requested information such that the city will grant an exemption and the work can be
completed prior to the beginning of the upcoming rainy season.
In our opinion, the area in which the work is proposed is currently unstable and presents an
unacceptable level of risk to the safety of the public who use the street below the slope and an
unacceptable risk of damage to the McCarthy property. Evidence of this risk is clearly observable on
the slope, primarily characterized by cracks on the surface of the slope indicating failure. We highly
recommend the work outlined in our August 8th, 2019 plans be implemented as soon as possible and
absolutely prior to the onset of the coming rainy season.
In accordance with Section 4-3-050, C of the Renton Municipal Code (the Code), work of an emergency
nature is permitted within critical areas and their associated buffers provided that the criteria outline
in Section 4-3-050, C, footnote 27 is met. Our comments regarding the footnote 27 criteria are
provided below.
• 27 A: As discussed above, It is our opinion an unacceptable threat to life or sever loss of
property will occur if an emergency permit is not granted. The slope is unstable as discussed
above.
• 27 B: It is our opinion the anticipate threat may occur before permit can be issued or modified
under the procedures otherwise required by this Section and other applicable laws. If the slope
is left in its current condition and exposed to rainfall or rising groundwater levels as a result of
rainfall, further failure may occur depositing landslide debris in the roadway below and further
Zipper Geo Associates, LLC
McCarthy Slope Stabilization
Project No. 2041.01
September 6, 2019
19023 36th Avenue West, Suite D Lynnwood, Washington 98036 (425) 582-9928
Page 2
destabilization of the land beyond the top of the slope. It is our understanding that under the
procedures otherwise required by this section of the Code and other sections, a permit would
not likely be granted until after the upcoming rainy season begins.
• 27 C: The standards and criteria for nonemergency activities have been incorporated into the
proposed measures. Specifically, the proposed structural solution meets typical safety factor
requirements and the area will be replanted.
With regard to time requirements, the work can be completed within 90 days. However, footnote 27
requires the area be restored to original condition. This is not feasible. The proposed work cannot be
removed as the area would then become unstable. This work is required to permanently stabilize the
slope and is the only feasible alternative we have been able to develop considering other code
requirements and site access constraints as previously discussed.
With regards to Shoreline Regulations, emergency construction is allowed under similar circumstances
as critical areas. The above information provides a basis for emergency construction as related to
Shoreline Regulations. As required by Shoreline, Critical Areas, and other code regulations, we will
continue to pursue any permits which would have been required for the work absent the above-
described emergency situation.
Respectfully submitted,
Zipper Geo Associates, LLC
Robert A. Ross, P.E.
Principal
Copies:
Vanessa Dolbee (City of Renton) – 1 electronic copy, Scott Warlick (City of Renton) – 1 electronic copy,
Jennifer Henning (City of Renton) – 1 electronic copy, Brianne Bannwarth (City of Renton) – 1 electronic
copy, Brittany Gillia (City of Renton) – 1 electronic copy, Jason Laskelle (May Creek Landscaping) – 1
electronic copy
9/6/19