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SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 14
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: [help] 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
1. Name of proposed project, if applicable:
Crown Castle - 816309 Sunset
2. Name of applicant:
Crown Castle and AT&T Wireless
Exhibit A
RECEIVED
01/08/2020
amorganroth
PLANNING DIVISION
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3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
CROWN CASTLE
2055 S. Stearman Drive
Chandler, AZ 85286
Bill North 425-876-2909
4. Date checklist prepared:
11/5/2019
5. Agency requesting checklist:
City of Renton
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable):
Construction 2020 / no phasing
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected
with this proposal? If yes, explain.
No Future activity is included in this proposal or anticipated at this time
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared,
directly related to this proposal.
Phase 1 report
NEPA
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.
SEPA Determination
Admistrative Conditional Use Permit
Building 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.)
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The proposed facility will consist of a newly constructed 99’ stealth tower with attached
antennas within a 34’x50’ fenced area with ground mounted equipment placed on a
concrete pad.
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 address of the site is:
2902 NE 12TH ST
RENTON, WA 98056 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)?
There are no slopes within the immediate area of the proposed site.
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.
Sand and gravel. No agricultural soils.
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.
Minimal leveling is required for construction and access.
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe.
No erosion is anticipated
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g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project
construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
The site will include 1996 square feet of impervious surface consisting of the proposed
crushed washed gravel within the fenced area and the proposed access.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any:
None anticipated
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 minor emissions will result from equipment during the construction phase.
Construction practices will comply with applicable air quality regulations. Upon
completion, normal vehicular traffic emissions will occur as a result of monthly
maintenance visits to the facility.
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:
No emissions generated; hence no reduction measures are required.
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
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.
Not applicable
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.
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Not applicable
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
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: 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 water will be drawn or discharged.
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.
No waste material will be generated or discharged at this site.
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.
A negligible amount of storm water runoff will result from the added crushed
ground gravel included in this proposal. Total impervious surface is 1996 SF.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
No waste materials will be generated on the proposed site.
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If
so, describe.
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No drainage patterns will be affected.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage
pattern impacts, if any:
No significant surface or ground water impact anticipated. Consequently, no
reduction measures are required
4. Plants a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site:
_X__deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other
_X__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
____other types of vegetation
b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
Six trees will be removed to make space for the facility lease area..
c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
Per the Washington Fish and Wildlife report dated 11/5/19 there are no listed species
within or near the site.
d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance
vegetation on the site, if any:
A landscape plan including planting shrubs throughout the existing vegetation on site
and maintaining existing trees where feasible is proposed.
e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
No invasive or noxious weeds identified.
5. Animals
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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.
No wildlife was observed during the site visit. Birds in the area would include songbirds.
No other species were identified or observed on site.
Examples include: birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other:
mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other:
fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other ________
b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
Per the Washington Fish and Wildlife report dated 11/5/19 there are no threatened or endangered
species known to be on or near the site.
c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain.
No
d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any:
None are needed
e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site.
None known
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.
Electricity will be used to operate the radio equipment and antennae
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:
Low power consumption requirement for proposed equipment.
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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.
No
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
There are no known contaminates from past or present use.
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.
There are no known or existing hazardous chemicals or conditions on the property.
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.
No toxic or hazardous chemicals are proposed to be used at the site.
4) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
None required
5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any:
All radio frequency emissions are regulated by the Federal Communications
Commission.
b. Noise 1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment, operation, other)?
None. Ambient noise will not affect this project.
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.
There will be some traffic and construction noise associated with the installation of
the facility during the 4 - 6 weeks of construction. Minimal noise will be generated
by the communications facility when it is fully operational. There may be minimal
noise associated with monthly service visits.
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3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
No noise is anticipated therefore, no measures are proposed.
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 property is community uses. The adjacent properties are
residential. The proposal is unmanned and will not affect the adjacent land uses.
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. The property was originally a public library.
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 proposal will not affect farm or forest land.
c. Describe any structures on the site.
Library building.
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
No
e. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
R-14
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
Residential
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.
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No
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
None
j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
None
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any:
No displacement or other impacts are anticipated; therefore no mitigation proposal is necessary.
L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land
uses and plans, if any:
The project design will comply with City of Renton codes and ordinances. The project will be
designed to look like a tree to blend with the existing trees on site.
m. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts to agricultural and forest lands of long-term
commercial significance, if any:
Not applicable
9. Housing a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, mid-
dle, or low-income housing.
None included in this proposal
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:
No housing impact anticipated, therefore no proposal is necessary.
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?
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The stealth tower will be 99’ in height with false tree branches extending up to 105’.
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
No view alteration or obstruction is anticipated.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
The proposed facility is a stealth tower designed to look like a tree. The facility will be
placed on the property within existing vegetation which include numerous trees. A wood
fence will add additional screening of the facility. The facility will blend in with the existing
characteristics of the site and existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved to the
maximum extent possible. The proposed site location, development design, and fencing
reduce aesthetic impacts.
11. Light and Glare a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly
occur?
None
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:
None are anticipated
12. Recreation a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?
Biking
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:
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None
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 ? If so,
specifically describe.
None known
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.
A NEPA checklist will be completed prior to construction
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.
A NEPA checklist will be completed prior to construction
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.
There are no anticipated loss, changes to, or disturbance of resources. Therefore, no
measures to avoid are proposed.
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 will be accessed off Harrington Ave 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?
Not applicable
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal
have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate?
No parking spaces will be eliminated. Occasional maintenance personnel will utilize graveled
parking area at the entrance of the site.
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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?
One vehicle semi-monthly. Typical maintenance schedule.
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:
None are necessary
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.
No. The site is unmanned. There is no increased need for public services beyond those which
are already provided.
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any.
None
16. Utilities a. Circle utilities currently available at the site:
electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system,
other ___________
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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.
Century Link – Fiber and utility trenching
Puget Sound Energy – power and utility trenching
C. Signature The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the
lead agency is relying on them to make its decision.
Signature:
Name of signee Bill North for Crown Castle
Position and Agency/Organization Crown Castle Representative
Date Submitted: December 16, 2019