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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC_DNSM_Determination_Applicant_Ltr_200615 June 15, 2020 Mike Benoit City of Renton 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) THRESHOLD DETERMINATION Downtown Utility Improvement Project, LUA20-000109, ECF DearMr.Benoit: This letter is written on behalf of the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) to advise you that they have completed their review of the subject project and have issued a threshold Determination of Non- Significance-Mitigated with Mitigation Measures. Please refer to the enclosed ERC Report, for a list of the Mitigation Measures. Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed pursuant to RMC 4-9-070.R. If you have any further questions, please call me at (425) 430-6598. For the Environmental Review Committee, Jill Ding Senior Planner Enclosure cc: O. Del Moro, J. Conquest, H. Blencoe, K. Bradford/ Party(ies) of Record DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Planning Division 1055 South Grady Way, 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057 | 425-430-7200, ext. 2 www.rentonwa.gov PLEASE FOLLOW THE DOCUMENT CENTER LINK TO SEE ASSOCIATED PROJECT DOCUMENTS. IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE YOU MAY CONTACT THE CITY OF RENTON, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT (425) 430-7200, EXT. 2. PLEASE INCLUDE THE PROJECT NUMBER WHEN CALLING FOR PROPER FILE IDENTIFICATION. OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION ISSUANCE OF A DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE - MITIGATED (DNS-M) POSTED TO NOTIFY INTERESTED PERSONS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION DNSM: THE CITY OF RENTON ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (ERC) HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROPOSED ACTION HAS PROBABLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS THAT CAN BE MITIGATED THROUGH MITIGATION MEASURES. DATE OF NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: June 15, 2020 PROJECT NAME/NUMBER: PR20-000140 Downtown Utility Improvement Project / LUA20-000109, ECF PROJECT LOCATION: S 2nd St, between Rainier Ave S and the Cedar River; SW Sunset Blvd, between Hardie Ave SW and Rainier Ave S; S 3rd St, between Hardie Ave SW and Williams Ave S; Lake Ave S, between S 2nd St and S Tobin St; Shattuck Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 4th Pl; Whitworth Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Morris Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Smithers Ave S, between S 3rd St and S 4th St; Burnett Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Mill Ave S, between Bronson Way S and S 3rd St; Sanitary sewer easements that connect to sewer mains in S 2nd St and S 3rd St APPLICANT/PROJECT CONTACT PERSON: Mike Benoit, Civil Engineer / City of Renton 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 / mbenoit@rentonwa.gov LOCATION WHERE APPLICATION MAY BE REVIEWED: Applicant documents are available online through the City of Renton Document Center website. See also https://cutt.ly/uyYyuQK PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review and a Shoreline Exemption for the replacement of existing water, sewer, and stormwater utility systems as part of the Downtown Utility Improvement Project (DUIP). The existing system has reached or is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. Replacement, rehabilitation, and/or upsizing the individual utilities is planned in select locations within the project area based on age, capacity needs, condition, and/or maintenance requirements. The project will improve the reliability and capacity of each of the utility systems. Work is within the downtown area of Renton and is confined to the City right-of-way or utility easements. A portion of the utility replacement would occur within the 200-foot shoreline jurisdiction of the Cedar River. The working within the shoreline jurisdiction would occur within Cedar River reach B and within the Shoreline High Intensity Designation. The project site is mapped within a seismic hazard area and wellhead protection area, zone 1. When the DNS-M becomes appealable, the appeal period will be 14 days. NOTICE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Project Location Map ERC Report_Downtown Utility-jc edits ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC Meeting Date: June 15, 2020 Project File Number: PR20-000140 Project Name: Downtown Utility Replacement Project Land Use File Number: LUA20-000109; ECF Project Manager: Jill Ding, Senior Planner Applicant/Owner/Contact: Michael Benoit, City of Renton, 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057 Project Location: S 2nd St, between Rainier Ave S and the Cedar River; SW Sunset Blvd, between Hardie Ave SW and Rainier Ave S; S 3rd St, between Hardie Ave SW and Williams Ave S; Lake Ave S, between S 2nd St and S Tobin St; Shattuck Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 4th Pl; Whitworth Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Morris Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Smithers Ave S, between S 3rd St and S 4th St; Burnett Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Mill Ave S, between Bronson Way S and S 3rd St; Sanitary sewer easements that connect to sewer mains in S 2nd St and S 3rd St. Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review and a Shoreline Exemption for the replacement of existing water, sewer, and stormwater utility systems as part of the Downtown Utility Improvement Project (DUIP). The existing system has reached or is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. Replacement, rehabilitation, and/or upsizing the individual utilities is planned in select locations within the project area based on age, capacity needs, condition, and/or maintenance requirements. The project will improve the reliability and capacity of each of the utility systems. Work is within the downtown area of Renton and is confined to the City right-of-way or utility easements. A portion of the utility replacement would occur within the 200-foot shoreline jurisdiction of the Cedar River. The work within the shoreline jurisdiction would occur within Cedar River reach B and within the Shoreline High Intensity Designation. The project site is mapped within a seismic hazard area and wellhead protection area, zone 1. Exist. Bldg. Area SF: N/A Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): N/A N/A Site Area: N/A Total Building Area GSF: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance - Mitigated (DNS-M). DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Downtown Utility Replacement Project Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA20-000109; ECF Report of June 15, 2020 Page 2 of 5 ERC Report_Downtown Utility-jc edits ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations. A. Environmental Threshold Recommendation Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials: Issue a DNS-M B. Mitigation Measures 1. Project construction shall comply with the recommendations provided in the submitted geotechnical report, prepared by Kleinfelder, dated March 31, 2020 (Exhibit 3) or an updated report submitted at a later date. 2. Archeological monitoring shall be conducted along the project corridor in compliance with the recommendations provided in the Cultural Resources Report, prepared by Anchor QEA, LLC, dated April 2020 (Exhibit 5). C. Exhibits Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report Exhibit 2: Plan Set Exhibit 3: Geotechnical Report, prepared by Kleinfelder, dated March 31, 2020 Exhibit 4: Drainage report, prepared by Murraysmith, dated April 2020 Exhibit 5: Cultural Resources Report, prepared by Anchor QEA, LLC, dated April 2020 Exhibit 6: Advisory Notes D. Environmental Impacts The Proposal was circulated and reviewed by various City Departments and Divisions to determine whether the applicant has adequately identified and addressed environmental impacts anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposed development. Staff reviewers have identified that the proposal is likely to have the following probable impacts: 1. Earth Impacts: A Geotechnical Report, prepared by Kleinfelder, dated March 31, 2020 (Exhibit 3) was submitted with the project application. Topography in the project vicinity is generally flat. Construction of proposed utility improvements would require protection of existing buildings and utility infrastructure with some utilities being installed immediately adjacent to existing structures and pipelines. Proposed utility depths would generally range between 5 and 15 feet, with the exception of the sewer line in the vicinity of S 3rd St, between Whitworth and Burnett Ave S, where it would extend up to 29 feet deep, and at the interceptor tie in where it would be about 35 feet deep. Other key aspects of the project would include a new culvert access at the intersection of Rainier Ave S and SW Sunset Ave (which becomes S 3rd St east of Rainier). This culvert would require a pile-supported foundation in order to avoid imparting new loads on the culvert. A deep tie in to connect the City sewer lines to the 108-inch diameter King County Eastside Interceptor at the intersection of S 3rd St and Burnett Ave S. the excavation for this tie in is expected to extend to a depth of approximately 35 feet and would be required immediately adjacent to a clock tower that is supported on a shallow matt foundation. Finally, the water and sewer lines along Whitworth Ave S would cross below the existing 52- DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Downtown Utility Replacement Project Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA20-000109; ECF Report of June 15, 2020 Page 3 of 5 ERC Report_Downtown Utility-jc edits inch and 66-inch diameter Seattle Public Utilities Cedar River Pipelines and temporary support of the pipelines would be required. Subsurface exploration included 7 groundwater monitoring wells, 20 borings, and 5 environmental probes. Borings were advanced with a truck-mounted CME75 drill rig utilizing hollow-stem auger drilling techniques. Monitoring wells were drilled to depths of approximately 16 to 46 feet below ground surface (bgs). Borings KB-1 through KB-18 were drilled to depths of approximately 30 feet bgs, except for KB-4, which was completed at 45 feet bgs, and KB-16 and KB-5, which were completed at 20 feet bgs. Boring KB-19 was drilled to a depth of 45 feet and KB-20 was drilled to a depth of about 51 feet. As a result of historical events, such as the diversion of the Cedar River, lowering of Lake Washington, the drying up and filling of the Black River channel, and land modification associated with development the soils along the project alignment are somewhat variable. Fill was generally encountered in the first 5 ½ to 20 feet, alluviam was generally encountered below the pavement section and/or fill in all borings and extended to the bottom of most borings. Wood was encountered in boring KB-4 at a depth of 25 feet. Siltstone bedrock was encountered in borings KB-1, KB-19, and MW-1 at depths of 30 ½, 44 ½, and 20 feet. Ground water was encountered at depths ranging from 12 to 15 feet. Submitted geotechnical report concludes that the project can be constructed without damage to existing structures and utilities, and includes recommendations for excavation, demolition, pavement, earthwork, culvert access manholes, culvert penetration, strongback, and manholes. Due to the seismic hazard area mapped on the project site as well as the proximity of existing utility transmission lines and commercial/residential structures along the project corridor, staff recommends as a SEPA mitigation measure, that project construction complies with the recommendations provided in the submitted geotechnical report, prepared by Kleinfelder, dated March 31, 2020 (Exhibit 3) or an updated report submitted at a later date. Mitigation Measures: Project construction shall comply with the recommendations provided in the submitted geotechnical report, prepared by Kleinfelder, dated March 31, 2020 (Exhibit 3) or an updated report submitted at a later date. Nexus: SEPA Environmental Regulations, Grading Excavation and Mining Regulations RMC 4-4-060 2. Water a. Storm Water Impacts: A drainage report, prepared by Murraysmith, dated April 2020 (Exhibit 4) was submitted with the project application materials. Existing surface water runoff within the study area drains either to the Cedar River to the north or the Black River to the southwest. The general project area is approximately 185 acres in size, of which approximately 69 acres (37%) lie within the Cedar River Basin and approximately 116 acres (63%) lie within the Black River Basin. Within the project area, seven local drainage basins were identified and named according to their location: Logan, Williams, Wells, Main, Old City Hall, Lake and Shattuck. Five study area trunk lines outfall to the Cedar River to the northeast and two trunk lines discharge toward the Black River towards the south and west. The project will be constructed within the existing public right-of-way. Restoration of the roadway after the utilities are installed will be in accordance with City of Renton standards, which require a trench patch and limited asphalt overlay. Sidewalks and curb ramps, where impacted, will be replaced in kind materials. The existing project area, because it is asphalt or concrete, is all impervious, however, it is not considered ‘Replaced Impervious Surface’ because surfaces replaced for the sole purpose of installing utilities is excluded from this classification in the Renton SWDM. The restoration will match existing site conditions, so net impervious surface area and runoff rates will not change. There will be no change to peak flow, duration, or volume of runoff as a result of DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Downtown Utility Replacement Project Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA20-000109; ECF Report of June 15, 2020 Page 4 of 5 ERC Report_Downtown Utility-jc edits this project; therefore the project is exempt from the requirement to provide flow control and water quality facilities. It is anticipated any stomwater impacts related to this project would be mitigated by the adopted 2017 City of Renton Surface Water Design Manual, therefore no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended Nexus: N/A 3. Environmental Health a. Noise Impacts: Temporary noise impacts are anticipated during project construction. This temporary increase in noise levels would result from construction equipment and practices within the Project corridor. Short-term noise from construction equipment will all follow the Renton Municipal Code: Chapter 7 Noise Level Regulations. The construction process will follow the maximum environmental noise levels as adopted by the City in reference to the Washington Administrative Code Sections 173-60-020, 173-60-040,173-60-050, and 173-60-090. Construction equipment would be muffled in accordance with the applicable laws. Noise monitoring would be implemented to ensure that Project construction remains in compliance with the maximum permissible noise limitations prescribed in Chapter 7 of the Renton Municipal Code. A noise variance would be acquired in the discrete cases when prescriptive noise limitations are expected to be exceeded or when night work is proposed. No further mitigation is recommended as it is anticipated that existing noise regulations would mitigate temporary noise impacts. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: N/A 4. Historic and Cultural Preservation Impacts: A Cultural Resources Report, prepared by Anchor QEA, LLC, dated April 2020 (Exhibit 5) was submitted with the project application. The project site includes work in areas with elevated potential for encountering archaeological resources, including within or near the boundaries to two identified archaeological sites. However, the project area is paved and includes existing utilities (and occurs partially within active roadways), therefore archaeological testing could not occur prior to construction. It is recommended that archaeological monitoring along the project corridor occur during construction to ensure appropriate treatment of intact significant artifacts or deposits, if any exist. In addition, if significant artifacts are discovered during construction, work may be stopped until coordination with the Project archaeologist, Project team, and (if necessary) DAHP and Native American tribes has occurred and the City has authorized work in that segment to resume. Staff recommends, as a SEPA mitigation measure, that archeological monitoring be conducted along the project corridor in compliance with the recommendations provided in the Cultural Resources Report, prepared by Anchor QEA, LLC, dated April 2020 (Exhibit 5). Mitigation Measures: Archeological monitoring shall be conducted along the project corridor in compliance with the recommendations provided in the Cultural Resources Report, prepared by Anchor QEA, LLC, dated April 2020 (Exhibit 5). Nexus: SEPA Environmental Regulations, RCW 27.53 Archaeological Sites and Resources, and RCW 27.44 Indian Graves and Records 5. Transportation Impacts: It is anticipated that project construction will result in temporary transportation impacts within the project corridor. A formal transportation impact analysis was not required as the project would not DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Downtown Utility Replacement Project Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA20-000109; ECF Report of June 15, 2020 Page 5 of 5 ERC Report_Downtown Utility-jc edits result in 20 new peak am or pm peak hour trips. Project construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2020 and end in December of 2022. A traffic control plan, reviewed and approved by the City will be required for this project. It is anticipated that this project will require significant traffic control and may include temporary road closures. It is anticipated that work would occur Monday through Friday during normal business hours (8am to 5pm). Because of the type of work and locations, there will be times where work may be done at night or on weekends to minimize transportation impacts. Haul routes have not yet been determined. Review of proposed haul routes would occur prior to construction based on a consultation with the selected contractor. No further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: N/A 6. Utilities Impacts: The proposed project includes trenching and installing utility piping and appurtenances for water, sewer, and stormwater utilities within the project corridor in downtown Renton. Sewer improvements are planned to improve capacity deficiencies in the existing system and replace pipes that have reached their useful lifespan and have begun to fail or are expected to do so within the near future. Storm drain improvements are planned to address undersized pipes in the existing system by upsizing existing pipes to meet the current City storm drainage design guidelines (i.e. a minimum of 12” diameter) and to address identified deficiencies in pipe condition and material. Water improvements are planned to replace aging infrastructure and upsize undersized pipes. All proposed water pipes will be 12” and be designed to Renton and Department of Health DOH guidelines. No further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: N/A E. Comments of Reviewing Departments The proposal has been circulated to City Department and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their comments have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or “Advisory Notes to Applicant.”  Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report. DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 CITY OF RENTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE EXHIBITS Project Name: Downtown Utility Replacement Project Land Use File Number: LUA20-000109; ECF Date of Meeting June 15, 2020 Staff Contact Jill Ding Senior Planner Project Contact/Applicant Michael Benoit City of Renton 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057 S 2nd St, between Rainier Ave S and the Cedar River; SW Sunset Blvd, between Hardie Ave SW and Rainier Ave S; S 3rd St, between Hardie Ave SW and Williams Ave S; Lake Ave S, between S 2nd St and S Tobin St; Shattuck Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 4th Pl; Whitworth Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Morris Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Smithers Ave S, between S 3rd St and S 4th St; Burnett Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Mill Ave S, between Bronson Way S and S 3rd St; Sanitary sewer easements that connect to sewer mains in S 2nd St and S 3rd St The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report: Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report Exhibit 2: Plan Set Exhibit 3: Geotechnical Report, prepared by Kleinfelder, dated March 31, 2020 Exhibit 4: Drainage report, prepared by Murraysmith, dated April 2020 Exhibit 5: Cultural Resources Report, prepared by Anchor QEA, LLC, dated April 2020 Exhibit 6: Advisory Notes DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SIGNATURES: Martin Pastucha, Administrator Public Works Date Rick M. Marshall, Administrator Renton Regional Fire Authority Date Kelly Beymer, Administrator Community Services Department Date Cliff, Long, Econ. Dev. Director Date Community & Econ. Dev. Interim Administrator Interim Chair ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE - MITIGATED (DNS-M) PROJECT NUMBER: PR20-000140/LUA20-000109, ECF APPLICANT: Mike Benoit, Civil Engineer / City of Renton 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 / mbenoit@rentonwa.gov PROJECT NAME: Downtown Utility Improvement Project PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review and a Shoreline Exemption for the replacement of existing water, sewer, and stormwater utility systems as part of the Downtown Utility Improvement Project (DUIP). The existing system has reached or is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. Replacement, rehabilitation, and/or upsizing the individual utilities is planned in select locations within the project area based on age, capacity needs, condition, and/or maintenance requirements. The project will improve the reliability and capacity of each of the utility systems. Work is within the downtown area of Renton and is confined to the City right-of-way or utility easements. A portion of the utility replacement would occur within the 200-foot shoreline jurisdiction of the Cedar River. The working within the shoreline jurisdiction would occur within Cedar River reach B and within the Shoreline High Intensity Designation. The project site is mapped within a seismic hazard area and wellhead protection area, zone 1.. PROJECT LOCATION: S 2nd St, between Rainier Ave S and the Cedar River; SW Sunset Blvd, between Hardie Ave SW and Rainier Ave S; S 3rd St, between Hardie Ave SW and Williams Ave S; Lake Ave S, between S 2nd St and S Tobin St; Shattuck Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 4th Pl; Whitworth Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Morris Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Smithers Ave S, between S 3rd St and S 4th St; Burnett Ave S, between S 2nd St and S 3rd St; Mill Ave S, between Bronson Way S and S 3rd St; Sanitary sewer easements that connect to sewer mains in S 2nd St and S 3rd St LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton Environmental Review Committee Department of Community & Economic Development The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). Conditions were imposed as mitigation measures by the Environmental Review Committee under their authority of Section 4-9-070D Renton Municipal Code. These conditions are necessary to mitigate environmental impacts identified during the environmental review process. When the DNS becomes appealable, the appeal period will be 14 days. DATE OF DECISION: June 15, 2020 DocuSign Envelope ID: 32682FE7-1539-41EA-BFBD-2044BE7FDB99 6/15/2020 | 3:28 PM PDT 6/15/2020 | 2:41 PM PDT 6/15/2020 | 2:40 PM PDT