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ERC Report_City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC Meeting Date: November 16, 2020
Project File Number: PR20-000002
Project Name: City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
Land Use File Number: LUA20-000230, ECF
Project Manager: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
Owner/Applicant: City of Renton; 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Contact: Kristina Lowthian, City of Renton, 1055 S Grady Way, 5th Floor, Renton, WA
98057
Project Location: Citywide
Project Summary: The City of Renton, Utility Systems Division, is requesting Environmental (SEPA)
Review for the proposed adoption of an updated Surface Water Utility System
Plan (Plan). The Plan is a comprehensive citywide surface water guiding
document that examines the existing surface water management system, with
primary focus on projects and programs that identify and minimize flooding,
erosion, and water quality problems, as well as improve riparian habitat and
meet regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the Plan is intended to guide
programmatic and capital improvement needs for Renton’s Surface Water
Utility for the next six years and for future years’ guidance. The Plan is applicable
throughout the City of Renton’s city limits and is scheduled for adoption in 2020.
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 (DNS).
DocuSign Envelope ID: 050BABE2-5D7F-4D9E-BBFF-58C5C0290D28
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA20-000230, ECF
Report of November 16, 2020 Page 2 of 3
ERC Report_City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND
No actions are being taken at this time. This is a non-project action. This Surface Water Utility System Plan
represents the City of Renton’s (City’s) first comprehensive citywide surface water planning effort since the 1990s
(Exhibit 3). In summary, the Plan examines the existing surface water management system, with primary focus on
projects and programs that identify and minimize flooding, erosion, and water quality problems, as well as improve
riparian habitat and meet regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the Plan is intended to guide programmatic and
capital improvement needs for Renton’s Surface Water Utility (Utility) for the next six years and for future years’
guidance. This includes identifying and developing long-term solutions, prioritizing needs that reflect the
community’s priorities, quantifying Operation and Maintenance (O&M) needs of the Utility and making sure that
there is adequate funding to implement recommendations.
Utility was created in 1987 as an entity within the Public Works Department, Utility Systems Division to maintain,
manage, and implement the City’s Surface Water Management (SWM) Program. At that time, its main task was to
focus on quantity-related flooding problems through the planning, design, maintenance, and construction of public
drainage facilities; review and approval of the construction of private drainage facilities; and improving maintenance
of existing facilities. The surface water program has evolved over the years. The desired outcome of Utility programs
and services is to reduce flooding hazards and to help protect the environmental, recreational, and aesthetic uses of
the City's streams, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, which contribute to the livability and appeal of the community.
The mission of the Plan is to manage the quantity and quality of runoff in the City in order to reduce flood hazards,
protect public safety, prevent property damage, and protect water quality, environmental resources, and habitat.
The Plan identifies future challenges and includes a comprehensive list of capital projects proposed to reduce
flooding and improve water quality and habitat within the six-year planning period.
The plan includes a three-tiered priority system for project implementation (Priority 1, 2, and 3). Priority 1 projects
include highest priority projects considering such things as public safety, flooding of arterials that potentially close
emergency vehicle access, the number of buildings flooded, the extent of flooding and potential cost of flood
damage, and the reoccurrence of flooding. Some examples of priority 1 projects include: Monroe Avenue NE and NE
2nd Street Infiltration System Improvements, Downtown Storm System Improvements, Madsen Creek
Sedimentation Basin Cleaning, and Maplewood Creek Sediment Facility Maintenance. The City will plan to
implement most of the Priority 1 projects within the 6-year Capital Improvement Program planning period, with
some projects expected to extend beyond the 6-year planning period.
PART TWO: 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
B. Mitigation Measures
None
DocuSign Envelope ID: 050BABE2-5D7F-4D9E-BBFF-58C5C0290D28
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee
LUA20-000230, ECF
Report of November 16, 2020 Page 3 of 3
ERC Report_City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
C. Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Environmental Checklist
Exhibit 3: City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
Exhibit 4: Advisory Notes
D. Environmental Impacts
The proposed Plan is a non-project action and there are no adverse environmental impacts that are
anticipated to occur in conjunction with the non-project proposal. In addition, there are no significant
adverse impacts identified in review of the Environmental Checklist (Exhibit 2). The capital projects
identified in the Plan would be required to comply with any applicable land-use, development,
environmental, and permit requirements at the time of application.
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: 050BABE2-5D7F-4D9E-BBFF-58C5C0290D28
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
Land Use File Number:
LUA20-000230, ECF
Date of Meeting
November 16, 2020
Staff Contact
Angelea Weihs
Associate Planner
Project Contact/Applicant
Kristina Lowthian
City of Renton
1055 S Grady Way, 5th
Floor, Renton, WA 98057
Project Location
Citywide
The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report:
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Environmental Checklist
Exhibit 3: City of Renton Surface Water Utility System Plan
Exhibit 4: Advisory Notes
DocuSign Envelope ID: 050BABE2-5D7F-4D9E-BBFF-58C5C0290D28