HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_CAE_Sound_Transit_South_Renton_LUA21-000115DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_CAE_Sound_Transit_South_Renton_LUA21-000115
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: April 6, 2021
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA21-000115, CAE
PROJECT NAME: South Renton Transit Center Site Investigative Work
PROJECT MANAGER: Matt Herrera, Senior Planner
OWNER: Sound Transit
401 S. Jackson St., Seatte, WA 98104
CONTACT: Dangelei Fox
401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104
PROJECT LOCATION: 750 Rainier Ave S
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting to conduct site investigative activities on the subject
property in advance of the forthcoming South Renton Transit Center land use application. Activities include a
borings program with drilling to collect geotechnical, geoarchaeological, and hazardous materials data. Utility
potholing and excavation for an onsite infiltration test pit would also be within the scope of work (Exhibits 1 and
2).
The geotechnical borings would include 11 machine drilled boreholes six (6) inches in diameter with a depth
between 10 feet and 89 feet below ground surface (bgs). Seven (7) borings would be on the subject property and
the remaining borings would be located within the rights-of-way of Hardie Ave SW, Rainier Ave S, and S. Grady
Way. Up to two (2) groundwater monitoring wells would be installed on the subject property. Geoarchaeological
borings would consist of 15 boreholes two (2) inches in diameter with a depth of approximately 50-feet bgs. Up
to 24 environmental site assessment borings would be conducted to further identify potential hazardous
material contamination. Borings would be advanced to approximately 10 feet bgs. Four (4) groundwater
monitoring wells specific to hazardous material assessment would be located on the subject property.
One (1) infiltration test pit is proposed on the subject property. The test pit would be approximately 100 square
feet and approximately five (5) to ten feet deep. Once complete the pit would be backfilled and patched to
match existing pavement. Up to 33 utility potholes would be excavated. Approximately eight (8) potholes within
the Rainier Ave S right-of-way and 25 potholes on the subject property. Potholes would be 12 inches in diameter
and three (3) to six (6) feet deep. Following investigation, potholes would be backfilled, compacted, and capped
with asphalt or material consistent with surrounding area. Potholes located along Rainier Ave S south of S. Grady
Way are located in a Zone X – 500 year flood area and not within a Special Flood Hazard Area.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 773EBAB1-7740-4263-96CD-C5DE30CBA7E8
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
South Renton Transit Center Site Investigative Work LUA21-000115, CAE
Permit Date: April 6, 2021 Page 2 of 3
D_CAE_Sound_Transit_South_Renton_LUA21-000115
CRITICAL AREA: Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2 and High Seismic Hazard Area
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Pursuant to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050C.3.b.ii site investigative work
necessary for land use application submittals such as surveys, soil logs, percolation tests and other related
activities are exempt in critical areas and buffers within Wellhead Protection Areas and Geologic Hazard Areas
provided a letter of exemption has been issued. Investigative work shall not disturb any more than five percent
(5%) of the critical area and required buffer. In every case, impacts shall be minimized and disturbed areas shall
be immediately restored at a one-to-one (1:1) ratio. Within shoreline jurisdiction, this includes the marking of
property lines or corners on state-owned lands, when such marking does not significantly interfere with the
normal public use of the surface water. Limitations on site exploration and investigative activities are defined in
WAC 173-27-040(2)(m) for properties within shoreline jurisdiction. Additionally, If a hazardous material, activity,
and/or facility that is exempt pursuant to this Section has a significant or substantial potential to degrade
groundwater quality, then the Administrator may require compliance with the Wellhead Protection Area
requirements of this Section otherwise relevant to that hazardous material activity and/or facility.
The applicant has stated the investigative work would impact less than five (5) percent of the subject property
which is inclusive of the Wellhead Protection Zone and Geologic Hazard Area on the site. The applicant states all
work would be performed in accordance with Department of Ecology standards including surface restoration and
well covers. The subject property is not within a shoreline jurisdiction. The applicant does not anticipate
significant or substantial degradation of groundwater quality as a result of the borings. Erosion control and catch
basin protection would be implemented to minimize risk of turbid water leaving the site. The drill rig would be
decontaminated between borings to avoid potential cross-contamination. Investigation derived waste materials
would be contained in 55-gallon drums and disposed at a permitted facility.
FINDINGS: The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to RMC section
4-3-050C.2.d:
i. The activity is not prohibited by this or any other provision of the Renton Municipal
Code or State or Federal law or regulation;
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by
industry standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
iv. Where water body or buffer disturbance has occurred in accordance with an
exemption during construction or other activities, revegetation with native vegetation
shall be required;
v. If a hazardous material, activity, and/or facility that is exempt pursuant to this Section
has a significant or substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality, then the
Administrator may require compliance with the Wellhead Protection Area
requirements of this Section otherwise relevant to that hazardous material, activity,
and/or facility. Such determinations will be based upon site and/or chemical-specific
data.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 773EBAB1-7740-4263-96CD-C5DE30CBA7E8
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
South Renton Transit Center Site Investigative Work LUA21-000115, CAE
Permit Date: April 6, 2021 Page 3 of 3
D_CAE_Sound_Transit_South_Renton_LUA21-000115
DECISION: An exemption from the Critical Areas Regulations is hereby Approved
and subject to the following conditions:
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall submit confirmation to the Current Planning Project Manager when the temporary
monitoring wells have been removed or abandoned in place.
2. The applicant shall contact the Current Planning Project Manager if groundwater contamination is
encountered during exploration work and submit a copy of the boring/well logs and analytical laboratory
results. The applicant shall contact the Current Planning Project Manager prior to cleanup action.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Vanessa Dolbee, Planning Director Date
RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be reopened by the
approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily discoverable prior to the
original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After review of the reconsideration
request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original decision, there will be no further
extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action must file a formal appeal within the 14-day
appeal time frame.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner
on or before 5:00 PM on April 20, 2021. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period
(RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Due to Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25 (“Stay Home, Stay
Healthy”), the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, appeals must be submitted electronically to the
City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be
collected at a future date. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and additional information
regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. If the situation
changes such that the City Clerk’s Office is open when you file your appeal, you have the option of filing the appeal in
person.
EXPIRATION: Five (5) years from the date of decision (date signed).
Attachments: Exhibits 1 and 2
cc: Katie Nolan, Civil Engineer 3 Public Works
Jonathan Chavez, Civil Engineer 3 CED
DocuSign Envelope ID: 773EBAB1-7740-4263-96CD-C5DE30CBA7E8
4/6/2021 | 12:53 PM PDT