HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR_ERC Report_Lee Grading Permit_221003_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC Meeting Date: October 3, 2022
Project File Number: PR22-000243
Project Name: Daniel Lee Property
Land Use File Number: LUA22-000262, SP
Project Manager: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
Owner/Applicant: Daniel Lee, 720 S 55th St, Renton WA 98055
Contact: Gina Brooks, CORE Design, 12100 NE 195th St, Ste 300, Bothell, WA 98011
Project Location: 720 S 55th St Renton, WA 98055
Project Summary: The applicant is requesting a SEPA Environmental Review and a Hearing Examiner Special
Fill and Grade Permit in order to allow unpermitted grading and land clearing on the site
to remain. The subject property is located at 720S 55th St. The project site (APN
3123059125) totals 2.5 acres in area and is located within the Residential – 1 (R-1),
Residential – 8 (R-8), and Residential – 14 (R-14) zoning classifications. The western
portion of the site is located within the Talbot Urban Separator Overlay district. An
existing single-family home is located on the eastern portion of the site. Access to the
site is provided via a private driveway off of S 55th St which crosses the adjacent property
(3123059024) to the south of the project site. Two (2) Warning of Violations were issued
on September 28, 2021 for site grading without erosion control measures installed and
grading/excavation/mining without a grading license or permit (CODE21-000495).
According to the project narrative submitted by the applicant, grading and installation
of various impervious surfaces occurred on the site resulting in approximately 36,720
feet of ground disturbance. The total amount of earthwork was estimated by the
applicant at approximately 233 cubic yards cut and 831 cubic yards of fill. In addition,
small block walls were installed in order to create the flat yard surface to west of the
existing home. Gravel was placed within the existing driveway and yard area, and
approximately 3,143 square feet of new pavement was installed adjacent to the
attached garage. Two (2) significant trees were removed. Proposed mitigation for the
unpermitted improvements include hydroseeding, tree installation (completed), and
creation of an ~20,000 square foot-Native Growth Protection Easement. COR maps
indicates presence of a moderate landslide hazard, a high landslide hazard, sensitive
slopes, and protected slopes on the site. The applicant submitted a Drainage Report,
Arborist Report, and Environmental Checklist with the application.
Exist. Bldg. Area SF: 3,520 Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint):
Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross):
N/A
N/A
Site Area: 2.5 acres Total Building Area GSF: 3,520
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance-Mitigated (DNS-M).
Project Location Map
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Daniel Lee Property Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA22-000262, SP
Report of October 3, 2022 Page 2 of 5
SR_ERC Report_Lee Grading Permit_220927
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 with a 14-day appeal period
B. Mitigation Measures
1. The applicant shall submit a signed and sealed letter prepared by a licensed geotechnical engineering
professional that includes a finding that the completed grading and land disturbing activities have not
increased the risk of a landslide on the site, or on the adjacent properties. The applicant shall submit the
letter to the Current Planning Project Manager within thirty (30) calendar days of issuance of the Special
Fill and Grade Permit, or the permit shall be void.
C. Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Civil Construction Plans (includes Site Plan, Landscape Plan, Grading Plan)
Exhibit 3: Drainage Report, prepared by CORE Design, dated May 25, 2022
Exhibit 4: Arborist Report, prepared by Greenforest Incorporated, dated May 23, 2022
Exhibit 5: Tree Retention Plan
Exhibit 6: Fill Source Statement
Exhibit 7: Environmental Checklist
Exhibit 8: Advisory Notes
Exhibit 9: Duwamish Tribe Public Comment
Exhibit 10: Ahluwalia Public Comment
Exhibit 11: Nguyen Public Comment
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: According to COR Maps, portions of the property are located within a moderate landslide hazard
area with an isolated area designated as high landslide hazard on the north side of the site. The majority
of the work was completed on the southern and eastern portions of the site outside of the high landslide
hazard area. Steep, including both protected and sensitives slopes, are present on the west side of the
site. All grading and land clearing was completed on the east side of the site near the existing single-family
home and outside of the boundary of the steep slopes designation. Grades generally slope down towards
the west and consist of Alderwood Gravelly Sandy Loam (till soils) per the USDA NRCS Soil Survey.
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Daniel Lee Property Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA22-000262, SP
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According to CORE Design, the applicant’s engineering consultant, the amount of earthwork completed is
estimated at 233 CY cut and 831 CY fill. According to the applicant, the fill material was acquired from
13504 SE 50th Place, Bellevue, WA 98006 upon development of a new single-family home. In addition to
the grading, small block walls (under two feet in height) were installed along with the grading area to
create flat yard areas directly adjacent to the home. Hard surfaces including gravel and pavement were
placed either over existing pervious ground or existing hard surfaces. The amount of impervious coverage
previously installed over pervious ground totals 7,047 square feet, of which the applicant will be removing
approximately 2,000 square feet near the southern border of the site. Due to the extent of work
performed within a moderate landslide hazard area, staff recommends, as a mitigation measure, the
applicant shall submit a signed and sealed letter prepared by a licensed geotechnical engineering
professional that includes a finding that the completed grading and land disturbing activities have not
increased the risk of a landslide on the site, or on the adjacent properties. The applicant shall submit the
letter to the Current Planning Project Manager within 30 calendar days of issuance of the Special Fill and
Grade Permit.
Mitigation Measures: The applicant shall submit a signed and sealed letter prepared by a licensed
geotechnical engineering professional that includes a finding that the completed grading and land
disturbing activities have not increased the risk of a landslide on the site, or on the adjacent properties.
The applicant shall submit the letter to the Current Planning Project Manager within thirty (30) calendar
days of issuance of the Special Fill and Grade Permit, or the permit shall be void.
Nexus: State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Environmental Review; RMC 4-3-050 Critical Areas
Regulations.
2. Air
Impacts: It is anticipated that some short-term air quality impacts could be associated with the mitigation
work proposed on the site. Project development impacts during construction may include periods of
increased dust generated as a result of fill removal and exhaust from vehicles and equipment. Dust control
would be mitigated through the use of temporary erosion control measures, watering or other measures
to remediate impacts as needed. Minimal use of heavy equipment is anticipated due to the residential
nature of the project and fact that the majority of the work has already been completed.
Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation recommended.
Nexus: N/A
3. Storm Water
Impacts: The applicant submitted a Technical Information Report (TIR), prepared by CORE Design, dated
May 25, 2022 (Exhibit 3). Based on the City’s flow control map, the site falls within the Flow Control
Duration Standard area matching Forested Site Conditions and is within the Black River Drainage Basin.
As of the date of the Report, the most current manual was the 2017 Renton Surface Water Design Manual
(RSWDM). However, the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual is currently in effect and therefore
applicant shall be required to demonstrate compliance with the new manual prior to issuance of a
stormwater permit. Due to the limited scope of the project, staff does not anticipate significant changes
to the Technical Information Report.
The proposal includes an analysis of the large lot best management practices (BMPs). Sheet flow and
native growth retention are feasible BMPs, however, feasibility is in small, isolated, areas on the parcel.
In lieu, the applicant is proposing a single native growth area that is sized larger than prescribed in
Appendix C at approximately 20,000 square feet. The native growth area is sized to mitigate the entire
target surface area whereas the small, isolated areas would not reach full mitigation. Two (2) public
comments were submitted by neighboring property owners expressed concern with the work completed
and documented past drainage problems in the neighborhood. Staff concurs with the assessment
provided and core requirements included in the analysis and does not recommend any specific mitigation
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Daniel Lee Property Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA22-000262, SP
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SR_ERC Report_Lee Grading Permit_220927
measure related to stormwater impacts. Staff anticipates that any stormwater issues on the neighboring
sites will be mitigated through project compliance with the 2022 RSWDM. A stormwater permit shall be
required for the clearing/grading and erosion control.
Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation is required.
Nexus: N/A
4. Vegetation
Impacts: The applicant submitted an Arborist Report prepared by Greenforest Incorporated and dated
May 23, 2022 with the application (Exhibit 4). The report identified a total of 138 trees on the site including
35 landmark trees, 96 significant trees, and 7 dangerous (aka ‘High Risk’ trees per new tree removal
regulation code in RMC 4-4-130) on the project site. As part of the unpermitted work, the applicant
removed two (2) trees whose exact species and size could not be determined by the arborist due to their
removal. According to the applicant, a tree assessment in 2009 (not provided with application) indicated
the two (2) trees removed included 8-inch DBH Western red cedar and a 20-inch DBH Douglas fir, for a
total caliper loss of approximately 28 inches. The applicant’s arborist sized up the loss estimate by 10%
growth for a total of 30.8 inches to account for the assumed growth between the data gathered in 2009
and the removal of the trees in 2019. According to CORE Design, the applicant’s consultant for the grading
permit, the applicant has replanted approximately 47 new trees in the past decade resulting in the large
number of trees on the site today. The applicant has retained approximately 136 out of 138 total trees
which would comply with the minimum thirty percent (30%) tree retention requirements for properties
subject to a land development. In addition, the applicant has installed approximately 22,000 square feet
of hydroseed on the area disturbed by the grading activities. A comment submitted by the Duwamish
Tribe included a request that the applicant install native vegetation and plants as part of the mitigation
(Exhibit 9). As part of the grade and fill permit review, staff will review the existing vegetation on site and
recommend installation of native vegetation for any additional mitigation determined to be necessary.
The existing trees and partially-established hydroseeding provide landscape screening, habitat,
stormwater runoff control and some aesthetic quality to the existing site. Therefore, staff does not
recommend any specific mitigation related to vegetation on the site.
Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation 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.
The Environmental Determination decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within the 14-day
appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680).
Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in
writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2022. Due to the ongoing state of emergency enacted by
Governor’s Proclamation 20-28.14 (and as amended), the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason,
appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st
floor Lobby Hub Monday through Friday. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be
collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. 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.
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Daniel Lee Property Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA22-000262, SP
Report of October 3, 2022 Page 5 of 5
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CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
Daniel Lee Property
Land Use File Number:
LUA22-000262, SP
Date of Meeting
October 3, 2022
Staff Contact
Alex Morganroth
Senior Planner
Project Contact/Applicant
Gina Brooks
CORE Design
12100 NE 195th St, Ste 300,
Bothell, WA 98011
Project Location
720 S 55th St Renton, WA 98055,
Renton WA 98055
The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report:
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report
Exhibit 2: Civil Construction Plans (includes Site Plan, Landscape Plan, Grading Plan)
Exhibit 3: Drainage Report, prepared by CORE Design, dated May 25, 2022
Exhibit 4: Arborist Report, prepared by Greenforest Incorporated, dated May 23, 2022
Exhibit 5: Tree Retention Plan
Exhibit 6: Fill Source Statement
Exhibit 7: Environmental Checklist
Exhibit 8: Advisory Notes
Exhibit 9: Duwamish Tribe Public Comment
Exhibit 10: Ahluwalia Public Comment
Exhibit 11: Nguyen Public Comment