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Home My WebLink AboutERC_Determination_Applicant_Letter_DS November 14, 2022 Bhavik Rao Urbancraft Consulting LLC 12322 94th Ave NE Kirkland, WA 98034 SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL THRESHOLD (SEPA) DETERMINATION Southport West, LUA22-000284, SA-M, SA-H, ECF Dear: Mr. Rao, 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 Significance (DS). Please refer to the enclosed ERC Report and Decision for more details. Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on November 28, 2022. Due to the City Clerk’s Office working remotely, 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. If the Environmental Determination is appealed, a public hearing date will be set and all parties notified. If you have any questions or desire clarification of the above, please reach me at cclose@rentonwa.gov or at (425) 430- 7289. For the Environmental Review Committee, Clark H. Close Principal Planner Enclosure cc: Southport West LLC/ Owner DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE (DS) AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) PROJECT NUMBER: LUA22-000284, SA-M, SA-H, ECF APPLICANT: Bhavik Rao, Urbancraft Consulting LLC, 12322 94th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 PROJECT NAME: Southport West PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting Master Plan Review, Hearing Examiner Site Plan Review and Environmental (SEPA) Review for the construction of the southerly porti on of the Southport Development. The proposed 10.09-acre expansion of Southport would be located at the former Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Substation and PSE utility parcels in the Urban Center-2 (UC-2) zone and the Urban Design District ‘C’. The proposed project includes five (5) nine-story mid-rise buildings with roughly 1,250,000 sf of office and roughly 50,000 sf of retail development in multiple phases: Phase I – Towers 1 and 2 with the garage podium, Phase II – Towers 3 and 4 with garage podium, and Phase III – Tower 5. A fourth and final phase is being considered for a sixth tower with 130,000 sf for office and retail at the southwest corner of the site. The project could reach as high as 1.6 million gross sf. Parking for 2,207 vehicles would be provided in a shared 4- and 5-level parking garage and 57 spaces are proposed as on-street parking. Access to Southport West would be provided by Park Ave N and Lake Washington Blvd N. The site is generally level and consists of gravel yard and asphalt, a Puget Sound Energy switchgear, and an office/warehouse building. The site contains high seismic hazard areas, Johns Creek, and regulated slopes. No significant trees are proposed to be removed. The applicant has submitted a Preliminary Geotechnical Report, Technical Information Report, Traffic Impact Analysis, and Stream Assessment and Final Mitigation Plan with the application. PROJECT LOCATION: 9XX Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 985056 (APNs 082305-9191 and -9178) EIS REQUIRED: The lead agency has determined this proposal is likely to have a significant impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) and will be prepared. An environmental checklist, or other materials indicating likely environmental impacts, can be reviewed online on the City of Renton website. LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton Environmental Review Committee Department of Community & Economic Development Planning Division The lead agency has identified the following areas for discussion in the EIS: Earth, Air, Water, Critical Areas, Environmental Health – Noise, Parks and Recreation, Historic and Cultural Preservation, and Transportation (as examples). DocuSign Envelope ID: 6EA7C613-A4CD-406B-935E-3399EFC72433 ERC DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PAGE 2 of 2 SCOPING: Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may comment on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts, and licenses of other approvals that may be required. Your comments must be submitted in writing and received before December 5, 2022. RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Environmental Review Committee Department of Community & Economic Development Planning Division 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on November 28, 2022. Due to the City Clerk’s Office working remotely, 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. Appeal s 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. DATE OF DECISION: November 14, 2022 SIGNATURES: Martin Pastucha, Administrator Public Works Department Date Anjela Barton Renton Regional Fire Authority Date Kelly Beymer, Administrator Community Services Department Date C.E. “Chip” Vincent, Administrator Department of Community & Economic Development Date DocuSign Envelope ID: 6EA7C613-A4CD-406B-935E-3399EFC72433 11/14/2022 | 3:30 PM PST 11/14/2022 | 4:27 PM PST11/14/2022 | 3:35 PM PST DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Planning Division 1055 South Grady Way, 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057 | 425-430-7200, ext. 2 www.rentonwa.gov OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION ISSUANCE OF A DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE (DS) POSTED TO NOTIFY INTERESTED PERSONS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION DS: The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee (ERC) has determined that the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c) and will be prepared. DATE OF NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: November 14, 2022 PROJECT NAME/NUMBER: Southport West / LUA22-000284, SA-M, SA-H, ECF PROJECT LOCATION: 9XX Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 985056 (APNs 082305-9191 and -9178) APPLICANT/PROJECT CONTACT PERSON: Bhavik Rao, Urbancraft Consulting LLC / 12322 94th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 / bhavik@urbancraftconsulting.com LOCATION WHERE APPLICATION MAY BE REVIEWED: Applicant documents are available online through the City of Renton Document Center website. See also https://cutt.ly/qZTm0x2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Southport West LLC, is requesting Master Plan Review, Hearing Examiner Site Plan Review and Environmental (SEPA) Review for the construction of Southport West. Southport West is the completion of the southerly portion of the Southport Development located at the south end of Lake Washington Blvd N. The proposed expansion of Southport would be located on the 10.09 acre former Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Substation and PSE utility parcels (APNs 082305 9191 and 9178). The two (2) parcels are located in the Urban Center 2 (UC 2) zone and the Urban Design District ‘C’. The site is proposed to be developed as five (5) high rise buildings with approximately 1,250,000 square feet of office and 50,000 of retail development in multiple phases. The proposed first three phases would be developed as follows: Phase I – Towers 1 and 2 with the garage podium (July 2023 – July 2027), Phase II – Towers 3 and 4 with garage podium (July 2027 – July 2031), and Phase III – Tower 5 (post July 2031). Phases 1 3 would start on the south side of the site (closer to Boeing) and would develop to the north side of the lot (closer to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park). A fourth and final phase is being considered for a sixth tower with 130,000 square feet for office and retail at the south corner of the development near the intersection of Park Ave N and 757th Ave NE. The phased development could reach as high as 1.6 million gross square feet. The proposed nine level development would be built at the same height and scale as the existing Southport offices with an overall height of approximately 154 feet above average grade. Parking for 2,207 vehicles would be provided in a shared 4 and 5 level parking garage and 57 spaces are proposed as on street parking. In addition, the applicant is proposing to work closely with PSE for the engineering and capacity needs of the development in order to relocate the powerlines and utility switchgear adjacent to Johns Creek. Vehicular access to Southport West would be provided by Park Ave N, Lake Wa shington Blvd N, and the addition of an internal center road and frontage road. The site is generally level and consists of gravel yard and asphalt, a Puget Sound Energy switchgear, and an office/warehouse building. The site contains high seismic hazard areas and the northeast corner of the site contains Johns Creek and regulated slopes. The soil consists of a loose to medium dense sand, underlain by soft to medium dense silt, then medium dense to dense sand, very soft silt and clay, and finally dense to ve ry dense silty sand. Groundwater was observed in the historical exploration at Southport at depths ranging from 3 to 10 feet below existing grade. Preliminary estimates of cut and fill include approximately 25,000 cubic yards of excavation and 39,200 cubic yards of fill from an approved source. The depth of excavation is anticipated to not exceed approximately two feet (2’) below ground level, except for building cores where excavation would be deeper. Stormwater runoff from pollution generating surfaces would be captured by catch basins and treated in cartridge filter facilities prior to connection into three (3) existing drainage systems. No significant trees are proposed to be removed. Southport is proposing to plant 115 new trees along with a variety of shrubs and perennials. The applicant has submitted a Preliminary Geotechnical Report, Technical Information Report, Traffic Impact Analysis, and Stream Assessment and Final Mitigation Plan with the application. EIS required: An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21c.030(2)(c) and will be prepared. An environmental checklist, or other materials indicating likely environmental impacts, are available for viewing in the lead agency’s office. NOTICE Anyone that would like to be informed of future actions or would like to become a party of record on this proposal must fill out our online form at https://cutt.ly/SQvBak4 or complete this form and return to: City of Renton, CED Planning Division, 1055 So. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. Name/File No.: PR22-000230 Southport West / LUA22-000284, SA-M, SA-H, ECF Name: ____________________________________ Email: _________________________ Phone#:__________________ Mailing Address: ____________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ___________________________ Notice will be sent via email, unless a hard copy is specifically requested. Check box to receive via US Mail LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton Environmental Review Committee Department of Community & Economic Development Planning Division The lead agency has idenitified the following areas for discussion in the EIS: Earth, Air, Water, Critical Areas, Environmental Health – Noise, Parks and Recreation, Historic and Cultural Preservation, and Transportation (as examples). SCOPING: Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may comment on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts, and licenses or other approvals that may be required. Comments on the above application must be submitted in writing by 5:00 PM on December 5, 2022. Please submit comments online at https://cutt.ly/SQvBak4. Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on November 28, 2022. Due to the City Clerk’s Office working remotely, 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. Appeal s 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. RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: City of Renton Environmental Review Committee Department of Community & Economic Development Planning Division, 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 PUBLIC HEARING: If the Environmental Determination is appealed a public hearing will be set and all parties notified. CONTACT PERSON: Clark H. Close, Principal Planner; Tel: (425) 430-7289; Email: cclose@rentonwa.gov M A P