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07-106027CITY OF � Federal December 13, 2007 i CITY HALL 33325 8th Avenue South Way Mailing Address: PO Box 9718 Federal Way, WA 98063-9718 (253) 835-7000 www.cityoffederalway.com Allison Hanson WSDOT — Urban Corridors Office 401 Second Avenue NW, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104 RE: File No. 07-106027-00-AD; WSDOT TRIANGLE — Critical Area Intrusion Request for Geotechnical Request Dear Ms. Hanson. The City of Federal Way has completed the technical review of your request for temporary intrusion within wetland setback and stream setback areas to conduct geotechnical investigations for the WSDOT Triangle project. The requested temporary wetland setback and stream setback intrusions are hereby approved based on the conclusions below. Pursuant to Federal Way City Code (FWCC) Section 22-1359(c) regarding wetland setbacks, and Section 22-1312(a) regarding stream setbacks, the Director of Community Development Services may permit the placement of an essential public facility in a setback area from a regulated wetland or stream if that improvement must traverse the setback line because no feasible or alternative location exists based on an analysis of technology and system efficiency. The specific location and extent of the intrusion into the setback area must constitute the minimum necessary encroachment to meet the requirements of the public facility. The requested temporary wetland setback and stream setback intrusions are necessary as described in your December 6, 2007 letter, in order to conduct geotechnical investigations to determine soil conditions to support freeway improvements. The temporary geotechnical investigations meet the decisional criteria of FWCC Sections 22-1312(a) and 22-1359(a) as described in your letter dated December 6, 2007. The geotechnical investigations as proposed meet the criteria regarding no feasible or alternative location and the minimum necessary critical area setback intrusion because the proposed intrusions are temporary and are around the existing highway system linear right-of-way corridors, which limits design alternatives. As lead agency, WSDOT should verify that these critical area intrusions were disclosed in the SEPA documents, and WSDOT should determine SEPA compliance. CONCLUSION The proposed geotechnical investigations are necessary for construction of essential public facilities and meet the criteria of FWCC Sections 22-1359(c) and Section 22-1312(a). The proposed investigations traverse stream setback and wetland setback lines because no feasible alternative locations exist, and the intrusions are the minimum necessary to meet the requirements of the public facility. Ms. fiansan December 13, 2007 Page 2 This approval does not exempt the project from other local, state, and federal permit requirements. If you have any further questions, please contact Jim Harris, Senior Planner, at 253-835-2649 or jim.harris@cityoffederalway.com. Sincerely, At-t 611-� Greg Fewins Interim Director of Community Development Services c: Jim Harris, Senior Planner Brigid Dean, WSDOT— Urban Corridors Office, 401 Second Ave NW, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104 07-106027 Doe. I D. 43403 (12l1312007}Jim Harris -Triangle Project!'eotech From: "Dean, Brigid" <DeanB@wsdot.wa.gov> To: "Jim Harris"<Jim.Harris@cityoffederalway.com> Date: 12/12/07 1:49 PM Subject: Triangle Project Geotech Attachments: Geotechnical Services Division -current (2).pdf Hi, Jim: just a quick email to respond to the two questions you left me on my voice mail regarding the geotechnical work for the Triangle Project. Three types of equipment will most likely be used for the work: a truck rig, a track rig, and a skid rig. Further descriptions of that equipment are included in the attached folio from the WSDOT geotechnical services group. In answer to your second question: some clearing will be required to stage the equipment for drilling. It is my understanding that the WSDOT Geotech lead is planning to visit the Triangle site late next week; let me know if you need more details of the work and I will ask them to provide more information as part of their reconnaissance. Apparently they had planned the site visit for last week but have been hung up elsewhere due to storm related emergency work. Bruce Nebbitt, the lead Design Engineer, confirmed that they are still planning to start drilling the last week of December/first week of January. Thanks, Brigid Brigid Dean Transportation Planning Specialist 3 Urban Corridors Office, WSDOT 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104-3850 206/716-1137 Page - i Washington State Department of Transportation Paula Hammond Secretary of Transportation December 6, 2007 Mr. Jim Harris, Senior Planner City of Federal Way 33325 8th Avenue South P.O. Box 9718 Federal Way, WA 98063-9718 Dear Mr. Harris: Urban Corridors Office 401 Second Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104 206-716-1121/ fax 206-716-1101 TTY: 1-800-833-6388 www.wsdot.wa.gov RECEIVED BY CMARMI)EVELOPMENT 4 � 1 0 2007 The purpose of this letter is to request permission to conduct geotechnical investigations within the I-5 — SR 161/SR 18 Triangle Improvements Project Area in critical areas within the City of Federal Way. Fifty six bore holes are proposed, including several within critical areas (wetlands, streams, setback areas). The attached map shows the approximate location of the bore holes. The purpose of these bore holes is to determine the suitability of soil conditions for seating bridge columns and other support structures for freeway off and on ramps. No feasible alternative locations exist based on analysis of site conditions and proposed project design. These geotechnical borings are temporary intrusions and constitute the minimum necessary encroachment to meet the requirements of geotechnical work. A SEPA Checklist and Determination of Non -Significance (DNS) were issued for the Triangle Project in May 2007. For the purpose of SEPA, the project description includes specific reference to the fact that the project will require work over, in and adjacent to wetlands and two streams. The checklist also discloses that the wetlands and streams located within the project site are classified as "environmentally sensitive." A copy of the SEPA checklist and DNS were sent to the City of Federal Way to the attention of Greg Fewins. If you would like to receive another copy of the SEPA documents for the Triangle Project or for more information on the proposed geotechnical work, please contact Brigid Dean at 206/716-1137. WSDOT plans to begin geotechnical work the last week of December 2007. We would be grateful if you could reply to this request with a letter permitting us to proceed by December 21, 2007. Sincerely, W tm_ Allison Hanson Deputy Director, Environmental Services 206/716-1136 hanson@wsdot.wa.gov ciry OF �. Federal November 6, 2007 FIL E CITY HALL 33325 8th Avenue South �� Mailing Address: PO Box 9718 Federal Way, WA 98063-9718 (253) 835-7000 www.cityoffederalway.com Brigid Dean WSDOT — Urban Corridors Office 401 Second Ave NW Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104 vial email: deanb@wsdot.gov RE: File No. 07-106027-00 AD; WSDOT TRIANGLE - GEOTECH DRILLING INQUIRY Dear Ms. Dean: This letter responds to your November 1, 2007 e-mail inquiry regarding the presence of critical areas and procedural requirements for geo-technical borings in critical areas for the WSDOT triangle project. I have reviewed the map and letter you sent the City. Your letter inquires about the presence of critical areas and critical area buffers specifically on the WSDOT right-of-way. As a point of clarification, pursuant to Federal Way City Code (FWCC) standards, critical area buffers extend beyond property lines, and extend onto off -site properties. In other words, if there are critical areas on private properties adjacent to the WSDOT right-of-way, then the buffers may extend onto the WSDOT right-of-way. There is a branch of Hylebos creek located generally at the southwest quadrant of the intersection of SR 18 and I-5. The creek is located between I-5 and Costco/Home Depot. It appears that geo-technical borings are proposed within the 100-foot stream setback area. In order to conduct geo-technical borings or do any other temporary or permanent work within the stream setback area, an administrative approval by the Director of Community Development Services is required. The Director of Community Development Services, through an administrative review, may allow the placement of a public improvement (including public highway) within a stream buffer pursuant to FWCC Section 22-1312(a), if the Director determines that the line or improvement must traverse the setback area because no feasible or alternative location exists, based on an analysis of technology and system efficiency. The extent of the intrusion into the setback must constitute the minimum necessary encroachment to meet the requirements of the public improvement.. In order to request the geo-technical investigations within the stream setback, you must provide a letter request to the Director of Community Development Services. Your letter request must include a site plan showing the buffer intrusions, describe the proposal and identify how the temporary intrusions meet the two decisional criteria of FWCC section 22-1312(a) as follows: 1) the improvement must traverse the setback area because no feasible or alternative location exists; Doc. I.D. 43032 Brigid Dean WSDOT— Urban Corridors Office RE. File No. 07-I06027--00 AD; WSDOT TRIANGLE - GEOTECH DRILLING INQUIRY Page 2 of 2 and 2) the temporary intrusion must constitute the minimum necessary encroachment to meet the requirements of the public improvement. The proposed geo-technical investigation within a critical area is not exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act. Typically this type of geotechnical investigation would be categorically exempt from SEPA pursuant to WAC 197-11-800 (2) Minor New Construction. However, pursuant to FWCC Section 18-143, the minor new construction exemption is inapplicable when the work is located within a critical area. I recently found out that WSDOT has issued a completed SEPA checklist and DNS for the proposed action. As lead agency, WSDOT should verify that these critical area intrusions were disclosed in the SEPA documents, and WSDOT should determine SEPA compliance. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please contact me by e-mail at jim.harris@LCityoffederalway.co or 253 835-2649. Sincerely, Jim Harris Senior Planner Doc. I.D. 43032 —z)d Page 1 of I Jim Harris - Fwd: Steep slopes in buffers From: Greg Fewins To: Jim Harris Date: 11/1/2007 11:16 AM Subject: Fwd: Steep slopes in buffers wsoofi-,��<�yk 14^s� >>> "Dean, Brigid" <DeanB@wsdot.wa.gov> 10/30/2007 2:01 PM >>> Hi, Greg: I apologize for not giving you time to answer my last question before asking you the next one. We're looking at potential wetland mitigation sites for the Triangle project, and it is a critical path item. I've been asked if you could provide guidance on whether or not there is anything in Federal way's code that requires additional buffer if steep slopes are adjacent to wetlands? could you point me to that code? Thanks, Brigid Brigid Dean Transportation Planning Specialist 3 Urban Corridors Office, WSDOT 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104-3850 206/716-1137 - f e c e e g of c e g e 9 e Page 1 of 1 Jim Harris - Re: Fwd: Steep slopes in buffers From: Jim Harris To: deanb@wsdot.wa.gov Date: 11/5/2007 1:44 PM Subject: Re: Fwd: Steep slopes in buffers Brigid: Greg asked me to reply to this inquiry. The FWCC does not require additional wetland buffer when adjacent to a steep slope. The wetland buffer is measured horizontally from the edge of the delineated wetland. Let me know if you have any further questions regarding this subject. Jim Harris Senior Planner City of Federal Way jim.harris@cityoffederalway.com 253 835-2649 >>> Greg Fewins 11/01/07 11:16 AM >>> >>> "Dean, Brigid" <DeanB@wsdot.wa.gov> 10/30/2007 2:01 PM >>> Hi, Greg: I apologize for not giving you time to answer my last question before asking you the next one. We're looking at potential wetland mitigation sites for the Triangle project, and it is a critical path item. I've been asked if you could provide guidance on whether or not there is anything in Federal way's code that requires additional buffer if steep slopes are adjacent to wetlands? could you point me to that code? Thanks, Brigid Brigid Dean Transportation Planning Specialist 3 Urban Corridors Office, WSDOT 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104-3850 206/716-1137 f e c e e g of c e g e 9 e OO rage i of i Jim Harris - Fwd: Geotech/CAO follow up query From: Greg Fewins To: Date: Jim Harris 11/1/2007 11:17 AM Subject: Fwd: Geotech/CAO follow up query Attachments: Map_prelim_geotech.pdf >>> "Dean, Brigid" <DeanB@wsdot.wa.gov> 10/30/2007 11:07 AM >>> Hi, Greg: just a quick email to request your assistance in determining whether or not there are any City of Federal Way designated critical areas within the WSDOT Right of Way where geotechnical drilling work is proposed. Approximately 25 borings are planned. The attached map shows the intersection of 1-5 with SR 18 where the drillings are to be located. Orient the map north facing by rotating the tract housing to the lower right hand quadrant (SE corner). I checked Nap and the maps posted on the Federal Way website and don't see any Critical Areas in the Right of Way where the borings are proposed. There is a seasonal stream that runs on the west side of 1-5 through the area in question. Would you take a look at the attached map and give me some additional guidance on whether or not CAO or other environmental review is required? If you need additional detail (map or narrative), let me know. Thanks, Brigid Brigid Dean Transportation Planning Specialist 3 Urban Corridors Office, WSDOT 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104-3850 206/716-1137 � 5 r ��L, C Xt ILA p1�) y-)51 t � ( 2.i �t1 Q6C,a `J"-) P11f M , 6, j L rf�\ C�d Pj n o� e ;i Ld %U 11 J ,-V\ f e c e e g of c e g e 9 e Al)6�-1W-1(a Page 1 of 1 Jim Harris - Fwd: Steep slopes in buffers From: Greg Fewins To: Jim Harris Date: 11/1/2007 11:16 AM Subject: Fwd: Steep slopes in buffers >>> "Dean, Brigid" <DeanB@wsdot.wa.gov> 10/30/2007 2:01 PIVI >>> Hi, Greg: I apologize for not giving you time to answer my last question before asking you the next one. We're looking at potential wetland mitigation sites for the Triangle project, and it is a critical path item. I've been asked if you could provide guidance on whether or not there is anything in Federal way's code that requires additional buffer if steep slopes are adjacent to wetlands? could you point me to that code? Thanks, Brigid Brigid Dean Transportation Planning Specialist 3 Urban Corridors Office, WSDOT 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104-3850 206/716-1137 f e c e e g of c e g e 9 e _ AO ' o6Q2`7- 00 Page 1 of 1 Jim Harris - Fwd: Geotech/CAO follow up query From: Greg Fewins To: Jim Harris Date: 11/1/2007 11:17 AM Subject: Fwd: Geotech/CAO follow up query Attachments: Map_prelim_geotech.pdf w s�JoT - ir`,C":3 Lu - k trayuIYX >>> "Dean, Brigid" <DeanB@wsdot.wa.gov> 10/30/2007 11:07 AM >>> Hi, Greg: just a quick email to request your assistance in determining whether or not there are any City of Federal Way designated critical areas within the WSDOT Right of Way where geotechnical drilling work is proposed. Approximately 25 borings are planned. The attached map shows the intersection of 1-5 with SR 18 where the drillings are to be located. Orient the map north facing by rotating the tract housing to the lower right hand quadrant (SE corner). I checked Nap and the maps posted on the Federal Way website and don't see any Critical Areas in the Right of Way where the borings are proposed. There is a seasonal stream that runs on the west side of 1-5 through the area in question. Would you take a look at the attached map and give me some additional guidance on whether or not CAO or other environmental review is required? If you need additional detail (map or narrative), let me know. Thanks, Brigid Brigid Dean Transportation Planning Specialist 3 Urban Corridors Office, WSDOT 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104-3850 206/716-1137 f e c e e g of c e g e 9 e s.�-=� �=-...'-'4_.�-__�d-".-''_''�-�—z" � - .fir. 4 �� i�� 11.E