Loading...
Environmental ReviewSEPA NO: 8342 MITIGATED DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE Proponent: Mike McKinnon, Forbest Partners Description of Proposal: Construction of an 8,324 sq. ft. commercial building to include fast food restaurant, bank, and miscellaneous retail. Location of the Proposal: SE Corner of Yelm Avenue East and Plaza Drive. Section/Township/Range: Tax Parcel number 227301 1 01 03, Sec. 30, T17N, R 2E. Threshold Determination: The City of Yelm as lead agency for this action has determined that this proposal does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement (EIS) will not be required under RCW 43.21 C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request. Conditions/Mitigating Measures: SEE ATTACHED Lead agency: City of Yelm Responsible Official: Grant Beck, Community Development Director Date off lssu~~r~./~ ,~ /Jul 28, 2003 Comm e li j ~ 0 P.M. August 11, 2003 Gent Belk, Community Development Director This Mitigated Determination of NonSignificance is issued pursuant to Washington Administrative Code 197-11- 340(2). The City of Yelm will not act on this proposal prior to 5:00 p.m. Comments must be submitted to Tami Merriman, Community Development Department at, City of Yelm, 105 Yelm Ave. W., P.O. Box 479, Yelm, WA 98597, by 5:00 p.m. August 11, 2003. You may appeal this determination to the Yelm City Council, at above address, by submitting a written appeal no later than 5:00 p.m. August 18, 2003. You should be prepared to make specific factual objections. Contact Grant Beck, Community Development Director, to learn more about the procedures for SEPA appeals. This MDNS is not a permit and does not by itself constitute project approval. The applicant must comply with all applicable requirements of the City of Yelm prior to receiving construction permits which may include but are not limited to the City of Yelm Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Title (17), Critical Areas Ordinance (14.08), Storm water Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (DOE), Uniform Building Code, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Title (14), Road Design Standards, Platting and Subdivision Title (16), and the Shoreline Master Program. DO NOT PUBLISH BELOW THIS LINE Published: Nisqually Valley News, Friday, August 1, 2003 Posted in public areas: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 Copies to: -Dept. of Ecology w/checklist Tuesday, July 29, 2003 All agencies/citizens on SEPA mailing list and adjacent property owners. ATTACHMENT SEPA CASE NO.: 8342 This Mitigated Determination of Non Significance is based on the project as proposed and impacts and mitigation reflected in the following: • Environmental Checklist (dated May 20, 2003, prepared by Hatton Godat Pantier) • Traffic Impact Analysis (Dated April 2003, prepared by the Shea Group) • Memorandum Amending the Traffic Impact Analysis (dated July 11, 2003, prepared by The Shea Group) • Preliminary Storm Drainage Report (dated May 1, 2003, prepared by Hatton Godat Pantier) And the following conditions: 1. The proponent shall mitigate transportation impacts based on the new p.m. peak hour trips generated by the project. The transportation facility charge (TFC) shall be based on uses proposed at tenant improvement. 2. Plaza Drive shall be improved as required in the City of Yelm Development Guidelines. The intersection on Plaza Drive, at Yelm Highway shall include a 12' outbound lane, a 12' dedicated left turn lane, and a 16' inbound lane. Grant Beck From: Teri Granger [intunewithnature@rainierconnect.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 10:27 AM To: Grant Beck Subject: Concern about remnant prairie in Yelm Dear Mr. Beck, I am writing to express concern regarding a development for which a permit application has been submitted for the Forbest Retail Building at 1202 Yelm Highway. My concern regards the remnant prairie that exists on site and request that actions be taken to protect the ecosystem and plants that occur on site to the greatest extent possible. Driving by the site this spring I observed that the area contains a number of species that occur in prairies in areas of glacial outwash in the South Sound. These species include Balsamorhiza deltoidea (balsamroot) (, Lomatium triternatum (Nine-leaf Lomatium), Eriophyllum lanatum (Oregon sunshine), Festuca idahoensis (blue fescue), and Camassia quamash (camas). I presume there are other indicator species even though the site has undergone degradation and appears to contain non-native species. I did visit the site briefly with permission from Jesse from First Western Properties. My intention was to see if I could salvage plants on site and find a new home for them. The staff from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had agreed to try to care any salvaged plants. If any of the plants recovered they would transplant them at a restoration site in the Scatter Creek prairies south of Olympia. I dug up four Balsam Root, a few Lomatium, and some Camas bulbs. However, the Balsam Root and Lomatium failed within a day or so after I put them in pots. This was expected since three people I have talked to, with experience trying to transplant balsamroot, said the success rate is low (one who volunteers with Thurston Native Plant Salvage, the F&W staff, and the botanist from the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area). In addition, the balsamroot is very hard to dig. They have long tap roots that extend deep into the rocky soil. It took me 2.5 hours to dig a few plants because I had to use a pick and my hands. It is impossible to hand dig without breaking most of the small roots that extend from the main tuberous root. I was willing to try to expend a lot of personal time trying to salvage plants and urge the city to take action in regard to this site for the following reasons. 1. Prairies are the rarest of Washington's habitats and any effort to save even remnants are important. Yelm was once a vast prairie but like most prairies in Washington has been massively altered by agriculture and development. There are areas with Camas that have survived in the Yelm area, often on private lands that have not been extensively altered. They are quite evident while driving around the Yelm area in the spring. But the occurance of balsamroot and other signature species is less common than camas fields because camas has a bulb and is vernal, making it more persistent in our altered landscapes. 2. The occurance of balamroot in Yelm is important because although balsamroot are not rare, they are uncommon in the South Sound. They are a signiture plant but are decreasing in numbers. A member of 6/25/2003 the Washington Native Plant Society listed the following areas as known sites at which balsamroot occurs in South Sound: Glacial Heritage Scatter Creek Bald Hills Fort Lewis These are all areas that have been set aside in an attempt to save some of the prairies as natural preserves or, in the case of Fort Lewis, has not been developed or grazed due to the military operations that occur there. Balsamroot doesn't seem to be at other localities that are not protected from agriculture or development. This makes the Yelm site unique. 3. Balsamroot takes a long time to mature. The botanist from the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area reported that balsamroot takes between 7-8 years before it will produce one flower. There are a number of large plants at the Yelm site with numerous flowers. Those balsumroots are therefore old growth plants at least 60-80 years. The site is also a good one for natural regeneration since I counted up to 60 individual plants in the small area around the loggin equipment, many of them smaller plants and obviously taking root from seeds dispersed by the large plants. I did not do a reconnaisance of the site and don't know the full geographic extent of the proposal in relation to what is on the ground. However, the balsamroot, Idaho fescue and Oregon sunshine seems to be concentrated in the front portion of the site around the logging equipment that is currently parked there. The Lomatium sp. seems scattered and the camus seems to be concentrated in the back portion. The best scenario would be for the entire site to be set aside for prairie restoration, with work done to erradicate the non-native species. It would be a great asset to the City and be a wonderful project to help educate the public about the ecosystem in which the citizens of the city live, as well as being important to the survival of the plant species/ecosystem. Educational signs and a trail could make the site a nice prairie/nature park in the city. At a minimum, I would hope that a portion of the site could be used as a prairie restoration/demostration project, with the focus being on the area where the balsamroot occurs and with an effort to relocate other prairie species, that will be destroyed, to this area. I greatly appreciate your consideration of this unique opportunity for the City to maintain a portion of what was once an expansive prairie, save the balsamroot which is now uncommon, and provide the citizens with an opportunity to learn more about the prairie ecosystem in which they live. Sincerely, Teri Granger 6/25/2003 To be Completed by Applicant HGA# CITY OF YELM P.O. Box 479 Yelm, WA 98597 360-458-3244 ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST A. BACKGROUND Evaluation for A~ency Use Only OFFICIAL USE ONLY Fee: ~' (l (,' / i Date Received: ; ~~~ ( ~(~ _5 r By: ~~ File No. ~; ~ /< ' ~'~ _S j ~{ ~ - ~~ j _ 7 1. Name of Proposed Project, if any. Forbest retail Building 2. Name of applicant. Mike Mckinnon 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person. 1419 Marvin Rd. NE. Lacey, WA 98516 360-352-2004 4. Date of checklist. 05-19-03 5. Agency requesting checklist. City of Yelm 6. Proposed timing of schedule (including phasing, if applicable). Construction in 2003 7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. no J 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be operated, directly related to this proposal. None Known 9. Do you know whether applications are pending for government approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. None known 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. City of Yelm site plan, building and engineering approval 11. Give a brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. 8324sf commercial building with 39 parking stall parking and associated drive area on 1.185 acres with street improvements to Plaza Dr. and private access road. L. Location ~f the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any. and section, township. and range if know. If a proposal would occur over a range of area. provide the range of boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps of detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. 1202 Yelm Highway TP # 22730110103 Sec. 30, T 17 N, R 2E WM Parcel A BLA 988213YL Site is located at the northeast corner of Yelm Highway and Plaza Dr. n~~ ~i Vv ~ y , t^.r ~,y, L. `~ -2- To be Completed by Applicant B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 1 Earth a. General description of the site (circle one): Flat rolling, hilly. steep slopes, mountainous, other b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? Evaluation for Agencv Use Onlv 2% c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand gravel, peat, muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, ~L, specify them and note any prime farmland. ~ ~' Spanaway Gravelly sandy loam d. Are there surface indicators or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so, describe. No e. Describe the purpose, type, and approximate quantities of any filling or grading proposed. Indicate source of fill. 2000 cy of earthwork grading f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, . generally describe. Yes, if uncontrolled g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)? 63.8% h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any: Erosion control fencing construction entry and other measures As outlined in the D.O.E. storm water manual 2. Air a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal (i.e., dust, automobile, odors, industrial wood smoke) during construction and when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate quantities if known. Construction- dust and exhaust emissions, completed project auto emissions b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so. generally describe. None known c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if anv: Dust control and standard emission control devices -3- To be Completed by Annlicant J. Water a. Surface (1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into. No (2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans. No ' (3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected. Indicate the source of fill material. None (4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. No (5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year flood plain? If so, note location on the site plan. No (6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface water? If so, describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge. No Ground (1) Will ground water be withdrawn, or will water be discharged to ground water? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. Surface water runoff to be infiltrated into ground. (2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or other sources, if any (for example: domestic sewage; industrial, containing the following chemicals ...; agricultural; etc. j. Describe the general size of the system. the number of such systems. the number of houses to be served (if applicable). or the number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve. None, site to be served by City of Yelm S.T.E.P. sewer. Evaluation for Aeencv Use Onlv ,V <-~1Ol \J Y~'~ ~v ~,`' °, LW ,.,,, / U. ~.~~~' ,~j r~ u~v ~ ~~ I~~~~~~ -3- To be Completed by Applicant c. Water Run-off (including stormwaterl (1) Describe the source of runoff (including stormwater) and method of collection and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe. Storm water run off from impervious surfaces to be collected by piping system pretreated in wet pond and infiltrated into the ground in infiltration trenches (2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe. no d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water impacts, if any: Pretreatment in compliance with D.O.E storm water manual 4. Plants a. Check or circle types of vegetation found on the site: Deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other Evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other Shrubs Grass Pasture Crop or grain Wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bulrush, skunk cabbage, other Water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other X Other types of vegetation Brush, Scotbroom b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered? All c. List threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site. None known d Proposed landscaping, use of native plants. or other measures to preserve or enhance vegetation on the site, if any: All pervious area to be landscaped upon completion of project. Evaluation for AQencv Use Onlv ~~ ~: G 1 f -4- Evaluation for To be Completed by Applicant Aaency Use Onlv 5. Animals Circle anv birds and animals which have been observed on or near the a' site or are known to be on or near the site: Birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other: Robin, Bluejay Mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: Fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other: b• List any threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site. None known c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain. No d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any: Landscaping of site 6. Energy and Natural Resources a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating, manufacturing, etc. Electrical energy for lighting, gas for heating b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties? If so, generally describe. No c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any: Comply with all energy codes a ''o 7. Environmental Health ~ , ~'~ a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic ~ ~ \ chemicals, risk of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could ~ ~ ~! p occur as a result of this proposal? If so, describe. '~"~• l) ~ _~~ ~~~ \~ Normal fire hazard l !``' ~ (1) Describe special emergency services that might he required. ,~~ ~e, , ~J ~~ Fire protection \~ (2) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards. if anv: None .5- To be Completed by Applicant b. Noise (1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)? Yelm highway (507) traffic (2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indicate what hours noise would come from the site. Short term construction noise, long term commercial traffic noise (3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any: none 8. Land and Shoreline Use a• What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Current site vacant, adjacent commercial b. Has the site been used for agriculture? If so, describe. No c. Describe any structures on the site. None d. Wil] any structures be demolished? If so, what? No e. What is the current zoning classification of the site? Commercial f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site? Commercial g. If applicable, what is the current Shoreline Master Program designation of the site? N/A h. Has any part of the site been classified an "environmentally sensitive'' area? If so, specify. Aquifer sensitive as mapped by Thurston County i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project? None ~' Approximately how many people would the completed project displace? None Evaluation for Aaencv Use Only C ~~ -C- To be Completed by Applicant k• Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any? None 1. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and plans. if any: Comply with zoning and building codes 9. Housing a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high-, middle-, or low-income housing. None b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high-, middle-, or low-income housing. None ~• Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any: None 10. Aesthetics a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is the principle exterior building material(s) proposed? 20 feet b• What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed? Change from vacant land to commercial building ~• Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any: Landscaping 11. Light and Glare a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly occur? Onsite lighting and security lighting at night b. Could light or Aare from the finished project he a safety hazard or interfere with views? No c• What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal? None known Evaluation for Azency Use Onlv ~i /~ c~ ~G~~~ J~~ J ~~ , UJ Uf \ ~ ,,~y~ \l ~. ~, ~. ` J ~ ;~~' a,, ~v ,,~-;~ vim. ~ ,~~~ `~~~„- -7- To be Completed by Applicant d• Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any: Onsite directional lighting 12. Recreation a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity? Yelm golf course, bike trails b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe. No c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any: None 13. Historic and Cultural Preservation a. Are there any places or objects listed on, or proposed for, national, state, or local preservation registers known to be on or next to the site? If so, generally describe. None Known b. Generally describe any landmarks or evidence of historic, archaeological, scientific, or cultural importance known to be on or next to the site. None known c• Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts, if any: None 14. Trans~rtation a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site, and describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any. Yelm highway, Plaza Dr. access by private access rd. b. Is site currently served by public transit? If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop? No, 1000 feet c. How many parkin' spaces would the completed project have? How many would the project eliminate? 39, none eliminated Evaluation for A~encv Use Onlv ../ ~~ ~~1 ~~' ,~,, ~~~~~` / v I,, -8- To be Completed by Applicant d. Will the proposal require any new roads or streets, or improvements to existing roads or streets, not including driveways? If so, generally describe (indicate whether public or private). Yes improvement of Plaza Dr. presently private, improvement of private access rd. e. Will the project use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air transportation? If so, generally describe. no f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project? If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur. 133 PM peak g• Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any: Improvement to Plaza Dr, and access rd. 15. Public Services a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection, police protection, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe. Fire and police Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any. None 16. Utilities a' Circle utilities currently available at the site: electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system, other. b. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service, and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might be needed. Electrical service by PSE, City of Yelm water and sewer service, telephone Yelm Telphone Co, Pacific dispsoal for refuse. Extension of step sewer and water. C. SIGNATURE Evaluation for Agency Use Only rl ~~l! ll~ ~.it The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the lead agency is relying on them to make its decision. Date Submitted: ~ ~~ Signature: -~~~~~,~_~(~~~Ll~ ~~ -9- To be Completed by Applicant Evaluation for ~encv Use Onlv -10- ~t ~i!. it ~~~, SE4lON30, TONNSSIPLti;RLVGEZ. W.i( ,a~.r.~T.« d ~ ~II ti g ~2~ei i ~' ~~ ~ ~ ~yN ~i~4a~ _ i.,. `~"'"~c C u ~ FoN z: a~ ~. J ` ~•.. ^l~`•.. -_~. ~ ~. t---. _._~_ ,.,,, ~ ,. ___.__~ _____J ___5.4 ~ •• .. .. . ala .. ....______ ..________________ ! Y. ._._._. _._._. ~ _ _~_ -~YELNAVE fSR_3aa ...m.. .-._. _._._._.-._._._._.- axf -._._.-._ 'I' •c a PAIR KENO i ore•R >> STR NOARO 3c ro r.c I 1C7RD $i $E ~~ I'^' e 1~ y4~ ~_ i w I i. i' 'qua ~ ~ ;, e:v:~ ~..;~'.~„ i~. VICINITY MAP ~ ~ ~ ~ t,,"~•°°"'°^""'°'°°°" N.T - ............... z : <:. og~ a ~~~ >, ~I k ti ;^ Z ~ ,, a yC„~"~ l'~_, e I t ~~ , ~_ ~!. ~~~ C', ti.