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STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
PO Box 47775 • Olympia, Washington 98504-7775 • (360) 407-6300
February 2, 2005
Ms. Tami Merriman
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
PO Box 479
Yelm, WA 98597
Dear Ms. Merriman:
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Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the notice of application for the Cullens Road Preliminary
Plat project (Land Use Case No. SUB-OS-0003-YL) located at 9301 and 9329 Cullens Road Southeast as
proposed by Don Findlay. We reviewed the environmental checklist and have the following comments:
WATER QUALITY: Margaret Hill (360) 407-0246
Erosion control measures must be in place prior to any clearing, grading, or construction. These control
measures must be effective to prevent stormwater runoff from carrying soil and other pollutants into
surface water or storm drains that lead to waters of the state. Sand, silt, clay particles, and soil will
damage aquatic habitat and are considered to be pollutants.
Any discharge of sediment-laden runoff or other pollutants to waters of the state is in violation of Chapter
90.48, Water Pollution Control, and WAC 173-201A, Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the
State of Washington, and is subject to enforcement action.
During construction, all releases of oils, hydraulic fluids, fuels, other petroleum products, paints, solvents,
and other deleterious materials must be contained and removed in a manner that will prevent their
discharge to waters and soils of the state. The cleanup of spills should take precedence over other work
on the site.
Coverage under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination system (NPDES) and State Waste
Discharge General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities is required
for construction sites which disturb an area of five acres or more and which have or will have a discharge
of stormwater to surface water or a storm sewer.
If you have any questions or would like to respond to these comments please contact the appropriate
reviewing staff listed above.
Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
(AW: Cullens Road Preliminary Plat)
cc: Margaret Hill, WQ
Don Findlay (Applicant)
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ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST
A. BACKGROi1ND
1. Name of proposed project, if applicable:
Cullens Road Plat
2. Name of applicant:
Don Findlay
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
Don Findlay Cathie Carlson
P O Box 310 Parametrix
Gig Harbor, WA 98335 8830 Tallon Lane
Phone: (253) 380-7000 Lacey, WA 98516
Phone: (360) 459-3609
4. Date checklist prepared:
November 30, 2004
5. Agency requesting checklist:
City of Yelm
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable)
Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring, 2005.
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected
with this proposal? If yes, explain.
None beyond construction of the subdivision.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared,
directly related to this proposal.
Environmental Checklist, Soils Investigation, Erosion Control Plan, Storm Drainage Report,
Grading Plan, Traffic Impact Analysis
9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals
directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain.
We are not aware of any pending applications or other proposals that would affect this
property.
Environmental Checklist Page 1
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
SEPA Determination, Grading Plan Approval, Engineering Plan Approval, Preliminary Plat
Approval, Final Plat Approval.
11. Give 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 these answers on this page. (Lead agencies
may modify their form to include additional specific information on project description.)
Development of a 30-lot single family subdivision on 6.53 acres with associated open space,
storm drainage, landscaping and buffering.
12. Location of 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 known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or 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 or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this
checklist.
The proposal is located at 9301 and 9329 Cullens Road, Yelm, in Section 24, Township 17,
Range IE, Tax Parcels 21724110100 and 21724110101.
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AGENCY USE ONLY
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
1. Earth
a) General description of the site (circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes,
mountainous, other....
Overall site relief is about 14 feet. On-site elevation ranges from 336 feet in
the center of the property running north and south to a high of 350 feet in the
northeast corner of the site.
b) What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)?
According to the Thurston County Soil Survey, the steepest slope on site is
IS%.
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, specify
them and note any prime farmland.
The Thurston County Soil Survey lists soils on site as Spanaway gravelly
sandy loam, 0-3% and 3-IS% slopes.
d) Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate
vicinity? If so, describe.
There are no known indications or history of unstable soils.
e) Describe the purpose, type and approximate quantities of any filling or grading
proposed. Indicate source of fill.
Grading and filling will be minimal because the site is relatively flat.
Approximately 5,243 cubic yards of material will be cut for wetponds and
infiltration ponds, and approximately 3,696 yards of fill will be utilized in
development of the project.
f) Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so,
generally describe.
Erosion is always a possibility on construction sites. See h) below for
proposed control methods.
g) About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after
project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
Approximately 46.67% of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces
(roads, sidewalks, and existing house).
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h) Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if
any:
An erosion control plan will be prepared in accordance with City of Yelm
standards, and approved by the City. Erosion control fencing and other
devices will be used to ensure no materials leave the site.
2. Air
a) What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal (i.e., dust,
automobiles, odors, industrial wood smoke) during construction and when the
project is completed: If any, generally describe and give approximate
quantities if known.
During construction, emissions to the air will be released by construction
vehicles and heavy equipment. Following construction, emissions from
residents' vehicles will be released. All emission quantities are anticipated to
be within normal ranges for residential subdivisions.
b) Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your
proposal? If so, generally describe.
There are no known off-site sources of emissions or odor that would affect
this proposal.
c) Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if
any:
All heavy equipment will be fitted with required emission control devices.
3. 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.
The nearest water body is Yelm Creek, located approximately 600 feet
east of the site.
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.
The project will not require any work over, in, or adjacent to Yelm
Creek.
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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.
No fill and dredge material will be placed in or removed from surface
water or wetlands.
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions?
Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if
known.
The proposal will not require surface water withdrawals or
diversions.
5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location
on the site plan.
The proposal does not lie within a 100 year floodplain.
6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface
waters? If so, describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of
discharge.
The proposal does not involve any discharges of waste materials to
surface waters.
b) Ground:
1) Will ground water be withdrawn, or will water be discharged to ground
water? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities
if known.
No ground water will be withdrawn and no water will be discharged
to ground water.
2) Describe waste materials 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.).
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.
No waste materials will be discharged in to the ground from septic
tanks or other sources. Homes in the subdivision will be connected to
City of Yelm S. T.E.P. sewer.
c) Water runoff (including stormwater)
1) Describe the source of runoff (including stormwater) and method of
collection and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where
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EVALUATION FOR
AGENCY USE ONLY
will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If so,
describe.
Runoff will be generated by roadways, driveways, and rooftops.
Runoff will be collected and treated prior to infiltration into the
ground.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally
describe.
It is unlikely that waste materials will enter ground or surface waters
as a result of this proposal.
d) Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water
impacts, if any:
Stormwater systems will be designed in accordance with the City of Yelm's
requirements and approved by the -City prior to .construction. Stormwater
will be treated prior to infiltration into the ground.
4. Plants
a) Check or circle types of vegetation found on the site:
X deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other
X evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other
shrubs
X grass
pasture
crop or grain
wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other
water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other
other types of vegetation
b) What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
Trees and grass will be removed during clearing and grading for
construction. Cleared areas will be replanted and landscaped.
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:
A landscape and irrigation plan will be prepared in accordance with City of
Yelm regulations and reviewed and approved by the City.
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5. Animals
EVALUATION FOR
AGENCY USE ONLY
a) Circle any birds and animals which have been observed on or near the site or
are known to be on or near the site:
birds: hawk, heron, eagle, son bg irds, other:
mammals: deer, beer, 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, please explain.
The site has not been identified as part of a migration route.
c) Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any:
None needed.
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.
Electricity and natural gas will be used by the completed homes for heating.
b) Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent
properties? If so, generally describe.
The project will not affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent
properties.
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:
The homes will be constructed in accordance with the Uniform Building
Code and Washington Energy Code standards.
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 occur
as a result of this proposal? If so, describe.
No environmental health hazards would occur as a result of this proposal.
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1) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
No special emergency services would be required.
2) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards,
if any:
None needed.
b) Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for
example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)?
Cullens Road is classified as a neighborhood collector by the City of
Yelm. Traffic noise typical of a residential neighborhood exists in the
project vicinity.
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.
In the short term, heavy equipment and construction vehicles would
generate noise. Long term noise would include noise from residents'
vehicles and activities.
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
Standard muffling equipment will be installed on all heavy
equipment.
8. Land and shoreline use
a) What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties?
The site is predominantly pasture with some large trees. There are currently
two homes on the site. Surrounding properties are developed with single
family residences or are vacant. Cherry Meadows, a 205-unit single family
residential plat (formerly referred to as Yelm Subdivision), is planned
immediately to the north of the site.
b) Has the site been used for agriculture? If so, describe.
The site has not been used for agriculture in recent years.
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c) Describe any structures on site.
EVALUATION FOR
AGENCY USE ONLY
One home and garage are located in the northwest portion of the site. A
second home is in the southeastern portion of the site. Some smaller
outbuildings are also located on the property.
d) Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
The garage in the northwest corner and the outbuildings will be demolished.
e) What is the current zoning classification of the site?
The current zoning classification of the site is R-6 Moderate Density
Residential.
f) What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site:
The current comprehensive plan designation of the site is R-6 Moderate
Density Residential.
g) If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the
site:
Not applicable.
h) Has any part of the site been classified as an "environmentally sensitive" area?
If so, specify.
No portion of the site has been classified as "environmentally sensitive";
however, all of the City of Yelm is located within an aquifer recharge area.
i) Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed
project?
According to the Thurston County Profile, the average household size in
Yelm in 2000 was 2.67 persons. Therefore, it is anticipated that
approximately 80 people would live in the completed project.
j) Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
No people would be displaced by the completed project.
k) Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any:
None needed.
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1) Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and
projected land uses and plans, if any:
The project will be designed to meet or exceed all of the City of Yelm's zoning
regulations. All plans will be reviewed and approved by the City to ensure
compliance with all applicable adopted ordinances.
9. Housing
a) Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether
high., middle or low income housing.
30 middle income units would be provided.
b) Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether
high, middle or low-income housing.
No units would be eliminated by the project.
c) Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any?
None needed.
10. Aesthetics
a) What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas:
What is the principal exterior building material(s) proposed?
The maximum height of a building in this Zone is 35 feet. No homes would
exceed this limit. The principal exterior building material(s) would be
decided by the builders/purchasers of the houses.
b) What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
The site would be changed from an open pasture to a residential subdivision.
c) Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
None needed.
11. Light and Glare
a) What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would
it mainly occur?
The proposal would produce lighting of homes typical of a residential
subdivision. Street lighting will be designed and installed as required by the
City of Yelm.
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AGENCY USE ONLY
b) Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere
with views?
Lighting will be designed and installed as required by the City of Yelm and
will comply with all safety standards.
c) What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
There are no off-site sources of light or glare that would affect the proposal.
d) Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any:
None needed.
12. Recreation
a) What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate
vicinity?
None are located in the immediate vicinity.
b) Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so,
describe.
No existing recreational uses will be displaced.
c) Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including
recreation opportunities to be provided by the project, or applicant, if any:
None needed.
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 needed.
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14. Transportation
a) Identify public streets and highways serving the site, and describe proposed
access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any.
Proposed access to the site is from Cullens Road. Cullens Road provides a
route to Yelm Avenue.
b) Is site currently served by public transit? If not, what is the approximate
distance to the nearest transit stop?
Intercity Transit Route 94 provides hourly service on weekdays and Saturdays
along Yelm Avenue. On Saturdays, Route 93 provides hourly service from
Nisqually Plaza along Middle Road, Canal Road, Crystal Springs Road,
Coates, and Cullens to Yelm Avenue.
c) How many parking spaces would the completed project have? How many
would the project eliminate?
The project will provide at least two off-street parking spaces for each new
dwelling unit. No parking spaces will be eliminated.
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).
The proposal will construct new internal roads to the Ciry of Yelm's local
access residential standard. It will also construct frontage improvements
along the project's frontage on Cullens Road. These improvements will be
constructed to a neighborhood collector standard.
e) Will the project use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air
transportation? If so, generally describe.
The project will not use or occur in the immediate vicinity of water, rail or air
transportation.
f) How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed
project. If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur.
According to the current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers
(ITE) Trip Generation report, the Single Family Detached Housing land use
(Land Use code 210) generates 9.57 daily trips per dwelling unit, or a total of
287 daily trips for this project. It lists a PM peak hour trip generation rate of
1.01 per unit, which equates to 30 trips in the PM Peak hour.
g) Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any.
According the Traffic Impact Analysis prepared by Parametric for the
project, the developer will be responsible for the following:
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EVALUATION FOR
AGENCY USE ONLY
The developer will be required to pay a Transportation Impact Fee
per the Ciry of Yelm Transportation Impact Fee ordinance. The fee
will be determined by the City of Yelm.
The developer will be required to allow future development to the
south to connect to the proposed roadway network internal to the plat.
The design and construction of the future connection would be at the
expense of the adjacent property owner.
The planned improvements to the Yelm Highway/Cullens Road
intersection are expected to be constructed by the developer of the
Cherry Meadows development prior to development of the Cullens
Road Plat. If the intersection improvements are not constructed by
the developer of the Cherry Meadows project, the developer of the
Cullens Road Plat may be responsible for some or all of the planned
improvements. The intersection analysis should be re-evaluated to
determine the extent of the intersection improvements that would be
needed if Cherry Meadows does not develop.
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.
The project may require occasional policy, fire or emergency medical
response. Children from the development will attend Yelm schools.
b) Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public service, if any:
The developer will negotiate an agreement with Ye'lm School District to
mitigate impacts to the school district.
16. Utilities
a) Circle utilities currently available at the site: electricity, natural has, 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.
Electricity
Natural Gas
Water
Sanitary Sewer
Telephone
Refuse Service
Puget Sound Energy
Puget Sound Energy
City of Yelm
City of Yelm S.T.E.P. sewer
Yelm Telephone
Le May, Inc.
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C. SIGNATURE
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.
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Signature
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Date submit ed
Environmental Checklist Page 14