03 - Reconsideration NichollsFrom:
ill Nicholls
Box 2107
Yelm, A 9859`7
(360) 458-9851
November 14, 2005
REQUEST FOR COSIDE TION
Case No.: P-OS-0091-Y Wal-Mart Supercenter
TRO CTION
As a party of record, I herewith submit to The Yet Community Development
Department this Request for Reconsideration by the Hearing Examiner. As specified by
the letter, a copy of page 45 of the Report and Decision document is attached
(Attachment I).
l l/14/0S - Q2:32:39 PM 1
rrnrs in the Baring Examiner's ekermination of DNS
Incomplete Record -Four Essential Studies witted
I: Traffic and Air Quality Considerations
The Transpo TIA failed to include any analysis of Air Quality or Qdor, items which are
listed under VUAC 197-11-444 -Elements of the environment. Consider the forecast of
more than 8,040 additional vehicles per day, probably more than 9,Q00 with fu e
gro
I'~ot only will there be more vehicles, they will cause the total traffic to move more
slowly, extending the time that the vehicles will be adding pollutants to the air. It is
patently obvious that this will significantly increase air pollution in the Yelm corridor
area,articularly around the proposed Walmart site.
The Transpo TIA report does not address these issues even though it is clearly a
significant impact with an almost 20% increase in total traffic. This, combined with
slower travel raises a high probability of a 3d°~o or larger increase in pollution at the
almart site and in the Yel Avenue corridor.
The Transpo TIA also fails in its non-standard use of helm. LfJS calculations. As a
scientist, it is clear that averaging all four traffic directions *guarantees* that the main
road traffic delays will be underreported, as is documented in my 23 round trips through
Y~elm during the 4 to P rush hour. {Hearing Examiner's exhibit x#69)
Given these obvious and significant errors concerning Air Pollution, Odor, and LQS
calculations, it is the fiduciary duty of the caring Examiner to reverse his support of
1~tS and require that the Transpo TIA be redone with proper attention to standards as
well as pollution issues.
11114/OS - 02:32:39 PM 2
I: School Es Issues
School bus travel is currently in the 1 to 1.S hour vicinity far a large praportion of the
school children served by the Yelm school system. This is before the additional traffic is
added, much of it at the same peak times that school buses must work.
The worst aspect of this is that young children at a vulnerable age will now be exposed
for longer times to higher concentrations of pollutants, aggravating an already
significant incidence of respiratory problems in the local area. These problems are
indicative of pollution currently at a level above no al for ral areas,
The effects of the traffic delays includes longer school days, less recreation time, less
time for homework or sleep, and an increase in health problems, This issue will not go
away by being ignored.
Schools are one of the items which is listed under WA 197-11-444 -Elements of the
environment. It is the fiduciary duty of the Baring Examiner to reverse his support of
NS and require that the Transpo TIA be redone with proper attention to school bus
travel times and the associated health effects on children at a vulnerable age.
l lfl4/5 - 2:32:39 P
III: I~'oot Traffic
The parking spaces have been calculated for shoppers and staff, but not including a large
number of non shoppers. I addition, pedestrian traffic crossing the road has only been
casually treated. Because of these factors, there is a high probability that the Walmart
site will e much more densely populated than planned, and many will not be shoppers.
To prevent this attractiveness from becoming a problem, the study for parking needs to
be redone to increase the spaces, and if Walmart were inclined to help Yelm, to add an
outside, partially sheltered area where young adults could "Hang out" without disrupting
real shoppers.
In light of the failure of the studies to identify and propose solutions to this probable
additional traffic, it is essential. for the Hearing Examiner to reject the finding of DNS.
e should also add this additional traffic, both foot and car, to the incomplete studies
and require that the appropriate studies be redone with them included.
llt141o5 - 02:32.39 PM 4
I Consideration of the ole
ile each point and issue has been. reviewed, some rather more briefly than they
should have, the overriding failure of the DNS and the Hearing Examiner's review is
the failure to consider all of the effects of a Walmart Superstore taken together as they
affect el in its entirety.
Traffic has been the biggest issue for many people, but that is probably because it is the
ost obvious far those of use who live and travel in these environs. Each impact of a
Walmart Superstore inay not be large enough to justify a reversal of the MDNS, though
I believe I have shown otherwise.
What is most crucial in this Review, and most missing, is a Consideration of the Whole.
These effects will not arrive one at a time, in a slow manner so we may manage them
one by one. Indeed, the show starts when they break ground, and the band and the
elephants arrive when the store opens.
Given that the biggest failure of the studies is their lack of a cumulative impact
overview, it is essential for the Community of Yelm that the Hearing Examiner reject
the incomplete MDNS, add the essential overview and add the summary of impacts to
the required studies.
For the sake of not damaging or destroying a unique community, I urge the Hearing
Examiner reject the MDNS and require that the studies be done correctly, with. all
elements included, as listed in WAC 197-11-444.
Submitted 14Nov~QQS by Bill Nicholls
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