2020.0004 SEPA Enviromental ChecklistInstructions:
Fee
City o f Ye l m Date Received
By
File No,
Community Development
Department
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHECKLIST
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requires all governmental agencies to
consider the environmental impacts of a proposal before making decisions. The
purpose of this checklist is to provide information to help identify impacts from your
proposal, to reduce or avoid impacts from the proposal if it can be done, and to help the
City decide whether an EIS is required. An environmental impact statement (EIS) must
be prepared for any proposal with probable significant adverse impacts on
environmental quality.
This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your
proposal. The City will use this checklist to determine whether the environmental
impacts of your proposal are significant and require preparation of an EIS. You must
answer each question accurately, carefully and to the best of your knowledge. Answer
the questions briefly, but give the best description you can. In most cases, you should
be able to answer the questions from your own observations or project plans without the
need for experts. If you do not know the answer, or if a question does not apply to your
proposal, write "do not know" or "does not apply". Complete answers to the questions
now may avoid delays later. If the space provided is too small, feel free to attach
additional sheets.
Some questions ask about governmental regulations, such as zoning, shoreline, and
landmark designations. Answer these questions if you can. If you have problems, the
city staff can assist you.
The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal even if you plan to do them
over a period of time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information
that will help describe your proposal or its environmental effects. You may be asked to
explain your answers or provide additional information for determining if there may be
significant adverse impacts.
Nonproject Proposals Only:
Complete both the checklist (even though many questions may be answered "does not
apply") and the Supplemental Sheet for Nonproject Actions (part D). For nonproject
actions, the references in the checklist to the words "project," "applicant," and "property
or site" should be read as "proposal," "proposer," and "affected geographic area,"
respectively.
105 Yelnz Aue W (360) 458-3835
Yelrn, WA 98597 (360) 458-3144 FA%
www.ci.yelm,wa.us
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CITY OF YELM
ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST
BACKGROUND
Name of proposed project, if any:
CITY USE ONLY
FEE: $150.00
DATE RECD
BY:
FILE NO.
Yelm Creek Apartments, Phase 2
Name of applicant:
Yelm Creek Lane, LLC, c/o Pat Rants
Address, phone number and email address of applicant and of any other contact person:
724 Columbia Street NW, Suite 140, Olympia WA 98501
Date checklist prepared:
January 27, 2020
Agency requesting checklist:
City ;V I
m
Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable):
Land Use and Construction Permits early 2020, Construction start fall 2020
Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain.
No.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal.
Critical area report; Geotechnical report; Phase 1 permit review by City of Yelm (1997)
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.
None identified.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
Administrative Land Use approval and SEPA determination; Public Works review and
Grading Permit; Building Permit;
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 1
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 those
answers on this page.
Two, 3 -story 12 unit apartment buildings, a 24 unit addition to existing 28 unit
apartment complex. Site improvements include utility connections, site lighting,
landscaping and stormwater facilities.
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. You need not duplicate maps or
detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist.
Site is located in S29 T17N R2E, on Parcel 64303400202 (unaddressed, located
immediately east of 16511 Creek Road (existing Yelm Creek Apartments Bldg #3).
The proposed buildings will be addressed individually during permitting].
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)?
3%
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.
McKenna gravelly silt loam and Spanaway gravelly sandy loam
d. Are there surface indications 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.
Grading will be limited to the parking and building areas in Ph.2 (roughly
1,800 cyds). This includes import of base and drainage materials.
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally
describe.
Erosion potential is slight; erosion could occur during grading activities on
soils that are not stabilized.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 2
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after
project construction such as asphalt or buildings?
Subject parcel will have 22.7% development coverage on completion.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if
any:
Use of temporary and permanent erosion control measures during and
following construction, including sediment traps and stabilized entrances.
2. Air
a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal (i.e., dust,
automobile exhaust, odors, industrial wood smoke) during construction and when
the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate
quantities if known.
Minor vehicle emissions (exhaust) proportionate to typical multifamily
developments of 24 du.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your
proposal? If so, generally describe.
No.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any:
Proposed landscaping and interior parking lot trees.
3. Water
a. Surface Water
1) Is there any surface water body or wetland on or in the immediate vicinity of the
site (including year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds)? If
yes, describe type and provide names. State what stream or river it flows into?
Site is adjacent to Yelm Creek (flows to Nisqually River). Yelm Creek is not a
part of the Shoreline Master Program.
2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 300 feet) the
described waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans.
Construction is proposed adjacent to a Riparian Habitat buffer required by
Yelm code. Minor buffer averaging is proposed with 3:1 replacement.
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 is proposed in water ways, nor within the 100 year flood plain. The
proposed development is outside the flood plain and HGW hazard areas.
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
063
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 3
5) Does the proposal he within a 100 -year floodplain? If so, note elevation on the
site plan.
The site plan depicts the 100 year floodplain from FIRM map 00000. Proposed
development will remain outside this line. BFE at site is 000.0
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.
No discharges to waters are proposed.
b. Groundwater:
1) Will groundwater be withdrawn, or will water be discharged to groundwater?
Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
No withrawals proposed. Site is on City water system.
2) Describe the underlying aquifer with regard to quality and quantity, sensitivity,
protection, recharge areas, etc.
Groundwater is relatively shallow, associated with Yelm Creek.
3) Describe waste material that will be discharged into or onto the ground from
septic tanks or other sources, if any (such as domestic sewage; industrial
byproducts; agricultural chemicals).
Sewer connection will be made to the existing STEP system on site (connected
to City of Yelm sewer.
c. Water Runoff (including storm water):
1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) 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 from roofs will be infiltrated using rain gardens. Runoff from new
parking surfaces will utilize a pervious pavement system to treabinfiltrate rainfall.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
Runoff will enter ground water through treatment soils in the pervious pavement
sYstem and rain garden system.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water
impacts, if any:
Stormwater runoff will be designed in accordance with the City of Yelm Drainage
Manual including BMP's for treatment and infiltration.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 4
Plants
a. Check or circle types of vegetation found on the site:
deciduous tree: alder, maple, oak, aspen, other
evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other
_ shrubs
--- grasses * adjacent to Yelm Creek
pasture
crops or grains
_ wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bulrush, 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?
Vegetation to be removed will include grasses and scotch broom; several deciduous
t ees((Cotonwood will be re oved at the SE corner of pha e 1. apartments.
C. List thYeatened or endangered species known to be on or near tie site.
Site has been reviewed and found negative for occurance of Mazama Pocket
Gopher (Soundview Consultants, Jan 2020)
d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or
enhance vegetation on the site, if any:
All disturbed areas will be landscaped in accordance with City of Yelm code
requirements including trees, shrubs and groundcovers or seeding.
5. Animals
a. Circle any birds and animals that have been observed on or near the site or are
known to be on or near the site:
birds: hawk, heron, ducks, eagle, songbirds,
other: common crow, flicker
mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: mice/voles
fish: bass, salmon, trout, shellfish, other:
b. List any priority, threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the
site. The critical area report identifies 4 subspecies of the Mazama Pocket Gopher
and six regulated fish species in Yelm Creek including Coho, Chinook, and
Steelhead salmon.
c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain.
Anadromous fish species utilize Yelm Creek. The region is part of the North
American Flyway for migratory bird species.
d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any:
Reduction of impact to Riparian Buffers through a minor buffer averaging.
Avoidance of any impact to waterways and flood zones.
6. Energy and Natural Resources
a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, gasoline, heating oil, wood, solar etc.)
will be used to meet the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it
will be used for heating, manufacturing, transportation, etc.
New apartments will use electric and gas for heating, lighting, cooking, etc.
typical of residential uses.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 5
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 V of this
proposal? List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if
any:
New building construction will comply with local and national energy codes.
7. Environmental Health
a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic
chemicals, risk of fire and explosion, spills, of hazardous waste, that could occur
as a result of this proposal? If so, describe.
No. No storage of fuels, chemicals, or hazardous materials is proposed.
1) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
None.
2) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any:
None.
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment operation, other)?
Local noise includes typical residential uses (vehicular traffic) and commercial
use (lumber yard) located adjacent to the south (low level truck/equipment noise).
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.
The apartments will generate low levels of vehicular traffic associated with
typical residential living areas.
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
Use of evergreen trees on south property boundary and within proposed
parking areas.
8. Land and Shoreline Use
a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties?
Parcel is undeveloped, originally planned as phase two of a two phase apart-
ment complex. Surrounding uses include single family residential and light ind.
b. Has the site been used for mineral excavation, agriculture or forestry? If so,
describe.
No.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 6
c. Describe any structures on the site.
None.
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
No.
e. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
Commercial
f. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
C-2 Commercial
g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the
site?
Yelm Creek is not within the Shoreline Master Program.
h. Has any part of the site been classified as a "natural resource", "critical" or
"environmentally sensitive" area? If so, specify.
The habitat report identifies Yelm Creek as a "Type F" stream.
Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
The project would create 24 dwelling units (roughly 50 persons).
j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
None.
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any:
None.
Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and
projected land uses and plans, if any:
Multifamily apartments is consistent with the Yelm Zoning code for C-2
uses.
9. Housing
a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high,
middle, or low-income housing.
Project would create 24 medium income dwelling units.
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether
high, middle, or low-income housing.
None.
City of Yel71
Environmental Checklist Page 7
c. 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 principal exterior building material(s) proposed?
Proposed buildings are 3 -story, approximately 35' at gable.
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
None.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
Proposed buildings will be designed to meet City of Yelm Design Standards
for commercial/multifamily buildings.
11. Light and Glare
a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it
mainly occur?
Buildings will produce little or no glare.
b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with
views?
No.
c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
None.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any:
Site lighting for parking lots is proposed including 20 pole lights which will
utilize cut-off luminaires to reduce off-site light at night.
12. Recreation
a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate
vicinity?
Site is close to Longmire City Park and Yelm schools.
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so,
describe.
No.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts or provide recreation
opportunities:
None.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 8
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, archeological,
scientific, or cultural importance known to be on or next to the site.
None identified. No resources are listed for this site on the WISSARD
(DAHP) data base.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts, if any:
Compliance with any City or Tribal "inadvertent discovery" conditions during
site construction.
14. Transportation
a. Identify sidewalks, trails, public streets and highways serving the site, and
describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if
any.
Site is served by Creek Street NE, a two lane road with no walks.
b. Is site currently served by public transit? By what means? If not, what plans exist
for transit service?
No. No transit serviced is proposed to the site. Yelm is served by Route 94
with Intercity Transit.
c. How many parking spaces would the completed project have? How many would
the project eliminate?
The project proposes 48 new parking stalls.
d. Will the proposal require any new sidewalks, trails, roads or streets, or
improvements to existing sidewalks, trails, roads or streets, not including
driveways? If so, generally describe (indicate whether public or private).
Project will connect to existing surface parking and aisles in the Yelm Ck
Apartments phase 1.
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.
Approximately 158 average daily trips or 14 PM peak hour trips (Per ITE Trip
Generation 7th Ed., LU 221)
g. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any:
Traffic impact fees if any apply.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 9
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:
Emergency, fire, and medical aide services may be required in proportion
to expansion of residential use.
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any.
Fire sprinkler system provisions within the apartment buildings, site lighting,
clear building numbering (per City standards).
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.
Project will extend and loop existing water main and provide additional fire
hyrants (City of Yelm water); connect to City of Yelm sewer; PSE electrical and
gas service, existing communication provider adjacent to site.
C. SIGNATURE
The above an
that the City o
Signature: �.
Date Submitted:
id complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand
on them to make its decision.
City of Yelm Environmental Checklist Page 70