AES #1.pdf66129/2005 17:88 4258275424
AESI
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Associated
Earth
Sciences,
(nc,
June 29, 2005
Project No, KE03537B
City of Edmonds
Community Services Department
121 5`h Avenue North
Edmonds, Washington 98020
. Attention: Ms. Jeannine Graf
RECEIVED
Building Official J U N 3 0 2005
Subject; Geotechnical Plan. Review BUILDING DEPT,
Michel Residence
15911 74"' Place- West
Edmonds, Washington
References: Geotechnical Review — Proposed New Residence
Dennis, M. Bruce, P.E., May 27, 2005
Geotechnical Evaluation and Foundation Recommendations
Dennis M. Bruce, P.E., March 29,,2001
15911 74t1i Ave West Declaration of Risk
Custom Design and Engineering, Inc., May 24, 2005
Storm Drainage Detention Report
Donna L. Breske; P.E., May 19, 2005
Grading, Drainage, Paving, TESL plan, Sheet 1 of I
Donna L Breske, P.E., dated 5/20/04 (stamped 5-23-05)
,Sheet, P I
McGrew Michel Building Design, 5.25,05
Topography Survey, Sheet 1 of 1
C & C Surveying, 9127102
Architectural Plans
McGrew Michel, dated 5,25.05
Kirkland 9f I Flfth Avenue, Suite 100 -Kirkland, WA98023 - Phone 4),5 827.7701 -Fax 425 827-5424
Everett 291: 1/z HewK1 Ave„ 5uitc 2, - EveretLWA 987-01 • f' hone 425 259-0522 - Fax 425 252-3449
06/29/2005 17:68 4258275424 AESI PAGE 03/05
Dear Ms. Graf-
As
raf
As requested, Associated Earth Scienccs, Inc. (AESI) has completed a geotechnical review of tike
above -referenced geotechnical report and development plans for the subject Michel residence.
Our geotechnical review was completed with respect to the Meadowdale Earth Subsidence
Landslide .Hazard Area Checklist criteria as contained in the City of Edmonds Ordinance 4 2561
and the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) Chapter 19.05.
Project Summary
AESI previously completed similar geotechnical reviews for the adjacent Hillman lot and Michel
lot at 15915 and 19517 70' Place West, respectively. The above -referenced geotechnical report
contains information indicating that both the Hillman and Michel lots are underlain by landslide
debris and may be susceptible to deep-seated landsli,ding and foundation settlement, and shallow -
seated debris flow landslides originating on the adjacent steep slopes. As such, pile foundation
support, debris flow protection, and surface drainage control were recommended for the lots at
15915 and 15917. and are also recommended for the subject 15911 Michel lot.
Review of the above -referenced plans indicates that the residence will be constructed by
completing a. tiered bench cut within the eastern section, and filling within the western section.
The out will be completed within the gently sloping area near the base of the steep bluff slope
forming the eastern section of the lot. Maximum cut slope heights will range between
approximately 5 to 9 feet, and maximum fill depths will be approximately 2 feet. The residence
will be supported. on a pile foundation consisting of4-inch-diameter pipe piles and grade beams.
A two-tiered rockery wall with tiers up to 7 feet high will be constructed along the north and east
margin,, of the lot to provide driveway access.
Review Comments
It is AESI's opinion. that the most critical geotechnical issues associated with development of the
site consists of landslide hazard mitigation, foundation support within the existing landslide
debris. and site grading and drainage. A discussion and our conclusions regarding each issue are
presented below, Review comments arc shown in italics.
Landslide Hazards
The general landslide hazard risk at the site has been defined by the GeoEngineers Landslide
Razard Map as ranging between 2 to 30 percent. project geotechD!cal information noted that
fractured silt zones were encountered at depths of 9 to 20 feet, in that the site has
experienced deep-seated Iandsliding in the past. Medium dense to dense soils located below 25
feet do not appear to have been disturbed by laadsliding. No definite signs of current deep-
seated landsliding are present. Gillen these site conditions, no change in the current landslide
hazard risk designalion appears necessary, Since the landslide hazard risk does not exceed 30
percent, site development world not be restricted.
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The upper 15 feet of soil appears to consist of unconsolidated landslide debris deposits with
entrained peat and woody debris. This would indicate that the site does experience debris flow
types of Iandslides within the site's colluvial slope soils, which, reach onto the proposed building
site. To mitigate potential debris flow landsliding, we propose extending the garage foundation
wall at least 4.feei above finished grades along the east side. To mitigate the potential for
foundation damage due to the effects of deep-seated landsliding, we propose that the foundations
should extend through the .sheared, fractured silt zone and gain bearing in the undisturbed soils
25 feet below the existing ground surface. The deep foundations would also be required to
supporr the residence above the upper 15 feet of unconsolidated debris deposits.
Foundation Support
As mentioned above. the upper 15 Feet of soil within the proposed building area appears to
consist of unconsoIidated landslide debris deposits with entrained peat and woody debris. Thus,
this material wotdd not provide suitable bearing support for conventional spread footing
foundations, due to the potential for long -terra differential settlements. To mitigate these poor
bearing conditions, deep foundations bearing in the undisturbed soils as recommended above
should be utilized.
Review of the project structural engineering plans by Custom Design and Engineering, Sheets s-
5, stamped May 25, 2005 show that the residence will be supported on 4 -inch -diameter driven
pipe piles. Notes should be added to these sheets calling out that pile hearing should be within
the undisturbed soils at a minimum depth of 25 feet below the existing ground surface and he
inspected by the project geotechnical engineer. Additionally, allowable axial compressive
capacities of the pipe piles, testing requirements, and coupling details or notes should he
indicated on the plans.
Site Gradintr and Drainage Im2rovernents
Given the variable consistency and loose to medium dense, unconsolidated, condition of the
surfiicial site soils, the planned excavation slopes are likely to be unstable and may require laying
back the excavation face at 1.5H:1 V (Horizontal: Vertical), or shallower as necessary. Notes
should be added specifying that the project geotechnical engineer .should be on .site to evaluate
the .suitability of any temporary slope cuts over 4 feet high. The above -referenced plans show a
proposed iwo-tiered rockery system with labeled tier heights up to 7 feet high and calculated tier
heights rap to 9 feet high based on the grading plan. A City of E•dnzonds "Tiered Rockeries
Detail" is included on the grading plan with a note indicating that the rockery tiers over 8 feet
high roust be designed and stamped by a licensed professional engineer, or if the City determines
(liar special conditions exist, such as the site being located in a critical area or the Meadowdale
Earth Subsidence Landslide Hazard Area. In our opinion, the .site is located within the
Meadowdale Earth Subsidence Landslide Hazard Area, and the rockeries appear to ,face cuts
over 8 feet high. AESI recommends site-specific engineering design of any rocker), over 4 feet
high located within the site's disturbed landslide debris soils. The rockeries should be designed
and stamped by a licensed professional engineer and include geogrid reinforcemenr as part of
the design.
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Site. drainage improvement should consist of controlling surface wafter flow and ground water
seepage from the base of the adjacent slope. Add surface drainage Swale to divert surface water
away from top of rockeries and bottom of slopes, especially near east side of the proposed
garage. The drains wirhin the rockeries located adjacent to the driveway parking area should
not be used .for this purpose, because the drain rock would be vulnerable to infill by slope
sedimentation. City code ollows,for non -building at -grade surface improvements within the 15 -
,foot building setback. Thus, a shallow graveled surface swale could be placed above the rockery
within the flatter portion of the 15 -foot building .setback. This drainage _feature would be
intended to intercept slope surface floor, and .shallow ground water .seepage prior to flov1
reaching the rockery and building site. The swale should be approximately 3 feet wide by 1.5
feet deep.
Conclusion
In summary. it is AESI's opinion that if the conditions discussed in this review are included with
the construction plans for the proposed Michel residence, the requirements of Chapter 19.05 of
the ECDC should be substantially satisfied.
This letter has been prepared for the exclusive use of the City of Edmonds Community Services
Department, Engineering Division and their agents, for specific application to this project.
Within the limitations of scope, schedule, and budget, our services have been performed in
accordance with generally accepted geotechnical engineering and engineering geology practices
in effect in this area at the time our review was completed. Noother warranty, express or
implied, is made.
We Appreciate the opportunity to be of service to the City of Edinonds on this project. Should
you have any questions regarding this letter or other geotechnical aspects of the project, please
call us at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
ASSOCIATED EARTH SCIENCES, INC.
Kirkland, Washington
<�T
.Y� n
r �
1-
G. Aaron McMichael, P.E., P.E.G.
Associate Engineer
9