Edmonds Formal Pre-Application Materials.pdf
Formal Pre-Application Meeting
Project Description Summary
Meadowdale Beach County Park is located at 6026 156th Street SW, Edmonds, Washington 98036. The
Park’s main access is an earthen trail from the upper parking lot, accessed from 156th Street SW. Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) access is provided from 75th Place W in Edmonds. The 108-acre Park consists of
several parcels and is owned by Snohomish County with Snohomish County Parks and Recreation as the
custodial operator. The park extends from the rim of Lund’s Gulch down to tidelands at the northern end of
Browns Bay on Puget Sound.
Snohomish County Parks and Recreation conducted a feasibility analysis and alternatives evaluation in 2015
to develop a preferred conceptual design plan to address beach access, flooding, maintenance, and fish
barrier issues associated with sediment deposition within the 6-foot-wide culvert for Lund’s Gulch Creek
under the BNSF railroad at Meadowdale Beach County Park. The feasibility study addressed public safety
issues involving the existing railroad crossing, improving ADA access to the beach, and improving habitat
conditions for salmon in the lower creek and creek delta. The feasibility study included completion of
numerous scientific and engineering studies and a significant stakeholder review process, providing several
opportunities throughout the process for the community, local organizations and municipalities, tribes,
permitting agencies, and BNSF to provide input and comment. Separate meetings were held with BNSF
and appropriate permitting agencies to review the preferred alternative, which is now under design.
The proposed Meadowdale Beach Park and Estuary Restoration Design Project is intended to address beach
access, flooding, maintenance, and fish barrier issues associated with sediment deposition within the 6-
foot-wide culvert for Lund’s Gulch Creek under the BNSF railroad at Meadowdale Beach County Park. There
are public safety and ADA access issues involving the existing railroad crossing, and there is a need to
improve habitat conditions for salmon in the lower creek and delta. The project would include replacement
of the culvert with a bridge, restoration and enhancement of the stream and estuary, and improvements to
park facilities. City of Edmonds staff have attended stakeholder meetings and the City has been involved in
the planning efforts to date. A Development Review Meeting is requested at this time to further discuss the
project, including coordination of the necessary permits and approvals.
Additional information on the proposed project can be found in the following attachments:
1) Design plan set
2) SEPA checklist
3) Critical Areas Report
4) Stormwater Site Plan/Drainage Report
These documents were prepared and recently submitted to Snohomish County, and also include
information on resources and conditions within the City of Edmonds, which will support the information
exchange at the pre-application meeting.
Formal Pre-Application Meeting
List of Questions Regarding Proposed Project
As shown on the design drawings, the majority of the project lies within Snohomish County, with a portion
of the project falling within the City of Edmonds jurisdiction. Habitat restoration and pedestrian access
improvements that are planned within the park would occur within Edmonds city limits. In addition, some
improvements to the access road (75th Place West) would also occur within the City of Edmonds.
A Design Review Committee meeting was held with the City of Edmonds on September 7, 2017. As a
follow-up to that conversation, we would like to review the following topics and questions:
1. Confirm the necessary permits and the application/review process for the City:
Land Use Review
State Environmental Policy Act process coordination; confirm ability for City to adopt the
County’s SEPA decision as discussed in September 2017.
Shorelines and Critical Areas review; confirm materials prepared for Snohomish County
will meet City’s needs
Design Review
Grading, fill, and excavation
Drainage review
2. Discuss the proposed haul route for the project and responses to questions raised during and
following the Design Review Committee meeting. Since the DRC meeting, our team has been able to
estimate a total of 1,700 truck trips will be required for material hauling for the project construction.
th
With respect to the need to use 75 Place for hauling material, the following is an excerpt of an e-mail
exchange between Joanne Zolauf and Logan Daniels, the Project Manager from Snohomish County
Parks and Recreation:
Joanne; What other options have you considered to hauling material to and from the site?
Would you mind elaborating on the path that lead you to consider 75th Pl the best option?
Logan: Parks and our team of Consultants did consider several different options for delivery and
removal of construction equipment and materials; as well as material hauling. These options included
water-based (using a barge and construction of a temporary trestle over Puget Sound to the beach
area), rail-line, helicopter, and the existing road-based access (75th Pl West via the ADA access road
into the Park). During our outreach with contractors and regulators, we found the setting and
topography of the site, and the potential for environmental damages limited the feasibility and
constructability of some of these options. At this time, making improvements to the ADA access road
is the preferred option.
3. Discuss the anticipated project schedule and confirm the anticipated permitting timeframe for the City.