PLN20120033 Request for Additional Info Sent 2-1-13.pdfInc. IBoo
February 1, 2013
CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5th AVENUE NORTH EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (425) 771-0220 • FAX (425) 771-0221
www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Tom and Lin Hillman
15915 — 74th Pl. W
Edmonds, WA 98026
DAVE EARLING
MAYOR
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PROPOSED SETBACK
AND CRITICAL AREAS VARIANCES, FILE NO. PLN20120033
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hillman:
Staff has reviewed the revised materials that you submitted on January 18, 2013 for your land use
application for a setback variance and critical areas variance to construct a new single-family residence at
1139 Sierra Place. During review of your revised materials, it was determined that additional
information/clarification is necessary. Please provide responses to the following items at your earliest
convenience so that staff s review of the proposal can continue and so that the public hearing can be
scheduled:
Your revised preliminary civil plans indicate a "modular block wall 1'-4' high" near the western
property line. Based on the elevations indicated on the civil plans, it appears that this wall would be
supporting fill material. As discussed in staff s October 23, 2012 request for additional information,
retaining walls that exceed three feet in height as measured over original grade must comply with
setback requirements. If the western retaining wall is going to exceed three feet in height over
original grade, it will need to be incorporated into your setback variance. Additionally, please note
that if there is a surcharge on the proposed wall, it will need to be engineered. Engineering of the
wall, if necessary, would be required as part of the building permit review process.
2. Since the stormwater outfall pipe is proposed to directly discharge into the stream, the project area
includes 'lands covered by water", which is an exception to the single-family residential exemption
.for SEPA review that you referenced from WAC 197-11-800. Therefore, the proposal requires
SEPA review. Please submit a completed and signed environmental checklist (enclosed) together
with the required $485 SEPA review fee. Note that payments must be submitted Monday through
Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
The following comments have been provided by Jennifer Lambert, Engineering Technician:
The Critical Area Study and Wetland Mitigation Plan states the following: "An existing man-made
trench that was constructed when the private driveway was built in the 1970's intercepts excess and
subsurface flows in the southwestern part of the site. Nevertheless, the applicant is proposing to
leave the culvert in place as a potential overflow channel for any stream high water event." Your
response letter states that the existing man-made trench will remain, but that the southwestern culvert
outlet is buried.
Incorporated August 11, 1890
Sister City - Hekinan, Japan
a. Please show the location of the existing man-made trench on the preliminary civil plans. If it is
not going to be feasible to utilize the existing man-made trench and southwestern culvert as the
overflow path as established in the 1970s, please provide an alternate plan for the excess and
subsurface flows that maintains existing site flow conditions. If an alternate overflow plan is
proposed, please provide documentation from the project biologist and engineer that the proposal
will mirror the existing site flow conditions and that the existing path is no longer needed.
b. If the existing man-made trench and southwest culvert are to remain as the overflow path, please
conduct the following:
i. It appears that the proposed modular block wall along the western side of the site is
blocking the southwest culvert. Access to the southwest culvert must be maintained.
Therefore, the preliminary civil plans must be revised so that the modular block wall does
not block the access.
ii. If the modular block wall is within the man-made trench, the modular block wall must be
relocated such that it is not within the trench.
iii. If the proposed detention system is within the man-made trench, the detention system must
be relocated such that it is not within the trench.
4. On Sheet 2 of the preliminary civil plans, please remove the following note: "Existing man-made
drainage ditch to remain per review comment 6(f) from city engineering technician Jennifer Lambert
included in City letter dated October 23, 2012.".
Please submit the above information to Jen Machuga, Associate Planner, as soon as possible, so that staff
may continue processing your application and so that the public hearing can be scheduled. Please keep
in mind that a complete response to this information request must be received within 90 days or the
application will lapse for lack of information (ECDC 20.02.003.D). Thus, your application will expire
if the requested information is not received by May 2, 2013.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at (425) 771-0220, extension 1224. Any
questions related to the proposed stormwater system can be directed to Jennifer Lambert, Engineering
Technician, at (425) 771-0220, extension 1321.
Sincerely,
Development Services Department - Planning Division
Jennifer Machuga
Associate Planner
Cc: File No. PLN20120033
Enclosure: Environmental Checklist
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