ENG SI REPORT 4.11.2024NELSON GEOTECHNICAL
ASSOCIATES. INC.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 11, 2024
TO: Mr. Garth Hitchens
C/O: Robin Kearsley — Kearsley Homes
FROM: Khaled M. Shawish, PE
Sarah L. Dunn, GIT
RE: Geotechnical Engineering Memorandum
Hitchens Residence Development
17901 Vista Del Mar Drive
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 1065318
17311-1351" Ave. N.E. Suite A-500
Woodinville, WA 98072
(425) 486-1669
www.nelsongeotech.com
t024
This memorandum presents our comments and recommendations regarding the drywell and permanent
erosion control at the Hitchens Residence Development project located at 17901 Vista Del Mar Drive in
Edmonds, Washington.
INTRODUCTION
A two-story, single-family residence with a daylight basement was recently constructed within the upper
east -central portion of the property. The western portion of the structure consists of cantilevered
building space, as well as main floor cantilevered deck areas. The upper eastern and central portions of
the site are generally relatively level to gently sloping with a steep northwest -facing bluff slope
descending from the central portion of the site down to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)
railroad and the shores of Puget Sound. We previously prepared a geotechnical engineering evaluation
for the residential development dated December 20, 2018, a memorandum regarding bluff setbacks and
vegetation management dated February 1, 2019, a plan review letter dated April 22, 2020, a dry season
grading extension letter dated April 2, 2021, and a memorandum dated June 17, 2021 regarding fencing
near the top of the bluff. We also provided geotechnical construction monitoring for the residence
development between May 13, 2021 and July 16, 2021 and recorded our observation in Field Reports 1
through 8. We understand that a drywell has been installed beneath the driveway on the south side of
the site and that the City of Edmonds is requiring a geotechnical review of the design and installation.
We also understand that final erosion control has been implemented.
Geotechnical Engineering Memorandum
Hitchens Residence Development
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 1065318
April 11, 2024
Page 2
For our use in preparing this memorandum we were provided with the following documents:
• An engineering memorandum titled "Installation of structural slab over infiltration gallery,
dated August 14, 2023, and prepared by Greg Guillen with CG Engineering.
• Drywell plans titled "Downspout Infiltration Drywell," dated July 5, 2023, and prepared by
Kearsley Homes, Inc.
• A site plan titled "Hitchens Residence," dated July 27, 2023, and prepared by Kearsley Homes,
Inc.
• A landscaping plan titled "Landscape Plan," dated August 15, 2020, and prepared by Kearsley
Homes, Inc.
• A site plan titled "Site Plan," dated March 28, 2024, and prepared by Kearsley Homes, Inc.
REVIEW
Drywell
We understand that a drywell has been constructed underlying the driveway on the south side of the
site to manage runoff from an additional 745 square feet of impervious surfaces. The plans indicate that
the system is 10 feet wide by 10 feet long, lined with filter fabric, and terminates 5.1 feet below finished
grade. Plans also show the bottom 2.5 feet of the system filled with 1%-inch clean crushed rock, topped
with 1 foot of 5/8 inch clean crushed rock, a 6-inch-thick layer of rebar reinforced concrete, and 6 inches
of compacted 5/8 inch minus crushed rock. We previously performed a geotechnical boring within the
vicinity of the new drywell, which extended 25.3 feet below the surface and encountered native
outwash soils at a depth of 4.0 feet, consisting of fine to coarse sand with gravel and silt. We have
reviewed photographs taken during installation and the base of the system appears to be within the
native recessional outwash soils. We understand the system was sized and designed using the
rtment of Ecoloev's 2019 Stormwater Manual for Western Washington (2019 SWMMWW
standards for fine or loamy sand. In our opinion, this is the appropriate classification for the native soils
within this site. No groundwater was encountered within the site during construction or within any of
our previous geotechnical borings. It is our opinion that the newly installed drywell has been designed
and installed in accordance with the 2019 SWMMWW and should be adequate to manage runoff
generated by the additional impervious areas without negatively affecting the subject or neighboring
structures.
NELSON GEOTECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Geotechnical Engineering Memorandum
Hitchens Residence Development
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 1065318
April 11, 2024
Page 3
Permanent Erosion Control
We visited the site on April 3, 2024 to evaluate the site conditions and landscaping. We observed that
turf has been placed within the yard area west of the residence. All other areas disturbed during
construction that were not covered by impervious materials were surfaced with mulch and planted with
native deep-rooted vegetation including: Weeping Canadian Hemlock, Mikawa yatsubusa Japanese
Maple, Salal, Oregon grape, and Winter green. We did not observe any exposed soils within the site
during our visit. Plans call for installation of matting secured with wire staples between the edge of the
grass and top of the slope. This was not installed at the time of our visit. However, in our opinion, with
the erosion control already in place, the matting can be omitted without negatively impacting site or
slope stability. It is also our opinion that the implemented planting and ground coverage provides
adequate permanent erosion control for this site.
Fencing
While onsite, we observed that the chain link fence previously situated at the top of the steep slope on
the west side of the site had been removed and replaced with a metal bar fence. We were not present
for the installation of the fence, nor did we provide any consultation during its design. However, the
homeowner informed us that the fence post extended a minimum of 2.0 feet below the ground surface.
We did not observe any leaning within the fence or signs of instability within the steep slope. In our
opinion, the newly installed fence has not negatively impacted site slopes and should be stable in its
current configuration.
We trust that this memorandum should satisfy your needs at this time. Please do not hesitate to
contact us should you require anything further.
NELSON GEOTECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.