HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-2009 - Supplemental Materialsand extending 70 feet in length from the shoreline. The dock included two slips for the
two maintenance work boats, which are 42 feet and 20 feet long. According to WSDOT,
the original design was based on the maintenance facility that supports the 1-90 floating
bridge.
Chanaes to the Maintenance Dock Proposal
It should be noted that the length and design of the dock and slips is not finalized. The
new design is being presented in the technical documents being prepared for a Draft
Supplemental EIS, which is being prepared for the bridge replacement segment of the
SR 520 projects.
Subsequent to the release of the 2006 Draft EIS, WSDOT took a closer examination of
the maintenance dock. Of concern was the ability to safely utilize the dock during storm
events. Two important issues arose:
• Wave action generated by storm events and possibly earthquakes can cause
the dock to become unsafe for crews to operate on.
• The area just off the beach in the vicinity of the proposed dock has been
historically mapped as a sockeye spawning area.
According to WSDOT, the 2006 design of the dock does not address the above
concerns. A technical work group was formed to discuss alternatives. The group
consisted of federal, state and local agencies who met in September and November
2007. The September meeting included Medina staff; however, the November meeting
did not. Consistency with the Medina shoreline regulations was raised during both
meetings, but it is not clear what happened with these discussions.
The technical work group discussed several alternatives including cutting slips into the
bank of the shoreline. However, this option was considered to environmentally intrusive
due to the amount of dredging required. Since the November 2007 meeting, there have
been no follow-up meetings with the group to discuss the dock.
The new design being shown in the technical reports shows the dock extending 260 feet
in length from the shoreline. According to WSDOT, the proposed length is based on the
following:
• Distancing the boat slips from the near -shore sockeye spawning areas;
• Angling the boat slips in a manner that maximizes protection from waive action;
and
• Providing room for the maintenance boats to enter and exit the boat slips.
According to WSDOT, a study was prepared evaluating the affects of storms and wave
action, which has led to the current proposed configuration. However, this study has
not been released for public consumption at this time.
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ofE CITY OF MEDINA
501 Evergreen Point Road, Medina WA 98039
425.233.6400 (phone) 425.454.8490 (fax) www.medina-wIM
i
TO: City Council
FROM: Robert J. Grumbach, AICP
VIA: Donna Hanson, City Manager
DATE: August 10, 2009
SUBJECT: SR-520 MAINTENANCE FACILITY & DOCK
Summary:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is exploring a proposal
to construct a 1,200 square foot SR-520 maintenance facility underneath the east
bridge approach to the floating bridge in Medina. The maintenance facility would house
a crew duty station and provide shop space for minor bridge work, staging for
maintenance materials, and moorage for two work boats used by the crews. A 260-foot
dock would provide moorage.
Background:
Site Selection
The site location for the maintenance facility was based on a selection process initiated
by WSDOT. Medina was selected primarily because:
• The site can be easily supported by WSDOT's road maintenance facility located
at 10833 Northup Way, Bellevue.
• The location provides close proximity to the SR 520 floating bridge for efficient
crew work.
• The site provides the best desired response time by crews during an emergency.
• The site would eliminate a need for crews to cross the bridge during storms and
other emergencies.
• The water is a good location to moor the two work boats.
• The hillside allows for the facility to be screened from the public.
• The location provides the safest functional solution by minimizing the need for
on -lake travel during major wind storms where it would be unsafe to navigate the
waters of Portage Bay, the Montlake Cut and north Lake Washington.
Original Maintenance Dock Proposal
In 2006, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) was released for the SR
520 project. The dock for the maintenance facility was shown to be 10 to 20 feet wide
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CITY OF MEDINA
Office of the City Manager
August 10, 2009
To: Mayor and City Council
Via: Donna Hanson, City Manager
From: Robert J. Grumbach, AICP, Director of Development Services
Subject: Supplement to Monthly Development Services Report - Noise
The information contained in this memo was meant to be included in the August
Monthly Development Services Report, but was inadvertently left out. During the
July 13 council meeting, it was discussed about changing the city's present policy
to share the cost of noise enforcement, which is done by the party making the
complaint being responsible for the cost of noise testing. The city than incurs the
remaining costs of enforcement.
Further research and discussion is necessary as this change would not be minor.
The change would have budgetary impacts as the cost of noise testing would
become a new expenditure by the city. Off -setting this cost requires some in-
depth review of options. The concept of reimbursing the complainant by the
violator if a noise violation is found to exist is a novel concept for civil violations
and requires further research by the city attorney. There are other possible
options including increasing building and land use permit fees, or evaluating the
city's policy of not assessing monetary penalties when a violator makes a good -
faith effort to voluntarily correct a violation.
Additionally, a change in policy will necessitate Development Services modifying
current building and mechanical inspection requirements for noise compliance in
order to avoid double testing on projects.
Staff recommends moving this to a study session discussion where an analysis of
potential budget and policy implications can be better presented.
Medina Shoreline Management Master Program
The following is a summary of Medina's regulations relating to docks and piers:
- Length is limited to 100 feet from ordinary high water mark.
- Width must be the minimum necessary for reasonable use.
- Length and overall square footage should be compatible with the depth of
water and piers on adjacent properties.
- Does not create an obstacle to access and navigation by neighboring
properties.
- Pilings to not extend more than 5 feet above the pier or wharf deck.
- Skirting is restricted including no skirting allowed within 24 feet of the
shoreline.
- Docks and piers shall be setback at least 12 feet from side property lines,
except for shared facilities.
- Lighting must be directed away from adjacent properties.
Shoreline Variance
A request for a 260-foot long dock will require approval of a shoreline variance. The
process for a shoreline variance includes notice and a public hearing before the Medina
Hearing Examiner. The hearing examiner makes a recommendation that is sent to the
Department of Ecology who will make the final decision.
Any property owner may apply for a shoreline variance. However, a shoreline variance
may be granted for a dock only when the following criteria are satisfied:
• That the strict application of the bulk, dimensional or performance standards set
forth in the applicable master program precludes all reasonable use of the
property.
• That the public rights of navigation and use of the shorelines will not be adversely
affected.
• That the hardship is specifically related to the property, and is the result of unique
conditions such as irregular lot shape, size, or natural features and the
application of the master program, and not, for example, from deed restrictions or
the applicant's own actions.
• That the design of the project is compatible with other authorized uses within the
area and with uses planned for the area under the comprehensive plan and
shoreline master program and will not cause adverse impacts to the shoreline
environment.
• That the variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege not enjoyed by the
other properties in the area.
• That the variance requested is the minimum necessary to afford relief.
• That the public interest will suffer no substantial detrimental effect.
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Anticipated Timelines:
• WSDOT has indicated that the technical work group for the maintenance facility will
begin meeting again to discuss the dock in September 2009. The meetings will
include federal, state and local jurisdictions, including Medina.
• Review of the technical documents and discipline reports are scheduled to be
completed this fall with public release of the Draft Supplemental EIS scheduled
during November 2009.
• A Final Supplemental EIS is anticipated to take 8 months and would be issued
around mid -year 2010.
• Applications for shoreline permits can be processed once the Supplement EIS is
final and all appeal periods are completed.
Conceptual Plan View of Bridge Maintenance Facility Dock (Draft Description of
Alternatives Discipline Report)
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