GWP ComfortStationFINAL SEPA Checklist Signed
GWP ComfortStationFINAL SEPA Checklist Signed
GWP ComfortStationFINAL SEPA Checklist Signed
A. Background
2. Name of applicant:
City of Seattle, Dept of Parks and Recreation
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with
this proposal? If yes, explain.
No.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared,
directly related to this proposal.
1999 Consent Decree – Washington State DOE – 1999 Cleanup Action Plan
Construction Sediment Control Plan
Storm Water Drainage Report and SWPPP
Geotechnical Report
9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly
affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain.
None known.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
City of Seattle, Demolition Permit
City of Seattle, Construction Permit
11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the
project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain
aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. (Lead agencies
may modify this form to include additional specific information on project description.)
This project will replace an existing Comfort Station (restroom & concessions structure) with a
new Comfort Station (4 restroom stations) in the same location with a reduced footprint.
Existing pathways and ADA parking will also be renovated from the park’s East Entry and
parking facility to the new Comfort Station and Picnic Barn Plaza areas. A new accessible
ramp will also be installed along with a portion of the Burke Gilman Trail between Northlake
Way and the East Entry. All replaced and renovated facilities will incorporate accessibility in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as SPR’s intent to enhance
access to this major regional landmark park/open space. In addition, lawn areas adjacent to
the pathway improvements will be improved with better draining soil for ease of maintenance,
and irrigation and landscape improvements constructed.
12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of
your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and range, if known.
If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide
a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you
should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed
plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist.
Location:
The proposal site is currently known as Gas Works Park – specific project work located
around the existing Comfort Station and East Entry landing, parking area and associated
access pathways and is located at:
Legal:
Legal Description: BURKES 1ST ADD ALL BLKS 1 & 2 4 THRU 6 & 9 THRU 11 ALSO BLKS 42
THRU 44 LAKE UNION SHORELANDS ALSO BLK 3 LLEWELLYN'S SUPL BLK 3 BURKES 1ST
ALSO BLK 43A LAKE UNION SD LDS 2ND SUPL TGW POR VAC STS ADJ LESS ST & TGW
POR VAC N NORTHLAKE PL ADJ AS VAC BY SEATTLE ORD NO 112955
Parcel: 1249700005
1. Earth
c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat, muck)? If you
know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any agricultural land of long-term
commercial significance and whether the proposal results in removing any of these soils.
Fill extends to approximately 16 to 20 feet below ground surface (bgs), consisting of loose to
medium dense poorly graded sand and gravel with silt and debris (e.g., concrete rubble). Fill
is locally underlain by a silt layer and native outwash deposit consisting of silts and sands.
A hard till layer is present beneath the entire project area starting at approximately 35 feet
below ground surface.
Soils within the depths expected to be encountered with this redevelopment include: Silt and
silty sand.
d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so,
describe.
None known.
e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of any
filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate source of fill.
Grades at the site will be adjusted to provide accessible routes and proper drainage for paved
and grass areas.
The following earthwork and estimated quantities of earth moving in cubic yards (cy) are
approximate at the time of writing:
Cut: 400 CY
Fill: 200 CY
Max Cut: 3 FT
Max Fill: 3 FT
Engineered aggregates will be sourced from licensed, permitted commercial sand & gravel
pits or quarries.
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for
example, asphalt or buildings)?
Within the Gas Works Park project limits, approximately 50% of the site will be covered with
impervious surfaces after the project is completed including building structure and asphalt –
brick surfaces. New renovated impervious surface will be slightly less than existing
impervious surface.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any:
To the extent possible the disturbed area of the Proposal site will be limited to minimize
erosion potential. Structural practices to control erosion include a stabilized construction
exit, filter fabric fence for perimeter siltation control, temporary interceptor trenches, check
dams and a sediment settling tank. All catch basins in the vicinity of the work will have
erosion protection throughout the construction period. All work will be performed in
compliance with local and state code and permitting requirements.
2. Air
a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction, operation, and
maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate
quantities if known.
During construction, emissions to the air in the form of dust and exhaust from
transportation and construction equipment can be expected to occur. Earth moving
activities and resulting airborne dust are restricted by State and Local Code, however there
will be an increase in passenger vehicle trips to and from the site during the construction
work week. No additional emissions than currently exist on the site would result following
completion of construction.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so, generally
describe.
None known.
3. Water
a. Surface Water:
2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described waters? If
yes, please describe and attach available plans.
Yes, the project site is within 200 feet of Lake Union. No over-water work is proposed.
BMPs will be implemented during construction to protect Lake Union. The attached site
plan shows the project site and Lake Union.
3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface
water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected. Indicate the source of fill
material.
No fill or dredge material will be placed in or removed from surface water or wetlands.
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general description,
purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
No, the project will not require surface water withdrawals or diversions.
5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan.
No, the project site is not within a floodplain.
6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so, describe
the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge.
No, the project does not propose discharges of waste materials to surface waters.
b. Ground Water:
1) Will groundwater be withdrawn from a well for drinking water or other purposes? If so, give a
general description of the well, proposed uses and approximate quantities withdrawn from the
well. Will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general description, purpose, and
approximate quantities if known.
No.
2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or other sources,
if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the following chemicals. . . ;
agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the number of such systems, the
number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the number of animals or humans the system(s)
are expected to serve.
No waste materials will be discharged into the ground water due this project.
1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection and disposal, if any
(include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If
so, describe.
The completed project will NOT alter the drainage patterns/systems of the site.
The construction project is designed so there will be no runoff of sediment laden water
from work area trenches, foundations and pathway/paved surface excavations. During
construction, stormwater will be either be diverted away from work areas and
excavations or contained within excavations. Temporary stockpiles will be lined and
covered to prevent precipitation, stormwater and surface water from contacting materials
contained within stockpiles.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
No waste material will be discharged to groundwater as a result of the proposed project.
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If so,
describe.
The project will not alter drainage patterns or system inside or outside the project limits.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage pattern
impacts, if any:
During the construction phase, appropriate temporary erosion control best management
practices will be implemented and maintained to control runoff. Permanent measures to
reduce and control runoff from the completed project will include catch basins, underground
conveyance pipe, swales, and an infiltrating bioretention cell.
4. Plants
e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
None
5. Animals
a. List any birds and other animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known to be on
or near the site.
Examples include:
birds: geese, ducks, hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other: birds typical of suburban
environments such as jays, crows, sparrows, etc. are likely to be on or near the site.
mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: Small mammals typical of suburban environments
such as rodents/squirrels, raccoons, are likely to be seen or on near the site.
b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
Chinook salmon, bull trout and steelhead ("Threatened" species) migrate through Lake
Union. WDFW State Priority Species in the vicinity of the site include salmon species, the
western pond turtle, and peregrine falcons.
a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet the completed
project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating,
manufacturing, etc.
The local utility Seattle City Light provides electricity to the site for lighting, general
convenience power and the Comfort Station. Power to the automatic irrigation system shall
also be provided. No other energy sources are used on this site.
c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? List other
proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any:
Energy efficient restroom facilities and lighting is designed and will be installed. All lighting
will be LED fixtures.
7. Environmental Health
a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk
of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal?
If so, describe.
There are no known environmental health hazards that could occur following installation of
the project. Construction activities typically involve some risk. Because of the possible
presence of contaminated soil and groundwater in the installation area, the Contractors will
be required to follow health and safety procedures consistent with WISHA Safety Standards
for Hazardous Waste (Chapter 296-843 WAC), which includes preparing a Site-Specific
Health and Safety Plan and employing HAZWOPER trained construction workers. In addition,
the installation area will remain fenced during the duration of the installation. Installation-
derived soil and water generated during drilling and excavation will be temporarily stored on
site during infrastructure installation and disposed of offsite at a permitted facility. The
stored soil and water will be tested for dangerous waste properties before it is transported
offsite and disposed.
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
From the early 1900s until 1956, gas companies operated a plant at the GWP site that
converted coal and oil into manufactured gas. The subsurface at the Play Area is
contaminated by site chemicals of concern (COCs) including polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene),
and arsenic.
2) Describe existing hazardous chemicals/conditions that might affect project development and
design. This includes underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines located within
the project area and in the vicinity.
See above. There are no known underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission
pipelines located within the project area.
3) Describe any toxic or hazardous chemicals that might be stored, used, or produced during the
project's development or construction, or at any time during the operating life of the project.
Toxic or hazardous chemicals used and stored during construction will be limited to
fuels (diesel and gasoline). This checklist is applicable to injection infrastructure and
monitoring well installation and does not include system operation. Installation-derived
soil and water generated during drilling and excavation will be temporarily stored on site
during infrastructure installation and disposed of offsite at a permitted facility. The
stored soil and water will be tested for dangerous waste properties before it is
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic,
equipment, operation, other)?
Existing ambient and peak noise levels produced off site are generally limited to traffic
and neighboring commercial use, none of which will affect the Proposal.
2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term
or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indicate what hours
noise would come from the site.
Short-term noise impacts from the Proposal are all construction related and will occur as
allowed under the City of Seattle Construction Permit, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., weekdays.
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., weekends and holidays only with expressed written consent from
owner.
Long term operation of the facility will not result in significant changes to current noise
levels. As a public park, it will generate noise typically associated with recreational
activities such as children yelling and shouting, playing basketball and occasional crowd
noise for gatherings such as picnics.
Public Park operations have certain exemptions from the general noise ordinance. Park
operations and park users are subject to Seattle Municipal Code Section 25.08.520.
Long term, noise effects are mitigated largely by limiting the hours of operation of the
Park. Current Parks Department policies require that the park closes at 11:00pm.
a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Will the proposal affect current land uses
on nearby or adjacent properties? If so, describe.
The project site is a Comfort Station and associated pathways and parking within the 20-acre
City of Seattle Gas Works Park, a public park. Adjacent uses include the Harbor Patrol
facility (to the west), Lake Union and the Gas Works Park Marina (to the east). The project
will not affect current land uses on nearby and adjacent properties. Surrounding residential
b. Has the project site been used as working farmlands or working forest lands? If so, describe. How
much agricultural or forest land of long-term commercial significance will be converted to other uses
as a result of the proposal, if any? If resource lands have not been designated, how many acres in
farmland or forest land tax status will be converted to nonfarm or non-forest use?
There is no documented farm or forest land use on this site.
1) Will the proposal affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land normal business
operations, such as oversize equipment access, the application of pesticides, tilling, and
harvesting? If so, how:
There are no nearby working farms or forest lands.
g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site?
The Seattle Shoreline Master Program designates Gas Works Park shoreline as
"Conservancy Management”.
h. Has any part of the site been classified as a critical area by the city or county? If so, specify.
The project site abuts Lake Union, a shoreline regulated under the City of Seattle’s Shoreline
Master Program. There are limited City-designated Steep Slope Environmentally Critical
Areas (ECAs) within Gas Works Park; none occur in the project area.
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
No one will reside or work in the completed project.
L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and
plans, if any:
The proposed project is part of a city park and will remain so. The completed project will not
change land use.
9. Housing
a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, middle, or low-
income housing.
None.
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high, middle, or low-
income housing.
None.
10. Aesthetics
a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is the principal
exterior building material(s) proposed?
The Comfort Station Structure will be, at its peak, 15 feet in height.
a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly
occur?
The proposal will utilize LED lighting within and under the roof eaves of the Comfort Station.
b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views?
For adjacent properties, no safety issues or interference with views are anticipated.
c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
No off-site sources of light or glare will affect the proposed project.
a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?
Gas Works Park is an urban park is used for picnicking, playing games, kite flying, biking,
other recreational activities, and special events. The project area coincides with the Gas
Works Park Play Area.
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe.
The proposal will not displace existing recreational uses - only enhance.
a. Are there any buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the site that are over 45 years old
listed in or eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers? If so, specifically
describe.
Gas Works Park is the site of a former coal and oil gasification plant and is a historic
landmark. Gas Works Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a City of
Seattle Landmark.
b. Are there any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation? This
may include human burials or old cemeteries. Are there any material evidence, artifacts, or areas of
cultural importance on or near the site? Please list any professional studies conducted at the site to
identify such resources.
There is no evidence of human burials or old cemeteries. Gas Works Park was filled in the
early 1900s for industrial development and regraded during park development in the 1970s.
c. Describe the methods used to assess the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources on or
near the project site. Examples include consultation with tribes and the department of archeology and
historic preservation, archaeological surveys, historic maps, GIS data, etc.
The City of Seattle considers Gas Works Park a valuable historic resource. As the project
site is a public park, the design has been coordinated with Seattle Parks and Recreation and
the public. Seattle Parks and Recreation will secure a Certificate of Approval (COA) from the
City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB) as part of the project review and
approval prior to starting construction.
Parks has completed a series of briefings and hearing with LPB in order to obtain a COA.
Each briefing and hearing included a presentation of Gas Works Park history and landmark
significance – focusing on the Comfort Station, built in 1974. Approvals requested were for
comfort station demolition and for a new comfort station to replace.
d. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, and disturbance to
resources. Please include plans for the above and any permits that may be required.
The project site will remain a public park and there will be no impacts to cultural and historic
resources on or near the project site. The project site has industrial historical significance;
selected industrial elements preserved during park construction will not be disturbed. The
City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board must issue a Certificate of Approval for the
proposal before any construction commences.
14. Transportation
a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site or affected geographic area and describe
proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any.
Gas Works Park is accessed via North Northlake Way. Construction traffic will access the
project area through the east park entrance via North Northlake Way. Construction staging
will take place within the park.
b. Is the site or affected geographic area currently served by public transit? If so, generally describe. If
not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop?
The Gas Works Park area is served by public transit, including Routes 5 and 26, closest
transit stops are approximately 0.4 miles away.
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal have?
How many would the project or proposal eliminate?
The project will not add any additional parking spaces to the existing parking lot. The project
will renovate and make two (2) ADA parking spaces compliant with current ADA standards
and requirements.
e. Will the proposal require any new or improvements to existing roads, streets, pedestrian, bicycle or
state transportation facilities, not including driveways? If so, generally describe (indicate whether
public or private).
Yes, the project will construct a paved pathway between N Northlake Way and the Park’s East
Entry - installed in coordination with SDOT to improve pedestrian accessibility and safety.
f. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air transportation?
If so, generally describe.
This project does not occur near water, rail, or air transportation.
g. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project or proposal? If
known, indicate when peak volumes would occur and what percentage of the volume would be trucks
(such as commercial and no passenger vehicles). What data or transportation models were used to
make these estimates?
The completed project will not generate additional vehicle trips. Construction personnel
accessing the site during construction will amount to no more than 15 vehicles per day.
Most equipment will be stored on site so truck traffic will occur mostly during mobilization
h. Will the proposal interfere with, affect or be affected by the movement of agricultural and forest
products on roads or streets in the area? If so, generally describe.
No - There is no nearby movement of agricultural and forest products.
a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection, police
protection, public transit, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe.
These services are currently provided and the additional need is predicted to be minimal.
16. Utilities
a. Circle utilities currently available at the site: electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone,
sanitary sewer, septic system, other: storm drainage.
f. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service,
and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might
be needed.
Existing electrical service to the site is provided by Seattle City Light; this service will
continue, and the new comfort station will connect to this existing service.
Water service and sanitary services to the existing comfort station is provided by Seattle
Public Utilities. The new comfort station will connect to the existing services.
C. Signature
The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the lead
agency is relying on them to make its decision.
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Name of signee: Jay Rood
Position and Agency/Organization: Sr. Capital Project Coordinator – Seattle Parks & Recreation
Date Submitted: ___1-22-2021__________