Appeals On City's Conditional Grant Of SR520 Nightime Noise Variance For Next Construction Phase Due Today

Today by 5pm is the deadline to send appeals on the City's recent approval (August 21) to conditionally granted WSDOT's noise variance request for the next phase of the Montlake SR520 construction, which will define the allowable nighttime noise limits for Montlake Phase construction to begin next year. The variance includes information on potential nighttime construction activities as well as noise monitoring and compliance requirements. The proposal (Project 3027364 ) states: The Washington State Department of Transportation has requested a Major Public Project Construction Variance (“MPPCV”) from the maximum permissible sound level requirements of the Noise Control Code, Seattle Municipal Code (“SMC”) Chapter 25.08, during construction of Mountlake Phase of the State Route 520 Bridge Replacement.  Work will include construction of the West Approach Bridge South (WABS), Montlake lid and interchange, and a bicycle/pedestrian land bridge over the highway. This variance application pertains to the above-ground construction activities that need to take place during nighttime hours, as those hours are defined in SMC 25.08. The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC)'s February newsletter stated: To date, contractors have had piece meal variances for different sections. This permit, if granted, would outright entitle the contractor to generate noise every night at six decibels over what WSDOT predetermines as “the average” noise measured at night.  Neighbors attending the meeting expressed skepticism that WSDOT and its contractors and the City could establish a reasonable noise level that would be tolerable every night or a system where violations could be documented and corrected. WSDOT offered a 24/7 noise monitor and a hotline as assurance. The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) and also a concerned  northeast Seattle group of neighbors have been working on and monitoring SR520 lighting and noise issues. In March, the group provided an update to the Laurelhurst Blog, as well as a presentation of the lighting impacts, key issues and concerns, and WSDOT activity regarding the issues. LCC told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff in April: Laurelhurst , Madison Park and Medina have all suffered through a very noisy construction period, and what WSDOT wants the City of Seattle to do is grant them a  permanent noise variance which is 10% over the current noise for the 8 year (or more) duration of the rest of the SR520 project. Noise carries across the water very loudly up to residences all over our community. LCC encourages all neighbors to attend this very important meeting impacting our neighborhood for years to come. In June, LCC met with David Goldberg, recently appointee by WSDOT as ombudsman of the SR520 bridge project, to serve as a liaison between WSDOT and affected entities.  Goldberg told LCC that he would work with WSDOT and the communities  to help develop more targeted noise variance application by WSDOT since the blanket, seven year night noise variance was denied by the City of Seattle, largely due to strong and vocal opposition by citizens and community organizations, including LCC. Appeals can be filed online, delivered in person to the Hearing Examiner’s office on the 40th floor of Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Ave. or mailed to the City of Seattle Hearing Examiner, P.O. Box 94729, Seattle, 98124-4729. Appeals must be accompanied by an $85.00 filing fee, paid by check to the City of Seattle or a credit/debit card (Visa and MasterCard only) payment made in person or by telephone at 206-684-0521. Copies of the SDCI Director’s Decision, the project application materials and plans are available in the online permit and property records web page.  Here is information from WSDOT:

SR 520 noise variance now available on SDCI website The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) granted WSDOT a construction nighttime noise variance for the SR 520 Montlake Phase. This Major Public Project Construction Noise Variance (MPPCNV) defines the allowable nighttime noise limits during construction, identifies measures to minimize nighttime construction noise for neighbors and requires WSDOT to meet specific conditions established with the variance.  More detailed information regarding the decision, variance and the specific conditions can be found on SDCI’s Land Use Information Bulletin (project #3027364).  An MPPCNV questions and answers document is also available on the SR 520 website.