WSDOT’S Revised Noise Variance – Send Your Feedback Now

WSDOT has submitted a revised application and summary letter to the City of Seattle for a noise variance during the Montlake phase of SR 520 construction. As we reported in May, the city told WSDOT that its previous application was unacceptable in its current form. One neighbor tracking this issue closely has reported that the revised application is improved vs. the original application, but not nearly enough.

Comments on the revised application are due August 4, 2018. Send your comments NOW–don’t wait.  The city’s next steps in the process are to perform a review of the revised application and begin to write a Variance Decision.  The city’s deadline to publish a decision is no later than August 23.

Email your comments (preferred) to prc@seattle.gov. Be sure to reference project #3027364. Or mail your comments to:

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
ATTN: Public Resource Center or Assigned Planner
700 Fifth Ave, Ste 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019

Here’s what to do:

1. Use the form letter below or personalize and make your own
2. Send your letter to Nathan Torgelson at prc@seattle.gov
3. Send a copy to elected officials: frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov, jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov, nicole.macri@leg.wa.gov, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov, mike.obrien@seattle.gov
4. Use the “comments” feature below to share what you think

Sample Letter:

Dear Mr. Torgelson,

I understand that WSDOT has resubmitted a Noise Variance for the 520 construction (MPPCNV #3027364).

My areas of concern include:

1)  Duration of the variance:  instead of simply extending the noise variance indefinitely, it seems better to renew the variance every six months.  If there are no complaints or violations, then this renewal could be automatic.  If there are complaints and violations these should be addressed before the variance is renewed.

2)  Method of measuring noise:  the method of measuring the baseline noise compared to the noise during construction needs to be more transparent. The community needs to have confidence in the measurement methodology and the City should be responsible for ongoing noise monitoring during the construction using their own experts.

3)  Enforcement of the noise variance:  the enforcement of the noise variance standards needs to be assured. Requiring renewal of this variance every six months as above would be one way of enforcing the noise variance standards.

4) Mitigation for individual home owners:   there should be a defined process through which mitigation on an individual homeowner (e.g. installation of a white noise generator or double pane windows) and group level (e.g. installation of a noise / dust barrier around construction sites) is requested and approved.

Sound Transit has set a high standard on all of the above points.  WSDOT should be able to follow their example.

It is my wish that individual citizens, local communities, the city of Seattle, and WSDOT can find a way to work together to get this extremely important infrastructure improvement completed in a timely manner.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind Regards,