MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor John Marchione
SUBJECT:
title
Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Downtown Redmond Link Extension Development Agreement
a. RESOLUTION NO. 1520: A Resolution Approving a Development Agreement for the Downtown Redmond Link Extension, a Sound Transit Project to Extend Light Rail 3.4 Miles to Southeast Redmond and Downtown Redmond
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the Downtown Redmond Link Extension Development Agreement in a form substantially as shown in Attachment A.
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II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Erika Vandenbrande, Director, Planning and Community Development 425-556-2457
Carol Helland, Deputy Director, Planning and Community Development 425-556-2107
Don Cairns, P.E., Transportation Planning and Engineering Manager 425-556-2834
Jeff Churchill, AICP, Transportation Strategic Advisor 425-556-2492
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
The Downtown Redmond Link Extension Development Agreement (DA) is one of five current agreements that must be executed with Sound Transit to facilitate completion of the light rail extension to Downtown. The relationship of the DA to other required agreements is depicted in the following illustration.
The DA focuses on the scope of the light rail project, and has four major components:
1. It vests Sound Transit to development regulations in place at the time the agreement is executed, providing certainty to Sound Transit and the design-builder;
2. It provides for deviations from development standards to facilitate an efficient permitting process and station design outcomes consistent with City interests;
3. It lists specific scope commitments that Sound Transit is making to the benefit of the Redmond community; and
4. It lists City of Redmond “betterments,” which are improvements that the City will fund, and Sound Transit will build in order to complete critical work in advance of light rail opening.
Recommended DA
Staff recommends approval of the DA substantially as shown in Attachment A. The recommended DA incorporates two changes since it was first presented to Council on
April 16:
1. Section 3.4 has been amended as follows: “Sound Transit will exercise its reasonable best efforts to minimize impacts of construction activities upon current and future business operations and pending development opportunities in the Project area including, but not limited to, best efforts to minimize duration of both (a) any temporary closures of Redmond businesses, and (b) any temporary construction easements impacting business operations.
2. Sections 6.2(a) and (b) and Exhibit F have been amended to state that:
a. The City will conduct any required environmental review for the City projects to which Sound Transit is contributing funds. These projects are the Redmond Way-180th Ave. NE intersection improvements and the Erratic relocation.
b. Sound Transit’s contributions to the above projects are fixed.
c. Sound Transit’s contributions to the above projects are contingent upon completing any required environmental review.
Public Testimony
The City Council received testimony from seven people during the public hearing begun on May 7 and closed on June 4. The testimony focused on:
• Public outreach related to both permit applications and property acquisition
• Construction activities, impacts, mitigation, and restoration in and near Bear Creek
• Strategies to protect and enhance the health of Bear Creek and associated wetlands
City and Sound Transit staff provided information on the above topics at the Council’s May 28 study session.
IV. PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD
November 13, 2018: Council Committee briefing
January 8, 2019: Council study session
April 16, 2019: Council Committee briefing
May 7, 2019: Council public hearing
May 28, 2019: Council study session
June 4, 2019: Council public hearing (continued)
V. IMPACT
A. Service/Delivery:
Approval of the recommended DA will facilitate completion of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension and related City betterments by 2024.
B. Fiscal Note:
The recommended DA calls for the City to contribute $40,000 to the East Lake Sammamish Trail North Extension project. This contribution is included in the 2019-20 biennial budget. The agreement also identifies recommended betterments and jointly-funded projects that would be further detailed in a future Construction Services Agreement. The City’s funding commitment in the future Construction Services Agreement will require City Council approval.
VI. ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends authorizing the Mayor to execute the DA in a form substantially as shown in Attachment A. The Council could also choose to modify the DA prior to approval or reject the DA and provide alternative direction to staff.
VII. TIME CONSTRAINTS
Sound Transit will rely on the DA to confirm project scope and applicable regulations. The DA must be completed prior to Sound Transit Board approving the design-build contract. Sound Transit plans to take the design-build contract to the Sound Transit Board in July.
VIII. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution Approving the Downtown Redmond Link Extension Development Agreement
Exhibit 1: Downtown Redmond Link Extension Development Agreement
Exhibit A: Project Description
Exhibit B: Legal Description of Real Property Subject to Agreement
Exhibit C: ST3 Project Template for Downtown Redmond Link Extension
Exhibit D: Development Standard Deviations
Exhibit E: Tree Mitigation Plan
Exhibit F: Payment Plan for Eligible Costs
Exhibit G: Letters of Concurrence
Exhibit H: Designated Representatives
Exhibit I: General Description of Property Subject to Agreement