The rainy season is rapidly approaching, which means it’s time to think about whether you will be doing any grading between November 1 and March 31. If your project includes Geotechnical Special Inspections AND if your project is in an environmentally critical area or involves a large quantity of earth-moving, check your special inspection permit record for an item called “Monitor Grading Season Restriction.”
The SDCI Boiler and Conveyance periodic inspection programs invite you to sign up for our Boiler & Conveyance Bulletin, our quarterly newsletter. You can sign up on our Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspections or our Elevator & Escalator Inspections websites. If you are a property manager, building owner/engineer, elevator company or consultant, installation contractor, or HOA member, this newsletter could prove beneficial to you.
On July 24, 2020, the City passed Ordinance 126113, which establishes interim floodplain development regulations. Interim regulations are required for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and are based on a Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Study. Interim regulations will be in place for six months while SDCI develops recommendations for permanent regulations. The ordinance was passed pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390 and, unless renewed, will expire in February 2021.
On August 21, Mayor Durkan signed Ordinance 126131, which updates the Land Use Code for greater flexibility in locating child care facilities in all zones. The City Council estimates that as many as 33,000 children in Seattle under the age of six are in need of child care. They identified a shortage in child care and sought to remove code barriers to more affordable and conveniently located child care.
As of August 17, 2020, the Seattle Public Utilities Development Services Office (DSO) walk-in center on the 27th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower is permanently closed to the public. After that date, the DSO will meet with customers by appointment only.
We released a draft Director’s Rule on landscape standards for public comment.
SDCI is now reporting new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) and Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADUs) permits to King County for the purpose of capacity charges. We are required by code and our agreement with King County to report all new sewer connections to King County. Title 28 of the King County Code requires that we report all new units to the King County Wastewater Treatment Division.
On April 2, 2020, SDCI began using virtual inspections for some types of projects. We implemented our virtual inspections program to continue providing inspections to our customers, while maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since SDCI implemented the virtual inspection program, we have conducted more than 9,100 virtual inspections. That is approximately 22% of the over 42,000 total inspections SDCI has conducted since April 2.
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is pleased to announce that we have hired Kai Ki Mow to take on the Principal Engineer role for the department. SDCI is also pleased to announce that we have promoted Ardel Jala to take on the Building Official role for the department. Both Ms. Jala and Mr. Mow are well-regarded in the industry, having demonstrated their technical skills, collaboration skills, and leadership qualities in their service on local and statewide professional association committees.
Seattle Arena Virtual Public Comment Meeting
SDCI has received a new application from the Seattle Arena Company (ArenaCo) for a Major Public Project Construction Noise Variance from the City of Seattle noise limits. ArenaCo is requesting a 13-month noise variance for the renovation of Seattle Center Arena (Key Arena). The variance would allow construction work during nighttime hours that exceeds the City’s sound level limits (Chapter 25.08 Seattle Municipal Code). SDCI is holding an online public meeting using WebEx Events on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Representatives from ArenaCo will be available to provide information about the project and SDCI will discuss the noise variance process.