PD-17-00001 Marian Meadows Full Record with Index (2)

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-27 Alternatives 2, 3C, and 5 with no development on the steep eastern portion of the site would avoid features visible from I-90 and much of the community and retain the forested ridgeline. Alternatives 3A, 3B, and 3D with 3-acre lots on both the eastern and western portions of the site would also result in substantial cleared areas for roads and residences, including the residential structures, on the steep eastern portion of the site. The amount of clearing would be less because fewer residences would be developed. That change, however, would contrast sharply with the existing unity of forest cover and would be generally apparent as a contrast to the forested slopes that currently frame the valley. Alternative 3D would have slightly less clearing than Alternatives 3A and 3B due to decreased density in ASZs. Development on the lower flat portion of the site would be large lots similar to existing large lots in the area with extensive retention of forest cover. The large lots coupled with preservation of extensive areas of open space for the ASZs and debris flow areas would contribute to maintaining the rural character of the area. Alternative 4, a PUD with reduced density on the entire site, would also result in significant, identifiable impacts to the character of the eastern sloping areas. However, impacts would be less than those associated with Alternative 1 because development would be avoided on the most visible upper portions of the site. Noise In general, the long-term noise impacts associated with a given residential development are directly related to the number and tenure of the persons inhabiting a development. Impacts would be the largest where residences are most densely clustered and under the tenure scenarios with the highest population and activity levels. Air Quality Regardless of the alternative that is ultimately selected, the existing data for Cle Elum and Ellensburg do not indicate that exceedance of air quality standards is likely, even with a greater population. The upper Yakima River Valley in the vicinity of Easton has good air circulation, no inversions, and no topographic or other features that contain air masses. A restriction on all wood-burning stoves could be imposed on all privately owned units, including the single-family residences. This restriction would reduce emissions from the project, but would be likely to be difficult to enforce over the lifetime of the project. Hazardous Materials The site has not hosted past industrial or commercial activities that are likely to have resulted in hazardous materials being located on the site. It is possible that unregulated dumping on the site has resulted in deposition of household hazardous waste, but no such evidence has yet been observed in field work or reconnaissance on the site by numerous professionals.