NOTICE OF APPLICATION (NOA)
ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT CHRISTOPHER BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SUBSTATION (BESS)
ADM24-0003

The City of Auburn is issuing a Notice of Application (NOA) for the following described project. The permit applications and listed studies may be reviewed at the Auburn Department of Community Development at One E Main St., 2nd Floor, Customer Service Center, Auburn, WA 98001 and by visiting www.auburnwa.gov/landuse.

Proposal: Construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) grid-powered BESS  to connect to the existing 115-kilovolt (kV) Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Christopher Substation using a short overhead transmission line. BESS will contain batteries that will charge from the existing electric grid during periods of low energy demand and discharge the stored energy when energy demand is high. The project and study area impacts several parcels, but development is contained to portions of each affected parcel, three segments (A-C) in total make up the project area. Segment A contains the BESS facility, wetland, Mill Creek, and buffer enhancements. Segment B contains a portion of the transmission line that leaves the public right of way (ROW). Segment C contains the segment of the transmission line that leaves the public ROW and travels to the interconnection at the Christopher PSE Substation. 

The project area contains multiple wetlands and a stream as identified in the Wetland Delineation Report. BESS are consolidated within an upland portion of Segment A and the site plan includes an enhanced wetland and stream buffers for the nearby Mill Creek and associated wetlands described in the wetland and stream buffer enhancement plans. Due to the location of a wetland and stream area, minor permanent impacts will result from the projects overhead transmission lines which require supporting structures to be placed within the wetland. The project will construct appropriate stormwater facilities on-site and provide on-site water to support required landscaping. 

Location: The site is located East of HWY 167 and North of 15th St NW. Associated parcels; 1580600050, 1580600090, 1580600090, 1580600091, 1580600092, 0121049034, 0121049014, 1221049005, 1221049041. 

Notice of Application:
August 30, 2024
Application Complete:
March 8, 2024
Permit Application:
March 5, 2024

File No.
ADM24-0003

Applicant:
Chrisopher Energy Storage LLC,
1780 Hughes Landing Blvd, Ste 675
The Woodlands TX, 77380
720-838-7015

Agent:
Jason Hubbell, Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc.
18215 72nd Ave. S
Kent, WA 98032
JHubbell@barghausen.com
425-251-6222

Property Owner:
Segale Properties LLC

Studies/Plans Submitted With Application (PDFs):
Site Plan, prepared by Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc., revision dated January 2024
Landscape Plan, prepared by Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc., revision dated July 2024
SEPA Checklist, prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., revision dated March 2024
Wetland Delineation Report, prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., revision date November 2023
Geotechnical Report, Prepared by Robinson Noble, revision date July 2024
Wildlife and Habitat Characterization Report, Prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., revision date March 2024
Wetland Buffer Enhancement Plan, Prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., Revision Date March 2024

Other Permits, Plans, and Approvals Needed:
SEPA 
Facility Extension Permit 
Building Permit
Utility Permits

Statement of Consistency and List of Applicable Development Regulations:  This proposal is subject to and shall be consistent with the Auburn City Code, Comprehensive Plan, and Public Works Design and Construction Standards.

Public Comment Period: All persons may comment on this application. Comments must be in writing and submitted by 5:00 PM on September 13, 2024, to the mailing address of 25 W Main St., Auburn, WA, 98001 or emailed to the contact below. Any person wishing to become a party of record, shall include in their comments that they wish to receive notice of and participate in any hearings, if relevant, request a copy of decisions once made, and be made aware of appeal rights. For questions regarding this project, please contact Gabriel Clark, Planner I, at planning@auburnwa.gov or 253-470-2147.

Vicinity Map

 

Site Plan