Documents filed under Washington’s environmental review process reveal a list of projects in the works for the Mid-Columbia. 

The State Environmental Policy Act, or SEPA, often provides the first look at the mixed-use projects, mini-storage facilities, apartments, industrial expansions, subdivisions and more that are working their way through the various planning departments of Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties. 

Here’s a look at projects that appeared in the SEPA register in the past month.  

Distinguished Homes short plat

Benton County

Distinguished Homes Tri-Cities LLC has submitted plans to short plat a 2.28-acre parcel at 6834 E. Second St., Benton City, into four lots.

Research facility

Benton County

Meier Enterprises Inc. has submitted plans to build an 11,500-square-foot research facility at 127124 N. Route 10, including excavation of 243 cubic yards and 31 cubic yards of fill.

Thayer Drive substation expansion

Richland

The city of Richland’s Energy Services Department has submitted plans to expand the existing substation at 806 Thayer Drive in conjunction with the Bonneville Power Administration’s Tri-Cities Reinforcement Project. The Thayer substation houses three power transformers, three metal-clad switchgears, equipment foundations, control house, and new ties to the 115 kV transmission line, and will be enclosed by an 8-foot-tall non-conductive fence for safety and security. The expansion will replace one transformer/metal-clad bank.

Ramirez short plat

Benton County

Jorge Ramirez has submitted plans to short plat a 1.25-acre parcel at 630 E. 27th Ave., Kennewick, into two lots.

La Bella Vita restaurant

West Richland

Knutzen Engineering has submitted plans for a two-story restaurant totaling 14,375 square feet at 2850 Belmont Blvd. The project will include building construction and associated site improvements, and the site is zoned commercial general.

Process Water Reuse Facility phase 4B

Franklin County

The city of Pasco has proposed an addition to the prior Process Water Reuse Facility phase 4 irrigation system improvements project. The city is buying an additional parcel north of East Foster Wells Road and east of Highway 395. Two new irrigation mains will be installed across the parcel, with about 1,300 linear feet of 12-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) process water irrigation main and about 1,300 linear feet of 12-inch HDPE freshwater irrigation main. About 1,100 cubic yards of material will be graded for utility trenching.

Big Bend Electric Cooperative camp electrical substation

Franklin County

Big Bend Electric Cooperative Inc. has submitted plans to build and interconnect a new substation to replace its aging Scooteney substation. The substation’s footprint will be about 300-by-200 feet, and the control building will be about 10-by-30 feet. An estimated 2,245 cubic yards of cut and 2,410 cubic yards of fill are anticipated as part of the proposal. About 4,410 cubic yards of topsoil, or 12 inches in depth, will be stripped. The existing Scooteney substation on the neighboring parcel will be demolished.

Field Family Farm rezone

Franklin County

Harpster Land Development has submitted plans to rezone 19 parcels totaling 107.9 acres from rural community 5 to rural community 1. The parcels are located north of Helm Drive and east of Columbia River Road.

Clyde rezone

Franklin County

Robert Clyde has submitted plans to rezone a 5.01-acre parcel at 290 Larkspur Road from rural community 5 to rural community 1.

H2 Pre-Cast building

Pasco

Matt Hoffman has submitted plans to build a 21,050-square-foot concrete casting building. The site is north of Holland Avenue and east of 2021 N. Commercial Ave., and is currently level and part of an agricultural field.

Wandering Juniper RV Park

Pasco

SCJ Alliance has submitted a special permit application to develop an 88-lot RV park at 434 E. Lewis Place. The project will have 13 parking stalls, including one ADA-accessible stall and two electric vehicle charging stations. Each RV lot will be 24 feet wide. A 2,400-square-foot support building is planned to provide an office, recreation amenities, eight individual shower units, washer/dryer facilities, a dog wash station and propane sales. Site improvements include landscaping, a designated dog park and outdoor recreation areas.