HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/2024 - Agenda Packet
AGENDA
Planning Commission Meeting
6:00 PM - Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
4
.
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5. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
6. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
7. DELIBERATION AND RECOMMENDATION-RAINIER/GRADY JUNCTION
TOD SUBAREA PLANNED ACTION EIS PREFFERED ALTERNATIVE (WITH
STAFF REPORT)
a)
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8. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
9. ADJOURNMENT
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For more information please visit rentonwa.gov/planningcommission
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CITY OF RENTON
Community and Economic Development Department
Draft Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea Planned Action EIS
Staff: Paul Hintz, Principal Planner
Date: March 4, 2024
Applicant or Requestor: Staff
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The City’s Environmental Review Committee released the draft Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea
Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a 30-day public comment, which ended on
February 24, 2024. The EIS evaluates three development alternatives for implementing the
Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea Plan (“Subarea Plan”) and the potential impacts on the natural
environment, land use and future growth, transportation systems and facilities, utilities systems and
facilities, and public services. Likely adverse impacts are identified along with proposed mitigation
measures. Staff are seeking input on the community’s preferred alternative and whether all likely
adverse impacts are identified, and appropriate mitigation provided.
BACKGROUND
City staff received the following written public comments in response to the Draft EIS. Staff have
provided written responses in this staff report for some comments that necessitate a detailed and
thorough response; other comments will addressed during staff’s presentation on March 6, 2024.
Testimony #1
From: McCullough Hill PLLC, on behalf of Innovatus Capital
Date: February 28, 2024
VIA EMAIL
Re: Rainier/Grady Junction Transit Oriented Development Subarea Planned Action Draft Environmental
Impact Statement
We appreciate the opportunity to comment Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“DEIS”) for the
Rainier/Grady Junction Transit Oriented Development (“TOD”) Subarea Planned Action on behalf of
Innovatus Capital (“Innovatus” or “Owner”).
Innovatus owns the Triton Towers property bounded by South Grady Way, Talbot Road South, and I-
405, consisting of three office towers and surface parking (APN’s 1923059023; 1923059001;
7231600542; 7231600595, also referred to herein as the “Property”). The Triton Towers site is
approximately 861,125 s.f. (19.76 acres) in size, making up a significant portion of the land area in the
proposed Grady Junction Subarea. The existing three office towers are seven-level structures totaling
437,850 s.f. with approximately 1,284 surface vehicle parking spaces. The Property’s general location is
shown in the image below.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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In general, we applaud the City’s initiative to implement a plan for transit-oriented development that
connects the Subarea to the City’s downtown core and we share the City’s overall vision for the Subarea.
We agree with the four Core Goals stated in section 1.4 of the DEIS, especially number four: “Catalyze
Desired Changes: Leverage the recent and planned public investment in the area for the private
investment to follow.” We appreciate the City’s efforts to incorporate our input to date on this topic.
The Property is likely the largest site in the proposed subarea core under single ownership, located
within walking distance to the future transit center. The Property has viable redevelopment potential in
the near term by adding multifamily residential units to the existing office buildings. Innovatus has
participated in a pre-application meeting with the City of Renton (“City”) Department for Community
and Economic Development (“CED”) to add four new multifamily residential buildings to the site and a
parking structure (the “Project”). The Project would provide approximately 400 new units directly across
from the new Transit Center. The Project also contemplates providing a pedestrian-friendly environment
including landscaping and lighting, that increases safety and pedestrian connectivity throughout the site.
The existing office towers would remain; they are well-functioning buildings in good condition. The
Triton Towers offer the City the opportunity to attract well-paying jobs near transit; adding residential
alongside office is wholly consistent with the Subarea
Plan’s vision to encourage mixed-use development.
We believe our development plans for the Triton
Tower site is well-aligned with the overall vision of the
adopted Subarea Plan to encourage dense, mixed-use
development with improved pedestrian and bike
connections near the Transit Center. Since the Subarea
Plan states the City seeks transformation of the
Subarea within the next 20 years, the policy objective
of catalyzing desired changes through zoning
incentives will be vitally important. To that end, please
find our specific comments on the Draft EIS below.
Flexibility and Incentives: The Subarea is developed with an auto-centric land use pattern, meaning that
redevelopment will need to contend with unique nonconforming issues on each site. The Triton Towers
site has a number of utilities easement and other site constraints that limit development options and
raise costs. For that reason, the FEIS should remain as flexible as possible to allow for site-specific
modifications during the entitlement process. Also, public benefits such as open spaces and pedestrian
connections should be based upon incentives (not inclusionary requirements), and should be flexible in
their implementation. Therefore, we support Alternative 2 to the extent that it studies the same amount
of height and density but would provide for voluntary incentives for extra development capacity. If
Alternative 3 is intended include mandatory inclusionary requirements such as for affordable housing or
other public benefits, we do not support that approach because we do not believe it will result in more
development, but rather the opposite. Over the short to medium term, voluntary incentives should be
used in this location to achieve the City’s goal of catalyzing development. We are happy to provide more
specific information about this.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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Staff Response:
The DEIS and resulting development standards provided by the Planned Action Ordinance will be as
flexible as possible; however, mitigation measures are necessary to lessen or avoid adverse impacts.
While open space dedication beyond current Renton Municipal Code (RMC) requirements was
identified as a public benefit to be derived as either an incentive for greater building height or
density under Alternative 2 or as a requirement under Alternative 3, pedestrian connections such as
“thru-block connections” identified in the Subarea Plan are necessary to create transit-oriented
development (TOD) and will be required under either of the Action Alternatives.
(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
Typologies: The Preferred Alternative should study mixed-use and a flexible range of height throughout
the Subarea. On the Triton site, the Preferred Alternative should study height limits up to at least 85
feet, or seven stories to accommodate the most likely residential typology in this location: midrise,
modular or five-over-two construction.
The Mixed-Use Base and Mixed-Use Maximum Typologies shown in Exhibit 1-3 (pg. 1-5); Exhibit 2-8 (pg.
2-10) are too specific as to the number of floors and should not exclude seven-story buildings. By
defining the “Mixed-Use Base” category as four to five floors, and the “Mixed-Use Maximum” category
as “towers eight to thirteen floors,” the DEIS appears to omit the most likely residential typology to be
developed in the new Subarea. To be clear, residential tower development on the Triton Towers
Property is unlikely to be financially feasible in the foreseeable future. The Preferred Alternative should
remain flexible and study a variety of typologies, but the most likely typology of approximately 85 feet
should be clearly studied.
Staff Response:
The “typologies” identified in the DEIS were used to model a range of possible development for
analysis of impacts, but these modeled typologies will not be used to limit use or building height on
any of the parcels in the Planned Action Area to be the typology shown. In other words, the adopted
development standards will not require or limit land uses or building height to reflect what was
modeled. Please refer to Exhibit 1-9, Alternative Features Compared, for a summary of the proposed
development standards for each alternative.
(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
Height: We support the 70-150 foot height ranges reflected in Alternatives 2 and 3 in Exhibit 2-20. The
studied building typologies should be revised to include these height ranges.
Staff Response:
The “typologies” identified in the DEIS were used to model a range of possible development for
analysis of impacts, but these modeled typologies will not be used to limit use or building height on
any of the parcels in the Planned Action Area to be the typology shown. In other words, the adopted
development standards will not require or limit land uses or building height to reflect what was
modeled. Please refer to Exhibit 1-9, Alternative Features Compared, for a summary of the proposed
development standards for each alternative.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
Uses: A mix of uses should be studied throughout the Subarea, including on the Triton Towers Property.
Since this is a TOD Subarea, residential uses should be allowed throughout. Limiting significant parts of
the Subarea to commercial uses as shown in Alternatives 2 and 3 seems contrary to the City’s mixed-use
vision. Specifically, Alternative 2 designates the Triton Tower One parcel as all commercial; the entire
Triton Towers site should be studied in the FEIS as mixed-use to allow for flexibility and without any
minimum story height requirements.
Staff Response:
The “typologies” identified in the DEIS were used to model a range of possible development for
analysis of impacts, but these modeled typologies will not be used to limit use or building height on
any of the parcels in the Planned Action Area to be the typology shown. In other words, the adopted
development standards will not require or limit land uses or building height to reflect what was
modeled. Please refer to Exhibit 1-9, Alternative Features Compared, for a summary of the proposed
development standards for each alternative.
(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
Ground-floor commercial: We are supportive of the City’s vision for mixed-use buildings that contain
ground-floor commercial uses to support an active 18-hour environment. The FEIS should study a range
or flexible amount of ground-floor retail in new buildings. At present, the cost of development of any
required ground-floor commercial space in this location would be assigned to residential units for the
purposes of underwriting due to current lack of demand for retail space. However, demand will grow
over time as the subarea develops, and new residents move in. The FEIS and future zoning should reflect
this reality by containing flexible ground-floor requirements.
Note that the mixed-use development standards in the current Code contain a 40% ground-floor
commercial requirement. This threshold is not financially feasible in buildings with larger floor plates.
The FEIS should study some amount of commercial uses at the ground-level focused on street frontages
on large sites, but implementing zoning should allow the City to approve less than 40% ground floor
commercial on a case-by-case basis.
Also, the 20-foot ground-floor story height articulated in the Draft EIS (pg. 1-5) is not realistic or feasible.
The Final EIS should assume 15-foot ground-floor story heights.
Staff Response:
While a substantial amount of housing is anticipated in the area, the area is zoned for commercial
land uses and it is important for the city to require commercial space be created for the sake of
economic development, livability, and creating a vibrant mixed-use district envisioned by the
Subarea Plan. Commercial uses are necessary for successful TOD so residents can use a variety of
transportation modes to access services, shopping, and other commercial uses (i.e., commercial uses
in TOD is critical to promote less auto-dependence for residents). While the vision of the area as a
vibrant mixed-use district will not be realized in the near-term, the cumulative effects of requiring
development to provide ground floor commercial, public open spaces, mixed-income housing, and
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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quality urban design, are critical to help make the vision a reality; however, if such aspects of
development are not required (in addition to identified mitigation measures) the potential of
realizing the vision of the Subarea Plan is severely diminished.
The city’s current mixed-use development standards (e.g., 40% floor plate requirement, 20-foot tall
podium height, etc.), applied to all commercial zones, were carefully considered before they were
adopted in 2018 and were in response to commercial zones being developed with only a modicum of
commercial space. The decision to base the amount of commercial space required on a percentage of
the building footprint was chosen, in part, because it can be applied uniformly and it incentivizes
smaller building footprints, which can result in buildings that allow more sunlight to penetrate public
realms and more opportunities for pedestrian connections. Per RMC 4-4-150.F, modifications to the
city’s mixed-use development standards are allowed on a case-by-case basis.
(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
Air and Sound Quality: The DEIS describes a 500-foot “buffer” from I-405 to mitigate air and sound
impacts to residential uses. Pg. 1-12; 1-18. We are concerned that future requirements with in this
buffer would create added costs to housing or even make housing development infeasible, undermining
the purpose of the TOD.
Air quality and sound issues are adequately addressed by the new state Building Code, and do not
require any additional mitigation in the zoning code. There is no explanation in the DEIS for why the
buffer should be 500-feet from I-405, but we note this would encompass the majority of the Triton
Tower One site where we contemplate possible residential development. The DEIS does not identify
existing conditions that require any such buffer, nor does it identify the impacts to housing
development. The TOD Subarea is, by its nature, near major transit corridors. Since the primary purpose
of the TOD Subarea is to leverage transit investments by locating dense multifamily housing within the
subarea, the City should avoid imposing additional costs or restrictions on residential development. We
are supportive of landscaping within the Subarea to mitigate air and sound quality issues.
Staff Response:
The following excerpt from the DEIS is found on page 3-28. The Subarea Plan recommends a buffer
from I-405 for residential development, site and building design features to mitigate impacts,
centralized air filtration systems, air intake vents located away from polluted areas, continuous
sound walls with vegetation along I-405, and consideration of the California Environmental
Protection Agency’s – Air Resources Board: Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution Exposure Near High-
Volume Roadways (April 2017, pages 20-39).
Air Quality and Noise Compatibility
Pollution Sources
The air and noise pollution sources most relevant to this study include aircraft at the Renton
Municipal Airport and roadway traffic such as along I-405. Aircraft landing and take-off paths see
concentrated air pollutants and noise impacts. Roadways see air pollution from vehicle exhaust and
brake/tire/road wear. Pollutant particle size, topography, and wind patterns affect the geographic
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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extent of concern, with the greatest impacts adjacent to and downwind of major freeways. Some
patterns include:
▪ Pollutants are most concentrated within 500 ft of a roadway. Within that 500 feet,
ultrafine particles “rapidly decay” to a 50% concentration (UW Mov-Up Report, 2019, p 38).
▪ Areas within 1,000 – 1,600 ft of a busy highway are most affected by a range of pollutants
and particle sizes (American Lung Association).
▪ Close, long-term exposure (within 165 feet) to a heavily trafficked roadway has the
strongest association with dementia (American Lung Association).
(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
Rolling Hills Creek: The DEIS identifies daylighting Rolling Hills Creek as a mitigation measure for “the
unintended effects of burying or covering rivers and streams including an increase in nutrient
contamination, the degradation of ecosystems and an increase in downstream floods.” Pg. 1-23. Since
Rolling Hills Creek has a been a piped stream for decades, it is a pre-existing condition that does not
justify SEPA mitigation such as daylighting as a condition of new development. Under the current zoning
code, daylighting would impose a 75-foot buffer, and additional 15 structure setback on the Triton
Tower One site. This would reduce the size of proposed residential development on this site, which is
also constrained by existing utilities easements.
The DEIS states daylighting the creek would not result in reduced development potential if residential
density transfer is allowed. That assumption is incorrect since the allowable density in this location is not
a limiting factor and towers are not feasible in this location. We encourage the City to incentivize
environmental improvements including landscaping, and which may include off-site or nearby critical
areas mitigation instead of requiring creek daylighting that would impose significant buffer constraints
on the Property. The trade-off for daylighting a portion of a creek in this location near the highway
would be to preclude a significant amount of housing development within the Subarea for minimal
benefit to the public. We ask the City to remove this recommendation from the Final EIS.
Staff Response:
The DEIS does not propose requiring daylighting of Rolling Hills Creek. The following is from the DEIS
and provides a summary of the intent for the Planned Action Ordinance.
“A portion of Rolling Hills Creek is currently piped underneath development. It should be noted that
daylighting the creek or portions of the creek would allow for an increased impervious surface lot
coverage per RMC 4-3-050 section 7f-ii. This is a viable option to improve existing conditions as well
as benefit the developer. The City code allows for, but does not specify, incentives for developers to
daylight streams. The City should consider implementing specific incentives to encourage developers
to daylight portions of Rolling Hills Creek to restore more natural habitat to the area.”
(McCullough Hill PLLC public comment, continued)
New Street Network: We are generally supportive of increased connectivity within the Subarea but it
should not have the end result of precluding housing production. We appreciate and continue to
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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support the note on the Conceptual Illustration of New Street Network Map (Exhibit 3-71) that new
street locations are conceptual only. Exact street locations should be determined as the Subarea
develops based on site-specific conditions and proposals during project-level review. The Final EIS
should assume that streets on private property may remain private, and street sections should also
remain flexible and be reviewed by the City at project-level entitlements.
Staff Response:
The Subarea Plan established the concept of a new street network within Renton Village. The
Subarea Plan identifies the general location of future streets as well as the features and dimensions
of the streets, which were designed specifically for the area. While the exact locations of the
proposed streets will be determined during the entitlement process, the need for a street network
and streets designed for TOD is clearly demonstrated by the Subarea Plan and the DEIS. Similar to all
newly created streets in the city, the exact specifications of new streets are provided by Renton
Municipal Code (See RMC 4-4-060, Street Standards) which also provides the means for variations
from the adopted standards on a case-by-case basis.
Testimony #2
From: Nancy Sackman, Cultural Preservation Officer, on behalf of the Duwamish Tribe
Date: February 22, 2024
VIA EMAIL
See Attachment 1
Testimony #3
From: Andres Artze
Date: February 21, 2024
VIA EMAIL
My name is Andres Artze and I'm a resident of Renton, WA (98055). I called into the Planning Committee
meeting this evening, but was unable to leave a comment on the call. I just wanted to voice my support
for the Renton Village TOD concept and hope you move forward with Alternative 3 to support the
sustainable addition of new housing and businesses to the downtown Renton area.
As mentioned by one of the council members during the meeting, I'm also concerned about the safety
and speed of traffic moving along Grady Way. However, I think that moving the Transit Center is more
focused on accommodating the effects without addressing the cause. Instead, I would hope to see
future improvements to the road that would include traffic-calming devices such as chicanes and speed
cushions to discourage speeding altogether.
Beyond that, as part of the improvements it would be great to see bike connections to the Burnett
Linear Park and the Benson Rd S bike lanes. While Burnett connections were addressed, I didn't see any
paths leading to Benson Rd S. I'd also hope that it's a priority to keep many of the existing local
businesses in the area (such as Uwajimaya) supported throughout the construction process, as many
have been a staple of our community for some time.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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Thank you for you and your team's work on developing this EIS. It's clear the document was crafted with
a lot of concern and consideration for the community. It's great to see such meaningful development
come to our city and it makes me proud to live in such a thoughtful and forward-thinking community.
Testimony #4
From: Zanna Satterwhite (she/her), Environmental Planner, on behalf of King County Wastewater
Treatment Division
Date: February 21, 2024
VIA EMAIL
See Attachment 2
Testimony #5
From: Thi Markwell (She/Her), Transit Environmental Planner II, on behalf of King County Metro
Date: February 8, 2024
VIA EMAIL
King County Metro received the notice, "City of Renton Notice of Availability: Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the Rainier/Grady Junction Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Subarea Planned Action, LUA22-000289" and have routed it for internal review. Please see the below
comment/request:
All construction and other work activity affecting King County Metro Transit Operations or Facilities
must be coordinated through the KCM System Impacts workgroup. Please contact them to provide
specific information related to the activity and allow the required lead time necessary for responding to
any impacts caused by it. For notification information and guidelines please visit:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/Construction.aspx or phone
206.477.1140 or 206.477.1150 for Trolley-related activities.
For all contractors:
After we receive your project information, we require a minimum five business days’ notice before the
start of work. Ten days are required for street closures or transit detours. Please note that different
requirements apply if your work impacts trolley or streetcar lines.
This allows us to plan mitigation, coordinate with other projects, and notify our customers.
Please see our website for notification guidelines and other resources.
We require the following information for each project:
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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1. The approved Street Use Permit and Traffic Control Plan (TCP that includes the reviewer's name
and approved date) for the project (please attach a pdf) – Please provide
2. Location of the project – Please Provide
3. Is this work part of multiple phases? If so, please send a separate email for each phase.
4. Locations of any bus stops that will need to be relocated, whether they need to be closed during
the entire duration of your project or if they can safely be used when you are not working – Please
Provide
5. Name and cell phone numbers of the primary and alternate onsite contacts – Please Provide
6. Start and end dates of the project. – Please Provide
a. Weekdays only? – Please Provide
7. Daily start and end time of work – Please Provide
8. Is your work weather dependent? - Please provide
9. Nature of the work – Please Provide
10. Company name – Please Provide
Your project is not approved. You will be notified in writing after your project is approved. We will
contact you if we require additional information or T-39 No Parks.
If your project is located in a SDOT Construction Hub, you must receive Hub approval.
Testimony #6
From: Jeff Kelly
Date: January 26, 2024
VIA EMAIL
See Attachment 3
Testimony #7
From: Ion Tamasan
Date: January 30, 2024
VIA EMAIL
As a resident of Renton, I fully support and prefer Alternative 3 over the other options. We need more
housing, more jobs, more foot traffic activity, and we have an excellent opportunity to build a walkable
neighborhood with restaurants/bars/entertainment. Alternative 3 will produce more revenue for the
city that can be allocated into more similar projects and accumulate revenue like a snowball effect and
make Renton an economic powerhouse/popular place.
Please move forward with Alternative 3.
Testimony #8
From: Philip R. LaFranchi
Date: January 27, 2024
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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VIA EMAIL
I’m looking forward to added density in this underutilized area of Renton. I think it would serve the city
well to have closed pedestrian streets where retail is located, especially with outdoor activities, parks,
fountains, dining.
Also, if Renton wants to follow the lead of upzoning (see Vancouver suburbs and Bellevue) then there is
a real opportunity to create tall slender residential buildings to allow more light at ground level. One
thing I don’t want to see is boxy-bulky buildings. Ones that have good character and design will do well
for the image of Renton. 14 stories is a good start, I wouldn’t mind seeing buildings up to 20-25 floors.
Get as much residential in near transit as possible. It will create a real destination in Renton and keep
the area active.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative 2, Incentive-Based Growth, be considered as the preferred alternative.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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DUWAMISH TRIBE
dxʷdəwʔabš
Duwamish Tribe | 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | 206-431-1582
www.duwamishtribe.org
02/22/2024
City of Renton
LUA22-000289
Environmental Impact Statement Rainier/Grady Junction Planned Action
Dear Paul Hintz,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the project LUA22-000289, the Rainier/Grady Junction
TOD (transit-oriented development) Planned Action EIS (environmental impact statement) for the City of
Renton. The project location is culturally significant for the Duwamish Tribe. We note at least 6
Duwamish placenames within or adjacent to the planned action area including three ancient village
sites, the family home of Mrs. Jimmy Moses (one of our Duwamish ancestors) and the former river
courses of the Cedar and Black Rivers, home and namesake of the Duwamish Tribe, dxʷdəwʔabš – The
People of the Inside. This area is where the Duwamish lived, canoed, fished, traded and managed
resources for daily living. The DAHP WISAARD predictive model indicates that a survey ranges from
highly advised with a high to a very high risk for encountering cultural resources. The DAHP WISAARD
map also shows several known archaeological sites within the vicinity. Previous nearby borehole logs
from the Washington State Geology portal indicate that in general, that near surface soil profiles are
fill/asphalt over alluvium, sand and silt with lenses of organic layers and peat.
The Duwamish Tribe echoes our previous comments on the project submitted August 25, 2022. Based
on the information provided and our understanding of the EIS and subarea location, the Duwamish Tribe
recommends an archaeological survey and monitoring with an IDP (inadvertent discovery plan) for the
development within and around the Rainier/Grady Junction subarea, especially if any ground
disturbance cuts below fill/asphalt/topsoil or other modern and/or impervious surfaces into native soil.
This is in an area the Duwamish Tribe considers culturally significant and has a high probability of having
unknown archaeological deposits. We request that if any archaeological work or monitoring is
performed during construction in the planned action subarea, we would like notification. Cultural and
archaeological resources are non-renewable and are best discovered prior to ground disturbance. The
Tribe would also like the opportunity to be present if or when an archaeologist is on site if an artifact or
cultural resource is encountered.
In addition, the Tribe strongly recommends that only native vegetation be used for any proposed
landscaping and that wetland and stream buffers are maintained to enhance fish habitat, native avian
life and native pollinators as well as to mitigate seasonal urban flooding. Many wetlands and creeks
covered this area including Pa'pxwEtsut (place where the water is swift), a tributary to the Black River
(see Figure 1).
Regarding the three alternatives proposed in the EIS, the Duwamish Tribe recognizes the challenges that
face the City of Renton. The City has seen a growth in population and the need for improved
transportation, access to affordable housing, food, services and education. For the Duwamish, the area
Attachment 1 AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 13 of 23
DUWAMISH TRIBE
dxʷdəwʔabš
Duwamish Tribe | 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | 206-431-1582
www.duwamishtribe.org
supported many people and several villages known by the names of Sab'badi'd (crag or little mountain),
Tuxudidu' (little inside river, i.e. the Cedar River), TuwE'bq-o (confluence) and SkEte'lubc (home of the
Moses’ and named after a monster that lived in the Black River). The confluence of the two main rivers
and access to Lake Washington provided a network of trade via water and food abundance. The
Duwamish Tribe hopes that by supporting Alternative 2, Mid-Rise – Incentive Zoning, this will continue
the opportunity for growth for the City of Renton. This alternative received the most positive reviews
out of the 3 alternatives and reflects a modern and steady growth for the city (see the table below). We
are concerned about long- and short-term bike parking requirements as we see that this is an increasing
mode of transportation among people in the general Puget Sound region. In addition, we are also
concerned about the width of pedestrian clear zones. Renton in the recent past has been a city where
people move through to other destinations rather than being a final destination. We would, again, like
to view the City as a home, as it once was for the Duwamish. Of most concern is ensuring that
permitting standards are maintained for development in the Rainier/Grady subarea. While we
understand that we are allowed to comment now on future projects, many times the Duwamish and
other tribes are left out of the details and nuances of planning and design once a planned action is put in
place. This urban planning strategy disregards changes that can occur from the time of adoption to
actual groundbreaking construction. This is still our home and needs to be respected.
Finally, the Duwamish Tribe asks that we be a part of the story and vision of the subarea. The City of
Renton has a unique opportunity with the development plan to honor the abundance of food, aquatic
life, the original courses of the Black and Cedar Rivers, the Pa'pxwEtsut Creek and the marshes that once
occupied the area. This land supported those elements as well as the Duwamish Tribe. One of our
ancestors, the Moses Family, lived in the area along the former course of the Black River in Renton near
what is now Renton High School. We ask that an area be laid out for the Duwamish where our village
sites once were and have a space to practice our traditional lifeways. We would like to see water and
fish flowing through the Black River again.
The Duwamish Tribe would also like to make the following requests and recommendations regarding the
Rainier/Grady Junction:
▪ Be invited to contribute during the decision-making process on planning and/or the design of
development in the subarea.
▪ Be informed of environmental studies and their results around the planned action.
▪ The Duwamish Tribe would like to see included in the planned action area greenspaces with
native plants and a dedicated native plant park with a Duwamish voice.
▪ The Duwamish Tribe would like to see the overall design of the area in Coast Salish or southern
Lushootseed architecture and artwork.
▪ We respectfully recommend that streets and buildings have a southern Lushootseed name.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 14 of 23
DUWAMISH TRIBE
dxʷdəwʔabš
Duwamish Tribe | 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | 206-431-1582
www.duwamishtribe.org
Lastly the Duwamish Tribe wishes the City of Renton success in adopting the planned action for the
Rainier/Grady Junction subarea. We hope it can be a vibrant place for citizens, visitors and its ancestral
people.
Thank you,
Nancy A Sackman
Duwamish Tribe
Cultural Preservation Officer
Mobile – 206-856-2564
Email – preservationdept@duwamishtribe.org
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 15 of 23
DUWAMISH TRIBE
dxʷdəwʔabš
Duwamish Tribe | 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | 206-431-1582
www.duwamishtribe.org
Figure 1. ArcGIS map overlay of the original courses of the Black and Cedar Rivers and Pa'pxwEtsut Creek
(entering from the east into the Black River) onto a current map.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 16 of 23
DUWAMISH TRIBE
dxʷdəwʔabš
Duwamish Tribe | 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | 206-431-1582
www.duwamishtribe.org
Figure 2. Location of the EIS study area in black, the Planned Action Subarea in yellow, and location of
the Duwamish Tribe’s highest concern for archaeological potential outlined in red.
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 17 of 23
DUWAMISH TRIBE
dxʷdəwʔabš
Duwamish Tribe | 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | 206-431-1582
www.duwamishtribe.org
Table 1. Duwamish Tribe Rank of Alternatives, ✓ indicates favorable, X indicates unfavorable.
Features Alternative 1
– No Action
Alternative 2
– Mid Rise
Incentive
Zoning
Alternative 3
High Rise –
Required
Public Benefit
Subarea Goals & Objectives X X ✓
Mixed Use Development Patterns X ✓ X
Height X ✓ X
Density X ✓ X
Affordable Housing Density Bonus X ✓ X
Health – Air Quality X ✓ ✓
Open Space, Landscaping &
Stormwater
X ✓ ✓
Potential Investments in Transportation ✓ X ✓
Core Area – New Streets X X ✓
Process ✓ X X
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 18 of 23
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Wastewater Treatment Division
King Street Center, KSC-NR-5505
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104-3855
February 21, 2024 sent via email: phintz@rentonwa.gov
KC OAP Ref No.: 2104
Paul Hintz
City of Renton
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Dear Paul Hintz:
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received the Notice of Availability of
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Rainier/Grady Junction Transit Oriented
Development (TOD) Subarea Planned Action project (LUA22-000289) that proposes Municipal
Code Amendments/Planned Action Ordinance to facilitate growth and implement the land use vision
of the Subarea Plan (creation of a vibrant commercial and residential district oriented around near-
term bus rapid transit, with potential for light rail service in the long term) to increase mixed- use
opportunities and alter density and development standards including height, density, parking, and
others. The Planned Action will complete the environmental review upfront and establish
environmental performance standards that each development would be required to meet.
Development consistent with the ordinance requirements would not require a new threshold
determination and could rely on the Planned Action EIS to streamline their permit review.
King County has multiple facilities and sewers in the EIS Study Area (See enclosed map “King
County WTD Facilities in TOD EIS Study Area” showing the location of the facilities in the
EIS Study Area).
In order to protect these wastewater facilities and sewers during construction, WTD requires that
City of Renton submit construction drawings for proposed project identified as a result of the
EIS that lie within 500-feet of the WTD facilities and sewers, so that WTD can assess its potential
impacts. Please send drawings to:
Local Public Agency Program
King County WTD, Engineering and Technical Resources
201 South Jackson Street, KSC-NR-0503
Seattle, WA 98104-3855
(206) 477-5414 / lpa.team@kingcounty.gov
King County has permanent easements for facilities and sewers in the EIS study area, and
must be assured the right to maintain and repair the facilities and sewers. Please contact King
County regarding these easements, at:
Attachment 2 AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 19 of 23
February 21, 2024
Page 2 of 2
Bill Wilbert
Permitting Compliance and Property Acquisition
King County Wastewater Treatment Division
201 South Jackson Street, KSC-NR-0512
Seattle, WA 98104-3855
(206) 477-5523 / bill.wilbert@kingcounty.gov
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this proposal.
Sincerely,
Zanna Satterwhite
Zanna Satterwhite
Environmental Planner
cc: Mark Lampard, Local Public Agency Coordinator
Claire Christian, Real Property Agent IV
Enclosure
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 20 of 23
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap,INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (HongKong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c)OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community,King County
Date: 2/15/2024 King County Wastewater Treatment Division
The information included on this map has been compiled by King County staff from a variety of sources and issubject to change without notice. King County makes no representations or warranties, express or implied,as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or rights to the use of such information. This document is not intendedfor use as a survey product. King County shall not be liable for any general, special, indirect, incidental, orconsequential damages including, but not limited to, lost revenues or lost profits resulting from the use or misuseof the information contained on this map. Any sale of this map or information on this map is prohibited except bywritten permission of King County.
Legend
Major Facilities
Treatment Plant
Wet WeatherTreatmentFacility
Pump Station
Regulator Station
Sewer Lines
Gravity
Pressure
Siphon
Force Main
Outfall
Overflow
Chiller
Vent
Water Reuse
Gravity
King County WTD Facilities in TOD EIS Study Area
±
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 21 of 23
Jeff’s Context Notes
● Alternative 2: 5-10 stories
● Alternative 3: 10-14 stories
Big picture:
● Does this height increase move north into the South Renton neighborhood in the future?
It’s going to be really really odd to go from 3 story multi-residential to 150 buildings in 1
block
Crazy Ideas:
● These are a little outside the EIS scope but could guide consideration of mitigation
measures and traffic considerations.
● “The Loop”. It would be exciting to create a looping road highly friendly to non-car use (or
Cruz The Loop use) consisting of Talbot, Renton Village Pl, Shattuck, and 7th.
● “Outside Parking”. Push the parking lots to the main streets and put the buildings in the
middle so that the pedestrian/bike/scooter experience is enhanced for those that live and
work there. Consider the Downtown Disney in Florida model with cars to the outside.
● “Main Street” should be no-cars or a skinny 2-way curving car-unfriendly street that
people don’t want to drive on unless they are delivering / picking up / dropping off
Both Alternatives:
● Why are we forcing separation of commercial and mixed use?
○ I think wherever we have commercial Tower we should allow Mixed Use Max
● Potential light rail station
○ If this really is a potential station we need to bring the park/pedestrian corridor to
the station instead of to the sidewalk on Rainier. I think this would make the most
sense along Shattuck Ave since Rainier and the properties along it are probably
immovable objects
● Pedestrian Oriented Development
○ Grady and S 7t: Since this is a pedestrian-focused area I want to see large
elevated crossings, particularly over Grady and 7th. Consider the wildlife
“underpasses” created on I90. No pedestrian, cyclist, scooter rider, family with
strollers wants to cross these roads on the street.
○ Let’s push parking to the major streets and force internal streets to be no-cars.
Delivery trucks and vans, pedestrians, bikes, scooters would all be fine
● Where are the roundabouts?
○ This should be a roundabout-only zone except for the obvious immovable objects
of Grady and Rainier. Plan for the additional space at the intersections now if the
transportation team will “require” that to consider them.
● Left-out parcels
○ Home Depot and City Hall should be in the same plan. It’s really, really weird to
leave them out
● Page 32: Health-Air Quality: The 500’ mitigation buffer should apply to all
use/development, not just residential.
Attachment 3 AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
Page 22 of 23
●Page 32:Open Space:The green zone should become city park and be a
coordinated/dedicated corridor of really enjoyable park.We could call it “Central Park”or
“The Line”
Page 26:Alternative 2 showing map of zoning
●Page 30 Comparison:
○South of Grady should all be 120’in Alternative 2.It’s really odd to have a 20 and
70 foot section in the middle of that if I’m a pedestrian moving east-west
Page 27:Alternative 3 showing map of zoning
●Height consideration
○Creating 10-14 story development necessitates more vehicle traffic for commerce
and residents.If we’re going this direction with a pedestrian focused development
we need to push the parking to the outsides and make the streets non-car only.
●Page 30 Comparison:
○Area from 7th to Grady should all be 120’and higher rather than pushing it down
to 70’moving west for consistency in the neighborhood.Currently it’s an odd
experience going from southeast to northwest and having heights drop 50%
across Grady
●BAD TRADE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
○I really,really do not like the trade being offered for “no commercial”if it’s
affordable housing.We NEED the jobs space to warrant people moving into this
area and WORKING in the neighborhood too.
Page 43-49:Migitations
●We should not buffer from the freeway to help reduce noise and air pollution for building
users.350-feet of air space between a freeway and a building is no different than being
right next to it from a pollution standpoint.Pedestrians don’t want to be next to the
freeway at all so we don’t want a green space there that’s bad for pedestrians for no real
benefit to building tenants.
●TEMPERATURE IMPACT IS MISSING.I presume Alternatives 2 and 3 will bring
increased daily temperatures to the area.We should be specifically planning to mitigate
the heat!
●Vehicles:We should charge high parking rates!We should use roundabouts everywhere.
We should not add any more square feet of road or “lanes”anywhere.Bus only lanes
should be bus-only.When the bus service is fast and on time people ride it.When buses
must share with cars they are unpredictable and people don’t ride them.Consider an
internal Renton Shuttle that travels “The Loop”or something like it so people can more
easily move around without vehicles.
Page 59:Utilities
●Water:Is this how we want to use 50%of our remaining tap-water capacity as a city?
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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