HomeMy WebLinkAboutS.SeattleGateResponseLetter-signed
June 20, 2024
Brianna Burroughs
Associate Planner
City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way, 6th Floor
Renton, Washington 98057
bburroughs@rentonwa.gov
RE: PSE S. Seattle Gate Station Fence Replacement
PSUB24-000129
Dear Ms. Burroughs:
This letter is in response to your email dated May 16, 2024. PSE submitted our variance
request to replace the existing fence at the S. Seattle Gate Station located a 730 S. 21st
Street on April 19, 2024. PSE met with City staff on May 14, 2024 to discuss outstanding
items related to the variance request. Below are responses to the comments in your May
16, 2024 email:
1. The Public Information Sign information and affidavit can be found in this link:
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/DocView.aspx?id=8464209&dbid=0&re
po=CityofRenton.
Response: PSE contracted with Signs by Rob and the sign was installed on the
property on May 31, 2024. Please see affidavit.
2. Based on our meeting’s discussion, the Planning team is requesting the following
information materials to be submitted:
• The written correspondence between Renton Police Department (RPD)
and the PSE team which entails the RPD’s preferred mitigation of
landscaping with respect to CEPTED for this site. This document will be
public information; please redact any sensitive information that is not
pertinent to the application.
PSE S. Seattle Gate Station
6/20/24
Page | 2
Response: The RPD memo does not specifically reference CEPTED or
landscaping preferences. A copy of the memo can be obtained from
Deputy Chief Jeff Hardin or Commander Lance Gray.
• If applicable, include a landscape plan that complies with the CEPTED
feedback.
Response: A landscape plan is not applicable to this site. The requirements
for 10’ of street frontage landscaping or landscaping in street right-of-way
in RMC 4-04-070 apply to cases listed in RMC4-04-070.B, none of which
include fence replacement. We perceived that there was agreement
during our discussion on May 14 around security concerns and landscaping
blocking views into the site. The site sits below the grade of the
surrounding sidewalk and roadway, so even low growing shrubs will be
much taller than the grade of the site. Additionally, the mesh style of the
fence creates more screening than the existing barbed-wire fence. We
also discussed that any landscaping would need to be planted within City
controlled road right-of-way as the fence is on the property line. PSE
would need documentation from Public Works granting permission for PSE
to install plants in the public right-of-way. Additionally, PSE could only use
a low growing plant palette to provide contrast along the fence, but with
plants that will not screen the site from view in consideration of physical
security needs at the site. There are also potential underground utility
conflicts in the road right-of-way that would need to be considered and
avoided. Any low-growing planting along Benson Drive S. would not be
seen behind the jersey barrier and would need WSDOT concurrence to be
planted within a state highway right-of-way.
• There was mention of alternative color chip options for the fence. Please
provide these color chips as well as a rendering of the color application
design (if any) to the fence.
Response: See color options and fence renderings. The color choices are
reflective of blending the fence with the surroundings instead of drawing
attention to the site. PSE is able to provide one fence color from the
options included.
PSE S. Seattle Gate Station
6/20/24
Page | 3
Thank you working with PSE to implement this important security project as expeditiously
as possible. Should you have questions or would like to discuss any of these items further,
please contact me at 425-457-6140 or kerry.kriner@pse.com.
Sincerely,
Kerry Kriner, AICP
Consulting Land Planner