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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEX_38_C_Transportation_Concurrency_20240806_v1DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT M E M O R A N D U M DATE: August 30, 2024 TO: Jill Ding, Senior Planner FROM: Nathan Janders, Development Engineering Manager SUBJECT: Transportation Concurrency Test Sound Transit South Renton Transit Center (SRTC): LUA24-000233 750 Rainier Ave S (1923059035, 1923059063, 1923059068, and 1923059074 The applicant, Sound Transit, is requesting master plan review, site plan review, Hearing Examiner conditional use permit, lot line adjustment, bicycle parking modification, and driveway modification to construct the South Renton Transit Center (SRTC) located at 750 Rainier Ave S (APNs 1923059035, 1923059063, 1923059068, and 1923059074). The subject property is approximately 8.3 acres and is in the Commercial Mixed Use Comprehensive Plan designation, Commercial Arterial (CA) zone, and the Urban Design District D overlay district. The site is mostly flat with impervious surfaces. Initially developed as an auto dealership and service garage, the businesses that were previously on the site have been relocated. Sound Transit has partnered with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to implement new bus rapid transit (BRT) service along I-405. As part of the I-405 BRT program, Sound Transit is proposing to construct BRT facilities in Renton, Burien, Tukwila, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, and Lynnwood. The transit center would include stops for Sound Transit and King County Metro (KCM) routes, bus operator facilities, transit shelter canopy, 8 bus bays, 13 - bus layover spaces with a gantry for bus charging, 158-stall surface parking lot for transit center users, and bicycle racks/lockers. Vehicle access would be from Rainier Avenue S and Lake Avenue S. Environmental review was completed by Sound Transit, as its own lead agency completed environmental review and issued a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non - Significance on September 30, 2020. In 2021, the applicant received a demolition permit, a critical areas exemption (for work within a Seismic Hazard Area), and a critical areas approval (for work within a Wellhead Protection Area) for the demolition and removal of the four buildings that Transportation Concurrency Test – SRTC Page 2 of 3 August 30, 2024 were onsite. Additional work would include roadway improvements on Rainier Avenue S, Hardie Avenue SW, S Grady Way, and Lake Avenue S (APN 1923059032) to facilitate bus and pedestrian ingress and egress to the site, landscaping, utility improvements, and construction of a stormwater conveyance and treatment system. The proposed development would generate an increase of approximately 2,436 net new average weekday daily trips. During the weekday AM peak hour, the project would generate an increase of approximately 380 net new trips (308 inbound and 75 outbound). During the weekday PM peak hour, the project would generate an increase of approximately 404 net new trips (92 inbound and 312 outbound). The proposed project passes the City of Renton Traffic Concurrency Test per RMC 4-6-070.D as follows: Traffic Concurrency Test Criteria Pass Implementation of citywide Transportation Plan Yes Within allowed growth levels Yes Project subject to transportation mitigation or impact fees Yes Site specific street improvements to be completed by project Yes Traffic Concurrency Test Passes Evaluation of Test Criteria Implementation of citywide Transportation Plan: The City’s investment in completion of the forecast traffic improvements is greater than 100% of the scheduled expenditure through 2024. Within allowed growth levels: The citywide traffic concurrency trip capacity for concurrency with the city adopted model for 2024 is 1,944 trips. The trip balance provides sufficient capacity to accommodate an decrease of approximately 404 trips from this project. A resulting 1,540 trips are remaining. Project subject to transportation mitigation or impact fees: The project will be subject to transportation impact fees at time of building permits for the project. Site specific street improvements to be completed by project: The project will be required to complete frontage street improvements prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy. Any additional off-site improvements identified through land use approval will also be completed prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy. Background Information on Traffic Concurrency Test for Renton The City of Renton Traffic Concurrency requirements for proposed development projects are covered under Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-6-070. The specific concurrency test requirement is covered in RMC 4-6-070.D, which is listed for reference: Transportation Concurrency Test – SRTC Page 3 of 3 August 30, 2024 D. CONCURRENCY REVIEW PROCESS: 1. Test Required: A concurrency test shall be conducted by the Department for each nonexempt development activity. The concurrency test shall determine consistency with the adopted Citywide Level of Service Index and Concurrency Management System established in the Transportation Element of the Renton Comprehensive Plan, according to rules and procedures established by the Department. The Department shall issue an initial concurrency test result describing the outcome of the concurrency test. 2. Written Finding Required: Prior to approval of any nonexempt development activity permit application, a written finding of concurrency shall be made by the City as part of the development permit approval. The finding of concurrency shall be made by the decision maker with the authority to approve the accompanying development permits required for a development activity. A written finding of concurrency shall apply only to the specific land uses, densities, intensities, and development project described in the application and development permit. 3. Failure of Test: If no reconsideration is requested, or if upon reconsideration a project fails the concurrency test, the project application shall be denied by the decision maker with the authority to approve the accompanying development activity permit application. The Concurrency Management System established in the Transportation Element on page XI -65 of the Comprehensive Plan states the following: Based upon the test of the citywide Transportation Plan, consideration of growth levels included in the LOS-tested Transportation Plan, payment of a Transportation Mitigation Fee, and an application of site-specific mitigation, development will have met City of Renton concurrency requirements.