HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRE24-000298 Meeting Summary
CityofRenton\Department Folders\Community and Economic Development (CED)\Current Planning\Pre-
Applications\2024\PRE24-000298
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: December 5, 2024
TO: Pre-Application File No. PRE24-000298
FROM: Nichole Perry, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: Café Drive-Through Conditional Use – 960 Harrington Ave NE
(APN 7227801025)
General: We have completed a preliminary review of the pre-application for the above-referenced
development proposal. The following comments on development and permitting issues are
based on the pre-application submittals made to the City of Renton by the applicant and the
codes in effect on the date of review. The applicant is cautioned that information contained in
this summary may be subject to modification and/or concurrence by official decision-makers (e.g.,
Hearing Examiner, Community & Economic Development Administrator, Public Works
Administrator, Planning Director, Development Services Director, Development Engineering
Director, and City Council). Review comments may also need to be revised based on site planning
and other design changes required by City staff or made by the applicant. The applicant is
encouraged to review all applicable sections of the Renton Municipal Code. The Development
Regulations are available online at https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Renton.
Project Proposal: The applicant is proposing to add drive-through service use to Hasel Café
located at 960 Harrington Ave NE (APN 7227801025). The subject property is 2,305 square feet in
area and is located in the Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) land use designation, the Center Village
(CV) zoning district, and is in the Urban Design District D overlay. Driveway access and traffic
circulation for the drive-through is proposing to utilize the existing site layout with no changes to
the property boundaries or significant site improvements. According to the City of Renton (COR)
map, no critical areas are present on-site.
Current Use: The project site is currently developed and operating as a café.
1. Zoning/Land Use Designation, and Overlays: The project is subject to a “Drive-in/drive-
through service,” per RMC 4-2-060 and RMC 4-2-080, of the Zoning Designation Table and
Conditions for the Center Village (CV) zoning district. The CV Zone is designed to promote urban
redevelopment that supports transit-oriented development, pedestrian activity, and mixed-use
environments. Automobile-oriented uses, such as drive-throughs, are prohibited to maintain
alignment with these goals.
Drive-through services are prohibited in the Center Village (CV) Zone, except for financial
institutions and certain multi-story buildings under strict conditions. These conditions consist of
a maximum of three (3) accessory drive-up windows as part of the exterior wall of the financial
Café Drive-Through Conditional Use
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December 5, 2024
CityofRenton\Department Folders\Community and Economic Development (CED)\Current Planning\Pre-
Applications\2024\PRE24-000298
institution structure and drive-through lanes must not be located between the street and the
main pedestrian access to the buildings.
Variances cannot be granted for uses explicitly prohibited by the zoning code. The property at 960
Harrington Ave NE previously operated as a fast-food restaurant with a drive-through under
different zoning regulations. However, the zoning changed to CV and thereby eliminated the ability
to reintroduce a drive-through as a permitted or conditional use.
2. Next Steps: Please contact Nichole Perry, Associate Planner, at 425-430-7286 or
nperry@rentonwa.gov if you have further questions.