HomeMy WebLinkAboutStreet Modification Request for Frontage Improvements
Western Washington Division Eastern Washington Division
165 NE Juniper St., Ste 201, Issaquah, WA 98027 407 Swiftwater Blvd, Cle Elum, WA 98922
Phone: (425) 392-0250 Fax: (425) 391-3055 Phone: (509) 674-7433 Fax: (509) 674-7419
www.EncompassES.net
September 26, 2017
Ian Fitz-James
City of Renton
RE: Street Modification Request
Carpenter Short Plat
3600 Block Lincoln Avenue NE
City of Renton Permit #U16-004636
Dear Ian:
For the Carpenter Short Plat project, please consider this letter a street modification request for
revisions to the Lincoln Avenue NE street section at the south end of the improvements, to better fit the
existing conditions and to prevent access to an existing driveway from becoming degraded.
• Taper the face of curb location from 18.4’west of the right-of-way (ROW) centerline at STA
2+75 to 21.4’ west of the ROW centerline at STA 3+50, then continuing at 21.4’ west of the
ROW centerline to the south terminus of the new curb constructed for the project, STA 3+88.24
on the west side of Lincoln Avenue NE … tapering the planter strip from 8’ to 5’.
• Widen the east side of Lincoln Avenue NE along this tapered curb to 20.5’ from the face of
curb. This would involve matching the existing paving saw cut line at the existing driveway for
3636 Lincoln Avenue NE on the east side of the street, and superelevating the new asphalt from
the driveway saw cut down to the new curb at a maximum slope of 5%. The superelevation will
be feathered in north and south of the 3636 Lincoln Avenue NE driveway to match the crowned
section of Lincoln Avenue NE.
• The problem with this street, which makes this proposed street modification make sense, is that
the existing 16’ of Lincoln Avenue NE roadway paving is constructed on the west half of the
60’ road ROW (plus an additional 2’ to be dedicated on the west side for this project), the east
half of the unimproved ROW is at a higher elevation (at least 6’), and there is an existing, steep
driveway for the 3636 Lincoln Avenue NE residence. Short plat conditions for this project
dictated that the frontage be improved in the normal way, were a sidewalk is constructed along
the west property line, together with an 8’ planter strip and a curb—but this would’ve caused
the street to become even narrower than the existing 16’, requiring the east side of the street to
be widened into the existing driveway in question, creating the need for major driveway
regrading. This driveway was going to be fixed with street improvements on the east side of the
street to be constructed with the preliminarily approved, but since expired, Lincoln Short Plat
on the south side of 3636 Lincoln Avenue NE. But since this work wasn’t completed, it has
created a situation where the 3636 Lincoln Avenue NE driveway would be unduly impacted
without the fix to the east side of the street that the Lincoln Short Plat would have done. The
best solution will be as proposed: 1) shift the curb west and 2) superelevate the roadway to
match the 3636 Lincoln Avenue NE driveway.
This request meets the required criteria:
1. Substantially implements the policy direction of the policies and objectives of the
Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element and the Community Design Element and the project
modification is the minimum adjustment necessary to implement these policies and objectives.
Consistent with the Land Use Element, the road revisions help essential public facilities to be
efficient and convenient while minimizing impacts on surrounding uses. Consistent with the
Community Design Element, keeping the neighbor’s driveway as-is, improves or maintains the
livability of Renton’s neighborhoods.
2. Will meet the objectives and safety, function, appearance, environmental protection and
maintainability intended by the Code requirements, based upon sound engineerin g judgment. Both
project engineer for the developer and the City’s engineer for the project agreed that the
proposed curb relocation would provide for the safety and access interests of the City and
neighbor, based on sound engineering judgement.
3. Will not be injurious to other property(ies) in the vicinity. The proposed curb relocation and
superelevation will help rather than be injurious to other property(ies) in the vicinity, or will at
least keep the status quo.
4. Conforms to the intent and purpose of the Code. The process of working out a good solution
the neighbor’s potential driveway impacts in advance to creating a problem conforms to the
Code intent of making the City a better place.
5. Can be shown to be justified and required for the use and situation intended. Yes, this is a good
solution to a possible driveway access problem.
6. Will not create adverse impacts to other property(ies) in the vicinity. The proposed curb
relocation and superelevation will help rather than create adverse impacts to other property(ies)
in the vicinity, or will at least keep the status quo.
If you have questions or need additional information, please call me at 425-392-0250 or email me at
tredding@encompasses.net
Sincerely,
Encompass Engineering
Tom Redding
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