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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix A -- RSD ParkingThis transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 1 of 9 Appendix A February 18, 2025, Hearing Transcript Renton School District Transportation Expansion Variance, Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Approval File No. – LUA24-000376 Note: This is a computer-generated transcript provided for informational purposes only. The reader should not take this document as 100% accurate or take offense at errors created by the limitations of the programming in transcribing speech. A recording of the hearing is available from the City should anyone need an accurate rendition of the hearing testimony. Speaker 1 (00:00): Progress. Speaker 2 (00:04): Alright, good morning everyone. For the record, it is February 18th, 2025 and 11:00 AM at Phil Albergs Hearing examiner for the city of Renton today. Holding hearing on application for hearing examiner site plan review conditional use, permanent of variance application to expand the Renton school district's parking lot. The hearing format will be able to start off with a presentation from staff and who's going to be our lead staff today. Speaker 3 (00:38): That will be Nicole. Speaker 2 (00:39): Oh, okay. Great. Ms. Perry, welcome on. Yes, Speaker 4 (00:42): Good morning. Speaker 2 (00:43): Great. Speaker 4 (00:46): My audio, Speaker 2 (00:48): Oh, it's working now. Speaker 4 (00:50): This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 2 of 9 I'm with that. Speaker 2 (00:51): Okay. After Ms. Perry's presentation, then we'll move on to applicant comments representing the school district. Then after that public, if there are any public comments, then back to Ms. Perry to answer any questions that were raised. The applicant then gets final word. I get 10 business days to issue a final decision. And Ms. Cisneros, do you want to share the exhibit list at this point? Alright. By state law, I'm only allowed to consider evidence, put in the record, I'm not allowed to talk to staff or the applicant or anybody about the project. All the information I've had so far is the staff report put together by Ms. Perry and the exhibits that support her recommendations and findings. And Ms. Cisneros is showing what those documents are composed of that back up the staff report, there's the site plan, landscape plans, neighborhood plan or detail map, the plan set that outlines how the building dimensions, that kind of thing. (01:44): Technical information report, which is drainage, do technical, it's in a seismic hazard area. Cultural resources assessment, and also environmental review to determine if an environmental impact statement was necessary. None was found here. And let's see, we've got some construction mitigation, traffic concurrency, assessing whether essentially the project meets the city's congestion standards. And then we have written materials from the applicant that addressing the permitting criteria and advisory notes from city staff, the specialists of the city who determined whether the project meets the different codes that apply to the project. And Mr. Ros, I believe there's always a few more after that list. Yes. Moving on, we've got the staff PowerPoint as Exhibit 20 City of Rent Maps and located the website which show aerial photographs of the project, site zoning, critical area maps, that kind of thing. And then finally, Google Earth, also showing aerial photographs. At this point, just want to ask if anyone has any objections to entry these documents or needs to see them? If you do, just click on the virtual raise hand button at the bottom of your screen, not seeing any taker. So I'll go ahead and admit, I think it's exhibits one through 22. Is it Mr. Cisneros Total? Speaker 3 (03:01): Yes, correct. Speaker 2 (03:01): Okay. Alright, so those are admitted. Ms. Perry, let me swear in. Just raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm to tell the truth, nothing but the truth in this proceeding? Speaker 1 (03:09): Yes. Speaker 2 (03:10): Okay, great. Go ahead. Speaker 1 (03:12): Okay. Go ahead and share. Speaker 3 (03:23): This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 3 of 9 Sorry, taking just a second. Speaker 1 (03:25): Okay. Speaker 3 (03:58): It can be a little tricky. Let me know if you need some support. Speaker 4 (04:00): Yeah, actually it would be nice. I was just looking at that because it's a little different than teams. I want to just do the presentation, not the entire screen. Let's, Speaker 1 (04:30): Okay. Speaker 4 (04:33): Yeah, I'm having trouble with the sharing. Speaker 3 (04:37): Okay. Pull it up and let me see if I can maybe start those. Just let me know when to click. Okay. Speaker 4 (04:58): Okay. Just a second. I actually could you exit out of that and there's an updated version. Speaker 1 (05:12): Oh, I see there. Speaker 4 (05:13): Yeah. Speaker 1 (05:18): Thank you. Just a second. Speaker 3 (05:24): It opens up two screens so you don't have to click on the one that doesn't have the notes. It's like two windows. Speaker 1 (05:30): Okay, let's try it. Speaker 4 (05:46): I'm so sorry. Okay, so it should be the updated one in the drive. If you, This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 4 of 9 Speaker 1 (05:57): Let's see. Reopening it just, hopefully this works. Yeah, just lemme know. Speaker 4 (06:17): Okay. Thank you for your patience, everybody. Speaker 1 (06:21): Okay? Speaker 4 (06:32): Yeah, Jenny, I just am trying to put it in presenter mode instead of sharing my entire screen. Speaker 3 (06:46): If you just send it into laser page, I can, oh, I think you have it. Go up to the top. There's a different screen that pulls up that's like a dark screen. Okay. If you one, I can share it. Is it the one that's in laser page though? Speaker 4 (07:07): Yeah. Speaker 3 (07:07): Okay. Speaker 4 (07:08): Yeah. The only issue is presenter mode. I have notes that I was going to read from. Speaker 3 (07:19): You might just keep it open as I share the screen. I'll get your presentation up. Okay. Speaker 1 (07:32): Thank you. You're welcome. Okay, here we go. Speaker 3 (07:45): Okay, now mine's loading. Okay, Speaker 4 (07:50): Here we go. Alright, so good morning. My name is Nicole Perry and I'm an associate planner with the city of Renton. Today I'll be presenting the Renton School District transportation expansion project case number LUA 2 4 0 0 0 3 7 6. Next slide. Alright, thank you. The project site is located at 4 4 4 and 4 5 0 Park Avenue North, covering approximately 0.45 acres. It is zoned commercial arterial with an urban design district D overlay and designated as commercial mixed use in the comprehensive plan. Additionally, the site falls within a high seismic hazard area and wellhead protection areas at oh two. This project expands the rents and school district's parking lot to support its transportation and fleet This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 5 of 9 maintenance facility. It adds 44 new parking stalls, including one a D, a stall, and 12 designated for fleet. The plan also includes security upgrades with an eight foot fence site improvements such as a 1200 square foot public plaza and enhanced landscaping access will be from Park Avenue North and North fifth Street. And the applicant is requesting site plan review, a conditional use permit, and a variance for the fence setback. Next slide. I have attached here a site plan that shows the proposed layout. You can see the parking configuration, access points and key site improvements. This plan illustrates how the expansion integrates within the existing facility while maintaining efficient site circulation. Next slide. (09:39): Again, this project is located within the city center planning area and falls under the commercial arterial zoning district with an urban District D overlay. The comprehensive plan designates this area as commercial mixed use. Surrounding zoning includes commercial arterial to the east, south, and west with urban center two zoning to the north government facilities such as this transportation expansion are allowed in the CA zone with hearing examiner approval. Next slide. As for critical areas, this is again located within a high seismic hazard area, meaning the development must meet additional geotechnical and structural requirements to ensure safety and stability. The project has undergone appropriate review to comply with these regulations. Next slide. The site is also located within a wellhead protection area zone two, which is designated to safeguard groundwater resources. This designation ensures that any development on the site follows best practices for stormwater management and pollution prevention. Next slide. (10:49): Primary access to the site will be through the connected lots via Park Avenue North and North fifth Street. The new surface parking lot will include 44 stalls with 5,743 square feet of new landscaping, including a 1200 square foot pedestrian plaza and 16 new trees. According to the submitted traffic impact analysis, the project will not result in any significant traffic impacts. Next slide. The conditional use permit analysis confirms that this project meets all requirements. It complies with the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations is appropriate, located in a commercial and light industrial area, and does not create an over concentration of similar uses. The impact on adjacent properties is minimal with landscaping designed to mitigate visual effects. The project is compatible with the mixed use character of the neighborhood, provides adequate parking for staff and fleet and includes pedestrian safety improvements. Additionally, noise and lighting impacts are minimal and limited to operational hours. (11:57): Landscaping enhancements include a 10 foot buffer and 16 new trees with a detailed plan required for approval. Next slide. And for the reasonable use variance, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow an eight foot security fence along Park Avenue North, exceeding the maximum height limit and to reduce the required 15 foot setback to 10 and a half feet due to site constraints, strict zoning requirements would limit parking and security similar facilities, half comparable fencing, ensuring consistency. The proposed fence and landscaping will maintain visual appeal and have no negative impact on adjacent properties. And this request does not grant any special privilege as nearby industrial and commercial properties have similar security measures. Additionally, the variance is the minimum necessary as a setback along North Fifth Street remains at 15 feet and the eight foot fence is the lowest height needed for security purposes. Next slide. The site plan highlights the areas related to the variance request. The proposed eight foot security fence along the Park Avenue North shown here requires a variance due to exceeding the height limit and the reduced 10 and a half foot setback. The fence along North fifth Street is compliant and does not require a variance. This layout allows for improved security while maintaining necessary parking and landscaping buffers. This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 6 of 9 (13:33): As for environmental review, the Renting School District is the lead agency for this project. The CIPA process began with a checklist issued on October 7th, 2024, followed by a comment, a determination of non significance was issued on December 16th, 2024 with no appeals filed. Required mitigation measures include cultural resource protection, native vegetation for new plantings and compliance with contaminated soil regulations. No public or agency comments were received during the review process. (14:07): Okay. Next slide. Staff recommends approval for the site plan review, conditional use permit and variance subject to conditions. These conditions ensure compliance with zoning regulations, environmental protections, and operational standards. The key conditions include compliance with approved plans and zoning policies, maintaining a 10 foot landscape buffer with the 16 new trees, ensuring the eight foot security fence follows the approved 10 and a half foot setback, obtaining any required stormwater permits and managing contaminated soil for the WAC 1 7 3 3 50, implementing any inadvertent discovery plan for cultural resources and limiting lighting to operational hours and ensuring noise control. These conditions will help mitigate any potential impacts, maintain compatibility with the surrounding area, ensure the project meets all regulatory requirements. And that concludes my presentation. I'm happy to answer any questions at this time. Speaker 2 (15:10): No, it looks pretty good. Thank you Ms. Perry. Alright, let's move on to applicant. Do we have an applicant representative here today? Don't have to say anything actually. Oh, Speaker 3 (15:21): Lisa Klein Speaker 5 (15:22): Will be Speaker 3 (15:23): Speaking on behalf of the project. Speaker 2 (15:25): Okay. Speaker 3 (15:25): I don't know if she needs to be promoted to a panelist or I'll do that. Thank you. Thank you so much. Speaker 1 (15:45): There she is. Speaker 5 (15:51): Okay, there I am. Speaker 2 (15:52): This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 7 of 9 Okay. Ms. Klein, let you swear in. Just raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm and tell the truth nothing but the truth in this proceeding? Speaker 5 (15:58): I do. Speaker 2 (15:58): Okay, great. Go ahead. Speaker 5 (16:00): Thank you. Yes, Mr. Ner, Lisa Klein with a HBL representing Renton School District today. There are other representatives that are here from our team, which includes the district representatives themselves, as well as the civil engineers on the project. And they, in case you have any questions, we have reviewed the staff report and we are good with the staff report. Don't have any corrections to that. Couple of things about the PowerPoint though that were noticed this morning. And just to get the record correct, they're very minor, but one has to do with slide number two, which was the vicinity map. That's not the project's vicinity, but I think the record accurately shows the correct vicinity map. Also, just so that you know, we, for the district when doing the CPA process, we did receive a comment letter from the Duwamish tribe, and we referenced that comment in the CPA determination itself. And so there's a couple of the mitigation measures that are in there were requested directly from the Duran tribe, so don't know if you want a copy of that letter for the record or not. But that process has been completed and the appeal prior has expired. Speaker 2 (17:35): Okay. Yeah, let's get that in as Exhibit 23. I take it, no objections out there. If you do just raise your virtual hand. So takings, we'll put that in as 23. A couple of quick questions. Ms. Kle, on the variance, that's always one of the more difficult parts of a project the staff report suggested in terms of special circumstances with the location, the staff report suggested this was possibly a high crime area. Is that something you or someone on your team could comment on? I mean, has there been a history of theft or problems at the project side or the surrounding project side? Any information like that that might help bolster that finding? Speaker 5 (18:15): It's my understanding that there's a lot of valuable equipment that are in the transportation lot and that there has been some, whether it's thefts or vandalism to the lie. But I know that the district representatives would have more information on that. Speaker 2 (18:38): Okay. All right. Yeah. And Matthew, oh, sorry. Speaker 5 (18:42): I was going to say Matthew Fel Meyer might be able to speak on that. Speaker 2 (18:48): This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 8 of 9 Okay. Ms. Fel Meyer, let me swear in real quick. Just raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm to tell the truth, nothing but the truth in this proceeding? Speaker 6 (18:55): I do. Speaker 2 (18:55): Okay, great. Go ahead. Speaker 6 (18:59): More during the catalytic converter theft era, we've had several break-ins to the transportation parking lot where we had catalytic murders stolen out of both our fleet vehicles and our buses. We've also just had people breaking into that lot and hanging out between the buses and doing illegal activity. So yes, it has occurred multiple times in the last five years that I can recall that we've had things occur in that transportation parking lot, especially with the high barrier that a bus creates from visibility for people driving by lot of privacy is available in that area. Speaker 2 (19:35): Okay, great. Yeah, that's very helpful. Thank you Mr. Feldmar. And then Ms. Klein, one other question, and maybe if you've got your architect on board here today, just what would be the consequences of having to place the fence behind the setback? I don't recall. It's 10 or 15 feet or something. I mean, how would that limit the objectives of the proposal if you had to do that? Speaker 5 (19:58): We included an explanation of that in our justification that we submitted, and essentially if we were to comply with that setback for that eight foot 10 fence, we would not have sufficient area. We would lose one hole row of parking. And then the result of that would be that there just wouldn't be adequate parking to achieve the district's objectives. Speaker 2 (20:27): Okay. Okay. Alright. Yeah, sounds great. Alright, let's move on then to, oh, sorry, Speaker 5 (20:34): One other clarification. Sure. In Ms. Perry's presentation, she had the conditions on the last page and I was comparing those with the staff report and I'm not sure if those are the same. As with the staff report, there were three in the staff report on page Speaker 4 (21:00): 28. Those were summarized conditions, not word for work. So they are, they're said differently than, yeah, the actual report, I try to condense it. Each power, each bullet point isn't for each condition, that's just a compilation of the information. Okay. That helps clarify anything. Speaker 2 (21:34): This transcript was exported on Mar 03, 2025 - view latest version here. Appendix A -- RSD Parking Lot 2 (Completed 03/03/25) Transcript by Rev.com Page 9 of 9 Okay. I'll certainly go by the recommended conditions and the staff report for the actual worry and the decision. So, alright. Anything else, Ms. Klein? Speaker 5 (21:44): No, Speaker 2 (21:44): That Speaker 5 (21:44): Was it from our part, unless you have any questions for us? Speaker 2 (21:47): Nope. Nope. Pretty straightforward. Let's move on to public comments, if any. At this point, I just want to invite anyone who wants to say anything about this project, neighbors, people in the city, anybody who has something they want to share, just click on the virtual hand at the bottom of your screen and not seeing any takers. Mr. Cisneros, are you seeing anyone who wants to say anything? Speaker 1 (22:08): No. Speaker 2 (22:08): Okay. All right. Back to Ms. Perry. Any final comments before we wrap up the hearing today? Speaker 4 (22:13): Nope. No final comments. You Speaker 2 (22:15): Okay? All right. I guess then I can go ahead and close the hearing and it looks pretty straightforward. I mean, I'll take a close look at the variance request, but I think it pretty strong case to meet the criteria, so I shouldn't have too much trouble getting that approval done. And we'll get that in the next couple of weeks out to everybody. So thanks all for participating today. We're adjourned and have a great rest of the day.