HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_LUA25-000087_BarbeeMill_SMEDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_LUA25-000087_BarbeeMill_SME
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: April 10, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000087, SME
PROJECT NAME: Barbee Mill Fence Extension
PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Associate Planner
CONTACT: Steve Rodgers
1216 N 42nd Pl, Renton WA 98056
OWNER/APPLICANT: Barbee Mill Community Organization
8617 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
PROJECT LOCATION: APN 051850TR-I and APN 051850TR-B
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Shoreline Exemption (SME) to extend an existing
perimeter fence at Barbee Mill in order to further maintain the existing native growth buffer that protects May
Creek. The proposal includes adding a new twenty-foot (20’) section of six-foot (6’) tall cedar fencing to an
existing 365-foot (365’) long, six and one-half foot (6.5’) tall cedar fence that runs along the border between
Barbee Mill and King County Parks Eastrail South Trail to the east. The proposed activity would be considered
maintenance to ensure that the critical area is better protected from anthropogenic disturbance. The existing
fence and project site is located at Tract I APN 051850TR-I and Tract B APN 051850TR-B (Attachment A). As
shown in the submitted fence elevation (Attachment B), the proposed fence would not exceed the maximum
six-foot (6’) height limit to match the existing fencing as measured from the grade plane and would be the
same color and material as the existing fence. Regulations for fences permitted in Single-Family designations
stipulate that opaque portions cannot exceed sixty percent (60%) of the fence, requiring at least forty percent
(40%) to remain open. The additional fencing is anticipated to assist in lessoning potential environmental
damage from possible environmental changes caused or influenced by human activity by directing normal
public use to the north chip trail entrance from Barbee Mill’s Tract B. The subject parcels are in the Residential-
10 (R-10) zone. According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, the project site contains high seismic hazard areas
and is located along the border of the Shoreline Residential designation and the Shoreline Urban
Conservancy designation within May Creek Reach A.
SEC-TWN-R: NW-32-24-5
Docusign Envelope ID: B788561D-1D74-4D51-B5AE-2B163CA3E450
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Barbee Mill Fence Extension LUA25-000087, SME
Permit Date: April 10, 2025 Page 2 of 3
D_LUA25-000087_BarbeeMill_SME
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
(King County Assessor)
BARBEE MILL TGW UND INT IN TRS A,B,C,D,E,F,G, H,I,L,M,N,O & P
WATER BODY/REACH: MC-A: May Creek Reaches
SHORELINE EXEMPTION FINDINGS:
The proposed development is consistent with the following findings:
YES i. Consistent with the policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
Staff Comments: The proposal aims to protect May Creek by maintaining the native
growth protection area. The activity would have no significant adverse impact on the
environment including, but not limited to, fish, wildlife, fish or wildlife habitat, water
quality, and aesthetic values.
YES ii. Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Master Program.
Staff Comments: Shoreline use and development must be carried out in a manner that
prevents or mitigates adverse impacts to ensure no net loss of ecological functions and
processes in all development and use. Therefore, staff recommends as a condition of
approval, that all construction work be carried out without heavy machinery or
equipment. In addition, all disturbed areas around the new fencing shall be restored to
its original condition or better.
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION/DECISION: An exemption from a Shoreline Management Substantial
Development Permit is hereby Approved with Conditions* on the proposed project in accordance with
RMC.4.9190C “Exemption from Permit System” and for the following reasons:
Projects Valued at $8,504.00 or Less: Any development of which the total cost or fair market value does not
exceed eight thousand five hundred four dollars ($8,504.00), or as adjusted per RCW 90.58.030(3), if such
development does not materially interfere with the normal public use of the water or shorelines of the State.
Staff Comment: The scope of work to add additional fencing, a twenty-foot (20’) section, to an existing
perimeter fence is consistent with the exemption projects valued at $8,504.00 or less code standards listed
above. Pursuant to RMC 4-3-090D.7a.13, the proposed fence is considered conforming as to its height being
no more than six feet (6’) in height within the shoreline buffer and not abutting a residential lot. This activity is
being considered as maintenance to ensure that the critical area is better protected from anthropogenic
disturbance. No trees would be removed in order to install the fence, and the fence would be located outside
any flood hazard areas.
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall submit a revised fence design demonstrating that the proposed fence addition
adheres to the requirement that opaque portions cover no more than sixty percent (60%) of the fence,
with a minimum of forty percent (40%) of the fence remaining open.
2. All construction work shall be carried out without heavy machinery or equipment. In addition, all
disturbed areas around the new fencing shall be restored to its original condition or better.
Docusign Envelope ID: B788561D-1D74-4D51-B5AE-2B163CA3E450
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Barbee Mill Fence Extension LUA25-000087, SME
Permit Date: April 10, 2025 Page 3 of 3
D_LUA25-000087_BarbeeMill_SME
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
_____________________________________ ______________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be
reopened by the approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily
discoverable prior to the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After
review of the reconsideration request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original
decision, there will be no further extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action
must file a formal appeal within the 14-day appeal time frame.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the
Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on April 24, 2025. An appeal of the decision must be filed within
the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Appeals must be submitted
electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub
Monday through Friday. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be collected at
a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. The appeal submitted in person may be paid on the
first floor in our Finance Department. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and
additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office,
cityclerk@rentonwa.gov.
EXPIRATION: Two (2) years from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Project Narrative
Attachment B: Fence Elevation
Docusign Envelope ID: B788561D-1D74-4D51-B5AE-2B163CA3E450
4/10/2025 | 2:34 PM PDT