HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Admin_Decision_800_SW_16th_Electric_Special_Fence_Permit_2506003
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Admin Decision_Electrical Special Fence Permit_250602_v1
PLANNING DIVISION
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIAL FENCE PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: June 3, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000064, SF
PROJECT NAME: 800 SW 16th St Security Fence
PROJECT MANAGER: Alex Morganroth, Principal Planner
OWNER: OB Renton Properties, LLC,
PO Box 726, Bellevue, WA 98009
APPLICANT/CONTACT: Bobby Inabinet, Sr. Compliance Manager
Amarok, LLC
550 Assembly St, 5th Fl
Columbia, SC 29201
PROJECT LOCATION: 800 SW 16th St (APN 3340406430)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, AMAROK, is requesting approval of a Special Fence
Permit in order to install an electric fence on the site at 800 SW 16th St (APN 3340406430). The 141,525
square-foot (3.25 acres) parcel is developed with an office building and surface vehicle storage lot used to
store shuttle vehicles driven by staff of the company leasing the office building, Shuttle Express. The parcel
is located in the Commercial Office (CO) zone, which has minimum front yard and secondary front yard
setbacks of fifteen feet (15’) for buildings less than 25 feet (25’) tall. The existing building is approximately 24
feet (24’) tall. An existing eight-foot (8’) tall, galvanized chain-link fence is located around the perimeter of
the surface parking lot. The electrical fencing is proposed behind the existing chainlink fencing on the north,
south, east, and west sides of the site totaling approximately 910 linear feet (910’) (Exhibit 2). The proposed
fence material consists of 12.5-gauge galvanized steel wires suspended horizontally to a maximum height of
seven feet (7’) above grade on steel or fiberglass poles of the same height (Exhibit 3). The electrical fencing
is located approximately four to eight inches (4” to 8”) behind the existing perimeter fence per IEC and ANSI
standards. The horizontal wires are energized with approximately 7,000 volts powered by a solar panel
system. Warning signage is proposed approximately every thirty feet (30’). Approximately 100 linear feet
(100’) of the fencing would not be energized with electricity due to its proximity to a fuel tank. According to
the applicant, the purpose of the fencing is to improve security and discourage unauthorized access to the
parking lot. No new landscaping on the site is proposed and no existing landscaping would be impacted by
the fence installation. According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, there are two (2) critical areas mapped on
the site including a High Seismic Hazard Area and a Special Flood Hazard Area (FEMA Zone – AE).
ANALYSIS: The applicant included a written justification response with the application (Exhibit 3). Based
on the nature and characteristics of the proposed fence, it is intended to discourage unauthorized access
to the site and improve the security of a large parking lot used to store company-operated shuttle vehicles.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D1B3AC5-19E1-4983-B7A3-5E45B7CE84C0
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Administrative Special Fence Permit
800 SW 16th St Security Fence LUA25-000064, SF
Date: June 3, 2025 Page 2 of 4
D_Admin Decision_Electrical Special Fence Permit_250226_v1
Staff finds that the site’s location at the end of a dead-end street, minimal pedestrian activity, and
surrounding industrial and commercial uses make it a suitable setting for this type of security measure.
The electric fence would be installed behind an existing eight-foot (8’) tall chain-link fence and set back
significantly from public rights-of-way, minimizing its visibility and potential impact on the streetscape. The
fence’s utilitarian design is consistent with the function of the site and does not detract from the character
of the surrounding area. Adequate warning signage would be installed, and the portion of the fence near a
fuel tank would remain de-energized for safety. No landscaping would be removed or altered, and no critical
areas would be impacted. Given the specific operational needs of the site, including fleet vehicle storage
and limited on-site staffing, staff finds that the proposed fence is a reasonable and necessary security
enhancement. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the Special Fence Permit request with one (1)
recommended condition of approval. See below under ‘Evaluation Criteria’ for additional analysis.
FENCE LOCATION: ☐ Clear Vision Area
☒ Front Yard
☐ Rear Yard
☐ Rear Yard along a Street
☒ Side Yard
☒ Secondary Front Yard
FENCE DESIGN: ☒ Permanent Landscaping along the Front of the Fence (Partial)
☐ Quality Fence Materials
☐ Modulation of Fence
☐ Similar to Design & Material of Surrounding Fence
☒ Increased Setbacks from Sidewalks (Partial)
☐ Ornamental Materials or Construction Treatment
☐ Orientation of the Finished Face of the Fence toward the Street
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Achieved
a. The proposed fence or hedge is not out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.
Staff Comment: The proposed fence is appropriate for this location and meets the criterion. The site
is near industrial properties and situated at the dead-end of Raymond Ave SW, which terminates at
Interstate 405 (I-405). Given the lack of sidewalks and the minimal pedestrian activity in the area, the
fence does not pose a threat to pedestrians or disrupt the surrounding environment. Unlike high-
traffic commercial districts, this area has limited foot traffic and few businesses that rely on a
customer-friendly streetscape. The fence provides necessary security without negatively impacting
the character of the area or deterring public access.
b. The proposed fence or hedge does not detract from the quality of the environment by being out of
scale or creating vast blank walls along public roadways.
Staff Comment: The proposed electric fence meets the criterion as it is consistent with the
surrounding light manufacturing and industrial environment. Given its location, it does not detract
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D1B3AC5-19E1-4983-B7A3-5E45B7CE84C0
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Administrative Special Fence Permit
800 SW 16th St Security Fence LUA25-000064, SF
Date: June 3, 2025 Page 3 of 4
D_Admin Decision_Electrical Special Fence Permit_250226_v1
from the quality of the area. The fence is set back approximately 75 feet (75’) from the right-of-way,
making it minimally visible from SW 16th St. Additionally, the portion of Raymond Ave SW fronting the
site is a dead-end street with limited pedestrian and vehicular traffic, reducing any potential impact
on public accessibility or aesthetics. In this context, the fence provides necessary security while
remaining appropriate for the area’s industrial character.
c. The proposed fence or hedge complements the environment it serves in an aesthetically pleasing
manner.
Staff Comment: The proposed electric fence meets the criterion as it maintains a low visual profile
by integrating discreetly with the existing chain-link perimeter fence. Located behind an existing
eight-foot (8’) tall chain-link fence, the electric fence would be minimally visible from public streets
and would not introduce new design elements that would clash with the surrounding light industrial
and commercial environment. The property’s setback from SW 16th St, combined with limited public
exposure due to its location at the terminus of Raymond Ave SW, further reduces the visual presence
of the fence. While utilitarian in appearance, the fence serves a functional security purpose without
detracting from the existing built form or surrounding landscape. Given the site’s use as a secure
vehicle storage area, the fence is appropriate and does not compromise the overall aesthetic of the
environment. To improve visual interest and soften the fence’s appearance along SW 16th St, staff
recommends as a condition of approval, the applicant shall install a minimum of two (2) trees in the
vegetated area between the existing chain-link fence and the SW 16th St right-of-way (ROW). The
species and location of the trees shall be reviewed and approved by the Current Planning Project
Manager. These two (2) trees shall be installed within ninety (90) days of permit issuance.
d. The proposed fence or hedge does not present a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Staff Comment: The proposed electric fence meets the criterion because it is not located in a high-
traffic pedestrian area and does not pose a hazard to vehicles or pedestrians. The site is situated on
a dead-end street with no sidewalks and minimal foot traffic, and the fence is located entirely behind
an existing perimeter chain-link fence, which provides a physical barrier preventing accidental
contact. Warning signage would be installed at regular intervals in accordance with safety standards,
and the portion of the fence adjacent to a fuel tank would remain de-energized for added safety.
Given the site’s industrial setting and controlled access, the fence does not introduce any new safety
risks for public or on-site circulation.
e. The proposed fence or hedge is necessary due to special lot circumstances.
Staff Comment: The proposed fence meets the criterion due to the operational characteristics of the
site and the security needs associated with vehicle storage. The parcel is used by Shuttle Express to
store a fleet of shuttle vehicles, which are a frequent target for theft and vandalism when left
unsecured. The lot is not staffed at all times, and the size and layout of the site make it difficult to
fully secure through conventional methods such as lighting and cameras alone. These conditions
create a heightened security need that justifies the installation of an electric fence. The proposed
fence provides a targeted solution that enhances security without requiring structural changes or
increased staffing, making it a reasonable response to the specific use and configuration of the site.
DECISION: The Special Fence Permit is hereby Approved with Conditions*.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D1B3AC5-19E1-4983-B7A3-5E45B7CE84C0
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Administrative Special Fence Permit
800 SW 16th St Security Fence LUA25-000064, SF
Date: June 3, 2025 Page 4 of 4
D_Admin Decision_Electrical Special Fence Permit_250226_v1
1) The applicant shall install a minimum of two (2) trees in the vegetated area between the existing
chain-link fence and the SW 16th St right-of-way (ROW). The species and location of the trees shall
be reviewed and approved by the Current Planning Project Manager. These two (2) trees shall be
installed within ninety (90) days of permit issuance.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
Matt Herrera, Planning Director Date
ADVISORY NOTE: The applicant should contact the Utility Notification Center, by dialing 800-424-5555, to
determine the location of underground utilities (telephone, streetlights, cable, electric), which may be
located behind the sidewalk.
APPEAL: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the
Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on June 17, 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.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D1B3AC5-19E1-4983-B7A3-5E45B7CE84C0
6/3/2025 | 2:52 PM PDT
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIAL FENCE PERMIT DECISION
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
800 SW 16th St Security Fence
Land Use File Number:
LUA25-000064, SF
Date of Report
June 3, 2025
Staff Contact
Alex Morganroth
Principal Planner
Project Contact/Applicant
Bobby Inabinet, Sr.
Compliance Manager
Amarok, LLC
550 Assembly St, 5th Fl
Columbia, SC 29201
Project Location
800 SW 16th St (APN
3340406430)
The following exhibits are included with the Administrative Special Fence Permit:
Exhibit 1: Administrative Decision
Exhibit 2: Site Plan
Exhibit 3: Special Fence Permit Justification
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D1B3AC5-19E1-4983-B7A3-5E45B7CE84C0