HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Admin_Decision_Toyota_of_Renton_Electric_Special_Fence_Permit
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 18, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000188, SF
PROJECT NAME: Toyota of Renton Security Fence
PROJECT MANAGER: Alex Morganroth, Principal Planner
OWNER: OB Renton Properties, LLC
150 SW 7th St, Renton, WA 98055
APPLICANT/CONTACT: Bobby Inabinet, Sr. Compliance Manager
Amarok, LLC
550 Assembly St, 5th Fl
Columbia, SC 29201
PROJECT LOCATION: 150 SW 7th St, Renton, WA 98057 (APN 1823059038)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, AMAROK, is requesting approval of a Special Fence
Permit in order to install an electric fence on the site at 150 SW 7th St (APN 1823059038). The 176,500
square-foot (4.05 acres) parcel is developed with a small vehicle auto dealership (Toyota of Renton) and the
associated surface vehicle lot used to store new vehicles and vehicles under repair at the service center. The
parcel is located in the Commercial Arterial (CA) zone. An existing galvanized chain-link fence ranging in
height between six feet (6’) and eight feet (8’) tall is located around a portion of the site’s perimeter. The
electrical fencing is proposed behind the existing chain-link fencing on the north, south, east, and west sides
of the site totaling approximately 922 linear feet (922’) (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 (Exhibits 2 and 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 30 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, a High Seismic Hazard Area and the Downtown Wellhead Protection
Area Zone 2 are mapped on the site.
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 enhance security for a large auto dealership with extensive surface parking used for vehicle
inventory and service operations. Staff finds that the site’s location within a vehicle-oriented commercial
Docusign Envelope ID: 328C7A24-EC92-4D02-A834-257968F07F20
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Administrative Special Fence Permit
Toyota of Renton Security Fence LUA25-000188, SF
Date: June 18, 2025 Page 2 of 4
D_Admin Decision_Toyota of Renton Electrical Special Fence Permit_250617_v1_DRAFT
corridor, its proximity to arterial streets, and the presence of other automobile-related uses make it a
suitable context for this type of security measure.
The electric fence would be installed directly behind an existing six- to eight-foot (6’–8’) tall chain-link fence,
in compliance with applicable safety standards, and would be energized using a solar-powered system. The
fencing is designed to maintain a low visual profile and would be minimally visible from surrounding public
streets due to its placement and the presence of existing perimeter fencing. Warning signage would be
installed at regular intervals, and a 100-foot (100’) segment near a fuel tank would remain de-energized to
reduce safety risks.
No landscaping would be removed or modified, and no critical areas would be impacted. The proposed
fencing is compatible with the utilitarian character of the site and does not detract from the visual quality or
function of the surrounding commercial environment. Given the specific operational needs of the business,
including the secure storage of vehicle inventory, staff finds the electric fence to be a reasonable and
context-appropriate security improvement. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the Special Fence
Permit request. 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 electric fence meets the criterion. The subject site is located within a
vehicle-oriented commercial area, surrounded by similar uses including car dealerships, surface
parking lots, and arterial roadways. Chain-link fencing is already present on-site and common in the
vicinity. The addition of an electric fence behind the existing perimeter fencing is consistent with the
character of the area and does not introduce a visual or functional conflict with the surrounding land
uses. The fence supports the site’s operational needs without negatively impacting the broader
commercial context.
Docusign Envelope ID: 328C7A24-EC92-4D02-A834-257968F07F20
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Administrative Special Fence Permit
Toyota of Renton Security Fence LUA25-000188, SF
Date: June 18, 2025 Page 3 of 4
D_Admin Decision_Toyota of Renton Electrical Special Fence Permit_250617_v1_DRAFT
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 fence meets the criterion as it does not create blank walls or impact
the scale of the site. The electric fence is located behind an existing six- to eight-foot (6’-8’) tall chain-
link fence and does not extend the height of the existing fencing above what is typically seen in the
area. Its design consists of narrow horizontal wires and unobtrusive posts, which do not add visual
bulk or disrupt the site’s interface with the public realm. The fence is minimally visible from SW 7th
St and other surrounding streets and does not obstruct views into or out of the site in a way that would
degrade the quality of the streetscape.
c. The proposed fence or hedge complements the environment it serves in an aesthetically pleasing
manner.
Staff Comment: The proposed electric fence satisfies this criterion by integrating into the existing
perimeter security infrastructure without introducing significant new visual elements. It is mounted
just a few inches behind the existing chain-link fence and is largely screened from public view due to
both the existing fencing and location of the fencing near the sides and rear of the site. The utilitarian
character of the fence is consistent with the function of the site as an auto dealership and repair
facility. While not decorative in nature, the fence does not visually dominate the environment or
conflict with the area's built form. Because of its low profile, internal placement, and limited public
exposure, it complements the existing environment in an appropriate and non-disruptive manner.
d. The proposed fence or hedge does not present a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Staff Comment: The fence meets this criterion. It is located entirely behind an existing secure chain-
link fence and is set back from the public sidewalk along S 7th St and Hardie Ave SW. The electrified
portion of the fence is positioned four to eight inches (4” to 8”) inside the chain-link perimeter,
reducing the likelihood of direct human contact. Warning signage would be installed approximately
every 30 feet (30’) in accordance with international safety standards. These design features ensure
that the fence does not pose a hazard to vehicles, pedestrians, or site personnel.
e. The proposed fence or hedge is necessary due to special lot circumstances.
Staff Comment: The proposed fence meets this criterion due to the operational needs and specific
use of the site. The property is used to store high-value vehicles that are either new, awaiting service,
or recently repaired. These vehicles are stored outdoors, often overnight or during weekends, making
them a potential target for theft or vandalism. The size of the lot and its layout with multiple access
points increase the complexity of securing the property. Given these conditions, and the limitations
of passive surveillance alone, the electric fence provides a justified and proportional response to the
site’s security needs without requiring major alterations to the site or landscape.
DECISION: The Special Fence Permit is hereby Approved.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
Matt Herrera, Planning Director Date
Docusign Envelope ID: 328C7A24-EC92-4D02-A834-257968F07F20
6/18/2025 | 4:06 PM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Administrative Special Fence Permit
Toyota of Renton Security Fence LUA25-000188, SF
Date: June 18, 2025 Page 4 of 4
D_Admin Decision_Toyota of Renton Electrical Special Fence Permit_250617_v1_DRAFT
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 July 2, 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: 328C7A24-EC92-4D02-A834-257968F07F20
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIAL FENCE PERMIT DECISION
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
Toyota of Renton Security Fence
Land Use File Number:
LUA25-000188, SF
Date of Report
June 18, 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
150 SW 7th St, Renton,
WA 98057 (APN
1823059038)
The following exhibits are included with the Administrative Special Fence Permit:
Exhibit 1: Administrative Decision
Exhibit 2: Site Plan and Gate Details
Exhibit 3: Special Fence Permit Justification
Docusign Envelope ID: 328C7A24-EC92-4D02-A834-257968F07F20