HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/03/2025 - Agenda Packet
AGENDA
Planning Commission Meeting
6:00 PM - Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
4. AUDIENCE COMMENT
1. Virtual Attendees
2. In-person Attendees
Those attending virtually (Call 253-215-8782, Zoom meeting ID: 880 3465 9736, password:
Weplan2024 or
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88034659736?pwd=z1TyxJNsMEloal0MglAamlJkjbnLaR.1) will be
offered an opportunity to speak before the in-person (physical meeting at the City Hall, 7F
Council Chambers) comments are completed.
Please use your device to raise your (electronic) hand in order to be recognized by the
Recording Secretary.Each speaker will be provided three (3) minutes to address an item.
Groups or organizations may select a spokesperson to speak on a group’s behalf.
Alternatively, interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments to
planningcommission@rentonwa.gov.
Attendees will be muted and not audible to the Commission except during times they are
designated to speak.Public can use the “Raise Hand” option if attending through video.If there
are others calling in, you can be called upon by the last 4 digits of your telephone number.
Phone instructions: *6 to mute/unmute, *9 to raise hand.
5. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
6. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
7. BRIEFING - GROUP 19B D-235: CRITICAL AREAS ORDINANCE UPDATES
a)
8. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
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9. ADJOURNMENT
Hearing assistance devices for use in the Council Chambers are available upon request.
For more information please visit rentonwa.gov/planningcommission
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CITY OF RENTON
Community and Economic Development Department
#D-235: Critical Areas Ordinance
Staff: Mariah Kerrihard, Associate Planner
Date: September 3, 2025
Applicant or Requestor: Staff
_____________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The critical areas ordinance (CAO) is a set of development regulations that cities and counties
must adopt and enforce to protect specific environmentally sensitive areas and to safeguard the
public from natural hazards. The CAO is mandated by the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA).
The purpose of the proposed code amendment is to align the City’s regulations with current state
law and “best available science” (BAS) by the end of the year deadline.
BACKGROUND – CRITICAL AREA ORDINANCE
The Critical Areas Regulations are intended to guide development in ways that protect the
environment, public safety, and community well-being. Its goals include preserving natural
habitats, maintaining species diversity, and restoring critical areas where possible, while ensuring
activities in sensitive areas do not cause hazards, damage, or unnecessary costs to the public. It
supports state and city policies, helps officials make informed decisions on development
proposals, and works to minimize risks from issues like flooding and abandoned coal mines. In
doing so, it protects both property and the local tax base while also safeguarding riparian areas—
streams, rivers, and their banks—that provide essential benefits such as clean water, flood
storage, erosion control, and healthy ecosystems for fish and wildlife.
As part of the current update to the Critical Areas Ordinance, three main categories of changes are
being introduced: (1) code cleanup to clarify regulatory language and references, (2) Channel
Migration Zone (CMZ) regulations and expanded mapping, and (3) updated requirements for
wetlands protection. The City is required to adopt the updated regulations by the end of 2025.
PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS
The proposed revisions are based on the latest scientific data. While the details are still being
finalized, it is expected that the updates will include establishing regulations and authority within
the CAO to regulate the Channel Migration Zone, changes to wetland buffer widths, and
incorporating general code cleanup. Staff is proposing changes to the following code section:
• RMC 4-3-050 CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Amend city code, as described above, to align the City’s regulations with Best Available Science by
the end of the year deadline.
IMPACT ANALYSIS
Effect on rate of growth, development, and conversion of land as envisioned in the Plan
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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There are no anticipated effects on the rate of growth, development, and conversion of land
envisioned in the Plan.
Effect on the City’s capacity to provide adequate public facilities
There are no anticipated effects on the City’s capacity to provide adequate public facilities.
Effect on the rate of population and employment growth
There are no anticipated effects on the rate of population and employment growth created by the
proposed changes.
Whether Plan objectives are being met as specified or remain valid and desirable
Objectives of the Plan would remain valid and desirable.
Effect on general land values or housing costs
There are no anticipated effects on general land values or housing costs.
Whether capital improvements or expenditures are being made or completed as expected
There are no anticipated effects on capital improvements or expenditures created by the proposed
changes.
Consistency with GMA and Countywide Planning Policies
The proposed amendments are consistent with the GMA and Countywide Policies.
Effect on critical areas and natural resource lands
The proposed changes are likely to have a positive impact on critical areas and natural resource
lands by improving protections (e.g., increased wetland buffers).
AGENDA ITEM #7. a)
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