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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC Report-D-238-Transpo Element-LUA24-000263DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ERC Report - D-238: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Transportation Element Update), LUA25-000263, ECF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: September 15, 2025 Project Name: Docket Group 20A D-238: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Transportation Element Update) Project Number: LUA25-000263, ECF Project Manager: Ellen Talbo, Transportation Planning Manager Owner: City of Renton Applicant: City of Renton Contact: Ellen Talbo, Transportation Planning Manager, Tel: 425-766-2233, Email: etalbo@rentonwa.gov Project Location: Citywide Project Summary: Transportation Element assists the City of Renton in coordinating transportation and land use planning within its municipal boundaries, guides the development of a multimodal system that provides transportation choices for all users and facilitates inter-jurisdictional coordination of transportation-related projects. This element is consistent with Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050 plan. To that end, the Transportation Element includes the required elements for meeting compliance with the Growth Management Act including: mapped inventories of existing facilities, Travel forecasting and land use assumptions, Long-range project list of system needs, and Multiyear financing plan cover the 20 year comprehensive planning horizon. Exist. Bldg. Area SF: N/A Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): N/A N/A Site Area: N/A Total Building Area GSF: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS). PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND Project Description Developing the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan has been occurring on a special timeline due to the technical complexities of developing future year forecasts based on land use growth for 2044 and modeling those forecasts. To that end, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) conditionally certified on June 24, 2025 that the transportation-related provisions in the City of Renton 2024 comprehensive plan conform to the Growth Management Act and are substantially City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report DOCKET GROUP NO. 20A LUA25-000263, ECF Report of Monday, September 15, 2025 Page 2 of 3 ERC Report- ERC Report - D-238: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Transportation Element Update), LUA25-000263, ECF consistent with multicounty planning policies and the Regional Transportation Plan, provided that additional amendments are incorporated into the comprehensive plan. Conditional status is in place until the City of Renton completes and adopts a work plan to complete the Transportation Element by December 2025. The current effort is on track for completion and a Public Hearing is scheduled for September 17, 2025. Staff is presenting an overview of the Transportation Element and its findings as well as the following work plan dates for completing the Transportation Element chapter. The Transportation Element chapter is purposed in meeting the requirements of the Growth Management Act along with PSRC’s regional VISION 2050 by demonstrating the following: • Use internally consistent land use assumptions and forecasts of travel demand and that are consistent with growth targets. • Provide inventories of existing facilities, and level-of-service standards and concurrency provisions that address multiple modes of travel, planned land uses and densities, and state highways. • Include a multiyear financing plan and reassessment strategy to address potential funding shortfalls. • Direct demand management, including programs to implement the Commute Trip Reduction Act. • Plan for pedestrians and bicycles, including capital investments, education, and safety. • Discourage incompatible uses adjacent to airports. • Address air quality and the reduction of pollutants consistent with WAC 173-420-080. VISION 2050 also calls for local comprehensive plans to: • Plan for system maintenance, safety and emergency management. • Support the Regional Growth Strategy. • Provide alternatives to driving alone. • Plan facilities and services for special needs transportation. • Avoid the creation of new and expanded facilities in rural areas. Identify racial and social equity as a core objective when implementing transportation projects. • Protect the environment and reduce stormwater pollution. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report DOCKET GROUP NO. 20A LUA25-000263, ECF Report of Monday, September 15, 2025 Page 3 of 3 ERC Report- ERC Report - D-238: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Transportation Element Update), LUA25-000263, ECF PART TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations. A. Environmental Threshold Recommendation Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials: Issue a DNS with a 14-day Appeal Period. B. Mitigation Measures None C. Exhibits None D. Environmental Impacts There are no environmental impacts that are anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposal. E. Comments of Reviewing Departments The proposal has been circulated to City Department and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their comments have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or “Advisory Notes to Applicant.”  Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report. The Environmental Determination decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing together with the required fee to: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, on or before 5:00 p.m. on September 29, 2025. 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.