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Home My WebLink AboutERC_West_African_Community_Center_251013_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Project Location Map ERC_West_African_Community_Center_251013_Final ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC Meeting Date: October 13, 2025 Project File Number: PR24-000090 Project Name: West African Community Center Land Use File Number: LUA24-000390, CU-H, ECF Project Manager: Jill Ding, Senior Planner Owner/Applicant: West African Community Center, 505 S 4th St, Renton, WA 98057 Contact: Constance Proctor, Century Law Firm, PLLC, 2135 112th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 Project Location: 505 S 4th St, Renton, WA 98057 (APNs 7839800145 and 7839800190) Project Summary: The applicant is requesting a Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit and Environmental (SEPA) Review to operate a social service organization (West African Community Center) on the project site. The project site is comprised of two (2) parcels totaling approximately 17,140 square feet in area within the Center Downtown (CD) zone, Urban Design District A, and Commercial and Mixed-Use (CMU) Comprehensive Plan land use designation. The West African Community Center is proposing to occupy an existing 11,465-square-foot, two- story building that was previously occupied by a window coverings company for retail operations, warehousing, manufacturing, and office space. The proposal includes minor internal tenant improvements for office uses, a retail sundries store, tutoring services, volunteer services, and community board meetings. Access to the site is provided via an alley off S 4th St along the west boundary of the project site to an existing surface parking lot located to the rear of the existing building. According to COR Maps, a high seismic hazard area and wellhead protection areas (zones 1 and 2) are mapped on the project site. Exist. Bldg. Area SF: 11,465 sq. ft. Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): N/A N/A Site Area: 17,140 sq. ft. (0.39 acres) Total Building Area GSF: 11,465 sq. ft. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS). Docusign Envelope ID: 6237944A-CC86-409F-9CDC-DCA300430BED City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development West African Community Center Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA24-000390, CU-H, ECF Report of October 13, 2025 Page 2 of 4 ERC_West_African_Community_Center_251013_Final 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 1. None. C. Exhibits Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report Exhibit 2: Site Plan Exhibit 3: Floor Plans Exhibit 4: Building Photographs Exhibit 5: Trip Generation Assessment, prepared by Heath & Associates, dated September 2, 2025 Exhibit 6: SEPA Environmental Checklist, prepared November 20, 2024 Exhibit 7: Duwamish Tribe Comment Email, dated September 23, 2025 Exhibit 8: Duwamish Tribe City Response Email, dated September 26, 2025 Exhibit 9: King County Wastewater Treatment Division (KCWTD) Comment Letter, dated September 22, 2025 Exhibit 10: KCWTD City Response Email, dated September 26, 2025 Exhibit 11: Dineen Public Comments and City Response, dated September 29, 2025 Exhibit 12: Transportation Concurrency Memorandum, dated October 7, 2025 Exhibit 13: Advisory Notes D. Environmental Impacts The proposal was circulated and reviewed by various City Departments and Divisions to determine whether the applicant has adequately identified and addressed environmental impacts anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposed development. Staff reviewers have identified that the proposal is likely to have the following probable impacts: 1. Earth Impacts: The project site is located within a high seismic hazard area. A Geotechnical Report was not included with the land use application materials as no exterior improvements to the existing building are proposed. The proposed project is limited to a change of use and interior tenant improvements. Docusign Envelope ID: 6237944A-CC86-409F-9CDC-DCA300430BED City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development West African Community Center Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA24-000390, CU-H, ECF Report of October 13, 2025 Page 3 of 4 ERC_West_African_Community_Center_251013_Final It is anticipated that the city’s adopted building code and construction standards would adequately mitigate any impacts of the proposed tenant improvements on the project site; therefore, no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 2. Historic and Cultural Preservation Impacts: Staff received comments from the Duwamish Tribe (Exhibit 7) during the 14-day public comment period. The Duwamish Tribe requested that any permanent lighting be dark sky compliant to reduce light pollution. As the project proposal does not include any exterior additions and is limited to a change of use with interior tenant improvements, it is not anticipated that the proposal would include exterior light fixtures. Therefore, no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 3. Transportation Impacts: A Trip Generation Assessment, prepared by Heath & Associates, dated September 2, 2025 (Exhibit 5), was submitted with the project application materials. The project proposal was subjected to the Transportation Concurrency Test (Exhibit 12). The proposed development is anticipated to generate an increase of approximately 31 weekday daily trips. During the weekday AM peak hour, the project would generate a decrease of 17 weekday AM peak hour trips (-13 in, - 4 out). During the weekday PM peak hour, the project would generate an increase of approximately six (6) net new trips (1 in, 5 out). The proposed project passes the City of Renton Traffic Concurrency Test. A Traffic Impact Analysis was not required to be submitted with the application materials as the proposal would not generate 20 new AM or PM peak hour trips. The proposal is not anticipated to result in new transportation impacts to the city’s transportation system. Therefore, no further mitigation is recommended. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 4. Utilities Impacts: Staff received comments from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division (KCWTD) (Exhibit 9). The comments received from the Environmental Planner note that a capacity charge is to be applied to any project that results in a new connection to the sewer system or any change in use of a building that includes an increase in plumbing fixtures. King County requested that their comments be provided to the sewer department to ensure that proper fees were collected in the event that the work proposed falls within the scope of work noted above. These comments were provided to the city’s Development Engineering Division for consideration. Mitigation Measures: None recommended. Nexus: Not applicable. 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 the applicant. ✓ Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report. Docusign Envelope ID: 6237944A-CC86-409F-9CDC-DCA300430BED City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development West African Community Center Staff Report to the Environmental Review Committee LUA24-000390, CU-H, ECF Report of October 13, 2025 Page 4 of 4 ERC_West_African_Community_Center_251013_Final 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 on or before 5:00 p.m. on October 27, 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. Docusign Envelope ID: 6237944A-CC86-409F-9CDC-DCA300430BED CITY OF RENTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE EXHIBITS Project Name: West African Community Center Land Use File Number: LUA24-000390, CU-H, ECF Date of Meeting October 13, 2025 Staff Contact Jill Ding Senior Planner Project Contact Constance Proctor Century Law Firm, PLLC 2135 112th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 Project Location 505 S 4th St, Renton, WA 98057 The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report: Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Report Exhibit 2: Site Plan Exhibit 3: Floor Plans Exhibit 4: Building Photographs Exhibit 5: Trip Generation Assessment, prepared by Heath & Associates, dated September 2, 2025 Exhibit 6: SEPA Environmental Checklist, prepared November 20, 2024 Exhibit 7: Duwamish Tribe Comment Email, dated September 23, 2025 Exhibit 8: Duwamish Tribe City Response Email, dated September 26, 2025 Exhibit 9: King County Wastewater Treatment Division (KCWTD) Comment Letter, dated September 22, 2025 Exhibit 10: KCWTD City Response Email, dated September 26, 2025 Exhibit 11: Dineen Public Comments and City Response, dated September 29, 2025 Exhibit 12: Transportation Concurrency Memorandum, dated October 7, 2025 Exhibit 13: Advisory Notes Docusign Envelope ID: 6237944A-CC86-409F-9CDC-DCA300430BED