HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_566_Bronson_Way_NE_Street_Modification_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Project Location Map
D_566 Bronson Way NE_Street Modification
A. ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION REPORT & DECISION
Decision: APPROVED APPROVED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS DENIED
Report Date: October 22, 2025
Project File Number: PR25-000016
Project Name: Pan/Liang New SFR and ADU
Land Use File
Number:
LUA25-000039, MOD
Project Manager: Holly Powers, Engineering Specialist III
Owner/Applicant: Zhifeng Liang, 4115 153rd Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
Contact: Zhifeng Liang, 4115 153rd Ave SE, Bellevue, WA, 98006
(425) 698-3338, david11108@gmail.com
Project Location: 566 Bronson Way NE, Renton, WA 98056
Project Summary: The applicant, Zhifeng Liang, is requesting a Street Modification to the final
configuration of Bronson Way NE, a Residential Access Road. The Street
Modification would match the existing half street improvements which include
a paved width of 16 feet (16’), a half foot (0.5’) curb, a five-foot (5’) sidewalk and
a ten-foot (10’) planter strip between the sidewalk and property line. (APN
9476700130).
Site Area: 0.241 acres
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development PAN/LIANG New SFR and ADU Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA25-000039, MOD
Report of October 22, 2025 Page 2 of 6
D_566 Bronson Way NE_Street Modification
B. EXHIBITS:
Exhibit 1: Administrative Modification Decision
Exhibit 2: Site Plan
Exhibit 3: Modification Application
Exhibit 4: Modification Request Justification
Exhibit 5: Engineering Improvement Determination Results
C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
The applicant, Zhifeng Liang, is proposing a modification to the final configuration of Bronson Way NE, a
Residential Access Road. The existing right-of-way (ROW) width is 60 feet (60’) per the King County
Assessors map. To meet the City’s complete street standards for Residential Access streets, the minimum
ROW width is 60 feet (60’). Therefore, no ROW dedication will be required. Per City Code 4-6-060, half street
improvements shall be required and include: a pavement width of 32 feet (16 feet from ROW centerline), a
half foot (0.5’) curb, an eight-foot (8’) planting strip, a five-foot (5’) sidewalk, street trees and storm drainage
improvements.
However, the City will support efforts to retain the existing frontage along Bronson Way NE under the
following condition: the curb, sidewalk and one (1) driveway must meet current ADA and City standards.
D. FINDINGS OF FACT (FOF):
1. The Development Engineering Division of the City of Renton accepted the above master application
for review on March 11, 2025 and determined the application complete on July 28, 2025.
2. The applicant’s submittal materials comply with the requirements necessary to process the
modification request (Exhibits 2 – 5).
3. The project site is located at 566 Bronson Way NE.
4. The project site is currently developed with one (1) single-family home.
5. Access to the site would be provided via one (1) driveway on Bronson Way NE.
6. The property is located within the Residential Medium Density Comprehensive Plan land use
designation.
7. The site is located within the R-8 zoning classification.
8. The site is mapped with critical Landslide Hazard areas present. The property is also within the
Wellhead Protection Zone 2.
9. Modification Analysis: The applicant is requesting a modification from RMC 4-6-60, Street
Standards, for Bronson Way NE, a Residential Access Street. Specifically, the applicant is proposing
the following modification:
A modified residential access street standard retaining a right-of-way (ROW) width of
approximately 60 feet (60’) and, on the project side of the ROW centerline, a half foot (0.5’) curb,
a five-foot (5’) sidewalk and ten feet (10’) of clear space. The existing curb line would remain in its
current alignment with the modification.
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development PAN/LIANG New SFR and ADU Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA25-000039, MOD
Report of October 22, 2025 Page 3 of 6
D_566 Bronson Way NE_Street Modification
The proposal is compliant with the following modification criteria, pursuant to RMC 4-9-250, if all
conditions of approval are met. Therefore, staff is recommending approval of the requested
modification, subject to conditions as noted below:
Compliance Modification Criteria and Analysis
a. Substantially implements the policy direction of the policies and objectives of
the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element and the Community Design
Element and the proposed modification is the minimum adjustment necessary
to implement these policies and objectives.
Staff Comment: The Comprehensive Plan’s Land Use Element Goal L-B is to
“Continue to build Renton’s Regional Growth Center consistent with VISION 2040
to provide compact, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development to meet the
demands of population and employment growth, while reducing the
transportation-related and environmental impacts of growth.”
Keeping the existing roadway width and sidewalk, as proposed in the modification
request, provides a streetscape consistent with Goal L-B. Maintaining the sidewalk
behind the curb provides pedestrians with a safe walkway and the ten-foot (10’)
planter behind the sidewalk could allow for street trees, adding to the street appeal
of the neighborhood. This is consistent with Goal L-B.
Staff concurs the proposed modification implements the policy direction of the
Comprehensive Plan and is the minimum adjustment necessary. Community
design aspects of the Comprehensive Plan address walkable neighborhoods,
safety, and shared uses. The intent of the policies is to promote new development
with walkable places that support grid and flexible grid street and pathway
patterns, and are visually attractive, safe, and healthy environments. The
requested Street Modification is consistent with these policy guidelines. The
proposed modification maintains the sidewalk standards consistent with the
neighborhood.
Compliant
if condition
of approval
is met
b. Will meet the objectives and safety, function, appearance, environmental
protection and maintainability intended by the Code requirements, based
upon sound engineering judgment.
Staff Comment: The modification achieves these standards as follows:
• Safety: Maintaining the existing location of the sidewalk next to the curb is
consistent with the sidewalks on the street in this neighborhood. Bronson Way
NE is a low-speed residential access road and the street parking lane along the
street provides an additional safety buffer for pedestrians. Retaining the
existing frontage maintains the neighborhood character of the street. However,
the existing sidewalk is worn and may contain damaged panels; therefore, staff
recommends as a condition of approval, that the sidewalk be brought up to
comply with current ADA standards.
• Function: The proposed modification will maintain the existing sidewalk
alignment. This provides pedestrians with a convenient means of travel with no
sidewalk transitions to the sidewalks of the adjacent properties. This
modification will continue to provide a sidewalk that meets the plan goals of
providing a pedestrian-oriented space.
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development PAN/LIANG New SFR and ADU Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA25-000039, MOD
Report of October 22, 2025 Page 4 of 6
D_566 Bronson Way NE_Street Modification
• Environmental Protection: Maintaining the existing sidewalk and planting strip
locations will require the minimum feasible amount of disturbance within the
ROW.
• Maintainability: Maintaining the existing sidewalk and planting strip locations
will not add any additional maintainability costs/concerns.
The proposed modification would meet the objectives of function and
maintainability intended by the code requirements. City staff has reviewed
Bronson Way NE and the surrounding area and have determined that a modified
residential access street section is more suitable for the portion of Bronson Way
NE adjacent to the site. The determination was based on the fact that the
surrounding neighborhood has an established and consistent street section that
provides sufficient pedestrian safety along the existing sidewalks without the
planting strip buffer. Further, the neighborhood is on a hillside in which many
properties are significantly elevated above the road grade. By having a sidewalk
immediately abutting the curb, the clear space can be used to help offset the grade
differential between the road and foundation, thus reducing the size, scale and
frequency of retaining walls throughout the neighborhood.
c. Will not create substantial adverse impacts to other property(ies) in the
vicinity.
Staff Comment: Staff has not identified adverse impacts to other properties from
the requested modification. See also comments under criterion ‘b’.
d. Conforms to the intent and purpose of the Code.
Staff Comment: Staff concurs that the proposed modification meets the intent and
purposes of the Code. See also comments under criterion ‘b’.
e. Can be shown to be justified and required for the use and situation intended.
Staff Comment: Staff concurs that the modification is justified, given that it is
consistent with the existing nature of the surrounding neighborhood and provides
a safe and functional pedestrian experience. See also comments under criterion
‘b’.
E. DECISION:
The proposal satisfies 5 of the 5 criteria listed in RMC 4-6-060 for approval of modifications. Therefore, the
Pan/Liang New SFR and ADU (Administrative Roadway Modification), File No. LUA25-000039, MOD, is
approved and is subject to the following conditions:
1. If the existing sidewalk fronting the project site does not conform to ADA standards, then it shall be
replaced and shall conform to ADA standards. The replacement of the sidewalk shall be reviewed
and approved by the Development Engineering Project Manager prior to building permit issuance.
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development PAN/LIANG New SFR and ADU Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA25-000039, MOD
Report of October 22, 2025 Page 5 of 6
D_566 Bronson Way NE_Street Modification
DATE OF DECISION ON LAND USE ACTION:
SIGNATURE:
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
TRANSMITTED on October 22, 2025 to the Owner/Applicant/Contact:
Owner/Applicant Contact:
Zhifeng Liang
4115 153rd Ave SE
Bellevue, WA, 98006
(425) 698-3338
david11108@gmail.com
Zhifeng Liang
4115 153rd Ave SE
Bellevue, WA, 98006
(425) 698-3338
david11108@gmail.com
TRANSMITTED on October 22, 2025 to the Parties of Record:
None
TRANSMITTED on October 22, 2025 to the following:
Gina Estep, CED Administrator
Brianne Bannwarth, Development Engineering Director
Nathan Janders, Development Engineering Manager
Amanda Free, Economic Development Director
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director
Clark H. Close, Planning Manager
Anjela Barton, Fire Marshal
K. LAND USE ACTION APPEALS, REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION, & EXPIRATION:
The administrative land use decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within 14 days of the
decision date.
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 November 5, 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), together with the required fee to the Hearing
Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. RMC 4-8-110.B governs appeals to the
Hearing Examiner and additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City
Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510.
EXPIRATION: The Modification decision will expire two (2) years from the date of decision. A single one (1)
year extension may be requested pursuant to RMC 4-9-250.
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
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245
10/22/2025 | 3:02 PM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development PAN/LIANG New SFR and ADU Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA25-000039, MOD
Report of October 22, 2025 Page 6 of 6
D_566 Bronson Way NE_Street Modification
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.
THE APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE: provides that no ex parte (private one-on-one)
communications may occur concerning the land use decision. The Doctrine applies not only to the initial
decision, but to Appeals to the Hearing Examiner as well. All communications after the decision/approval
date must be made in writing through the Hearing Examiner. All communications are public record and this
permits all interested parties to know the contents of the communication and would allow them to openly
rebut the evidence in writing. Any violation of this doctrine could result in the invalidation of the appeal by the
Court.
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION REPORT & DECISION
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
Pan/Liang New SFR and ADU
Land Use File Number:
LUA25-000039, MOD
Date of Report
October 22, 2025
Staff Contact
Holly Powers
Engineering Specialist
III
Project Contact/Applicant
Zhifeng Liang
4115 153rd Ave SE
Bellevue, WA, 98006
(425) 698-3338
david11108@gmail.com
Project Location
566 Bronson Way NE,
Renton, WA 98056
The following exhibits are included with the Administrative Modification Report:
Exhibit 1: Administrative Modification Decision
Exhibit 2: Site Plan
Exhibit 3: Modification Application
Exhibit 4: Modification Request Justification
Exhibit 5: Engineering Improvement Determination Results
Docusign Envelope ID: 49C71B16-6723-4743-8E97-9DC1551C1245