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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC Report_Docket 20_Group B_V2DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ERC Report 2025 Docket 20, Group B and Resource Center in the Valley ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: November 3, 2025 Project Name: PR25-000002, 2025 Docket 20, Group B/Resource Center in the Valley Project Number: LUA25-000350, ECF Project Manager: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner Owner: City of Renton Applicant: City of Renton Contact: Angelea Weihs, 425-430-7312 Project Location: All docket items are citywide. Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review for the following non- project items: Resource Center in the Valley – City staff propose a code amendment to allow a Resource Center with overnight accommodations for unhoused residents in the Commercial Arterial (CA) zone south of I-405 and west of SR-167. The facility would provide hygiene, meals, case management, and housing navigation services, modeled after Auburn’s Resource Center. The amendment would add Homeless Services as a permitted use, subject to a Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit, within this limited CA subarea to support the City’s goals for supportive housing and coordinated service delivery. D-243: RMF-2 Rezone – The City proposes zoning map amendments to rezone nine (9) sites from RMF, R-14, and R-10 to RMF-2. All sites are designated Residential High Density under the Comprehensive Plan, except one partially within the Commercial & Mixed Use designation. The RMF-2 zone allows 20–40 dwelling units per acre and supports compact infill near transit, commercial corridors, and employment areas. The rezone aligns zoning with existing densities, resolves nonconforming conditions, and promotes reinvestment in appropriate locations. D-244: Contractor Yards and Offices – Staff propose expanding location options for low-impact contractor and trade businesses by allowing certain Construction and Contractor’s Offices in additional zones under an Administrative Conditional Use Permit. The amendment integrates contractor trades into the Off-Site Services definition, allowing them in CA-zoned areas east of Rainier Ave S/SR-167 with conditional review, while higher-intensity yards remain limited to industrial zones. D-245: Administrative Code Interpretations – Staff propose codifying adopted administrative interpretations that clarify ambiguous or conflicting provisions within Title IV, Development Regulations. Topics include the Residential Rental Program, transitional and supportive housing standards, definitions for coverage, nonconforming dwelling alterations, public notice for vehicle permits, adult family homes, fence permit thresholds, and parking stall dimensions. These interpretations are already in effect and are now being formally incorporated for consistency and clarity. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2025 DOCKET 20, GROUP B/RESOURCE CENTER IN THE VALLEY LUA25-0000350, ECF Report of Monday, November 3, 2025 Page 2 of 5 ERC Report 2025 Docket 20, Group B and Resource Center in the Valley 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 Resource Center in the Valley City of Renton staff propose an amendment to Renton Municipal Code to allow a Resource Center with overnight accommodations for unhoused residents within the Commercial Arterial (CA) zone located south of I-405 and west of SR-167. The proposed amendment would permit this use under a Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and classify it as Homeless Services—an existing use type proposed to be added within this limited CA subarea. A Resource Center would provide essential services such as hygiene, meals, case management, and housing navigation to support individuals transitioning to permanent housing. Allowing a Resource Center that is modeled after the City of Auburn’s successful Resource Center, which provides integrated day and overnight services through coordinated partnerships with service providers and housing agencies aligns with the City’s Business Plan goal to provide opportunities and eradicate disparities for residents. Allowing a resource center in the Valley subarea, aligns zoning with the City’s goals for housing stability, coordinated services, and public health. Therefore, staff propose amending code to allow a resource center with overnight accommodations— classified under Homeless Services Use—in the CA zone within the Valley (south of I-405 and west of SR-167) with an approved Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit. D-243 RMF-2 Rezone The City of Renton proposes zoning map amendments to rezone nine (9) geographically distinct sites from Residential Multi-Family (RMF), Residential-14 (R-14), and Residential-10 (R-10) to Residential Multi-Family-2 (RMF-2). All sites are designated Residential High Density (RHD) under the Comprehensive Plan, except one site that partially falls within the Commercial & Mixed Use (CMU) land use designation. The RMF-2 zone allows residential densities between 20 and 40 dwelling units per net acre and encourages compact, walkable housing near transit, employment centers, and commercial corridors. The rezone supports citywide goals for infill development and efficient land use by aligning zoning with built densities and reducing the number of under-zoned, nonconforming sites. Analysis of the nine (9) sites shows that existing multi-family developments already function at densities more consistent with the RMF-2 zone. Retaining lower-density zoning limits the ability to reinvest or redevelop older properties and contributes to inconsistencies between zoning and Comprehensive Plan designations. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2025 DOCKET 20, GROUP B/RESOURCE CENTER IN THE VALLEY LUA25-0000350, ECF Report of Monday, November 3, 2025 Page 3 of 5 ERC Report 2025 Docket 20, Group B and Resource Center in the Valley The proposed rezone will: • Align Zoning and Land Use: Match zoning with existing built densities to prevent nonconformities and encourage reinvestment. • Support Infill Development: Facilitating infill and redevelopment of vacant and underbuilt parcels to help meet Renton’s housing target while providing a broader variety of housing types. • Encourage Housing Variety: Support a broader mix of compact multi-family housing types consistent with RMF-2 standards. • Promote Transit-Supportive Growth: Reinforce growth near transit corridors and employment areas to advance equitable access and sustainability goals. D-244: Contractor Yards and Offices City staff propose amendments to Renton Municipal Code to expand location options for low-impact contractor and trade businesses. The amendment would allow certain Construction and Contractor’s Offices in additional zones under an Administrative Conditional Use Permit, while higher-intensity Contractor Yards would remain limited to industrial zones. Currently, contractor trades are restricted to industrial zones regardless of operational scale. Many of these small businesses, such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and similar trades, operate primarily as office-based services with limited on-site storage and minimal industrial-type impacts. The lack of flexible location options can increase startup costs and reduce the availability of commercial spaces for these businesses. The amendment would: • Broaden Location Options: Integrate contractor trades into the definition of Off-Site Services and allow Construction and Contractor’s Offices within select CA-zoned areas east of Rainier Ave S/SR- 167, through an Administrative Conditional Use Permit. • Maintain Industrial Standards: Retain high-impact Contractor Yards in industrial zones to ensure appropriate separation from sensitive uses. • Support Local Trades: Promote business retention and expansion for small and mid-scale contractor operations, improving access to centrally located, transit-served sites. • Simplify Permitting: Streamline the permitting process by distinguishing between office-oriented trades and outdoor storage yards. This code amendment supports economic development policies encouraging flexibility for light commercial businesses while maintaining compatibility with surrounding uses. D-245: Administrative Code Interpretations City staff propose to codify several adopted administrative interpretations that clarify ambiguous or conflicting provisions within Title IV, Development Regulations. These interpretations were issued under RMC 4-8-080(G), which authorizes the Community and Economic Development (CED) Administrator to interpret the code to maintain consistency with legislative intent and the Comprehensive Plan. The interpretations address recurring points of confusion for applicants and reviewers and are now being formally incorporated into Renton Municipal Code for clarity, predictability, and transparency. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2025 DOCKET 20, GROUP B/RESOURCE CENTER IN THE VALLEY LUA25-0000350, ECF Report of Monday, November 3, 2025 Page 4 of 5 ERC Report 2025 Docket 20, Group B and Resource Center in the Valley Topics covered include: • Clarification of standards for Residential Rental Registration and Inspection Program applicability, • Updated applicability for Transitional and Supportive Housing uses, • Refinements to definitions of Building Coverage and Lot Coverage, • Clarification of limits on alterations to Nonconforming Dwelling Units, • Public notice requirements for Additional Vehicle Permits, • Definition of Adult Family Home for consistency with state law, • Permit thresholds for Fences, and • Minimum Parking Stall Dimensions. All interpretations have already taken effect through administrative decision and are now proposed for incorporation into the code to ensure that existing policy direction, practice, and interpretation are permanently codified for consistency and ease of use. 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. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2025 DOCKET 20, GROUP B/RESOURCE CENTER IN THE VALLEY LUA25-0000350, ECF Report of Monday, November 3, 2025 Page 5 of 5 ERC Report 2025 Docket 20, Group B and Resource Center in the Valley 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 November 17, 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.