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HomeMy WebLinkAboutD241 Neighborhood Retail Survey Results and AnalysisKatie Buchl-Morales | kbuchl@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-6578 D-241: Neighborhood Scale Retail Preliminary Survey Analysis and Conclusions October 2025 QUICK POLL Q: I would like to live in closer proximity to neighborhood retail and services without having to relocate. Select one. Options Distribution of Responses Strongly agree 70% Agree 11% Neutral 6% Disagree 4% Strongly disagree 9% Preliminary Analysis and Conclusions A strong majority (81%) of survey respondents expressed interest in living closer to neighborhood retail and other services with 70% selecting strongly agree and an additional 11% selecting agree. Neutral responses made up 6%, while 13% expressed a lack of interest; 4% selected disagree and 9% chose strongly disagree. The survey results demonstrate a clear community preference for integrating small scale retail and other services into residential areas to support convenience and livability. QUICK POLL RESULTS Results shown in the order asked on survey. Land Uses Percentage of Responses Eating and Drinking Establishments 86% Specialty Shops Small bookstores, bike shops, gift shops, flowers/plants and floral supplies, etc. 72% Salon and Spa Hair and skincare services with grooming and beauty related retail 32% Pet Retail and Services Pet grooming, daycare, and pet/animal related retail 34% Neighborhood Markets Mini-marts, bodegas, and convenient stores 66% Medical Offices Dentist, chiropractor, family medicine, etc. 14% Office Real estate offices, design firms/studios, accounting, etc. 38% Clothing Small boutiques, consignment shops, alterations, etc. 8% I do not support efforts to allow neighborhood retail in residential areas 4% Community survey results indicate strong support for neighborhood- scale retail. Ninety-six percent of survey participants indicated support for some form of neighborhood scale retail with only 4% of respondents noting that they do not support efforts to allow neighborhood retail in residential areas. The top three preferred land uses identified by respondents were: •Eating and Drinking Establishments (86%) •Specialty Shops (72%) •Neighborhood Markets (66%) It is notable that Neighborhood Markets ranked lower than expected. One possible explanation is that the inclusion of convenience stores in this category may have impacted community acceptance. Despite broad interest in neighborhood scale retail, some respondents may associate convenience store with gas stations, potentially resulting in a lower rate of selection. The question asks, “What types of neighborhood scale businesses would you like to see in your neighborhood?” While some uses received a relatively low selection rates, specifically clothing shops (8%) and medical offices (14%), this may not reflect outright opposition. Instead, respondents may have chosen not to select these uses because they did not anticipate personally benefitting from them but may still support their presence in the neighborhood. Findings on Preferred Land Uses SURVEY Q1: What types of neighborhood scale businesses would you like to see in your neighborhood? Select all that apply. SURVEY RESULTS Results shown in the order asked on survey. SURVEY Q2: Where do you feel neighborhood retail should be able to relocate? Select one. Permissibility Community Preference Allow neighborhood scale retail on all residential lots.39% Only allow neighborhood scale retail on corner lots, excluding midblock locations. 17% Allow neighborhood scale retail in select areas (e.g., higher density zones). 22% Allow neighborhood scale retail in residential areas along streets with high traffic volumes. 17% No response 4% While survey data indicates strong overall support for neighborhood scale retail, respondents expressed varied preferences regarding where such uses should be allowed and under what conditions. The most popular option, selected by 39% of respondents, was to allow neighborhood scale retail on all residential lots. More limited approaches also received support: •22% preferred allowing retail only in select areas, such as higher density zones •17% supported restricting it to corner lots •17% favored limiting it to residential areas along streets with higher traffic volumes. •4% of respondents did not answer this question, suggesting uncertainty or a decision to skip the question.SURVEY RESULTS Volunteer Park Café and Pantry – Seattle, WA Findings on Preferred Location and Conditions Results shown in the order asked on survey. SURVEY Q3: If neighborhood scale retail is allowed in the future, should onsite housing be required? Select one. Housing Requirements Community Preference Yes, onsite housing should be required.25% Residential should be required on all lots except for when the proposed site is on a street with higher traffic volume. 45% No, onsite housing should not be required.26% No response 4% Findings on Whether Onsite Housing Should Be Required Responses to this question highlights strong support for a flexible approach to neighborhood scale retail. Survey results show that 45% of participants support requiring onsite residential, with an exception for site located on streets with higher traffic volumes. Responses were more evenly split regarding onsite housing requirements; 25% favored requiring onsite housing where neighborhood scale retail is allowed, while 26% indicated preference that onsite housing not be required. While requirements for onsite housing may present challenges to neighborhood scale feasibility, it may also result in more diverse housing types, contribute to the city’s housing inventory, and support walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. SURVEY RESULTS Wildwood Market and Eatery Results shown in the order asked on survey. Summary of Engagement Efforts •Your Voice Renton project webpage launched: July 12, 2025 •Total survey responses: 540 •Total quick poll responses: 187 •Survey period: July 16, 2025 – September 30, 2025 (77 days) •Community outreach events o Renton Farmer’s Market: August 5, 12, and 26 o Family Fun Extravaganza at Kiwanis Park: August 14 o Sunset Community Group Listening Session: September 10 •Media coverage and other outreach o Featured in city-publication This Week in Renton o Renton Reporter article published August 29, 2025 o Our Renton