HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Staff Response to Hanbey_260112.pdfJanuary 11, 2026
Hearing Examiner:
I am wri ng to oppose the land use for an expansion of Renton High School to the north
and east of its current loca on.
I do not believe the school district should receive special considera on or treatment, that
is, treatment no single resident or property owner would have: to realize the school’s
proposal, the school district is looking to be “above the law” in several ways, namely:
1) Use property for a completely different use than it is zoned for and designated in
the city comprehesive plan, changing residen al and commerical uses to lesser use.
2) Sidestep city requirement for use of side streets for vehicle access and for school
buses, using South Logan Ave and S 2nd Street instead of Tobin and Lake Streets.
3) Close a through street on the north side of the school, which is part of item 2 and is
necessary for the project, taking the block-long stretch of street to repurpose as part
of school grounds. [This may not have been made explicit in the land use propsal.]
4) Subvert tree reten on standards, which bound the high school between the high
school property and Logan Ave S, and the block north of the school.
1) Incompa ble Land use
The proposed land use in not compa ble with the zoning for the block north of the
school, and the stretch of proper es on the West side of Logan Avenue S which is
proposed to be absorbed as a school property.
From the City of Renton’s Zoning Map, the block north of the school is zoned primarily as
Residen al (R-8), with commercial on the northern and eastern sides of the block
The residen al use of this block is reinforced by Renton’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan The
yellow in graphic below is the same block, showing that the primary use for this block is
residen al—medium density.
It is inconceivable that a public en ty can change the land use for their own purpose. The
zoning is there for a reason. There is not “greater public use” here, like light-rail, which
would benefit the general popula on well beyond the loca on of the property in ques on.
Renton’s Business Plan, and the City’s Mission and Vision, contained in the City’s 2024
Comprehensive Plan, are in conflct with the removal of land designated as residen al and
commercial in the city’s urban center.
See Bullet 3
See bullets 1 and 2 See bullets 1 and 2
VISION (See bullets 1 through 4) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2) Neglect of side streets: Use of S Logan and N 2nd Streets and not S Tobin and S Lake
Streets contradicts city code about vehicle access, buses, and parking.
3) South Tobin Street
You oppose the project due to losing the through street of Tobin which was cause back-
ups on Airport and remove an alternate route to the downtown Renton core in the event
of Airport way being closed for an accident. Moreover, the loss of street access through S
Tobin Street contributes to the issues outlined in item 2 above.
4) Tree retention: proposal skirts requirements to maintain significant or landmark
trees. 212 were identified, meaning 71 trees should be retained. Only 28 are to be
retained/replaced in the proposal, AND the remaining 43 are to be located on
properties other than high school property.
The following is a visual representation of the trees in the proposed land use area:
Overhead view of trees on the block between Airport Way S and S Tobin St
(North and South) and Logan Ave S and S ShaIuck St and (East and West)
And Trees From South Tobin Steet and S 2nd Street (North and South)
and Logan Ave S and Renton HS Property and (East and West)
Trees between Eastern Edge of RHS property and Logan Ave S
Tree on South side of Tobin St
Trees along north side of Tobin St over to ShaIuck Ave
Trees along Airport Way S
Beginning of Trees along Logan Ave S, star ng around the corner on Tobin Street S
Trees along S 2nd Street
Trees on west side of RHS Parking Lot
View looking west at trees along Logan Ave S
Opposite view of trees along Logan Ave S looking toward S 2nd Street through parking lot
In all these ways, the proposal would contradict city code / land use, zoning and
comprehensive plan vehicle access, parking, buses and trees. The proposal ignores
the use of S Tobin Street, which the school district will ask the city to vacate.
It is up to you to restore the future of this area; instead of it being the end of the
community that has lived there and operated business there for generations.
Reject the school district’s proposed land use to give hope for the future of this area,
for those who could live and build businesses in the future, as many already done
Matt Hanbey
801 N 2nd Street, Renton, WA 98057
hanbeym@gmail.com
(206) 637-6337