HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Staff Response to Palmer_260112.pdf1
Alex Morganroth
From:Alex Morganroth
Sent:Tuesday, January 13, 2026 7:45 AM
To:'Marcie Palmer'
Subject:RE: Renton High School Expansion and Replacement project (LUA25-000343)
Hi Marcie –
Thanks for sending these comments over. I have added them to the Renton High School project record
and they will be included as an exhibit to the staff report, which the Examiner will see. If you have any
other comments/questions on the project, please let me know. I’m also happy to discuss any of the
comments below in person or via a phone call.
Thank you,
ALEX MORGANROTH, AICP, Principal Planner
City of Renton // Planning Division
o*ice (425) 430-7219 // email amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
Virtual Permit Center // Online Applications and Inspections
NOTICE OF PUBLIC DISCLOSURE: This message complies with Washington State’s Public Records Act – RCW
42.56
From: Marcie Palmer <pkplmarcie@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2026 11:00 PM
To: Alex Morganroth <AMorganroth@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: Renton High School Expansion and Replacement project (LUA25-000343)
We oppose the expansion of the Renton High School into property being taken by eminent domain. The
government, Renton School District, has the power to take land for public use, but the current plan to
install baseball fields is NOT in the best interest of the greater public.
The use of all this land for a few elite teenagers is not for the greater good of the Renton
Community. Especially with the RSD owned Memorial Stadium a short distance from the high
school. Other Renton high schools do not have such an expensive stadium to call home.
There are so many reasons this project is wrong, and negatively impacts our community for
generations. The taking of homes and businesses for minimal amounts of money will affect the property
owners for years. The loss of a neighborhood when our state, county and local elected officials tout
affordable housing - which is being removed here in Renton with this project - is against all reason and
claimed commitment.
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It is particularly concerning to me that the current Administration views the codified Comprehensive Plan
as a "suggestion", as City Staff have stated. Of course Administrative Variances happen all the time, but
not on a project that has such enormous negative impacts on the current community. As a former
Renton City Council Member, 2004-2015, I spent hours reviewing each segment of the 2015 Comp Plan,
beginning several years prior to adoption, as a member of the Planning and Development
Committee. My name is found on the first page and I'm proud of the hard work previous council
members and staff put in to ensure good decisions in the years to come. How discouraging to find out
it's not of high value any more.
The vacation of Tobin Street is not needed. The value and importance of the street is vital to future
transportation planning as Renton continues to grow. Recent flooding shows the necessity for
emergency options and Tobin Street is essential as an alternative to Airport Way. There is also the issue
of the FAA considering whether Renton Airport may need to increase the runway safety zone, to the south
as the only alternative, due to increasing jet traffic. As Chair of the Transportation/Aviation Committee
most of my 12 years on Council, I have a good understanding of these issues going back to 2001 with the
airport. Decisions being made today regarding these expansion plans by RSD and the City, may be seen
as very shortsighted in the not too distant future.
Please do NOT approve the Tobin Street vacation, or the continuing forced taking of properties from
rightful owners, (RSD expansion and use of eminent domain)
Thank you for your impartial and fair decision for the Renton Community.
Respectfully,
Marcie Palmer
Renton City Council 2004-2015
425-306-0918
Marcie Palmer
425-306-0918