HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Perimeter Road Pole Replacement_v2_20260202DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Perimeter Road Pole Replacement_v2
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: February 2, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000005, SME
PROJECT NAME: Perimeter Road Pole Replacement
PROJECT MANAGER: Ashley Wragge, Assistant Planner
APPLICANT: Katie Zimmerman, Puget Sound Energy
1660 Park Lane, Burlington, WA 98233
OWNER: City of Renton – Renton Municipal Airport
City of Renton, 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057
CONTACT: Joseph Pignatelli, Puget Sound Energy
6500 Ursla Pl S, Seattle, WA 98108
PROJECT LOCATION: 289 E Perimeter Rd, Renton, WA 98057 (APN 0723059007)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Puget Sound Energy, is requesting a Shoreline Exemption for
maintenance work proposed on an old utility pole located at the Renton Municipal Airport to the east of the
building at 289 E Perimeter Road (APN 0723059007). The airport site is approximately 6,640,728 square feet
(152.45 acres) and is located within the Medium Industrial (IM) zone. The site is within the Employment Area
Comprehensive Land Use designation and the City Center Community Planning Area. According to City of
Renton (COR) Maps, the Renton Municipal Airport has the following critical areas present: a high seismic
hazard area, high erosion hazard area, regulated slopes, a Special Flood Hazard Area, and Downtown
Wellhead Protection Area Zones 1 and 2. In addition, the Cedar River is a Type S designated Shoreline of the
State and the project site is located within Shoreline High Intensity Designation of reach A of the Cedar River.
The following critical areas are present in the project location: a high seismic hazard area, Shoreline High
Intensity area of reach A of the Cedar River, and Downtown Wellhead Protection Area Zone 1.
The Site Plan (Attachment A) shows the proposed work is located along the western shore of the Cedar River,
within the Shoreline High Intensity designation, and approximately sixty feet (60’) from the Ordinary High
Water Mark (OHWM). The improvements proposed by the applicant entail replacing the existing utility pole
with a new pole of the same height in the same location. The existing pole is within a manicured planting strip
surrounded by mulch. The replacement would temporarily disturb approximately five square feet with two
cubic yards of cut and fill (Attachment B). The disturbed soil would be restored to the original condition or
better. Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be used to protect the river from sedimentation including
installing a silt fence, gravel bags, or straw wattles.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Perimeter Road Pole Replacement LUA26-000005, SME
Permit Date: February 2, 2026 Page 2 of 4
D_Perimeter Road Pole Replacement_v2
SEC-TWN-R: SE 07-23-05
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
(King County Assessor)
POR SECS 7 & 18-23-5 & POR TOBINS D C INCL POR PLATTED & VAC STS LY WLY
OF COMM W W # 2 N OF N LN DIXIE AVE & ELY OF STATE HWAY # 5 & ELY & SLY
OF FOLG LN BEG ON ELY MGN SD HWAY AT PT 5 FT S OF N LN OF LOT 8 BLK 18
BRYN MAWR TH E 89.23 FT TH N 05-16-51 E
WATER BODY/REACH: Cedar River Reach A
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION/DECISION: An exemption from a Shoreline Management Substantial
Development Permit is hereby Approved on the proposed project in accordance with RMC 4-9-190C
“Exemptions from Permit System” and for the following reasons:
Normal maintenance or repair of existing structures or developments, including damage by accident, fire or
elements. “Normal maintenance” includes those usual acts to prevent a decline, lapse, or cessation from a
lawfully established condition. “Normal repair” means to restore a development to a state comparable to its
original condition, including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location and external
appearance, within a reasonable period after decay or partial destruction, except where repair causes
substantial adverse effects to the shoreline resource or environment. Replacement of a structure or
development may be authorized as repair where such replacement is the common method of repair for the
type of structure or development and the replacement structure or development is comparable to the original
structure or development including, but not limited to, its size, shape, configuration, location and external
appearance and the replacement does not cause substantial adverse effects to shoreline resources or
environment.
Staff Comment: The proposed utility repair work would qualify as normal maintenance and repair of an
existing structure as the proposal includes the replacement of an existing utility pole in the same location and
of the same size. This meets the intent of normal repair since the goal is to replace the structure with a
comparable structure and replacement of a utility pole is a common technique to maintain overhead utilities.
Since the replacement is in a developed landscaping strip, the repair is unlikely to have substantially adverse
effect on the shoreline. The proposed work would therefore qualify for an exemption from a Shoreline
Substantial Development Permit.
Since the work is being conducted at the Airport, the applicant will need to coordinate with the airport for
construction activities. To ensure no interruption to airport related activities, the applicant will need to
coordinate construction staging and work with the airport prior to and during construction to ensure that
airport operations, access, and safety are not hindered or interrupted.
SHORELINE EXEMPTION FINDINGS:
The proposed development is consistent with the following findings:
YES i. Consistent with the policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
Staff Comments: The proposal is categorically exempt from SEPA under WAC 197-11-
800(3), which states:
The repair, remodeling, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing private or
public structures, facilities or equipment, including utilities, recreation, and
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Perimeter Road Pole Replacement LUA26-000005, SME
Permit Date: February 2, 2026 Page 3 of 4
D_Perimeter Road Pole Replacement_v2
transportation facilities involving no material expansions or changes in use
beyond that previously existing; except that, where undertaken wholly or in part
on lands covered by water, only minor repair or replacement of structures may be
exempt.
As the activities proposed constitute repair and maintenance of an existing facility
involving no material expansion or change of use, the project is exempt from SEPA and
would be exempt from a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit as specified in the
Shoreline Management Act. There is no material expansion since all proposed work is
within previously developed and paved areas of the airport and the pole replacement is
of the same stature as the existing pole, which indicates that there is no change of use
being applied.
YES ii. Not Applicable to the guidelines of the Department of Ecology where no Master Program
has been finally approved or adopted by the Department.
Staff Comments: The project is subject to the City of Renton’s adopted Shoreline
Master Program.
YES iii. Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Mater Program.
Staff Comments: As discussed above, the proposal involves normal maintenance and
repair of an existing structure, it would result in no net loss of ecological functions, and
it complies with the standards and requirements of the City’s adopted Shoreline Master
Program. Accordingly, the scope of work qualifies the project for a Shoreline Exemption.
Since the work is being conducted at the Renton Municipal Airport, the applicant will
need to coordinate with the airport for construction activities.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
___________________________________________ __________________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
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
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.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the
Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on February 16, 2026. An appeal of the decision must be filed
within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). 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
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
2/2/2026 | 3:19 PM PST
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
Perimeter Road Pole Replacement LUA26-000005, SME
Permit Date: February 2, 2026 Page 4 of 4
D_Perimeter Road Pole Replacement_v2
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.
EXPIRATION: Two (2) years from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Site Plan
Attachment B: Project Narrative
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
Attachment A
RECEIVED
01/05/2026 AWragge
PLANNING DIVISION
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
December 30, 2025
Community & Economic Development – Permits
1055 South Grady Way
6th Floor
(425) 430-7200
permittech@rentonwa.gov
Re: E Perimeter Rd Pole Replacement
To Whom It May Concern,
PSE is seeking a shoreline exemption for our proposal to replace an older utility pole. The
pole is located within the shoreline jurisdiction of the Cedar River and its replacement is
necessary as part of standard maintenance practices to prevent service disruptions.
This is a maintenance project as the pole will be replaced with one of the same height in
the same location. The project is categorically exempt from SEPA review pursuant to
WAC 197-11-800(23). This project is also exempt from the substantial shoreline
development permit requirement of Renton’s Shoreline Master Program (RMC 4-9-
190(C)(C)) as it qualifies as a maintenance activity: “Replacement of a structure or
development may be authorized as repair where such replacement is the common method
of repair for the type of structure or development and the replacement structure or
development is comparable to the original structure or development including, but not
limited to, its size, shape, configuration, location and external appearance and the
replacement does not cause substantial adverse effects to shoreline resources or
environment.”
The pole is located in right-of-way next to 289 E Perimeter Rd. The site is zoned for
Industrial Medium with the adjacent property across Airport Way being zoned as Center
Downtown. The site is currently being used for the Renton Municipal Airport and is part
of the Shoreline High Intensity zone.
The pole is located approximately 60 feet west of the Ordinary High Water Mark of the
Cedar River. The project is outside of all critical areas and functional buffers. A road,
parking strip, and bulkhead separate the pole from the banks of the river. The proposed
project should have no impact on the shoreline habitat, as the project impact area will be
contained to the few feet immediately surrounding the pole, which is functionally
disconnected from the river. The pole is located in a mulched planting strip with little
Attachment B
RECEIVED
01/05/2026 AWragge
PLANNING DIVISION
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
habitat. This information was obtained using publicly available GIS resources including
those provided by the City of Renton and King County.
Best management practices (BMP’s) will be used to protect the river from sedimentation
including temporarily installing a silt fence, gravel bags, or straw wattles. The
replacement pole will be the same height as the existing pole (50 feet), so there will be no
change in view. The replacement process will temporarily impact approximately five
square feet with two cubic yards of cut/fill. Disturbed surfaces will be restored to their
original condition or better upon completion of construction. All work will occur during
reasonable hours and will occur in one day. The estimated construction cost is $40,000.
No trees will be removed or trimmed.
Below is a table illustrating the differences between the new and existing pole:
Site # Grid # Height (ft) Class
P01 - existing 318041-165975 50 2
P02 - new 318041-165975 50 H2
Below is a site photo showing the pole and surrounding development.
Proposed pole
to be replaced
Cedar River
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233
The City of Renton’s shoreline development permit lists a number of requirements that
are not applicable to this application. The project only involves 2 cubic yards of cut/fill
and the pole is located in a flat mulched planting strip; functionally disconnected from the
Cedar River by a road, gravel parking strip, and wall. Therefore, replacing the pole
should not cause any impacts to the shoreline environment. The pole is outside of critical
areas and their buffers. PSE is requesting the City concur that these additional materials
can be waived.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at joseph.pignatelli@pse.com.
Sincerely,
Joe Pignatelli
Municipal Land Planner
(206) 716-2614 | joseph.pignatelli@pse.com
Docusign Envelope ID: AB4DDB49-7A6A-4F6F-B727-2655116BA233