HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_LOMR-F_Minor_Fill_SME_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_LOMR-F Shoreline Exemption/Minor Fill_Final
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: May 6, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000345, SME
PROJECT NAME: LOMR-F Shoreline Exemption/Minor Fill
PROJECT MANAGER: Jill Ding, Senior Planner
OWNER/APPLICANT/
CONTACT: Ferose Babu
15022 135th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058
PROJECT LOCATION: 15022 135th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 (APN 2223059057)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Shoreline Exemption for the placement of
approximately 2.41 cubic yards of fill within the mapped 100-year floodplain of the Cedar River. The project
site totals approximately 11,100 square feet and is developed with an existing 1,510-square-foot single family
residence and an approximately 720-square-foot attached garage connected by a breezeway and is zoned
Residential-4 (R-4). No construction activities are associated with the proposed fill placement. The fill was
placed to raise the Lowest Adjacent Grades (LAG) of the house and garage above the FEMA Base Flood
Elevation (BFE) as part of a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) request to FEMA. The intent was to
demonstrate that both structures are reasonably safe from flooding and to remove them from the mapped
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
To comply with RMC 4-3-050E.3, an equal or greater volume of compensatory storage is provided on-site
through the excavation of approximately 3.72 cubic yards at the same elevation range as the fill. This ensures
no net loss of effective flood-storage volume and maintains natural drainage. No design features would trap
or strand fish; slopes would remain gentle and vegetated with existing turf. According to City of Renton (COR)
Maps, the project site is mapped with sensitive slopes, is located within a high seismic hazard area, and lies
within Wellhead Protection Area Zone 1 Modified and Zone 2. In addition, the project site is also mapped
within the Shoreline High Intensity Environment Designation of Reach C of the Cedar River, which is a Type S
stream and Shoreline of the State.
SEC-TWN-R: NW 22-23-05
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
(King County Assessor)
PORTION OF GOV LOT 10 IN NW 1/4 OF SECTION 22-23-05 BEGIN NW CORNER
OF NW 1/4 TH SLY 1490.96 FT TH ELY 88.67 FT TH S 61-09-00 E 765 FT TH S 09-
09-00 E 170 FT TH S 61-09-00 E 10 FT TH S 18-33-14 W 180 FT TO POINT OF
Docusign Envelope ID: 9C1FE2B4-C7F7-8996-8328-530DA131C15D
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
LOMR-F Shoreline Exemption/Minor Fill LUA25-000345, SME
Permit Date: May 6, 2026 Page 2 of 3
D_LOMR-F Shoreline Exemption/Minor Fill_Final
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 proposed fill of approximately 2.41 cubic yards of soil would
qualify as an “appurtenance” to a single-family residence as the grading quantity does
not exceed 250 cubic yards and would be exempt from a Shoreline Substantial
Development Permit as specified in the Shoreline Management Act.
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: Not applicable.
YES iii. Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Master Program.
Staff Comments: The City’s adopted Shoreline Master Program permits residential
development (RMC 4-3-090E.1), along the shoreline. In addition, fill is permitted in
accordance with RMC 4-3-090F.2, provided the fill placement results in no net loss of
shoreline ecological function. The proposed 2.41 cubic yards of fill is intended to raise
the Lowest Adjacent Grades (LAG) of the house and garage above the FEMA Base Flood
Elevation (BFE) as part of a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) request to
FEMA. The fill was placed on a site currently developed with an existing single-family
residence, which is a permitted use within the Shoreline Master Program. As shown on
the submitted Site Plan (Attachment B), the proposed fill areas are located
approximately 55 feet (55’) and 83 feet (83’) from the OHWM. The existing lot has a depth
of approximately 135 feet (135’). In accordance with RMC 4-3-090D.7.a, existing
residential uses with a lot depth of between 130-150 feet (130-150’) are required to
maintain a vegetation conservation buffer of 20 feet (20’) from the shoreline with a 15-
foot (15’) building setback. The fill is located outside of the required vegetation
conservation buffer and building setback and would therefore not be anticipated to
adversely impact shoreline ecological functions.
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:
Construction on shorelands by an owner, lessee or contract purchaser of a single-family residence for their
own use or for the use of their family, which residence does not exceed a height of thirty-five feet above
average grade level and which meets all requirements of the state agency or local government having
jurisdiction thereof, other than requirements imposed pursuant to chapter 90.58 RCW. "Single-family
BEGINNING TH S 18-33-14 W 88.75 FT TH S 48-46-52 E 135 FT TO WLY BANK OF
CEDAR RIVER TH NELY & NLY ALONG SAID WLY BANK TAP S 49-46-56 E FROM
POB TH N 49-46-56 W 176.18 FT M/L TO POB -- LOT A OF K C BOUNDARY LINE
ADJUSTMENT NO L97L0043 RECORDING NO 9708259010
WATER BODY/REACH: Cedar River, Reach C
Docusign Envelope ID: 9C1FE2B4-C7F7-8996-8328-530DA131C15D
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial Development
LOMR-F Shoreline Exemption/Minor Fill LUA25-000345, SME
Permit Date: May 6, 2026 Page 3 of 3
D_LOMR-F Shoreline Exemption/Minor Fill_Final
residence" means a detached dwelling designed for and occupied by one family including those structures
and developments within a contiguous ownership which are a normal appurtenance. An "appurtenance" is
necessarily connected to the use and enjoyment of a single-family residence and is located landward of the
ordinary high water mark and the perimeter of a wetland. On a statewide basis, normal appurtenances
include a garage; deck; driveway; utilities; fences; installation of a septic tank and drainfield and grading
which does not exceed two hundred fifty cubic yards and which does not involve placement of fill in any
wetland or waterward of the ordinary high water mark. Local circumstances may dictate additional
interpretations of normal appurtenances which shall be set forth and regulated within the applicable master
program. Construction authorized under this exemption shall be located landward of the ordinary high water
mark.
Staff Comment: The proposed grading totals approximately 2.41 cubic yards of fill and approximately 3.72
cubic yards of cut. No grading is proposed within any wetlands or waterward of the OHWM; therefore, the
proposal would qualify as an exempt development from the Shoreline Management Act.
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 May 20, 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
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: Project Narrative
Attachment B: Site Plan
Attachment C: BFE Determination Memorandum, prepared by West Consultants, dated February 2, 2025
Attachment D: Babu Garage Elevation Certificate
Attachment E: Babu Residence Elevation Certificate
Attachment F: Community Acknowledgement Form
Docusign Envelope ID: 9C1FE2B4-C7F7-8996-8328-530DA131C15D
5/6/2026 | 3:47 PM PDT