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HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street_Modification_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street_Modification_Final A. ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION REPORT & DECISION Decision: APPROVED APPROVED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS DENIED Report Date: May 7, 2026 Project File Number: PR26-000022 Project Name: 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Land Use File Number: LUA26-000100, MOD Project Manager: Yong Qi, Civil Engineer III Owner: Andrew Michael Construction LLC, PO Box 6127, Bellevue, WA 98008 Applicant/Contact: Cliff Williams, Development Management Engineers, LLC, 4648 Shantel St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Project Location: 331 Jericho Ave NE, Renton, WA 98059 (APN 1523059164) Project Summary: The applicant is requesting a street modification to the final configuration of Jericho Ave NE, a Collector Street. The proposal includes maintaining the existing pavement width by aligning with the established curb line immediately north of the parcel and includes a three‑foot (3’) reduction in sidewalk width along the site’s Jericho Ave NE frontage. Site Area: 0.24 acres NE 4th St NE 3rd Pl NE 3rd St Je r i c h o A v e N E Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA26-000100, MOD Report of May 7, 2026 Page 2 of 6 D_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street Modification_Final B. EXHIBITS: Exhibit 1: Administrative Modification Decision Exhibit 2: Site Plan Exhibit 3: Street Modification Request Justification Letter C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND The proposed street modification fronts Jericho Ave NE along the east property line. Jericho Ave NE is classified as a Collector Street with an existing right‑of‑way (ROW) of approximately sixty feet (60’), per the King County Assessor’s Map. The existing roadway section includes a thirty‑two‑foot (32’) paved width (sixteen feet [16’] from the ROW centerline) with one (1) eleven‑foot (11’) travel lane and one (1) five‑foot (5’) bike lane in each direction, along with a storm ditch and unimproved shoulder landscaping adjacent to the site. Per Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4‑6‑060, Street Standards, a Collector Street requires an eighty‑three‑foot (83’) ROW and a forty‑six‑foot (46’) paved roadway (twenty‑three feet [23’] from the ROW centerline) consisting of two (2) eight‑foot (8’) parking lanes, two (2) five‑foot (5’) bike lanes, and two (2) ten‑foot (10’) travel lanes, along with a one‑half‑foot (0.5’) curb, eight‑foot (8’) planting strip, eight‑foot (8’) sidewalk, two‑foot (2’) clear zone, street trees, and storm drainage improvements on both sides. However, the adopted Renton Trails and Bicycle Master Plan (RTBMP) identifies a modified street section for this segment of Jericho Ave NE (Project #23), reducing the pavement width to thirty‑two feet (32’) with one (1) eleven‑foot (11’) travel lane and one (1) five‑foot (5’) bike lane in each direction, and no on‑street parking. To match the existing curb and sidewalk north of the site and to implement the RTBMP street section, the applicant requests approval of an alternative public street section. The proposed half‑street improvements include a sixteen‑foot (16’) paved width consisting of an eleven‑foot (11’) travel lane, a five‑foot (5’) bike lane, a one‑half‑foot (0.5’) curb, an eight‑foot (8’) planting strip, a five‑foot (5’) sidewalk, street trees, and storm drainage improvements. A one‑and‑one‑half‑foot (1.5’) ROW dedication would be provided to accommodate the frontage improvements. D. FINDINGS OF FACT (FOF): 1. The Development Engineering Division of the City of Renton accepted the above master application for review on March 18, 2026 and determined the application complete on March 30, 2026. The project complies with the Type I 65-day review time period. 2. The applicant’s submittal materials comply with the requirements necessary to process the modification request (Exhibits 2-3). 3. The project site is located at 331 Jericho Ave NE, Renton, WA 98059 (APN 1523059164). 4. The project site is currently vacant/undeveloped with a few trees. 5. Access to the site would be provided via Jericho Ave NE. 6. The property is located within the Residential Medium Density (RMD) Comprehensive Plan land use designation. 7. The site is located within the Residential-8 (R-8) zoning classification. Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA26-000100, MOD Report of May 7, 2026 Page 3 of 6 D_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street Modification_Final 8. Modification Analysis: The applicant is requesting a modification from RMC 4-6-060, Street Standards, for street improvements on Jericho Ave NE, a Collector Street. Specifically, the applicant is proposing the following modification: Modifying the Collector Street section on Jericho Ave NE by reducing the forty‑six‑foot (46’) paved roadway to thirty‑two feet (32’), and converting the eight‑foot (8’) planting strip into a five‑foot (5’) sidewalk in order to be consistent with the existing sidewalk on the parcel immediately to the north, with no clearance between the sidewalk and ROW line. The proposed configuration of the street maintains the existing nearby configuration and includes a sixteen‑foot (16’) paved width consisting of an eleven‑foot (11’) travel lane, a five‑foot (5’) bike lane, a one‑half‑foot (0.5’) curb, an eight‑foot (8’) planting strip, a five‑foot (5’) sidewalk, street trees, and storm drainage improvements. A one‑and‑one‑half‑foot (1.5’) ROW dedication would be provided to accommodate the frontage improvements. The proposal is compliant with the following modification criteria, pursuant to RMC 4-9-250. Therefore, staff is recommending approval of the requested modification: Compliance Modification Criteria and Analysis  a. Substantially implements the policy direction of the policies and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element and the Community Design Element and the proposed modification is the minimum adjustment necessary to implement these policies and objectives. Staff Comment: The applicant contends that the reduced roadway and sidewalk width meets the corridor objection intended by the RTBMP and matches the design standard used on other recent projects in this neighborhood. Goal LU-I in the Comprehensive Plan’s Land Use Element is to “Accommodate residential growth by: supporting infill development on vacant and underutilized land in established low- moderate-density residential neighborhoods.” Staff concurs that the proposed street modification implements the policy direction of the Comprehensive Plan and is the minimum adjustment necessary. Community design aspects of the Comprehensive Plan address walkable neighborhoods, safety, and shared uses. The intent of the policies is to promote new development with walkable places that support grid and flexible grid street and pathway patterns, and are visually attractive, safe, and healthy environments. The requested street modification is consistent with these policy guidelines. The proposed modification maintains the street’s vehicle capacity while increasing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility provided the condition of approval identified in criterion ‘b’ is met.  b. Will meet the objectives and safety, function, appearance, environmental protection, and maintainability intended by the Code requirements, based upon sound engineering judgment. Staff Comment: City staff reviewed the RTBMP, Jericho Ave NE, and the surrounding area and determined that a modified Collector Street section is appropriate for this location. Staff concurs that the proposed street modification meets the applicable standards as follows: • Safety: The proposed street modification would not negatively affect street safety. The modified section aligns with the existing curb and sidewalk immediately north of the site, maintaining the roadway’s established safety Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA26-000100, MOD Report of May 7, 2026 Page 4 of 6 D_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street Modification_Final function. The applicant would still be required to install all safety‑related frontage elements—including curb, planter, and sidewalk—to provide both a pedestrian buffer and a continuous accessible route. The modified section also meets the required curb and planter dimensions in the Code, and all curbs, approaches, gutters, and sidewalks must comply with current City and ADA standards. • Function/Appearance: The proposed modification provides a consistent and convenient travel environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists within the project area. Maintaining a sixteen-foot (16’) pavement width—consisting of an eleven-foot (11’) travel lane and a five-foot (5’) bicycle lane—is consistent with existing local street dimensions and establishes a clear, predictable, and safe travel way. Adding a parking lane is not supported, as it would yield only a single parking stall while introducing an inconsistency in the roadway that creates a less safe condition. While the parcel to the south (APN 1523059110) could provide the necessary dedication in the future, the parcel to the north (APN 3702950010) cannot do so without becoming a nonconforming lot. A transition to on‑street parking is more appropriate where it can be provided along the entire block. Although Jericho Ave NE is classified as a Collector Street, this segment functions more like a Residential Access Street due to surrounding single-family zoning and land uses. A five-foot (5’) sidewalk, consistent with Residential Access Street standards, would provide adequate pedestrian connectivity. In addition, an eight-foot (8’) planting strip with street trees is consistent with current street standards and would create a buffer between pedestrians and vehicular traffic. • Environmental Protection: Maintaining the existing roadway section would require the minimum feasible amount of disturbance within the right-of-way, which would reduce the environmental hazard potential associated with roadwork. • Maintainability: Maintaining the existing roadway width would not add any additional maintainability costs/concerns. The proposed modification would meet the objectives of safety, function, appearance, environmental protection, and maintainability intended by the applicable code requirements. After reviewing Jericho Ave NE and the surrounding area, City staff determined that a modified Collector Street section is more appropriate for the frontage adjacent to the site. This conclusion is based on the finding that the modified section not only aligns with the existing, established street frontage but also reflects the character of this segment of Jericho Ave NE. The modified configuration provides a safe and effective travel environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.  c. Will not create substantial adverse impacts to other property(ies) in the vicinity. Staff Comment: Staff has not identified adverse impacts to other properties from the requested modification. See also comments under criterion ‘b’.  d. Conforms to the intent and purpose of the Code. Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA26-000100, MOD Report of May 7, 2026 Page 5 of 6 D_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street Modification_Final Staff Comment: Staff concurs that the proposed modification meets the intent and purposes of the Code. See also comments under criterion ‘b’.  e. Can be shown to be justified and required for the use and situation intended. Staff Comment: Staff concurs that the modification is justified given that it is consistent with the existing nature of the surrounding neighborhood and provides a safe and functional pedestrian experience. See also comments under criterion ‘b’. E. DECISION: The proposal satisfies 5 of the 5 criteria listed in RMC 4-9-250D.2 for approval of modifications. Therefore, the 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification, File No. LUA26-000100, MOD, is approved. DATE OF DECISION ON LAND USE ACTION: SIGNATURE: Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date TRANSMITTED on May 7, 2026 to the Owner/Applicant/Contact: Owner: Applicant/Contact: Cliff Williams Development Management Engineers, LLC 4648 Shantel St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Andrew Michael Construction LLC PO Box 6127 Bellevue, WA 98008 TRANSMITTED on May 7, 2026 to the Parties of Record: No Parties of Record TRANSMITTED on May 7, 2026 to the following: Gina Estep, CED Administrator Justin Johnson, Development Engineering Director Nathan Janders, Development Engineering Manager Clark Close, Current Planning Manager Anjela Barton, Fire Marshal F. LAND USE ACTION APPEALS, REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION, & EXPIRATION: The administrative land use decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within 14 days of the decision date. APPEAL: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner via the City Clerk’s Office on or before 5:00 PM on May 21, 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545 5/7/2026 | 10:34 AM PDT City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Administrative Modification Report & Decision LUA26-000100, MOD Report of May 7, 2026 Page 6 of 6 D_331_Jericho_Ave_NE_Street Modification_Final 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: The Modification decision will expire two (2) years from the date of decision. A single one (1) year extension may be requested pursuant to RMC 4-9-250. 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. THE APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE: provides that no ex parte (private one-on-one) communications may occur concerning the land use decision. The Doctrine applies not only to the initial decision, but to Appeals to the Hearing Examiner as well. All communications after the decision/approval date must be made in writing through the Hearing Examiner. All communications are public record and this permits all interested parties to know the contents of the communication and would allow them to openly rebut the evidence in writing. Any violation of this doctrine could result in the invalidation of the appeal by the Court. Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545 CITY OF RENTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION REPORT & DECISION EXHIBITS Project Name: 331 Jericho Ave NE Street Modification Land Use File Number: LUA26-000100, MOD Date of Report May 7, 2026 Staff Contact Yong Qi Civil Engineer III Project Contact/Applicant Cliff Williams Development Management Engineers, LLC 4648 Shantel St Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Project Location 331 Jericho Ave NE, Renton, WA 98059 (APN 1523059164) The following exhibits are included with the Administrative Modification Report: Exhibit 1: Administrative Modification Decision Exhibit 2: Site Plan Exhibit 3: Street Modification Request Justification Letter Docusign Envelope ID: 2BFF66FD-E66E-8D67-8007-E9A221F75545