HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 J_Underground_Utility_Street_Modification_Memo_260508_v3
May 8, 2026
City of Renton
Development Engineering
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, Washington, 98057
Re: Wang Subdivision – Underground Utility Street Modification Memo
CORE Project No. 17150
Introduction
The Wang Subdivision previously approved under permit numbers LUA18-000280 and C-18006462 is
required to underground utilities along the 116th Ave SE project frontage per RMC 4-6-090; however, due
to the nature of the telecom infrastructure on the existing utility poles, a street modification request
meeting the criteria of RMC 4-9-250.D.2. is being submitted to meet the requirements of RMC 4-6-
090.D.1. Responses to the decision criteria within this code section are provided below.
4-6-090 Utility Lines – Underground Installation:
D. Exemptions
1. The following are exemptions to the requirements of this Section:
a. Overhead power and utility facilities adjacent to a redevelopment site where a street
modification under RMC 4-9-250D is granted to keep the existing overhead power and/or
utility facilities above ground.
Response: A modification is being requested to keep the overhead utility lines and is
described in more detail below.
4-9-250 Variances, Waivers, Modifications, and Alternatives:
D. Modification Procedures:
2. Decision Criteria: Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions
of this Title, the Department Administrator may grant modifications for individual cases provided
he/she shall first find that a specific reason makes the strict letter of this Code impractical, that the
intent and purpose of the governing land use designation of the Comprehensive Plan is met and
that the modification is in conformity with the intent and purpose of this Code, and that such
modification:
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;
Response: The granting of this street modification to the utility undergrounding
requirements will have no impact to the subdivision’s compliance with the Land Use and
Community Design elements of the Comprehensive plan. In fact, Policy LU-50 allows for
specific site conditions and unique features to be considered during the design of
subdivisions. The nature of the telecom fiber lines at this specific location along the
May 8, 2026 City of Renton Page 2
Underground Utility Road Modification Memo
project frontage warrants consideration due to the high cost and service disruption
Comcast expects, should this work be required. Without this modification, the cost burden
involved will prevent the project from completing construction of 7 new housing units on
the site. This is in direct conflict with Policy LU-3, encouraging infill development in
order to help meet growth targets.
b. Will meet the objectives and safety, function, appearance, environmental protection and
maintainability intended by the Code requirements, based upon sound engineering judgment;
Response: Impacts to safety and environmental protection are negligible by maintaining
the overhead telecom lines as their height does not impact the placement of street lighting
and landscaping along the frontage. According to Comcast, the service provider, the
function and maintainability of the telecom lines will be greatly improved by keeping them
in the current overhead location on the existing utility poles, which will remain in place
due to the high tension power lines running parallel. Visual appearance along the project
frontage will be minimally impacted due to the remaining overhead wire; however,
additional overhead lines running parallel are exempt from undergrounding and will also
remain, and all unnecessary utility poles in the frontage have already been removed.
c. Will not create substantial adverse impacts to other property(ies) in the vicinity;
Response: No adverse impacts to adjacent properties are anticipated. The utility poles
these telecom lines are attached to will remain in place as they also hold the regional high
tension power lines and previously received an exemption from the undergrounding
requirements. The telecom lines run parallel to these high tension lines. Additionally, the
height of both sets of lines will not impact the placement of required street lights provided
by the development.
d. Conforms to the intent and purpose of the Code; and
Response: The height of both sets of lines will not impact the placement of required street
lights provided by the development, and all other non-exempt utilities along the frontage
have already been undergrounded. The intent of the code has been met along the project
frontage.
e. Can be shown to be justified and required for the use and situation intended;
Response: The telecom wires at this location are unique as they are close to their origin
point and have been requested to remain in place by Comcast (the service provider). This
is due to the large size of the fiberoptic cable bundles at this location and the major
construction required for re-alignment including time, effort, and cost. According to
Comcast, the cost of work to underground this 150 ft section of fiberoptic cable would be
between $250,000 to $400,000 and require 14 to 18 nights of traffic interruptions along
116th Ave SE. This impact is not proportionate to the benefit of undergrounding this small
portion of overhead line, when these lines will not impact the placement of required street
lights provided by the development and parallel lines will also remain in place. A memo
has been provided by Comcast and is attached below.
Sincerely,
CORE DESIGN, INC.
Ian Faulds
Senior Project Planner