HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2026 - Agenda Packet
AGENDA
Planning Commission Meeting
6:00 PM – Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S Grady Way
Virtual: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88034659736?pwd=z1TyxJNsMEloal0MglAamlJkjbnLaR.1 or
call 253-215-8782 (meeting ID: 880 3465 9736, password: Weplan2024)
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
4. AUDIENCE COMMENT (Opportunity for public to comment on agenda and non-
agenda items, with the exception of items for public hearings. Comments for
public hearing items will only be taken during the public hearing.)
Each speaker will have three minutes to speak. Groups or organizations may select a
spokesperson to speak on their behalf. Alternatively, you are encouraged to provide
written comments to planningcommission@rentonwa.gov at least five days before the
meeting.
1. Virtual Attendees:
Attendees will be muted and not audible to the Commission except during times
they are designated to speak. Use the “Raise Hand” option to indicate you would
like to speak (if you are calling in, use *9 to raise hand and *6 to mute/unmute).
2. In-person Attendees:
Raise your hand to indicate you would like to speak. When recognized by the Chair,
come to the podium to make your comments.
5. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 1, 2026
6. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
7.PUBLIC HEARING
a.Docket 20 Group D, D248: Large Site Master Plan & Development Agreements
b.Docket 20 Group D, D249: Planned Urban Development (PUD) Open Space
c.Docket 21 Group A, D250: Affordable Housing Waived Fees
8.BRIEFING
a.Valley Subarea Plan
9.ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER TRAINING
10. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
11. ADJOURNMENT
Hearing assistance devices for use in the Council Chambers are available upon request.
For more information on the Planning Commission, visit
www.rentonwa.gov/Government/Boards-Committees-Commissions
APRIL 1, 2026 - PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Plants called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Bayan called roll.
Present:
1.Commissioner Bayan
2.Commissioner Fiksdal
3.Commissioner Matson
4.Commissioner Petek
5.Vice Chair Plants
6.Commissioner Poole
7.Secretary Rochex
Absent:
1.Commissioner Artze
2.Commissioner Kelly
STAFF PRESENT
1.Matt Herrera – Planning Director
2.Angie Mathias – Long Range Planning Manager
3.Maya Simon – Associate Planner
4.Patrice Kent – Senior Assistant City Attorney
5.Muang Saelee – Recording Secretary
PUBLIC ATTENDANCE
1. Derek Sciba – CEO of Vision House
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
None
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
1. CEO of Vision House, Derek Sciba, spoke on agenda item of Waived Fees for affordable
housing. Vision house is temporary housing for those who have experienced homelessness.
252 families are on the list that would love to move into transitional housing, however there
are only 22 units in Renton, and they are all full. The Vision House program is very effective as
it has helped many in need transition into permanent housing and they have a plan to
expand/grow in Renton so families can have the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Mr. Sciba
appreciates the consideration.
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
6:00 PM - Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Zoom and Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way
APRIL 1, 2026 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 4, 2026
1.Vice Chair Plants asked for motion to approve minutes from March 4, 2026 meeting.
2.Commissioner Fiksdal moved to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Bayan to approve the
minutes. Motion passes and the minutes are approved.
3.Vice Chair Plants and Secretary Rochex signed the minutes.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Matt gave Director’s Report:
1.Thanked Vice Chair Plants for leading meeting in Chair’s absence.
2.April 15th meeting will be cancelled. Commission will reconvene on May 6th.
3.As Chair Artze is not present, we will reschedule Robert’s Rules training to May 6th.
4.Busy short state legislative season ended on March 12th. A couple of bills passed that
were consequential to us:
•Step housing: Text amendments coming within the next couple of years.
•Housing in commercial zones: Several amendments, needs to be implemented
by next year (2027).
Both bills were amended heavily and will see how they affect our code.
BRIEFING – DOCKET 20 GROUP D, D-248: LARGE MASTER SITE PLANS & DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENTS
Matt presented
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Comments
1.Vice Chair Dorsol asked what happens if they don’t go through with the development
agreement. Matt says it’s a contract so there likely would be breached terms on both
sides, there would be something in the contract that would give each party an “out”. Sr.
Asst. Attorney Patrice Kent said any agreements would go to the City Attorney’s office and
would be expected to address those questions, remedies for not meeting requirements,
etc.
2.Commissioner Petek asked why “40 acres” was the cut-off/minimum. Matt says the
forthcoming application was for Seattle Children’s who purchased over 40 acres. It’s all
discretionary. We really want to limit the way we do campus planning and the ability to
modify development regulations so we’re limiting it to these two applications in the Valley.
Historically, we are not a City that uses development agreements for development
applications. We do a good job of reviewing projects under our existing code and many of
those are within that 2–5-year time horizon, we don’t see many opportunities for large
campus projects. We want to make sure we are able to review them appropriately.
BRIEFING – DOCKET 20 GROUP D, D-249: PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT (PUD) OPEN SPACE
Maya presented
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Comments
1. Vice Chair Plants asked if adding minimum dimension to all the top floors, is there a point
where that becomes a concern for safety above the 7th floor? Is that part of why they originally
did not allow private space balconies?
APRIL 1, 2026 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
2. Maya doesn’t think there were any safety considerations there, but we would be adding
option to replace private open space with common space and not do any balcony.
3. VC Plants asked about definition of common space, is that up to the developer? Is there
anything that ensures common space is aiming for more common space than a gym.
4. Maya will look for definition of “common open space”
BRIEFING – DOCKET 20 GROUP D, D-249: PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT (PUD) OPEN SPACE
Angie presented
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Comments
1. Commissioner Petek says it’s a great idea to waive fees but wonders if there is a potential
negative impact as fees are charged so the company can pay staff, and provide other things.
Asked about how much fees would be waived?
2. Angie said she does have a list of the fees and can show Commissioner Petek.
3. Commissioner Petek clarified he is not against waiving fees, was just curious.
4. Angie said she would provide a current real-life example.
5. Vice Chair Plants is curious why the reduction from 30 to 25 units. Was there any thought
of a tier system.
6. Angie wants projects to be meaningful, not just a small size development.
7.Commissioner Petek asked if we did an analysis. He wants to make sure the minimum
number of units we’re choosing has logic.
8. Angie said we have not done an analysis of the minimum number of units. We can always
make a change and will try to find a rational nexus but may not be possible.
9. Commissioner Petek thinks this is incredibly progressive and the right thing to do.
ROBERTS RULES TRAINING
Rescheduled to May 6th Planning Commission meeting.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Bayan acknowledged Commissioner Matson’s attendance.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Matson, seconded by Commissioner Poole/Bayan.
All ayes, motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 PM.
Andy Artze, Commission Chair
Dana Rochex, Secretary
Muang Saelee
Recording Secretary