HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_ERC_DNS_180716.pdf
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SIGNATURES:
Gregg Zimmerman, Administrator
Public Works Department
Date Rick M. Marshall, Administrator
Renton Regional Fire Authority
Date
Kelly Beymer, Administrator
Community Services Department
Date C.E. Vincent, Administrator Date
Department Of Community & Economic Development
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF
NON-SIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA18-000400, ECF
APPLICANT: City of Renton
PROJECT NAME: 2018 Docket #13, Group B
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Variance Procedures: Update variance procedures to provide the Community and
Economic Development Administrator with the authority to grant variances from certain development regulations,
consistent between residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. This docket item aims to expand the Administrator’s
authority to grant relief from a number of development standards under Title IV: specifically, variances for setbacks, lot
coverage, lot width, lot depth, allowed projections into setbacks, and building height for commercial and industrial land
uses.
Short Plat/Formal Plat Streamline Process: Short Plat/Formal Plat Streamline Process - Procedural changes for short plats
and formal plats. Specifically, amendments to code for completion requirements and expiration periods, specifying the
number of permitted requests for additional time extensions that can be granted by the Hearing Examiner, and minor
corrections to Code that would correct punctuation and update language to be consistent with other sections of Code.
PROJECT LOCATION: All docket items are citywide
LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee
Department of Community & Economic Development
The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse
impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This
Determination of Non-Significance is issued under WAC 197-11-340. Because other agencies of jurisdiction may be
involved, the lead agency will not act on this proposal for fourteen (14) days.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on August 3, 2018. Appeals
must be filed in writing together with the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way,
Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more information may be obtained from
the Renton City Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510.
PUBLICATION DATE: July 20, 2018
DATE OF DECISION: July 16, 2018
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7/16/2018 | 3:03 PM PDT
7/16/2018 | 11:20 AM PDT
7/16/2018 | 1:22 PM PDT
7/16/2018 | 12:36 PM PDT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket 13B_v1
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC MEETING DATE: July 16, 2018
Project Name: 2018 Docket #13, Group B
Project Number: LUA18-000400, ECF
Project Manager: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager
Owner: City of Renton
Applicant: City of Renton
Contact: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager; Clark Close, Senior Planner; Katie
Buchl-Morales, Assistant Planner
Project Location: All docket items are citywide.
Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review to review for the following
non-project items:
1. Review and revise the variance procedures for industrial and commercial
land uses; and
2. Review and streamline the short plat and formal plat process.
Exist. Bldg. Area SF: N/A Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint):
Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross):
N/A
N/A
Site Area: N/A Total Building Area GSF: N/A
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a
Determination of Non-Significance (DNS).
PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND
Variance Procedures: This docket item aims to expand the Administrator’s authority to grant relief from a number of
development standards under Title IV: specifically variances for setbacks, lot coverage, lot width, lot depth, allowed
projections into setbacks, and building height for commercial and industrial land uses.
Currently, Renton Municipal Code limits the authority and applicability for administrative variances for commercial
and industrial land uses to only “screening of surface-mounted equipment and screening of roof-mounted equipment.”
Per RMC 4-9-250B.1.a-b, variances are allowed from the following development standards for residential land uses:
lot width, lot depth, setbacks, allowed projections into setbacks, building height, and lot coverage.
The variance procedures presently do not allow commercial and industrial land uses to apply for an adjustment to
specific development standards of Title IV, whereas residential land uses are allotted the opportunity to do so. Request
for relief from setbacks or other similar development standards should apply to all land uses alike (residential,
industrial or commercial), regardless of designation. Consideration should be given to increase the variance
opportunities for both commercial and industrial land uses, such that they are more consistent with those found under
residential land uses.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D1D84CC-7290-4ADD-9A87-1C6611FF4B88
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000400, ECF
Report of Monday, July 16, 2018 Page 2 of 3
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket 13B_v1
Proposed Text Amendments to Code
Staff recommends revising the variance procedures regarding development standards for commercial and industrial
land uses to include lot width, lot depth, setbacks, allowed projections into setbacks, building height, and lot
coverage.
Short Plat/Formal Plat Streamline Process: This docket item considers procedural changes for short plats and formal
plats and minor text revisions. Specifically, amendments to code related to completion requirements and expiration
periods, additional time extensions granted by the Hearing Examiner and basic changes to text that would correct
punctuation and update language to be consistent with other sections of code.
Following the final determination short plats and formal plats require the following improvements before filing the
final plat map with the City and recording the subdivision with King County: grading and paving of streets and alleys,
installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, monuments, sanitary and storm sewers, street lights, water mains and street
name signs. Prior to filing with the City, short plat applicants have 2 years to make improvements before short plat
approval becomes null and void, whereas formal plat applicants have 5 years. Code allows for the single one-year
extension granted by the department Administrator, provided that the applicant can demonstrate unusual
circumstances or burden that would prevent filing the plat within the allotted time. Although nearly all applicants
request the extension, three years is not a sufficient amount of time to meet the completion requirements.
In order to file and record the plat before it expires, applicants may request to defer the construction of improvements.
If the City approves the applicant’s request to defer the improvements, the City receives a security bond in the amount
of one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the total estimated cost of the incomplete improvements. In the chance that
the applicant begins sale of lots without completing the improvements, the City is responsible for completing the
improvements. Code should be amended to allow short plat applicants 5 years to complete site improvements with
the intent of reducing the number of improvement deferral requests.
Formal plat applicants have the option to apply for a one-year extension from the Administrator and may request
additional extensions from the Hearing Examiner, provided that the applicant can show need caused by unus ual or
undue circumstances. However, current Code does not specify the number of Hearing Examiner extensions permitted.
Without specifying the exact number, it is conceivable that the Hearing Examiner could grant extensions without limit
if satisfied with the applicant’s argument.
In review of Title IV, Chapters 7-9 Subdivision Regulations, minor typos and inconsistent language was discovered.
Staff recommends correcting typos and language inconsistencies as needed.
Proposed Text Amendments to Code
1. Amend code to change the expiration period for short plats from 2 years to 5 years.
2. Amend code to specify the number of additional extensions that can be granted by the Hearing Examiner.
3. Amend code to create consistent use of language and make revision to punctuation in Title IV, Chapters 7-9
Subdivision Regulations.
PART TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project
impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D1D84CC-7290-4ADD-9A87-1C6611FF4B88
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000400, ECF
Report of Monday, July 16, 2018 Page 3 of 3
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket 13B_v1
A. Environmental Threshold Recommendation
Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials:
Issue a DNS with a 14-day Appeal Period.
B. Mitigation Measures
1. None
C. Exhibits
None
D. Environmental Impacts
There are no environmental impacts that are anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposal.
E. Comments of Reviewing Departments
The proposal has been circulated to City Department and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their
comments have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or “Advisory Notes to Applicant.”
Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report.
The Environmental Determination decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within the 14-day
appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680).
Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in
writing together with the required fee to: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA
98057, on or before 5:00 p.m. on August 3, 2018. RMC 4-8-110 governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner and
additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, Renton City Hall –
7th Floor, (425) 430-6510.
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