HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC_DNS Notice_Dock 21 Grp B and Arts Plan_20260629DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Planning Division
1055 South Grady Way, 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057
www.rentonwa.gov
NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
ISSUANCE OF A DETERMINATION OF NON-
SIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
POSTED TO NOTIFY INTERESTED PERSONS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
DNS: After review of the completed environmental checklist and other information on file, the City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee (ERC) has determined that the proposed action does not have a probable
significant adverse impact on the environment, and an EIS is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This DNS
is issued after using the optional DNS process in WAC 197-11-355. The comment period was combined with the
Notice of Application comment period. Please note that the issuance of this determination DOES NOT constitute
approval of the proposal.
DATE OF NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
DETERMINATION:
June 29, 2026
PROJECT NAME/NUMBER: PR26-000002, Land Use Non-Project Docket
21 Group B items (D-251: Child Care
Centers, D-252: Urban Design Regulations
Update, and D-253: RMF-2 Rezones with
Comp Plan Amendment) and Arts & Culture
Master Plan Update, LUA26-000201, ECF
PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
APPLICANT/PROJECT CONTACT
PERSON:
Gina Estep/ 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057 /
gestep@rentonwa.gov
LOCATION WHERE APPLICATION MAY
BE REVIEWED:
Applicant documents are available online through the City of Renton
Document Center website. See also https://rb.gy/7kjqlo
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review for the following non-
project items:
Arts and Culture Master Plan Update
The Arts & Culture Master Plan is being presented for consideration and recommendation for formal adoption by
City Council as an updated version of the City’s previously adopted 2010 Arts and Culture Master Plan. The
updated Plan provides a refreshed comprehensive framework to guide the City’s investments, policies, and
programming related to arts and culture, including public art, cultural equity, creative placemaking, and support
for the creative economy. The Plan reflects extensive engagement with artists, cultural organizations, City
departments, and community stakeholders, and aligns with current City priorities related to economic
development, livability, and neighborhood identity. It updates and expands upon the goals and strategies
established in 2010, with an emphasis on growing and elevating Renton’s creative economy, which is a priority
focus for CED in 2026 and beyond.
Docket 21 Group B, D-251: Child Care Centers
The City of Renton proposes Title IV text amendments to update zoning code to permit Day Care Centers in all
residential zones, adjust conditions in specialty zones, and possibly add design standards for children’s health
and safety. To make siting child care facilities easier, new state law (SB 5509) requires Renton to allow Child Care
Centers outright in almost all zones. The proposal would also amend definitions for Family Home Day Care
Center and Child Care Center to align with a state waiver that allows family day care providers to serve up to 16
children.
Docket 21 Group B, D-252: Urban Design Regulations Update
The City of Renton is proposing amendments to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-100, Urban Design
Regulations, to comply with Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1293, codified in Chapter 36.70A RCW.
ESHB 1293 requires cities planning under the Growth Management Act to ensure that design regulations are
clear and objective and do not result in reductions in density, height, bulk, or scale below what is otherwise
allowed by underlying zoning standards.
The proposed amendments would revise portions of the City’s Urban Design Regulations to:
• Remove or modify subjective design review language;
• Eliminate discretionary standards that could reduce development capacity;
• Clarify objective design requirements; and
• Ensure consistency with state law requirements.
The amendments are procedural and regulatory in nature and do not change allowed land uses or base
development standards established elsewhere in the Renton Municipal Code.
Docket 21 Group B, D-253: RMF-2 Rezones with Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The City of Renton proposes zoning map amendments and corresponding Comprehensive Plan map
amendments for two geographically distinct sites. Site 1 is located at SW Sunset Blvd & Maple Ave SW, within the
City Center Community Planning Area. Site 2 is located at 433 & 450 Bremerton Ave NE, within the Highlands
Community Planning Area. The proposal would rezone properties currently zoned Commercial Arterial (CA) to
Residential Multi-Family 2 (RMF-2). Concurrently, the Comprehensive Plan land use designation for each site
would be amended from Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) to Residential High Density (RHD).
The RMF-2 zone allows residential densities of approximately 20 to 40 dwelling units per net acre and is intended
for areas with existing attached residential development or where conditions support more intensive multi-unit
housing near transit, commercial services, and employment areas.
The purpose of the proposal is to:
• Facilitate infill development on underutilized parcels, including properties where commercial viability is
limited or impractical due to site constraints;
• Encourage redevelopment of nonconforming uses; and
• Support housing growth in areas with proximity to transit and existing infrastructure.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2026.
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.
PUBLIC HEARING: If the Environmental Determination is appealed, an appeal public hearing will be set and all
parties of record will be duly notified in accordance with RCW 43.21C.110 and WAC 197-11-535.
CONTACT PROJECT PLANNER: Maya Simon, Associate Planner, Tel: 425-430-7263, Email:
msimon@rentonwa.gov
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION
OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
Project File Numbers: PR26-000002/LUA26-000201, ECF
Project Name: Land Use Non-Project Docket 21 Group B items (D-251: Child Care Centers, D-252:
Urban Design Regulations Update, and D-253: RMF-2 Rezones with Comp Plan
Amendment) and Arts & Culture Master Plan Update
Applicant/Contact: Gina Estep, 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, gestep@rentonwa.gov
Project Location: Citywide
Project Description: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review for the following non-project
items:
Arts and Culture Master Plan Update
The Arts & Culture Master Plan is being presented for consideration and recommendation for formal adoption by
City Council as an updated version of the City’s previously adopted 2010 Arts and Culture Master Plan. The
updated Plan provides a refreshed comprehensive framework to guide the City’s investments, policies, and
programming related to arts and culture, including public art, cultural equity, creative placemaking, and support
for the creative economy. The Plan reflects extensive engagement with artists, cultural organizations, City
departments, and community stakeholders, and aligns with current City priorities related to economic
development, livability, and neighborhood identity. It updates and expands upon the goals and strategies
established in 2010, with an emphasis on growing and elevating Renton’s creative economy, which is a priority
focus for CED in 2026 and beyond.
Docket 21 Group B, D-251: Child Care Centers
The City of Renton proposes Title IV text amendments to update zoning code to permit Day Care Centers in all
residential zones, adjust conditions in specialty zones, and possibly add design standards for children’s health
and safety. To make siting child care facilities easier, new state law (SB 5509) requires Renton to allow Child Care
Centers outright in almost all zones. The proposal would also amend definitions for Family Home Day Care Center
and Child Care Center to align with a state waiver that allows family day care providers to serve up to 16 children.
Docket 21 Group B, D-252: Urban Design Regulations Update
The City of Renton is proposing amendments to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-100, Urban Design Regulations,
to comply with Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1293, codified in Chapter 36.70A RCW. ESHB 1293
requires cities planning under the Growth Management Act to ensure that design regulations are clear and
objective and do not result in reductions in density, height, bulk, or scale below what is otherwise allowed by
underlying zoning standards.
The proposed amendments would revise portions of the City’s Urban Design Regulations to:
• Remove or modify subjective design review language;
• Eliminate discretionary standards that could reduce development capacity;
• Clarify objective design requirements; and
• Ensure consistency with state law requirements.
The amendments are procedural and regulatory in nature and do not change allowed land uses or base development standards established elsewhere in the Renton Municipal Code.
Docusign Envelope ID: 9BFDF69F-7F31-8AD8-8131-23FF2537AB64
Environmental Review Committee Determination
June 29, 2026
Page 2 of 2
SIGNATURES:
Martin Pastucha, Administrator
Public Works Administrator, Chair
Date Anjela Barton, Fire Marshal
Renton Regional Fire Authority
Date
Maryjane Van Cleave, Administrator
Parks and Recreation Department
Date Gina Estep, Administrator Date
Community and Economic Development
Docket 21 Group B, D-253: RMF-2 Rezones with Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The City of Renton proposes zoning map amendments and corresponding Comprehensive Plan map amendments
for two geographically distinct sites. Site 1 is located at SW Sunset Blvd & Maple Ave SW, within the City Center
Community Planning Area. Site 2 is located at 433 & 450 Bremerton Ave NE, within the Highlands Community
Planning Area. The proposal would rezone properties currently zoned Commercial Arterial (CA) to Residential
Multi-Family 2 (RMF-2). Concurrently, the Comprehensive Plan land use designation for each site would be
amended from Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) to Residential High Density (RHD).
The RMF-2 zone allows residential densities of approximately 20 to 40 dwelling units per net acre and is intended
for areas with existing attached residential development or where conditions support more intensive multi-unit
housing near transit, commercial services, and employment areas.
The purpose of the proposal is to:
• Facilitate infill development on underutilized parcels, including properties where commercial viability is
limited or impractical due to site constraints;
• Encourage redevelopment of nonconforming uses; and
• Support housing growth in areas with proximity to transit and existing infrastructure. Lead Agency: City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee
Department of Community & Economic Development
Date of Decision: The Environmental Committee (ERC) has considered the SEPA determination for the above
project and the Planning Division of the City of Renton issued the environmental determination on June 29, 2026.
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 July 13, 2026.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: 9BFDF69F-7F31-8AD8-8131-23FF2537AB64
6/29/2026 | 3:59 PM PDT
6/30/2026 | 8:15 AM PDT6/29/2026 | 4:49 PM PDT