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Home My WebLink AboutERC Report_21B_RMF2-Design Regs-Childcare-Arts PlanDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ERC Report Title IV Docket 21B and Arts and Culture Master Plan ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: June 29, 2026 Project Name: Arts and Culture Master Plan and Title IV Docket 21B: D-251 Child Care Centers; D-252 Urban Design Regulations Update; D-253 RMF-2 Rezone with Comprehensive Plan Amendment Project Number: LUA26-000201 Project Manager: Maya Simon, Associate Planner Owner: City of Renton Applicant: City of Renton Contact: Maya Simon, 425-430-7263, msimon@rentonwa.gov Project Location: Citywide Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review for the following non-project items: Arts and Culture Master Plan: This is 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. D-251 Child Care Centers Following state legislation in 2025, 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. D-252 Urban Design Regulations Update: The City of Renton is proposing Title IV text amendments regarding Urban Design Regulations. The amendments will comply with Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1293, which 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. 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 sites. Site 1 is located at SW Sunset Blvd & Maple Ave SW and Site 2 is located at 433 & 450 Bremerton Ave NE. The proposal for both properties would rezone them from Commercial Arterial (CA) to Residential Multi-Family 2 (RMF-2) and amend their Comprehensive Plan land use designation from Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) to Residential High Density (RHD). City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report DOCKET 21B AND ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN LUA26-000201, ECF Report of Monday, June 29, 2026 Page 2 of 4 ERC Report Docket 21B and Arts and Culture Master Plan 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 Arts and Culture Master Plan 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. 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. 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. 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. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report DOCKET 21B AND ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN LUA26-000201, ECF Report of Monday, June 29, 2026 Page 3 of 4 ERC Report Docket 21B and Arts and Culture Master Plan 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. 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. 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 The proposed plan and amendments will not alter critical areas regulations and individual projects will be evaluated for site-specific 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.” City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report DOCKET 21B AND ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN LUA26-000201, ECF Report of Monday, June 29, 2026 Page 4 of 4 ERC Report Docket 21B and Arts and Culture Master Plan  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 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.