HomeMy WebLinkAboutAguiar Special Fence Permit Set
5005 200th Street Southwest, Suite 101-B | Lynnwood, WA 98036
www.pugetsoundplanning.com | info@pugetsoundplanning.com | (425) 830-1046
March 12, 2019
Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
RE: Aguiar Special Fence Permit Justification Analysis
Please accept this letter and attached documents as part of the Aguiar Special Fence Permit for the property
located at 463 Index Ave NE. The purpose of this Special Fence Permit is to allow an existing fence, that has
been in place for many years, to remain as is. The fence in question is located along the west property line and
the northwest property line where the fence is located on top of the retaining wall. RMC 4-4-040(G) provides for
an administrative review process where a property owner can request approval for a fence to exceed 48 inches
within a setback along a street.
To approve the permit, the city must find that the proposed fence meets the objectives found in subsection G.1.
The following narrative are the objectives listed and how the existing fence meets those objectives.
Evaluation Criteria [RMC 4-4-040(G)(2)(a-d)]
a. The proposed fence improves the privacy and security of the adjoining yard space;
RESPONSE: This property is unique in that it is a 5-sided lot where 3 of the 5 property lines abut a public road.
The property owners have a history of break ins and a considerable amount of pedestrian traffic even with the
existing fence already exceeding the city’s established height limits; privacy and security are a major concern.
The property owners also have small children that play in the backyard as well. The proposed fence is located
along two property lines that abut index Pl NE which provides both privacy and somewhat minimal security.
Requiring the property owners to reduce the height of the fence would increase the chance of additional break
ins AND create safety concerns for both the children playing and visibility of pedestrians walking along the back
yard.
b. The proposed fence does not detract from the quality of the residential environment by being
out of scale or creating vast blank walls along public roadways;
RESPONSE: To compare and describe the quality of the residential environment it is appropriate to compare
the existing fence subject to this permit, the fence directly adjacent to the east because it also is a rear yard
fence and other fences in the neighborhood visible from the street. The fences can be put into three categories:
cyclone fences (chain-link), picket fences, and wood fences that obscure vision. The fence subject to this permit
is of higher quality and design. The material is itself is newer and in better condition. The design adds quality to
the residential environment. The existing fence is designed with horizontal pickets rather than the vertical pickets
seen throughout the neighborhood. The lighter color wood adds visual character by allowing the knots of the
wood to create visual attraction rather than a darker color wood or painted fence. The vertical posts break up
the horizontal design eliminating the “vast blank wall”.
c. The proposed fence compliments the environment it serves in an aesthetically pleasing manner;
and
RESPONSE: As noted in the response above. This property and the property directly to the southeast front on
Index Ave NE and back up to Index Pl NE and it is appropriate to compare the two fences of these two lots
because no other lots in the immediate area that have rear lots so visible to the public roadway. The existing
fence is of higher quality than the fence immediately to the east and a more attractive horizontal design. The
5005 200th Street Southwest, Suite 101-B | Lynnwood, WA 98036
www.pugetsoundplanning.com | info@pugetsoundplanning.com | (425) 830-1046
horizontal picket and post design eliminate the typical backer rails that are seen on vertical pickets. Also, the
horizontal pickets tie in with the horizontal masonry design of the retaining wall. A majority of the fences in the
neighborhood, seen from the public street are either picket fences or cyclone fences that provide neither security
nor privacy for the property owners.
d. The proposed fence does not present a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
RESPONSE: The existing fence is located along the southeast and east edges of the Index Pl NE right of way.
The edge of pavement of the travel lane is between 8 and 15 feet away from the fence. Pedestrian safe travel
is provided by the gravel shoulder provided between the end of pavement and the fence line. Vehicle movement
is provided by the paved portion of Index Pl NE. Index Pl terminates for north bound traffic at Index Abe NE at
an unsigned T-intersection. The intersection is visible to northbound traffic approximately 140 feet from the
intersection, which is sufficient for 20 mph design standards for existing stopping site distance (WSDOT Design
Manual). Index Pl NE is not posted for speed limits, but assuming a residential street of 25 MPH, the stopping
speed at this location can be assumed to ne 20 MPH or less. The existing fence doesn’t present a hazard.
Acceptable Measures to Meet Criteria [RMC 4-4-040(G)(3)(a-i)]
In addition to meeting the evaluation criteria as detailed above, the existing fence utilizes the following measures
identified as acceptable to the city to meet that criteria:
• Quality fence Material
• Similar Material as other fences in the surrounding area – wood material
• Ornamental Materials and construction Treatment – light color wood with horizontal picket design
• Orientation of the finished face of the fence toward the street – no visible backer rails, finished face is
oriented toward public view.
Clear Vision Area [RMC 4-4-040(G)(4)]
No portion of the fence is within the clear vision area at the intersection of Index Pl NE and Index Ave NE. The
fence also does not obstruct stopping distance on Index Pl NE as described previously in this narrative.
If you have any questions regarding the contents of this letter or if you require additional information, please feel
free to contact Lee A. Michaelis, AICP at (425) 830-1046 or lee.michaelis@pugetsoundplanning.com.
Sincerely,
Puget Sound Planning
Lee A. Michaelis, AICP
Aguiar Special Fence Permit Neighborhood Detail Map
Legend
Subject Property
Neighborhood Parcels
Source:
Aerial Photo - ERSI
Parcel Boundaries - King County
1 Inch = 100 Feet Printed at 8.5" X 11"
Ê Map Prepared By:
Puget Sound Planning
5005 200th St SW, Suite 101-B
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 830-1046
Aguiar Special Fence Permit Fence Elevations
Prepared By:
Puget Sound Planning
5005 200th St SW, Suite 101-B
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 830-1046
March 6, 2019
Northwest and West Fence Elevation
West Fence Elevation