HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2011- MinutesRENTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
January 5, 2011
6:00 p.m.
Renton City Hall
Council Chambers
Planning Commissioners Present: Michael Chen, Michael Drollinger, Ray Giometti, Gwendolyn High, Michael
O'Halloran, Nancy Osborn, Kevin Poole, Ed Prince
Planning Commissioner Absent: Martin Regge
City Staff Present: Alex Pietsch, CED Administrator; Chip Vincent, Planning Director; Erika Conkling, Senior
Planner; Judith Subia, Administrative Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Prince called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Commission Vice Chair Drollinger called roll. Commissioner Regge was absent and excused.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of November 3, December 1, and December 8, 2010 were approved
as written.
4. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: None
5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: None
7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
• The Cluendall Terminals DEIS comment meeting was held last night. As a result of numerous requests,
the comment period has been extended. The DEIS will be presented to the Commission in the near
future.
• CED and Council are working on the 2011 Planning Work Program. We are looking to schedule a Joint
Planning & Development Committee and Planning Commission meeting. Possible dates include
February 2, 16, March 2, and 16.
• Chip shared a letter from Mayor Law to Rich Wagner, a former Planning Commission member of 14
years, who recently received a lifetime achievement award from AIA.
8. SUNSET AREA PLANNED ACTION/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) BRIEFING:
Alex gave a short introduction regarding the work done so far on this project. Erika and Lisa Grueter,
consultant from ICF International, gave a presentation regarding this item.
Audience Comment
Linda Perrine (Renton, WA): Ms. Perrine owns a duplex near Glenwood and Edmonds. She has a question
about new jobs that is referenced in the presentation. She also has a question regarding buildings being
built, but no storm improvements being made. Erika answered that these new jobs would be permanent
Planning Commission Minutes
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January 5, 2011
jobs, not relating to the construction or development of the project. When new buildings are built, the
developer needs to comply with the necessary improvements.
Howard McOmber, Highlands Community Association President (Renton, WA): Mr. McOmber has a question
regarding greenway drainage. Erika explained that this drainage includes rain gardens or swales that are in
the right of way, requiring an 8 -foot planting strip, where a low impact development style stormwater vault
can be installed. Mr. McOmber asked if more width for rights of way will be needed. Erika explained that in
many cases, the rights of way are very large. There are areas along Sunset Blvd that may need additional
right of way. He also asked that the City not use eminent domain, be flexibilie so a developer can be
creative with development, and keep the costs (such as impact fees) low for developers.
Sandel DeMastus, Highlands Community Association Vice President (Renton, WA): Ms. DeMastus is
concerned about the elderly and wants to make sure the seniors and disabled are taken care of.
Angie Pretty (Renton, WA): Ms. Pretty had a question regarding housing affordability and its impacts to the
School District. Erika answered that the City has been working with RSD to ensure that growth can be
accommodated by RSD.
9. SUNSET AREA PLANNED ACTION/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) PUBLIC HEARING:
Audience Comment
Kathleen Ossenkop (Renton, WA): Ms. Ossenkop has been a property owner in the Highlands for over 40
years. She has seen a great deal of new investment and revitalization in the last 15 years. She's concerned
that the City does not understand what the long term residents have seen. Adding 500 properties into the
Highlands will impact the residents that already live there. She is in favor of the Evergreen Terrace type of
housing for seniors.
Karen Williams, Housing Development Consortium of King County (Seattle, WA): Ms. Williams thanked
City staff 'for the work that has been done so far, especially partnering with the Renton Housing
Authority to ensure that there are benefits for the low income residents.
Lori McFarland (Renton, WA): Ms. McFarland is grateful for the work that the City is doing. As a long
time resident and a design engineer, she talked about interconnection of traffic signals. Pedestrians
end up 20 to 25 feet away from heavy traffic. This greatly improves traffic congestion and pedestrian
safety. Ms. McFarland is in favor of Alternative #3.
Jim Houghton (Bellevue, WA): Mr. Houghton owns property in the Highlands. He is currently working
with the Planning staff to build a 10 -unit condominium project for senior housing with affordable
housing. The ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing) program greatly facilitates the sales of affordable
housing and encouraged the City to become a part of this program.
10. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Written comments on the Sunset Area Planned Action/EIS will be accepted
through January 31, 2011. The next Commiss
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:
Michael O'Halloran, Secretary