HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR_ERC_2019_Docket_14_Group_B_190905DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ERC Report 2019 Docket #14, Group A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC MEETING DATE: September 9, 2019
Project Name: 2019 Docket #14, Group B
Project Number: LUA19-000184, ECF
Project Manager: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager
Owner: City of Renton
Applicant: City of Renton
Contact: Angie Mathias, 425-430-6576
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. D-156 – Outdoor Storage: Permit bulk storage in all three (3) industrial zones
(Light, Medium and Heavy) subject to certain conditions, such as separation
distances from residential buildings and residential use.
2. D-161 – Design District for Assisted Living: Assign Design District B to new
assisted living facilities and convalescent centers when located in a
residential zone. Design District B is also assigned to the Residential Multi-
Family zone.
3. D-162 – Impact Fee Credit: Establish a time limit for the amount of time a
building can be vacant for an new user to utilize as a credit the fees paid by
the previous use of the building. Staff recommends five years.
4. D-163 – Conditional Use Permit Criteria: Amend code to provide specific
decisional criteria in the Conditional Use Permit code section when
commercial and industrial zone development standards allow for height
increases or additional residential density with Conditional Use Permit
approval.
5. D-167 – Commercial and Oversized Parking: Institute new standards to not
allow commercial vehicles greater than 10,000 pounds to park on residential
lots, except with a Temporary Use Permit. However, no semi-trucks will be
permitted. Recreational vehicles shall be parked in a garage or carport, side
or rear yard with minimum five feet distance to the property line, or in a
driveway perpendicular to the street and minimum five feet distance to the
side property line. If parked in side or rear yard broadside to the right of way,
the vehicle must be screened.
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).
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2019 DOCKET #14, GROUP B LUA19-000184, ECF
Report of Monday, September 9, 2019
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14B
PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND
D-156 – Outdoor Storage: Storage uses are classified under the Zoning Use Table. These storage uses are as follows:
a) hazardous material storage, on site or off site, including treatment; b) indoor storage; c) outdoor storage, existing;
d) outdoor storage, new; e) self-service storage; f) vehicle storage; and g) warehousing. Bulk storage is defined in
Title IV, but not identified in the zoning use table. Additionally, there there is an entire code section that regulates
bulk storage facilities. Staff recommends putting Bulk Storage Facilities in the zoning use table and allowing it in the
IL, IM, and IH zones. Also, to change the development standards to require at least five hundred feet (500’) of
separation from any residential building or use if it is intended to serve residential use
D-161 – Design District for Assisted Living: Assisted living and convalescent centers are typically characterized by
large scale developments that include multiple shared or private living quarters accessed via internal corridors.
These facilities often include shared interior and exterior spaces, such as dining and recreational areas. Entry into
these facilities is usually provided by one or two main entries/exits rather that individual entries for each unit. In
addition, rather than the individual garages typical of single family or townhouse development, parking for assisted
living and convalescent centers is usually provided via surface or structured parking. These facilities are permitted in
many residential zones, design requirements could help the City ensure better compatibility for these types of uses
in residentially zoned areas. Staff is recomending they be reqiured to comply with the requirements of Design
District B, which is currently only assigned to the RMF zone.
D-162 – Impact Fee Credit: Many jurisdictions have established a time frame for which the credit toward impact
fees from the previous use of a vacant building can be utilized. For example, Issaquah and Auburn require that it
occur within 12 month of the previous use, Redmond allows three years, and Kirkland allows five years. It is
reasonable to assume that at some point in time the use of a vacant building effectively becomes a new use for
which no credit should be provided. Five years is a very reasonable amount of time to assume that any new vehicle
trips created by the previous use have completely dispersed or effectively discontinued. If the use is no longer there,
drivers will not be going to that use. Therefore, it is appropriate to charge the new user the full rate. Also, Code is
clear that for changes of use, fee payers receive credit for the impact fees previously paid. It is also clear, that if no
fee was paid that new tenants should receive a credit at the current impact fee rate for the last documented use.
However, code is silent regarding credits when an independent fee calculation is used. Staff recommends amending
code to clearly state that if an independent fee calculation is accepted by the City, credits for future changes of use
will be the same as what was accepted for the independent fee calculation.
D-163 – Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Criteria: The Renton Municipal Code also allows consideration of increased
height and density in commercial zones with a CUP. Typically, CUP’s are used for uses not development standards,
height and density are development regulations and not land uses. The CUP allows City staff or the Hearing
Examiner to mitigate and add conditions to a request for increased height and density, however the factors
considered (consistency with plans and regulations; appropriate location; effect on adjacent properties;
compatibility; parking; traffic; noise, light, and glare; landscaping) for considering the CUP are intended to review a
land use. Staff recommends text amendments within the CUP code section specifically related to requests for
increased height and density. The CUP code section already contains specific criteria for wireless communication
facilities, live-work units, transition facilities, and diversion facilities.
D-167 – Commercial and Oversized Parking: Staff is recomending the city regulate the parking of commercial
vehicles and other large vehicles on residential lots. Regarding commercial vehicles, no more than one commercial
vehicle or any commercial vehicle with a GVW over 10,000 pounds will be allowed per dwelling unit on any lot in any
residential zone except as allowed through a Temporary Use Permit, provided that no semi-trucks, semi-cabs,
tractor trailers will be permitted. Regarding other large vehicles, staff is recommending permitting large vehicles to
park on residential lots (in order of preference):
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2019 DOCKET #14, GROUP B LUA19-000184, ECF
Report of Monday, September 9, 2019 Page 3 of 3
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14B
1. Within a vented garage or carport;
2. In a side or rear yard with > 5’ setback for motorhomes and travel/camper trailers, or watercraft taller than
8’; (If parked on the side or rear of a lot, must be sight-screened from the street if not parked perpendicular
to that street.)
3. Within a front yard on a driveway and parked > 5’ from side property line and perpendicular to the street.
4. If none of the above locations are feasible, the recreational/utility vehicle must be stored off-site.
Also, staff is recommending allowing temporary habitation of recreational vehicles on residential property for no
more than 7 days without a permit and up to 30 days with a Temporary Use Permit. Finally, staff is recommending
allowing an additional vehicle for each resident beyond four if their license and vehicle are registered to the address.
As well as, allowing additional vehicles to be approved through a Temporary Use Permit
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
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 September 27, 2019. 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.