HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_ERC_Determination_Applicant_Ltr_191022October 25, 2019
Chip Vincent
1055 S Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) THRESHOLD DETERMINATION
2019 Docket #14, Group C & D and Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption, LUA19-
000237, ECF
Dear Mr. Vincent:
This letter is written on behalf of the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) to advise you that they have
completed their review of the subject project and have issued a threshold Determination of Non-
Significance. Please refer to the enclosed ERC Report and Decision for more details.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on
November 8, 2019, together with the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South
Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more
information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the Renton City Clerk’s Office, (425)
430-6510.
If the Environmental Determination is appealed, a public hearing date will be set and all parties notified.
If you have any questions or desire clarification of the above, please call me at (425) 430-6576.
For the Environmental Review Committee,
Angie Mathias
Long Range Planning Manager
Enclosure
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SIGNATURES:
Gregg Zimmerman, Administrator
Public Works Department
Date Rick M. Marshall, Administrator
Renton Regional Fire Authority
Date
Kelly Beymer, Administrator
Community Services Department
Date C.E. Vincent, Administrator Date
Department Of Community & Economic Development
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF
NON-SIGNIFICANCE - MITIGATED (DNS)
PROJECT NUMBER: PR19-000002 / LUA19-000237
APPLICANT: Chip Vincent / 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057 / cvincent@rentonwa.gov
PROJECT NAME: 2019 Docket #14, Group C & D and Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 2019 Docket #14, Group C & D and Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption - D-164
–Modifications: Amend criteria used to review requests to modify code requirements via a Modification Permit by
combining two similar criteria. Enable Modification Permits for some Sections of Renton Municipal Code. And amend
justifications for Street Waivers by clarifying which justifications must be met and removing ambiguity from one
justification. D-165 – Accessory Dwelling Units: Review of existing procedures and design and development regulations
associated with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) such as unit size, parking requirements, permitting process, etc. This
docket item aims to streamline the application process and remove barriers to ADU construction. D-166 – Street Trees:
Amend code to clarify authority roles of staff related to approved tree species and deviations from new spacing
requirements. Also, increase the minimum caliper inch from 1.5” to 2.0”. D -168 – Open Space: Increase the required
dimension of open space in the R-10 and R-14 zones from 20 feet to xx feet, but allow that distance to be averaged. Also,
to clarify the requirement the dimensions for pedestrian access easements used as open space. Multi Family Property Tax
Exemption: Amend code to allow the Administrator to waive the requirement that new dwelling units be in a new building.
This provision would only apply to Downtown Renton where there are some historic buildings that if renovated to include
residential would bring the type of development the city is trying to incentivize with the MFTE.
PROJECT LOCATION: City-Wide
LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee
Department of Community & Economic Development
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 November 8, 2019.
Appeals must be filed in writing together with the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady
Way, Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more information may be obtained
from the Renton City Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510.
PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2019
DATE OF DECISION: October 21, 2019
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F5D7E16-AB0D-4761-AA36-F3C19135627B
10/21/2019 | 2:51 PM PDT
10/21/2019 | 2:16 PM PDT
10/21/2019 | 2:51 PM PDT
10/21/2019 | 3:00 PM PDT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ERC Report 2019 Docket #14, Groups C & D and Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC MEETING DATE: October 21, 2019
Project Name: 2019 Docket 14, Group C & D and Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption
Project Number: LUA19-000237, 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-164 – Modifications: Amend criteria used to review requests to modify code
requirements via a Modification Permit by combining two similar criteria.
Enable Modification Permits for some Sections of Renton Municipal Code. And
amend justifications for Street Waivers by clarifying which justifications must
be met and removing ambiguity from one justification.
2. D-165 – Accessory Dwelling Units: Review of existing procedures and design
and development regulations associated with Accessory Dwelling Units
(ADUs) such as unit size, parking requirements, permitting process, etc. This
docket item aims to streamline the application process and remove barriers
to ADU construction.
3. D-166 – Street Trees: Amend code to clarify authority roles of staff related to
approved tree species and deviations from new spacing requirements. Also,
increase the minimum caliper inch from 1.5” to 2.0”.
4. D-168 – Open Space: Increase the required dimension of open space in the R-
10 and R-14 zones from 20 feet to xx feet, but allow that distance to be
averaged. Also, to clarify the requirement the dimensions for pedestrian
access easements used as open space.
5. Multi Family Property Tax Exemption: Amend code to allow the
Administrator to waive the requirement that new dwelling units be in a new
building. This provision would only apply to Downtown Renton where there
are some historic buildings that if renovated to include residential would bring
the type of development the city is trying to incentivize with the MFTE.
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).
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F5D7E16-AB0D-4761-AA36-F3C19135627B
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2019 DOCKET #14, GROUPS C & D AND MULTI-FAMILY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION LUA19-000237, ECF
Report of Monday, October 21, 2019
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14C&D
PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND
D-164 – Modifications: A modification permit allows deviations from Code requirements when there are practical
difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of specified regulations when the strict application of the Code
(i.e., Title IV of Renton Municipal Code) is impractical. Modification permits are only optional if a particular Section
of the Code indicates it is available to applicants. Staff reviewed the code and recommends allowing modifications
in a number of new code sections. For example, Animal Keeping and Beekeeping Standards, Screening and Storage
Height/Location Limitations, and Standards for Home Agriculture Sales and Agriculture Sales. Additionally, staff
recommends clarification and consolidation of some the review criteria for modifications.
D-165 – ADU Review: This docket item aims to streamline the application process and remove barriers that may
impede property owners from pursuing ADU construction. Recommended code amendments include allowing ADU’s
in the front yard provided the minimum front yard setback requirement can be met, creating some flexibility
regarding the location for required parking, and clarifying that ADU’s are allowed to be located between the primary
structure and the street along the secondary front yard. Additionally, staff recommends removing the requirement
for a conditional use permit, but add a new requirement that the ADU meet design regulations. The maximum size
of ADU’s is recommended to be based on lot size rather than zone. Maximum sizes range from 600 – 1,000 square
feet, but never more than 75% of the primary dwelling. In regards to the requirement that the property owner
reside on the property, staff is recommending creating an option where property owners would not be required to
live on the property. The option would be available through the Conditional Use Permit process provided that the
project be entirely new construction (both primary and accessory dwelling), two or more new primary dwellings
must be built in conjunction with two or more ADU’s, a maintenance bond is in place to ensure the property and the
dwellings are well maintained, and that one of the primary units is affordable at 60% Area Median Income. Finally,
staff is recommending some amendments to the setbacks.
D-166 – Street Trees: The City’s Community Services Department (CSD) requested code amendments related to street
trees such as authority roles of staff, tree standards and selection criteria, and spacing standards. The goal of the
proposed code changes is to increase the city’s tree canopy cover, improve neighborhood quality, and improve
property values while also minimizing the City’s cost to maintain street trees with standards (e.g., increased spacing)
that will likely mitigate costly and frequent pruning or other remedies when infrastructure is impacted (e.g., fixing
lifted sidewalk panels). Staff recommends amending code to allow both the CED Administrator and the Forestry
Manager to reject proposed trees, enable the forestry manager to approve or require deviations from spacing
standards, increase the minimum caliper inch of required trees from 1.5 inches to 2 inches, and to adopt spacing
standards of 30 feet for small trees, 40 feet for medium trees, and 50 feet for large trees.
D-168 – Open Space Requirements: New development in the R-10 and R-14 zones is required to provide common
open space. For each dwelling unit 350 square feet of open space must be provided as part of the development. The
minimum width of open space is 20 feet. Staff have reviewed projects that hav e implemented this standard and
recommend it be revised to ensure adequate light and usable space for future residents. Staff recommends the
minimum width be increased from 20 feet to 30 feet and for projects larger than one acre the minimum width be
increased to 40 feet. This will effectively nearly double the number of hours of sunlight projects in the R-14 zone would
receive from 4 hours a day to almost 8 hours a day. Staff also recommends the minimum width be allowed to be
averaged to encourage variety in the space.
Multi Family Property Tax Exemption: Existing code allows the Administrator to waive some of the
requirements to qualify for the MFTE; specifically, the minimum number of dwelling units (30) and that the project
be a mixed use development. However, there is no flexibility in the requirement to construct a new structure. As the
redevelopment of the Cortona Building (former Renton Western Wear and Woolworths) in Downtown has shown,
there are some buildings in Downtown that have good historic significance and if redeveloped well bring the type of
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F5D7E16-AB0D-4761-AA36-F3C19135627B
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2019 DOCKET #14, GROUPS C & D AND MUTLI-FAMILY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION LUA19-000184, ECF
Report of Monday, October 21, 2019 Page 3 of 3
ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14C&D
development the city is trying to incentivize with the MFTE. Although the Cortona building does not include dwelling
units, other buildings could be redeveloped to include dwelling units. Staff recommends that Code be amended to
allow the Administrator to waive the requirement that projects must be in new structures to qualify for the MFTE.
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 November 8, 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.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F5D7E16-AB0D-4761-AA36-F3C19135627B