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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC Report RMC Title IV - Parks PlanDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: December 30, 2019 Project Name: Parks, Recreation, and Natural Areas Plan Update Owner: City of Renton, 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057 Applicant: Same as Owner Contact: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager File Number: LUA19-000299, ECF Project Manager: Leslie Betlach, Parks Planning and Natural Resources Director and Erica Schmitz, Parks Planning Manager. Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review for the Update of the 2011 Parks, Recreation, and Natural Areas Plan. The 2011 Plan established a 20-year vision for Renton’s park system and identified the community’s priorities. In the past eight years, the City has worked with partners to build new features like the Meadow Crest Playground and the bridge at Riverview Park, make key land acquisitions, and explore new neighborhood-focused programming. Since 2011, Renton has grown to be more diverse and dynamic than ever. The updated Plan carries forward the community’s vision; re- evaluates needs and priorities; gauged interest in existing events and programs; and identifies partnership opportunities. Project Location: Downtown Renton 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 No actions are being taken at this time. This is a non -project action. The planning process for the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Areas Plan update incorporated a variety of community engagement opportunities in different formats and offered them at different times over the course of the year. A multi-layered, multifaceted outreach approach broadens participation by allowing people to participate on their own terms and to their own interest level. While some forums engaged more participants than others, each activity was included to gain perspectives from the entire range of the Renton community. This “layering” of activities ensured that a variety of interests and priorities would be represented in this Plan. The Plan identifies the Level of Service (LOS) for the City in regards to parks and natural areas. The LOS is 5.07 acres/1,000 population or 1 acre of park per 200 people for developed parks and 6.14 acres/1,000 population for natural areas. The Plan also identifies gaps City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL AREAS PLAN UPDATE LUA19-000299, ECF Report of December 30, 2019 Page 2 of 2 ERC Report 17-000725 in needed parks, natural areas, and programming. A chapter on the need to identify and plan for ongoing maintenance is included. Finally, the plan includes an implementation strategy, ranks the identified projects, and concept plans for some parks were created. 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 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 will be circulated to City Department Division Reviewers and appropriate agencies. All substantive comments will be provided to the Responsible Officials for their consideration and possible recommendation that the comments be incorporated as “Advisory Notes to Applicant.” Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Comments and Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 PM on January 17, 2020. Renton Municipal Code Section 4-8-110.B governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner. Appeals must be filed in writing at the City Clerk’s office along with the required fee. Additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, Renton City Hall - 7th Floor, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton WA 98057.