HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 59661
CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 5966
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, AMENDING
SUBSECTION 4‐2‐115.E.2 OF THE RENTON MUNICIPAL CODE, AMENDING
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS FOR COMMON OPEN SPACE, PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, open space is a significant element in the development of livable communities
and creates opportunities for good health; and
WHEREAS, usable open space becomes increasing important as density increases; and
WHEREAS, this matter was duly referred to the Planning Commission for investigation
and study, and the matter was considered by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 2, 2019, considered
all relevant matters, and heard all parties in support or opposition, and subsequently forwarded
a recommendation to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106, on October 16, 2019, the City notified the State
of Washington of its intent to adopt amendments to its development regulations;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. All portions of the Renton Municipal Code in this ordinance not shown in
strikethrough and underline edits remain in effect and unchanged.
SECTION II. Subsection 4‐2‐115.E.2 of the Renton Municipal Code is amended as
shown below. All other provisions in 4‐2‐115.E remain in effect and unchanged.
2. Open Space:
ORDINANCE NO. 5966
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OPEN SPACE: Open space is a significant element in the development of livable communities
and creates opportunities for good health.
Guidelines: All open space shall be designed to preserve existing trees particularly native
conifers, native deciduous trees, and other native vegetation consistent with RMC 4‐4‐070,
Landscaping. Except for Native Growth Protection Areas, all common open space areas shall
be designed to accommodate both active and passive recreational opportunities and be visible
and open to the street. Pocket parks shall be designed to serve four (4) to ten (10) homes.
Private yards are located at the rear or side of homes and can include trees, planting beds, and
privacy fences. Reciprocal use easements can provide greater usability of private yards.
Landscaping:
R‐10
and
R‐14
See RMC 4‐4‐070, Landscaping.
Standards for Parks:
R‐10
and
R‐14
For developments that are less than ten (10) net acres: No park is required, but is
allowed.
For developments that are greater than ten (10) net acres: A minimum of one one‐
half (.5) acre park, in addition to the common open space requirement, is required.
Standards for Common Open Space:
R‐10
and
R‐14
Developments of three (3) or fewer dwelling units: No requirement to provide
common open space.
Developments of four (4) or more units: Required to provide common open space as
outlined below. Above ground drainage facilities (i.e., ponds, swales, ditches, rain
gardens, etc.) shall not be counted towards the common open space requirement.
1. For each unit in the development, three hundred fifty (350) square feet of
common open space shall be provided.
2. Open space shall be designed as a park, common green, pea‐patch, pocket park,
or pedestrian entry easement in the development and shall include picnic areas,
space for recreational activities, and other activities as appropriate.
3. Open space shall be located in a highly visible area and be easily accessible to
the neighborhood.
ORDINANCE NO. 5966
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4. Open space(s) shall be contiguous to the majority of the dwellings in the
development and accessible to all dwellings. For sites one (1) acre or smaller in
size, open space(s) , and shall be at least twenty thirty feet (230') in at least one
(1) dimension. For sites larger than one (1) acre in size, open space(s) shall be at
least forty feet (40’) in at least one (1) dimension. For all sites, to allow for
variation, open space(s) of less than the minimum dimension (thirty feet (30') or
forty feet (40'), as applicable) are allowed; provided that when all of a site’s
open spaces are averaged the applicable dimension requirement is met.
5. A pedestrian entry easement can be used counted as open space to meet the
access requirements if it has a minimum width of twenty feet (20') with and
within that twenty feet (20’) a minimum five feet (5') of sidewalk is provided.
6. Pea‐patches shall be at least one thousand (1,000) square feet in size with
individual plots that measure at least ten feet by ten feet (10' x 10').
Additionally, the pea‐patch shall include a tool shed and a common area with
space for compost bins. Water shall be provided to the pea‐patch. Fencing that
meets the standards for front yard fencing shall surround the pea‐patch with a
one foot (1') landscape area on the outside of the fence. This area is to be
landscaped with flowers, plants, and/or shrubs.
7. Grass‐crete or other pervious surfaces may be used in the common open space
for the purpose of meeting the one hundred fifty feet (150') distance
requirement for emergency vehicle access but shall not be used for personal
vehicle access or to meet off‐street parking requirements.
8. Common open space areas shall have a maximum slope of five percent (5%).
9. Obstructions, such as retaining walls and fences, shall not be placed in common
open spaces.
Standards for Private Yards:
ORDINANCE NO. 5966
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R‐10
and
R‐14
Developments of three (3) or fewer dwelling units: Each individual dwelling shall
have a private yard that is at minimum six hundred (600) square feet in size. Backyard
patios and reciprocal use easements may be included in the calculation of private
yard.
Developments of four (4) or more dwelling units: Each ground‐related dwelling shall
have a private yard that is at least two hundred fifty (250) square feet in size with no
dimension less than eight feet (8') in width.
An additional two hundred fifty (250) square feet of open space per unit shall be
added to the required amount of common open space for each unit that is not
ground related.
Common Open Space or Park Substitutions:
R‐10
and
R‐14
See RMC 4‐1‐240.
Sidewalks, Pathways, and Pedestrian Easements:
R‐10
and
R‐14
All of the following are required:
1. Sidewalks shall be provided throughout the neighborhood. The sidewalk may
disconnect from the road, provided it continues in a logical route throughout the
development. Permeable pavement sidewalks shall be used where feasible,
consistent with the Surface Water Design Manual.
2. Front yards shall have entry walks that are a minimum width of three feet (3')
and a maximum width of four feet (4').
3. Pathways shall be used to connect common parks, green areas, and pocket
parks to residential access streets, limited residential access streets, or other
pedestrian connections. They may be used to provide access to homes and
common open space. They shall be a minimum three feet (3') in width and made
of paved asphalt, concrete, or porous material such as: porous paving stones,
crushed gravel with soil stabilizers, or paving blocks with planted joints.
Sidewalks or pathways for parks and green spaces shall be located at the edge of
the common space to allow a larger usable green and easy access to homes.
ORDINANCE NO. 5966
4. Pedestrian Easement Plantings: Shall be planted with plants and trees. Trees are
required along all pedestrian easements to provide shade and spaced twenty
feet (20') on center. Shrubs shall be planted in at least fifteen percent (15%) of
the easement and shall be spaced no further than thirty six inches (36") on
center.
5. For all homes that do not front on a residential access street, limited residential
access street, a park, or a common green: Pedestrian entry easements that are
at least fifteen feet (15') wide plus a five-foot (5') sidewalk shall be provided.
SECTION III. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or work of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court or competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unconstitutionality thereof shall not affect the constitutionality of any other
section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this ordinance.
SECTION IV. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect five (5)days after publication
of a summary of this ordinance in the City's official newspaper. The summary shall consist of this
ordinance's title.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 2nd day of March, 2020.
Jaso A. Set , City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 2nd day of March, 2020.
Armondo Pavone, Mayor
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ORDINANCE NO. 5966
Approved as to form:
Shane Moloney, City Attorney "" 4,4,Date of Publication: 3/6/2020 (Summary)
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ORD:2099:12/2/19
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