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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14EDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ERC Report 2019 Docket #14, Group E ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: March 23, 2020 Project Name: 2019 Docket #14, Group E Project Number: LUA20-000063, 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. Site Plan Review - Revises criteria used to distinguish a minor from a major modification of an approved site plan, and considers measurable aspects of a development other than scale or area (e.g., density, building materials, etc.). 2. AutoMall Review - The AutoMall “B” overlay enables car sales; this proposal is to remove the overlay from lots where vehicle sales businesses do not currently operate. 3. Relief From RMC Standards - Renton Municipal Code allows applicants to propose modified standards and thereby be granted relief from instances where the strict application of the Code creates an impractical difficulty. 4. Stream Reclass – Reclassification of three streams based on biological assessments conducted prior to land use projects. Specifically, reclassification of approximately 2,400 feet of Maplewood Creek from Type Np to F, a second approximately 140 feet of Maplewood Creek from Type Np to F, and reclassification of approximately 400 feet of Kennydale Creek from Type Ns to Np. 5. Code Cleanup - The first installment of a chapter-by-chapter review of code to improve consistency of language, formatting, and other superficial changes. These code amendments are non-substantive and do not reflect any changes in policy or procedure. 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 E LUA19-000237, ECF Report of Monday, March 23, 2020 Page 2 of 3 ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14E PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND Site Plan Review - Staff propose to amend the threshold criteria used to distinguish a minor Site Plan modification from a major modification. Specifically, staff propose consideration of not only increases to the scale or area of an approved Site Plan, but also decreases. In addition to increases or decreases of the scale or area, staff propose considering other measurable elements of a development (e.g., building height, density, commercial area, public or private open space, parking spaces, etc.), and substantial changes to “key features” (a new term to be defined). AutoMall Review - The Auto Mall Overlay (AMO) and associated Auto Mall Improvement Plan was established in 1996 at the request of auto dealers who promoted the idea of creating a destination district to sell vehicles. The AMO and Plan were intended to: increase auto sales, increase values of underdeveloped properties, create predictable, cohesive, and uniform development standards, provide convenient comparison shopping, and provide a distinct shopping area with good freeway access. Since the boundaries of the AMO district “B” were established, the City itself as well as the vision for the future was quite different than it is today. Soon a new regional bus station will be located at the corner of South Grady Way and Rainier Avenue North. With the vision of this corridor being redeveloped to include transit-oriented mixed-use development, and the 2017 addition of AMO district “C” in the valley along East Valley Road, staff are proposing to remove the AMO district “B” from properties that are not currently auto dealers in order to ensure the vision for this area of the City is realized. Relief From RMC Standards - Modification permit applications are required to address the following criteria, but criterion “c” and “f” are very similar, and so staff propose to consolidate those two criteria. Regarding, waiver applications for street improvements, staff propose to require criterion “c” (required street improvements would have negative impact on other properties) and “e” (waiver won’t be granted unless no detrimental effects on the public) to be addressed and to provide the other criteria as examples to justify potential street waivers (in addition to other arguments that an applicant may make). Staff propose to rephrase criterion “d” so that it only accounts for projects slated to occur, as indicated in the City’s Capital Improvement Program. Additionally, staff propose to expressly state that approval of a Waiver may require all elements of the City’s street standards to be installed (i.e., travel lanes, bicycle lanes, on-street parking spaces, curb, planter strip, and sidewalk) but to lesser standards (i.e., approval does guarantee a complete waiver of any element). Staff propose to revise RMC so Variances are not limited to things such as lot width/depth. To do this, staff propose to list the standards/provisions that are not eligible for Variances, which includes the zoning use table and associated conditions (i.e., any use-related provision), density limits or limits on the number of dwellings per lot or structure. Stream Reclass – The city classified the streams within its jurisdiction in approximately the year 2000. For areas such as Benson that have annexed since the initial stream classifications the city has relied on data from King County. As development occurs, a stream study may be conducted. Primarily, a study is done when one is requested (by a Party of Record, a Tribe, etc.) or if the applicant is seeking to reduce a buffer or use buffer averaging. There are three reclassifications of streams the city needs to formally adopt. Specifically, reclassification of approximately 2,400 feet of Maplewood Creek from Type Np to F, a second approximately 140 feet of Maplewood Creek from Type Np to F, and reclassification of approximately 400 feet of Kennydale Creek from Type Ns to Np. Code Cleanup - The first installment of a chapter-by-chapter review of code to improve consistency of language, formatting, and other superficial changes. These code amendments are non-substantive and do not reflect any changes in policy or procedure. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2019 DOCKET #14, GROUP E LUA20-000063, ECF Report of Monday, March 23, 2020 Page 3 of 3 ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket14E 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 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.