HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 6044CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 6044
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, AMENDING
SUBSECTIONS 4-2-120.A, 4-2-120.C.15, AND 4-2-120.C.16 OF THE RENTON
MUNICIPAL CODE, CLARIFYING SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR FRONT YARDS
AND SECONDARY FRONT YARDS WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD
(CN), CENTER VILLAGE (CV), AND COMMERCIAL ARTERIAL (CA) ZONES,
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the purpose of the proposed code amendment is to revise RMC 4-2-120.A,
Development Standards for Commercial Zoning Designations, to clarify the setback requirements
for front yards and secondary front yards within the Commercial Neighborhood (CN), Center
Village (CV), and Commercial Arterial (CA) zones; and
WHEREAS, current regulations allow both the front yard and secondary front yard
setbacks within the CN, CV, and CA zones to be reduced to zero feet (0') through the site plan
review process, provided blank walls are not located within the reduced setback; and
WHEREAS, with this Ordinance, the City seeks to revise RMC 4-2-120.A, Development
Standards for Commercial Zoning Designations, to revise the setback requirements for front
yards and secondary front yards within the CN, CV, and CA zones by amending the provision that
allows the setback to be reduced to zero feet (0') through the site plan review process to include
criteria for approval; 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, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106, on May 3, 2021, the City notified the State of
Washington of its intent to adopt amendments to its development regulations; and
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ORDINANCE NO. 6044
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 19, 2021, considered
all relevant matters, and heard all parties in support or opposition, and subsequently forwarded
a recommendation to the City Council;
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. Setbacks in subsection 4-2-120.A of the Renton Municipal Code is
amended as shown on Attachment A. All other provisions in 4-2-120.A remain in effect and
unchanged.
SECTION III. Subsections 4-2-120.C.15 and 4-2-120.C.16 of the Renton Municipal Code
are amended as shown below. All other provisions in 4-2-120.0 shall remain in effect and
unchanged.
15. Maximum Setback:
a. The maximum setback may be modified through the site plan
review process if the applicant can demonstrate that the proposed development
meets the following criteria:
i. Orients development to the pedestrian through measures such
FneaSWF as providing pedestrian walkways beyond those required by the Renton
Municipal Code (RMC), encouraging pedestrian amenities and supporting
alternatives to single -occupant vehicle (SOV) transportation; and
CJ
ORDINANCE NO. 6044
ii. Creates a low -scale streetscape through measures such
yes as fostering distinctive architecture and mitigating the visual dominance
of extensive and unbroken parking along the street front; and
iii. Promotes safety and visibility through measures such
FneaSUFes as discouraging the creation of hidden spaces, minimizing conflict
between pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and ensuring adequate setbacks to
accommodate required parking and/or access that could not be provided
otherwise.
b. Alternatively, the maximum setback requirement maybe modified
if the applicant can demonstrate that the criteria in subsection 15.a the ^"er:edi ^
cfiteFia cannot be met by addressing the following criteria helew. However, all
those criteria from subsection 15.a that can be met shall be addressed in the site
development plan.
i. Due to factors including but not limited to the unique site
design requirements or physical site constraints such as critical areas or utility
easements, the maximum setback cannot be met; or
ii. One or more of the above criteria would not be furthered or
would be impaired by compliance with the maximum setback; or
iii. Any function of the use which serves the public health, safety
or welfare would be materially impaired by the required setback.
16. ReseFyed. Minimum Setback:
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ORDINANCE NO. 6044
a. The minimum setback may be modified through the site plan
review process if it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction that
the following criteria are met:
i. The perceived scale of the proposed structure that is created
by the reduced setback is compatible with the abutting structures and the
surrounding neighborhood; and
ii. The required street frontage landscaping identified in RMC 4-4-
070F.1 is increased to fifteen feet (15') alone all public street frontaees with the
exception of walkways, driveways, programmed pedestrian plazas, and the area
of reduced setback; and
iii. Enhanced landscaping, such as increased caliper size of trees,
increased container size of shrubs, and/or increased quantity or diversity of
plantings, is provided within the public right-of-way on the street frontage
abutting the reduced setback; and
iv. The proiect includes a public art installation, subject to review
and approval, with a minimum monetary value of one percent (1%) of the
assessed value of the proposed structure, or when the Administrator determines
that it is impractical to install public art onsite, payment of a fee -in -lieu may be
approved in an amount of money approximating one percent (1%) of the assessed
value of the proposed structure; and
v. The design of the proposed structure complies with all of the
following requirements:
ORDINANCE NO. 6044
(a) Back of house facilities such as walk-in freezers, bathrooms,
breakrooms, storage rooms, or other rooms that do not contain windows, are not
located along any building facade that fronts a public street; and
(b) Floor to ceiling transparent windows are provided for at
least fifty percent (50%) of the ground floor building facade that fronts a reduced
setback; and
(c) The proposed structure includes design features such as
step -backs of upper levels, changes in roof plane, and changes in roof form/slope
in a manner that serves to reduce the apparent bulk of the proposed structure;
and
(d) Canopies or similar design features are provided along any
building facade that fronts a public street, with emphasis provided to the primary
entry; and
(e) Structured parking is not located along any building facade
that fronts a reduced setback.
b. Alternatively, the minimum setback may be modified through the
site plan review process if it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's
satisfaction that the reduced setback would result in the protection and
preservation of Priority One trees, as identified in RMC 4-4-130.H.1.b, that would
otherwise not practicably be retained without reduction of the minimum setback.
SECTION IV. 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,
ORDINANCE NO. 6044
such invalidity or unconstitutionality thereof shall not affect the constitutionality of any other
section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this ordinance.
SECTION V. 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 13th day of December, 2021.
l
Jason . Seth, Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 13th day of December, 2021.
Approved as to form:
'409�l2e
Shane Moloney, City Attorney
Date of Publication: 12/16/2021 (Summary)
ORD:2182:11/3/21
ArmonN Pavone, Mayor
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