HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Leighton Reconsideration Decision.SIGNED
December 21, 2021
Frank Overton
King County Parks and Recreation
201 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104
SUBJECT: Reconsideration of the Leighton Administrative Setback Variance (LUA21-000237, V-A)
Dear Mr. Overton:
We received your timely request for reconsideration with regard to the Leighton Administrative Setback
Variance. The Leighton Administrative Setback Variance approved a side yard setback reduction from
the required five (5)-foot setback (RMC 4-2-110A) to a side yard setback that would range from zero (0)
feet to three (3) feet, nine (9) inches with four (4) conditions of approval. Condition #4 states “4. The
applicant shall obtain a temporary construction easement from the King County Parks Department prior
to the issuance of a Building Permit.” In your request, you note that a Special Use Permit was requested
from King County for temporary construction access for the construction of the proposed single-family
residence. The requested Special Use Permit was denied by King County Parks as it was determined that
full use of the trail corridor would be anticipated at a later date. You further request that the requested
setback variance be denied and that the required five (5)-foot zoning setback be upheld.
Staff has reviewed the request, as King County Parks has denied the applicant’s application for a Special
Use Permit, it would seem that Condition #4 is not applicable and should be stricken from the decision.
With regards to the requested denial of the setback variance, City staff have been in contact with the
applicant’s architect to determine the minimum setback that could accommodate the proposed
residence, while not impacting the abutting King County Parks property. The applicant contends that an
eighteen (18)-inch setback would allow for the construction of the proposed residence without impacing
King County Parks property. The boundary between the applicant’s property and the abuting King County
Parks property is similar to the boundary between a private lot and a public sidewalk. In accordance with
RMC 4-6-060, a two (2)-foot setback is required between the back of sidewalk and the property line,
therefore, staff concludes that minimum two (2)-foot setback would provide adequate separation
between the proposed residence and eastern property line.
Recipient
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December 21, 2021
In addition, RMC 4-2-110E.4 includes allowed projections into setbacks, however as this Administrative
Setback Variance allows the residence to project into the required side yard setback, staff recommends
that all aspects of the home (i.e. eves, bay windows, fire place structures, etc.) be required to comply
with the two (2)-foot setback.
Decision: Therefore, Condition #4 of the Leighton Residence Administrative Variance, LUA21-000237
should be removed. In addition, the Leighton Residence Administrative Variance, LUA21-000237, should
be amended to approve a side yard setback variance from the east property line that would range from
two (2) feet to three (3) feet, nine (9) inches and that all aspects of the home would be required to
comply with the minimum two (2)-foot setback.
This decision to amend the original Leighton Residence Administrative Variance Decision is subject to a
14-day appeal period. The above decision will become final if not appealed in writing together with the
required fee to: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057 by 5:00
pm on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. 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, CityClerk@rentonwa.gov or (425) 430-6510.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Dolbee
Planning Director
cc: C.E. “Chip” Vincent, CED Administrator
Matthew Herrera, Current Planning Manager
Jill Ding, Senior Planner
Steve and Lisa Leighton / Owners
Heidi Helgeson, H2D Architecture and Design / Applicant
Lisa Montalvo, H2D Architecture and Design / Contact
Parties of Record