HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaffComments_PRE21-000462
PREAPPLICATION MEETING
Soyam Commercial Building
4526 NE 4th St
PRE21-000462
CITY OF RENTON
Department of Community & Economic Development
January 20, 2022
Contact Information:
Planner: Andrew Van Gordon, 425.430.7286, avangordon@rentonwa.gov
Public Works Plan Reviewer: Nathan Janders, 425.430.7382, njanders@rentonwa.gov
Fire Prevention Reviewer: Corey Thomas, 425.276.9582, cthomas@rentonrfa.org
Building Department Reviewer: Rob Shuey, 425.430.7235, rshuey@rentonwa.gov
Please retain this packet throughout the course of your project as a reference. Consider
giving copies of it to any engineers, architects, and contractors who work on the
project. You will need to submit a copy of this packet when you apply for land use
and/or environmental permits.
Pre-screening: When you have the project application ready for submittal, call and
schedule an appointment with the assigned planner to have the documents pre-
screened.
The pre-application meeting is informal and non-binding. The comments provided on
the proposal are based on the codes and policies in effect at the time of review. The
applicant is cautioned that the development regulations are regularly amended and the
proposal will be formally reviewed under the regulations in effect at the time of project
submittal. The information contained in this summary is subject to modification and/or
concurrence by official decision-makers (e.g., Hearing Examiner, Planning Director,
Community & Economic Development Administrator, Public Works Administrator, and
City Council).
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: January 11, 2022
TO: Andrew Van Gordon, Senior Planner
FROM: Corey Thomas, Lead Plans Review Inspector
SUBJECT: Soyam Mixed Use
1. The fire flow requirement is 2,250 gpm. Three fire hydrants are required. One within
150-feet and two within 300-feet of the proposed building. One hydrant is required
within 50-feet of all fire department connections for standpipe and sprinkler systems.
Existing hydrants may be counted toward the requirements if they meet current code.
A looped water main is required for all fire flows over 2,500 gpm. A minimum of one
new fire hydrant will be required in front of the new building.
2. Fire impact fees are applicable at the rate of $964.53 per multi-family units, retail is
$1.25 per square foot and $0.26 per square foot of office space. This fee is paid at time
of building permit issuance. Credit is due for the existing building removed.
3. Approved fire sprinkler, fire standpipe and fire alarm systems are required throughout
the building. Separate plans and permits required by the fire department. Direct
outside access is required to the fire sprinkler riser room. Fully addressable and full
detection is required for the fire alarm system.
4. Fire department apparatus access roadways are required within 150-feet of all points on
the building. No on-site fire access roadways are necessary. required per code.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: January 13, 2022
TO: Andrew Van Gordon, Planner
FROM: Nathan Janders, Plan Reviewer
SUBJECT: Soyam Commercial Building
4526 NE 4th St
PRE21-000462
NOTE: The applicant is cautioned that information contained in this summary is preliminary and non-
binding and may be subject to modification and/or concurrence by official City decision-makers. Review
comments may also need to be revised based on site planning and other design changes required by
City staff or made by the applicant.
I have completed a preliminary review for the above-referenced proposal located at parcel(s)
1023059037. The following comments are based on the pre-application submittal made to the City of
Renton by the applicant.
Water
1. The project is within the City of Renton’s water service area in the Highlands 565 Pressure Zone.
2. The static water pressure is approximately 68 psi at ground elevation of 406 feet.
3. There is an existing 8-inch water main located on the south side of NE 4th St that can deliver a
maximum flow capacity of 2,500 GPM (see record drawing W-024005).
4. There are two existing fire hydrants within 300 feet of the property along NE 4th St.
5. There is an existing ¾-inch water service for the property.
6. Based on the review of project information submitted for the pre-application meeting, Renton
Regional Fire Authority has determined that the preliminary fire flow demand for the proposed
development is 2,250 gpm. Per City code a looped water main is required around the development
when the fire flow demand exceeds 2,500 gpm.
7. Based on the information provided with the pre-application submittal documents, the following
developer’s installed water main improvements will be required to provide domestic and fire
protection service to the development including but not limited to the items that follow.
• Installation of a separate water service and meter for the residential portion of the new
building. The sizing of the meter shall be in accordance with the most recent edition of the
Uniform Plumbing Code. All residential domestic water meters shall have a double check valve
assembly (DCVA) installed behind the meter on private property per City Standards. The DCVA
may be located inside the building if the location is pre-approved by the City Plan Reviewer
and City Water Utility Department. The backflow prevention assembly must be located
adjacent to and behind a building exterior wall.
• Domestic water meters 3-inch or larger shall be installed in an exterior vault per standard plan
no 320.4. The meter vault shall be located within public ROW or within an easement on
private property.
• Installation of a separate water meter for the commercial portion of the new building. All
commercial domestic water meters shall have a reduced pressure backflow assembly (RPBA)
installed behind the meter on private property per City Standards. The RPBA shall be installed
inside an above ground, heated enclosure per City Standard Plan 350.2. The RPBA may be
located inside the building if a drainage outlet for the relief valve is provided and the location
is pre-approved by the City Plan Reviewer and City Water Utility Department. The backflow
prevention assembly must be located adjacent to and behind a building exterior wall.
• The existing ¾-inch service shall be cut and capped by City forces.
• A 15 feet wide public water easement is required for any public water main, hydrants and
water meters located outside City right-of-way. A minimum 10-foot setback is required from
the building foundation to the new water main.
• Installation of a landscape irrigation meter with a backflow prevention assembly (DCVA) if
applicable.
• Installation of a fire sprinkler stub a with a double check detector assembly (DCDA) is required
for backflow prevention to each building. The sizing of the fire sprinkler stub and related
piping shall be done by a registered fire sprinkler designer/contractor. The DCDA shall be
installed on the private property in an outside underground vault per City Standard Plan
360.2. The DCDA may be installed inside the building if it meets the conditions per City
Standard Plan 360.5 for the installation of a DCDA inside a building. The location of the DCDA
inside the building must be pre-approved by the City Plan Reviewer and Water Utility. The
backflow prevention assembly must be located adjacent to and behind a building exterior
wall.
• Installation of off-site and on-site fire hydrants. The location and number of hydrants will be
determined by the RRFA based on the final fire flow demand and final site plan. A hydrant is
required within 50 feet of the building’s fire sprinkler system fire department connection
(FDC) if installed.
8. Civil plans for the water main improvements will be required and must be prepared by a professional
engineer registered in the State of Washington. Please refer to City of Renton General Design and
Construction Standards for Water Main Extensions as shown in Appendix K of the City’s 2019 Water
System Plan. Adequate horizontal and vertical separations between the new water main and other
utilities (storm sewer pipes and vaults, sanitary sewer, power, gas, electrical) shall be provided for the
operation and maintenance of the water main. Retaining walls, rockeries or similar structures cannot
be installed over the water main unless the water main is installed inside a steel casing.
9. A conceptual utility plan will be required as part of the land use application for the subject
development.
10. The development is subject to applicable water system development charges (SDC’s) and meter
installation fees based on the number and size of the meters for domestic uses and for fire sprinkler
use. The development is also subject to fees for water connections, cut and caps, and purity tests.
Current fees can be found in the 2022 Development Fees Document on the City’s website. Fees will
be charged based on the rate at the time of construction permit issuance.
• The SDC fee for water is based on the size of the new domestic water to serve the project.
The current water fee is $4,500.00 per 1-inch meter, $22,500 per 1-1/2 inch meter, $36,000
per 2-inch meter and $72,000 per 3-inch meter.
• Water service installation charges for each proposed domestic water service is applicable.
Water Service installation is $2,875.00 per 1-inch service line, $4,605 per 1-1/2 inch service,
$4,735 per 2-inch service, and for services larger than 2-inch a $220 processing fee is applied
and the Contractor will provide the materials and will install the service line and water meter.
• Drop-in meter fee is $460.00 per 1-inch meter, $750 per 1-1/2 inch meter, and $950 per 2-
inch meter.
• An SDC credit will be applied if the existing service is demoed.
Sanitary Sewer
1. The project is within the City of Renton’s sanitary sewer service area.
2. There is an existing 24-inch sewer main in NE 4th St within a steel casing (see record drawing S-
05031B).
3. There is an existing 6-inch PVC sewer stub near the southeast corner of the property. The stub shall
be cut/capped at the property line prior to building demo.
a. The side sewer card shows that the side sewer is connected to the sewer stub on parcel
1023059140. The stub may be re-used if an easement and dual side sewer agreement are
provided.
b. Alternatively, the City would consider accepting the existing 8-inch stub into parcel
1023059140 as a public sewer if the existing stub is CCTV’d and found to be acceptable to the
City and if an easement on parcel 1023059140 for that portion of the stub being accepted as
public is provided. The public portion would likely include the existing 8-inch stub within NE
4th up to the existing clean out on parcel 1023059140 (note the clean out may need to be
replaced with a manhole depending on final evaluation of the existing system).
4. Individual sewer stubs from the sewer main and individual side sewers are required for the
commercial and residential uses. The existing stubs can be CCTV’d and if found acceptable to the
sewer department, can be re-used if the size/locations are compatible with the proposed use/building
layout. All new sewer stubs shall conform to the standards in RMC 4-6-040 and City of Renton
Standard Details.
5. A grease interceptor is required if there is a commercial kitchen.
6. A conceptual utility plan will be required as part of the land use application for the subject
development.
7. The development is subject to a wastewater system development charge (SDC) fee. SDC fee for sewer
is based on the size of the new domestic water to serve the project. Current fees can be found in the
2022 Development Fees Document on the City’s website. Fees will be charged based on the rate at
the time of construction permit issuance.
• The current sewer fee for is $3,500.00 per 1-inch meter, $17,500 per 1-1/2 inch meter,
$28,000 per 2-inch meter, and $56,000 per 3-inch meter.
• A credit will be applied if the existing stub is used or demoed.
• Final determination of applicable fees will be made after the water meter size has been
determined.
Surface Water
1. There is an existing private surface water ditch conveying east to west through the parcel (there is no
record drawing available).
2. Critical areas on site that may effect stormwater review: regulated slopes.
3. Drainage plans and a drainage report complying with the adopted 2017 Renton Surface Water Design
Manual will be required. Refer to Figure 1.1.2.A – Flow Chart of the 2017 Renton Surface Water Design
Manual (RSWDM) to determine what type of drainage review is required for this site. The site falls
within the City’s Flow Control Duration Standard Area - Matching Forested. The site falls within the
Lower Cedar River drainage basin.
4. The current Surface Water Standard Plans shall be used in all drainage plan submittals. The current
City of Renton Standard Details are available online in the City of Renton website
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/Browse.aspx?id=990403&dbid=0&repo=CityofRenton
5. If the new plus replaced pollution generating impervious surface exceeds 5,000 SF, the applicant will
be required to provide enhanced basic water quality treatment. Any proposed detention and/or water
quality vault shall be designed in accordance with the RSWDM that is current at the time of civil
construction permit application. Separate structural plans will be required to be submitted for review
and approval under a separate building permit for the detention and/or water quality vault.
6. Appropriate on-site BMPs satisfying Core Requirement #9 will be required to help mitigate the new
runoff created by this development to the maximum extent feasible. On-site BMPs shall be evaluated
as described in Section C.1.3 of the 2017 RSWDM. A preliminary drainage plan, including the
application of on-site BMPs, shall be included with the land use application, as applicable to the
project. The final drainage plan and drainage report must be submitted with the utility construction
permit application.
7. A geotechnical soils report for the site is required per the 2017 Renton Surface Water Design Manual
Section C.1.3.
8. Erosion control measures to meet the City requirements shall be provided.
9. A Construction Stormwater General Permit is required from the Department of Ecology if clearing and
grading of the site disturbs more than 1 acre.
10. The development is subject to a surface water system development charge (SDC) fees. Fees will be
charged based on the rate at the time of construction permit issuance.
• The 2022 SDC fee is $0.84 per square foot of new impervious surface but not less than $2,100.
Transportation
1. Per City code 4-6-060 frontage improvements are required for new construction in excess of $150,000.
The proposed project fronts NE 4th St to the south and private property on all other sides.
• NE 4th St is classified as a Principal Arterial street with an existing right-of-way (ROW) width
of approximately 84 feet per the King County Assessors map. To meet the City’s complete
street standards for Principal Arterial streets with 5 lanes a minimum ROW width of 103 feet
is required. Per RMC 4-6-060 half of street improvements as taken from the ROW centerline
shall be required and include a minimum 66 foot paved road (33 feet from centerline), a 0.5
foot curb, an 8 foot planting strip, an 8 foot sidewalk, a 2 foot clear space at back of walk,
street trees and storm drainage improvements. Dedication of approximately 9.5 feet would
be required pending final survey.
i. However, there is a corridor improvement plan for NE 4th St that consists of a 66 foot
paved road, a 0.5 foot curb, a 5 foot planting strip, a 5 foot sidewalk, street trees and
storm drainage improvements. Dedication of approximately 1.5 feet is required for
the modified street frontage. A modification is required to be submit to the City.
2. Refer to City code 4-4-080.I for driveway regulations.
• A minimum separation of 5 feet is required between driveway and the property line.
• Maximum driveway slopes shall not exceed 15%. Driveways exceeding 8% shall provide
slotted drains.
• The width of any driveway shall not exceed thirty feet (30') exclusive of the radii of the returns
or the taper section.
3. Undergrounding of all existing and proposed utilities is required on all frontages per RMC 4-6-090.
4. Street lighting is required for a project that consists of more than 5,000 square feet commercial use.
See RMC 4-6-060 for street lighting requirements.
5. Sites that generate 20 or more net new peak hour trips (either in the AM peak or PM peak) are
required to do a traffic impact analysis. The trips should be calculated based on the guidelines of the
current ITE Trip Generation Manual. Refer to the attached policy guidelines for traffic impact analysis
for guidelines. If the site generates 20 or more new peak hour trips in either AM peak or PM peak,
then applicant should contact the City to get information of the locations where traffic analysis is
required.
6. Paving and trench restoration within the City of Renton right of way shall comply with the City’s Trench
Restoration and Street Overlay Requirements.
7. The development is subject to transportation impact fees. Fees will be charged based on the rate at
the time of building permit issuance.
• The 2021 transportation impact fee for fast food with drive-up is $180.72 per square foot.
• The property contains an existing single family residence and a credit will be applied upon
demo.
General Comments
1. If frontage improvements are required, all existing and proposed utility lines (i.e. electrical, phone,
and cable services, etc.) along property frontage or within the site must be underground as outlined
in RMC 4-6-090 – UTILITY LINES - UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION. The construction of these franchise
utilities must be inspected and approved by a City of Renton inspector.
2. Adequate separation between utilities as well as other features shall be provided in accordance with
code requirements.
a. 7-ft minimum horizontal and 1-ft vertical separation between storm and other utilities is
required with the exception of water lines which require 10-ft horizontal and 1.5-ft vertical.
b. The stormwater line should be minimum 5 feet away from any other structure or wall or
building.
c. Trench of any utility should not be in the zone of influence of the retaining wall or of the
building.
3. All construction utility permits for utility and street improvements will require separate plan
submittals. All utility plans shall confirm to the Renton Drafting Standards. A licensed Civil Engineer
shall prepare the civil plans. Please visit the Development Engineering Forms page for the most up-
to-date plan submittal requirements:
http://rentonwa.gov/business/default.aspx?id=42473
4. A landscaping plan shall be included with the civil plan submittal. Each plan shall be on separate
sheets.
5. Fees quoted in this document reflect the fees applicable in the year 2019 only and will be assessed
based on the fee that is current at the time of the permit application or issuance, as applicable to the
permit type. Please visit www.rentonwa.gov for the current development fee schedule.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: January 20, 2022
TO: Pre-Application File No. 21-000462
FROM: Andrew Van Gordon, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: Soyam Commercial Building – 4526 NE 4th St (Parcel number
1023059037)
General: We have completed a preliminary review of the pre-application for the above-
referenced development proposal. The following comments on development and permitting
issues are based on the pre-application submittals made to the City of Renton by the applicant
and the codes in effect on the date of review. The applicant is cautioned that information
contained in this summary may be subject to modification and/or concurrence by official decision-
makers (e.g., Hearing Examiner, Community & Economic Development Administrator, Public
Works Administrator, Planning Director, and City Council). Review comments may also need to be
revised based on site planning and other design changes required by City staff or made by the
applicant. The applicant is encouraged to review all applicable sections of the Renton Municipal
Code. The Development Regulations are available online at
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Renton/.
Project Proposal: The subject property is a lot located at 4526 NE 4th St (Parcel number
1023059037). The parcel has public street frontage on NE 4th St and is located within the
Commercial Arterial (CA) zone in Urban Design District D. The site area is approximately 37,260
square feet (0.85 acre) and is currently developed with a detached dwelling and associated
accessory structures. The proposal is to construct a three story, (4,725.00 sq. ft. footprint)
building: commercial retail and a coffee shop on the first floor and dwelling units or office spaces
on the second and third floor. Surface parking with 17 stalls and access from NE 4th St is proposed.
Current Use: Application documents state the property is currently improved with a detached
dwelling and associated accessory structures and that all current development is proposed to be
removed. However, provided documents include narrative and on-site pictures appear to show
that the structures have already been removed. A demolition permit was issued September 21,
2021.
Zoning/Density Requirements: The subject property is located within the Commercial Arterial
(CA) zoning classification. The residential units would fall under the Attached Dwellings – Flats use
type. The offices would fall under the Offices, General use type. The commercial retail would fall
under the Retail Sales use type. The coffee shop would fall under the Eating and Drinking
Establishments use type.
Within the CA zone the minimum net residential density is 20 dwelling units per net acre. Sixty
dwelling units per net acre in the Highlands Community Planning Area is the maximum. Net
density is a calculation of the number of housing units that would be allowed on a property after
Soyam Commercial Building, PRE21-000462
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January 20, 2022
critical areas (such as wetlands, protected slopes) and public rights-of-way are subtracted from
the gross area.
All four uses are permitted within the CA zone, however residential would need to be part of a
mixed use project with ground floor commercial. Commercial uses in mixed use developments
are limited to retail sales, on-site services, eating and drinking establishments, taverns,
daycares, preschools, indoor recreational facilities, pet daycares, craft distilleries/small
wineries/micro-breweries with tasting rooms, general offices not located on the ground floor,
and similar uses as determined by the Administrator. The net developable area is not provided.
Based on the gross area the minimum number of dwelling units is 17 and the maximum is 51. It
is unknown how many dwelling units are proposed. Areas of dedication do not count towards
the net developable area.
Development Standards: The project would be subject to RMC 4-2-120A, “Development
Standards for Commercial Zoning Designations” effective at the time of complete application
(noted as “CA standards” herein).
Building Standards – The CA standards allows a maximum lot coverage for buildings to be 65% of
the total area or 75% if parking is provided within the building or within an on-site parking garage.
The allowed height is 70 ft. for vertically mixed-use buildings (commercial and residential). New
projects would need to comply with the maximum building coverage, impervious surface
requirements, and building height regulations of the zone at the time of land use review.
Setbacks – Setbacks are the minimum required distance between the building footprint and the
property line. The required setbacks for the CA zone are: Minimum front yard: 15 feet; Maximum
front yard: 20 ft; Rear yard: none; Side yards: none. Compliance with required setbacks for the
new buildings would be verified at the time of land use application.
Access/Parking: Access is proposed from NE 4th St. Access to NE 4th St is proposed to be by a 20-
foot wide access drive leading to a 17-stall surface parking area. Twelve stalls are proposed to be
90-degree head in parking with five parallel stalls. Within the CA zone parking for residential units
shall be enclosed within the same building as the unit it serves. A connection shall be provided for
site-to-site vehicle access ways, where topographically feasible, to allow a smooth flow of traffic
across abutting CA lots without the need to use a street. Access may comprise the aisle between
rows of parking stalls but not allowed between a building and a public street. Driveways shall not
be closer than five feet to any property line. The number of required parking stalls is based on the
land use. When more than one use is present the total number of required stalls shall be the sum
of each individual use. A minimum of one stall per dwelling unit with a maximum of 1.75 per
dwelling unit is required for the dwelling units. Offices, General require a minimum of 2.0 per
1,000 square feet of new floor area and a maximum of 4.5 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area.
Eating and drinking establishments require a minimum and maximum of 10, per 1,000 square feet
of dining area. Retail sales requires a minimum and maximum of 2.5 per 1,000 square feet of net
floor area. Attached dwellings require 0.5 bicycle parking spaces per one dwelling units and
commercial uses require bicycle parking equal to 10% of the required off street vehicle parking
spaces. See RMC 4-4-080F.11.b and c for bicycle parking standards. RMC 4-4-080 Parking, Loading
and Driveway Regulations contains the full requirements for parking standards. Compact stalls
(8.5’ x 16’) shall not exceed 50% for structured parking and 30% for surface parking. Modification
of standards shall meet applicable requirements of RMC 4-9-250D.
As proposed, parking drive aisles and residential parking are not meeting requirements. For one
row of 90-degree parking in a two-way circulation pattern the minimum width of aisle shall be
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January 20, 2022
24 feet. Connections to the adjoining CA zoned properties is required. Parking for the residential
units shall be within the building. Proposed parking, including bicycle parking, shall meet the
requirements of RMC 4-4-080 Parking, Loading and Driveway Regulations. It is unknown if the
number of parking stalls meets requirements as the number of dwelling units is unknown, the
office space square footage is unknown, the coffee shop square footage is unknown and the
commercial retail square footage is unknown. Only one driveway is permitted for each 165 feet
of street frontage serving any one property; the frontage is less than 165 feet so only one
driveway is permitted. Internal connections to the CA zoned properties to the east and west are
required.
Urban Design: The project would be subject to RMC 4-3-100, “Urban Design Regulations”
effective at the time of complete application. All new structures within Urban Design District D
are required to meet applicable requirements. The following are some, but not all, of the
applicable standards outlined in the regulations. Please refer to Urban Design Regulation in it’s
entirety at the citation above for a complete menu of design standards and guidelines.
• Buildings shall be oriented to the street with clear connections to the sidewalk. The front
entry of a building shall be oriented to the street or a landscaped pedestrian only
courtyard.
• Building entries shall be prominent, visible from the street and include human scale
elements. They will need to be made prominent to incorporate architectural features
such as façade overhangs and/or large entry doors. Entries shall be clearly marked with
canopies, architectural elements, ornamental lighting or landscaping and include weather
protection at least four and one-half feet wide. Buildings that are taller than thirty feet in
height shall also ensure that the weather protection is proportional to the distance above
ground level.
• Design elements, such as building proportions, building articulation or roof lines shall be
used to promote transition to surrounding uses.
• Service elements, such as garbage and recycle facilities, shall meet design requirements.
• Surface parking shall meet location and screening requirements.
• Parking shall be located so that no surface parking is located between the building and
the front property line.
• Structure parking garages shall meet design and location requirements such as entry to
the parking garage shall be away from the primary street and the ground floor commercial
shall be provided at a minimum of 75% of the building frontage.
• Curb cuts shall be minimized so that pedestrian circulation along the sidewalk is minimally
impeded.
• Pedestrian circulation shall meet location, material and design requirements.
• Pedestrian amenities, such as architectural elements, outdoor furniture and weather
protection shall be provided.
• All mixed-use residential developments of ten or more dwelling units shall provide
common open space at a rate of 50 square feet per unit and shall meet design and
location requirements.
• The building façade will require modulation or articulation.
• Ground level details, such as human-scaled elements such as lighting fixtures or landscape
features and ground level display windows are required. Untreated blank walls visible
from public streets, sidewalks or interior pedestrian pathways are prohibited.
• Varied roof profiles are required.
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January 20, 2022
• Building material approval is required.
• A lighting plan meeting regulation of this section is required.
No building elevations, floor plans or lighting plan was provided. Full compliance will be
determined at time of land use application review.
Landscaping: With the exception of critical areas, all portions of the development area not
covered by structures, required parking, access, circulation or service areas, must be landscaped
with native, drought-resistant vegetative cover. The minimum on-site landscape width required
along street frontages is 10 feet and shall contain trees, shrubs, and landscaping. Street trees in
the ROW planter will also be required. Minimum planting strip widths between the curb and
sidewalk are established according to the street development standards of RMC 4-6-060. Street
trees and, at a minimum, groundcover is to be located in this area when present. Street trees shall
be planted in the center of the planting strip between the curb and the sidewalk at the following
intervals; provided, that, where right-of-way is constrained, irregular intervals and slight increases
or decreases may be permitted or required. Additionally, trees shall be planted in locations that
meet required spacing distances from facilities located in the right-of-way including, but not
limited to, underground utilities, street lights, utility poles, traffic signs, fire hydrants, and
driveways; such spacing standards are identified in the City’s Approved Tree List. Generally, the
following spacing is required: i. Small-sized maturing trees: thirty feet (30') on center; ii. Medium-
sized maturing trees: forty feet (40') on center; and iii. Large-sized maturing trees: fifty feet (50')
on center. Surface parking areas shall meet the minimum requirements for perimeter and interior
parking lot landscaping. For surface parking lots with 15-50 spaces, a minimum of 15 square feet
of internal lot landscaping per space is required. Any interior parking lot landscaping area shall be
sized to dimensions of at least eight feet (8') by twelve feet (12'). Landscaping shall be dispersed
throughout the parking area and shall include a mixture of trees, shrubs, and groundcover. A
permanent built-in irrigation system with an automatic controller shall be installed, used, and
maintained in working order in all landscaped areas of industrial, commercial, and multi-family
development, and landscaped common areas in single family subdivisions.
A conceptual landscape plan shall be provided with the land use application as prepared by a
licensed Landscape Architect, a certified nurseryman or other certified professional. Interior
parking lot landscaping is required. All landscaping shall meet the requirements of RMC 4-4-070
Landscaping.
Storm drainage facilities are required to comply with the minimum 15-foot perimeter
landscaping strip on the outside of the fence unless otherwise determined through the site plan
review or subdivision review process. Please refer to landscape regulations RMC 4-4-070 for
further general and specific landscape requirements.
Significant Tree Retention: Staff review of aerial image of the site identifies mature trees on the
site. If significant trees (greater than 6-inch caliper or 8-caliper inches for alders and cottonwoods)
are proposed to be removed, a tree inventory and a tree retention plan along with an arborist
report, tree retention plan and tree retention worksheet shall be provided with the formal land
use application as defined in RMC 4-8-120. The tree retention plan must show preservation of at
least 10% of significant trees. The Administrator may authorize the planting of replacement trees
on the site if it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction that an insufficient
number of trees can be retained. Please refer to Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations
RMC 4-4-130 for further general and specific tree retention and land clearing requirements.
Significant trees shall be retained in the following priority order:
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January 20, 2022
Priority One: Landmark trees; significant trees that form a continuous canopy; significant trees on
slopes greater than twenty percent (20%); Significant trees adjacent to critical areas and their
associated buffers; and Significant trees over sixty feet (60') in height or greater than eighteen
inches (18") caliper.
Priority Two: Healthy tree groupings whose associated undergrowth can be preserved; Other
significant native evergreen or deciduous trees; and Other significant non- native trees.
Priority Three: Alders and cottonwoods shall be retained when all other trees have been
evaluated for retention and are not able to be retained, unless the alders and/ or cottonwoods
are used as part of an approved enhancement project within a critical area or its buffer.
The Administrator may require independent review of any land use application that involves tree
removal and land clearing at the City's discretion.
If staff determines that the trees cannot be retained, replacement trees, with at least a 2-inch
caliper or an evergreen at least 6 feet tall, shall be planted at a rate of 12 caliper inches of new
trees to replace each protected tree removed.
Trees located within public rights-of-way and shared driveways do not count towards tree
retention standards. A formal tree retention plan prepared by an arborist or landscape architect
would be reviewed at the time of Land Use Application review.
Fences/Walls: Within commercial zones the maximum height of any fence, hedge, or retaining
wall within the front yard shall not exceed 48” in height within 15’ of the front yard property line
or within any part of the clear vision area. Chain link fencing shall be coated wth black, brown,
gray or green bonded vinyl. Fences, hedges and retaining walls shall not stand in or in front of any
required landscaping. If a new or replacement fence is proposed within 15’ of a public street on a
site that is nonconforming to street frontage landscape requirements per RMC 4-4-070F.1, the
site shall be brough into conformance. Electric fences may be permitted by special administrative
fence permit. Height shall be determined by regulations in RMC 4-4-040.
Refuse and Recyclables: All new developments for multi-family residences and commercial uses
shall provide on-site refuse and recyclable deposit areas and collection points for collection of
refuse and recyclable in compliance with RMC 4-4-090 Refuse and Recyclables Standards. These
areas shall not be located within required setbacks or landscaped areas and shall not be located
in a manner that hauling trucks obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic on-site or project into public
right-of-way. The size of these areas shall be dependent on the size and number of the proposed
uses.
It is unknown if the project is meeting sizing requirements as the number of dwelling units is
unknown and the square footage of the other uses is unknown. Full compliance will be
determined at time of Land Use Application.
Residential Mixed Use Development Standards: Attached dwellings in the CA zone requires a
project with a vertically mixed-use building with at least two residential stories above ground floor
commercial. The commercial area requirement is a minimum of 40% of gross ground floor area in
the CA zone. Ground floor commercial space shall be included along any street frontage. Ground
floor commercial space standards include a minimum average depth of thirty feet (30') and no
less than twenty feet (20') at any given point; a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of eighteen feet
(18'), and a minimum clear height of fifteen feet (15') unless a lesser clear height is approved by
the Administrator; ADA compliant bathrooms (common facilities are acceptable); a central
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January 20, 2022
plumbing drain line; and a grease trap and a ventilation shaft for a commercial kitchen
hood/exhaust.
As shown, the proposal is meeting square footage requirements. Building standards for
commercial spaces required to be met in RMC 4-4-150 will be reviewed at time of land use
application.
Critical Areas: The City’s mapping system (COR Maps) indicates the site contains regulated slopes
between 15 and 25 percent, and has a Ns (non-fish and seasonal) stream course traversing the
northern area of the property. Additionally, a wetland is shown along the border of the
northeastern abutting property. A stream report (see attached) prepared for the property in
February 2016 verifies the Ns rating and provides a delineation and required 50-foot buffer. The
report also indicates the neighboring wetland buffer extends nominally onto the east side of the
subject property, however it is also within the required 50-foot stream buffer. An updated critical
area study that complies with current critical area regulations, per RMC 4-3-050, will be required
at the time of land use application. Encroachments into the stream buffer area are limited to a
modified 40-foot buffer with enhancement or an averaged buffer of 25-feet, also with
enhancement. A mitigation plan will be required with the land use application for any proposed
buffer reduction. Maintenance and monitoring for five-years would be required for any stream
buffer encroachment. The City may seek secondary review of stream reports and/or mitigation
plan with those review costs the responsibility of the applicant.
The required geotechnical report shall provide an assessment of the regulated slopes on the
property and determine whether they meet the City’s definition of geologically hazardous areas
and if any buffer or if any additional engineering design specifications are needed for the
proposed improvements.
Environmental Review: As the proposal is greater than 4,000 square feet in size and there are
critical areas on the site, Environmental Review is required. An environmental checklist would be
required with the application. Please download the current checklist from the Washington State
Department of Ecology’s website.
Permit Requirements: The proposal would require Administrative Site Plan Review, and
Environmental Review. The 2022 fees would total $4,515.00 ($2,700 Administrative Site Plan
Review+ $1,600 SEPA + + $215.00 Technology Fee (5%) = $4,515). A 5% technology fee added to
the total cost of the reviews would also be assessed at the time of land use application. All fees
are subject to change. Detailed information regarding the land use permit application submittal
requirements can be found on the Site Plan Review Submittal Requirements, and Environmental
Review Submittal Requirements checklists. Other informational applications and handouts can be
found on the City’s Digital Records Library. The City requires electronic plan submittal for all
applications. Please refer to the City’s Electronic File Standards.
Separate construction, building and sign permits would be required following the land use
entitlement process.
Public Information Sign: Public Information Signs are required for all Type II and Type III Land Use
Permits as classified by RMC 4-8-080. Public Information Signs are intended to inform the public
of potential land development, specific permits/actions being considered by the City, and to
facilitate timely and effective public participation in the review process. The applicant must follow
the specifications provided in the public information sign handout. The applicant is solely
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January 20, 2022
responsible for the construction, installation, maintenance, removal, and any costs associated
with the sign.
Fees: In addition to the applicable building and construction fees, impact fees would be required.
The fee in effect at the time of building permit issuance will apply. For informational purposes,
the 2022 impact fees are as follows:
• Renton School District Impact Fee is $4,737.00 per each new multi-family dwelling unit +
a 5% administration fee.
• A Transportation Impact fee based on $6,717.00 per each new dwelling unit.
• A Transportation Impact fee based on $221.09 per square foot of Coffee Shop, no drive
up.
• A Transportation Impact fee based on $14.58 per square foot of General Office.
• A Park Impact fee based on $1,977.62 for each new Multi-Family unit.
• A Fire Impact fee based on $964.53 per each new multi-family dwelling unit.
• A Fire Impact fee based on $0.25 per square foot of Office space.
• A Fire Impact fee based on $1.25 per square foot of Retail Space.
Next Steps: When the formal land use application materials are complete, the applicant shall have
the application materials pre-screened prior to submitting the complete application package.
Please contact Andrew Van Gordon, Associate Planner at avangordon@rentonwa.gov or (425)
430-7286 for an appointment.
Expiration: Upon approval, the permit shall be implemented within two years unless other time
limits are prescribed elsewhere in the Renton Municipal Code or state law. The Hearing Examiner
may grant one extension of time for a maximum of one year for good cause shown; the burden
of justification shall rest with the applicant. It is the responsibility of the owner to monitor the
expiration date.