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ARCHITECTURE • PLANNING • SPACE PLANNING • INTERIORS
June 7, 2022
City of Renton
Department of Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
RE: PRE21-000328 Blue Origin R&D Facility
JUSTIFICATION SIDEWALK EXTENSION_v2
The project scope for Blue Origin at 1514 Maple Ave. SW includes an interior tenant improvement in the
existing building and installation of a modified shipping container in the north-west corner of the site to
be used as a testing lab. The frontage at the project currently has a sidewalk with mature plantings,
landscape, and curbs. Because this project involves a change of use, full frontage street improvements
are required by Renton Code.
In lieu of frontage improvements, Blue Origin proposes to extend the existing sidewalk on the Maple
Ave SW property south to SW 16th Street, upgrade the accessible curb cuts at the intersection of Maple
Ave SW and SW 16th street, and extend a new crossing south across SW 16th Street with pedestrian
crossing warning lights.
The finished project will have low employee count, with most employees accessing the site on foot from
their leased offices at the Landmark property at 1601 E. Valley Road. The sidewalk extension will
provide a safe and accessible route from the project site to the Landmark building. This is our primary
justification for the extension.
Decision criteria per RMC 4-9-250.D.2
a. The proposal fits within the policies of the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element
Employment Area (EA), Policy L-18 as it supports the missing pedestrian connectivity
between facilities in the neighborhood. The 1514 Maple Ave. SW project is complies as
mock-up facility, with supporting offices at the Landmark property at 1601 E. Valley Road.
b. The proposal will meet the objectives of safety, function, appearance, environmental
protection, and maintainability. A safe pedestrian path will be provided by completing the
sidewalk on Maple Ave SW, and creating a signaled crosswalk across SW 16th Street. Paved
curb cuts, curbs and gutters will help with storm water quality. All work will comply with
City of Renton Engineering Standards and ADA requirements.
c. The proposal will not create adverse impacts in the neighborhood and is compatible with
existing uses. As noted in item e., Maple Ave. SW is a short dead-end street that serves a
handful of businesses, and the proposal will not restrict either pedestrian or vehicular
access. No trees or landscape will be removed by this work. No significant increase in storm
water will be caused.
EXHIBIT 25
RECEIVED
Clark Close 06/07/2022
PLANNING DIVISION
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41B364F4-0F08-4AF0-8767-5B6D1BE595EF
June 7, 2022
City of Renton Department of Department of Community & Economic Development
PRE21-000328 Blue Origin R&D Facility,
JUSTIFICATION SIDEWALK EXTENSION_v2
Page 2
Lance Mueller & Associates
ARCHITECTURE • PLANNING • SPACE PLANNING • INTERIORS
d. The proposal will conform to the intent of the code by providing a continuation of
pedestrian access along Maple Ave. SW and will comply with City of Renton Engineering
Standards, and the ADA.
e. The proposal is justified as appropriate as Maple Ave SW dead ends at I-405 within 650 to
700 feet of the intersection with SW 16th Street and serves only approximately six
businesses including the Blue Origin project site. We suggest that the frontage
improvements would not be fully utilized on such a short roadway with so few properties.
The frontage on Maple Ave SW for the neighbor to the south, Purcell Tire, is partially
unpaved, and the sidewalk extension will have the benefit of improving their frontage with
walk curb and gutter.
We feel that the proposal is required to provide a missing safe connection across SW 16th
Street.
EXISTING FRONTAGE @ 1415 MAPLE AVE S. – LOOKING SOUTH
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41B364F4-0F08-4AF0-8767-5B6D1BE595EF
June 7, 2022
City of Renton Department of Department of Community & Economic Development
PRE21-000328 Blue Origin R&D Facility,
JUSTIFICATION SIDEWALK EXTENSION_v2
Page 3
Lance Mueller & Associates
ARCHITECTURE • PLANNING • SPACE PLANNING • INTERIORS
EXISTING FRONTAGE AT PURCELL TIRE, LOCATION OF WALK EXTENSION
INTERSECTION OF MAPLE AVE. SW & SW 16 ST, LOOKING SOUTH
I trust that this letter will provide information for a determination by the city Planning and
Transportation Departments. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience if you have any
questions or require additional information.
Respectfully
LANCE MUELLER & ASSOCIATES
Kathleen Nagle, Architect
KN:kn
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41B364F4-0F08-4AF0-8767-5B6D1BE595EF