HomeMy WebLinkAboutPre-app Mtg Summary - 22-000240.pdf1
PRE-APPLICATION MEETING FOR
ESA Comcast
PRE22-000240
CITY OF RENTON
Department of Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
August 4, 2022
Contact Information:
Planner: Alex Morganroth, 425-430-7219, amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
Public Works Plan Reviewer: Nate Janders, 425-430-7382, njanders@rentonwa.gov
Fire Prevention Reviewer: Corey Thomas, 425-276-9582, cthomas@rentonrfa.org
Building Official: Rob Shuey, 425-430-7290, 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 project manager to have it pre-screened before
making all of the required copies.
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,
Development Services Director, Department of Community & Economic Development
Administrator, Public Works Administrator and City Council).
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Renton Regional Fire Authority
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: July 8, 2022
TO: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
FROM: Corey Thomas, Lead Plans Review Inspector
SUBJECT: Comcast Kent Compound
1. Separate plans and permits required by the fire department for the installation of the proposed
aboveground diesel fuel tank for the generator.
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: August 4, 2022
TO: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
FROM: Nathan Janders, Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: Comcast Site Equipment Upgrade
18809 116th Ave SE
PRE22-000240
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) 3223059075. The
following comments are based on the pre-application submittal made to the City of Renton by the applicant.
Water
1. Water service is provided by Soos Creek Water and Sewer District.
2. If water service is required:
a. Applicant shall obtain a water availability certificate from the District and provide it with the land use
application.
b. Review of the water plans will be conducted by Soos Creek Water and Sewer District and the Renton
Regional Fire Authority.
c. Plans approved by Soos Creek Water and Sewer District shall be routed to the City for final review prior
to civil construction permit issuance.
Sanitary Sewer
1. Water service is provided by Soos Creek Water and Sewer District.
2. If sewer service is required:
a. Applicant shall obtain a sewer availability certificate from the District and provide it with the land use
application.
b. Review of the sewer plans will be conducted by Soos Creek Water and Sewer District.
c. Plans approved by Soos Creek Water and Sewer District shall be routed to the City for final review prior
to civil construction permit issuance.
Surface Water
1. Drainage plans and a drainage report complying with the adopted 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual
may be required. Refer to Figure 1.1.2.A – Flow Chart of the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual
(RSWDM) to determine what type of drainage review is required for this site. The site falls within the Flow
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Control Duration Standard Matching Forested Site Conditions. The site falls within the Soos Creek drainage
basin.
2. Erosion control measures to meet the City requirements shall be provided.
3. 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 permit issuance.
• The current SDC fee is $0.84 per square foot but no less than $2,100.
• The full fee schedule can be found at:
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/DocView.aspx?id=9010319&dbid=0&repo=CityofRenton
Transportation
1. The proposed project does not front a public ROW or have an impact on the transportation network.
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 2022 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.
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: August 4, 2022
TO: Pre-Application File No. 22-000240
FROM: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: ESA Comcast
18809 116th Ave SE
Parcel # 3223059075
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, Development Services 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 at 18809 116th Ave SE (Parcel #3223059075) is located on the west side of
116th Ave SE, between SE 186th St and SE 192nd St. The project site totals 57,934 sq. ft. (1.32 acres) in area and is
zoned Residential-8 du/ac (R-8). The applicant proposes to expand and upgrade an existing fiber-optic hub within a
45-foot by 45-foot (2,025 sq. ft.) easement on the north side of the site. Existing improvements within the easement
area include a 264 sq. ft. one-story equipment compound, a portable restroom, and below-grade fiber vault. The
improvements were permitted by King County prior to the site’s annexation to the City of Renton in 2008 (Benson
Hill Annexation, Ord # 5327). Work proposed includes the construction of a new 225.75 sq. ft. equipment cabinet
and two battery cabinets, both to be installed on concrete pads. In addition, the applicant has proposed the
installation of a 100kW diesel generator on a five (5’) foot by fourteen (14’) foot concrete pad and the installation
of three (3) pole-mounted security cameras. The easement area is currently accessed via an existing asphalt
driveway off 116th Ave SE located on the school property to the north. The applicant did not indicate whether an
access easement is located across the driveway. Preliminary short plat approval was granted on June 16th, 2022 for
six (6) single-family residential lots and three (3) tracts (LUA21-000468). The three (3) tracts encompass the wireless
communications facility near the northwest corner of the site, a stormwater tract, and the subject Comcast
easement area. The applicant is currently constructing the utility and frontage improvements under a civil
construction permit (C19001490) and is expected to receive final short plat approval after completion of the
improvements. Site soils consist of alderwood gravelly sandy loam. COR maps does not indicate the presence of any
critical areas on or within 200 feet of the project site. No trees are located in the easement area and no vegetation
would be disturbed according to the applicant.
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Current Use: The subject property is currently developed with an existing fiber-optic hub and wireless
communications facility. The property is in the process of being developed with the required improvements for six
(6) new single-family homes, as approved under LUA21-000468 and C19001490.
Zoning Requirements: The surrounding area, including this property, has a Comprehensive Plan land use
designation of Residential Medium Density (RMD) and is zoned Residential 8 (R-8) dwelling units per acre. The R-8
zone is intended to create opportunities for new single family residential neighborhoods and to facilitate high-
quality infill development that promotes reinvestment in existing single family neighborhoods. The minimum
density permitted in the R-8 zone is four (4) dwelling units per acre. The maximum density permitted in the R-8
zone is eight (8) dwelling units per net acre (du/ac). No dwelling units are proposed as part of the project.
Based on the description of the proposed use provided by the applicant, the facility is classified as a ‘Utilities,
Medium’ use. This definition includes various utilities intended to serve large swathes or sub -regions of the City
and are often located on private property or in separate tracts. The existing use, a fiber-optic facility, is classified
as a ‘Utilities, Medium’ use. Per RMC 4-11-210 Definitions ‘U’ - Utilities, Medium: Moderate scale facilities serving
the City, including subregional switching stations (one hundred fifteen (115) kv and smaller), and municipal sewer,
water, and storm water facilities not included in a Council-adopted utility system plan. The use Utilities, Medium
are permitted in the R-8 zone with an approved Administrative Conditional Use Permit.
Conditional Use (Administrative): A conditional use is a land use which may be permitted within a zoning district
following review by staff to establish conditions mitigating impacts of the use and to assure compatibility with other
uses in the district. Staff will consider the following criteria when reviewing a request for a conditional use permit:
1. Consistency with Plans and Regulations: The proposed use shall be compatible with the general goals,
objectives, policies and standards of the Comprehensive Plan, the zoning regulations and any other
plans, programs, maps or ordinances of the City of Renton.
2. Appropriate Location: The proposed location shall not result in the detrimental overconcentration of a
particular use within the City or within the immediate area of the proposed use. The proposed location
shall be suited for the proposed use.
3. Effect on Adjacent Properties: The proposed use at the proposed location shall not result in substantial
or undue adverse effects on adjacent property.
4. Compatibility: The proposed use shall be compatible with the scale and character of the neighborhood.
5. Parking: Adequate parking is, or will be made, available.
6. Traffic: The use shall ensure safe movement for vehicles and pedestrians and shall mitigate potential
effects on the surrounding area.
7. Noise, Light and Glare: Potential noise, light and glare impacts from the proposed use shall be evaluated
and mitigated.
8. Landscaping: Landscaping shall be provided in all areas not occupied by buildings, paving, or critical
areas. Additional landscaping may be required to buffer adjacent properties from potentially adverse
effects of the proposed use.
Development Standards: The project would be subject to RMC 4-2-110A, “Development Standards for Residential
Zoning Designations” effective at the time of complete application (noted as “R-8 standards” herein). These
standards are available on the City’s website.
Minimum Lot Size, Width and Depth – The minimum lot size is 5,000 sq. ft. The minimum lot width is 50 feet for
interior lots, or 60 feet for corners. The minimum lot depth is 100 feet. Not applicable – easement to be located
within a tract upon recording of the Final Short Plat (LUA21-000468).
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Lot and Impervious Surface Coverage – The maximum lot coverage for buildings is 50% of total lot area. The
maximum impervious surface would be limited to 65%. Compliance with the lot and impervious surface coverage
requirements would be verified at the time of land use permit and building permit review.
Setbacks – Setbacks are the minimum required distance between the building footprint and the property line and
any private access easement. The required setbacks in the R-8 zone are 20 feet for the front yard, 25 feet for the
rear yards, side yards along-a-street would be required to have a 15 foot setback, and interior side yards are
required to have a 5 foot setback on each side. Compliance with the setbacks would be verified at the time of land
use permit and building permit review.
Height – The maximum wall plate height is 24 feet with 2 stories. Roofs with a pitch equal to or greater than 4:12
may project an additional six (6) vertical feet from the maximum wall plate height; common rooftop features, such
as chimneys, may project an additional four (4) vertical feet from the roof surface. Non-exempt vertical projections
(e.g., decks, railings, etc.) shall not extend above the maximum wall plate height unless the projection is stepped
back one-and-a-half (1.5) horizontal feet from each façade for each one (1) vertical foot above the maximum wall
plate height. Building height would be verified at the time of land use permit and building permit review.
Refuse and Recycling Areas – Refuse and recycling areas need to meet the requirements of RMC 4-4-090, “Refuse
and Recyclables Standards.” Onsite refuse and recyclables deposit areas and collection points for collection of
refuse and recyclables are required for all new development for multi-family residences, commercial, industrial and
other nonresidential uses. In office, educational and institutional developments, a minimum of two (2) square feet
per every one thousand (1,000) square feet of building gross floor area shall be provided for recyclables deposit
areas and a minimum of four (4) square feet per one thousand (1,000) square feet of building gross floor area shall
be provided for refuse deposit areas. A total minimum area of one hundred (100) square feet shall be provided for
recycling and refuse deposit areas. Garbage dumpsters, refuse compactor areas, and recycling collection areas must
be fenced or screened. Architectural design of any structure enclosing an outdoor refuse or recyclables deposit area
or any building primarily used to contain a refuse or recyclables deposit area shall be consistent with the design of
the primary structure(s) on the site as determined by the Administrator. Not applicable based on use.
Screening – Screening must be provided for all surface-mounted and roof top utility and mechanical equipment.
If applicable, the application would need to include elevations and details for the proposed methods of screening.
Screening would also be evaluated under Conditional Use Permit review criteria.
Landscaping: Except for 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.
Street Frontage Landscaping - The minimum onsite landscape width required along street frontages is 10 feet, with
the exception of areas for required walkways and driveways, and shall contain trees, shrubs, and landscaping.
Internal Lot Landscaping - Surface parking lots with 100 stalls or more shall provide 35 square feet of internal lot
landscaping for each parking stall. There shall also be no more than 50 feet between parking stalls and an interior
parking lot landscape area and the interior parking lot landscaping dimensions must be at least eight feet (8’) by
twelve feet (12’) not including the curb. Perimeter landscaping may not substitute for interior landscaping.
Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping - Surface parking lots shall contain a perimeter landscaping screen at least 10
feet in width measured from the right-of-way (ROW). Within this perimeter screen trees shall be planted at a
minimum of 2-inch caliper at an average rate of 30 lineal feet of street frontage, shrubs at the minimum rate of one
per 20 square feet, and groundcover in quantities that will provide at least 90 percent (90%) coverage within 3
years.
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 additional general and specific landscape requirements. A
conceptual landscape plan and landscape analysis meeting the requirements in RMC 4-8-120D.12, shall be
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submitted at the time of Land Use Permit application submittal. Screening would also be evaluated under
Conditional Use Permit review criteria
Access: Driveway widths are limited by the driveway standards, in RMC 4-4-080I. Vehicle access to the easement
area (future tract) is currently provided by an asphalt driveway off of 116th Ave SE. The applicant shall provide a
copy of the access easement with the land use application.
Parking: Specific parking requirements not applicable based on the proposed use. Adequate parking shall be
provided for maintenance vehicles and would be evaluated at the time of formal land use review.
Fences/Retaining Walls: In any residential district, the maximum height of any fence, hedge or retaining wall shall
be seventy-two inches (72"). Fences, retaining walls or hedges shall not exceed forty-eight inches (48") in height
within the front yard setback. A fence shall not be constructed on top of a retaining wall unless the total combined
height of the retaining wall and the fence does not exceed the allowed height of a standalone fence. However,
fences that provide at least fifty percent (50%) transparency, as viewed perpendicularly to the face of the fence,
may be allowed directly on top of a retaining wall. However, chain link fencing shall not be installed. This exception
shall not be applied to front yard setbacks, or clear vision areas. New fencing would need to comply with the fence
requirements of the code (RMC 4-4-040).
Retaining walls shall be composed of brick, rock, textured or patterned concrete, or other masonry product that
complements the proposed building and site development. There shall be a minimum three -foot (3') landscaped
setback at the base of retaining walls abutting public rights-of-way. Please refer to retaining wall standards (RMC
4-4-040) for additional information about fences and retaining walls. New six (6’) foot tall cedar fencing is proposed
around the easement (future tract) as part of the short plat in order to screen the equipment from the new single-
family lot.
Significant Tree Retention: If significant trees are proposed to be removed, a tree inventory and a tree retention
plan along with a tree retention worksheet shall be provided with the formal land use application. The tree
retention plan must show preservation of at least thirty-percent (30%) of significant trees, and indicate how
proposed building footprints would be sited to accommodate preservation of significant trees that would be
retained. 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. Trees located within
protected critical areas on the site do not count towards the required tree retention rate.
*The tree retention requirements will be changing in approximately two months pending council approval.
Significant trees shall be retained in the following priority order:
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. A formal tree retention plan prepared by an arborist or landscape architect would be reviewed at
the time of the formal land use application if any trees are proposed for removal.
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Critical Areas: No critical areas are mapped on or within 200 feet of the project site. It is the applicant’s
responsibility to determine whether or not any unmapped critical areas exist on the site prior to short plat
application.
Environmental Review: Based on the project narrative provided by the applicant, staff could not determine if the
project is considered exempt from Environmental Review per WAC 197-11-800.
Permit Requirements: The project would require an Administrative Conditional Use Permit and (potentially)
Environmental (SEPA) Review. All applications can be reviewed concurrently in an estimated time frame of 8 weeks
once a complete application is accepted. The Administrative Examiner Condition Use Permit review application fee
is $1,600.00. The application fee for SEPA Review (Environmental Checklist) is $1,600.00. There is an additional 5%
technology fee at the time of land use application.
In addition to the required land use permits, separate construction, building and sign permits would be required.
Detailed information regarding the land use application submittal can be found on the Conditional Use Permit
submittal checklist and 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.
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 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 may be required. Such fees would
apply to all projects and payable prior to building permit issuance. A handout listing Renton’s development-related
fees is available on the City of Renton website for your review.
Note: When the formal application materials are complete, the applicant shall have the application materials
virtually pre-screened prior to submitting the complete application package. Please contact Alex Morganroth,
Senior Planner at amorganroth@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7219 before sending any documents associated with
the project.
Expiration: Once the Conditional Use Permit application has been approved, the applicant has two (2) years to
comply with all conditions of approval and to apply for any necessary permits before the approval becomes null
and void. A single two-year extension may be granted for good cause by the Administrator.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor the expiration date(s).