HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit_2September 30, 2022
Scott Warlick
City of Renton
Development Engineering Division
1055 South Grady Way, 6th Floor
Renton, WA 98057
RE: Street Modification Application for Justification of Sidewalk Relocation for
Blue Origin DaVinci Building Tenant Improvement Project
City of Renton Land Use Application No. PSU B22-000170
Our Job No. 22334
Dear Scott;
The following outline provides written justification for each modification request for relocation of the
sidewalk for the Blue Origin DaVinci Building Tenant Improvement project located along Maple Avenue
S.W.
Justification for the Modification Request: Please provide a written justification for the modification
request. The Burden of proof as to the appropriateness of the application lies with the applicant.
Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of the Title, the
Department Administrator may grant modifications for individual cases provided he/s he shall first find that
a specific reason makes the strict letter of this Code impractical, that the content and purpose of the
governing land use designation of the Comprehensive Plan is met and that the modification is in
conformity with the intent and purpose of this Code, and that such modification.
Please submit a written statement addressing and justifying how the modification request complies with
each of the following issues to be considered by the Administrator:
a. Substantially implements the policy direction of the policies and objectives of the
Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element and the Community Design Element and the
proposed modification is the minimum adjustment necessary to implement these policies
and objectives;
Response: The proposed roadway modification substantially meets the intent of the
above objectives. The project includes the installation of a new 6-foot sidewalk along the
project frontage extending south to the intersection of S.W. 16th Street and then across
the intersection via a new signalized pedestrian crossing. The only modification
requested under this application is to locate the new 6-foot sidewalk adjacent to the
existing curb along the west side of Maple Avenue S.W. instead of against the property
line in order to avoid an existing power pole, telephone box, fence and motorized gate
which will also minimize disturbance to the adjacent business owner where the fence and
gate are located and reduce the construction phase. The new sidewalk would function as
intended to serve the project and provide pedestrian access for the project between the
site and the pedestrian crossing on S.W. 16th Street. The proposed sidewalk location
also matches the location of the existing sidewalk on the east side of Maple Avenue S.W.
as well as the location of the existing walk at the intersection of Maple Avenue S.W. and
S.W. 16th Street. The Developer has also contacted and met with the adjacent business
owner who owns the fence and gate. The adjacent business owner has indicated that
they would prefer the proposed location of the sidewalk in order to minimize disturbance
to their business and eliminate the need for the existing fence and gate to be removed
and relocated. (Please reference the sidewalk improvement plan set included with this
application.)
DocuSign Envelope ID: D17ABCA0-902A-48DA-860D-FED983FEE0E0
Scott Warlick
City of Renton
Development Engineering Division -2- September 30, 2022
b. Will meet the objectives and safety, function, appearance, environmental protection and
maintainability intended by the Code requirements, based upon sound engineering
judgement;
Response: The proposed location of the sidewalk meets the above objectives for safety,
function, appearance, environmental protection and sound engineering judgement. Maple
Avenue S.W. is a local, short, dead-end roadway serving only the several businesses
located on the street. The proposed location will function as intended per the code and
would be a better location for appearance since it would match the location of the existing
walk on the east side of Maple Avenue S.W. and at the intersection of Maple Avenue
S.W. and S.W. 16th Street. The proposed location Is based on sound engineering
judgement relative to avoiding existing constraints, better function and appearance and
significantly less disturbance and impacts to the adjacent business.
c. Will not be injurious to other property(ies) in the vicinity;
Response: The proposed sidewalk location will not be injurious to other properties in the
vicinity and in fact would reduce the potential for injuries and other impacts since it would
avoid existing utilities and constraints and eliminate the need to relocate an existing
power pole, telephone box, fence and gate.
d. Conforms to the intent and purpose of the Code;
Response: The new sidewalk meets the intent and purpose of the code, and the
proposed adjusted location avoids several existing site and utility constraints and also
matches the location of the sidewalk on the opposite side of Maple Avenue S.W. and at
the intersection of S.W. 16th Street.
e. Can be shown to be justified and required for the use and situation intended; and
Response: The new sidewalk and signalized pedestrian crossing is being installed as a
condition of the proposed use. The proposed adjusted location will still meet the intent of
the required use and situation intended but will also minimize disturbance to adjacent
businesses and match existing conditions on the adjacent streets. There is good
justification and sound engineering judgement for the proposed sidewalk location.
f. Will not create adverse impacts to other property(ies) in the vicinity.
Response: The proposed sidewalk location will not create adverse impacts to other
properties in the vicinity and will instead reduce adverse impacts to the adjacent business
by eliminating the need to relocate an existing fence, motorized gate and utilities, all of
which greatly extend the construction phase and impacts to other properties.
Along with the above justification for the modification request, the following p lans and documents are
included for your review.
1. One electronic copy Land Use Permit Application
2. One electronic copy Project Narrative
DocuSign Envelope ID: D17ABCA0-902A-48DA-860D-FED983FEE0E0
Scott Warlick
City of Renton
Development Engineering Division -3- September 30, 2022
3. One electronic copy Site Plan
4. One electronic copy Roadway Improvement Plans
Please review the enclosed Street Modification Application and the associated plans and documents at
your earliest convenience and please feel free to contact me if you have questions or need additional
information. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Daniel K. Balmelli, P.E.
Executive Vice President
DKB/bd
22334.001.doc
enc: As Noted
cc: Ryan Lundberg, Blue Origin
C. L. Castillo, Blue Origin
Kathy Nagle, Lance Mueller & Associates
DKB/bd
22234.001.doc
DocuSign Envelope ID: D17ABCA0-902A-48DA-860D-FED983FEE0E0