HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ_1602_Justification_For_Conditional_Use_Permit_230516_v1.pdfJustification for Conditional Use Permit
1602 Raymond Ave. SW, Renton
The University of Washington Medicine Testing Lab is seeking a Conditional Use Permit
for 1602 Raymond Ave SW, WA 98057, USA. This project is beneficial to the City of
Renton and the community for temporarily providing a medical testing facility where
medical samples (including COVID) are tested and analyzed, and later a freezer
farm that will support the labs at 1601 Lind Ave SW following their renovations. Testing
and analyzing medical samples in a timely manner is important for the health and
well-being of each patient, while also providing new job opportunities. A total of 1/3
of the state of Washington’s total testing capacity will be accommodated in this
facility, as well as some tests for out of state and global requests (using specialized
tests). One of UW’s current facilities at 1616 Eastlake Ave E will be unavailable as of
April 1, 2024. The equipment on Level 1 will need to be relocated to 1602 Raymond
Ave to create a reduced annex for what is currently at 1616 Eastlake Ave before
March 2024. It is vitally important to the health of the state to have this new facility
ready prior to that date.
UW is seeking to occupy the entire building (1 level) at 1602 Raymond Ave, utilizing
5,863 sf for the temporary testing labs, including the existing mechanical/electrical
room, which will be used as-is as a primarily electrical equipment space.
The proposed use of medical testing lab facility is compatible with the character of
the neighbourhood, which is mostly Commercial Office. Laboratories for “research,
development, and testing” are specified as AD (Administrative Conditional Use)
under the CO zoning district in IBC 2018.
Approximately a total of 20 staff will be employed (6-8 per shift) for this function. We
expect that these positions will be for skilled personnel, and these users will contribute
favourably to the proposed anticipated uses supporting technology, research, and
development for this part of Renton.
We expect that the proposed use at the proposed location will not result in any
adverse effects on adjacent properties when taking into consideration traffic, noise,
and light, since this project involves minor renovations primarily to the interior of the
building. The samples being tested will be delivered to the facility in small courier
vehicles including cars and small panel trucks (i.e. FedEx). Patients requiring testing
are not expected to visit the site.
In summary, we propose that this use will be a positive addition to the neighborhood
and a source of pride for the citizens of the City of Renton.