HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Public_Art_Exemption_20230807DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Public_Art_Exemptions_323 William Ave S_230802
PLANNING DIVISION
PUBLIC ART EXEMPTION
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: August 7, 2023
PROJECT NUMBER: PR23-000001/LUA23-000262
PROJECT NAME: 327 Williams Ave S Public Art Exemption
PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Assistant Planner
OWNER: Hoc Phan
327 Williams Ave S
PROJECT LOCATION: 323 Williams Ave S
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The property owner of 327 Williams Ave S is requesting a public art exemption
for a mural they would like to install on their building. The proposed location is the south wall facing Houser
Way S and Tonkin Park. Tenants within the building include the Washington State Drivers License Office and
the Sit and Sip Café and Community Market. The artist is Craig Cundiff, the proposed art is a painting of a forest
with trees and water. The size of the art installation is 1,755 square feet. The Commission reviewed the
proposed design concept at the meeting on 07/11/2023 (Exhibit 2).
CODE AUTHORITY: RMC 4-9-160F gives the Department of Community and Economic
Development authority to grant exemptions from the sign code for 'objects of art' provided an Exemption
Certificate for Public Art is issued. The code defines 'objects of art' as sculptures, wall paintings, murals,
collages or banners by artists recognized by the Renton Municipal Arts commission.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Per RMC 4-9-160C, the Department of Community and Economic
Development may determine that objects of art are exempt from the requirements of the City's Sign code
when:
a. Sited in a manner as to be readily accessible to pedestrians for passive viewing;
b. Sited in a manner so as not to unduly divert the attention of motorists from the roadway;
c. Stationary and do not revolve or otherwise move;
d. Not illuminated;
e. In good taste and reasonably reflect acceptable community values;
f. Of sufficient durability so as to have a life expectancy of at least 10 years;
g. Not used or referred to in the media or by the owners of the premises or operators of businesses
contained thereon for business advertising purposes.
Staff finds the proposed exemption meets all seven (7) of the evaluation criteria.
DECISION: An exemption from the sign code regulations for an object of art is hereby Approved .
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Devel opment Certificate of Exemption From Sign Code for an Object of Art
PR23-000001 Land Use Stand Alone LUA23-000262-Public Art Exemption
Permit Date: August 7, 2023 Page 2 of 2
D_Public_Art_Exemptions_323 William Ave S_230802
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: None
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
Matt Herrera, Acting Planning Director Date
APPEAL: Appeals of permit issuance must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2023. An
appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14 -day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680).
Appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall
1st floor Lobby Hub Monday through Friday. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted,
will be collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. The appeal submitted in person
may be paid on the first floor in our Finance Department. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by
RMC 4-8-110 and additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s
Office, cityclerk@rentonwa.gov.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Email Correspondence with Jessie Kotarski
Exhibit 2: Minutes from July 11, 2023, Arts Commission Meeting
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
8/7/2023 | 2:41 PM PDT
From: Jessie Kotarski
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 2:55 PM
To: Mariah Kerrihard
Subject: RE: Art Exemption Request: Hoc Phan (327 Williams Ave S)
My guess would be 1,755 square feet (a COR maps measurement puts it at 121 ft long and assume a
single story structure – 14.5ft tall). Is guesstimate ok?
From: Mariah Kerrihard <MKerrihard@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 11:55 AM
To: Jessie Kotarski <JKotarski@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: RE: Art Exemption Request: Hoc Phan (327 Williams Ave S)
Hi Jessie,
Thank you for all the initial information, I do have a question for you. Do you have the dimensions of the
wall where the mural will be installed?
All the best,
MARIAH KERRIHARD | ASSISTANT PLANNER
City of Renton | CED | Planning Division
1055 S Grady Way | 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057
Virtual Permit Center | Online Applications and Inspections
DESK: (425) 430-7238 | mkerrihard@rentonwa.gov
From: Jessie Kotarski <JKotarski@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 11:33 AM
To: Matthew Herrera <MHerrera@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: Andrew Van Gordon <AVanGordon@rentonwa.gov>; Mariah Kerrihard
<MKerrihard@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: RE: Art Exemption Request: Hoc Phan (327 Williams Ave S)
Thanks, Matt! Mariah, please let me know if you have any questions.
~Jessie
From: Matthew Herrera <MHerrera@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 11:29 AM
To: Jessie Kotarski <JKotarski@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: Andrew Van Gordon <AVanGordon@rentonwa.gov>; Mariah Kerrihard
<MKerrihard@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: RE: Art Exemption Request: Hoc Phan (327 Williams Ave S)
Hi Jessie,
Exhibit 1
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
Thanks for sending this over. I am going to assign this to our new planner Mariah Kerrihard. I have asked
Andrew to help with the process as this will be Mariah’s first assignment. -Matt
MATT HERRERA, AICP, Current Planning Manager
City of Renton | CED | Planning Division
1055 S Grady Way | 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057
Virtual Permit Center | Online Applications and Inspections
DESK: (425) 430-6593 | MOBILE: (206) 308-6231 | mherrera@rentonwa.gov
From: Jessie Kotarski <JKotarski@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 11:08 AM
To: Matthew Herrera <MHerrera@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: Andrew Van Gordon <AVanGordon@rentonwa.gov>
Subject: Art Exemption Request: Hoc Phan (327 Williams Ave S)
Hi Matt and Andrew! The property owner of 327 Williams Ave S is requesting an exemption for a mural
they would like to install on their building. The Commission reviewed the proposed design concept at
the meeting in July (Tuesday, July 11). Here is the information for the proposed mural:
1. Artist Information: Artist: Craig Cundiff. Link to previous
artwork: https://www.craigcundiffmurals.com/
1. The proposed design:
2.
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
3. Photos of the proposed location (below): 327 Williams Ave S (south wall facing Houser Way S
and Tonkin Park)
4. Master Application (attached)
Let me know what other information your team needs to process the request.
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
~Jessie
JESSIE KOTARSKI, Economic Development Manager
City of Renton | CED | Economic Development Division
1055 S Grady Way | 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057
Virtual Permit Center | Online Applications and Inspections
(425) 430-7271 | jkotarski@rentonwa.gov
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 – 6:00 pm
Renton City Hall – Conferencing Room (726) or via Zoom
Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Evelyn Reingold, Janna Kushneryk, Kaie
Wise, Marsha Rollinger, Marvin Rosete, Mary Clymer, Susan Jessick
Staff Present:
Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Staff liaison
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Susan Jessick at 6:00pm.
Correspondence & Announcements:
Upcoming RMAC-funded events:
• Saturday, July 15 – South Renton BBQ – RMAC art activity and hydrant painting 1pm to 4pm
• Wednesday, July 19 – Neighborhood BBQ - Renton High School (5 to 8pm)
• Friday, July 21 - Renton River Days/Lucky Duck Poker Walk and Kids activity in Piazza Park
5:30pm to 9:30pm
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and carried to approve the minutes from the May meeting. MSC
(Evelyn/Bill)
Budget Update:
• The remaining budget in the Arts & Culture project account is $15,209.89.
• We have received a $11,000 Sustained Support award from 4 Culture to bolster our grant program.
• There was a discussion to allocate $15,000 from the Capital Art Project fund for the Williams
Streetscape art project, specifically for the historic street-light retrofit.
• The City Council has approved a 2nd quarter budget adjustment from the General funds to support
the hiring of Frameworks Cultural Placemaking. Their role will be to update the 2010 Arts & Culture
Master plan.
Promotions Committee update:
The Promotions Committee provided updates on upcoming events:
• July 15: South Renton event – RMAC will be hosting an arts activity at the South Renton BBQ on July
15 from 1 to 4pm and supporting the promotion of the community hydrant art program.
July 19: Neighborhood BBQ - The committee hired an artist for an engaging art opportunity at the
event. Artist Renee Look will be offering print-making craft.
• River Days: RMAC is supporting an art activity on Friday, July 21 from 5:30 to 9:30pm in Piazza Park
Roadshow Committee update:
• Neighborhood BBQ stage scheduled for July 19.
• Remaining Summer Concert series dates are as follows: July 21 (River Days stage at Piazza Park),
August 3, August 17, and August 31.
Grants Committee update:
Exhibit 2
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
The current grant cycle is coming to a close on July 21. We encourage all interested applicants to
submit their grant proposals before the deadline. This is the final opportunity to be considered for
funding in this cycle.
Old Business:
• AEP 6 Study Update – AEP Survey Collection Complete. We anticipate study results in fall 2023.
• Arts Master plan update – The Frameworks contract for the Arts & Culture Master Plan update
has been approved by the City Council and is ready for signature. The next steps involve a kick-off
meeting where all Commissioners will have the opportunity to participate, with a calendar invite
to be sent for their involvement. During the kick-off meeting, project goals and objectives will be
confirmed, and a draft of the Outreach Plan will be reviewed, encompassing activities, draft quiz
questions, and an initial list of potential stakeholders and organizations for interviews, focus
groups, and the steering committee. The consultant team will present a draft schedule and
outreach plan at the meeting. Additionally, the meeting will address the project schedule and
establish a regular meeting time, either weekly or biweekly, between the staff and the consultant
team.
• Hydrant Art program extension - the grant to the South Renton Neighborhood allocated for the
hydrant art program has been fully expended, prompting a request from the community to
continue the program. With 13 hydrants still remaining in the program area, a motion was made
to allocate $5,200 ($400 per hydrant for artist fees) to finalize the program. After discussion, the
motion was approved, and funds were authorized to support the completion of the hydrant art
program.– MSC(Marsha/Bill)
New Business:
Proposed Mural (241 Williams Ave S) – A proposed mural project has been put forward for 241 Williams
Ave S, involving the installation of a mural on the east-facing brick wall of the building known as the
Cortona. The design proposal was submitted by the property owner and artist, Dave Brethauer. After careful
review, the Commission has approved the proposed design for installation. MSC (Marsha/Bill)
The property owner proposed a bronze bird inlay design for the sidewalk on Williams Ave S. The bird design
aims to encourage visitors to explore local businesses and activate the neighborhood. It is part of a larger
plan for future installations, potentially used for scavenger hunts, wayfinding symbols, and children's
activities. The Commission reviewed and approved the design, pending support from Public Works and the
Williams Streetscape project team, to ensure a cohesive integration. The goal is to attract customers to the
market and create a vibrant downtown community experience. MSC (Bill/Evelyn)
Proposed Mural (327 Williams Ave S) – A proposed mural project has been put forward for 327 Williams
Ave S, involving the installation of a mural on the south-facing brick wall of the Renton Licensing Agency
(facing Tonkin Park). The design proposal was submitted by artist Craig Cundiff. After careful review, the
Commission has approved the proposed design for installation. MSC (Marsha/Bill)
Sound Transit Rainier/Grady Art Planning – The Sound Transit Art Program (STart) is actively working on an
art opportunity for the new South Renton Transit Center, which is currently in the design phase. In the
coming months, STart will provide the Arts Commission with more details about the project. As part of the
preparations, the fences at the site are scheduled to be replaced this month, and STart plans to install
temporary murals in early August.
Arts & Culture space - During the meeting, the Arts and Culture space proposals were reviewed and
discussed. Out of the five proposals received, three were selected to be invited back for interviews to
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8
further explore partnership opportunities for utilizing the space. In the upcoming weeks, an interview
committee will be formed to develop a line of questioning and conduct the interviews.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:09pm.
DocuSign Envelope ID: FFE7E156-E6FF-47B9-8459-FEEEFC4242C8