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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSC_DesignDistrictChecklist_CamelliaCourt_230721_v2ROGER H. NEWELL, AIA ARCHITECT 1102 - 19TH AVE EAST - SEATTLE, WA 98112 - 206-322-1192 - FAX 206-322-5161 July 21, 2023 Andrew Van Gordon City of Renton CED / Planning Division 1055 S Grady Way, 6th Floor Renton, WA 98057 Re: 101 Williams Ave S, Response to Staff Comments, Urban Design Regulations Project No.: PSUB23-000123 Dear Andrew, This letter is in reply to Staff Comments regarding Urban Design Regulations from May 4, 2023, for the above referenced project. I have revised the fillable form in SC_Design_District_Checklist_230407_v1 to this pdf document. Responses to the 5-4-23 comments are underlined below and a blank copy of the Checklist attached. SITE DESIGN AND BUILDING LOCATION 1. Site Design and Street Pattern: The existing street grid pattern has been maintained. Portions of the site along Williams Ave and the alley will be dedicated to meet City roadway, alley, and sidewalk width requirements. A Modification Request is included below in Landscaping to reduce the required ROW width to match the width established by Merrill Gardens to the south. 2. Building Location and Orientation: The building front along Williams Ave has a lobby and residential amenity areas with windows for pedestrian interaction. Vehicle parking is located at the alley to reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflict. Shadows from the proposed building will reach 4 lots to the north (81 Williams) on winter solstice noon and 5 lots north at 10 AM and 2 PM. Morning shadows will be cast on the west half of the lot and afternoon shadows on the east half. Shadows on summer solstice barely impact the lot directly to the north (95 Williams) at noon because of the high 65 degree altitude of the sun. And 8 AM and 4 PM shadows have such a wide bearing angle that they also miss this neighbor to the north. Summer afternoon shadows reach across Williams Avenue in the afternoon to the Fulton Apartments and 98 Williams. There is corresponding morning shadows on Merrill Gardens to the west, but units start a story up from the alley which lessens their impact. Upper story setbacks for the 3rd-6th Floors on the north and east side of the proposed development alleviate shadow impacts to all of the properties. 3. Building Entries: The recessed lobby entrance faces Williams Ave and also uses a covered canopy projecting over the sidewalk. A fitness and hospitality center, both residential common space amenities, face the street with large windows and awnings. Landscape pots are provided at the entry. Wall sconces provide lighting on the Williams Ave facade. Banners with the project name and logo enhance the pedestrian experience. 4, Transition to Surrounding Development: A 10 foot 2nd Floor setback and 15 foot setback at the 3rd through 6th Floors reduce the apparent bulk and scale of the 4 sides of the building. These facades are modulated with wall projections, deck projections, roof projections, differing materials and colors to incrementally reduce the facade expanse. 5. Service Element Location and Design: A Refuse and Recycle Room is located within the exterior concrete walls of the 1st Floor parking garage. Access for service pick-up is located off the southern alley with two doors facing the alley. 07-21-2023 Camellia Court at 101 Williams Ave S PARKING AND VEHICULAR ACCESS 1. Location of Parking: Parking access is provided at the west side of the building and stalls are located within the structure on two levels. Entries to both garage levels can be reached either from the west alley via S Tobin to the north or from the south alley off Williams Ave. Alley access to parking will reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. 2. Design of Surface Parking: There is no proposed surface parking for this project. Parking is provided within the structure on the 1st Floor and the Basement Floor. 3. Structured Parking Garages: Parking is located on the west side of the 1st Floor and the Basement within the building structure. Access to both levels of parking is from the alley on the west which can be reached either from S Tobin to the north or via the south alley off Williams Ave. 4. Vehicular Access: There are no curb cuts proposed for driveways on Williams Ave. Parking is provided at the west side of the 1st Floor and the Basement within the building structure. Access to both levels of parking is via the west and south alleys. Parking access off the alley reduces the number of pedestrian/vehicle conflicts at the building entrance on Williams. PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT: 1, 2, and 3. Pathways through Parking Lots, Pedestrian Circulation, and Pedestrian Amenities: There are no curb cuts or driveways on Williams Ave which reduces pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. A 12 foot concrete sidewalk is proposed on Williams. Williams Ave S street amenities include a recessed and covered entry, additional awnings, seasonal landscaping in planters, windows, street trees, building signage, and banners oriented to pedestrians. LANDSCAPING/RECREATION AREAS/COMMON OPEN SPACE: 1. Landscaping: No on site surface parking is proposed. The building coverage footprint is just under 100%. Landscaping, except for street trees, is not required in the CD zone. Street trees with tree grates are proposed on Williams Ave. Container plantings are proposed at the building entrance. The removal of two significant trees will require one to be replaced. The tree requirement will be provided by a fee in lieu of replacement. Per a 6-5-23 email with Andrew Van Gordon: “With regards to existing trees, I have taken a look at the King County Weed List. I agree that they are on the list and would not count as trees per the City’s definition. Therefore, based on the arborist report, there are no significant trees on the site and significant tree retention is not required.” For new tree credit requirement based on lot size, we are required 11 tree credits. Based on recommendations from our structural engineer and arborist, we can place small trees on the 2nd Floor concrete deck at around 25 feet o.c. The 2nd Floor layout also lines up with building modulation. Trees cannot be added to the 3rd Floor wood frame deck for structural reasons. Per the revised plan on A202 we can add (14) new small trees which gives us 0.25 x 14 = 3.5 credits. We will make up the remaining 7.5 credits by fee in lieu of. 2. Recreation Areas and Common Open Space: Common open space for the project is provided in three four areas: 1) an 800 SF 2nd Floor landscaped atrium courtyard off the west alley with a gas fireplace and BBQ, a large screen TV, (2) small trees, seating areas, and landscape pots. This courtyard replaces the court covered by the atrium (which has been removed); 2) a 1217 SF 1st Floor Hospitality Center directly off Williams Ave with a fireplace, large screen TV with seating, a bar (refrigerator, range, oven, ice maker, sink and dish washer), a game table and board game library; 3) a 1217 SF 1st Floor Fitness Center, also off Williams Ave with a dumbbell set, barbell set, training benches, kettlebells, a pull-up bar, treadmill, stairmaster, stationary bike, fitness balls, and a mirrored wall; and, 4) a 633 SF Tenant Office/Internet Lounge with Wi-Fi, (5) workstations (each with (4) USB ports), a self-serve coffee bar, a printer and a copier. 2 07-21-2023 Camellia Court at 101 Williams Ave S BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1. Building Character and Massing: The building modulates using exterior walls, decks, building materials, colors, and extended roof lines to break up the bulk and scale of the facade. Modulation meeting 4-3-11.E.5 uses exterior wall modulations 2 feet deep and 8 feet wide with a maximum interval of 26 feet or less. 2. Ground-Level Details: On the east façade along Williams Ave, a minimum 15' dimension is provided from the entry canopy to canopies above the residential amenity spaces to meet blank wall requirements. Lighting fixtures and banner signs are also proposed to break up the blank wall on either side of the Lobby entrance. The entrance is recessed and provided with a canopy and recessed lighting over the sidewalk, glass store doors with side lights, columns, and planters. Clear, non-reflective glass is proposed at ground floor windows and doors. Additional glazing has been provided at the 1st Floor East Elevation to meet the requirement for 75% glazing from 4’-8’ (see the glazing calculation on A300). The South Elevation has added doors for the Refuse/Recycle Room, a Camellia logo painted on the façade, accent tiles the length of the façade, and iron oxide black pigment added to exterior concrete walls to provide a medium gray color. The west façade has been revised with units set back and windows facing toward Merrill Gardens. The 75% glazing between 4 and 8 feet has been met at the East Elevation 1st Floor (see the calculation on A300). 3. Building Roof Lines: The proposal has 8 towers with raised living room roofs offering high ceilings in units while modulating the exterior roof line. The East Facade includes a recessed elevator facade to express the entry. No rooftop HVAC units (in size or number) are planned. A pitched roof with dormers at unit living rooms has been added to the new plan set, see elevations on A300 and 301 and the Roof Plan on A207. 4. Building Materials: The concrete walls at the 1st Floor will use a Dryvit finish. This will be repeated at the 2nd Floor wood-framed walls using stucco and the same Dryvit finish color to express a strong building base. Vertical metal siding is proposed on the stair and elevator towers. Cementitious panels in a square pattern with aluminum grid reveals will contrast with horizontal lap siding. The building colors include white for the towers, warm grays in the same color family for the horizontal siding and deck panels, and Dewberry as an accent color on the square cementitious panels. Building material have substantially changed from Plan Set_v1 to _v2. Stucco finish has been eliminated at the 1st and 2nd Floors. The walls at the East Elevation 1st Floor will be constructed using CMU ground face masonry “Willow” (see attached sample photo) with colored mortar, Amerimix “Sunset Rose”. 8” x 8” gloss accent tiles (color to match accent color SW 6311 “Memorable Rose”) will be patterned across the East and South Elevations per A300 and 301 on the CMU. The AEP vertical metal siding at the elevator shaft and stairwells has been changed from white to silver. Horizontal lap siding has been revised from an 8” reveal to a 6” reveal and the color is now SW 7507 “Stone Lion”. Cementitious panels at the 2’ x 8’ building modulations have been changed from the accent color Dewberry to SW 6311 “Memorable Rose”. And decks will be a combination of powder coated aluminum panels with a glass top rail. Deck panel color has changed from “Extra White” to SW7011 “Natural Choice”. A colored rendering and color elevations are provided in Plan Set_v2. SIGNAGE - NA LIGHTING 1. Intent: ROW street lighting in Williams will provide the required amount needed for pedestrian safety. Wall sconces and recessed lighting on the building will provide accent lighting at the ground floor street facade. If you have any questions regarding this letter or if there is any additional information you require, you are welcome to contact me via phone at (206) 322-1192 or email me at neal@rhnewellaia.com. Sincerely, Neal Thompson, AIA Roger H. Newell, AIA 3 Neal Thompson, AIA rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 1 of 12 CITY OF RENTON Ι PERMIT CENTER DESIGN DISTRICT “A” CHECKLIST PURPOSE OF CHECKLIST Ensure compliance with design review regulations located in the Renton Municipal Code in order to: •Maintain and protect property values; •Enhance the general appearance of the City; •Encourage creativity in building and site design; •Achieve predictability, balanced with flexibility; and •Consider the individual merits of proposals. INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS This design district checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. The City will use this checklist to determine whether the your proposal complies with the Urban Design Regulations in the Renton Municipal Code (RMC 4-3-100). Answer the questions briefly, with the most precise information known, or give the best description you can. There are two categories that have been established: (a) “minimum standards” that must be met, and (b) “guidelines” that, while not mandatory, are considered by the Planning Director in determining if the proposed action meets the intent of the design guidelines. If you really do not know the answer, or if a question does not apply to your proposal, write "do not know" or "does not apply". Complete answers to the questions now may avoid unnecessary delays later. SITE DESIGN AND BUILDING LOCATION Intent: To ensure that buildings are located in relation to streets and other buildings so that the Vision of the City of Renton can be realized for a high-density urban environment; so that businesses enjoy visibility from public rights-of- way; and to encourage pedestrian activity throughout the district.  Site Design and Street Pattern: Intent: To ensure that the City of Renton Vision can be realized within the Urban Center Districts; plan districts that are organized for efficiency while maintaining flexibility for future development at high urban densities and intensities of use; create and maintain a safe, convenient network of streets of varying dimensions for vehicle circulation; and provide service to businesses. Minimum Standard: Maintain existing grid street pattern. Applicant Response:____________________________________________________________________________ 2.Building Location and Orientation: Intent: To ensure visibility of businesses; establish active, lively uses along sidewalks and pedestrian pathways; organize buildings in such a way that pedestrian use of the district is facilitated; encourage siting of structures so that natural light and solar access are available to other structures and open space; enhance the visual character and definition of streets within the district; provide an appropriate transition between buildings, parking areas, and other land uses and the street; and increase privacy for residential uses located near the street. Minimum Standard: Orient buildings to the street with clear connections to the sidewalk. rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 2 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST Minimum Standard: The front entry of a building shall not be oriented to a drive aisle, but instead a public or private street or landscaped pedestrian-only courtyard. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Building Entries: Intent: To make building entrances convenient to locate and easy to access, and ensure that building entries further the pedestrian nature of the fronting sidewalk and urban character of the district. Minimum Standard: A primary entrance of each building shall be located on the facade facing a street, shall be prominent, visible from the street, connected by a walkway to the public sidewalk, and include human-scale elements. Minimum Standard: Multiple buildings on the same site shall provide a continuous network of pedestrian paths and open spaces that incorporate landscaping to provide a directed view to building entries. Minimum Standard: Ground floor units shall be directly accessible from the street or an open space such as a courtyard or garden that is accessible from the street. Minimum Standard: Secondary access (not fronting on a street) shall have weather protection at least 4-1/2 feet wide over the entrance or other similar indicator of access. Minimum Standard: Pedestrian access shall be provided to the building from property edges, adjacent lots, abutting street intersections, crosswalks, and transit stops. Guideline: Multiple buildings on the same site should provide a continuous network of pedestrian paths and open spaces that incorporate landscaping to provide a directed view to building entries. Guideline: Ground floor units should be directly accessible from the street or an open space such as a courtyard or garden that is accessible from the street. Guideline: Secondary access (not fronting on a street) should have weather protection at least 4-1/2 feet wide over the entrance or other similar indicator of access. Guideline: Pedestrian access should be provided to the building from property edges, adjacent lots, abutting street intersections, crosswalks, and transit stops. Guideline: Features such as entries, lobbies, and display windows should be oriented to a street or pedestrian- oriented space; otherwise, screening or decorative features such as trellises, artwork, murals, landscaping, or combinations thereof should be incorporated into the street-oriented facade. Guideline: For projects that include residential uses, entries should provide transition space between the public street and the private residence such as a porch, landscaped area, terrace, common area, lobby, or similar feature. Guideline: Features such as entries, lobbies, and display windows should be oriented to a street; otherwise, screening or art features such as trellises, artwork, murals, landscaping, or combinations thereof should be incorporated into the street-oriented facade. Guideline: Entries from the street should be clearly marked with canopies, architectural elements, ornamental lighting, or landscaping. Entries from parking lots should be subordinate to those related to the street for buildings within District ‘A’. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Transition to Surrounding Development: Intent: To shape redevelopment projects so that the character and value of Renton’s long established, existing neighborhoods are preserved. rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 3 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST Minimum Standard: Careful siting and design treatment are necessary to achieve a compatible transition where new buildings differ from surrounding development in terms of building height, bulk and scale. At least one of the following design elements shall be considered to promote a transition to surrounding uses: a. Setbacks at the side or rear of a building may be increased by the Reviewing Official in order to reduce the bulk and scale of larger buildings and so that sunlight reaches adjacent yards; b. Building proportions, including step-backs on upper levels; c. Building articulation to divide a larger architectural element into smaller increments; or d. Roof lines, roof pitches, and roof shapes designed to reduce apparent bulk and transition with existing development. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 5. Service Element Location and Design: Intent: To reduce the potential negative impacts of service elements (i.e., waste receptacles, loading docks) by locating service and loading areas away from high-volume pedestrian areas, and screening them from view in high visibility areas. Minimum Standard: Service elements shall be located and designed to minimize the impacts on the pedestrian environment and adjacent uses. Service elements shall be concentrated and located where they are accessible to service vehicles and convenient for tenant use (see illustration, RMC 4-3-100E7e). Minimum Standard: Garbage, recycling collection, and utility areas shall be enclosed, consistent with RMC 4-4-090, Refuse and Recyclables Standards, and RMC 4-4-095, Screening and Storage Height/Location Limitations. Minimum Standard: In addition to standard enclosure requirements, garbage, recycling collection, and utility areas shall be enclosed on all sides, including the roof and screened around their perimeter by a wall or fence and have self-closing doors (see illustration, RMC 4-3-100E7f). Minimum Standard: The use of chain link, plastic, or wire fencing is prohibited. Minimum Standard: If the service area is adjacent to a street, pathway, or pedestrian-oriented space, a landscaped planting strip, minimum 3 feet wide, shall be located on 3 sides of such facility. Guideline: Service enclosure fences should be made of masonry, ornamental metal or wood, or some combination of the three. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ PARKING AND VEHICULAR ACCESS Intent: To provide safe, convenient access to the Urban Center and the Center Village; incorporate various modes of transportation, including public mass transit, in order to reduce traffic volumes and other impacts from vehicles; ensure sufficient parking is provided, while encouraging creativity in reducing the impacts of parking areas; allow an active pedestrian environment by maintaining contiguous street frontages, without parking lot siting along sidewalks and building facades; minimize the visual impact of parking lots; and use access streets and parking to maintain an urban edge to the district. 1. Location of Parking: Intent: To maintain active pedestrian environments along streets by placing parking lots primarily in back of buildings. Minimum Standard: No surface parking shall be located between a building and the front property line or the building and side property line on the street side of a corner lot. rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 4 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST Guideline: In areas of mixed use development, shared parking is recommended. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Design of Surface Parking: Intent: To ensure safety of users of parking areas, convenience to businesses, and reduce the impact of parking lots wherever possible. Minimum Standard: Parking lot lighting shall not spill onto adjacent or abutting properties (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.F5b). Minimum Standard: All surface parking lots shall be landscaped to reduce their visual impact (see RMC 4-4-080F7, Landscape Requirements). Guideline: Wherever possible, parking should be configured into small units, connected by landscaped areas to provide on-site buffering from visual impacts. Guideline: Access to parking modules should be provided by public or private local streets with sidewalks on both sides where possible, rather than internal drive aisles. Guideline: Where multiple driveways cannot be avoided, provide landscaping to separate and minimize their impact on the streetscape. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Structure Parking Garages: Intent: To more efficiently use land needed for vehicle parking; encourage the use of structured parking throughout the Urban Center and the Center Village; physically and visually integrate parking garages with other uses; and reduce the overall impact of parking garages when they are located in proximity to the designated pedestrian environment. Guideline: Parking garage entries should be designed and sited to complement, not subordinate, the pedestrian entry. If possible, locate the parking entry away from the primary street, to either the side or rear of the building. Guideline: Parking garage entries should not dominate the streetscape. Guideline: The design of structured parking at finished grade under a building should minimize the apparent width of garage entries. Guideline: Parking within the building should be enclosed or screened through any combination of walls, decorative grilles, or trellis work with landscaping. Guideline: Parking garages should be designed to be complementary with adjacent buildings. Use similar forms, materials, and/or details to enhance garages. Guideline: Parking service and storage functions should be located away from the street edge and generally not be visible from the street or sidewalks. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Vehicular Access: Intent: To maintain a contiguous, uninterrupted sidewalk by minimizing, consolidating and/or eliminating vehicular access off streets within pedestrian environments and/or designated pedestrian-oriented streets. Guideline: Parking lots and garages should be accessed from alleys or side streets. Guideline: Driveways should be located to be visible from the right-of-way, but not impede pedestrian circulation rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 5 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST on-site or to adjoining properties. Where possible, minimize the number of driveways and curb cuts. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT: Intent: To enhance the urban character of development in the Urban Center and the Center Village by creating pedestrian networks and by providing strong links from streets and drives to building entrances; make the pedestrian environment safer and more convenient, comfortable, and pleasant to walk between businesses, on sidewalks, to and from access points, and through parking lots; and promote the use of multi-modal and public transportation systems in order to reduce other vehicular traffic. 1. Pathways through Parking Lots: Intent: To provide safe and attractive pedestrian connections to buildings, parking garages, and parking lots. 2. Pedestrian Circulation: Intent: To create a network of linkages for pedestrians to improve safety and convenience and enhance the pedestrian environment. Minimum Standard: Developments shall include an integrated pedestrian circulation system that connects buildings, open space, and parking areas with the adjacent street sidewalk system and adjacent properties (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.G4b). Minimum Standard: Sidewalks located between buildings and streets shall be raised above the level of vehicular travel. Minimum Standard: Pedestrian pathways within parking lots or parking modules shall be differentiated by material or texture from adjacent paving materials (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.G4c). Minimum Standard: Sidewalks and pathways along the facades of buildings shall be of sufficient width to accommodate anticipated numbers of users. Specifically: a. Sidewalks and pathways along the facades of mixed use and retail buildings 100 or more feet in width (measured along the facade) shall provide sidewalks at least 12 feet in width. The walkway shall include an 8 foot minimum unobstructed walking surface and street trees (see illustration, subsection RMC-4-3- 100.G4d). b. To increase business visibility and accessibility, breaks in the tree coverage adjacent to major building entries shall be allowed. c. For all other interior pathways, the proposed walkway shall be of sufficient width to accommodate the anticipated number of users. A 10 - 12 foot pathway, for example, can accommodate groups of persons walking four abreast, or two couples passing one another. An 8 foot pathway will accommodate three individuals walking abreast, whereas a smaller 5 – 6 foot pathway will accommodate two individuals. Minimum Standard: Locate pathways with clear sight lines to increase safety. Landscaping shall not obstruct visibility of walkway or sight lines to building entries. Minimum Standard: All pedestrian walkways shall provide an all-weather walking surface unless the applicant can demonstrate that the proposed surface is appropriate for the anticipated number of users and complementary to the design of the development. Guideline: Delineation of pathways may be through the use of architectural features, such as trellises, railings, low seat walls, or similar treatment. Guideline: Mid-block connections are desirable where a strong linkage between uses can be established. Guideline: Decorative fences, with the exception of chain link fences, may be allowed when appropriate to the rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 6 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST situation. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Pedestrian Amenities: Intent: To create attractive spaces that unify the building and street environments and are inviting and comfortable for pedestrians; and provide publicly accessible areas that function for a variety of activities, at all times of the year, and under typical seasonal weather conditions. LANDSCAPING/RECREATION AREAS/COMMON OPEN SPACE Intent: To provide visual relief in areas of expansive paving or structures; define logical areas of pedestrian and vehicular circulation; and add to the aesthetic enjoyment of the area by the community. To have areas suitable for both passive and active recreation by residents, workers, and visitors; provide these areas in sufficient amounts and in safe and convenient locations; and provide the opportunity for community gathering in places centrally located and designed to encourage such activity. 1. Landscaping: Intent: Landscaping is intended to reinforce the architecture to concept of the area; provide visual and climatic relief in areas of expansive paving or structures; channelize and define logical areas of pedestrian and vehicular circulation; and add to the aesthetic enjoyment of the area by the community. Minimum Standard: All pervious areas shall be landscaped (see RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping). Minimum Standard: Street trees are required and shall be located between the curb edge and building, as determined by the City of Renton. Minimum Standard: On designated pedestrian-oriented streets, street trees shall be installed with tree grates. For all other streets, street tree treatment shall be as determined by the City of Renton (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.H3a). Minimum Standard: The proposed landscaping shall be consistent with the design intent and program of the building, the site, and use. Minimum Standard: The landscape plan shall demonstrate how the proposed landscaping, through the use of plant material and nonvegetative elements, reinforces the architecture or concept of the development. Minimum Standard: Surface parking areas shall be screened by landscaping in order to reduce views of parked cars from streets (see RMC 4-4-080F7, Landscape Requirements). Such landscaping shall be at least 10 feet in width as measured from the sidewalk (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.H3b). Minimum Standard: Trees at an average minimum rate of one tree per 30 lineal feet of street frontage. Permitted tree species are those that reach a mature height of at least 35 feet. Minimum height or caliper at planting shall be eight feet or two inch caliper (as measured four feet from the top of the root ball) respectively. Minimum Standard: Shrubs at the minimum rate of one per 20 square feet of landscaped area. Shrubs shall be at least 12 inches tall at planting and have a mature height between three and four feet. Minimum Standard: Ground cover shall be planted in sufficient quantities to provide at least 90 percent coverage of the landscaped area within three years of installation. Minimum Standard: The applicant shall provide a maintenance assurance device, prior to occupancy, for a period of not less than three years and in sufficient amount to ensure required landscape standards have been met by the third year following installation. Minimum Standard: Surface parking with more than 14 stalls shall be landscaped as follows: rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 7 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST b. Provide trees, shrubs, and ground cover in the required interior parking lot landscape areas. c. Plant at least one tree for every six parking spaces. Permitted tree species are those that reach a mature height of at least 35 feet. Minimum height or caliper at planting shall be eight feet or two inch caliper (as measured four feet from the top of the root ball) respectively. d. Plant shrubs at a rate of five per 100 square feet of landscape area. Shrubs shall be at least 16 inches tall at planting and have a mature height between three and four feet. e. Up to 50 percent of shrubs may be deciduous. f. Select and plant ground cover so as to provide 90 percent coverage within three years of planting; provided, that mulch is applied until plant coverage is complete. g. Do not locate a parking stall more than 50 feet from a landscape area. Minimum Standard: Regular maintenance shall be provided to ensure that plant materials are kept healthy and that dead or dying plant materials are replaced. Minimum Standard: Underground, automatic irrigation systems are required in all landscape areas. Guideline: Landscaping should be used to soften and integrate the bulk of buildings. Guideline: Landscaping should be provided that appropriately provides either screening of unwanted views or focuses attention to preferred views. Guideline: Use of low maintenance, drought-resistant landscape material is encouraged. Guideline: Choice of materials should reflect the level of maintenance that will be available. Guideline: Seasonal landscaping and container plantings are encouraged, particularly at building entries and in publicly accessible spaces. Guideline: Window boxes, containers for plantings, hanging baskets, or other planting feature elements should be made of weather-resistant materials that can be reasonably maintained. Guideline: Landscaping should be used to screen parking lots from adjacent or neighboring properties. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recreation Areas and Common Open Space: Intent: To ensure that districts have areas suitable for both passive and active recreation by residents, workers, and visitors and that these areas are of sufficient size for the intended activity and in convenient locations; create usable, accessible, and inviting open space that is accessible to the public; and promote pedestrian activity on Total number of spaces Minimum Required Landscape Area* 15 to 50 15 square feet/parking space 51 to 99 25 square feet/parking space 100 or more 35 square feet/parking space *Landscape area calculations above and planting requirements below exclude perimeter parking lot landscaping areas. a. Required amount: rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 8 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST pedestrian-oriented streets particularly at street corners. Minimum Standard: Mixed use residential and attached housing developments of ten or more dwelling units shall provide a minimum area of common space or recreation area equal to 50 square feet per unit. The common space area shall be aggregated to provide usable area(s) for residents. The location, layout, and proposed type of common space or recreation area shall be subject to approval by the Director. The required common open space shall be satisfied with one or more of the elements listed below. The Director may require more than one of the following elements for developments having more than 100 units. a. Courtyards, plazas, or multi-purpose open spaces; b. Upper level common decks, patios, terraces, or roof gardens. Such spaces above the street level must feature views or amenities that are unique to the site and are provided as an asset to the development; c. Pedestrian corridors dedicated to passive recreation and separate from the public street system; d. Recreation facilities including, but not limited to, tennis/sports courts, swimming pools, exercise areas, game rooms, or other similar facilities; or e. Children’s play spaces. Minimum Standard: In mixed use residential and attached residential projects, required landscaping, driveways, parking, or other vehicular use areas shall not be counted toward the common space requirement or be located in dedicated outdoor recreation or common use areas. Minimum Standard: In mixed use residential and attached residential projects required yard setback areas shall not count toward outdoor recreation and common space unless such areas are developed as private or semi-private (from abutting or adjacent properties) courtyards, plazas or passive use areas containing landscaping and fencing sufficient to create a fully usable area accessible to all residents of the development (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.H3c). Minimum Standard: Private decks, balconies, and private ground floor open space shall not count toward the common space/recreation area requirement. Minimum Standard: In mixed use residential and attached residential projects, other required landscaping and sensitive area buffers without common access links, such as pedestrian trails, shall not be included toward the required recreation and common space requirement. Minimum Standard: All buildings and developments with over 30,000 square feet of nonresidential uses (excludes parking garage floorplate areas) shall provide pedestrian-oriented space (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3- 100.H3d) according to the following formula: 1% of the lot area + 1% of the building area = Minimum amount of pedestrian-oriented space Minimum Standard: To qualify as pedestrian-oriented space, the following must be included: a. Visual and pedestrian access (including barrier-free access) to the abutting structures from the public right- of-way or a non-vehicular courtyard; b. Paved walking surfaces of either concrete or approved unit paving; c. (c) On-site or building-mounted lighting providing at least four foot-candles (average) on the ground; and d. (d) At least three feet of seating area (bench, ledge, etc.) or one individual seat per 60 square feet of plaza area or open space. Minimum Standard: The following features are encouraged in pedestrian-oriented space (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.H3e) and may be required by the Director: a. Provide pedestrian-oriented uses on the building facade facing the pedestrian-oriented space. b. Spaces should be positioned in areas with significant pedestrian traffic to provide interest and security – such as adjacent to a building entry. rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 9 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST c. Provide pedestrian-oriented facades on some or all buildings facing the space. d. Provide movable public seating. Minimum Standard: The following are prohibited with pedestrian-oriented space: a. Adjacent unscreened parking lots; b. Adjacent chain link fences; c. Adjacent blank walls; d. Adjacent dumpsters or service areas; and e. Outdoor storage (shopping carts, potting soil bags, firewood, etc.) that do not contribute to the pedestrian environment. Minimum Standard: The minimum required walkway areas shall not count as pedestrian-oriented space. However, where walkways are widened or enhanced beyond minimum requirements, the area may count as pedestrian- oriented space if the Director determines such space meets the definition of pedestrian-oriented space. Guideline: Common space areas in mixed use residential and attached residential projects should be centrally located so they are near a majority of dwelling units, accessible and usable to residents, and visible from surrounding units. Guideline: Common space areas should be located to take advantage of surrounding features such as building entrances, significant landscaping, unique topography or architecture, and solar exposure. Guideline: In mixed use residential and attached residential projects children’s play space should be centrally located, visible from the dwellings, and away from hazardous areas like garbage dumpsters, drainage facilities, streets, and parking areas. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Intent: To encourage building design that is unique and urban in character, comfortable on a human scale, and uses appropriate building materials that are suitable for the Pacific Northwest climate. To discourage franchise retail architecture. 1. Building Character and Massing Intent: To ensure that buildings are not bland and visually appear to be at a human scale; and ensure that all sides of a building, that can be seen by the public, are visually interesting. Minimum Standard: All building facades shall include modulation or articulation at intervals of no more than forty feet (40'). Guideline: Building facades should be modulated and/or articulated with architectural elements to reduce the apparent size of new buildings, break up long blank walls, add visual interest, and enhance the character of the neighborhood. Guideline: Articulation, modulation, and their intervals should create a sense of scale important to residential buildings. Guideline: A variety of modulations and articulations should be employed to add visual. Guideline: Building modulations should be a minimum of two feet deep, 16 feet in height, and eight feet in width. Guideline: Alternative methods to shape a building such as angled or curved façade elements, off-set planes, wing walls, and terracing will be considered; provided, that the intent of this Section is met. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 10 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST 2. Ground-Level Details: Intent: To ensure that buildings are visually interesting and reinforce the intended human-scale character of the pedestrian environment; and ensure that all sides of a building within near or distant public view have visual interest. Minimum Standard: Untreated blank walls visible from public streets, sidewalks, or interior pedestrian pathways are prohibited. A wall (including building facades and retaining walls) is considered a blank wall if: a. It is a ground floor wall or portion of a ground floor wall over six feet in height, has a horizontal length greater than 15 feet, and does not include a window, door, building modulation or other architectural detailing; or b. Any portion of a ground floor wall having a surface area of 400 square feet or greater and does not include a window, door, building modulation or other architectural detailing. Minimum Standard: Where blank walls are required or unavoidable, blank walls shall be treated with one or more of the following (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.I5d): a. A planting bed at least five feet in width containing trees, shrubs, evergreen ground cover, or vines adjacent to the blank wall; b. Trellis or other vine supports with evergreen climbing vines; c. Architectural detailing such as reveals, contrasting materials, or other special detailing that meets the intent of this standard; d. Artwork, such as bas-relief sculpture, mural, or similar; or e. Seating area with special paving and seasonal planting. Minimum Standard: Treatment of blank walls shall be proportional to the wall. Minimum Standard: Provide human-scaled elements such as a lighting fixture, trellis, or other landscape feature along the facade’s ground floor. Minimum Standard: Facades on designated pedestrian-oriented streets shall have at least 75 percent of the linear frontage of the ground floor facade (as measured on a true elevation facing the designated pedestrian-oriented street) comprised of transparent windows and/or doors. Minimum Standard: Other facade window requirements include the following: a. Building facades must have clear windows with visibility into and out of the building. However, screening may be applied to provide shade and energy efficiency. The minimum amount of light transmittance for windows shall be 50percent. b. Display windows shall be designed for frequent change of merchandise, rather than permanent displays. c. Where windows or storefronts occur, they must principally contain clear glazing. d. Tinted and dark glass, highly reflective (mirror-type) glass and film are prohibited. Guideline: The primary building entrance should be made visibly prominent by incorporating a minimum of one of the following architectural features from each category listed (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.I5e): a. Façade Features: • Recess; • Overhang; • Canopy; • Trellis; • Portico; rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 11 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST • Porch; • Clerestory. b. Doorway Features: • Transom windows; • Glass windows flanking door; • Large entry doors; • Ornamental lighting; • Lighted displays. c. Detail Features: • Decorative entry paving; • Ornamental building name and address; • Planted containers; • Street furniture (benches, etc.) Guideline: Artwork or building ornamentation (such as mosaics, murals, grillwork, sculptures, relief, etc.) should be used to provide ground-level detail. Guideline: Elevated or terraced planting beds between the walkway and long building walls are encouraged. Applicant Response:____________________________________________________________________________ Building Roof Lines: 3. Intent: To ensure that roof forms provide distinctive profiles and interest consistent with an urban project and contribute to the visual continuity of the district. Minimum Standard: Buildings shall use at least one of the following elements to create varied and interesting roof profiles (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.I5f): a. Extended parapets; b. Feature elements projecting above parapets; c. Projected cornices; d. Pitched or sloped roofs. Minimum Standard: Locate and screen roof-mounted mechanical equipment so that the equipment is not visible within 150 feet of the structure when viewed from the ground level. Minimum Standard: Screening features shall blend with the architectural character of the building, consistent with RMC 4-4-095E, Roof-Top Equipment. Minimum Standard: Match color of roof-mounted mechanical equipment to color of exposed portions of the roof to minimize visual impacts when equipment is visible from higher elevations. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Building Materials: Intent: To ensure high standards of quality and effective maintenance over time; encourage the use of materials that reduce the visual bulk of large buildings; and encourage the use of materials that add visual interest to the neighborhood. rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/31/2022 Page 12 of 12 DESIGN DISTRICT A CHECKLIST Minimum Standard: All sides of buildings visible from a street, pathway, parking area, or open space shall be finished on all sides with the same building materials, detailing, and color scheme, or if different, with materials of the same quality. Minimum Standard: Materials, individually or in combination, shall have an attractive texture, pattern, and quality of detailing for all visible facades. Minimum Standard: Materials shall be durable, high quality, and reasonably maintained. Minimum Standard: Buildings shall employ material variations such as colors, brick or metal banding, patterns, or textural changes. Guideline: Building materials should be attractive, durable, and consistent with more traditional urban development. Appropriate examples would include brick, integrally colored concrete masonry, pre-finished metal, stone, steel, glass, and cast-in-place concrete. Guideline: Concrete walls should be enhanced by texturing, reveals, snap-tie patterns, coloring with a concrete coating or admixture, or by incorporating embossed or sculpted surfaces, mosaics, or artwork. Guideline: Concrete block walls should be enhanced with integral color, textured blocks and colored mortar, decorative bond pattern and/or incorporate other masonry materials. Guideline: Stucco and similar troweled finishes should be used in combination with other more highly textured finishes or accents. They should not be used at the base of buildings between the finished floor elevation and four feet (4') above. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ SIGNAGE Intent: To provide a means of identifying and advertising businesses; provide directional assistance; encourage signs that are both clear and of appropriate scale for the project; encourage quality signage that contributes to the character of the Urban Center and the Center Village; and create color and interest. Not Applicable. LIGHTING Intent: To ensure safety and security; provide adequate lighting levels in pedestrian areas such as plazas, pedestrian walkways, parking areas, building entries, and other public places; and increase the visual attractiveness of the area at all times of the day and night. Minimum Standard: Lighting shall conform to on-site exterior lighting regulations located in RMC 4-4-075, Lighting, Exterior On-Site. Minimum Standard: Lighting shall be provided on-site to increase security, but shall not be allowed to directly project off-site. Minimum Standard: Pedestrian-scale lighting shall be provided, for both safety and aesthetics, along all streets, at primary and secondary building entrances, at building facades, and at pedestrian-oriented spaces. Applicant Response:_____________________________________________________________________________ Mutual Materials - "Willow" ground face CMU Amerimix Mortar Color - "Sunset Rose" Sunset Rose Cohen Camellia Apartments 07-21-2023