HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Osborn_Comment_Response_180521.pdf
May 18, 2018
Nancy Osborn
4635 Morris Ave S. #F
Renton, WA 98055
SUBJECT: Response to Public Comment Letter
Weatherly Inn/ LUA18-000011
Dear Ms. Osborn,
Thank you for your recent email detailing the concerns you have regarding the proposed
Weatherly Inn assisted living facility land use application. I forwarded your email to the applicant
and requested they provide a response to you, which I have enclosed with this letter. I would also
like to provide a response to your concerns as the project manager reviewing the land use
application. I have listed paraphrased concerns from your letter in bold and followed each item
with a response below.
Inadequate Parking
The initial application documents included a modification request to reduce the number of onsite
parking spaces from 147 to 87. The applicant has resubmitted plans that reconfigure the site plan
to accommodate the code required 132 parking spaces to account for the following:
116 spaces for each of the 116 assisted living units.
10 spaces for 30 memory care beds.
5 spaces for 10 memory care employees.
1 space for the facility vehicle.
The initial 147 space calculation was incorrect as the applicant had an inaccurate employee count
for the facility. As the resubmitted plans now include the code required parking spaces, the
applicant has withdrawn their parking reduction modification request that accompanied the land
use application.
Entrance and Emergency Vehicle Access
The entrance to the facility is approximately 30-feet wide at the intersection of Talbot Rd. S. It
then widens to 40-feet as it intersects with the western parking lot and then narrows to 24-feet
wide for the remainder of the site. The City’s Development Regulations limit driveway widths for
this type of land use to a maximum of 30-feet. This width limits exposure to pedestrians with
potential vehicle conflicts when crossing the driveway.
The applicant’s Traffic Impact Analysis indicates a conceptual channelization of Talbot Rd. S. near
the project site to accommodate a left turn pocket onto S. 45th Pl. for northbound vehicles that
would result in an improved level of service on Talbot Rd . S. The analysis also indicates a left turn
channelization for vehicles traveling south on Talbot Rd . S. and turning into the project site. The
analysis does not recommend new traffic signals would be warranted at the S. 45th Pl. intersection.
The Renton Fire Authority has reviewed the plan and ind icated the entrance and fire lanes meet
their requirements for emergency vehicle access. Generally, fire access lanes are a minimum of
20-feet in width with turning radii of 25-feet inside and 45-feet outside.
Site Clearing and Noise
The western portion of the site would be cleared and regraded to accommodate the parking,
infrastructure, proposed assisted living facility. Silt fencing would be installed along the southern
perimeter of the property to prevent any erosion to the abutting property. The eastern portion of
the site would remain in its existing state as it contains sensitive slopes and a low density
residential zoning classification. Construction hours for this type of work would be limited to
Monday through Friday 7am-8pm and Saturday 9am to 8pm. Work is not permitted on Sundays.
Retaining Wall Height
The applicant has submitted a modification to increase the maximum retaining wall height from
8-feet to approximately 9-feet for several linear sections along the southern portion of the
property. City staff is reviewing their proposal and justification fo r the one-foot increase in wall
height and will provide a recommendation to the Hearing Examiner. The applicant has indicated
the increased height is needed to level the sloped property and accommodate the accessibility
needs for the residents. As provided on the grading plan, it appears the retaining walls within
increased height area would face north and be visible only from the southern façade of the
assisted living building. The remaining retaining walls within the development would range from
finished grade to approximately 6-feet in height.
Drainage
The applicant would be required to design their drainage improvements to comply with the City’s
updated stormwater design manual. The applicant has proposed a stormwater vault that would
be located under the western parking lot. The applicant would then route the stormwater
generated on the property through a system of pipes to the vault. Stormwater that is conveyed
from pollution generating surfaces, such as the driveway and parking lot, would be filtered prior
to being metered out to the City’s system.
Closing
I hope these responses provide answers to your questions. Your email is part of the application
file and will be attached as an exhibit to the Hearing Examiner Staff Report. Please feel free to
contact me should you have any questions at 425.430.6593 or mherrera@rentonwa.gov.
Sincerely,
Matt Herrera, AICP
Senior Planner
enc: RJ Development Response to Ms. Osborn