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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR_ERC_Report_2018_Docket_13_Group_B_180628DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket 13B.docx ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ERC MEETING DATE: July 16, 2018 Project Name: 2018 Docket #13, Group B Project Number: LUA18-000400, ECF Project Manager: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager Owner: City of Renton Applicant: City of Renton Contact: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager; Clark Close, Senior Planner; Katie Buchl-Morales, Assistant Planner Project Location: All dockets are citywide. Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review to review for the following non-project items: 1. Review and revise the variance procedures for industrial and commercial land uses; and 2. Review and streamline the short plat and formal plat process. Exist. Bldg. Area SF: N/A Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): N/A N/A Site Area: N/A Total Building Area GSF: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS). PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND Variance Procedures: This docket item aims to expand the Administrator’s authority to grant relief from a number of development standards under Title IV: specifically, variances for setbacks, lot coverage, lot width, lot depth, allowed projections into setbacks, and building height for commercial and industrial land uses. Currently, Renton Municipal Code limits the authority and applicability for administrative variances for commercial and industrial land uses to only “screening of surface-mounted equipment and screening of roof-mounted equipment.” Per RMC 4-9-250B.1.a-b, variances are allowed from the following development standards for residential land uses: lot width, lot depth, setbacks, allowed projections into setbacks, building height, and lot coverage. The variance procedures presently do not allow commercial and industrial land uses to apply for an adjustment to specific development standards of Title IV, whereas residential land uses are allotted the opportunity to do so. Request for relief from setbacks or other similar development standards should apply to all land uses alike (residential, industrial or commercial), regardless of designation. Consideration should be given to increase the variance City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000400, ECF Report of Monday, July 16, 2018 Page 2 of 3 ERC Report LUA 18-000400, ECF opportunities for both commercial and industrial land uses, such that they are more consistent with those found under residential land uses. Proposed Text Amendments to Code Staff recommends revising the variance procedures regarding development standards for commercial and industrial land uses to include lot width, lot depth, setbacks, allowed projections into setbacks, building height, and lot coverage. Short Plat/Formal Plat Streamline Process: This docket item considers procedural changes for short plats and formal plats and minor text revisions. Specifically, amendments to code related to completion requirements and expiration periods, additional time extensions granted by the Hearing Examiner and basic changes to text that would correct punctuation and update language to be consistent with other sections of code. Following the final determination short plats and formal plats require the following improvements before filing the final plat map with the City and recording the subdivision with King County: grading and paving of streets and alleys, installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, monuments, sanitary and storm sewers, street lights, water mains and street name signs. Prior to filing with the City, short plat applicants have 2 years to make improvements before short plat approval becomes null and void, whereas formal plat applicants have 5 years. Code allows for the single one-year extension granted by the department Administrator, provided that the applicant can demonstrate unusual circumstances or burden that would prevent filing the plat within the allotted time. Although nearly all applicants request the extension, three years is not a sufficient amount of time to meet the completion requirements. In order to file and record the plat before it expires, applicants may request to defer the construction of impro vements. If the City approves the applicant’s request to defer the improvements, the City receives a security bond in the amount of one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the total estimated cost of the incomplete improvements . In the chance that the applicant begins sale of lots without completing the improvements, the City is responsible for completing the improvements. Code should be amended to allow short plat applicants 5 years to complete site improvements with the intent of reducing the number of improvement deferral requests. Formal plat applicants have the option to apply for a one-year extension from the Administrator and may request additional extensions from the Hearing Examiner, provided that the applicant can show need caused by unusual or unduly circumstances. However, current Code does not specify the number of Hearing Examiner extensions permitted. Without specifying the exact number, it is conceivable that the Hearing Examiner could grant extensions without limit if satisfied with the applicant’s argument. In review of Title IV, Chapters 7-9 Subdivision Regulations, minor typos and inconsistent language was discovered. Staff recommends correcting typos and language inconsistencies as needed. Proposed Text Amendments to Code 1. Amend code to change the expiration period for short plats from 2 years to 5 years. 2. Amend code to specify the number of additional extensions that can be granted by the Hearing Examiner. 3. Amend code to create consistent use of language and make revision to punctuation in Title IV, Chapters 7-9 Subdivision Regulations. PART TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations. City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report 2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000400, ECF Report of Monday, July 16, 2018 Page 3 of 3 ERC Report LUA 18-000400, ECF A. Environmental Threshold Recommendation Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials: Issue a DNS with a 14-day Appeal Period. B. Mitigation Measures 1. None C. Exhibits None D. Environmental Impacts There are no environmental impacts that are anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposal. E. Comments of Reviewing Departments The proposal has been circulated to City Dep artment and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their comments have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or “Advisory Notes to Applicant.”  Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report. The Environmental Determination decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Environmental Determination Appeal Process: Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing together with the required fee to: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, on or before 5:00 p.m. on August 3, 2018. RMC 4-8-110 governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner and additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, Renton City Hall – 7th Floor, (425) 430-6510.