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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEPA) DETERMINATION OF
NON-SIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA18-000638
APPLICANT: City of Renton, CED Department / CVincent@Rentonwa.gov / 1055 S Grady
Way, Renton, WA 98056
PROJECT NAME: 2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP D & WIRELESS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: #D-153 Administrative Code Interpretations: Staff recommends codifying all
code amendments as written within each Administrative Code Interpretation abbreviated below.
CI-127 – Commercial/Office and Residential Thresholds in the COR Zone (ON HOLD); CI-128 – Security Devices for
Landscaping Maintenance; CI-129 – Residential Outdoor Storage; CI-130 – Fire Impact Fees for Non-profit Organizations;
CI-131 – Remove the Density Requirement for Assisted Living Facilities in the CO Zone; CI-132 – Restricted Hours of
Operation for Mobile Food Vendors (RESCINDED); CI-133 – Storm Drainage Facility Perimeter Landscaping; CI-134 – Unit
Lot Subdivisions in the CV Zone; CI-135 – Time Limits for Approved PUDs Not Associated with a Subdivision; CI-136 –
Denial of TUPs; CI-137 – Comprehensive Land Use Map; CI-138 – Residential Design; Materials and Color; CI-139 –
Definition of Big Box Retail; CI-140 – Retroactive Application of ULS Code; CI-141 – Nonconforming Uses; Manufactured
Home Parks and Detached Dwellings; CI-142 – Residential Design; Scale, Bulk, and Character; CI-143 – Noise Level
Regulations; Designation of Zoned Areas; CI-144 – Site Plan Review for Medical Institutions, Assisted Living and
Convalescent Care in Low Density Residential Zones (RC-R-8); CI-145 – Clear Vision Area (PENDING); CI-146 – Rear Yard
Setbacks for ADUs (PENDING); CI-147 – Reconsideration of Shoreline Permits (PENDING)
Wireless Communication Facilities: RMC 4-5-060 exempts wireless communication facilities located within the public
way. This is in conflict with requirements of RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities. The code revision seeks
to remove the exemption in RMC 4-5-060 to provide for consistent review and permitting of Wireless Communication
Facilities.
PROJECT LOCATION: City-wide
LEAD AGENCY: City of Renton
Environmental Review Committee
Department of Community & Economic Development
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SIGNATURES:
Gregg Zimmerman, Administrator
Public Works Department
Date Rick M. Marshall, Administrator
Renton Regional Fire Authority
Date
Kelly Beymer, Administrator
Community Services Department
Date C.E. Vincent, Administrator Date
Department Of Community & Economic Development
The City of Renton Environmental Review Committee has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse
impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This
Determination of Non-Significance is issued under WAC 197-11-340. Because other agencies of jurisdiction may be
involved, the lead agency will not act on this proposal for fourteen (14) days.
Appeals of the environmental determination must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on November 2, 2018.
Appeals must be filed in writing together with the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady
Way, Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more information may be obtained
from the Renton City Clerk’s Office, (425) 430-6510.
PUBLICATION DATE: October 19, 2018
DATE OF DECISION: October 15, 2018
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10/15/2018 | 3:37 PM PDT10/15/2018 | 3:08 PM PDT
10/15/2018 | 3:35 PM PDT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ERC_SR_ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket13D_20181015
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
ERC MEETING DATE: October 15, 2018
Project Name: 2018 Docket #13, Group D
Project Number: LUA18-000638, ECF
Project Manager: Angie Mathias, Long Range Planning Manager
Owner: City of Renton
Applicant: Chip Vincent, CVincent@rentonwa.gov, City of Renton
Contact: Angie Mathias, AMathias@rentonwa.gov, City of Renton
Project Location: All docket items are citywide.
Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental (SEPA) Review to review for the following
non-project items:
1. #D-153: Administrative Code Interpretations
2. Proposed Code Amendment: Wireless Communication Facilities
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
#D-153 Administrative Code Interpretations.
CI-127 – Commercial/Office and Residential Thresholds in the COR Zone: ON HOLD
CI-128 – Security Devices for Landscaping Maintenance: CI-128 requires a security device prior to the
recording of any plat and added a provision to permit use of security bonds as a way to ensure
continued landscaping maintenance.
CI-129 – Residential Outdoor Storage: Extended outdoor storage provisions for zones R-6, R-10 and R-
14; these zones were previously not cited.
CI-130 – Fire Impact Fees for Non-profit Organizations: Fire impact fee amounts for emergency response
is determined by a Rate Study, which estimates fees needed for service based on the actual costs of
providing services and the historical frequency of service needed based on land use. CI-130 removed
non-profit organizations from the fee schedule because the Regional Fire Authority documents their
emergency response activity based on land use. “Non-profit” status refers to tax-exemptions granted by
the Internal Revenue Service and has no bearing on land use; documenting emergency responses based
on non-profit status can result in inaccurate predictions of future emergency needs.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1A4E655A-59FC-49B7-9161-BDD43A02780E
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000638, ECF
Report of Monday, October 15, 2018 Page 2 of 4
ERC_SR_ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket13D_20181015
CI-131 – Remove the Density Requirement for Assisted Living Facilities in the CO Zone: Clarified and re-
applied the geographic boundaries associated with assisted living facilities, which permits them in the
area around Valley Medical Center. The boundaries were inadvertently removed with the adoption of
Ordinance 5675 in 2012. Secondly, CI-131 removed the minimum density requirement for assisted living
facilities because the minimum density threshold was intended for mixed use developments near
transit, not assisted living facilities.
CI-132 – Restricted Hours of Operation for Mobile Food Vendors: RESCINDED
CI-133 – Storm Drainage Facility Perimeter Landscaping: CI-133 added a provision that requires
perimeter landscaping for storm drainage facilities to be located within the storm drainage tract. The
provision was added because staff has received proposals that located portions of the perimeter
landscaping on single family lots in order to decrease the size of the stormwater tract and increase the
developments yield. The added requirement increases the likelihood of proper maintenance and
protects adjacent property owners from incurring costs associated with perimeter landscaping
maintenance.
CI-134 – Unit Lot Subdivisions in the CV Zone: Clarified that design regulations and parking requirements
for unit lot subdivisions are applied consistently to the R-10, R-14, RMF, and CV zones, and granted more
flexibility for the building orientation of unit lot subdivisions.
CI-135 – Time Limits for Approved PUDs Not Associated with a Subdivision: Removed conflicts in time
limits/expirations for Planned Urban Developments that are not associated with subdivisions and made
time limits/expirations consistent with the site plan review process. Prior to CI-135 approval time limits
for PUDs were unclear due to two competing expirations. Additionally, the amount of time allotted for
large scale commercial/multi-family PUDs was not reasonable given the amount of time needed to
prepare, submit, and gain approval of building permits and complete construction.
CI-136 – Denial of TUPs: RMC-4-9-240.J clearly authorizes the Administrator to accept, modify, or
condition a Temporary Use Permit; denial powers were unintentionally omitted. CI-136 affirmed denial
as an administrative power available to the Administrator for the review of TUPs, reflecting the powers
given to the Administrator for other discretionary permits.
CI-137 – Comprehensive Land Use Map: Code and text of the Comprehensive Plan indicate that the CN
Zone implements the Residential High Density (RHD) land use designation; the Comprehensive Land Use
Map incorrectly shows the land use designation for CN zoned parcels as Commercial Mixed Use. CI-137
corrects the discrepancy to show that CN zoned parcels are designated RHD.
CI-138 – Residential Design; Materials and Color: Clarifies that where masonry siding is proposed at the
edge of the façade, it shall also extend along the adjoining face no less than twenty-four inches.
CI-139 – Definition of Big Box Retail: Re-named “big-box retail” to “wholesale retail” and amended the
definition to address the following: type of consumers, type of products sold, the display and storage of
products, and nature of how products are delivered/retrieved from the building rather than the size of
the building. The revisions reflect that retail uses should be categorized by the nature of the business
rather than physical characteristics of the building.
CI-140 – Retroactive Application of ULS Code: In 2016, code was developed for Unit Lot Subdivisions,
which allows for the subdivision of land underlying townhouse units. At the time of adoption a provision
was included to allow subdivision of land of existing townhouse developments. CI-140 added a provision
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City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000638, ECF
Report of Monday, October 15, 2018 Page 3 of 4
ERC_SR_ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket13D_20181015
that limits retroactive application of ULS code to townhouse developments that obtained a Certificate of
Occupancy prior to the adoption of the ULS code in order to prevent circumvention of standards
applicable to the ULS code (e.g., street standards).
CI-141 – Nonconforming Uses; Manufactured Home Parks and Detached Dwellings: RMC 4-10-060
provides standards for existing legally established uses that do not comply with current regulations for
the zone. CI-141 added a provision that allows the placement of a manufactured home on a previously
approved manufactured home park “lot,” regardless of zoning. An additional provision was added to
permit nonconforming, detached single-family dwellings to be altered or enlarged subject to the
development standards and use provisions of the R-14 zone rather than the commercial zoning standards
that might otherwise be applicable.
CI-142 – Residential Design; Scale, Bulk, and Character: Reinforces the intention of this code section,
which is aimed at establishing diverse residential communities. CI-142 requires that a variety of
elevations and models that demonstrate a variety of home sizes, character, and a diverse streetscape
shall be used. Abutting, adjacent, and diagonal houses must have differing architectural elevations.
CI-143 – Noise Level Regulations; Designation of Zoned Areas: By designating local Environmental
Designations for Noise Abatement (EDNA) by zone, the City unintentionally created circumstances
where multi-family developments in commercial zones are not afforded the same noise regulations as
multi-family development in residential zones. CI-143 removed zone specific EDNAs from Code and
adopts by reference Washington Administrative Code Section 173-60-030, which designates EDNAs by
use.
CI-144 – Site Plan Review for Medical Institutions, Assisted Living and Convalescent Care in Low Density
Residential Zones (RC - R-8): Created a provision that requires site plan review for medical institutions,
assisted living, and convalescent care facilities, regardless of zone. Prior to CI-144, site plan review was
not required in low density residential zones and was added due to the scale and intensity of such
projects.
CI-145 – Clear Vision Area: Amended the definition of “clear vision area” to allow a maximum structure
or planting height of forty-two inches and prohibited signs over forty-two inches in height within twenty
feet of intersections and driveways. Changes were needed to create consistent application of clear
vision area standards, as the majority of code sections already reflect forty-two inches as the maximum
height limit for structures in the clear vision area.
CI-146 – Rear Yard Setbacks for ADUs: Clarified that the rear setback for accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
with a garage or carport should be measured from the farthest edge of the alley right-of-way, rather
than the back edge of the alley and that rear yard setbacks for ADUs that do not incorporate a garage or
carport should be measured from the rear property line of the property in which it is located.
CI-147 – Reconsideration of Shoreline Permits: Clarified that reconsideration requests are not permitted
for permits subject to the Shoreline Management Act, including Shoreline Substantial Development
Permits, Shoreline Conditional Use Permits, and Shoreline Variances. Due to the difference in appeal
processes between shoreline permits and other locally issued permits or decisions, the option of a
reconsideration request is not appropriate for any type of shoreline permit. PENDING
Wireless Communication Facilities: RMC 4-5-060 exempts wireless communication facilities located within the public
way. This is in conflict with requirements of RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities. The code revision seeks
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1A4E655A-59FC-49B7-9161-BDD43A02780E
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Environmental Review Committee Report
2018 DOCKET 13 GROUP B LUA18-000638, ECF
Report of Monday, October 15, 2018 Page 4 of 4
ERC_SR_ERC Report RMC Title IV Docket13D_20181015
to remove the exemption in RMC 4-5-060 to provide for consistent review and permitting of Wireless Communication
Facilities.
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.
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 Department 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 November 2, 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.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1A4E655A-59FC-49B7-9161-BDD43A02780E