HomeMy WebLinkAboutJim Biteman public comment responseFrom: Angelea Weihs
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 5:00 PM
To: Jim Biteman
Cc: Chip Vincent; Julia Medzegian; Ruth Perez; Armondo Pavone
Subject: RE: D07-045 Wilson Park Final PUD / LUA19-000086
Hello Jim,
Thank you for your comments on Wilson Park 2 Final PUD, LUA19-000086, you will be added to the
project’s party of record list and your comments will be saved in the projects official file and considered
when making a decision on the Final PUD. In response to your concerns regarding safety for vehicle
movements from the new proposed roadway and South 55th St. please note that this issue was studied
and evaluated by the City when the preliminary application was submitted in 2012. With this original
application, the applicant submitted a Traffic Impact Analysis Report prepared by TraffEx (Northwest
Traffic Experts, dated June 23, 2009 and supplemented January 25, 2012). Traffic safety and site
distance was evaluated in the provided report, and reviewed as part of the Environmental Review
(SEPA), Preliminary Plat and PUD process conduced in 2012 under LUA12-013. The provided traffic
study, SEPA determination and the Hearing Examiner’s Decision on the Preliminary Plat and PUD
conclude that the project design will ensure intersection and stopping sight distance requirements in
both the east and west directions would be met. Furthermore, the study concluded the location of the
new road on the outside of a horizontal curve optimizes sight distance in both directions for vehicles
entering and existing the site. The Preliminary Plat and PUD received Hearing Examiner approval on July
5, 2012. No appeals to the Hearing Examiner decision were submitted and the original determination
made by the City would stand that the new road as designed would meet the standard intersection
stopping sight distance. The applicant has applied for a Final PUD application, which is intended to
review compliance with all the conditions of the original approved Preliminary Plat and PUD. The Final
PUD application is vested to the regulations in effect at the time of preliminary application, and
therefore the City cannot re-evaluate the traffic issues at this time. The City will ensure that the project
is constructed according to the approved site distance. Once again, thank you for your comments. We
appreciate your concerns regarding traffic safety; however, we are bound by the vested rules and
regulations that applied to the preliminary application.
Sincerely,
Angelea Weihs
Associate Planner, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-7312
On May 21, 2019, at 11:49 AM, Jim Biteman <jimbiteman@gmail.com> wrote:
Good Morning Angelea,
My name is Jim Biteman. My wife and I have lived on Snake Hill in the
Springbrook Terrace neighborhood at 19203 98th Ave So Renton 98055 (prior to
1986 it was 9639 So 192nd) for over 30 years one of the oldest houses in the area,
an neat little 1903 farm house. I am a lifelong resident of Renton graduating from
Renton High in the early '80s.
I am writing regarding LAU19-000086. I tried finding information on the City
website but was unable to find it, user error I am sure. The comment period
ended on May 17th according to the notice we received in the mail so I apologize
for not getting this to you sooner.
The concern I have is shared among just about every resident of our area and I am
sure would also be expressed by many of the hundreds if not thousands of
commuters who have turned So 55th/SE 192nd into a main arterial for people
from as far away as Enumclaw who are looking for a route to Renton and
beyond. In the morning hours, traffic coming west on So 55th/SE 192nd comes to
the stop sign Talbot Road before they turn north. Every morning there are cars
backed up So 55th/SE 192nd from Talbot Road, east over two blocks at a
standstill up into Snake Hill. This in itself is a dangerous scenario given the
volume of vehicles, steep grade of the hill and the slippery surface when cars
come down Snake Hill at speed. And on a rainy day the danger is amplified
significantly. In the time we have lived there we have heard or been witness to no
less than 40 accidents on our hill, including one fatality.
The concern I wish to express is the location of the proposed street entrance to the
future development, Wilson Park II. When the initial project plan was proposed
many years ago for a larger development project on this property the same
concerns were raised. Fast forward to 2019 and we have even more vehicles
using So 55th/SE 192nd as their main thoroughfare. The location of the entrance
will place it at the apex of the last turn on Snake Hill. The Safety mitigation
planning and review that must take place prior to approval of this project by the
City cannot be understated. Cars turning into the proposed development from
both directions will cause serious safety risks to themselves and their fellow
commuters. Located just 50-60 feet to the west of the proposed entrance is the
entrance to Springbrook Terrace. Cars are in and out of this neighborhood on a
regular basis and in doing so oftentimes put themselves in harm's way to go both
east or west due to the number of vehicles, speed of the vehicles in both directions
and the limited visibility of those coming down Snake Hill's curves. Placing this
entrance on So 55th/SE 192nd and in the proposed location is very dangerous
plan.
The only other option that could be available for an entrance would be on the
southeast corner of the property. The same safety issues are present, though there
would be far less "traffic interaction" (cross-traffic) due to the fact there is not
another development entrance across the street. Additionally, cars are travelling
at a lower rate of speed in that location.
The Safety concerns with the proposed entrance location are very real. I am a
Facilities manager with Boeing. Safety is my job every day. I evaluate Site
Safety concerns and provide real solutions to Safety concerns. When needed, I
also provide decisions that do not allow projects or jobs to proceed without
extensive mitigation or sometimes at all.
Angelea, I appreciate you taking the time to read through my concern. Safety is
the most important thing any of us can focus on for ourselves and those around
us. This proposal has me very concerned about the welfare of those who use So
55th/SE 192nd every day. I would be very happy to talk or meet with someone
regarding these concerns should the opportunity arise.
I have cc'd two City Council members on this correspondence, Armondo and
Ruth, for some added visibility on this concern.
Warm Regards,
Jim Biteman
206-854-5175
--
Jim