HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 3454 REPEALS 3287 AMENDS 3300
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CITY OF RENTON, ASHINGTON ,
ORDINANCE NO. 3454
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE IV
(BUILDING REGULATIONS) OF ORDINANCE NO. 1628
ENTITLED "CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY
OF RENTON" RELATING TO THE LAND USE HEARING
EXAMINER
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: Existing Sections 4-3004, 3010, 3011, 3013, 3014, 3015,
3016 and 3017 of Chapter 30 of Title IV (Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628
entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton" are hereby amended to
read as follows:
Section 4-3004, as amended: APPOINTMENT AND TERM:
The Mayor shall appoint with concurrence of not less than four (4)
members of the Renton City Council, the Examiner and Examiner Pro Tem to serve
in said office for a term which shall expire on January 31, 1983. The term shall
thereafter expire on the last day of January of each odd numbered years.
Section 4-3010, as amended: DUTIES OF THE EXAMINER:
(A) Applications and Decisions: The Examiner shall receive and examine
available information, conduct public hearings, prepare a record thereof, and enter
findings of fact, conclusions based upon those facts and a decision which shall represent
the final action on the application, unless appealed, as hereinbelow specified, for the
following types of applications:
1. Short plats
2. Special use permits
3. Conditional use permits
4. Temporary use permits
5. Shoreline variance and conditional permits
6. Site approval permits
7. Waivers and exceptions
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8. Appeals from administrative determination of the City's
land use regulation codes
9. Fill permits
10. Applications for any other land use regulatory permits which may be
required by ordinances.
11. Appeal of environmental determinations required by the Renton
Environmental Ordinance.
12. Variances from the provisions of this Title, for any proposed development
requiring any permit or approval by the Examiner.
(B) Applications and Recommendations: The Examiner shall receive and
examine available information, conduct public hearings, prepare a record thereof and
enter findings of fact and conclusions based upon those facts, together with a
recommendation to the City Council, for the following applications:
1. Change of zone classification (Rezones)
2. Preliminary Plats
3. Planned Unit Developments
4. Special Permits requiring City Council approval
The City Council shall have final authority to act on such applications.
(C) Final Plat Applications: The Examiner shall receive and examine available
information, prepare a record thereof and enter findings of fact and conclusions based
upon those facts, together with a recommendation to the City Council, for final plat
applications. The City Council shall have final authority to act on such applications.
Section 4-3011, as amended: APPLICATIONS:
(A) Applications to Planning Department: Applications as specified in Section
4-3010, except appeals of administrative or environmental determinations shall be filed
with the Planning Department.
1. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of an application the Planning
Department shall determine whether the application is complete. If complete,
the application shall be accepted. If the application is not complete, the
Planning Department shall request the applicant to provide additional information
as necessary to complete the application. Within ten (10) days of receipt of
new or additional information, the Planning Department shall accept or reject
the application.
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2. The applicant shall be advised of the date of acceptance of the application
and of the environmental determination. The applicant shall be advised of the
date of any public hearing at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing.
(B) Applications to Examiner: Appeals from administrative determinations
of the City's land use regulation codes and from environmental determinations required
by the Renton Environmental Ordinance may be taken to the Hearing EXaminer by any
person aggrieved, or by any officer, department, board or bureau of the city, affected
by such determination.
1. Any such appeal shall be filed in writing with the Examiner within the
following time limits:
(a) Appeals of a final environmental determination under the Renton
Environmental Ordinance shall be filed within fourteen (14) days of
publication of notice of, such determination.
(b) Appeals from an administrative decision pursuant to this chapter
shall be filed within fourteen days of the date that the action was taken.
2. Immediately upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the Hearing Examiner
shall forward to the officer from whom the appeal is being taken a copy of
the notice of appeal. Upon receiving such notice, the officer from whom the
appeal is being taken shall transmit to the Hearing Examiner, all of the records
pertaining to the decision being appealed, together with such additional written
reports as are deemed pertinent. The Examiner may request additional
information from the applicant.
3. A written notice of the time and place of the hearing at which the
appeal will be considered by the Examiner shall be mailed to applicant, all
parties of record in the case, and to the officer from whom the appeal is
taken not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing.
4. The Examiner may hear and consider any pertinent facts pertaining to
the appeal. The Examiner may affirm the decision or remand the case for
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further proceedings; or it may reverse the decision if the substantial rights of
the applicant may have been prejudiced because the decision is:
(a) in violation of constitutional provisions; or
(b) in excess of the authority or jurisdiction of the agency; or
(c) made upon unlawful procedure; or
(d) affected by other error of law; or
(e) clearly erroneous in view of the entire record as submitted; or
(f) arbitrary or capricious.
To that end, the Examiner shall have all of the powers of the office from
whom the appeal is taken insofar as the decision on the particular issue is
concerned.
5. The action of the Hearing Examiner in the case of appeals from
administrative determinations and environmental determinations shall be final
and conclusive, unless within twenty (20) calendar days from the date of the
decision an aggrieved party or person obtains a writ of review from the Superior
Court of Washington for King County, for purpose of review of the action
taken.
Section 4-3013, as amended: PUBLIC HEARING:
(A) Before rendering a decision or recommendation on any application for
which a public hearing is required, the Examiner shall hold at least one public hearing
thereon. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be given as provided
in the ordinance governing the application. If none is specifically set forth, such
notice shall be given at least ten (10) days prior to such hearing
(B) On applications requiring approval by the City Council, the public hearing
before the Examiner, if required, shall constitute the hearing by the City Council.
(C) The Examiner shall have the power to prescribe rules and regulations
for the conduct of hearings under this Ordinance subject to confirmation by the City
Council, and to administer oaths and preserve order.
(D) At the close of the testimony the Examiner may close the public hearing,
continue the hearing to a time and date certain, or close the public hearing pending
the submission of additional information on or before a date certain.
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(E) Until final action on the application is taken the Examiner may dismiss
the application for failure to diligently pursue the application after notice is given to
all parties of record.
Section 4-3014, as amended: EXAMINER'S DECISION AND
RECOMMENDATION; FINDINGS REQUIRED:
(A) Unless the time is extended pursuant to this Section, within fourteen
(14) days of the conclusion of a hearing, or the date set for submission of additional
information pursuant to this Chapter, the Examiner shall render a written decision,
including findings from the record and conclusions therefrom, and shall transmit a copy
of such decision by regular mail, postage pre-paid, to the applicant and other parties
of record in the case requesting notice of the decision. The person mailing the decision,
together with the supporting documents, shall prepare an affidavit of mailing, in
standard form, and the affidavit shall become a part of the record of the proceedings.
In the case of applications requiring City Council approval, the Examiner shall file his
decision with the City Council members individually at the expiration of the appeal
period for the decision.
(B) In extraordinary cases, the time for filing of the recommendation or
decision of the Examiner may be extended for not more than thirty (30) days after
the conclusion of the hearing if the Examiner finds that the amount and nature of the
evidence to be considered, or receipt of additional information which cannot be made
available within the normal decision period, requires the extension. Notice of the
extension, stating the reasons therefor, shall be forwarded to all parties of record in
the manner set forth in this Section for notification of the Examiner's decision.
(C) Change of Zone Classification (Rezone):
1. In any case where a change of the zone classification of property is
recommended, at least one of the following circumstances shall be found to
apply:
a. That substantial evidence was presented demonstrating the subject
reclassification appears not to have been specifically considered at the
time of the last area land use analysis and area zoning; or
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b. That the property is potentially classified for the proposed zone
being requested pursuant to the policies set forth in the Comprehensive
Plan and conditions have been met which would indicate the change is
appropriate; or
c. That since the last previous land use analysis of the area zoning
of the subject property, authorized public improvements, permitted
private development or other circumstances affecting the subject property
have undergone significant and material change.
2. If the Hearing Examiner further determines that the change of the zone
classification is advisable, in the public interest, tends to further the p�,Q.servation
and enjoyment of any substantial property rights of the petitioner, is not
materially detrimental to the public welfare or the properties of other persons
located in the vicinity thereof, and is in harmony with the purposes and effect
of the Comprehensive Plan, then in such event, the Hearing Examiner may
recommend that the City Council approve the change of the zone classification.
(D) Conditions: The Examiner's recommendation or decision may be to grant
or deny the application, or the Examiner may require of the applicant such conditions,
modifications and restrictions as the Examiner finds necessary to make the application
compatible with its environment and carry out the objectives and goals of the
Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Ordinance, the Codes and
Ordinances of the City of Renton, and the approved preliminary plat, if applicable.
Conditions, modifications and restrictions which may be imposed are, but are not
limited to, additional set backs, screenings in the form of landscaping and fencing,
covenants, easements and dedications of additional road rights of way. Performance
bonds may be required to insure compliance with the conditions, modifications and
restrictions.
(E) Termination of Decision: The City declares that circumstances
surrounding land use decisions change rapidly over a period of time. In order to assure
the compatibility of a decision with current needs and concerns, any such decision
must be limited in duration, unless the action or improvements authorized by the
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decision is implemented promptly. Any application or permit approved pursuant to
this chapter with the exception of rezones shall be implemented within two (2) years
of such approval unless other time limits are prescribed elsewhere in the Renton
Municipal Code. Any application or permit which is not so implemented shall terminate
at the conclusion of that period of time and become null and void. The Examiner
may grant one extension of time for a maximum of one year for good cause shown.
The burden of justification shall rest with the applicant. For large scale or phase
development projects, the Examiner may at the time of approval or recommendation
set forth time limits for expiration which exceed those prescribed in this Section for
such extended time limits as are justified by the record of the action.
Section 4-3015, as amended: RECONSIDERATION: Any interested person
feeling that the decision of the Examiner is based on an erroneous procedure, errors
of law or fact, error in judgment, or the discovery of new evidence which could not
be reasonably available at the prior hearing, may make a written application for review
by the Examiner within fourteen (14) days after the written decision of the Examiner
has been rendered. The application shall set forth the specific errors relied upon by
such appellant, and the Examiner may, after review of the record, take further action
as the Examiner deems proper. The Examiner may request further information which
shall be provided within ten (10) days of the request. The Examiner's written decision
on the request for reconsideration shall be transmitted to all parties of record within
ten (10) days of receipt of the application for reconsideration or receipt of the additional
information requested, whichever is later.
Section 4-3016, as amended: APPEAL: Unless an ordinance' providing for
review of decision of the Examiner requires review thereof by' the Superior Court,
any interested party aggrieved by the Examiner's written decision or recommendation
may submit a notice of appeal in writing to the City Council requesting a review of
the decision by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk within fourteen (14)
calendar days from the date of Examiner's written report. The notice of appeal shall
be accompanied by a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) payable to the City of Renton.
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(A) The written notice of appeal shall fully, clearly and thoroughly specify
the substantial error(s) in fact or law which exist in the record of the proceedings
from which the appellant seeks relief.
(B) Within five (5) days of receipt of the notice of appeal, the City Clerk
shall notify all parties of record of the receipt of the appeal. Other parties of record
may submit letters in support of their positions within ten (10) days of the date of
mailing of the notification of the filing of the notice of appeal.
(C) Thereupon the Clerk shall forward to the members of the City Council
all of the pertinent documents, including the written decision or recommendation,
findings and conclusions contained in the Examiner's report, the notice of appeal, and
additional letters submitted by the parties.
(D) No public hearing shall be held by the City Council. No new or additional
evidence or testimony shall be accepted by the City Council unless a showing is made
by the party offering the evidence that the evidence could not reasonably have been
available at the time of the hearing before the Examiner. If the Council determines
that additional evidence is required, the Council may remand the matter to the Examiner
for reconsideration. The cost of transcription of the hearing record shall be borne by
the appellant.
(E) The consideration by the City Council shall be based solely upon the
record, the Examiner's report, the notice of appeal and additional submissions by parties.
If, after examination of the record, the Council determines that a substantial error in
fact or law exists in the record, it may remand the proceeding to the Examiner for
reconsideration or modify or reverse the decision of the Examiner accordingly. The
Council's decision shall be in writing and shall specify any modified or amended findings
and conclusions. Each material finding shall be supported by substantial evidence in
the record. The burden of proof shall rest with the appellant.
Section 4-3017, as amended: COUNCIL ACTION: Any application requiring
action by the City Council shall be evidenced by minute entry unless otherwise required
by law. When taking any such final action, the Council shall make and enter findings
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of fact from the record and conclusions therefrom which c support its action. Unless
otherwise specified, the City Council shall be presumed to have adopted the Examiner's
findings and conclusions.
(A) In the case of a change of the zone classification of property (rezone),
the City Clerk shall place the ordinance on the Council's agenda for first reading.
Final reading of the ordinance shall not occur until all conditions, restrictions, or
modifications which may have been required by the Council have been accomplished
or provisions for compliance made to the satisfaction of the Legal Department.
(B) All other applications requiring Council action shall be placed on the
Council's agenda for consideration.
(C) The action of the Council, approving, modifying or rejecting a decision
of the Examiner, shall be final and conclusive, unless within twenty (20) calendar days
from the date of the action an aggrieved party or person obtains a writ of review
from the Superior Court of Washington for King County, for purpose of review of the
t
action taken.
SECTION II: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
SECTION III: This Ordinance being necessary for the preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, shall take effect and be in force and effect upon its passage,
approval and five days after its publication.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 28th day July , 1980.
Motor, `Deputy -City Clerk II
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 28th day of July , 1980.
Thomas W. Triinm, Mayor.-Pro tem
Approved as to form:
C
Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney
Date of Publication: August 6; 1980
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