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Home My WebLink AboutORD 3589 84/02---'10 #0503 E RE CI-k F 0.AS HS L 17.00 22 PE C ORIDE"D I I T) y F 23ED CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON ORDINANCE NO. 3589 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON AMENDING THE CITY ' S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND MAPS AND DATA IN CONJU14CTION THEREWITH RELATING TO CERTAIN PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF THE CITY OF RENTON. WHEREAS the Planning Commission of the City of Renton and the City Council have heretofore adopted and filed a "Comprehensive Plan" as evidenced by Resolution No . 1240 ,' and Ordinance No . 2142 , M and as same have been implemented and amended from time to time , together with the adoption of various codes , reports and records , and WHEREAS since said adoption the Planning Commission has V ItV heretofore duly recommended to the City Council , from time to time X certain amendments to said City' s "Comprehensive Plan" ; ; and WHEREAS the Planning Commission held a public hearing on or about September 24 , 1981 ; and WHEREAS the Planning Commission has made certain findings and recommendations to the City Council , including implementing policies for the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan, which implementing policies were approved and are hereby adopted by the City Council of the City of Renton ; and WHEREAS the City Council has duly determined, after due consideration of the testimony and evidence before it that it is advisable and appropriate to amend and modify the City ' s "Comprehensive Plan" and such modification being in the best interest and for the Public benefit , NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS : SECTION I : The aforestated findings and recitals are hereby found to be true and correct in all respects . CERTIFICKrE 1, the undersigned, M 4,rllut,: AO-n e--C1 er'k of the City of Renton, Washington, certify;that this �s A true and correct copy of Subscribed and Seated this ..day! i -19 S.V .................... .................... City Clerk SECTION II : The Comprehensive Plan and maps , data and reports in support of that Comprehensive Plan are hereby modified and amended, and the properties contained within the Northeast Quadrant are hereby designated the land use designations as shown on Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth. SECTION III : The Planning Director is hereby authorized and directed to make the necessary changes on said City ' s "Comprehensive Plan." and the maps in conjunction therewith to evidence the afore- C) described amendment . lly SECTION IV : The City Clerk is further authorized and direct( Vto file this Ordinance as provided by law, and a complete copy of said pip document likewise being on file with the office of the City Clerk of the City of Renton . SECTION V. This Ordinance shall be effective upon its passage , approval and five days after its publication. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 14th day of December , 1981 . Zhl Delores MaC ea , i y Clerk APPROVED BY THE MAYOR. this 14th day of December, 1981 . Barbara Y. S inpocn, Mayor Approved as to form : Lawrence J . Warren, City Attorney Date of Publication: December 18 , 1931 t NORTHEAST RENTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN i Tv - --- - LAKE VASHINGTON l Northeast Planning Area I y O v- - i ' Ceder I i i city of renton planning dept I october 1981 DESCRIPTION OF TETE NORTHFAST COMPREIT2451W PLAN The Northeast Planning Area is the third of four areas targeted for review and update of the original Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 1965. The Comprehensive Plan represents a long-range framework for decision-making related to the issues of growth and physical development of the City. Adoption of the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan, like the previously adopted Southeast and Green River Valley Plans, will supercede those portions of the 1965 city-wide plan which are in conflict with this revision. The Northeast Quadrant Committee used a sub-area approach in preparing this plan amendment. Sixteen sub-areas of the Northeast Quadrant were identified and at least three different land use arrangements were developed for each sub-area. For the purpose of an early analysis and comparison, a weighted environmental matrix, was used to qualitatively rank each of the sub-area alternatives. Three plans were then created by combining sub-area alternatives with low, medium and high estimated environmental consequences. These plans generally reflect a range of land use intensities and are titled the LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH Density Plans. The recommended NORTHEAST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN is a composite of the three working draft plans. M (MAP 1) O tl� 00 I. SCOPE OF PLAN PROPOSALS The Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan provides a policy framework for growth ..� and development for those areas of Renton north of the Cedar River and east of the 1-405 Freeway and Lake Washington. Although the Land Use Element map illustrates the ultimate pattern of development, actual development of property will occur over the next 20 to 50 years. Not all areas designated for urban uses in the Land Use Element will be appropriate for development within the 1990 time-frame of the Plan. As a result, the discussion of issues such as utilities, transportation and other services are only adequate for projected development through the year 1990. The proposed Northeast Quadrant Pian covers nearly 11,700 acres, with the projected development of 4590 households providing for a population increase of about 12,750 persons between 1978 and 1990. The following figures illustrate some of the changes expected by 1990. NORTHEAST PLANNING AREA 1978 Single Family Households 8,680 Multiple Family Households 21140 Total Population 30,300 1990 Single Family Households 11,410 Multiple Family Households 4,000 Estimated Population 43,050 Full development (After the year 2000) Single Family Households 35,000 Multiple Family Households 15,000 Estimated Population 110,000 The currently available public service, utility and transportation systems are not capable of accommodating full development of the Planning area. Further, unknown or unforeseen dimensions of policy, energy, environmental and other considerations will affect future decisions on land use within the Planning area. Therefore, the Plan Elements which address the infra- structure for accommodating physical development illustrate only those facilities which will be required to support 1990 population levels. However, the location of specific developments Is difficult to anticipate, so the Infrastructure plans will, in most cases, provide service to a population base which would not exist before the mid-1990's. Current City policy states that urban growth and development, as well as services and utilities to support such growth, should only occur in a logical and timely progression. The distinction between lands which are "potentially appropriate" and sites which are "ready now" for a specific land use is important. Section 3.A. of the adopted Policies Element of the Comprehensive Plan recommends maximizing the use of available utility and service resources and provides crucial guidance to the Hearing Examiner and City Council in making this distinction. 3.A. LAND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: Growth and development should occur in a timely and logical progression of the existing urban area O to maximize the use of existing services. Q POLICIES: O ~ 1. To minimize the necessity for redevelopment, premature V development should only be allowed where it can be shown to be compatible with future uses in the vicinity. 2. Development beyond the urban fringe should only be allowed where it is a consistent extension of urban services. 3. Vacant land surrounded by developed land should be given priority for development. 4. Land where adequate public utilities are available should be given priority for development. 5. A balance of residential, commercial, and industrial areas should be achieved. 6. The upgrading and/or redevelopment of marginal areas should be encouraged. 7. The City should identify its sphere of influence. 8. Annexations should have logical boundaries. 9. To reduce processing time and effort and provide for efficient use of existing public facilities, large annexations should be encouraged. 10. Annexations that are economically advantageous should be encouraged. 11. Development requirements should be definite and reasonable. The fiscal impacts of prudent consideration of these policies is obvious. if new growth can be accommodated at an average cost of, for example, $5.00 per person, it would not be appropriate to develop a service system which costs $10.00 per person. By consciously directing future land use and infrastructure decisions to certain neighberhoods or corridors, both fiscal and environmental consequences can be reduced. i Of equal importance, however, is the need to remain flexible to future needs of the planning area. If population growth substantially exceeds the projections considered in this Plan, adjustments in both policy and service development must be made. it would be just as inappropriate to fail to accommodate a demonstrated need for expanded development, as it would to over-zone or over-extend utilities and services. il. ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN -- Land Use The land use distribution within the plan closely follows the primary transportation corridors. Higher intensity land uses (multiple family, commercial and employment) are concentrated primarily along NE 3rd/NE 4th and Sunset Blvd. Other areas of multiple family or commercial development are located adjacent to 1-405 Freeway at the Maple Valley Highway, north of Park Drive along Lake Washington Blvd. and near NE 44th. Neighborhood commercial areas are planned at SE 72nd and Coal Creek Parkway and SE 128th and 164th Avenue SE. The plan also designates single family, public/quasi-public, recreational and greenbelt uses. In addition to the land use categories currently found in the Comprehensive plan, the Northeast Quadrant Plan contains another designation. Within the planning area there are a number of areas which are not appropriate for residential purposes, but which could adversely impact the natural environment if developed to typical commercial standards. Therefore, a new land use classification of OFFICE PARK is proposed which is intended to allow the broadest range of commercial, professional or administrative LO offices to be located in a "park-like" or "campus" setting. Development within an © OFFICE PARK should institute the highest degree of architectural compatibility to the C� r-I site, include major setbacks from public streets and adjacent uses, provide for up to 20% of the site to be retained in landscaped open space, and integrate significant natural elements contained on the site into the overall design. Community Facilities The Community Facilities Element recognizes those facilities, such as schools, parks, fire stations, libraries and related similar uses, which are public/quasi-public. The plan proposes some expansion of existing park areas and school facilities to improve their recreational capabilities. Recognizing the rapidly urbanizing nature of the Planning Area, there is a significant need for active recreational facilities normally included in a park with a minimum site area of five to ten acres. As urbanization increases, the need for such park facilities as baseball diamonds, playground equipment; and tennis courts will substantially increase and these facilities should be provided. Potential park areas, as indicated on Map 2 and the land use map, may show a general area of need rather than a specific site or location. The Plan as proposed does not project the need for additional school facilities in view of the existing and the possibility of areas a Y � i school enrollment in some , P facilities ies availa ble declining facilit , 9 bussing students to gain maximum use of present facilities and the public investment therein. Generally, fire stations, libraries and other public facilities are indicated just as they currently exist. Transportation/Circulation Circulation within the Northeast Quadrant is dominated by three east-west and three north-south corridors. NORTHEAST • COMPREHENSIVE MAP _ COMMERCIAL LOW DENSITY _ ` LJ mui.Ti-FAmwy - RECREATION HIGH_ - GREENBELT PUBLIC LAND USE ELEMENT l loll s O 1 � i I � loll .. Ir. 111 .� ` . NORTHEAST . RENTON - COMPREHENSIVE PLANti�►P ` 2 COMMUNITY FACILITIES Parks Schools «„ Existing 91 Eleentay mr Proposed/Undev. Middle/High i Private Vocational Library Fire Stations LAKE \ E ® Existing 'WASHINGM Proposed FEET. 0 1000 3000 5000 .. ,, � St X•57 - MILES: .0 1 I a_. t, �. ��—• �� Mar ;R o c Q CLLNQ MM v ' H •� J W ; f .: a : ao CY • E vaC CAR r i ='rtb3'. r • V 128ith f. N.E • A 1 « f q r P 8 NORTHEAST RENTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN{ MAp. 3 CIRCULATION ELEMENT Major Arterial Freeway i %/ Secondary Arterial swung Proposed LAKE + a' m Collector Arterial Roadway WASHNGTON -E • , , i. FEET-0 1000 3000 5000 ` MILES: 0 1 1 H ' E � f °• � `''moi � � � I 1Aum1 bus P*IC CAP a sE 128 h 111 01 go �a • I N ' • , f I 4,p ■ f ♦ a r` •a r■ . • � I I 1 E: East-West North-South Maple Valley Highway Interstate 405 Freeway N.E. 3rd/4th/S.E. 128th Lake Washington Blvd. Sunset Blvd. Coal Creek Parkway/ Renton-Issaquah Road 138th Avenue S.E. Besides these arterial corridors, numerous collector and minor streets provide access to Individual parcels. The Circulation Element Map (Map 3) recognizes existing streets and arterials as the circulation network for the Northeast Planning Area. In addition, the Plan identifies two corridors which are expected to augment circulation In the planning area. First, Edmonds Avenue N.E. is proposed to be extended from N.E. 3rd southerly to Maple O Valley Highway. This link will help to reduce traffic which must currently utilize the 0 Sunset Blvd. N. intersections at Bronson Way and N.E. 3rd for local access trips. The ® second improvement, which was previously identified in the Southeast Quadrant Plan, O calls for an arterial link connecting the East Renton and Soos Creek plateaus. The r"I Intent of this corridor is to connect the 138th Avenue S.E. and 140th Place S.E. systems 04 across the Cedar River Valley. No specific route is proposed by the Plan. The proposed Plan recognizes the difficulty in attempting to accommodate anticipated new development while retaining the existing emphasis upon the single occupant vehicle as the primary transportation mode. The Plan proposes the implementation of non-roadway solutions to circulation problems wherever the cost effectiveness of those approaches exists. The Plan encourages alternatives to the private automobile, Including transit, carpool and park-n-ride opportunities. The efforts of METRO Transit, the Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions to provide these services in a manner which discourages private automobile use at peak hours is endorsed. The Plan calls for Implementation of park-n-ride/park-n-pool facilities at locations east of 138th Avenue S.E. to serve East Renton Plateau residents. Transit and carpool facilities should be emphasized in those areas where development density is sufficient to support their utilization. High occupancy vehicle lanes on FAI-405 and key arterial corridors are also endorsed by the Plan where the cost/benefit relationship warrants such Installations. Utilities The majority of the incorporated land within the planning area has water, sanitary sewers and storm drainage available. The Renton Public Works Department has developed Comprehensive Plans for additional water and sewer service within the city franchise areas. Storm drainage, however, Is currently handled on a case-by-case basis. The Northeast Quadrant Plan recognizes these existing utility plans, as well as W.D. 90 and W.D. 107 plans, while endorsing those sections of the POLICIES ELEMENT related to utility development and extension. For those segments of the planning area where utilities are unavailable, the Plan recognizes the need for their extension to serve the land use development expected through 1990. However, the Plan recommends the installation of utilities only in those areas where the utility extensions logically enhance new development potentials. These areas are identified generally as located west of 142nd Avenue S.E. from the Cedar River Valley northerly to the May Creek Valley. North of May Creek, new utilities should be concentrated west of 116th Avenue S.E. north to the Lake Boren area. i Extension of utilities to currently unserviced areas should be consistent with good engineering practice and existing policies of the Comprehensive Plan. Cost effectiveness of utility extensions should consider both capital and maintenance and operating costs, in conjunction with the relative costs versus benefits of extending urban development Into the new service areas. Policies The Policies Element of the Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Cit Council in P Y February 1981. These goals, policies and objectives apply to the city as a whole, but are incorporated specifically within the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan. The Land Use Element and other elements of the proposed Plan should not be viewed without recognition of the policy guidelines provided by this document. tl� NORTHEAST COLGIZ34ENSIM PLAN O ti IMPLEMENTING POLICIES N 0 LAND USE OBJECTIVE: The Land Use Element of the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan is intended to be a general guide to land use decision making. POLICIES: 1. Land use decisions within the Northeast Quadrant should be consistent with available transportation, community facilities, and utilities. 2. The Land Use Plan illustrates full development, and not every parcel is appropriate for development within the 1990 time-frame of the plan. 3. Land development should progress logically from west to east on the East Renton Plateau and from south to north In the Kennydale and Hazelwood areas. 4. To help balance home to work traffic trips the Land Use Plan strongly endorses employment opportunities in the vicinity of N.E. 44th and Interstate 405 and the vicinity of N.E. 4th and Duvall Avenue N.E. 5. An Office Park land use classification should be developed consistent with the following design criteria: a. Provide for a transitional land use intensity consistent with both commercial and residential areas and the natural environment. b. Provide for a broad range of commercial, professional and administrative offices in a "park-like" of "campus" setting. C. Provide for a high degree of architectural compatibility with the site Including major setbacks from public streets and adjacent uses. d. Provide for up to 20% of the site to be retained in landscape open space. e. Integrate significant natural elements contained on the site into the overall design. f. Provide for accessory retail uses consistent with an office setting. 6. Approximately 60 acres of office park should be accommodated along N.E. 4th generally between Union and Duvall in accordance with land use policy #4 above. 7. Where appropriate design can be developed, mixed residential and business uses should be accommodated in commercial land use designations. 8. Upon implementation of the community shopping center allowed by Commercial Development Policy #6, the land uses adjoining the commercial and office land p use designations should be re-evaluated in light of location of the community shopping center. COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: t�2 The Land Use Plan should provide for sufficient retail services to accommodate the projected residential population. POLICIES: 1. Commercial uses developed along N.E. 4th Street and along Sunset Boulevard N.E. should be oriented within shopping centers or other sizeable complexes. 2. Strip commercial development should only be allowed when no other design alternative is available. 3. Commercial development should be designed to limit the number of access points to arterial streets. 4. Commercial development along major arterials should be designed with private perimeter access roadways which concentrate arterial street access at a minimum number of points. 5. Multiple family residential uses should be encouraged as buffers between commercial uses and less intensive uses. 6. The Land Use Plan recognizes that one Community- scale retail shopping center (20+ acres) is justified by the anticipated market for the area along N.E. 4th within the City limits during the life of the plan. Sufficient area is designated at N.E. 4th St. and Union Avenue N.E. to provide for community shopping facilities at the northwest, northeast, and southeast corners and available at the northeast corner of N.E 4th and Duvall. Only one of these corners should be developed as a retail shopping center. Upon implementation of one shopping complex, the Comprehensive Plan should be evaluated for appropriate use of the remaining corners. 7. Retail commercial facilities at S.E. 128th St. and 164th Avenue S.E. should be sufficient to serve residents of the unincorporated East Renton Plateau without requiring retail trips to be extended into the city of Renton. 8. Retail commercial uses along the Maple Valley Highway should be generally located immediately east of the Cedar River Park and not extended in strip development easterly along the Highway. COMMUNITY FACILITIES OBJECTIVE: Community facilities should be sufficient to accommodate the level of population anticipated in the Plan. POLICIES: C 1. To protect life and property, the Highlands Fire Station should be moved easterly pto the vicinity of Sunset Boulevard N.E. and Union Avenue N.E., while a new fire © station should be developed in the Kennydale area. !-i 2. Priority park improvements should focus on fulfilling existing recreational needs. 3. Neighborhood parks should place a first priority on providing for active recreational activities, with resource based parks maintaining a lower priority. 4. The Comprehensive Park Plan should serve as the guide to new park construction and design. TRANSPORTATION OBJECTIVE: The Northeast Quadrant Plan proposes an integrated transportation system including private vehicles and pedestrian/bicycle facilities. POLICIES: 1. The Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan strongly endorses the need for a traffic study to thoroughly evaluate all of the transportation requirements to accommodate the proposed level of development. 2. All east/west arterial corridors including the Maple Valley Highway, N.E. 3rd/N.E. 4th/S.E. 128th Streets and Sunset Boulevard streets should be primarily utilized for arterial street purposes. Land use activities which disrupt arterial street movements should be minimized. 3. Mass transit opportunities through effective land use design should be encouraged. 4. Park and ride and park and pool facilities should be provided at strategic locations, with particular emphasis upon facilities east of the current city limits to minimize impacts upon existing City streets. 5. Pedestrian and bicycle paths and trails should be developed between residential and commercial areas to minimize the requirement for vehicular trips to provide for convenience shopping. ARTERIAL STREET IMPROVEMENT OBJECTIVE: To provide for sufficient vehicular movement opportunities, the arterial street system should be expanded. POLICIES: 1. 138th Avenue S.E. should be extended southerly in an alignment which will provide for connection to 140th Place S.E. connecting the East Renton Plateau and the Soos Creek Plateau with a north/south arterial connection. 2. Edmonds Avenue N.E. should be extended southerly from N.E. 4th Street to the Maple Valley Highway. 3. An arterial street extension should be extended westerly from the southerly C terminus of Union Avenue S.E. to the proposed southerly extension of Edmonds UJ OAvenue S.E. on an alignment at approximately S.E. 3rd Street. T-4 4. An environmental and engineering analysis should be accomplished to determine N 0 the feasibility of extending Edmonds Avenue N.E. across May Creek to connect with 116th Avenue S.E. 5. Development along Duvall Avenue N.E. (138th Avenue S.E.) should be designed with specialized setbacks and landscaping design to create a "boulevard" architectural effect. UTILITIES OBJECTIVE: To accommodate the proposed level of growth safe and healthful public utilities should be provided. POLICIES: 1. The availability of sanitary sewers should be a prerequisite for new land development. 2. The Honeycreek Sewer Interceptor should be constructed. 3. Sanitary sewer interceptors should be constructed in the Maplewood Creek Sewer Drainage Basin. 4. During the life of the plan, City utilities should only be extended to 142nd Avenue S.E. south of May Creek, and 116th Avenue S.E. north of May Creek. 5. The May Creek Basin Plan for storm drainage should be implemented by the City in conjunction with other jurisdictions. 6. Development proposals should be conditioned or modified to maintain compliance with the May Creek Basin Plan. 7. Stream corridor guidelines, as set forth in the May Creek Basin Plan should be Implemented during development review for all greenbelt streams in the Northeast Planning Area. 8. Areas designated as "greenbelt" should be considered critical areas for storm drainage purposes. 9. Geographical areas upstream from critical storm drainage areas should also be considered critical storm drainage areas. M O LO O O ori t,2 V ti �1 NORTHEAST RENTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN f►�� WASHINGTON Planning -LAKE _ = 11 un � r CJ f inal Environmental Impact �� ®�' '�r•�n��ll '111 �� Pi Statement �r OF i IUM Renton Mwdclpd 'j `�. Renton, 9805 a city of renton planning dept september - - Of VE MY CLM , '-v- Nlunicipai Bldg. 2v�G 'ii Ave. So. Reinto T, WA 88855 ■ FINAL ■ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR NORTHEAST REWON COUPREHENSW PLAN ' I' Prepared in Compliance With: ' The State Environmental Policy Act of 1971 Chapter 43.21C, Revised Code of Washington, as amended ' SEPA Guidelines, Effective January 16, 1976 Chapter 197.10, Washington Administrative Code, as revised ' City of Renton Ordinance 3060 ' INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS NATURE AND LOCATION OF PROPOSAL The proposed action is the adoption by the City of Renton of a Comprehensive PAGE Plan amendment for the Northeast Renton Planning Area. The Comprehensive Plan is composed of map designations and policies; the Plan is the official INTRODUCTION ii planning document that assists City officials, staff and the public in the orderly DISTRIBUTION LIST iii development of the City. The Northeast Planning Area is defined as that area located north of the Cedar LIST OF RESPONDENTS v River, easterly of FAI-405 and Lake Washington, south of S.E. 64th Street in LIST OF MAPS vi Hazelwood,south of Cougar Mountain and west of 168th Avenue S.E. ACTION SPONSOR AND LEAD AGENCY SUMMARY OF DRAFT EIS 1 City of Renton Planning Department ' DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL 7 Municipal Building 200 Mill Avenue South COMMENTS RECEIVED NOT REQUIRING RESPONSE 12 Renton, Washington 98055 COMMENTS WITH RESPONSES 31 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL Renton Environmental Review Committee AUTHORS David Clemens- Acting Planning Director Gene Williams - Assistant Planner LICENSE REQUIRED Adoption of the Comprehensive Plan amendment by the Renton City Council. LOCATION OF BACKGROUND DATA Planning Department Municipal Building 200 Mill Avenue South ' Renton, Washington 98055 COST $3.00 DATE OF ISSUE OF DRAFT July 24, 1981 DATE COTS DUE August 28, 1981 DATE OF ISSUE OF FINAL September 17, 1981 i DISTRIBUTION LIST Utilities/Services Fire Protection District 10 Federal Fire Protection District 25 Environmental Protection Agency Issaquah School District 4411 Department of Housing and Urban Development Renton School District #403 Department of Energy Puget Sound Power and Light Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Engineer Washington Natural Gas Company Soils Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture Pacific Northwest Bell U. S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Water District 107 Water District 90 State Office of the Governor Libraries Office of Program Planning and Fiscal Management Renton Public Library - Main Branch Departament of Ecology University of Washington Library, College of Architecture and Department of Fisheries Urban Planning Department of Game King County Public Library System Department of Transportation Department of Social and Health Services Newspapers Ecological Commission Seattle Times Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Seattle PostAntelligencer Office of Public Archaeology, University of Washington Daily Journal of Commerce Renton Record Chronicle Regional Metro - Water Quality Division Private Organizations and Others Metro - Transit Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency Seattle Audubon Society Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce Puget Sound Council of Governments Rainier Audubon Society Seattle - King County Department of Public Health East Lake Washington Audubon Sociei!y Local Government Community Organizations (5) King County Department of Budget & Program Development King County Department of Planning and Community Development King County Department of Public Works King County Commuter Pool City of Bellevue City of Issaquah City of Seattle , City of Mercer Island City of Renton Mayor City Council Hearing Examiner's Office Planning Commission Public Works Department Parks and Recreation Department Police Department Fire Department City Attorney SEPA Information Center (Ill) (iv) r ' LIST OF RESPONDENTS Federal U. S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service State Department of Ecology LIST OF MAPS ' Department of Fisheries Department of Transportation Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation MAPS PAGE Regional Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO) Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency 1. Vicinity Map 8f Seattle/King County Commuter Pool Seattle-King County Department of Public Health 2. Low Density Plan 10f rLocal Government 3. Medium Density Plan 10f City of Bellevue City of Renton 4. High Density Plan 10f Fire Department Traffic Engineering King County Conservation District King County Department of Public Works Private Organizations and Others Belterra Development Corporation Bryn Mawr Properties Donald and Mary Ellen Hamblin r Forrest and Lois Hauck Deborah Kustetlar Land Planning and Management Lenihan, Ivers and McAteer, P.S. ' Michael O'Leary Triad Associates Ir � r � r r (v) No r i SUMMARY OF DRAFT EIS Erosion Soil disruption and vegetation removal will lead to greater soil erosion, especially in areas of high intensity development such as The Honey Creek sub-basin. DESCRIPTION of THE PROPOSAL Increased storm runoff will also contribute to erosion potential. The proposed action is the adoption by The Renton Planning Commission and City Air Council of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for the northeast portion of Increased vehicular traffic and construction activity will produce more pollutants Renton and adjacent unincorporated areas. The Comprehensive Plan provides the in the planning area. Air quality may deteriorate, although regional trends and framework for future urban growth and development in the planning area and guides emission controls may have greater effect on air pollution levels than activity in decisionmakers in managing that growth for benefit of the public welfare. the planning area. The LDPwill create more traffic volume and thus greater Several elements are included in the Comprehensive Plan proposal. The Land Use pollutant levels. Element consists of three potential patterns of land use -- a Low Density Plan (LDP), Water Medium Density Plan (MDP), and High Density Plan (HDP). Each of these designate As a result of increased impervious surfaces (roofs, streets, etc.), vegetation areas for single family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, office, removal and soil modification, surface runoff will increase in urbanized areas. public/quasi-public, greenbelt, and residential land uses. The Community Facilities Less rainfall will infiltrate the soil, or be intercepted by vegetation. Increased Element recognizes schools, parks and other public use facilities. The runoff and more rapid runoff will impact water quality through I sedimentationTransportation/Circulation Element recommends a street and arterial network for the higher temperatures, and urban pollutants. The LDP protects stream corridors,, planning area, encourages alternative modes of transportation and recommends wetlands and floodplains more effectively than the other plans. roadway standards. The Utilities Element recognizes plans for sewer, water and storm drainage facilities, but encourages actual extensions only in a gradual and logical Flora manner. Finally,the Policies Element establishes goals, objectives and policies to guide Significant vegetation removal will occur on sites that are developed. Natural the development of Renton. The Policies Element is part of the Northeast vegetation that remains will be in a segregated pattern. The more extensive Comprehensive Plan but applies to the City as a whole and has already been adopted greenbelts of the LDP should protect wooded hillsides and lowlands better than by the City Council. the other alternatives. However, MDP and HDP concentrate development ' close-in which may have less impacts on pastureland and scattered woodlands ENVOR00WENTAL MWACTS OF PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES in other portions of the planning area. I. SCOPE OF ANALYSIS Fauna Wildlife habitat will be reduced in both quality and quantity by urban growth. Full realization of the Plan is assumed for purposes of examining potential Vegetation removal, replacement of rural land by suburban density development, impacts in this Draft EIS. However, implementation of the Plan will be sedimentation and reduced water quality are the primary impacts of urban incremental and likely will not be completely accomplished during the life of the growth that will affect wildlife and fish. Consequently, some reduction in Plan (1990). The Plan makes recommendations for areas outside the City, numbers and diversity of wildlife may be anticipated. Because the LDP spreads though these recommendations are only advisory in nature. development more widely throughout the planning area, this alternative may if. ELEMENTS OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT have the greatest impacts to wildlife. Noise ' Geology and Topography Urban growth will result in increased traffic volumes and construction activity Under all alternatives, minor changes in topography are anticipated because of which are the primary sources of noise in the planning area. Therefore, some grading and filling in preparation for urban development. LDP protects more additional noise impacts may be expected under each of the plan alternatives. steep slope areas through greenbelt designations. Light And Glare Soils Residential and commercial growth will increase the amount of lighting and the Some soils will be removed, displaced or compacted at sites used for a new number of reflective surfaces in all developed areas which will result in greater development. Soils will also be covered by impervious surfaces, especially in impacts of light and glare. The HDP would have the most significant impacts densely developed areas of the MDP and HDP. The LDP will encourage more because of the concentrated high intensity development. single family development on septic tanks which may adversely affect planning area soils. Natural Resources Urban expansion will consume resources such as sand and gravel, energy, wood and metal products, as well as converting undeveloped land -- with potential for ' forest products,agricultural production and sand and gravel deposits -- to urban uses. (2) 1 111. ELEMENTS OF THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT multi-family construction. The LDP, on the other hand,has capacity to handle ' multi-family growth but little margin for choice, development limitations or shifts Land Use toward multi-family housing. Single family residential uses are designated for much of the planning area under ' each of the alternatives. Multiple family residential uses are concentrated near Economics major arterials, primarily within the corporate limits. The LDP shows about 580 The growth of population and housing expected in the Northeast Planning Area acres for multi-family development, most as low density land use. The MDP will result in economic growth for the area. Property values are expected to rise. includes 800 acres of multiple family;the HDP 840 acres, of which much is high Development of land and construction of housing will generate income for the density multi-family. Renton area. Employment will not rise significantly -- 2200 jobs between 1976 and 1990 -- because of the suburban residential nature of the area. Should the Commercial land uses are designated for the Renton Highlands, along the N.E. office park or manufacturing park proposals from the MDP and HDP be 4th corridor, and in other neighborhood shopping areas. Each of the alternative implemented, however, substantial additional local employment would be plans includes areas for modest commercial expansion, although the HDP and created. MDP designate significantly more commercial area than the LDP. Transportation Each plan recognizes schools, cemetaries, libraries and other public and Between 32,500 and 38,460 new vehicle trips per day will be generated by new quasi-public land uses. Existing and proposed parks, and private recreational residential development in the planning area through 1990. This growth would , facilities are also noted. Recognition of these land use types encourages the have the impact of increasing average daily traffic on key corridores, such as retention or development of appropriate uses. NE 4th, Sunset Blvd., Maple Valley Highway and Lake Washington Blvd.,by 25% to 80%. These impacts would be particularly critical during peak hours, a period Areas for industrial, manufacturing park and office park uses are also during which some of these arterials already experience severe capacity designated. A 55 acre manufacturing park,buffered by multi-family residential problems. Implementation of the office park under the MDP would generate up uses, is shown on the HDP. The MDP includes a 60 acre office park near S.E. to 12,400 additional trips per day at full development. The proposed 128th. The other plans contain minor areas for office park use. manufacturing park under the HDP could generate up to 2500 additional vehicular trips. Greenbelts are shown on each plan in areas of steep slopes, natural stream ' channels, floodplains, and poweriine rights-of-way. The LDP has about 1100 The Circulation Element of the proposal contains recommendations encouraging acres of greenbelt, twice as much as the HDP. alternatives to the single-occupant auto which, if implemented, could reduce the traffic impacts of the plan alternatives. The existing street and arterial Population system is recognized as the future transportation network for the area, with the The population of the planning area is expected to increase from 33,000 in 1980 addition of two roadway links and capacity and safety improvements. , to 43,050 by 1990. All of the plan alternatives are able to accommodate this population growth. However, the distribution of population will be affected by Public Service the land use patterns encouraged by the plans. Population will generally be Fire and police protection,social and health services will be required to expand concentrated in the incorporated area under the HDP. services to handle the needs of new population and housing growth. Existing , school facilities should be adequate to handle the slight increase in school age Housing children anticipated by 1990. Most of this growth will occur in outlying areas Between 1978 and 1990, total occupied households in the planning area are within the Issaquah school District. New population growth will create the need forecast to increase from about 10,800 to 15,400. Single family households will for several new neighborhood parks and the development of other proposed increase about 31% and multi-family housing about 87% under the LDP. The parks. Without these facilities -- which are recognized in the Community , Medium and High Density Plans will encourage a greater increase in multi-family Facilities Element -- urban development will place increased demands on housing, although the extent of this growth is unknown. The maximum shift existing parks, particularly active recreation facilities. from single to multi-family that could be anticipated under the HDP would result in only 14% more single family homes by 1990 but 157% more multiple family Utilities , households than in 1978. Sanitary sewers serving portions of the Northeast Planning Area are already experiencing capacity problems. A moratorium on new sewer connections exists Each of the plan alternatives provides sufficient capacity for the expected for the Honey Creek sub-basin. Urban growth in this area is dependent on growth in single family housing. Both the MDP and HDP provide over 800 acres installation of a new sewer trunkline. Similar problems are anticipated along the ' of multi-family designations which are more than adequate to accommodate N.E. 4th corridor which will require capacity improvements. Most new growth in existing and anticipated multi-family growth, even if there is some shift toward the planning area will be served by sanitary sewers,so significant Impacts to the (3) (4) , i existing system may occur. The Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan Use of specific sites for open space, resource production or other, more beneficial, recommends extending sewers only to 142nd Avenue S.E. south of May Creek urban uses will be precluded as a result of development. Individual developments, and to 116th Avenue S.E. north of May Creek, however, will be subject to future environmental review. The capacity of storm drainage facilities is also a potential problem that will be The Comprehensive Plan itself is a flexible document which can be amended at any exacerbated by new growth. Drainage improvements will be necessary to time; therefore, it does not represent an irreversible commitment of resources. handle the expected development. The May Creek Basin Plan includes measures Implementation is also accomplished incrementally, so many land use choices will to mitigate some of the runoff, erosion, sedimentation and flooding problems that remain throughout the life of the Plan. will occur as the result of urban growth in the planning area. ALTERGdIATIVES TO THE PROPOSAL The demand for additional water, electricity, natural gas, communications and solid waste services will also increase because of new population and housing The three principal alternatives for the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan have growth. It is anticipated that these utilities can be expanded, although public been discussed equally throughout this Draft EIS. They include the Low Density Plan, expenditures will be necessary. Medium Density Plan and the High Density Plan. Each of these alternatives is under consideration by the Renton Planning Commission. The Commission may also create a Human Health fourth alternative by adopting some combination of elements from the three proposed No adverse impacts to human health are anticipated. Some noise and air plans. The intensity of development and the amplitude of the environmental impacts of pollution impacts will occur, as will greater demand for recreational facilities, any composite plan will likely fall within the range of impacts of the LDP, MDP and which may affect human health. HDP. Aesthetics Retention of the existing Comprehensive Plan -- the "no-action"alternative -- is also To the extent that rural or undeveloped land is converted to urban uses, a viable choice. However, the current Plan ignores most areas outside the city limits aesthetic values of the planning area will be impaired. Disruption of views, and does not take into account recent development. In terms of land use designations, increased traffic volumes and greater density development may also impact the current Plan is most similar to the! HDP. aesthetic qualities. The LDP protects more steep slopes and drainage features 1 through greenbelts than the MDP or HDP. UNAVOIDABLE ADVO DAPACTS Archaeological/Historical Urban growth that is anticipated in the Northeast Planning Area will result in a number Adverse impacts to archaeological and historical resources are not anticipated. of significant impacts. To some degiree,these impacts are unavoidable and will not be ADVERSE�TAL Ih4PACTS iAAgCli MAY DE BriTIGATED mitigated because they are linked with urban development wherever it occurs. These impacts include minor topographic changes; disruption of soils, and vegetation; increased runoff, erosion, air pollution, water pollution, light and glare, noise, traffic Many of the impacts of urban development identified in this Draft EIS can be partially congestion and energy consumption; reduction in wildlife habitat; and greater demand mitigated through enforcement of existing City of Renton ordinances and regulations. for public services and utilities. The level of these impacts can be reduced through City These regulations require adequate utilities, drainage and street improvements, and regulations and policies and through rigorous environmental review, but some increment provide some protection to shorelines, steep slopes and stream channels. of the impacts will be unavoidable. The City's Policies Element contains recommendations which, if implemented through ' appropriate regulations, could reduce impacts to the natural environment, prevent premature development, alleviate traffic problems, and allow for orderly extensions of utilities and services. Other potential measures to mitigate impacts of growth and development are adoption of a composite plan with the fewest impacts possible,adoption of the May Creek Basin Plan, and development of specific regulations to encourage or require infilling as a pattern for growth. TRADE-OFFS BIETWEE11 SHORT—TERM IJSES AND LONG—TERM PROWCTIMTY/ ' PREVERSBLE OR EMETRIEVABLE COMMITMMS OF RESOURCES Individual developments undertaken pursuant to the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan may represent trade-offs between short and long-term uses of the environment. (5) DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL The proposed Northeast Quadrant Plan covers nearly 11,700 acres, with the projected development of 4590 households providing for a population increase of about 12,750 The following draft EIS describes the environmental consequences of amendments to persons between 1978 and 1990. The following figures illustrate some of the changes the Comprehensive Plan for the Northeast Quadrant of the City of Renton. The expected by 1990. Northeast Planning Area is the third of four areas targeted for review and update of the original Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 1965. The Comprehensive Plan NORTHEAST PLANNING AREA represents a long-range framework for decision-making related to the issues of growth and physical development of the City. Adoption of the Northeast Quadrant 1978 Single Family Households 8,680 Comprehensive Plan, like the previously adopted Southeast and Green River Valley Multiple Family Households 2,140 , Plans, will supercede those portions of the 1965 city-wide plan which are in conflict Total Population 30„300 with this revision. 1990 Single Family Households 11,410 The Planning Commission, through the Northeast Quadrant Committee, has developed Multiple Family Households 4,000 , this plan proposal through a process involving field analysis, data gathering and public Estimated Population 43,050 input in two public meetings. The full Planning Commission will consider the Committee's final recommendation during at least one public hearing. The Planning Full development (After the year 2000) Commission will then recommend the Northeast Area Comprehensive Plan to the City Single Family Households 35,000 Council, which may adopt, modify or reject the proposal. Once adopted by ordinance, Multiple Family Households 15,000 ' the Plan will guide the Administration,the Hearing Examiner, the City Council,and other Estimated Population 110,000 City officials in future decision-making concerning the Northeast Planning Area. The currently available public service, utility and transportation systems are not capable The Northeast Quadrant Committee used a sub-area approach in preparing this plan of accommodating full development of the Planning area. Further, unknown or amendment. Sixteen sub-areas of the Northeast Quadrant were identified and at least unforeseen dimensions of policy, energy, environmental and other considerations will three different land use arrangements were developed for each sub-area. For the affect future decisions on land use within the Planning area. Therefore, the Plan purpose of an early analysis and comparison, a weighted environmental matrix was Elements which address the infra- structure for accommodating physical development used to qualitatively rank each of the sub-area alternatives. Three plans were then illustrate only those facilities which will be required to support 1990 population levels. created by combining sub-area alternatives with low, medium and high estimated However, the location of specific developments is difficult to anticipate, so the environmental consequences. These plans generally reflect a range of land use infrastructure plans will, in most cases, provide service to a population base which intensities and are titled the LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH Density Plans. The Draft EIS would not exist before the mid-1990's. analyzes each of these alternatives as illustrated in Maps 2 through 4. Current City policy states that urban growth and development,as well as services and , Following comment at the public hearings, the Planning Commission will recommend to utilities to support such growth, should only occur in a logical and timely progression. the City Council a single composite plan, which may consist of combinations of the The distinction between lands which are "potentially appropriate" and sites which are sub-area patterns from the three land use alternatives. The final plan will probably not "ready now" for a specific land use is important. be precisely either the LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH Density Plans. However, the Section 3.A. of the adopted Policies Element of the Comprehensive Plan recommends ' recommended Plan will likely fall within the range of land use intensity represented by maximizing the use of available utility and service resources and provides crucial the LOW and HIGH Density Plans. Therefore, it is assumed that this EIS adequately guidance to the Hearing Examiner and City Council in making this distinction. addresses the potential environmental consequences of the plan which is ultimately adopted by the City. 3.A. LAND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: Growth and development should occur in a timely and logical progression of the existing urban area ' 1. SCOPE OF PLAN PROPOSALS to maximize the use of existing services. The Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan provides a policy framework for growth POLICIES: and development for those areas of Renton north of the Cedar River and east of the 1-405 Freeway and Lake Washington (See Map 5). Although the Land Use Element 1. To minimize the necessity for recevelopment, premature maps illustrate the ultimate pattern of development,actual development of property will development should only be allowed where it can be occur over the next 20 to 50 years. Not all areas designated for urban uses in the Land shown to be compatible with future uses in the vicinity. Use Element will be appropriate for development within the 1990 time-frame of the 2. Development beyond the urban fringe should only be Plan. As a result, the discussion of issues such as utilities, transportation and other allowed where it is a consistent extension of urban services. services in this Draft EIS will only be adequate for projected development through the 3. Vacant land surrounded by developed land should be year 1990. given priority for development. (8) • �� ` a �'�� r=��.�r.-.0-.•yam- ��eltr'��rIN�� i��.'` � ��-.• 1� '.�^� �� d ��.'o I �(� rl` f��94��J'_ /� nil d�1�� c_�i�lor/lht�j►�,o::, j � � ' , ,;l iii . '_ .-C � .�� I�1 ilii�_ _ •n■ 0- I •, a' amu,"_•,• �l nisi 11 aw -� 1*_ I -�R�IIe �i / 1 .M pn r � ur^ I �Y�� ;'�//l�sf/J r �rltr�i �.�n� ��II ',11�1�/ •� f�\� t� �� 'Ta��`1---��(� •�`��,� P'W�rHIM 'a's ri vj — �` ■T , � , ME arm _ loll�.: • �' V� Y�1s - -:_�-�\ON It..; � '•Illi" n' t�Y r t':� i� �� •%��•`■ 1r--/♦ � -� �� a=�•�e`�\1�� Vis. N t4 piri Vii; fi�ij �% ��►�1' ��G�_ , dpi �! r li iii ii"-- III`s� � s ti` i a• � X47 ��ifrarl■�'' l/�♦��°v� ,��j � �" _ � � erMV Ai _ yJi� Nr illerr% - - � ry`:Sa .(�;r•i�j �•-�'�ie�i a ,� �t �� Mi wu111YIH ��11NUU11unRllll= J .— ;: 9(I/ i� 11 ►► - ��a. �' 6 ra il �e/ � a. /� - I. '� �r I ,�/r %1'/ �♦ - I J = e: li I i► tlilug��sr� _ I'fl � ` ♦ I r�Y,��I - •��` (r�►ijr`,! 1) '��.,��:7�ra��i•�w :^` .L-+�1��TG�O_ /11 , ,.IIflG*�/�' .�.. •moi � / �i, -_ '►•_- � ��`��IT'��). .,i �� -�it. I� � f:�+l:: :-s5°sE3•�': ��r �' =--=:�,�� u�eslt��- �� rl�,l ""'�•�I � 1��1�= _• �r,� -_.I�iL':� �■� � -�• — E S: �.•�RR'-•R � .� t� / v/' � �L►��-e;t 1i1.1`► I��;..�, '��/�Y� - (�. � �' I/T� . �..a.nr...��r'_ �1CL r �-- =.:— 1-�I!1�II11 �,- .�� lA a -'_, _ II - II�1iT11�� ....:�! `��• 11 „ 1 1�1.Slims iu:::�:ili::��llr'.!�li i��. � -- • '�F —/ 1!■ ris r� li�lj.�- • - � � : � I♦ 1�� !!ei=:� Z:_:.L-1 R•rd�' _.�:'�... ?i=::•-' �,'��' ••� i .�. I rrl . ■�.i.`I.■R■ If�,1lf __ . .C:.:��. �C x,11 G' , �. 'S 1 \.•` r_ I� Iliri■ n M�� '• - �� jai m1 u 4,,�, t�61= �r �, ■ . , ` r�,Imo:. T.� t:.� °�„•��■c�.. I t�� . .,s rte— A �I ii' �► .__ � � i�� " --- �'•� �i!■_if_N. �r ,�` �- •�o�-•�;,S •;. i. -- E- :��y�•L�y'%�:'�;ctJ¢:' _ � — �'' _ ��F��®tea Ell_-� - - �r� , '� I 1 pr >�- MIN fill1"CilAll��li i M� Iii ► ; 01 1 . ..IIV�� :.��.r•.r'.Ti.. � ��Z_M_ l� ��r•-/11Log llal--Ifs 4. Land where adequate public utilities are available should Community Facilities ' be given priority for development. 5. A balance of residential, commercial, and industrial areas The Community Facilities Element recognizes those facilities, such as schools, parks, should be achieved. fire stations, libraries and related similar uses, which are public/quasi-public„ The plan , 6. The upgrading and/or redevelopment of marginal areas proposes some expansion of existing park areas and school facilities to improve their should be encouraged. recreational capabilities. Recognizing the rapidly urbanizing nature of the Planning 7. The City should identify its sphere of influence. Area, there is a significant need for active recreational facilities normally included in a 8. Annexations should have logical boundaries. park with a minimum site area of five to ten acres. 9. To reduce processing time and effort and provide for efficient use of existing public facilities, large annexations As urbanization increases, the need for such pare: facilities as baseball diamonds, should be encouraged. playground equipment, and tennis courts will substantially increase and these facilities 10. Annexations that are economically advantageous should should be provided. Potential park areas, as indicated on Map 10 and the land use be encouraged. maps, may show a general area of need rather than a specific site or location. The ' 11. Development requirements should be definite and reasonable. Plan as proposed does not project the need for additional school facilities in view of the existing facilities available,declining school enrollment in some areas,and the passibility The fiscal impacts of prudent consideration of these policies is obvious. If new growth of bussing students to gain maximum use of present facilities and the public investment can be accommodated at an average cost of, for example, $5.00 per person, it would therein. Generally, fire station s, libraries and other public facilities are indicated just as ' not be appropriate to develop a service system which costs $10.00 per person. By they currently exist. consciously directing future land use and infrastructure decisions to certain neighberhoods or corridors, both fiscal and environmental consequences can be Transportation/Circulation reduced. Circulation within the Northeast Quadrant is dominated by three east-west and three Of equal importance, however, is the need to remain flexible to future needs of the north-south corridors. planning area. If population growth substantially exceeds the projections considered in this Plan, adjustments in both policy and service development must be made. It would East-West North-South be just as inappropriate to fail to accomodate a demonstrated need for expanded ' development, as it would to over-zone or over-extend utilities and services. Maple Valley Highway Interstate 405 Freeway N.E. 3rd/4th/S.E. 128th Lake Washington Blvd. II. ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN -- Land Use Sunset Blvd. Coal Creek Parkway/ Renton-Issaquah Road 130th Avenue N.E. Three proposed land use alternatives are addressed in this Draft EIS,although the finally , adopted plan may be a composite. The land use distribution within the plan alternatives Besides these arterial corridors,numerous collector and minor streets provide access to closely follows the primary transportation corridors. Higher intensity land uses (multiple individual parcels. family, commercial and employment) are concentrated primarily along NE 3rd/NE 4th and Sunset Blvd. Other areas of multiple family or commercial development are located The Circulation Element Map (Map 9) recognizes existing streets and arterials as the adjacent to 1-405 Freeway at the Maple Valley Highway,north of Park Drive along Lake circulation network for the Northeast Planning Area. In addition,the Plan identifies two Washington Blvd. and near NE 44th. Neighborhood commercial areas are planned at SE corridors which are expected to augment circulation in the planning area. First, 72nd and Coal Creek Parkway and SE 128th and 164th Avenue SE. The plan Edmonds Avenue N.E. is proposed to be extended from N.E. 3rd southerly to Maple alternatives also designate single family, public/quasi-public, recreational and greenbelt Valley Highway. This link will help to reduce traffic which must currently utilize the ' uses. Sunset Blvd. N. intersections at Bronson Way and N.E. 3rd for local access trips. The second improvement, which was previously identified in the Southeast Quadrant Plan, In addition to the land use categories currently found in the Comprehensive plan, the calls for an arterial link connecting the East Renton and Soos Creek plateaus. The Northeast Quadrant Plan contains another designation. Within the planning area there intent of this corridor is to connect the 138th Avenue S.E. and 140th Place S.E. systems are a number of areas which are not appropriate for residential purposes, but which across the Cedar River Valley. No specific route is proposed by the Plan. ' could adversely impact the natural environment if developed to typical commercial standards. Therefore,a new land use classification of OFFICE PARK is proposed which The proposed Plan recognizes the difficulty in attempting to accommodate anticipated is intended to allow the broadest range of commercial, professional or administrative new development while retaining the existing emphasis upon the single occupant offices to be located in a "park-like" or "campus" setting. Development within an vehicle as the primary transportation mode. The Plan proposes the implementation of OFFICE PARK should institute the highest degree of architectural compatibility to the non-roadway solutions to circulation problems wherever the cost effectiveness of those site, include major setbacks from public streets and adjacent uses, provide for up to approaches exists. The Plan encourages alternatives to the private automobile, 20% of the site to be retained in landscaped open space, and integrate significant including transit, carpool and park-n-ride opportunities. The efforts of METRO Transit, natural elements contained on the site into the overall design. (9) (10) , g � ° W U - — w a W n w f zaa' � W a oQ W° a 0 U a I2 O H � ❑ N NQit LU� WJfJ }J a U 0 1 _�� rn`�• !. �.Sr F LL ! t z� o� In� oW LL W LL -iJ f o UJ 0 f o�7F I� mmaa Z Q o:) w� m� LLQ GILL .12 �� IfOlaoa ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 LL � yr C - _ �; _ ' , dam° e,'= ° I``i;'', , •_ , 1. i is`rT-.`� II- - � � � -::� Y ��, a ct • F—T,:o,L r r , 4 V` N } I - a IL 0 W QQ ® W -�° ' � R 0 Int LU LU _� FJ ZJ FJ_ Q iL U O - ZfC� m 0 a W LL 2 LL W �U O ❑ -- -- ---i l _� _ — -- J J 0 1 1 1 U W Z 2Q 07W] 07jjLLQ W - C f- aoLL JE ff as oa aoElaEMM 11 YV 1 ICf 1_. 7-771. _/�_- =GCS - - - �' -- n L --�•�'T'• _— — - _� �-- .Vi:�� - - °off°o°° ��y:1 / �• 1 IJIM ' '-- e_ - •-- �— :Yds' ' � _` . r) 7.- .. ti _; -• .� � .• ._ - ..{� T.w-. ,yam J r Z O J Q 77F 0 Z - Z ¢ w 7 Y 3� Q ! y4� LU U W o Za -- -- J Ln = u Q � 24 JJ OLL 13W LL UU WED J -{; DmLLcr Z ZQ07W7U_777Q LL WLLJ4 + r _ 1 ( -� , �'1 ' ! •-� , �t�{_,a \` • _L ti-,-.._ �_ ,'moi; �°o -• L_�- 1 - ' rte+' 'r_ +� tti ��Gli: .. T - • a t '., ...�.. ._-.._ ....i._.�._._.,.,. _- _...:.3...s%tci:.t_..,...... a`c�m� . •`.._. o ." 1 _a:�a_s.1.:a_a._.._.. -``• __, �..�,:L3..�....��:.�..�. ./__'.� ._._, -,W..._ -� _. ....`Sf .�_�_ f the Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions to provide these services in a manner which discourages private automobile use at peak hours is endorsed. The Plan calls for implementation of park-n-ride/park-n-pool facilities at locations east of 138th Avenue S.E. to serve East Renton Plateau residents. Transit and carpool facilities should be emphasized in 'those areas where development density is sufficient to support their utilization. High occupancy vehicle lanes on FAI-405 and key arterial corridors are also endorsed by the Plan where the cost/benefit relationship warrants such installations. Utilities The majority of the incorporated land within the planning area has water, sanitary sewers and storm drainage available. The Renton Public Works Department has developed Comprehensive Plans for additional water and sewer service within the city franchise areas. Storm drainage, however, is currently handled on a case-by-case basis. The Northeast Quadrant Plan recognizes these existing utility plans, as well as ' W.D. 910 and W.D. 107 plans, while endorsing those sections of the POLICIES ELEMENT related to utility development and extension. For those segments of the planning area where utilities are unavailable, the Plan recognizes the need for their extension to serve the land use development expected ' through 1990. However, the Plan recommends the installation of utilities only in those areas where the utility extensions logically enhance new development potentials. These areas are identified generally as located west of 142nd Avenue S.E. from the Cedar River Valley northerly to the May Creek Valley. North of May Creek, new utilities should be concentrated west of 116th Avenue S.E. north to the Lake Boren area. Extension of utilities to currently unserviced areas should be consistent with good engineering practice and existing policies of the Comprehensive Plan. Cost effectiveness of utility extensions should consider both capital and maintenance and operating costs, in conjunction with the relative costs versus benefits of extending urban development into the new service areas. Policies The Policies Element of the Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council in February 1981. These goals, policies and objectives apply to the city as a whole, but are incorporated specifically within the Northeast Quadrant Comprehensive Plan. The Land Use Element and other elements of the proposed Plan should not be viewed without recognition of the policy guidelines provided by this document. 1 l = United States Department of the Interior 2 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE • Ecological Services 2625 Parkmont Lane, S.W., Bldg. B-3 I Olympia, Washington 98502 August 21, 1981 Mr. David R. Clemens Acting Planning Director City of Renton Municipal Building 200 Mill Avenue S. Renton, Washington 98055 COMMENTS RECEIVED Re: Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Northeast Renton Planning Area , Comprehensive Plan Dear Mr. Clemens: NOT REQUIRING RESPONSE ' We have reviewed the above-referenced draft environmental impact statement as requested. We are pleased to see the consideration your planning department has given to fish and wildlife resources of the area, particularly the valuable aquatic and riparian habitats of Lake Washington, May Creek, and the Cedar River. Thank you for the opportunity to review this document. Sincerely, Charles A, Vu.n Field Supervisor The following letters of comment do not require response. The review of the Draft EIS cc: WDF (Robel) by these respondents Is appreciated. Comments and new Information are acknowqledged. _ �y O F R AUG 251981 yy,NG DEPN (12) L a,cT�rE i JOHN SPELLMAN = DUANE SERENTSON JOHN SPELLMAN +_ DONALD W.MOOS Governor ., Secretary Governor i, Director STATE OF WASHINGTON STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION KF-01 DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY Highway Administration Building • Olympia,Washington 98504 • (206)753-6005 Mail Stop pV-11 • Olympia,Washington 98504 • (206)753-1800 August 6, 1981 August 25, 1981 -k OF_t�F^� . moo,.\ Mr. David Clemens, Acting Director AUG 26 1981 City of Renton Planning Department Mr. David Clemens �.S Municipal Building City of Renton �Z 200 Mill Avenue South Municipal Building '2L ��, Renton, Washington 98055 ' 200 Mill Avenue South /NG DEP�R ' Renton, Washington 98055 - City ea Renton Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan Dear Mr. Clemens: Draft Environmental Impact Statement Thank you for the opportunity to review the draft environmental impact Dear Mr. Clemens: statement on the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan. Department staff We have reviewed the Subject document and have no comments to have reviewed the document and have no comments to offer, offer regarding the proposal. If you have any questions, please call me at 753-6892. Thank you for the opportunity to review this information. Sincerely, Sincerely, ROBERT S. NIELSEN ' Assistant Secretary for Public Debbie Fristoe Transportation and�ng Environmental Review Section DF:llc By: JOSEPH BELL, Manager Planning Implementation and Environmental Policy RSN:kls JB/WBH cc: J. D. Zirkle/T. R. Burke y'pF RFNT RECEIVED AUG7 1981 (14) (15) P 1y'a1.1w� `a 410 Wert Harrison Street,P.O.Boa 9863 (206)344-7330 JOHN SPELLMAN r IACOB THOMAS - 9 � Governor pIy�IDr Seattle.Wmhin on 98109 STATE OF WASHINGTON OFFICE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION 111 West Twenty-irst Avenue,KL-11 • Olympia,Washington 98504 • (206)753-4011Ll August 21, 1981 August 26, 1981 %OF 1 1 F AUG 311981 I Mr. David R. Clemens �y �(F�)� 1�/% Acting Planning Director V� O e ----••------ �_'� City of Renton Mr. David R. Clemens 4I; y Municipal Building AUG 271981 Acting Planning Director < /NG DFPF�' 200 Mill Avenue South Renton Planning Department artment '- Renton, WA 98055 ,r ""-`--~•••- � ' 200 Mill Avenue South q2 ' Renton, WA 98055 RE: 250-C-KI-12 ,\<Z e- � Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan Dear Mr. Clemens: \ �NG P Dear Mr. Clemens: Northeast Renton Planning Area Comprehensive Plan A staff review has been completed of your draft environmental impact statement. The document adequately considers known and anticipated cultural We have reviewed the draft environmental impact statement resources and the potential for impact to these. We recommend that individual for the Northeast Renton Planning Area Comprehensive Plan. actions proposed under the'plan be submitted for our review and comment prior It includes a concise air quality section, adequate for a to implementation. planning document of this kind, and we have no suggestions for changes or additions. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. iArrthur5R ytru yourSincerely,�� . Dammkoehler Sheri S� Air Pollution Control Officer Archaeologist sj and SERVING KING COUNTY 410 Wesl Harrison St PO Box9M3 98109 Seal0e. 344MIM KITSAP COUNTY DMI Operator ler Toll Free Number Zenith 8385 Bzmelkfge Isl—Milo Dial 3447330 PIERCE COUNTY 213 Mess Buil0lrp T. ( ma.M.02 (2081383 M51 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (MR 25902M (17) (1 6) BOARD OF DIRECTORS O CHAIRMAN Gene Lace.C—as—Kllsap C—t,. VICE CHAIRMAN.James B Hakes.Ccx-ilman Sn-M Yah Coolly Ron Dunlao.Kmg County Eaecut— Glans K Jar also,Mayor Bremerton; -l-,E.Mome.Mayor EettalL Mike Perkel.Mayor TacmM Harvey S Poo.Memper at Large. C'.as Royer,Mayer Sealll¢; Joe SIplliM,Commiss�anl,Pkrpe CaunlY, AR Dammkcenkr,Alr".—Cennp1011.per -4Q110.3 >Q, 6�3 Seattle-King County/DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH r 400 Yesler Way Seattle, Washington 98104 (206) 625-2161 � F RE FrFINT o�1 COMMUTER POOL August 31, 1981 r\-{-"-'` D v JESSE W.TAPP,M.D.,M.P.H. �— U 1981 Director of Public Hh 5 C(\I VANPOOLS �I FP 2 ENTO^CC,'�D RIDESHARING INCENTIVES RIDEMATCHING Renton Environmental Review Committee ••~ Cw4V U { 19� ' FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS City of Renton Planning Department 9,y R� 93G }_ August 3, 1981 PARKING MANAGEMENT Municipal Building �N�NG DEQP/ ..�^ 1 200 Mill Avenue South Renton, Washington 98055 STEERING COMMITTEE `9yN1NLJ ' Gentlemen: the City of Renton District Administrator MtIIlicipal Building Washington State Department of Transportation Seattle/King County Commuter Pool has completed review of the Draft 200 Mill Avenue South Traffic Engineer Environmental Impact Statement for the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Renton, Washington 95055 City of Renton Plan amendment. With regard to the Transportation/Circulation section ' Traffic EngineerAttn: David Clemens King County of the DEIS we would like to make the following comments. Directorof Public WorksDear Mr. Clemlens: City of Kirkland use, Pool is pleased to find ridesharing alternatives, transit use, and flextime promoted as possible means of minimizing the Managerof negative trip generation impacts attributable to future light Re: Draft Environmental :Impact Statemnt Northeast Renton Transit Development Planning Area Comprehensive Plan Metro industrial/manufacturing development in the Renton area. Transportation Engineer Thank you for giving this department the opportunity to review City of Bellevue However, as revealed in the DEIS, the major portion of future land Traffic Engineer use development and traffic increase will be due to expanding resi- the above document. Cityof Seattle dential uses rather than industrial or manufacturing. Commuter Pool, therefore, would like to suggest that similar transit/commuter We agree that most of the soils in the planning area have severe ridesharing incentives be actively promoted to appropriate residential limitations for septic tanks and drainfields. In areas where developments as well. sewers are inadequate and/or unavailable, the sizing of lots will depend in part on the capacity of the soils to accept on-site sewage This suggestion has become highly practical due to the changing disposal. character of today's residential developments. They are often V@Tq truly yolll'S, large scale, high density, multifamily projects with a high per- centage of condominium ownership. Transit/ridesharing incentives, T in the form of promotional literature distribution and information i7/Ls/L display centers along with developer provided van service and introductory transit passes, can be easily and aggressively John P. Nordin, R.S. ' marketed to project residents through the organizational framework Chief, Environmental Health Services of the local Homeowner's Association. In addition, the large number of residents in close proximity to each other at the origin end of the commute trip further facilitate the formation of car �:®I and van pools. These measures are presently being considered as ' part of several high density multifamily developments inKing County. E Commuter Pool would be happy to discuss with you the strategy of incorporating ridesharing and transit use incentives into residential development projects. Please contact me or Jan Aarts at 625-4651. aYfROV if iKIfNCYAWAR'O 1n,avegp`..bfi�p[rA�r Sirtcer y, SEATTLE/KING COUNTY / ; �• District Service Centers: COMMUTER POOL CENTRAL NO" COLUMBIA HEALTH CENTER SOUTHWEST EAST SOUTHEAST 710 Second Avenue,Room 300 William T. Roach 1500 Public Salary Bldg, 10501 98133an Ave.N. 3722 98,16 /0620 Bun Ave.SW 2626 156Th Ave.N.E. Ration S.M.2596106 Sea5e 66133 6255/96116 De>1er Porion Building 6255536 363-5]65 6255151 See5e 961+6 ee5-1279B007 Son nE.4th05 S1. Seat➢(2Washington 96t0a Program Manager EimmnnenlziHealthsennces zb.-s+oo 0651z]e 2282020 os6 (206)625-465t (1 O) O 172 201h Ave. Ai,_ JA:Tib 6255266122 (19) 20A n38Aro 625-2763 8521-04 038002 . 1 King County State of Washington � f 1 Ron Dunlap,County Executive �r-A ,� ��✓✓✓/�—�4 Department of Public Works JVL/aTv , James W.Guenther,Director _ 900 King County Administration Building properties 500 Fourth Avenue -> Seattle,Washington 98104 & REN (208)344-2517 August 24, 1981 '� �. pFcEl!IE� 2� Planning Department AUG 26 1981 City of Renton Municipal Building September 14, 1981 X. ' 200 Mill Ave. S. Renton, WA 98055 \ti�NG bEPA�� Mr. David Clemens Attention: Mr. David Clemens, Planning Department Acting Planning Director City of Renton Municipal Building Dear Mr. Clemens: 200 Mill Ave. S. Renton, WA 98055 This is to acknowledge your cover letter dated July 24, 1981, Re: Draft EIS for Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan together with the "Draft Environmental Impact statement", P Northeast Renton Planning Area Comprehensive Plan. You have invited our comments on this proposal, which is respectfully Dear Mr. Clemens: submitted herewith. We have reviewed the draft EIS for the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan. We are the owners of the Lake Terrace Park (presently used as We recommend that whatever plan is adopted should be consistent with the a mobile home park), located on Lake Washington Boulevard next recently completed May Creek Basin Plan. The floodplain and proposed to the former golf driving range. This parcel of property regional detention ponds must be preserved so as not to increase flooding consists of approximately 12-1/2 acres, and is more particularly and erosion along May Creek. Elements of the Medium and High Density Plans described on the attached Exhibit "A". Its present use has been would eliminate some of these areas. Therefore, if one of these plans is continuous since the inception of the park more than 20 years ago. adopted it should be modified to preserve all these areas. We have carefully reviewed the information contained in the draft If you have any questions, please contact Larry Gibbons at 344-4036. as it relates to our property, and we concur wholeheartedly that its highest and best use for the future warrants a designation of Sincerely, high-density multi-family. We interpret this to coincide with the � � designation you have affixed to the various maps contained in your /%yy� Q�fys<<1' draft copy. /6r- DAVID A. AGGERHOLM It is our firm belief that the location and topography Po of the gi' PtIY Manager subject premises, the development of the City's park immediately Surface Water Management Division to the west of it, its separation from any residential uses below DAA•LRG•erwthe freeway, make it an ideal and logical site for high density , _ multi-family occupancy. We therefore request the Planning commission to concur in that recommended designation on its cc: Donovan Tracy '`� RF\ Comprehensive Plan. r SEP 1 .w b 134' i 11448 Rainier Avenue South ZO) Seattle.Washington 98178 21 (20b)772-0299 ! I ' Page 2 Planning Department August 24, 1981 13625 S.E. 135th It would be appropriate to briefly mention our future plans Renton, 9 98056 1 for this property. It is obvious that the present financial 2J Aug. 1981 market does not permit any immediate development for such designated purposes. However, we have made some preliminary studies and plans to utilize this area, within a few years, into a high-class, solidly built, and attractively designed condo- Mr. David R. Clemens, Acting Plannine Director minium complex that would be unique for the City and in its City of Renton appearance and design, and thereby fully compliment the City's 200 Mill Ave. park development. Any such project would be properly fenced or Renton, Wa. 98055 screened with security gates and other amenities usually found in exclusive and unique developments of this type. It is more Dear Mr. Clemens: likely than not that its final use will fall more closely within the medium density development, as presently specified in the We have reviewed a copy of the draft of the City's zoning ordinance, or possibly a combination of medium to Environmental Impact Statement on plans proposed by high density use. However, for the purposes of the Comprehensive the City of Renton for possible development of the Plan, a high density designation would appear entirely appro- area northeast of Renton, and of the three T laps prp- priate, posed, we favor the Low Density Development plan. However, we do not favor annexation of this area by Please let us know when the Planning Commission will consider the City of Renton for we -- like most residents of this subject matter, including our property, so that a represen- this area -- chose to live here partly because of the tative of the owner may be present at all such meetings. "country" atmosphere that exists here. Thanking you very much for your courtesies in this matter, I remain, Sincerely/, ✓ Yours very truly,) Steve Harer, Property Manager Lake Terrace Park �0 AUG 28 1981 (22) (23) F RE/yT , (24) (25) � 40UP&IATES ENGINEERING SURVEYING PLANNING O I J J., 0 August 18, 1981 ' y l G AUG 261981 j �p GZ•s� � City of Renton � - ...._p�l,4J.. i Planning Department Municipal Building �I� p � 200 Mill Avenue South —s�CtiLi2i=u ate' .�% cG�� Renton, WA 98055 Attn: Mr. David R. Clemens, Acting Director �ryG � Re: Draft EIS, Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan Dear Mr. Clemens: On behalf of our client, G.M. Associates, we are offering the � B—jy�-• d'i 'K"1^U*' following comments regarding the Draft EIS, Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan. G.M. Associates is proposing to build the Cascadia PUD, a _�¢¢ • �� planned development located on approximately 80 acres between -rZ Union Avenue N.E. and 142nd Avenue S.E., north of S.E. 128th ers .«� Street in Northeast Renton. This development contemplates construction of single-family housing, low and medium density multi-family housing, retail/commercial uses and a business/ office park. It will contain approximately 500 to 600 residen- tial units at an overall density of 9 to 10 units per acre, and up to 250,000 square feet of office and commercial space. The development will provide a centralized road pattern and access ' to major arterials. R As stated, the proposed development is located within the North- east Renton comprehensive planning area currently under study Al [ ( �� by the City. As representatives of G.M. Associates we wish to coordinate our project planning process with the City's overall U / ��,�ff//' comprehensive planning process. Our objective at this time is AUG 26 1981 9�o sb to assure communication and coordination with the City planning ` staff concerning its' efforts to provide a framework for future o .-•-- ?' development in the Cascadia area. This letter serves this pur- pose by discussing certain issues and beneficial aspects of N14'G DEPPR� the proposed Cascadia P.U.D. in relation to the DEIS. The proposed planned development will provide a blend of land uses within a concentrated, serviced urban area. A proposed density and land use scheme for the P.U.D. is represented on Figure 1. By offering single-family, multi-family and commercial (26) (27) 11415 N.E.128th Street*Kirkland,Washington 98033•(206)821-8448 I, Page Two August 18, 1981 City of Renton -- --- ---"—'— __132M AVE SE - Mr. David R. Clemens I � uses this development proposal most closely conforms to the medium and high density plans identified in the DEIS. The --- ------ -- ~' development further will provide several community services now generally lacking in the area by offering employment and ----------- shopping/retail ---shopping/retail opportunities to local residents. A preliminary concept development plan for the Cascadia P.U.D. is reproduced in Figure 2. It can be seen that the more inten- sive uses (commercial,office) will be located adjacent to the major arterials. Multi-family housing will serve as a buffer ! 6-8 U/A between such uses and single-family housing located in the -___i • �! northern portion of the site. Again, the overall scope of the project conforms to the general framework of the medium and high density plans represented in the DEIS. A specific concern discussed in the DEIS is the impacts of � �� 1 -12 U/A future development on the transportation network. By offering concentrated mixed uses, it is our belief that the proposed Cascadia P.U.D. would have an ultimately beneficial effect on m i� area-wide traffic systems. Residents of the P.U.D. as well as other local residents will be offered local employment oppor- tunities in close proximity to their homes as part of the pro- 1 ject. In addition, local residents will have easy access to 1 shopping and could, therefore, avoid many auto-related trips out of the area. Denser rove development will also improve o or- P P PP SE tunities for public transit and other alternatives to single- occupant vehicle travel. The Cascadia P.U.D. will generally conform to the policy frame- i work for development outlined in the DEIS. It will offer a - balance of residential and commercial uses that serves the COMMERCIAL interests of the Northeast Renton planning area. It is our ' - hope that the City of Renton will coordinate its' planning efforts with the proponents of the Cascadia P.U.D. regardless J' of which land use plan is ultimately adopted. In addition, we hope that this discussion will further clarify our interests and concerns in relation to our project and overall planning efforts for the area. On behalf of our client, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to respond to this DEIS. Sincerely, ADS IATES, i CASCADIA er `. PROPOSED DENSITIES FIG. ' Director of Plannin GFB/pb (28) � tEs (29) • • , ASI + �•+ ►r t • AV 4 vim `, r � MEMORANDUM ' F REN FROM THE DESK OF ,,. JIM MATTHEW II FIRE MARSHAL August 17, 1981 A`�NN�NG DEeP�� To: Dave Clemens, Acting Planning Director SUBJECT: Comprehensive Planning Enviromental Impact Statement, Renton While this draft document is small in comparison to most Enviromental Impact Statements ' the scope is enormous considering its purpose. The complexity of dealing with each plan COMMENTS WITH RESPONSES in terms of future fire protection requirements will be difficult to state and perhaps more difficult to fully understand. As a point of reference it should be beneficial to point out the present fire services available as they relate to present risks as seen by the administration of the Fire ' Department. Considering also those areas that affect the ability of the Fire Department to provide adequate fire service, namely: water supply, traffic circulation, man-made and natural barriers. The information contained in the Public Service section of the impact statement on page 48 , is essentially correct, except for the following: the average response time to the incor- porated areas, according to the most recent figures is five minutes for fire calls and four minutes for aid responses. These figures do not include the amount of time it takes for a person to place the call or for the communication operator to obtain the information and dispatch the proper equipment. This could take up to an additional 90 seconds. ' Statistics have shown that for every minute of response, fire damage increases 11 percent. These statistics were taken from a recent study done in regard to The Enhanced 911 system. Factors that affect this response time are equipment and personnel availability, traffic circulation and man-made and natural boundaries. Equipment and personnel available for immediate response in the Highlands area of the city ' includes an Engine Company and an Aid Vehicle, each with two personnel assigned. The ability of this equipment to operate independently is limited because of the basic need for a minimum number of personnel on a fire call. Current standard operating procedures re- quire that they respond together. The number of calls handled by the Highland Fire Station 2 has increased 150 percent since 1974. The recent opening of the new south-end Fire Station ' caused the reduction in personnel of the Highlands Station by 20 percent in order to keep costs down. In 1974, while only handling a total of 417 calls, the number of times two calls came in at the same time was infrequent. However, in 1981, it is not unusual to have three or four calls going at the same time. This factor alone has increased the average response time due to the added time it takes to move equipment from other stations. ' (31) (32) Page Two Comprehensive Planning Enviromental Impact Statement August 17, 1981 Page Three Comprehensive Planning Enviromental Impact Statement August 17, 1981 ' The increase in traffic generated by the citys' growth and growth in the urban county New developement will place an added demand on existing water sources. Installation of area has had a restricting affect by over-crowding existing and unimproved arterial larger primary feeder mains to accommodate required fire flows may over task older streets. The present traffic routes combined with the other man-made and natural barriers, 8 distribution mains in current residental areas, requiring them to be replaced in order have a barricading affect essentially reducing the capabilities of emergency vehicles from to handle the pressures encountered. 3 responding in a timely manner from other sections of the city to the Highlands. At present all arterials funnel into one intersection, namely Northeast 3rd and Sunset If there are any questions regarding these comments, please contact the Renton Fire Boulevard North. Additionally within the projected area of Highway 405 and the Honey Department at 235-2643. Creek ravine acts as a barricade to access for Station 12 units responding to the lower Kennydale area causing average response time of nearly seven minutes. Sincerely, ' The lower Kennydale area and most of those areas east of Union Avenue Northeast, are out- side the minimum recommended travel distance for first responding time for fire apparatus, to those areas east of Union Northeast is nearly five minutes. A four minute minimum response time is recommended by the Master Plan for fire protection.- C7/ ' AMES F. ATT. In order to correct the present deficiencies in response time to the areas presently the Fice Marshal responsibility of the Renton Fire Department, it is the opinion of the current Fire Administration that a Fire Station be constructed and staffed in the Kennydale area near JFM:mbt 4 Northeast 30th and Park Avenue North and that sometime in the future the present Station III be relocated to the general area of Northeast 12th and Union Northeast. The location of a fire station in the Kennydale is verified by data collected during the Master Plan study of 1975 and is contained in the published document. Assuming that the present conditions warrant this added protection, any further develope- ment inside the city's portion of the plan would impact the ability of its' fire department to provide service even further. Newly passed legislation requiring fire sprinklers in building over 12,000 square feet will help to mitigate the level of future fire service, but a minimum acceptable response will be necessary for fire and aid calls. ' Areas zoned to allow multi-story office and residental buildings will, when developed, re- quire an adequately staffed aerial ladder apparatus stationed in the Highlands,areas. Additional consideration should be given to establishing new traffic circulation routes that will correct the present funneling of traffic to North 3rd and Sunset Boulevard North. The present cost of constructing and maintaining a fire station and aquisition of equipment warrant the ability to use these facilities to the best advantage when fires occur. ' At present there is no means of travel directly from the northeast section of the city to the southekst section without going a considerable distance around, either through 7 downtown Renton or via 156th Avenue Southeast to 142nd Southeast. The circulation element proposes extension of Edmonds Northeast to Maple Valley Highway. The Fire Department administration believes that this should be done but also should include extension to the north across Honey Creek and further south into the southeast area to Royal Hills Drive ' Southeast and Edmonds Avenue Southeast. ' (33) (34) NURTHEAS NORTHE ON T ENTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN [MAP lb g] f COMPREHENSIVE PLAN _IMU1Pik s PRINCIPAL NEIGHBORHOODS PRINCIPAL NEIGHBORHOODS ' AND - AND GEOGRAPHICFEATURES GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES HA Lan HAz V%*CXCO w.allr�mw rA>•I.rolofr 1 ' \ i----FEET. 0 1000 3000 6000 .�...:.LcEET01., - 100 3000 P�a�'r NCAlTL< t P NlWCAS'rL!_.,. II qu/f�ddl _ I A all FRE MILES, c;l _ MILES. ' � IST r ,, fXcoug4w 1 1 cougarmountain is # �� I N1- ~ Cl$TG1t5 \ FIRE N�� ME1JT . LOW LOWER T ! ♦ /�.ry N E KENNY � �G��f KENNYOA 'f' CpoNSe �fIH£S ♦, !1lRRAIlOF � E 1 RA KlfVNYDAL! ' HEIOHTf �' [ �` y KENNY E HEIOM \\ Q� 6 OLENCOEI ,:;a ��k ENO EAST `' AST Ooulo _ . S besch hall. r, OffH EY E h h 'Q RENTON � PUNT „" hVh RENTON I � HIGH os Fl R T / „� 1 HI rocs - .y 10lINT"' w p�5 { PRESIO N ` .W PARK ; F! PLATEAU `jf 1 1 o PAR a PLATEAU N 1 N 4.0 CMvI R 'YI . ryC Cut roti +.., - �**cern roti •**rrw+ N. J FIRsT' �NibW — (o Ib40 RESPOn/�t w cadM' '� ;`HIATTfEA N I ply I AREA _•t nb.rty t rivk. '` OOWNIP' I.,I r Lohighhoolr•I irk WN \ +-I 1--'II I i0 LOlwol ` re wvood MAPL' I1W000 I `.. .wood MALLLR...---L.++ I1W000 r- L MAPLEW000 golf HEIOHTB I ' MAPLE golf HEIOH� I —oouraa_ _ I oouraa' _ i I � �wlAflw000 j •. j /' �EaR1AwWTM (35) (36) Major Arterial r-reswev rmemo@ r`:CIRCULATION ELEMENT ' 'COMMUNITY FACILITIES, Park. Schools T CColleator Arterial Roadway © l Fire Station WE I' la 1 s i, ' • • � 01Effimml +• ' r. We %Alm �I ffij � oil 1 oil u j13 X1111■ ��i.� : � ' �1 1111 y fill■ 1: ` � _ _ ��//11� • v � ' ,: . Sir d a ' �� ' ► ,.�� rte. �� '' Ili '- ' � � •� I PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,wASHINdTON RESPONSE TO THE RENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT PAGE TWO MUNICIPAL BUILDING • PENTON,WASHINGTON 96055 • 235-2550 ' RESPONSE TO COMMENTS 7. The difficulty of vehicular movement across the Cedar River Valley from north to south, and across the May Creek/Honey Creek canyon Is acknowledged. No potential street routes across May Creek or the south slope of the Cedar River Valley are considered feasible. Moreover, both areas are recognized as green belts and contain significant public park property, so major road-way extensions -- which will entail large cuts and fills and slope displacement --- are not considered compatible with these areas. The problems of access -- especially In regard to fire protection response -- Is acknowledged, however,and must be RESPONSE TO THE RENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT considered In future planning and development: approval. 1. New Information Is acknowledged. 8. Acknowledged. 2. New Information acknowledged. 3. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement recognized that traffic congestion and severe bottle-necks, such as at N.E. 3rd and Sunset Blvd. N., are major problems confronting the Northeast Planning Area. Significant topographic features are also numerous and restrict the Ideal flow of traffic and affect emergency response time. 4. The Planning Commission will consider this recommendation in Its review of the ' Community Facilities Element. Expanded fire fighting facilities will benefit the ability of the Fire Department to provide adequate fire protection and will reduce the Impacts of new growth. Additional code requirements should also mitigate the Impacts of new growth on fire protection services. ' 5. Acknowledged. 6. New east-west transportation routes designed to relieve congestion at N.E. 3rd/Sunset Blvd. N./1-405 are not considered feasible -- none are Included in the Circulation Element. Concentrated development, with Increased transit opportunities and expanded park-n-ride and park-n-pool facilities, appears to be the land use alternative with the least Impact on traffic congestion. Alternative north-south routes between N.E. 4th and Maple Valley Highway are , Included In the Circulation Element In conceptual form. These present the possibility of diverting traffic away from the N.E. 3rd/4th corridor, but will still funnel much traffic toward the highly-congested area at Sunset Blvd. and 1-405. As stated In the Draft EIS,Increased development within the Northeast Planning ' area will adversely Impact the series of Intersections at Maple Valley Highway, Sunset Blvd. N. and 1-405. Fire response time will correspondingly be affected. The limiting factors in this area are the capacities of 1-405 and the downtown Renton streets and intersections; the feasibility of Increasing these capacities through modified lane configurations or Improved signalizatlon Is not promising. Review of any development In the Northeast Planning Area that will generate traffic passing through these bottle- necks must consider the severe traffic problems of the area. (39) (40) 1 "*4 SPELLMAN �g ROLLAM)A.SCH"TTEN Governor �� I' Di—tw STATE OF WASWNGTON City of Renton -2- August 10, 1981 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES 715C.encralAd7"snarion&dk*W • Olympia,Wasbingron98504 . (206)753-6600 • (SCAN)I34-6600 Under the Water Section - High Density Plan - The sentence "Lower May Creek, Honey Creek and the unnamed streams crossing Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and Maplewood Golf Course... August 10, 1981 ''`ZEwrJ which are already threatened by high erosion and sedimentation T� ., rates and inadequate storm-sewer capacity ... will probabl �(��.` experience greater impacts under High Density Plan (H.D.P.�" City of Renton Planning Department _ � ,.. \ should be changed to read ". . will probably be eliminated as Municipal Building ?V 1981 1 natural amenities under High Density Plan (H.D.P.)". 200 Mill Avenue South 17 z Renton, Washington 98055 4,1 2) Under the Fauna Section - Existing Conditions - Chum salmon should Attention David Clemens .x � 6 not be included in the list of salmon that utilize the Cedar River. \ 44 NIN G DEeP, Thank you for the opportunity to review this DEIS. We look forward to the Gentlemen: opportunity to review your final Comprehansive Plan. ' Draft Environmental Impact Statement Northeast Renton Sincerely, Comprehensive Plan, May Creek, Cedar River and Lake Washington WRIA B-08 Q In your description of this proposal you state that "The Comprehensive Plan Gene Deschamps, Environmental Coordinator ' provides the framework for future urban growth and development in the planning Habitat Management Division area and guides decision-makers in managing that growth for benefit of the 1 public welfare". We are hopeful that when you determine which alternative best manages the growth of this area, that it is more definitive than those cc: WDG presented in this Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Attention: Diane McGinnis Of the three alternatives the Low Density Plan (L.D.P.) is the only one that appears to provide any assurance that the streams, rivers or lakes will receive some protection. Yet without knowing what conditions will be applied to the various zones within the plan, it is difficult to determine the extent of the 2 impacts. For example, what conditions will be applied to the green belts and ' stream corridors? Will they remain as they are or will some development be allowed? What will determine the size of the stream corridors? Will the green belts coincide with the stream corridors or will they be wider? Will there be a different set of conditions applied to the green belts vs. the corridors? The DEIS states that enforce6;r,nt of the existing City of Renton ordinances and regulations will partially mitigate many of the impacts of urban development. May Creek, its tributaries, Cedar River tributaries and Lake Washington have been ' 3 heavily impacted as a result of past and existing developments. How will existing ordinances and regulations mitigate future impacts? We suggest the following changes to be included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement: 1 1) Under the Water Section - Low Density Plan - The sentence "Siltation may affect fish utilization of streams; vegetation removal near streams 4 could adversely affect water temperature" should be changed to read "Siltation will affect fish utilization of streams; vegetation removal near streams would adversely affect water temperatures". (41) (42) PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON ' RESPONSE TO DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES MUNICIPAL BUILDING • RENTON.WASHINGTON 96055 • 21S-2550 PAGE TWO RESPONSE TO COMMENTS 5. The higher erosion, runoff and sedimentation rates anticipated under the High , Density Plan may severely threaten the water quality and habitat values of these streams. However, they will continue to be natural amenities as stream corridors If the greenbelt designations of the High Density Plan are implemented. 6. Correction acknowledged. RESPONSE TO DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES 1. As stated In the Draft EIS, the finally adopted plan for the Northeast Planning Area will likely consist of various elements of the three proposed plans. However, the adopted plan will also be general In Its proposals and designations, as befits a planning document of this scope. The Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan for Renton is displayed on large-scape wall maps, but the designations remain generalized. 2. Specific regulations governing the use or protection of greenbelts and stream corridors have not been developed for Renton. No distinction between stream ' corridors and greenbelts is made. The underlying zoning controls the actual use of property that may contain greenbelts or streams within the City. Greenbelt designation, however, guides the future rezoning of any area so designated. The Land Use designations and the Policies Element both provide guidance for the conditions that should be applied to stream corridors and greenbelts when specific development proposals are submitted. Authority to require protective , conditions is exercized under the Subdivision Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, Mining, Excavation and Grading Ordinance, Storm and Surface Water Drainage Ordinance,and the local environmental ordinance. 3. The extent of mitigation of environmental Impacts through use of existing ordinances and regulations will depend on the manner In which these regulations are applied and enforced. The existing ordinances are flexible enough to require ' strong mitigating measures as part of any development proposal. The effectiveness of regulations is revealed on a case-by-case basis. In no way will current regulations eliminate impacts of new development to water quality and stream flow. However,these ordinances as currently applied certainly provided some mitigation of the potential Impacts. The Storm and Water Surface Drainage , Ordinance requires significant on-site retention, which reduces peak flow rates and partially mitigates erosion Impacts,and siltation and run-off problems. Some portions of the Northeast Planning Area have been designated "critical areas" and new development Is required to provide even more storage on-site. Likewise such measures as oil-water separators, temporary catch basins, ' hydro-seeding, etc., reduce the potential impacts of new development. Complete mitigation does not occur, however, and the effectiveness of any measures depend on adequate enforcement and periodic Inspection of each new development. 4. Modifications acknowledged. (43) (44) LI�M Land Planning & Management Au David R. Clemens August 28, 1981 Page two `.� 22627-152nd SE.,Kent,Washington 98031 206/682-2296 August 28, 1981 cluster housing, a range of single-family residential densities of 5 to 7 OF(REpr�'• units per acre will be realized. /�� a�`t1\'I•�� ' '\\ We ask, therefore, that the "Manufactured Housing" land-use be designated �(U 1981411 in the Comprehensive Plan as a single-family residential land-use. The rr Comprehensive Plan would then be compatible with the adjacent areas of Stip ) King County which do, in fact, consider "Manufactured Housing" as a single- _— family residential land-use to be developed within the designated single- Mr. David R. Clemens, Acting Director 1 0 family residential areas, not low-density, multi-family areas. The fallacy' Department of Planning \ R ' City of Renton 9�NING DFQP y as you know, of trying to develop or build Manufactured Housing in a low-den- 200 Mill Avenue South _!� sity, multi-family area is that if the area is zoned low-density, multi- family, or can easily be rezoned to this multi-family land-use, the value Renton, Washington 98055 of the property prohibits the construction of lower density Manufactured ' Regarding: Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Northeast Renton Planning Housing. Consequently, Manufactured Housing is not built, and apartments at a density of 10 units per acre are built. The citizens of the City of Area Comprehensive Plan Renton are then deprived of individual ownership of a single-family home Dear Dave: which they could afford to purchase. WE have reviewed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Northeast "L looking the three (3) Comprehensive Plans and how they relate to p Leisure Estates tes Mobile Home Park" and the 30 acres contiguous and souther- Renton Comprehensive Plan, specifically as it relates to the sub-area in the ly thereof, we see that the plan shows "Leisure Estates" as a low-density, vicinity of "Heather Downs" and "Leisure Estates Mobile Home Park", located multi-family land-use which, of course, is not the case. "Leisure Estates" south of Northeast 4th Street along Union Avenue Northeast, in Renton, was developed as a mobile home park which is a single-family residential Washington. We concur with your methodology in analyzing three different land-use with a density of 6 units per acre. Consequently, the human en- land-use possibilities and their resultant impacts on the environment. vironmental impacts, such as population, traffic, air quality, would be It appears to us that you have established a single-family residential den- slightly in error if the low, multi-family density of 10 units per acre was used in analyzing this area versus a density of 6 units per acre for sity of 2 to 5 units per acre and a low, multi-family density of 10 units the single-family residential land-use which presently occupies this site. per acre. It is within this range of densities that we want to address our The changes will, however, be insignificant: in the overall analysis of the remarks. We feel the Comprehesive Plan is deficient in that it does not Northeast Renton area. address the type of single-family residential land-use which will become more and more prominent in the future. This land-use is the "Manufactured In quoting from page 8 of the text of the Comprehensive Plan, it says: Housing" designation which is, in fact, a single-family use but within the "Current City policy states that urban growth and development, as 7 City of Renton is considered a multi-family use. On page 33 of the Draft well as services and utilities to support such growth, should only Statement, you have conceived a land-use category not currently included occur in a logical and timely progression. The distinction between in the City of Renton Comprehensive Plan. This land-use designation is lands which are "potentially appropriate" and sites which are "ready for "Office/Office Park". We support this new category of land-use because now" for a specific land use is important. we think that it is compatible and supportive of the objectives of any Com- prehensive Plan attempting to guide growth within a city. Section 3.A. of the adopted Policies Element of the Comprehensive Plan ' recommends maximizing the use of available utility and service re- By the same token, however, we ask that you consider including the land-use sources and provides crucial guidance to the Hearing Examiner and designation "Manufactured Housing", which appears on the present City of City Council in making this distinction. Renton Comprehensive Plan as T" for trailer parks, which by its very title describes a land-use which does not fit the type of housing which will be 3.A. LAND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: Growth and development should built in the future. On the other hand, "Manufactured Housing", including occurn ai timely and logical T gical progression of the existing urban mobile homes, modular-built homes, prefabricated housing, etc., is the area to maximize the use of existing services. affordable housing type which will be built. This housing type utilizes a smaller lot than is presently being developed within this area, and POLICIES: through the concept of mobile home park, planned unit development and Property Inwtstlgatlons Land Planning Land Reclassification Public Relations 1. To minimize the necessity for re-development, premature Feasibility Studies En icnmentol Studies PUD,'SubdMslon Processing Project Management development should only be allowed where it can be shown Financial Probnnos Market studies Public Agency lnWoce construction Management to be compatible with future uses in the vicinity. 5 (4 ) (46) i Mr. David R. Clemens Mr. David R. Clemens August 28, 1981 August 28, 1981 Page three Page four 2. Development beyond the urban fringe should only be allowed We appreicate your consideration of our request for the establishment where it is a consistent extension of urban services. of a "Manufactured Housing" land-use within the proposed Northeast: i Renton Comprehensive Plan, and the specific designation of the area 3. Vacant land surrounded by developed land should be given south of "Leisure Estates" as "Manufactured Housing". If you have priority for development. any questions, please do not hesitate to call us. 4. Land where adequate public utilities are available should Sincerely yours, be given priority for development. Land Planning &gManagement, Inc. 5. A balance of residential, commerical, and industrial areas should be achieved." David R. Millard, P.E., in.L,S. In examining the objectives contained in the present Comprehensive Plan, which President i have been adopted as City policy, specifically Items 1 through 5, we find that the property located south of "Leisure Estates Mobile Home Park", cc: Mr. Dean Bitney bounded on the east by Union Avenue Northeast, south by undevelopable open space, west by the City of Renton maintenance yard, is ideally suited for Manufactured Housing and fits all of the priorities and policies of the Comprehensive Plan text. This parcel is classified as "ready now", being serviced by all utilities, and is compatible with the type of land-uses proposed. It is for this reason that we strongly recommend that the land-use designation of Manufactured Housing be established within the Comprehensive Plan so that affordable single-family housing can be built , within single-family residential areas without having to be rezoned to a low-density, multi-family land-use. The only potential problem to any type of development within this area is access. Your statement gives a daily traffic volume for Union Avenue North- east as 5,000 vehicles. Based on your ratios for peak hour volume to average i daily volumes, the peak hour volume on Union Avenue would be approximately 500 vehicles. Since the left turn signalization and channelization was com- pleted at the intersection of Northeast 4th Street and Union Avenue North- east, there have been no accidents, in accordance with the local newspaper. The traffic, based on our visual observation, from Union onto 4th during peak hours has been relatively minor and certainly has not been congested. We contend, therefore, that the traffic projected for this area will be somewhat less than estimated and will not, in fact, create the congestion, delays and conflicts anticipated. As stated in the Draft Statement, mobile homes account for approximately i 520 dwelling units in the northeast planning area, being situated in seven (7) mobile home parks. Mobile homes, then, comprise approximately 4.2% of the total dwelling units (12,550) within this planning area. As stated above, Manufactured Housing is the only affordable single-family residential housing , type available today and in the forseeable future. The City must plan for this land-use accordingly. A portion of the 20 plus percent designated single-family residential dwelling[ units proposed for this area over the next ten years should be classified and set aside as Manufactured Housing. Once this is done, the City has to establish the mechanism, through the Comprehensive Plan, which will allow an applicant to easily rezone, or i otherwise reclassify, property to this type of land-use without first having to rezone to some type of higher land-use. (47) (48) i 1 1 PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON LENIHAA TORNIVERb. AT L-AW R,P.S. 1 JoscA� ATTORNEYS LE LAW MUNICIPAL BUILDING • RENTON•WASHINGTON 96055 • �R„, a*•210THBD AVE UE ewwor....... LnAw I11-2550 w izie rniHo venue 22w ncwRr*.rvcns uaozaav+l SEATTLE G8101 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS :°°A °°^°....n ='2 JAR..LI. August 24, 1981 / ENT I1 City of Renton ' V �� 25 1961 ` Planning Department 2'. RESPONSE TO LAND PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Renton City Hall4j e � Renton, WA 98055 \<1 J~ A, 1. The Issues raised are pertinent and timely to a review of the Northeast Renton 44'VING DE9, 1 Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission will consider these Issues in Its Re: Draft Environmental Impact Statement for \_ - review of the proposed Comprehensive Plan. However, your comments do not Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan lend themselves to a discussion within an environmental Impact statement. The Gentlemen: Draft EIS appears to adequately address the general Impacts of development from single family density through low density multiple family of the subject site This office has reviewed, on behalf of Barbee Mill and Quendall Ter- south of Leisure Estates Mobile Home Park. This range of density obviously minals, the proposed Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan revisions Includes manufacturing housing at 5 to 7 units per acre. dated July 1981. As you know, Barbee Mill and Quendall Terminals are located on Lake Washington where May Creek empties into the If the Planning Commission or the City Council approve a Comprehensive Plan Lake. In reviewing the Northeast Comprehensive Pian, it is noted that there are three separate density levels for land use proposed with a Manufacturing Housing Designation for this site, or other sites within the for this property. Under each density level a different proposal Northeast Planning Area, this Environmental Impact Statement may be has been made for the property owned by Barbee Mill and Quendall supplemented to assess any Impacts to the human or natural environments not Terminals. anticipated under the current Low, Medium,and High Density Plans. Any future' The high density rezone or development proposal under an adopted plan will also require specific 4 y plan recognizes a continuation of the existing use. It is currently Barbee Mill's desire to maintain its current environmental review, operations in the most efficient and productive manner possible. Such continuation will require the continuing ability to construct and add modern buildings and equipment to maintain the efficiency and the productivity of the mill. In this context, we urge that ' the Comprehensive Plan for Barbee and Quendall Terminals' property be maintained through 1990, as an industrial classification. Barbee Mill and Quendall Terminals are participating in a proposed Master Plan Development already submitted to the Planning Department for preliminary review and evaluation. It is our understanding that the Final Draft EIS will be submitted shortly. However, in this proposal, it is clear that the future development of Quendall Terminals and Barbee Mill is projected beyond the planning period contained in the proposed Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, it is not appropriate to change the Comprehensive Plan Land Use for this area. (49) (50) City of Renton City of Renton ' Planning Department Planning Department August 24, 1981 August 24, 1981 Page Two Page Three As a further consideration, we wish to point out that the proposed to the public and to the tax rolls. However, under the alterna- Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan should explicitly state that tives presented, we believe that the high density level is the the land use considerations and objectives contained within the only suitable alternative. designations are subject to flexible development in the future. Respectfully submitted It should also state that the law in the State of Washington in P Y , respect to the effect of a Comprehensive Plan has been significantly affected by a recent Supreme Court decision in Barrie v. Kitsap LENIHAN, IVERS S McATEER, P.S. Count, 93 Wn.2d 843 (1980) wherein the Supreme Court held that / comprehensive plans are "advisory only," that strict adherence is not required between zoning and comprehensive plans, and general JAMES C. HANKEN ' conformity between the plan and zoning is all that is required. Furthermore, recognition of the existence of a planned unit 7 development ordinance should be stressed so that flexibility is JCH:nb clearly recognized to acknowledge potential for mixed use develop- ' ments pursuant to that ordinance. otherwise, attempts at future cc: Barbee Mill Co., Inc. rezone will meet the hurdle of having to overcome any objections cc: Mayor Barbara Shinpoch that the proposal does not comply with the comprehensive plan. cc: Mr. Earl Clymer We stress these points because, as you are aware, a substantial cc: Mr. Robert Hughes amount of effort and evaluation is currently under way as to the cc: Mr. Randy Rockhill ultimate future development of the area from J.H. Baxter's owner- cc: Mr. John Reed ship through Barbee Mill. We believe it is in the best interests cc: Mr. Charles Shane of the City of Renton to permit a flexible response to the economic cc: Mr. Richard Stredicke conditions and circumstances permitting the greatest opportunity cc: Mr. Thomas Trimm to maximize the potential of the property so that the compromises between the public interest and the economic considerations can be best achieved. As a final consideration, we submit that perhaps the more appropri- ate classification for all of the property discussed above would be "Mixed Use Development," including all present uses so as to permit the present landowners the opportunity to maximize the possibilities of development so as to achieve a project that will be worthy of the City of Renton and provide a substantial benefit (51) (52) ' 1 PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON.WASHINGTON V AUG 28' 1981 MUNICIPAL WILDING • MENTON,WASHINGTON 98033 • T3S-2SS0 . ~ BELTERRA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION I RESPONSE TO OOMMENTS 17422108th AVENUE SE. IIN/NG DCPP/�SUITE 200,RENTON,WA 98055 phone 206-255-9448 August 27, 1981 David R. Clemens, Planning Director, City of Renton City of Renton Planning Commission Municipal Bldg. RESPONSE TO LENIHAN.(VERS.AND McATEER, P.S. Renton WA 98044 1. Information acknowledged. As discussed in the Draft EIS, the Land Use RE: Draft EIS, NE Renton Comprehensive Plan ' designations and the accompanying Polices, Circulation, and Community Dear Mr. Clemens and Planning Commission members, Facilities Elements are not prescriptive In nature,but are a guide to future land use decisions by the City. Whichever land use designation Is adopted for the We recognize the efforts you have made regarding the preparation of plan subject site adjacent to Lake Washington and May Creek will be used to support alternatives and the draft EIS. Our major concerns regarding this comprehensive City review of future development proposals for the site. The current zoning Of plan revision were expressed in our letter to the Planning Commission dated January 22, 1980. We feel that these concerns are still valid, and refer to the site is H-1 (Heavy Industrial). This zone allows most urban uses, residential, that same letter as part of our response to the draft EIS. We also hope that commercial and industrial planned unit developments and so-called "mixed use,, the Planning Commission will allow for further input into the comprehensive developments. Unless a separate action is undertaken to change the current plan as they stated at their previous meeting. 1 zoning of the property, any future development proposal will fall under the Our major concern is that we adopt innovative and flexible policies to provide regulations of the H-1 zone. The Comprehensive Plan would serve to provide for a variety of housing types, employment opportunities, recreation, and additional guidance to the City decision—makers in areas where zoning shopping choices within the city. The low density plan does the least to support regulations are unclear or flexible. The Renton Planned Unit Development the policy of infill and creates present and future pressures for more urban Ordinance offers other alternatives for design flexibility. sprawl. It is the alternative that involves the least planning innovation. ' We agree with the comment on page 66 that the final adopted plan will be a composite of all these alternatives. More specifically related to the draft EIS we would like to make the following comments: 1) The commerical designation on the plan along NE 4th St. between Monroe and Union should not be as extensive. The area behind or North of the small scattered strip commercial uses is utilized for multiple family residential purposes and not commercial. This is primarily due to lack of access and exposure suitable for commercial uses. On the other hand the area along the north side of NE 4th Street between Union Ave. and Duval Ave. NE does not seem to have been thoroughly reviewed for its true potential for a substantial new commercial area. Certainly there are positive benefits to such use over the multiple family uses as designated on the medium and high density plan in terms of access control, traffic generation to the west, employment opportunities, shopping convenience, population, public services, and pure land use suitability. These aspects should more thoroughly discussed. 1 2) The impacts of the proposed road from Maple Valley to Duval Ave. 2 were not completely discussed. It appears that a couple of the proposed routes will not only destroy much of the hillside greenbelt (53) (54) III Page 2 Page 3 but will also cross through existing residential neighborhoods. , Yet, no roadways are proposed in the vast public/quais-public to the final planning commission recommendation. area just to the west. This area should be required when developed to provide improved public roads just as any other private warehouse/ Sinc ly, industrial park. The extension of Monroe Ave. NE through this area and the construction of an east/west roadway should be considered ' in the plan and EIS. Mi hael L. Smith 3) There is no reason why the three alternative plans could not Vice President - Planning show the same amount of greenbelt designated areas. We think that the plans wrongfully show more greenbelt areas for the lower density, MLS/twh 3 when in fact, both plan designated greenbelts and private greenbelts through residential clustering concepts can be the same if not increased in the higher density plan. This also saves more open space by reducing sprawl out into the hinterlands. 4) It appears that the area along the Lake Washington Blvd., and the ' Lake Washington beach park extension is not being considered in a variety of densities. For instance, the medium density plan shows high density and low density multiple directly adjacent to one another instead of creating a transitional land use of medium 4 density multiple. Again, the medium and high density plans do not , show greenbelt. Is it not possible to designate some greenbelt in these plans as well? The low density multiple should also be con- tinued up to the vicinity of N. 28th St., without any impact to single family uses. This should allow for quality townhouse develop- ment opposite of the northerly portions of the park extension, , creating an exciting and desirable living area. 5) There is a proposal for a park near the existing Fernwood Plat. If this is specific designated park site, we as property owners to the north have not been notified. We intend to develop the site rJ directly north of the Fernwood Plat as a single family neighborhood. ' A public park would obviously be contrary to our intentions, and we would like more explanation as to the reasoning and specifics of this selection. We might also note that the significantly large public/quasi-public area designated to the west does not show any parks. Shouldn't this be considered for parks just as any private ' land holding or development would? Please review such an alternative. 6) The large public/quasi-public area together with the surrounding area should be reviewed for potential planned office/manufacturing 6 park use, possibly instead of the area in the easterly section of the plan. The idea has some merit in either location, although, market and exposure will play a significant role in whether or not something like this could be successfully developed. 7) Please indicate why the greenbelt between Union Ave. NE and 7 Duval Ave. NE is designated as far north as it is on the low and medium plans, when in actuality it exists no further north than what is shown on the high density plan. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the subject plan and draft EIS. We hope that we will have further opportunity to comment on the plan prior ' (55) (56) , RESPONSE TO BELTERRA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PI:ANNINO DKPARTMENT • RENTON,WAIIHINOTON PAGE TWO ' MUNICIPAL BUILDING 0 RENTON,WASHINGTON 96055 0 235-2550 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS still occur because of turing movements required to enter and exit the commercial uses. From this standpoint, large commercial centers oriented together -- as opposed to strip commercial uses --are able to limit access and turning movements to only a few points, thus reducing traffic congestion. Also regarding access, commercial uses on the right hand side of the primary evening commute direction (i.e. on the south side of N.E. 4th Street) will have less traffic ' Impacts and conflicts than commercial uses north of N.E. 4th that require left RESPONSE TO BELTERRA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION hand turning movements to gain access. Other environmental Impacts vary according to the type of land use. Clearly, 1. The primary point raised seems to be that Improved planning would result from commercial uses will create more long-term employment than will multiple family an exchange of multi-family and commercial designations between the east and uses. Community scale rattail uses generate about 18 to 22 jobs per acre of west sides of Union Avenue north of N.E. 4th Street. Such an exchange of land development. Commercial uses may also place fewer demands on some public uses would result In generally the same amount of potential multiple family and services and utilities -- such as sanitary sewer and water -- than will multiple commercial land uses as shown on the Medium and High Density Plans, family development. Commercial activities such as restaurants, however,are an Because of the close proximity of the two areas, the overall Impacts of the exception. Storm water run-off Impacts will be greater with commercial uses Northeast Comprehensive Plan, given such an exchange, would not be than with multiple family because a greater percentage of the building sites will significantly different from that considered In the Draft EIS. The issue you raise be covered with impervious surfaces. will be considered by the Planning Commission and the City Council and a final ' determination made as to the appropriateness of future land uses in these areas. in summary, an exchange of commercial and multi-famlly residential uses in the area of N.E. 4th and Union Avenue N.E. will not have a major difference In In terms of land use suitability, community commercial centers would be most overall Impacts as compared to the Medium and High Density Plans. However,a appropriate (i.e. have the least conflicts with the surrounding land uses and comparison of commercial verses multi-family development for the northeast ' function most efficiently) If located in areas of sufficient size and relatively free corner of Union Avenue N.E. and N.E. 4th reveals that specific Impacts are of existing uses. Development flexibility, traffic access and circulation, and variable. A commercial center will probably generate more overall traffic, more shopper convenience are enhanced by such sites. Residential development turning movements, greater Impacts to water quality and storm run-off. On the would also benefit from the characteristics, but to a lesser degree, other hand,the traffic generated should not greatly Impact the primary rush hour flow; employment opportunities will be Increased and public services may Regarding the relative on-site and area-wide Impacts of commercial and experience slightly less demand. multiple family residential land uses, each land use category has high Impacts In some areas. Multiple family residential development generates about 6 vehicle 2. The proposed roadway link between Duvall (138th S.E.) and Maple Valley trips per day per unit, or about 180 trips per acre for a medium to high density Highway Is shown on the Circulation Element as a conceptual location only. The development of 30 units per acre. On the other hand, community scale precise location of any future roadway is not fixed. The point Is well taken that commercial centers generate about 330 trips per acre, almost twice as many. extension of a secondary arterial through steep ravines will create severe Therefore, more vehicle trips and more turning movements will probably occur if Impacts to soils, vegetation and natural drainage. The existing neighborhoods commercial uses replace multiple family. However, the characteristics of these would also be impacted by Increased noise, traffic and visual disruption If trips may be quite different. A large percentage of multiple family trips from bisected by new roadways. Very careful review of any proposed route will areas near N.E. 4th Street will be directed toward the west in the morning and therefore be necessary before actual planning can proceed and an EIS would eastward In the evening, paralleling the primary area-wide traffic flow. About likely be required prior to final approval of such a roadway link. 11% of multiple family vehicle trips occur during the afternoon peak hour. Most other trips -- non-work, shopping, entertainment, etc. -- will also be oriented The presence of this proposal In the Northeast Comprehensive Plan Circulation to leave to the west and return along N.E. 4th. In contrast, a commercial center Element, however, recognizes the need for a north-south connection between will attract trips throughout the day. Peak hour vehicle trips from the the East Renton Plateau and the Soos Creek Plateau. In fact, this roadway commercial use would also total about 11% of the total dally trips generated by linkage is seen as an Important, perhaps necessary, transportation Improvement a commercial center, but the peak would likely overlap the adjacent street for the Northeast Planning Area. Without effective circulation across the Cedar evening peak only slightly. The orientation of trips to and from a community River Valley east of 1-405, the level of development proposed in the three plan shopping facility would also be different from multi-family trips, since commercial alternatives for the northeast area may not be feasible. As discussed in the uses would attract trips from several directions. A number of vehicle trips Transportation section of the Draft EIS, new development throughout the attracted to a commercial center may also be "drop-In" trips which would be Northeast Planning Area will Impact the N.E. 4th, Sunset Blvd. and Maple Valley using the arterial corridor In any case. These factors compensate for some of corridors which funnel traffic to 1-405 and a narrow congested portion of the the high traffic totals that commercial uses generate,but significant Impacts may Renton street system. An extension of Duvall Avenue N.E. across the Cedar River Valley to link up with S.E. 140th Place could provide a partial relief valve from the congestion of 1-405, which Is the major north-south route for the region. (57) (58) i RESPONSE TO BELTERRA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION RESPONSE TO BELTERRA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PAGE THREE PAGE FOUR As you Indicate, public roadways within the public/quasi-public area south of public/quasi-public, about 100 acres is already developed or committed to N.E. 4th Street should be provided as this area develops. By not Including a development by the Greenwood Cemetery, King County maintenance shops, , local street network for this area on the Circulation Element, the Comprehensive City of Renton maintenance shops and the King County Transfer Station. About Plan does not Imply that public streets are unnecessary, only that they are 15 acres of the remaining public/quasi-public area is surrounded on all sides by expected to be minor roadways. Extension of Monroe Avenue N.E. from N.E. developed uses. Combining the remaining public/quasi-public area, with multiple 4th to Maple Valley Highway Is possible. However, Monroe Avenue, like family designated areas nearby for the purpose of office or Industrial park is a , Edmonds Avenue N.E., Is not considered a major or secondary arterial. This potential alternative but one which the Planning Commission felt was not extension would not serve a major traffic stream and, considering the difficulty appropriate. Most of the relatively level terrain usually required by of negotiating the steep hillsides to Maple Valley Highway, Is not seen as an manufacturing park uses and,to a lesser degree, office parks -- is Incorporated appropriate street network link. There are plans to extend Edmonds Avenue within existing development. The areas designated for multiple f�imlly on the N.E. to Maple Valley Highway In conjunction with adjacent developments, three plan alternatives are generally irregular In slope because of earlier because Edmonds Avenue N.E. provides a more direct route through the extractive mining activities. Highlands area. As part of the local street system within the public/quasi-public area, an east-west connection to Edmonds Avenue N.E. or Union Avenue may Regarding relative environmental Impacts, office or industrial parks In the be required. However, this connection Is not expected to be a major corridor public/quasi-public area would present fewer land use incompatibilities than ' because It would parallel N.E. 4th and Maple Valley Highway without affording a similar complexes located east of 142nd Avenue S.E. Existing Industrial uses, new route to downtown Renton or 1-405. steep slopes and power lines provide more effective buffers around the public/quasi-public area. Public utilities may also be impacted less If an office 3. As stated In the Draft EIS,elements of the three alternative land use plans may or Industrial park is located in the public/quasi-public area because the: existing ' be combined In the Northeast Comprehensive Plan as it is finally adopted. utility Infrastructure Is located nearby; compacity Increases might still be Extensive greenbelts can be Included in a plan with medium or high density necessary however. On the other hand, traffic conflicts would potentially be development. In fact, greenbelts may be more feasible in a higher density plan greater with office or industrial uses located In the public/quasi-public area that encourages clustering and discourages urban sprawl. A range of greenbelt because Ingress and egress to N.E. 4th Street would occur along a more designations was included In the three alternatives to represent the possible congested segment of the arterial. There is some potential for using Maple open space networks that could be adopted and to analyze the variable Valley Highway and the Edmonds Avenue extension, however. environmental Impacts. The most extensive greenbelt/open space network was Included In the Low Density Plan because the Low Density Plan combined Comparing the Impacts of office or manufacturing park with the impacts of Individual elements with the least development density. The Low Density Plan multiple family uses that would be replaced in areas surrounding the as a total pian, however, may not have the lowest environmental Impacts, public/quasi-public area, fewer public utility impacts would be anticipated from especially in terms of urban sprawl. the former uses. Office parks would, however, have significantly more traffic Impacts than multiple family uses, while manufacturing parks would have fewer. 4. There are a large number of possible variations and gradations of density In the Other impacts, such as those from storm run-off, flora and fauna changes, area between Lake Washington Blvd, and 1-405. Those that you discuss are public service demand and aesthetics, would be similar dependlrig on the possible and may be more desirable then those shown on the three plan intensity of office park or manufacturing park development. alternatives. The Planning Commission will review these variations In their consideration of the Northeast Comprehensive Plan. in terms of environmental 7. When the three plan alternatives were developed by the Northeast Quadrant impact, there appears to be little change between the several land use Committee of the Planning Commission, these three configurations of the , configurations. This area is buffered from surrounding uses by 1-405, Lake greenbelt appeared to be viable alternatives for purposes of comparison. Since Washington Blvd.and topographic relief, that time, new development has effectively precluded maintenance of a greenbelt beyond that shown In the High Density Plan. 5. The public park Indicated on the Community Facilities Element for this area Is , shown in a conceptual location. The ultimate development of such a park could occur anywhere In the Heather Down s/Fernwood/Leisure Estates neighborhood. This Community Facilities recommendation reiterates the 1978 Renton Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan which establishes highest priority for acquisition of a neighborhood park site In this vicinity. 6. An office or manufacturing park complex is a potential use within a portion of the proposed public/quasl-public area between N.E. 4th Street and the Cedar River Valley. However,a planned park of 50 to 60 acres as shown on the High ' Density Plan and Medium Density Plan would require additional area outside of that shown for public/quasi-public uses. Out of 140 + acres designated (59) (60) King County Conservation District PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING • RENTON.WASHINGTON 99053 • 23S-ISSO 55 SOUTH GRADY WAV RENTON.WASHINGTON 90055 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS August 26, 1981 Renton Environmental Review Committee Municipal Building 200 Mill Avenue South RESPONSE TO KING COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Renton, WA. 98055 ' 1. The Draft EIS Is in error in referring to Class I, II, or III soils as "prime agricultural" Re: Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan DEIS soils. The reference should be to Capability Classes I, It,and III for the suitability Committee Members: of soils for field crops,pasture and other agricultural uses as established by the Soil Conservation Service. As the Draft EIS Implies and as noted in your letter, We have reviewed the document mentioned above, and find it to several Class ll, and 111 capability soils such as Shalcar, Seattle, Tukwila, and be in order. obviously, the intent of this DEIS is to give a Bellingham, are present In the planning area In limited areas. These soils general overview of the elements of the natural and human currently support primarily pasture. environments - more detailed, in-depth information would be needed in order to evaluate specific sites in the subject area. In particular, the sections on Soils, Erosion, and Water were of interest to us. Each section seems to address the existing conditions and potential impacts well. However, though the Soils section (p.14) states that "class I prime agricultural soils are not present in the planning area", the Bellingham, Shalcar, Seattle, and Tukwila soils (mentioned earlier in the Soils section) are classified by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service as prime agricultural soils in King County. The de- signations as Class I, II, and III prime agricultural soils are foreign to both King County Conservation District and Soil Conservation Service - perhaps you could inform us of your ' source(s) for our own enlightenment. Thank you for affording us the opportunity to review this document. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us (226-4867) . ' Sincerely, �VYL(d J . /��'��i'�Fjy� '?..es A. Ballweber ' li 1D O, Water Quality Planner JAB:am �t cc:Joe Henry, SCS !,- LIG 2719., file r2 -- ......... ., <G DFP�Pt� ' CONSERVATION - DEVELOPMENT - SELF GOVERNMENT (61) (62) A PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON �Q�eE( MUNIC/PAL sUIIDING • REN TON.WASHINGTON 9605S • 235-2550 City Of chi m Bellevue �qSN o? Post Office Box 1768 Bellevue, Washington 98009 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS , August 31, 1981 ' Renton Environmental Review Committee City of Renton Planning Department RESPONSE TO CITY OF BELLEVUE Municipal Building 200 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98055 1. All of the Northeast Planning Area lying outside the current city limits of Renton falls within the jurisdiction of King County's proposed Newcastle Communities Dear Committee Members: Plan. King County exercises authority over land use, zoning, subdivision, public The City of Bellevue has reviewed the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan services and capital Improvements in these portions of the planning area. King ' draft Environmental Impact Statement and appreciates the opportunity to County, through the Department of Planning and Community Development and a comment. citizens committee, has been working since August 1978 on a community plan for the Newcastle area. The proposed Newcastle Community Plan was In reviewing this document we feel that some attempt should have been published In April of 1981. When adopted,this plan will direct land use decisions made to show the relationship of the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan for the next 6 to 10 years in the unincorporated area between Bellevue, ' to the proposal made by King County and other land owners in the City of Issaquah and Renton. The proposed plan Is currently under consideration by the 1 Renton's sphere of influence. Potential impacts on transportaiton and public services that could be forthcoming from other proposals are not King County Council and is awaiting a Draft EIS which should be Issued shortly. addressed. Therefore, our greatest concern is that the comprehensive plan and draft EIS may not be satisfactory for whatever land use patterns and The major features of the proposed Newcastle Communities Plan are ' transportation systems are eventually adopted. concentration of development In areas already served by public services and Thank you again for this opportunity to review and comment on this utilities, primarily In the Factoria and Hazelwood areas and on the Imm,>dlate document. fringes of the City of Renton in the East Renton Plateau area; preservabon of the present semi-rural development pattern throughout the East Renton Plateau ' Sincerely, and much of the remainder of the Newcastle area; very low density development in sensitive areas such as May Creek Valley and the slopes of d`ti�wT L{IltiCLc_ Cougar Mountain; and development of a single planned village on Cougar Diane T. White Mountain Itself. Environmental Coordinator Apparently, the primary Issue faced in the Newcastle planning process was the DTW:VJB:mcp y OF RFj1iT character and Intensity of future development on Cougar Mountain. The REr�ll'�D p,, adopted plan proposal is for a single village of less than 3,000 housing units and V 2' an overall density of 3 units per acre to be situated on Cougar Mountain SEP 1 1981 according to a series of locational criteria. The village would Include a mix of )' housing types, community shopping and necessary public facilities. The , remainder of the Cougar Mountain area would be held In residential growth reserve. The proposed Newcastle Communities Plan also Includes an Alternative \�DF-P Plan Concept supported by the Central Newcastle Property Owners Association. ' This alternative calls for up to 4 villages, of about 10,000 inhabitants each and Including a total of 18,600 housing units,to be developed throughout the Cougar Mountain area over a 10 to 20 year time frame. A public service center Is also proposed. The King County Council Is currently reviewing the proposed ' Newcastle Communities Plan as well as the Alternative Plan Concept. City of Bellevue offices are located at Main Street and 116th Avenue S.E. It Is possible that the single village proposal, as well as well as one or more of the villages planned under the Alternative Plan Concept, could be located within the Northeast Planning Area and Renton's Sphere of Influence. In that the Renton Planning Commission has considered future land uses for the Cougar (63> (64) RESPONSE TO CITY OF BELLEVUE RESPONSE TO CITY OF BELLEVUE PAGE TWO PAGE THREE Mountain area only in general terms, however, the Northeast Renton This analysis of the interaction of the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan Comprehensive Plan Is not in obvious conflict with the proposed or alternative with the proposed Newcastle Communities Plan Is admittedly brief. A more concepts. In any case, It is clear that through 1990 -- the horizon for both complete analysis could be provided only when the final character of both plans plans -- the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan and the Newcastle is known and only when more detailed information from the Newcastle Draft EIS Communities Plan will exist side by side, each guiding land uses in Its Is available. The potential conflicts between elements of the two plans should appropriate area of jurisdiction. Only minor changes in city limits can be be considered as the plans are reviewed by decision-making bodies. anticipated during this time (the recent City of Newcastle proposed Incorporation Cooperation between the jurisdictions in implementing the respective plans has been rejected by the King County Boundary Review Board). should also be encouraged. Therefore, the environmental Impacts to be expected from the interactions of two Independent plans are worth examining. If the Newcastle Communities Plan Is adopted and Implemented as proposed, the Impacts to the City of Renton and the Northeast Comprehensive Plan will vary significantly depending on whether the Low Density Plan, Medium Density Plan or High Density Plan is adopted for Renton. The level of development proposed for the East Renton Plateau and for ' other areas adjacent to the City is not Intensive In the County Plan. Generally, residental development of 1 to 2 units per acre will be allowed with only very small areas of multiple family and limited neighborhood commercial uses. The primary growth areas of the proposed Newcastle Communities Plan are In Factorla, Hazelwood and the Cougar Mountain Village. These higher density areas orient principally toward 1-90, 1-405 and Bellevue, so traffic Impacts and demand for urban utilities and services should have limited Impact on the City of Renton beyond that already being experienced. In effect, the Newcastle Communities Plan will maintain the status quo, with a very limited Increment of ' growth in those areas directly tributary to the City of Renton. Even the Alternative Pian Concept which could create several additional villages would likely orient traffic, utilities, urban services and shopping more toward the north than toward Renton. ' Significant variations in Impacts will occur because of the relationship of the Newcastle Communities Plan to the several Northeast Renton plan alternatives. The Renton Low Density Plan provides little area for additional intensive development. It anticipates a large Increment of single family housing growth. ' Because of the developed nature of much of the Incorporated area, most of this single family growth would be directed outward Into the unincorporated areas. Some difficulties are apparent. The proposed Newcastle Communities Plan does not encourage this level of development or the utilities or services to accommodate It. The ultimate result of this conflict is unclear. Either the demand for new housing and commercial uses would not be met or single family growth on '12 to 1 acre lots would be extensive thoughout the Northeast Planning Area. This latter pattern, if accomplished on a large scale, would be energy Inefficient, would consume large amounts of land and would preclude later ' re-development with appropriate urban services and utlltles. The apparent consequences of adopting the Medium Density or High Density Plan In conjunction with the proposed Newcastle Communities Plan are less adverse. Because these higher density plans allow for more Intensive uses, much of the residential and commercial growth expected by 1990 could be accommodated within the Incorporated area. Less demand for single family housing on large lots would likely occur. Conflicts with the Newcastle Communities Plan and Its maintenance of low density development and growth ' reserve areas would be less apparent. Improved potential for public transit and lower traffic Impacts would also result. On the other hand, significant new development within the Incorporated areas will place a heavy burden on existing City services and utilities. (65) (66) R AM 28 1981 j Donald and Mary Ellen Hamblin Page 2 13025 138th Avenue SE Planning Commission Renton, Washington 98056 �G DEPA '" August 27, 1981 of high-density, multi-family uses. Such housing tends to de- personalize a community and results in a loss of community values and involvement. I am talking about our human environment-- Planning Commission destruction of "breathing room',' semi-rural vistas, human space. City of Renton 4 We recognize that the primary source of local government revenue Renton, Washington 98055 is from the property tax, and there seems to be an insatiable de- sire for more -- more development and supposedly more revenue. Subject: Response to Draft EIS for Northeast Quadrant Development should not be at the expense of the present citizens of Renton--or at the expense of those on your boundaries. The Dear Commissioners: loss to the fringeareas east of existing municipal boundaries and ' in Kennydale is devastating if multi-family uses are allowed there. We note that the Northeast Quadrant is comprised of 8,000 acres of unincorporated area outside the City limits and 3,700 acres of in- Regarding air quality, we do not believe this has been adequately corporated land. 5 addressed. Air quality should be of major concern to the City of Renton because of the non-attainment status of the area. , As the Newcastle Communities Plan is now complete and awaiting an EIS and then adoption by the County, we believe the land uses in We strenuously object to the office park proposal of the Medium that plan should be applied in the area that is now unincorporated Density Plan, because it requires a trunk line across the Maplewood territory within the Northeast Planning Area. Community members Golf Course and up "Maplewood Creek." That impact is intolerable have worked diligently to achieve land uses and utility decisions 6for owners south of Cemetery Road. If such development is under- which reflect the wishes of our community residents. Extension taken, let the developer devise a means of service which would not of sewers to 142nd, for instance, is contrary to the wishes of foreclose our land use desires as occurs when sewer service is those who reside here and contrary to the Newcastle Plan. shoved through. Additionally, the area of Maiplewood Creek is too fragile for either sewers or roadways. Under no circumstances do we want our property shown for a use other than single family. Such designations (sewer service area Specifically, too, for the record, we oppose extension of 138th ' and multi-use) place undue economic pressure on our property, and 7 Avenue SE. I am personally distressed that there has been no implementation of such designation woulA prohibit the maintenance of effort to inform the unincorporated area of this plan for 138th. low density development or non-development. We are further distressed that there has been little or no effort, Serious surface water problems are already evident. There has not in general, to inform all of us in unincorporated areas of the been appropriate protection of the natural system because it would Northeast Quadrant EIS. Also, to my knowledge, the Kennydale com- interfere with ultimate development. Landfill activity is destroy- munity was not notified; the East Renton Plateau Community Council i� ing wetlands and the stream/water storage areas. Such policies was not notified. My efforts to get citizen input after the October foretell degradation of the Cedar River and possible harm to the 8 llth meeting at Hazen were cut off by Mr. Clemens who stated they fishery there. There is no protection for the Class I habitat- would not accept further input. And to my knowledge, the more re- wetland adjacent to the Honeydew School. cent meeting at City Hall was not publicized until the morning of the meeting date. No community member who attended the Hazen meet- We urge the adoption of an inter-local agreement to implement the ing of 1979 was notified of the following hearing nor that the document May Creek Basin Plan. It is a rational solution we find prefer- was available. Yet, the major area under consideration in outside able to a more expensive, more destructive "hardware" system. your City limits. Such a study would be appropriate in the Cedar River drainage system. We request that attendees at the Hazen meeting, the East Renton Plateau Community Council and all other community organizations within the. As to social impacts, the draft EIS is sorely lacking an analysis planning area be notified of subsequent documents and meetings on �-: of impacts on the "human spirit," and such should be addressed. this plan. Very truly yours, We note a dramatic increase in crime in Renton (recent newspaper articles) which parallels the influx of population and the advent Donald Hamblin and Mary Ellen Hamblin (67) (68) iPLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON RESPONSE TO DONALD AND MARY ELLEN HAMBLIN PAGE TWO MUNICIPAL BUILDING • PENTON,WASHINGTON 96055 • 23S-25S0 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS 3. it is unclear what is meant by the reference to "human spirit". The elements of 1 the environment most closely related to this Intangible quality are Human Health and Aesthetics. There do not appear to be any significant adverse human health Impacts of adoption of any of the plan alternatives. Psychological Impacts and aesthetic Impacts are difficult to assess because these are RESPONSE TO DONALD AND MARY ELLEN HAMBLIN subjective and are necessarily found "in the eye of the beholder". 4. There has been a significant Increase in Class I crimes reported In the Cit of 1. The extensive planning efforts which have been Invested in the proposed g p y Newcastle Communities Plan by King County staff, citizen volunteers and Renton in recent years, primarily increases in simple assaults, burglaries, thefts community resident Is recognized by the City of Renton. Obviously, the and vehicle thefts. The greatest increase in reported crimes occurred during Newcastle plan as ultimately adopted will affect the City of Renton In many 1980. This is a disturbing fact, but it does not correspond with a sudden surge ways. The Renton Planning Commission has kept abreast of the Issues being in population or high density multi-family housing growth. In fact, according to confronted by the Newcastle Communities Plan and has been Influenced by the Renton Police Department estimates, the rate of police calls to multiple family results of that planning process, areas is only about one half the rate of calls to lower density single family areas. Furthermore, the notion that multiple family uses threaten community values Is ' However, any logical long-range planning by the City cannot stop abruptly at popularly held,but is not supported by the available facts. the present boundaries of Renton. The entire area functions as an Inter-related whole. Most of the area within the boundaries of the Northeast Planning Area is Urban development of any kind Involves environmental Impacts. These are tributary to Renton. This has been formally recognized by Bellevue, Renton and discussed throughout the Draft EIS. On a site-specific basis, more intensive or Issaquah through a Spheres of Influence agreement. It would be short-sighted higher density development clearly Involves greater Impacts. However, for the City of Renton to limit Its analysis and its future planning to a assuming a certain area-wide level of growth, cohcentration of new growth may jurisdictional boundary that splits neighborhoods and natural and physical have fewer Impacts than the alternative of urban sprawl established on one/half features. What occurs in the unincorporated portion of the Northeast Planning acre lot sizes. Obviously, a variety of choices in life style, housing, schools, Area affects the City of Renton directly in terms of demand for recreational services, shopping and employment opportunities is desirable; and it is an services, police protection within the City, traffic congestion,shopping and other acknowledged goal of the Renton Comprehensive Plan. A range of choices, In services and amenities. Of course, the City Is aware that its long-range fact, is necessary to meet the diverse needs of people who live and work In an planning Ideas and policies for the Northeast Planning Area have no legislative area. Conflicts occur when competing desires for specific choices surface. One effect outside the City boundaries. The Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan person's "affordable housing" is seen by another person as a threat. The will serve only as an advisory document to land use decisions that are made planning process is one means through which these competing interests may be within Renton's sphere of influence. It Is also clear that the City may have reconciled. different points of view about future development patterns, utility systems and provision of urban services than some of those Involved in the Newcastle The suggestion that the City of Renton plans for new development in order to planning effort. This fact, however, does not support the argument that the City Increase tax revenues Is spurious. The purpose of planning is to guide future of Renton, which serves much of this area,should not pursue Its own planning growth In the City, to allow for a variety of housing choices and life styles, and process. to Insure that change Is orderly and that the network of services, public streets and utilities is adequate! to accommodate these changes. It Is true that the 2. Comments are acknowledged. The anticipated Impacts of the three plan Increase in tax revenues as a result of new growth does not fully offset the alternatives to the natural drainage systems, water quality and wetlands have additional cost of public services, utilities, streets, etc. to serve the new been discussed In general terms in the Draft EIS. Specific development development. To this extent the costs of new growth are spread thoughout the proposals will be faced with additional environmental review for these and other city. However, not accommodating new growth and not directing it Into the Impacts when they are submitted for consideration by the City. A most most appropriate areas is short-sighted and in conflict with adopted City of Important mitigating measure for some of the Impacts associated with growth Renton policies. and development expected under any of the plan alternatives Is adoption and enforcement of the May Creek Basin Plan. The City of Renton participated with 5. The Impacts to air quality of the three plan alternatives have been discussed In King County and Metro In developing this plan; implementation of the Basin Plan the Draft EIS. In our opinion and that of the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control should relieve further aggravation of water quality and run-off problems. Agency (refer to letter In this document), the air quality analysis Is adequate for a planning document of this kind. (69) (70) RESPONSE TO DONALD AND MARY ELLEN HAMBLINf R O E PAGE THREE U T i � ;� ,•},•} ° PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Z ��'� TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION • 23°i-2620 6. Implementation of a major office park or manufacturing park east of 142nd o — MUNICIPAL BUILDING 200 MILL AVE.SO. RENTON,WASH,98055 Avenue S.E. would require sanitary sewer service as well as other urbanqo a1b services. Provision of sanitary sewers to this area could present significant N", environmental Impacts. Placement of a sewer trunk through Maplewood Creek BARBARA V. SHINPOCH would create short-term Impacts to water quality, flora, fauna and open space, MAYOR August 11, 1981 Further, to open this drainage sub-basin to sanitary sewer service could have � • the secondary Impact of encouraging additional development at suburban AUG 121981 densities of 4 to 5 units per acre rather than at seml-rural densities of 1 to 2 units per acre. Before an office or manufacturing park complex could be To: Dave Clemens, Acting Planning Director -e approved, both the direct and the secondary impacts of such a development 4 would have to be examined carefully and in depth, FROM: Gary Norris, Traffic Engineer �NG prPT1111 7. A review of the proposed Newcastle Communities Plan reveals that the extension of 138th Avenue S.E. to Maple Valley Highway Is recommended as a SUBJECT: Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan EIS "Priority 2 - New Construction". The Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan Circulation Element shares this concern that a major roadway link between the East Renton Plateau and Soos Creek Plateau is needed to serve new In response to the subject document, I have prepared some brief comments for development planned in the northeast area. This circulation linkage could also your consideration. relieve some of the pressure on 1-405 from north-south trips between 1. Possibly some mention should be made of the Proposed Park and Ride Bellevue/Factorta and Kent. The exact location of this extention is unknown, 7 Lot at the Highlands Community church and its potential impact. however. The roadway could have significant Impacts to the natural ravines, stream channels and existing neighborhoods of the area, so additional .�- 2. Page 42, last sentence, "Traffic volumes ." is not totally environmental review and careful planning will be required, accurate and presents problems as indicated in q6. No specific efforts are warranted to notify area resident of each and every 3 3. Table 5, column 3, should be entitled "% 1990 Daily Capacity." element of a long-range plan that may affect them. However, the inclusion of 4 4. Page 44, 2nd paragraph, 7th sentence, "In other words " this proposed roadway extension and In both the City's and County's planning should read ". below that which occurs on a daily basis." documents should provide sufficent notice to resident of the general Intentions of the local governmental agencies. 5. Page 44, 4th paragraph, intersection of North 3rd and Sunset 5 Blvd. North, Bronson Way NE, Monterey Drive NE and NE 3rd Comprehensive Plan was Issued on Jul should be included. If item H1 was intended to address the above 8. The Draft EIS for the Northeast Renton Com P y intersections, it isn't as clear. 24, 1981. On that date 54 copies of the Draft EIS were mailed to appropriate agencies and officials. Letters announcing the availability of the Draft EIS were 6. It is misleading to indicate lower traffic volumes will be also mailed to 108 Interested groups and individuals. At least 32 of these 6 generated from the HDP as compared to LDP. It is inconceivable notices were sent to groups or Individuals residing In the unincorporated portions that a plan (as the HDP) having 100 acres more single family, 260 mercial, 30 of the Northeast Planning Area. This Included everyone who spoke or registered acrescres moremore publicllands,1ly401acrresacres less ofrpak/recreation, 60 at the November 1979 meeting at Hazen High School, representatives of the acres more of industry and 570 less acres of vacant land would Kennydale Community Club and other organizations. The more recent meeting generate fewer trios than the alternative (LDP). Household In March of 1981 was a public meeting to provide Information to citizens and units are not the only trip generators. For the purposes of receive comments rather than a public hearing In which formal testimony Is 7 planning discussion with the alternatives you are considering, received. Every effort was made through the newspapers, libraries, and public it would be better dna more realistic to consider all trip generation. announcements to publicize this meeting. The Renton Planning Commission will hold one or more public hearings on the Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan prior to adoption of that document. Just as was the case with the Draft EIS, every appropriate agency and all Interested parties or individuals will be notified of the public hearing. (71) (72) PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING • RENTON,WASHINGTON 98OSS a 235-2SSO iRESPONSE TO COMMENTS Dave Clemens Page 2 August 11, 1981 These are a few comments that came to mind. If you have any questions or you RESPONSE TO RENTON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING desire any more information from us, please let me know. 1. The Washington Department of Transportation, with Metro and the City of Renton Is planning a park-and-ride lot at the Highlands Community Church on GJ N.E. 10th near Sunset Blvd. N.E. Up to 350 autos may be accommodated In this k w facility. If used to full capacity for work trips, the park-and-ride lot could ' el cAx:aa reduce the rush hour traffic volumes on Sunset Blvd. N.E. by 200 or more vehicle trips and traffic on other arterials by smaller amounts. About a 6% to 10% decrease in 1990 peak hour trips on Sunset Blvd, west of the park-and ride lot may be possible as a result of this facility -- a small but significant decrease. A slight reduction in traffic Impacts to 1-405 is also anticipated. ' 2. Refer to response No. 7. 3. Correction acknowledged,. 4. Correction acknowledged. 5. In the list of high accident rate Intersections, Item No. 1 should refer to those Intersections along N.E. 3rd Street located within the Northeast Planning Area: N. 3rd and Sunset Blvd. N., N.E. 3rd at Bronson Way N.E. and Monterey Drive N.E. 6. Our analysis Indicates that the High Density Plan will indeed generate lower traffic volumes than the Low Density Plan. What is perhaps misleading Is that the time frame for the proposed Northeast Renton Comprehensive Plan Is through 1990 only, and the traffic analysis reflects only those changes from the present through the life of the plan. The additional acres of single family, multiple family and commercial uses are only potential land uses and represent the comparison If the Northeast Planning Area experienced total "build-out". This situation will not be! realized by 1990. The traffic analysis comparing the three proposed plan alternatives was based on several assumptions,all of which are arguable. The comparison focused only on new traffic generated by residential growth In the planning area because this represents the majority of new growth anticipated through 1990. Response No. 7 addresses this assumption and provides additional information concerning the Impacts of commercial development In the planning area. Secondly, unique aspects of the Medium Density Plan and High Density Plan -- such as the office park, manufacturing park and Port Quendall -- which could significantly affect traffic volumes and capacities and the Northeast Planning Area, were addressed separately because these elements are not Intimately linked to specific plans, but could be Incorporated with any of the plans or a combination plan. Finally, the conclusion that higher density, concentrated development will generate less ' (73) (74) RESPONSE TO PENTON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING RESPONSE TO RENTON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING PAGE TWO PAGE THREE overall traffic, and even less peak hour traffic, Is directly based on the existing land uses and on a range of commercial uses necessary to serve a assumption that the overall level of residential growth -- the absolute number of given level of population,the following is an estimate of new commerctal growth housing units -- through 1990 would be equal under the three plan alternatives. expected by 1990 within the three major activity centers of the planning area. This assumption is based on Renton's share of the anticipated regional growth Along the N.E 4th/S.E. 128th corridor between 32 to 46 acres of new through 1990. It Is possible that the Northeast Planning Area could experience commercial development is anticipated. About 4-20 acres of additional either less or more population in housing growth because of the mix of land uses commercial Is expected for the Sunset Blvd. corridor/Central Highlands area. allowed In the area. However, such a range is difficult to predict and should be Near the N.E.44th/1-405 Interchange, commercial development should occupy predicated on corresponding changes in growth rates in other portions of the an additional 16-21 acres by 1990. Renton urbanized area, which have not been established. What the variation in land use potentials between the Low Density Plan, Medium Density Plan and For purposes of the supplementary analysis, it can be assumed that 25% of the High Density Plan Is assumed to create,Is a change in residential development vehicular trips attracted to new commercial development along the N.E. 4th and from single family to multiple family type housing. If this change occurs between Sunset Blvd.corridors will be external trips -- entering from or going to locations the three alternatives in the ratios discussed in the Draft EIS, then the High outside the Northeast Planning Area. Because of their proximity to major traffic Density Plan -- with less single family and more multiple family growth -- will patterns and distance from established neighborhoods, new commercial uses , generate about 15% fewer additional vehicle trips than the low density plan and near N.E. 44th and 1-405 will likely be oriented to serve persons outside the 16% fewer new peak hour trips than the Low Density Plan. planning area. A reasonable assumption would be that 75% of the trips attracted to this activity center will be external trips. Based on the above 7. In the transportation discussion Included in the Draft EIS, commercial traffic assumptions for origins and destinations, new commercial development would generation was Included within the totals for residential trip generation. This generate about 3600 to 5200 additional vehicle trips per day along the N.E. 4th approach was taken because the types of new commercial uses anticipated corridor by 1990; about 450 - 2,250 trips per day along the Sunset Blvd. within the Northeast Planning Area by 1990 do not generate large numbers of corridor; and 5,400 to 7,100 new daily trips in the area of the N.E. 44th and trips from outside the area. New commercial development is expected to be 1-405 Interchange. charactized by service-type businesses, retail establishments and similar commercial uses. These commercial activities draw most of their employees and These ranges of additional vehicular traffic ,above that traffic generated by their customers from nearby neighborhoods. In the Draft EIS, it was assumed residential development through 1990 will have substantial Impacts to the N.E. that less then 10% of all trips to new commercial development would be external 4th corridor. The distribution of these additional trips is unknown. Even if many trips. Therefore, although new commercial uses would affect the distribution of of the trips are "drop-in"trips that are crossing the planning In any case,turning trips within the Northeast Planning Area,they would not significantly Impact the movements will aggravate congestion. A significant portion of the additional total number of new trips generated In the area through 1990. trips may also use the N.E. 3rd extension as a connection to downtown Renton; according to information In the Draft EIS, thils roadway link is expected to (it should be noted that the traffic analysis Included In the Draft EIS does not exceed daily capacity by 1990. The characteristics of service and retail provide a detailed study of transportation Impacts or alternatives sufficient to commercial trips are not the same as residentially generated trips; the peak hour evaluate the Impacts of future specific development proposals. The Draft EIS of commercial trips should not correspond with the peak hour of traffic on gives a generalized Indication of the level of traffic and transportation Impacts adjacent streets. However, significant congestion problems within the N.E. 41h that could be expected from area-wide growth and development through 1990. corridor can be expected as a result of new commercial and residential growth. A study involving detailed trip generation, origin-destination analysis, trip distribution models, mode choice splits, and trip assignments was not Within the Sunset Blvd. corridor,traffic from new commercial development could accomplished. The level of confidence In anticipating the types and locations of create Impacts that range from insignificant to substantial. Under the worst new growth through 1990 -- especially considering that three plan alternatives case, up to 2,200 new trips per day could occur which would create severe are involved -- Is not high enough to justify an in-depth traffic analysis. This congestion on an arterial that is already approching dally capacity. The extent type of analysis will likely be required of all major developments In the Northeast of traffic Impacts along this corridor will also depend on the Intensity and Planning Area when specific proposals are submitted. What the transportation location of new commercial development, I.e. how new uses phase with exllsting discussion In the Draft EIS does do Is indicate the areas of significant Impact and development and the traffic access patterns. reiterate that traffic congestion Is,and will be, a major problem In the Northeast Planning Area.) The Impacts of commercial growth near N.E. 44th and 1-405 are potentially less severe. The local streets In this area are able accommodate some additPonat A supplementary analysis of traffic Impacts resulting from new commercial traffic. However, if the new trips attracted to the commercial center use 1-405, growth In the Northeast Planning Area is warranted, however. Commercial land and are not "drop-In" trips that are travelling the freeway already, the Impacts uses Include retail stores, service activities such as auto repair shops, banks, to 1-405 could be significant. Again, the tune-of-day characteristics of etc., small offices and neighborhood or community shopping centers. Based on commercial trips are Important. The 1-405 freeway experiences severe congestion during peak travel times and substantial overlap with these perllods ' could reduce the level of service of the freeway., Because of entry and exit movements from the freeway, even "drop-In" trips to the commercial uses could (75) have an adverse effect. (76) RESPONSE TO RENTON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING "mMETRO � PAGE FOUR �, Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle Exchange Bldg. 0 821 Second.Ave.,Seattle,Washington 98104 - The differences In traffic Impacts as a result of new commercial development E between the three plan alternatives are difficult to assess. The High Density August 24, 1981 OF R Plan designates nearly 100 acres more potential area for commercial than the �, �(� .�`[� T0`, Low Density Plan or Medium Density Plan. However, the pattern of commercial U designations is such that there is likely to be little variation in new commercial David R. Clemens AUG 28 1981 development between the three plans in the Sunset Blvd, corridor and at N.E. Acting Planning Director 44th Street and 1-405. The primary difference between the three plans Is that City of Renton """' "" the High Density Plan should encourage more commercial development within 200 Mill Avenue South <' the N.E. 4th corridor. Therefore, the range of traffic Impacts described above Renton, Washington 98055 4v(" Drye for this corridor could reflect the variations between Low Density Plan, Medium Dear Mr. Clemens: Density Plan, and High Density Plans. The actual locations of commercial development may also vary under the three plans, which would have an effect Draft Environmental impact Statement on traffic congestion. Northeast Renton :Planning Area Comprehensive Plan Other types of urban growth that Could occur within the Northeast Planning Metro staff has reviewed this proposed plan and offers the following comments. Area by 1990 -- such as the potential office park or manufacturing park east of 142nd Avenue S.E. -- have been addressed separately In the Draft EIS with wastewater Facilities/Water Quality regards to traffic Impacts. Significant public/quasi-public development, We note the planning area is within Metro's Renton Treatment Including schools, hospitals, and administration facilities, is not expected to Plant service area. Metro has prepared a facilities plan occur in the Northeast Planning Area. Therefore,the residential traffic analysis, for the Renton system with a grant from DOE and EPA, in part because the Renton Treatment Plant has reached its as supplemented by a discussion of traffic Impacts of special development "design" capacity and continued development is occurring complexes and by this commercial traffic discussion, appears to adequately within the service area. A final plan for the Renton evaluate the traffic Impacts of the Northeast Area Comprehensive Plan, service area was released for review and comment in July of 1981 and contains a recommended program for upgrading the Renton system so that water quality and health will continue to be protected. The final plan is scheduled for adoption by the Metro Council this fall. The Cedar River is recognized as a priority body of water that supports significant regional uses such as fisheries production, recreation and water supply. Final plan policies and recommendations should require appropriate measures be taken by both private and public developments to protect the water quality of the Cedar River. Toward this end, a storm water drainage utility should be considered as a. comprehensive approach for managing runoff. Such a utility could develop an areawide, long-range management plan that would be preventive of, rather than reactive to, water quality problems. The following are our specific recommendations for stormwater management: • Storm sewer outfalls should be designed to minimize erosion at the point of discharge. (77) (78) David R. Clemens David R. Clemens DEIS/N.E. Renton Comprehensive Plan DEIS/N.E. Renton Comprehensive Plan August 24, 1981 August 24, 1981 Page two Page three • Storm sewer systems should be designed to attenuate To ensure that residents of new developments can take runoff volumes and rates to prevent overloading and advantage of potential transit service, plats should be damaging existing stream channels. designed so that all units are no more than a quarter mile walk from a street facility with the capacity for transit • Where soils are compatible, ground water infiltration operations. Further, medium- and high-density residential systems should be encouraged as part of storm drainage uses should be designated near such potential transit systems. corridors so that the greatest number of people will have access to convenient transit service when it becomes In addition, stream corridors should be designated as open available. space or greenbelt, and streamside vegetation should be maintained and protected. On page 9 of the DEIS, the text describes the new land-use classification "office park" which allows for a broad range Finally, we recommend that the City of Renton take into of office uses in park-like settings. These require major account sensitive areas, such as erosion and landslide risk setbacks and large areas of open space. Office parks are areas, when implementing this comprehensive plan. Develop- normally too small and low in density to support transit ment standards should take these special conditions into service, thus requiring their occupants to depend on the account in order to protect the water quality of the planning private automobile for access. Even when the transit area to the greatest extent possible. service is available, the large setbacks usually require a long walk through a parking lot for transit riders. Metro Transportation suggests that use of the office park classification be limited and that street setbacks be minimized. To mitigate impacts of the projected increases in trips generated by implementation of any of the alternatives, it Commercial and office development designs which incorporate is important that the plan include guidelines to provide an easy pedestrian access to transit service should be 2 environment conducive to transit service. Metro's adopted encouraged. Special carpool and vanpool parking privileges 1990 transit plan is based upon the activity center concept and other incentives should be made a part of land use of the King Subregional Plan, which encourages the approval standards or conditions. concentration of development within a limited number of centers. Metro encourages this pattern of development in We have the following recommendations regarding the the Northeast Renton area because higher density development transportation analysis in the DEIS. within these centers will support the efficient and productive expansion of transit service. The maps in the EIS should be • Traffic generated by new commercial development should amended to indicate the locations and types of activity be separately identified in Tables 4, 5 and 6 (pp. 42- centers within the plan area. 3 45) rather than be incorporated in the residential traffic projections. This is because new commercial Metro has found that residential densities of not less than activities will change existing travel patterns and four to six units per acre are normally required to support attract trips from outside the planning area. transit service during other than peak hours. Large undeveloped areas separating land uses reduce the cost- • On page 43, Table 5, a peak-hour traffic analysis for effectiveness of local transit service, in turn decreasing the identified corridors should be included. This would the number of service hours available for the entire service 4 provide a better measure of the transportation impacts area. Therefore, the policy of infilling in these vacant of any of the three alternatives because the greatest areas prior to extending development to outlying land is travel capacity constraints occur during the peak hours. considered, from a transit perspective, to contribute significantly to the development of an optimal transit service environment. (79) (80) PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RENTON,WASHINGTON David R. Clemens DEIS/N.E. Renton Comprehensive Plan MUNICIPAL BUILDING DING • REN TON,WASHINGTON 96055 • 235-2550 August 24, 1981 Page four RESPONSE TO COMMENTS Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment. Very truly yours, T RESPONSE TO MUNICIPALITY OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE Rodney G. Proctor, Manager Environmental Planning Division 1. Information and comments acknowlegded. 2. Information and comments regarding In-filling as a pattern for development, transit service,and office parks are acknowledged. RGP:shm The City of Renton has endorsed the basic policies of the King Subreglonai Plan. However, the City has not formally designated activity centers within the Northeast Planning Area. 'Nevertheless, it is clear from the land use Intensity Included In the High Density Plan, Medium Density Plan and Low Density Plan that should activity centers be recognized they would be located at the Central Highlands, along the N.E. 4th Street corridor and around the N.E. 44th/1-405 Interchange. 3. Please refer to Response No. 7 to the letter from Renton Traffic Engineering. 4. Information on estimated peak hour traffic conditions for 1990 for major roadways In the Northeast Planning Area Is provided In the following table. Table 5 from the Draft EIS Is also reproduced here with appropriate corrections. (81) (82) PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC VOLUMES TABLE 5 FOR SELECTED CORRIDORS 1980-1990 Actual and Estimated Growth In Average Daily Traffic: Volumes (Volumes for evening peak hour direction only) for Selected Corridors 1976-1990 (In percentages) 1976 - 1980 Capacity 1980- 1990 %1990 Dally Percent of Estimated Percent of Peak Hour 1980 Dally Peak Hour 1990 Peak 1980 Volume _ 1990 Hour Capacity 154th S.E. (at Jones Road) -NA- 50% 66% Maple Valley Highway Maple Valley Highway 24% (East of I-405) 1390 13% 1813 919(, 37'/° 97% %N .E.4th Street .E. 4th Street (east of Union) 9% 31% 8'6% (East of Union) 1364 14% 1665 83% N.E. 3rd Street 3% 25% 111% N.E. 3rd Street 1531 13% 2053 103% Sunset Blvd. (west of Union) 37% 25% 69% Sunset Blvd. Sunset Blvd. (south of N.E. 12th) (West of Union) 1040 13% 1283 50% 24% 89% 64% Sunset Bl Sunset Blvd. Blvd. (south of Park Drive) 26% 22% -NA- (South of N.E. 12th) 1655 13% 1925 96% N.E. Park Drive (east of 1-405) 29% 15% 70% Sunset Blvd. Coal Creek Parkway/Duvall Avenue N.E. (South of Park Drive) 573 13% 682 68% (north of Sunset Blvd.) 28% 30% -NA- N.E. Park Drive Coal Creek Parkway (East of I-405) 1232 14% 1410 70% (south of S.E. 76th) -NA- 97% 113% Coal Creek Parkway/ N.E. 44th Street (east of 1-405) -NA- 253% 13% Duvall Avenue N.E. (North of Sunset) 477 11% 617 62% N.E. 27th (east of 1-405) 12% 28% -NA- Lake Washington Blvd. Lake Washington Blvd. (North of Park Drive) 740 22% 1287 12996 (north of Park Drive) 43% 79% 7@I% Note: 1990 volume divided by 1990 Level of Service (LOS) E Capacity; 70% represents approximately LOS C. (83) (84) i ' 1 1 III 1 1 I � 1 1 1 �11 1