HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2009 - Minutes
RENTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2009 Renton City Hall
6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Commissioners Present: Michael Chen, Shawn Duffee, Gwendolyn High, Nancy Osborn, Kevin Poole
Planning Commissioners Absent: Lisa Brines, Michael Drollinger, Ray Giometti, Ed Prince
City Staff Present: Chip Vincent, Planning Director; Vanessa Dolbee, Associate Planner; Angie Mathias, Associate
Planner; Rocale Timmons, Associate Planner; Judith Subia, Administrative Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commission Vice Chair Osborn called the meeting to order at 5:59 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Commissioner High called roll. Commissioners Brines, Drollinger, Giometti, and Prince were
absent and excused. Commissioner Duffee arrived at 6:06 p.m.
3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None
4. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Commissioner Poole shared information regarding the Wags and Wine Event
at Vino at The Landing on April 27.
5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Law has proclaimed the month of April 2009, Volunteer Month in Renton. The annual Volunteer
Banquet will be held on April 29 at the Renton Senior Center. A Transportation 2040 presentation to the
Council and Planning Commission will be on April 13 during the Committee of the Whole meeting.
6. DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (TITLE IV) AMENDMENTS DOCKET BRIEFINGS:
#D‐02: Indoor Recreational Uses
Vanessa presented this docket request discussing which zones are appropriate for indoor recreation and
amusement uses in the City, including bowling alleys, athletic facilities, arcades, and ice skating rinks, etc.
The proposed changes would allow indoor recreational uses in the following zones: IL, CN, CD, CO, COR, UC‐
N1, and UC‐N2, with restrictions. These changes include amending the Zoning Use Table and Conditions.
#D‐04: Setback Modifications
Rocale presented this docket request that would add a procedure that stipulates the Planning Division can
require, or the applicant can request, Site Plan Review to adjust front yard setbacks when the applicant
would have been otherwise exempt from Site Plan Review. She explained the current Site Plan Review and
Variance processes. This request would formalize procedures for projects, exempt from Site Plan Review, to
request modifications to setbacks through an optional Site Plan Review process, as opposed to a Variance
process.
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 2 of 2
April 8, 2009
Planning Commission Discussion
Commissioners asked if there was public notice for Site Plan Review and if when setbacks are reviewed, if
the whole project would be reviewed as well. Staff answered yes to both questions. Commissioners also
asked if the fees for Site Plan Review would be modified. Fees would not be revised as part of this docket
request. However, there is a Fees docket item that will be presented later this year that addresses this
issue.
#D‐12: Household Pets & Medium and Large Lot Animals
Angie presented this docket request that would discontinue the requirement for an Additional Animals
Permit for people with lot sizes that meet the incremental increases, only for domestic animals, not
household pets. This request also increases the lot size requirement consistent between medium lot
animals and household pets.
Planning Commission Discussion
Commissioners asked about newly annexed residents and if they are grandfathered it. If the animals are
allowed in King County, they are allowed when annexed. There was also concern about the number of
animals allowed and the impact an increase number of animals would have on the neighbors. An increased
number of animals are only allowed on larger lot sizes.
#D‐21: Downlighting
Rocale presented this docket request to evaluate requirements for pedestrian downlighting. This request
was forwarded from the Highlands Task Force. There are exemptions for flags, airport signals, and artwork,
etc. Staff will be able to approve alternative lighting sources administratively. This change includes
amending the Definitions to include downlighting and amending the Design District Standards to specify
usage.
Planning Commission Discussion
There was discussion about downlighting as the preferred form of illumination. There are several policies in
the Comprehensive Plan that encourage lighting. Today, both private and public developers are encouraged
to use downlighting. If these changes are adopted, projects in the Design Districts would be required to use
downlighting.
7. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: The next meeting is on April 22, 2009 which will be a public hearing on all
docket items presented. A public hearing on the prezoning for the Sunset East annexation will also be on
the agenda.
8. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Nancy Osborn, Vice Chair
Gwendolyn High, Commissioner