HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2014 - MinutesRENTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Renton City Hall
Council Chambers
Planning Commissioners Present: Angelina Benedetti, Michael Chen, Michael Drollinger, David Fleetwood,
Roxanna Johnson, Michael O'Halloran, Nancy Osborn, Kevin Poole, Martin Regge
City Staff Present: Jennifer Henning, Planning Director; Vanessa Dolbee, Senior Planner; Angie Mathias, Senior
Planner; Judith Subia, Administrative Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Drollinger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Commission Secretary Poole called roll. All Commissioners present.
3. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: Letters from Paul Jacobson and Donnie Douglas regarding legalized
marijuana.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None
5. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: None
6. DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
• Jennifer gave the Director's Report. At Monday night's Council meeting, there was discussion about
reducing the number of Council meetings to two per month, with Committee of the Whole meetings
during alternating weeks. No decisions have been made.
• Library status. Highlands- land use and environmental process. HEX on 02/11. Cedar River -Building
permit stage. Comments sent, awaiting response from consultant.
• South Renton community meeting. Residents live in homes that they grew up in and concerned and
committed to success of downtown. Synergistic relationship.
7. LEGALIZED MARIJUANA WORK PROGRAM:
Angie presented this item. Council adopted a six month moratorium on November 18, 2013 and is not
accepting applications for medical and/or recreational marijuana business licenses or permits. Angie gave
background information regarding medical marijuana (1-692) and recreational marijuana (1-502).
Angie also covered the State Liquor Control Board rules, including land use related rules. For all types,
cannot be in a residence; no internet sales, delivery, mail order, or drive-through windows; and cannot be
within 1,000 feet of elementary/secondary school, playground, recreation center/facility, child care center,
public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade. She shared a map of Liquor Control Sensitive Uses
with a 1,000 feet buffer. There was a question regarding preschools, as they are not an elementary school or
child care center.
Angie discussed retail, producer, and processor rules. There was discussion about limiting the hours of
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 2 of 2
January 15, 2014
operation, the height of an 8' sight obscuring fence for growing outdoors, water run off when using
pesticides and disposable of waste.
There is no limit on the number of producer and/or processor licenses. The retail number is based on
population. In Renton, that number is 3, which may be increased later. The City has not determined what
land use they most closely match; producer can be agriculture, processor can be manufacturing, and retail
can be retail sales. Staff did a code comparison with the following jurisdictions: Bellevue, Everett, Issaquah,
Kent, King County, Kirkland, Redmond, Seattle, Shoreline, Tacoma, and Tukwila. Cities of Bellevue, Everett,
Issaquah, Kirkland, Seattle, Tacoma, and Tukwila allow growing and processing be allowed in industrial
zones. Cities of Everett, Tacoma, and Tukwila have added 1,000 feet buffers to residential, drug
rehabilitation facilities, and other retailers. In the City of Tacoma, retail is not allowed to have drive through.
Angie discussed recommendations for categorizing land uses. Staff recommends categorizing producers and
processors the same and categorize as Industrial Heavy. Angie shared the description of the Industrial Heavy
zone and the purpose of the Industrial Medium zone. Staff also recommends retailers be categorized with
taverns. Angie shared the definition of taverns and the proposed definition for marijuana retailer, which a
blending of the LCB definition of retailer and the City's definition of tavern. Angie shared a table of which
zones taverns are allowed in, additional review, if needed, and associated conditions.
Angie shared the Staff recommendation regarding additional regulations. They include requiring marijuana
producers to be indoors and an additional 1,000 feet buffer from substance abuse, drug rehabilitation, or
detox facilities.
The next steps include an additional Planning Commission briefing on February 5, a public hearing on
February 19, deliberations and recommendation on March 5, and forwarding the Commission's
recommendation to the Planning & Development Committee on March 13.
Audience Comment
Chris Leyba, Renton: Mr. Leyba is a Highlands resident, a detective for the Seattle Police Department, and
concurs with the Staff recommendation. However, he encouraged the Commission to be open minded and
not be too restrictive. Mr. Leyba believes locations should be spread across City rather than Blocked
together, as being grouped together attracts criminal activity.
8. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: The next meeting is February 5, 2014.
9. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m
i l
Mich \ 1 Drollinger, Chair
Kevin Poole, Secretary