HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-000145 (R-8 2 lot short plat) Planning Comments PREAPPLICATION MEETING FOR
Lee Short Plat/Critical Area Variance(s)
5100 Block of lake Washington Blvd NE
PRE 15-000145
CITY OF RENTON
Department of Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
March 19, 2015
Contact Information:
Planner: Jill Ding, 425.430.6598
Public Works Plan Reviewer: Kamran Yazdidoost, 425.430.7382
Fire Prevention Reviewer: Corey Thomas, 425.430.7024
Building Department Reviewer: Craig Burnell, 425.430.7290
Please retain this packet throughout the course of your project as a reference. Consider
giving copies of it to any engineers, architects, and contractors who work on the
project. You will need to submit a copy of this packet when you apply for land use
and/or environmental permits.
Pre-screening: When you have the project application ready for submittal, call and
schedule an appointment with the project manager to have it pre-screened before
making all of the required copies.
The pre-application meeting is informal and non-binding. The comments provided on
the proposal are based on the codes and policies in effect at the time of review. The
applicant is cautioned that the development regulations are regularly amended and the
proposal will be formally reviewed under the regulations in effect at the time of project
submittal. The information contained in this summary is subject to modification and/or
concurrence by official decision-makers (e.g., Hearing Examiner, Planning Director,
Development Services Director, Department of Community & Economic Development
Administrator, Public Works Administrator and City Council).
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comments.doc
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: March 19, 2015
TO: Pre-Application File No. 15-000145
FROM: Jill Ding, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Lee Short Plat/Critical Area Variance(s), 5100 Block of Lake
Washington Blvd NE (parcel no. 3343300861).
General: We have completed a preliminary review of the pre-application for the above-
referenced development proposal. The following comments on development and permitting
issues are based on the pre-application submittals made to the City of Renton by the applicant
and the codes in effect on the date of review. The applicant is cautioned that information
contained in this summary may be subject to modification and/or concurrence by official
decision-makers (e.g., Hearing Examiner, Community & Economic Development Administrator,
Public Works Administrator, Planning Director, Development Services Director, and City
Council). Review comments may also need to be revised based on site planning and other
design changes required by City staff or made by the applicant. The applicant is encouraged to
review all applicable sections of the Renton Municipal Code. The Development Regulations are
available for purchase for $50.00 plus tax, from the Finance Division on the first floor of City Hall
or online at www.rentonwa.gov
Project Proposal: The project site is located on the west side of Lake Washington Blvd NE and
just south of the Renton City limits. The project site is vacant and totals 82,764 square feet (1.9
acres) and zoning is Residential – 8 dwelling units per acre (R-8). The applicant is proposing to
subdivide the site into 2 residential lots. Access to the proposed lots would be provided via
residential driveways off of Lake Washington Blvd NE. Three wetlands (Wetlands A, B, and C)
and two streams (Streams A and B) have been identified on the project site . Wetlands A and B
are classified at Category 2 wetlands and Wetland C is classified as a Category 3 wetland.
Streams A and B are Class 3 streams.
Current Use: The site is currently vacant.
Zoning/Density Requirements: The subject property is zoned Residential-8 dwelling units per
acre (R-8) where interim R-8 (effectively R-6) zoning standards currently apply. Interim zoning
standards were adopted under Ordinance 5724.
The density range allowed in the R-8 zone is a minimum of 4.0 to a maximum of 8.0 dwelling
units per acre (du/ac). The area located within dedicated right-of-way, private access
easements/tracts, and critical areas would be deducted from the gross site area to determine
the “net” site area prior to calculating density. No square footages were provided for the area
within critical areas, therefore staff was unable to calculate the net site area. Based on a gross
site area of 82,764 square feet, the proposal for 2 lots would result in a gross density of 1.05
dwelling units per acre (2 lots / 1.9 acres = 1.05 du/ac), which is below the minimum density
Lee Short Plat and Critical Area Variance(s), PRE15-000145
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March 19, 2015
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required in the R-8 zone. A density worksheet would be required at the time of formal land
use application demonstrating compliance with the minimum and maximum density
requirements of the R-8 zone.
Development Standards: The project would be subject to RMC 4-2-110A, “Development
Standards for Single Family Zoning Designations” effective at the time of complete application
(noted as “R-8 standards” herein).
Minimum Lot Size, Width and Depth – The minimum lot size permitted in Zone R-8, according to
interim zoning standards, is 7,000 square feet for parcels being subdivided. Minimum lot width
is 60 feet for interior lots and 70 feet for corner lots; minimum lot depth is 90 feet. No lot
dimension information was included with the pre-application materials, therefore staff was
unable to verify compliance with this requirement.
Building Standards – The interim standards allow a maximum building coverage of 40% of the lot
area. The maximum impervious coverage in the R-8 zone is 55%. Building height is restricted to
30 feet. Detached accessory structures must remain below a height of 15 feet and one-story.
Accessory structures are also included in building lot coverage calculations. The proposal’s
compliance with the building standards would be verified at the time of building permit
review.
Setbacks – Setbacks are the minimum required distance between the building footprint and the
property line or shared driveway. The interim required setbacks for the R-8 zone are:
Front yard: 25 feet for the primary structure.
Rear yard: 25 feet.
Side yards: 15-foot combined setback with a minimum setback of not less than 5 feet.
No information regarding setbacks was included with the pre-application materials, therefore
staff was unable to verify compliance with these requirements. Setbacks would be vested at
time of complete Short Plat application submittal. Setbacks would be verified at the time of
building permit review.
Lot Configuration – One of the following is required:
1. Lot width variation of 10 feet (10') minimum of one per four (4) abutting stre et-fronting
lots, or
2. Minimum of four (4) lot sizes (minimum of 400 gross square feet size difference), or
3. A front yard setback variation of at least five feet (5') minimum for at least every four (4)
abutting street fronting lots.
No information regarding lot dimensions was included with the pre-application materials,
therefore staff was unable to verify compliance with this requirement.
Building Design Standards – The proposed structure would be subject to the Residential Design
Standards outlined in RMC 4-2-115. The proposal’s compliance with the residential design
standards would be verified at the time of building permit review.
Access/Parking: Access to the proposed lots would be provided via residential driveways off of
Lake Washington Blvd NE. Each lot is required to accommodate off street parking for a minimum
of two vehicles.
Lee Short Plat and Critical Area Variance(s), PRE15-000145
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March 19, 2015
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Driveways: The maximum driveway slopes cannot exceed 15%, provided that driveways
exceeding 8% are to provide slotted drains at the lower end of the driveway. If the grade
exceeds 15%, a variance is required. The maximum width of single loaded garage driveways shall
not exceed nine feet (9') and double loaded garage driveways shall not exceed sixteen feet (16').
Landscaping – Except for critical areas, all portions of the development area not covered by
structures, required parking, access, circulation or service areas, must be landscaped with
native, drought-resistant vegetative cover. The minimum on-site landscape width required along
street frontages is 10 feet. Please refer to landscape regulations (RMC 4-4-070) for further
general and specific landscape requirements. A conceptual landscape plan shall be submitted
at the time of Short Plat application.
Significant Tree Retention: A Tree Retention/ Land Clearing (Tree Inventory) Plan along with a
tree retention worksheet shall be provided with the formal land use application. The tree
retention plan must show preservation of at least 30 percent (30 %) of significant trees, and
indicate how proposed building footprints would be sited to accommodate preservation of
significant trees that would be retained. The Administrator may authorize the planting of
replacement trees on the site if it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction that
an insufficient number of trees can be retained.
In addition to retaining 30 percent of existing significant trees, each new lot would be required
to provide a minimum tree density of 2 trees per 5,000 square feet of lot area onsite. Protected
trees that do not contribute to a lot's required minimum tree density shall be held in perpetuity
within a tree protection tract. Based on the required tree retention the Short Plat may need to
be re-designed to accommodate a tree protection tract.
Significant trees shall be retained in the following priority order:
Priority One: Landmark trees; significant trees that form a continuous canopy; significant trees
on slopes greater than twenty percent (20%); Significant trees adjacent to critical areas and their
associated buffers; and Significant trees over sixty feet (60') in height or greater than eighteen
inches ( 18") caliper.
Priority Two: Healthy tree groupings whose associated undergrowth can be preserved; Other
significant native evergreen or deciduous trees; and Other significant non- native trees.
Priority Three: Alders and cottonwoods shall be retained when all other trees have been
evaluated for retention and are not able to be retained, unless the alders and/ or cottonwoods
are used as part of an approved enhancement project within a critical area or its buffer.
The Administrator may require independent review of any land use application that involves
tree removal and land clearing at the City's discretion.
Critical Areas: A critical area report was included with the pre-application materials. According
to the submitted report three wetlands (Wetlands A, B, and C) and two streams (Streams A and
B) are located on the project site. Wetlands A and B were classified as Category 2 wetlands and
Wetland C is classified as a Category 3 wetland. Category 2 wetlands require a 50-foot buffer
and Category 3 wetlands require a 25-foot buffer. Streams A and B were classified as Class 3
streams, which require a 75-foot buffer. A wetland report and delineation and a stream study
would be required at the time of formal land use application. A mitigation plan would
also be required if impacts to the critical areas and/or buffer areas are proposed. All
critical areas and their buffers are required to be located in separate tracts.
Lee Short Plat and Critical Area Variance(s), PRE15-000145
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The City is in the process of updating its critical areas regulations. It is anticipated that the
new regulations would be adopted prior to June 30, 2015. It is likely that wetland and stream
buffers will increase under the new regulations.
Environmental Review: Environmental (SEPA) Review would be required due to the presence of
critical areas on the project site.
Permit Requirements: The proposal would require approval of an administrative short plat and
Environmental (SEPA) Review. The administrative short plat request would be reviewed within
an estimated time frame of six to eight weeks. The fee for a short plat application will be $3,090
($2,000 short plat plus $1,000 SEPA plus 3% Technology Fee). Detailed information regarding
the land use application submittal is provided in the attached handouts.
The applicant will be required to install a public information sign on the property. Detailed
information regarding the land use application submittal requirements is provided in the
attached handouts. Once Preliminary Short Plat approval is obtained, the applicant must
complete the required improvements and dedications, as well as satisfy any conditions of the
preliminary approval before submitting for Final Short Plat review. Once final approval is
received, the plat may be recorded. The newly created lots may only be sold after the plat has
been recorded.
Fees: In addition to the applicable building and construction fees, impact fees would be
required. Such fees would apply to all projects and would be calculated at the time of building
permit application and payable prior to building permit issuance. The fees are as follows and
fees may change year to year:
Transportation Impact Fee - $2,214.44 per new single-family house;
Park Impact Fee - $1,441.29 per new single-family house; and
Fire Impact Fee - $495.10 per new single-family house.
A handout listing the impact fees is attached. A Renton School District Impact Fee, which is
currently $5,541 per new home, would be payable prior to building permit issuance.
A handout listing all of the City’s Development related fees in attached for your review.
Note: When the formal application materials are complete, the applicant is strongly
encouraged to have one copy of the application materials pre-screened at the 6th floor front
counter prior to submitting the complete application package. Please call or email Jill Ding,
Senior Planner at 425-430-6598 or jding@rentonwa.gov for an appointment.
Expiration: Upon approval, the short plat is valid for two years with a possible one year
extension.