HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Sunset_Area_Community_Renton Athletes Mural_Public_Art_Exemption_201118_v1PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SIGN CODE REGULATIONS
FOR AN OBJECT OF ART
DATE: December 17, 2020
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA20-000303, AE
PROJECT NAME: Renton Athletes Mural Public Art Exemption
PROJECT MANAGER: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
OWNER: Noh Ki W / 2801 NE 10th St, Renton, WA 98056
APPLICANT/CONTACT: Jessie Kotarski / City of Renton, Economic Development
Specialist / 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
PROJECT LOCATION: 2801 NE Sunset Blvd, Renton, WA 98056
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Renton is formally requesting a Public Art
Exemption for a new mural located at 2801 NE Sunset Blvd (Parcel number 7227900090) in
the Sunset neighborhood. The proposed mural will be located on the northeast façade of the
existing one-story retail building located at the southeast corner of NE 10th St and NE Sunset
Blvd. The mural would occupy the majority of the northeast building elevation facing the
Grocery Outlet parking lot and would be approximately 49 feet wide and 15 feet tall. On
November 13, 2018, the project received a grant award from the Renton Municipal Arts
Commission (Attachment B). The artist, Alexander Codd, is proposing a new mural that will
feature iconic athletic figures and the faces of Renton. Alexander plans to capture the
likenesses of local Renton citizens and celebrate the diversity and character of the
community (Attachment C). City staff observed a verbage error in the provided proposal
(Attachment C). In order to ensure that this error is not translated into the final design, staff
recommends as a condition of approval that a final proposal be submitted for review and
approval prior to mural installation.
CODE AUTHORITY: RMC 4-9-160F gives the Department of Community and
Economic Development authority to grant exemptions from the sign code for 'objects of
art' provided an Exemption Certificate for Public Art is issued. The code defines 'objects of
art' as sculptures, wall paintings, murals, collages or banners by artists recognized by the
Renton Municipal Arts commission.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Per RMC 4-9-160C, the Department of Community and
Economic Development may determine that objects of art are exempt from the requirements
of the City's Sign code when:
1. Sited in a manner as to be readily accessible to pedestrians for passive viewing;
DocuSign Envelope ID: A802D840-A6BC-4B79-A42B-357FB4767CD8
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption from Sign Code for an Object of Art
Renton Athletes Mural Public Art Exemption LUA20-000303, AE
DATE OF PERMIT: December 17, 2020 Page 2 of 2
2. Sited in a manner so as not to unduly divert the attention of motorists from the
roadway;
3. Stationary and do not revolve or otherwise move;
4. Not illuminated;
5. In good taste and reasonably reflect acceptable community values;
6. Of sufficient durability so as to have a life expectancy of at least ten (10) years;
7. Not used or referred to in the media or by the owners of the premises or operators of
businesses contained thereon for business advertising purposes.
DECISION: An exemption from the sign code regulations for an object of art is hereby
approved and is subject to the following conditions:
1. A final mural proposal shall be submitted for review and approval by the Current Planning
Project Manager, prior to mural installation.
DATE OF DECISION ON LAND USE ACTION:
SIGNATURE:
________________________________________________________ ________________
Vanessa Dolbee, Planning Director Date
The administrative land use decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within 14
days of the decision date.
APPEALS: This exemption will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner
on or before 5:00 PM on December 31, 2020. An appeal of the decision must be filed within
the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Due to Governor Jay
Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25 (“Stay Home, Stay Healthy”), the City Clerk’s Office is working
remotely. For that reason, appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at
cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted,
will be collected at a future date. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4 -8-
110 and additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City
Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. If the situation changes such that the City Clerk’s
Office is open when you file your appeal, you have the option of filing the appeal in person.
Attachments: A) Renton Athletes Mural Proposal (email request from Jessie Kotarski), B) Art
Commission Grant Approval (Renton Municipal Arts Commission Minutes dated November 13,
2018) and C) Renton Athletes Mural Project Design
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12/17/2020 | 1:58 PM PST
From: Jessie Kotarski <JKotarski@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2020 10:01 AM
To: Vanessa Dolbee <VDolbee@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: Clark Close <CClose@Rentonwa.gov>; Jordan Hoover <JHoover@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: Sunset Neighborhood: Mural proposal for "art exemption"
Hello Vanessa (or maybe these should go to Clark now *congratulations Clark!*)
I am requesting an exemption for an Arts Commission funded project, this one in the Sunset
neighborhood. Here is the information for the proposed mural:
- Artist Information:
o Alexander Codd. The project received a grant award from the Arts Commission and has
been looking for a “home” for a couple of years now. We at last have a willing building
owner to supply a wall!
- The selected and approved design is attached.
- Photos of the proposed location (below): 2801 NE 10th St (north wall facing the parking lot of
Grocery Outlet)
- (We are waiting for the signed Master application, and will forward when it has been received).
Let me know if you need anything else!
~Jessie
Jessie Kotarski
Economic Development Specialist
City of Renton | 1055 S. Grady Way, 6th Floor | Renton WA 98057
jkotarski@rentonwa.gov| Phone: 425.430.7271
ATTACHMENT A
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RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Members Present: Dave Samek, Neil Sheesley, Evelyn Reingold, Bill Huls, Susan Jessick
Staff Present:
Chip Vincent, Administrator, Community and Economic Development
Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Alan Wyatt, Parks Planning & Natural Resources, City of Renton
Brianna Burroughs, prospective Commissioner
Adam Rosencrantz, Theater Manager, IKEA Performing Arts Center
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Neil Sheesley at 6:05 pm.
Introduction of Guests:
Alan Wyatt presented an update on the plans for Kennydale Beach Park and the search for a new home for
Tommy the Turtle. City Council has approved the use of $14.5 million for deferred maintenance and the Parks
Department plans to use some of those funds to update the design and play equipment at Kennydale Beach
Park. The Department will incorporate the turtle into the new Park design, making sure the Turtle is an integral
part of the overall look and feel of the Park. The estimated timeframe for the project is summer 2019. The
Commissioners have requested that the Department consider the addition of an interpretative sign to provide
the public with the history of the Turtle.
Alan continued his presentation with an update on the plans at Sunset Park. The project is currently in Phase 2
and at 75% design completion. The request for the Arts Commission is to assist the Parks Department in
identifying an artist that can work with the park design team to create a piece (or pieces) of art to be installed in
the completed park. Alan’s presentation provided an overview of the park look and feel including materials,
selected play and fitness equipment, benches, gazebo design, rain garden and water “mist” feature. Alan also
noted that extra conduit is being added to the central location identified for art and that the park will feature
free Wifi (should these items be necessary for selected art featured in the park).
The Commissioners have requested additional information from Alan to help in the selection of the artist,
including:
•Space limitations (dimensions of the allotted area for art)
•Timeline for installation
•Budget for art
Approval of Minutes: The October 2018 minutes were read and approved. MSC (Susan/Dave)
Correspondence and Announcements:
•4Culture Listening Session: The event is scheduled for November 27 from 10am to 12pm at the
Renton Civic Theatre.
•Building for Culture: Carco Theatre will be applying for the 4Culture Building for Culture grant
(closing November 14). The theatre will be applying for a new marquee.
ATTACHMENT B
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• Seattle Symphony in Renton: The Seattle Symphony met with the IKEA Performing Arts Center and is
looking at two potential dates to offer a free concert; Oct. 24, 2019 or February 25, 2020. The
Symphony has requested recommendations for potential local partners to collaborate with in an
effort to create a community-driven event that caters to the unique identity of Renton. The
Symphony is currently working with Quintin Morris, A Key to Change, and will look into partnering
with the Renton schools as well.
Budget:
• City Council will meet on November 19 for the second final reading of the proposed budget; including
the request for $102,900 from the General Fund to support the Arts in addition to the 1% for Art fund.
• A recap of the current 2018 remaining funds indicates that there is approximately $26,000 remaining in
the Arts & Culture budget.
• Items remain on the project list that was established at the Annual Retreat in February. This list will be
re-sent to the Commissioners to identify projects that can still be completed by the end of the year.
• Any funds not used in the calendar year will be rolled over to 2019.
General Business:
• Art Maintenance – The City is entering into contracts with local art restoration business, Artech. These
repairs will be funded by the Facilities Department. Artech will repair and clean three identified City-
owned art pieces:
o Summer Breeze
o Going Global
o Terrazzo benches outside of City Hall
Galvanizing Art Projects:
New Business:
• Small Business Saturday – The Annual Tree Lighting and Small Business Saturday are scheduled for
November 24, 2018. The day-long celebration will include kid’s activities (arts and crafts), support for
Downtown businesses, live music performances and the arrival of Santa at the Pavilion. Additionally, the
Santa House will be open three Saturdays in December for kids to get their pictures made with Santa at
no cost. The Arts Commission has been asked to support the event with a sponsorship of $1000 which
will help with the cost of decorations (for Small Business Saturday and Santa House), art activity kits and
costs related to the musicians. A motion was made and approved to fund Small Business Saturday
(hosted by the Renton Downtown Partnership) and the Santa House in the amount of $1,000. MSC
(Evelyn/Bill)
Old Business:
• Vigor Mural – In response to comments from the Commission about the original design for the mural at
Vigor Fitness, the artist Alexander Codd is proposing a new concept for the public art piece that will
feature iconic athletic figures and the faces of Renton. Alexander plans to capture the likenesses of local
Renton citizens and celebrate the diversity and character of the community in this mural to be installed
at the Vigor building in Spring 2019. Alexander has proposed a budget of $7,500 for the project. Funding
has been provided in part by the Port of Seattle (through a grant to the Economic Development
Department) and by the building owner, Luka Hocevar. The request to the Arts Commission is to help
fund the project in the amount of $3,000. A motion was made and approved to fund the project in the
amount of $3,000 pending approval of the final mural design to incorporate local historical figures of
Renton. MSC (Bill/Evelyn)
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• Boone Kirkman mural (complete!) – The mural is complete and a celebration of the project is scheduled
for Wednesday, November 21 at La Hacienda between 5 and 7pm. A motion was made and approved to
sponsor the event in an amount not to exceed $500. MSC (Bill/Dave)
• Olde Fashioned Halloween Party (Oct 27) – The event was attended by an estimated 750 kids and their
families. More 30 downtown businesses participated in the Trick or Treating and there were 21 entries in
the scarecrow competition. The event was a huge success. Thank you to Neil and Evelyn for judging the
scarecrows. Merrill Gardens took first place and The Pencil Test received the People’s Choice award.
• Renton’s Own Rock Show (Nov 3) – The event was attended by 130 people. One takeaway from the
event is that the free admission may have encourage attendance from a disrespectful crowd. The
Theatre staff observed rude behavior from some of the patrons and a lack of respect for the space (lots
of mess was left behind). The recommendation was made to consider charging a nominal fee and
perhaps a recommended donation that will then be used to support a selected non-profit.
• Utility Box wraps in Sunset (update) – The designs are complete and will be installed by the end of the
month.
• Utility Box wraps in Downtown – Artist, Yvonne Chan has submitted three designs for the Arts
Commission to select from for the utility box downtown. The Arts Commission has made the request that
an additional 2 utility boxes be identified Downtown so that all three designs can be used.
• Utility Box wraps in Benson Hill – The artist, Camp., has submitted her final design and is working with the
installers to wrap the box in Benson Hill before the end of the year.
• Dragon Update – Marsha will be meeting with Western Neon on Tuesday, November 20 to finalize and
approve the design of the dragon’s head. The fabricators indicate that the project is still on target for
completion by the end of the year.
Committee Reports:
• Vacancies – The Committee to fill vacant commission positions has made the recommendation to
approve the appointment of Brianna Burroughs and Kaie Wise following two very successful candidate
interviews. A motion was made and approved to appoint Brianna and Kaie to the Arts Commission
effective immediately. MSC (Bill/Susan)
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
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ATTACHMENT C
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