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Home My WebLink AboutD_Radin_Special_Fence_PermitDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_Radin Special Fence Permit PLANNING DIVISION ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIAL FENCE PERMIT Date: September 28, 2021 Project Name: Radin Special Fence Permit Land Use File Number: LUA21-000319 Project Manager: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner Owners: Benjamin Radin, 274 Thomas AVE SW, Renton, WA 98057 Project Location: 274 Thomas AVE SW, Renton, WA 98057 Parcel Number: 2143700404 Project Description & Analysis: The applicant has requested approval of a Special Fence Permit for the installation of a maximum 10-foot fence (8-foot cedar fence, plus 2 feet of privacy screening, for a total of 10 feet) along a portion of the north (side yard) property line of 274 Thomas Ave SW (2143700404). The property is located within the R-8 zone. The subject property and proposed fence abut a City of Renton public park, Earlington Park, and is within 25 feet of a play structure within the park. The applicant proposes to construct the new 10-foot tall fence starting on the NE corner of the property and extending west for a length of 80 feet (See Exhibit 2). The fence will turn south and continue for an additional 4.5-5 feet where it will convert to a 6-foot tall gate which will connect to the side of the house. The total proposed length for the 10-foot tall fence is 85 feet. There is currently an existing 6-foot cedar fence with 2 feet of screening (total 8 feet) which was installed by a previous homeowner. The existing fence is proposed to be removed and replaced by the proposed 10-foot tall fence. Pursuant to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-4-040G.1.a., a special fence permit is required for fences that exceed seventy-two inches (72") within a side yard and rear yard setback. The applicant states that a 10- foot tall fence (8-foot cedar fence, plus 2 feet of privacy screening) is necessary within the side yard and rear yard setback to preserve privacy for the back yard from the neighboring park (Exhibit 3). The applicant states that, due to the public park property being approximately 2 feet higher in elevation and the height of the park’s play structure, a standard 6-foot fence with a 2-foot privacy screen is not sufficient to block sight lines into the yard. The applicant states that an 8-foot cedar fence with a 2-foot privacy screen will provide better screening from public view and help reduce the noise that comes from the park. The Administrator may approve the issuance of special fence permits provided that the four (4) evaluation criteria set forth in RMC 4-4-040G.2 can be met. Following review of the proposal, staff finds the applicant has not satisfied all four (4) criteria, specifically criteria related to scale (RMC 4-4-040G.2.b) and aesthetics (RMC 4-4- 040G.2.c). A fence 10-feet in height detracts from the quality of the residential environment by being significantly out scale and inconsistent with the yard attributes of the surrounding single-family residential neighborhood. The aesthetic impact of the proposed 10-foot-tall fence would result in a barrier along a public space that would be nearly double the allowed maximum height of a compliant fence. Additionally, screening and privacy concerns could be remedied with a code compliant solution. For example, the existing mature vegetation along the property boundary (Exhibit 6) and the existing eight (8) foot tall fence coupled with adding an arbor or trellis structure, as allowed by RMC 4-2-110E.4.i, could support additional climbing and vine type vegetation. This could provide the intended screening at a scale and aesthetic that would be more consistent and complimentary to the surrounding residential neighborhood. Based on the analysis, existing conditions, and DocuSign Envelope ID: DE341CE6-AD69-4D6B-85F0-6CF96453C8C6 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Radin Special Fence Permit Administrative Special Fence Permit LUA21-000319 Report of September 28, 2021 Page 2 of 3 D_Radin Special Fence Permit potential for code compliant solutions noted above, staff recommends denial of the special fence permit application. Fence Location: Clear Vision Area Front Yard Rear Yard Rear Yard along a Street Side Yard Side Yard along a Street Fence Design: Permanent Landscaping along the Front of the Fence Quality Fence Materials Modulation of Fence Similar to Design & Material of Surrounding Fence Increased Setbacks from Sidewalks Ornamental Materials or Construction Treatment Orientation of the Finished Face of the Fence toward the Street Evaluation Criteria: Compliance not met based on analysis above. a. The proposed fence improves the privacy and security of the adjoining yard space. b. The proposed fence does not detract from the quality of the residential environment by being out of scale or creating vast blank walls along public roadways. c. The proposed fence complements the environment it serves in an aesthetically pleasing manner. d. The proposed fence does not present a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. DECISION: Radin Special Fence Permit is Denied. SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION: 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. APPEAL: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on October 12, 2021. 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 the ongoing state of emergency enacted by Governor’s Proclamation 20-05, the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub only on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. 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. RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be reopened by the approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily discoverable prior to the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After review of the DocuSign Envelope ID: DE341CE6-AD69-4D6B-85F0-6CF96453C8C6 9/28/2021 | 3:00 PM PDT City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Radin Special Fence Permit Administrative Special Fence Permit LUA21-000319 Report of September 28, 2021 Page 3 of 3 D_Radin Special Fence Permit reconsideration request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original decision, there will be no further extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action must file a formal appeal within the 14-day appeal time frame. DocuSign Envelope ID: DE341CE6-AD69-4D6B-85F0-6CF96453C8C6 CITY OF RENTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIAL FENCE PERMIT DECISION EXHIBITS Project Name: Radin Special Fence Permit Land Use File Number: LUA21-000319 Date of Report September 28, 2021 Staff Contact Angelea Weihs Associate Planner Project Contact/Applicant Benjamin Radin 274 Thomas AVE SW, Renton, WA 98057 Project Location 274 Thomas AVE SW, Renton, WA 98057 The following exhibits are included with the Administrative Special Fence Permit: Exhibit 1: Administrative Decision Exhibit 2: Site Plan Exhibit 3: Justification Exhibit 4: Fence Materials and Elevation Exhibit 5: Neighborhood Detail Map Exhibit 6: Site Photos DocuSign Envelope ID: DE341CE6-AD69-4D6B-85F0-6CF96453C8C6