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Home My WebLink AboutEX_08_C_Asdourian Comments and City ResponseFrom: Jill Ding Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 8:20 AM To: Bud Dennison Cc: rasdo@live.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; ashasdo@outlook.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Subject: RE: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V- A, V-H. Bud, Thank you for your comments, your comments have been added to the official file for consideration by the decision maker and you have been added as a party of record for this project. Thanks, Jill Ding Senior Planner City of Renton Community and Economic Development 6th floor 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 425-430-6598 jding@rentonwa.gov COVID-19 UPDATE City Hall is currently closed to the public but we are still available to assist you. · Pay Invoice and Apply for Over-the-Counter Permit: Permitting Portal · Schedule an Inspection: Permitting Portal -OR- Building: 425-430-7202; Civil/Site: 425-430-7203 · Contact Staff: o Building or General Permitting: permittech@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7200 o Planning: planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7294 o Public Works Permitting: pwpermitting@rentonwa.gov or 206-402-8626 o Code Compliance: Renton Responds or 425-430-7373. From: Bud Dennison <budmanis@comcast.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 10:14 AM To: Jill Ding <JDing@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: rasdo@live.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; ashasdo@outlook.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Subject: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. We are writing to show support of the Asdourian remodel project - PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. The Asdourian family is a lovely addition to our neighborly lane. They are wonderful, thoughtful neighbors. They have been very well received by all of us longer term residents. We do not see anything prohibitive with their remodel project, and encourage the city to approve their plans. Granting the setback and height variances would not be a special privilege that others don’t enjoy. Approving their plans would not injure any other surrounding home owners. Marilynn and & Bud Dennison 3717 Lake Washington Blvd No. Renton, WA 98056 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. From: Jill Ding Sent: Friday, March 19, 2021 8:08 AM To: Marjorie Harwood; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Cc: rasdo@live.com; ashado@outlook.com; Doug Harwood Subject: RE: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V- A, V-H. Marjorie, Thank you for your comments, your comments have been included in the official file for consideration by the decision maker. You have also been added as a party of record for this project. Thanks, Jill Ding Senior Planner City of Renton Community and Economic Development 6th floor 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 425-430-6598 jding@rentonwa.gov COVID-19 UPDATE City Hall is currently closed to the public but we are still available to assist you. · Pay Invoice and Apply for Over-the-Counter Permit: Permitting Portal · Schedule an Inspection: Permitting Portal -OR- Building: 425-430-7202; Civil/Site: 425-430-7203 · Contact Staff: o Building or General Permitting: permittech@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7200 o Planning: planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7294 o Public Works Permitting: pwpermitting@rentonwa.gov or 206-402-8626 o Code Compliance: Renton Responds or 425-430-7373. From: Marjorie Harwood <mharwood@rlevansco.com> Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2021 1:39 PM To: Jill Ding <JDing@Rentonwa.gov>; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Cc: rasdo@live.com; ashado@outlook.com; Doug Harwood <dough@rlevansco.com> Subject: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. Hello, I’m writing to show support of the Asdourian remodel project - PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H, the home at the end of our lane. The Asdourian family moved in a few years ago and have been a fabulous addition to our tight-knit lane of neighbors. It has been a joy to see their family grow and I completely understand their need to have a home that will accommodate the kids as well as the new reality of having to work from home. We have recently (in the past year) gone through some of the same hurdles the Asdourian’s have endured to add a elevator at the front of our home. We were also required to have both a shoreline exemption (even though we remained with in our current footprint) and a height variance (even though we were under our current roof height for the addition). Both were approved. Our home is likely the tallest home along the lane and well over the current 35’ maximum that is currently code. We have absolutely no issue with the Asdourian’s home remodel plan and would encourage you to grant them the 35’ maximum allowed. Space is tight on the lane and especially so for them with having two sides of their property touching water and increased setbacks as a result. This doesn’t seem fair. I’m not aware of anyone along the lane or behind that would be unfairly injured or affected by allowing the 35’ maximum. Views look straight out towards the water for most on the lane. When walking near the homes above our lane I have experienced no issues with views of the lake being obscured, except by trees….even by our high peaked home. Lake Washington, Mercer Island and sunsets are still easily viewed. Renton favors single-family residential development along the shoreline and it would appear that the Asdourian’s remodel plan is consistent with the intent of city policy. It would be unfair of the city to discriminate or interfere with a property owner’s right if they are within the height restrictions. I do not feel it is fair to allow one homeowner that consideration and not another indiscriminately. The height variance does not appear to be a special privilege, but rather consistent to what is allowed in the City of Renton’s building codes. Honestly, I’m more concerned, as should those above the lane, with the trees that were planted recently along the trail. While small now, they appear to be cedar trees that will likely grow far above 35’ in a few years and are placed to closely together. How was that permitted without discussion? We had small bushes hacked behind our lane that were not tall nor would they ever become so, but I digress. This note is about the Asdourian’s remodel, of which we are in favor of and do hope the City does not discriminate against them regarding the 35’ height variance, which their plans are within, and are willing to accommodate the setbacks requested due to the unique property that they own. Kind regards, Marjorie & Doug Harwood 3713 Lk Wash Blvd N Renton, WA 98056 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. 425.503.7092 From: Jill Ding Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:27 AM To: Sin Lew Cc: rasdo@live.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; ashasdo@outlook.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Subject: RE: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. Sin, Thank you for your comments, you have been added as a party of record and your comments have been included in the official file for consideration by the decision maker. Thanks, Jill Ding Senior Planner City of Renton Community and Economic Development 6th floor 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 425-430-6598 jding@rentonwa.gov COVID-19 UPDATE City Hall is currently closed to the public but we are still available to assist you. · Pay Invoice and Apply for Over-the-Counter Permit: Permitting Portal · Schedule an Inspection: Permitting Portal -OR- Building: 425-430-7202; Civil/Site: 425-430-7203 · Contact Staff: o Building or General Permitting: permittech@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7200 o Planning: planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7294 o Public Works Permitting: pwpermitting@rentonwa.gov or 206-402-8626 o Code Compliance: Renton Responds or 425-430-7373. From: Sin Lew <sinlew@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 10:02 AM To: Jill Ding <JDing@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: rasdo@live.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; ashasdo@outlook.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Subject: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. Hello, I’m writing to show support of the Asdourian remodel project - PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. My name is Sin Lew and I reside at 3909 Lake Washington Blvd N Renton. Ryan and his family are my neighbors and friends of ours. We have known them for a couple of years since we moved to the neighborhood and they are wonderful neighbors. I understand that Ryan would like to remodel his home and I am highly supportive of his remodel. The remodel will enhance the neighborhood. A few points to make from my understanding of his request : 1. Many homes along the lane and in the neighborhood are taller than Ryan Asdourian home. Adding an additional story while staying below the 35 foot maximum height for homes along Lake Washington is a right many of us living along the lane enjoy. The city should not treat the Asdourian height or setbacks more restrictively than they do for other houses along the lane. 2. Granting the setback or height variance would not injure any other owners along the lane – granting the variances would actually make the Asdourian house more like the other homes which would benefit the neighborhood. 3. Granting the setback and height variances would not be a special privilege that others don’t enjoy. 4. The Asdourian home sits on a narrow lot and is constrained by the curving lake frontage, so it would be very reasonable to grant them the side yard setback. 5. SFR development along the shoreline of lake Washington is desirable and is favored by the city as a policy, so this is very consistent with the remodel of the property. As a neighbor I feel that Ryan’s home remodel will enhance the neighborhood without violating any city policy and obstructing any views of his neighbors. CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. I hope you will consider this and provide him all the support that he is requesting. I am looking forward to his home being completed with the remodel and enjoying the neighborhood with his family. Thanks, Sin Lew 3909 Lake Washington Blvd N Renton, WA. From: Jill Ding Sent: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:10 AM To: Gregor Perotto Cc: Kris Bristow; ashasdo@outlook.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com; rasdo@live.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; williams@jmmlaw.com Subject: RE: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H Greg, Thank you for your comments, you have been added as a party of record and your comments have been added to the official file for consideration by the decision maker. Thanks, Jill Ding Senior Planner City of Renton Community and Economic Development 6th floor 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 425-430-6598 jding@rentonwa.gov COVID-19 UPDATE City Hall is currently closed to the public but we are still available to assist you. · Pay Invoice and Apply for Over-the-Counter Permit: Permitting Portal · Schedule an Inspection: Permitting Portal -OR- Building: 425-430-7202; Civil/Site: 425-430-7203 · Contact Staff: o Building or General Permitting: permittech@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7200 o Planning: planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7294 o Public Works Permitting: pwpermitting@rentonwa.gov or 206-402-8626 o Code Compliance: Renton Responds or 425-430-7373. From: Gregor Perotto <gtperotto@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2021 10:46 AM To: Jill Ding <JDing@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: Kris Bristow <kjbristow@gmail.com>; ashasdo@outlook.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com; rasdo@live.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; williams@jmmlaw.com Subject: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H To Whom It May Concern, We are writing to show our full support for the Asdourian remodel project - PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H as submitted to the City of Renton for review and permit approvals. The Asdourians are our delightful next door neighbors with a growing and lovely family. They are the ideal neighbors, always offering a helping hand, friendly, gregarious, and respectful. We ask that you approved their permit requests and grant the exceptions as: · There are a multitude of neigboring homes along Lake Washington Blvd. N. that are the same height or taller, as well as with the same or even smaller setbacks from Lake Washington Blvd. N. than the Asdourian's proposed remodel; The footprint of these homes does not inhibit traffic or emergency vehicle access on or along the boulevard and their height has been allowed by the City of Renton within its ~35 foot height restriction, setting precedent for approval of the Asdourian remodel. Denying the Asdourian's request puts an unfair and unjust penalty on the Asdourians as compared to all other homes on the lane, both existing or under construction, that are at the same or higher height. That their home sits on property with water on two sides should not negatively impact the city's review and approval process. The city should not treat the Asdourian height or setbacks more restrictively than they do for any other houses along the lane. Further, granting the setback and height variances would not be a special privilege that other homeowners along Lake Washington Blvd. N. don’t already enjoy. · The remodel of the Asdourian's home will increase the value of the neighborhood and of neighboring properties, ours included; By denying the Asdourian's remodel permits as requested, the City of Renton is negatively impacting the future value of all homes along the immediate stretch of the waterside of Lake Washington Blvd. N. south to Kennydale Beach and north to Wells Avenue North Should you have any questions or need further comment from us in support of the Asdourian home remodel, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Greg Perotto and Kris Bristow -- Greg Perotto gtperotto@gmail.com @gtperotto www.linkedin.com/in/gregperotto CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. February 28, 2021 Jill Ding, Senior Planner City of Renton Planning Division 1055 South Grady Way Renton, WA. 98057 RE: PROECT PR-21-000036 ASDOURIAN HOUDE REMODEL / LUA21-000025 SME, SSDP,V-A, V-H 3901 LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD N (APN3342700070) Dear Ms. Ding: The applicant has requested two administrative variances as noted in the “Justifications: Administrative and Shoreline Variances”. On page 2 of the “Justifications: Administrative and Shoreline Variances”, the applicant states that the remodel is needed to “accommodate his changing needs and his growing family.” It also indicates that the remodel is a necessary special accommodation based on a medical condition as it progresses. The applicant wants to increase the current wall plate height from 16’-3-1/2” to 28’-3-1/2” with a new roof height of 30’-3-1/2” and a total height of constructed structures and appurtenances of 33’-9-1/2”. We object to the City issuing a variance to the 24’ maximum wall plate height and the addition of a roof deck because it would encroach upon our view corridor which is directly over the roof of this house, potentially lower our property value, and the current height restrictions were a key consideration in purchasing our house. We further object to the construction of a roof deck as it requires additional railings that effectively DOUBLE the current height of the structure. Our objections are based on the following; The property at 3901 Lake Washington Blvd N is directly west of our house at 3830 Lake Washington Blvd N and represents a restriction to our view corridor to Lake Washington as we must look over the current roof peak and additions to its height will further restrict our view and potentially reduce our property value. When we purchased our home, we carefully considered the view of Lake Washington as one of the principle elements to our property value. We note to the City and the applicant that there are height restrictions on properties in this area (including ours) so as not to further obstruct the views of existing adjacent and nearby property owners. As we age and our family grows, we might also like to add additional levels and roof decks but it would be to the detriment of our eastern neighbors and the City wisely prohibited such random building height increases by setting maximum wall plate heights. One of the reasons noted for approving a variance is “practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship”. Most properties in this neighborhood do not have three levels or roof deck so we do not believe that denying this portion of the request provides any ‘difficulty’ or ‘hardship’. The roof top deck adds additional encroachments on the view corridor from our house to Lake Washington. The effective height that we would have to look over if the City approved said request for variance without amendment would DOUBLE from the current wall plate height of 16’-3’1/2” to 33’-9-1/2”. The proposed roof top deck railings would further add to restrict our view. We do not believe that this exceeds the requirement of minimum necessary construction. The applicant based their justification on medical requirements and family size, but there are no medical accommodations or family size accommodations that require a roof deck or ten-foot ceilings. The proposed roof deck severely encroaches on our view corridor and is not a necessity. The majority of houses in this neighborhood have 8’-0” ceilings and there is no code requirement for a 10’-0”ceiling, therefore the plans based on 10’-0” ceilings do not indicate that the applicant has attempted to minimize the requested height variance and the height allowances in the proposed variance exceed the necessary minimum construction. Minimum required code complaint construction for a third-floor residential addition with a flat roof would include an increase above the 16’-3-1/2” wall plate to allow for floor joists, 8’-0” floor to ceiling, and a nominal flat roof construction which is several feet less than the dimensions on the plans submitted by the applicant. Since every inch of increase in height encroaches on our current view corridor, respectfully, the application should only include minimum code required construction height increases and not exceed the 24” wall plate requirement. We object to basing the approval of a variance on the fact that other variances have been approved because this would result in a continual trend of taller houses along the shoreline blocking out the views and potentially reducing the property values of existing property owners east of the shoreline until eventually all of the houses along the shoreline are three stories. Finally, although we do not object to the applicant’s proposed side lot increases, the building plans and the square foot increase included in the variance application does not appear to fit into the intent of a remodel and may more appropriately be considered as new construction. We are also concerned with the community impact of setting a precedent of changing the zoning for this R-6 Shoreline area. We do not agree that a variance request should be approved that increases the value of one property owner to the detriment of others. In closing, we are providing these public comments to remind the City and the applicant that there were express reasons for restrictions and that many existing property owners bought their properties relying on enforcement of those restrictions to maintain property values and views for their homes. It is understandable that from time to time a few minor adjustments may be warranted, but in such cases, the expectation of existing property owners is that the City keep such encroachments to an absolute minimum. When an applicant cites personal circumstances as reasons for variance, those personal circumstances should truly require every element included in the requested variance and not utilize the variance request process to essentially build a nonconforming new structure based on current residential construction trends. Sincerely; Hamid A. Qaasim & Tasleem T. Qaasim 3830 Lake Washington Blvd. N. Renton, WA. 98056 From: Jill Ding Sent: Monday, March 29, 2021 8:08 AM To: Gary Weil Cc: rasdo@live.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; ashasdo@outlook.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Subject: RE: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. Gary, Thank you for your comments, you have been added as a party of record for this project and your comments have been added to the official file for consideration by the decision maker. Thanks, Jill Ding Senior Planner City of Renton Community and Economic Development 6th floor 1055 S Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 425-430-6598 jding@rentonwa.gov COVID-19 UPDATE City Hall is currently closed to the public but we are still available to assist you. · Pay Invoice and Apply for Over-the-Counter Permit: Permitting Portal · Schedule an Inspection: Permitting Portal -OR- Building: 425-430-7202; Civil/Site: 425-430-7203 · Contact Staff: o Building or General Permitting: permittech@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7200 o Planning: planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7294 o Public Works Permitting: pwpermitting@rentonwa.gov or 206-402-8626 o Code Compliance: Renton Responds or 425-430-7373. From: Gary Weil <ziggyweil@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2021 10:00 AM To: Jill Ding <JDing@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: rasdo@live.com; bsinkey@gmail.com; williams@jmmlaw.com; scott@wetlandresources.com; caitlin.sinkey@gmail.com; ashasdo@outlook.com; e.eisemann@e2landuse.com Subject: PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. Hello to our City of Renton and all involved; We are writing to show support of the Asdourian remodel project - PR21- 000036 Asdourian House Remodel/ LUA21- 000025, SME, SSDP, V-A, V-H. Ryan and Ashley and their 2 beautiful young kids, Lola and Jaeger, are a wonderful addition to our lane. They are friendly, helpful, and concerned about our community. Both Ashley and Ryan are hard working; juggling 2 full time jobs while raising their kids and utilizing their love of the outdoors. They take advantage of the parks around us and love boating and wake surfing. In addition, they are smart, kind, honest and respectful. It would be a shame and unfair if they would have to move because they do not have enough space for their expanding family. Our home and most of the homes on the lane are taller than their requested variance. A 35 ft height variance has been granted many times over the last few years. The homes in nearby Barbie Mill development are all far taller than any home on our lane. Additionally, our home and most homes on our lane are closer to the lane than the current front yard setbacks allow. Granting their variances and setbacks would not affect our home or in our opinion,or any homes on the lane. In fact, their approved new home would be in line with the other homes, increase their and all of our property values and would give the city or Renton more income from their increased property taxes. We feel it is a win-win situation for everyone! Renton favors single-family residential development along the shoreline and it would appear that the Asdourian’s remodel plan is consistent with the intent of city policy. It would be unfair of the city to discriminate or interfere with a property owner’s right if they are within the height restrictions. The height variance does not appear to be a special privilege, but rather consistent to what is allowed in the City of Renton’s building codes. Additionally, their requested front yard and side setback variances also appear to not fall under the special privilege category, most homes on the lane are very close to the street, none interfere with local travel or emergency access. CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. We hope the City grants permission for their proposed height variance, and are willing to accommodate the setbacks requested due to the unique property that they own. Please take the time to come visit our lane and see for yourselves. We would like to thank the City of Renton in advance, for their time, consideration of their special requests and hopefully your approval; as this year has been an especially hard one with Covid and working from home, the political divide, and stress all of us have endured. So everyone deserves a win and we feel this a win for all; the Asdourian's, their neighbors with increased property values and the City of Renton both with increased revenue and beautiful, new homes. Sincerely, Gary and Rachel Weil 3711 Lake Washington Blvd N. Renton, Wa. 98056