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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-018 (CA Fred Meyer Fueling Station-Rainier )DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT M E M O R A N D U M   DATE: March 15, 2012     TO: Pre-Application File No. 12-018     FROM: Rocale Timmons, Associate Planner     SUBJECT: Fred Meyer Rainier Fueling Station – 431 Rainier Ave S      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 subject property is located on the west side of Rainier Ave S just south of S 3rd Pl 431 Rainier Ave S. The project site totals 4.2 acres in area and is located within the Commercial Arterial (CA) zone. The pre-application packet indicates that the proposal is to demolish the existing 21,294 square foot structure (occupied by a Blockbuster and Torreros restaurant) and construct a fuel center with a 6,880 square foot canopy, 112-foot kiosk, and 18-fueling stations. The proposal also includes the installation of two underground storage tanks for fuel. Access to the site is proposed via existing curb cuts along Rainier Ave S. There appear to be no critical areas on site. Current Use: The property contains a 51,294 square foot structure which would be demolished as part of the proposal. Additional uses on the site include a retail structure and Key Bank. Zoning: The property is located within the Commercial Corridor (CC) land use designation and the Commercial Arterial (CA) zoning classification. The property is also located within Urban Design District ‘D’, and may be subject to additional design elements. Proposals should have unique, identifiable design treatment in terms of landscaping, building design, signage and street furniture. Development Standards: The project would be subject to RMC 4-2-120A, “Development Standards for Commercial Zoning Designations” effective at the time of complete application (noted as “CA standards” herein). Minimum Lot Size, Width and Depth – There are no minimum requirements for lot size, lot width or depth within the CA zone at this location. Lot Coverage – The CA zone allows a maximum building coverage of 65 percent, or 75 percent if parking is provided within a building or within an on-site parking garage. The footprint of the structure could not be verified based on the material provided however it is likely the proposal would not exceed the lot coverage requirement. Setbacks – Setbacks are the distance between the building and the property line or any private access easement. Setback requirements in the CA zone are as follows: 10 feet minimum for the front yard but may be reduced to zero feet through the Site Plan Review process provided blank walls are not located within the reduced setback; and a 15 foot maximum front yard setback. It appears the proposal does not comply with the maximum front yard setback of the zone. a. Orients development to the pedestrian through such measures as providing pedestrian walkways beyond those required by the Renton Municipal Code (RMC), encouraging pedestrian amenities and supporting alternatives to single occupant vehicle (SOV) transportation; and b. Creates a low scale streetscape through such measures as fostering distinctive architecture and mitigating the visual dominance of extensive and unbroken parking along the street front; and c. Promotes safety and visibility through such measures as discouraging the creation of hidden spaces, minimizing conflict between pedestrian and traffic and ensuring adequate setbacks to accommodate required parking and/or access that could not be provided otherwise. The applicant would be required to submit a revised site plan meeting to criteria mentioned above in order to exceed the maximum setback requirement. Gross Floor Area – There is no minimum requirements for gross floor area within the CA zone. Building Height – The maximum building height that would be allowed in the CA zone is 50 feet. It appears the existing structure is 1-story and has a height well beneath the 50-foot maximum. Building elevations and detailed descriptions of elements and building materials are required with your conditional use permit review submittal. Screening – Screening must be provided for all surface-mounted and roof top utility and mechanical equipment. The site plan application will need to include elevations and details for the proposed methods of screening. Refuse and Recycling Areas – Refuse and recycling areas need to meet the requirements of RMC 4-4-090, “Refuse and Recyclables Standards” (enclosed). For commercial developments a minimum of 5 square feet per every 1,000 square feet of building gross floor area shall be provided for recyclable deposit areas and a minimum of 10 square feet per 1,000 square feet of building gross floor area shall be provided for refuse deposit areas with a total minimum area of 100 square feet. The location and size of the refuse and recyclable area could not be verified with the pre-application materials. 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 development standards require that all pervious areas within the property boundaries be landscaped. The minimum on-site landscape width required along street frontages is 10 feet, except where reduced through the site plan development review process. The applicant would be required to provide a 10-foot on-site landscape strip along the frontage of the site. Please refer to landscape regulations (RMC 4-4-070) for additional general and specific landscape requirements (enclosed). A conceptual landscape plan and landscape analysis meeting the requirements in RMC 4-8-120D.12, shall be submitted at the time of application for Site Plan Review. Parking – The drive-through facilities shall be so located that sufficient on-site vehicle stacking space is provided for the handling of motor vehicles using such facility during peak business hours. Typically 5 stacking spaces per window are required unless otherwise determined by the Planning Director. Stacking spaces cannot obstruct required parking spaces or ingress/egress within the site or extend into the public right-of-way. One parking stall would be required for the proposed cashier kiosk. It appears the applicant’s site plan provides adequate area for stacking spaces however the proposed site plan does not identify a stacking space plan. Information shall be provided with the formal land use application to determine compliance with parking and vehicle standing requirements. Access – Driveway widths are limited by the driveway standards, in RMC 4-4080I. Pedestrian Access – A pedestrian connection shall be provided from all public entrances to the street, in order to provide direct, clear and separate pedestrian walks from sidewalks to building entries and internally from buildings to abutting properties. Signage – Only one freestanding business sign (restricted to monument/ground signs only) is permitted per street frontage, however pole signs are not permitted within the CA zone. Each sign shall not exceed an area greater than one and one-half square feet for each lineal foot of property frontage that is occupied by the business. In no case shall the sign exceed a total of 300 square feet (150 square feet per face). The ground/monument sign is limited to 5 feet in height. In addition to the permitted freestanding sign, wall signs with a copy area not exceeding 20% of the façade, to which it is applied, are also permitted. Building Design Standards – Compliance with Urban Design Regulations, District ‘D’, is required along the eastern facade. See the attached checklist and Renton Municipal Code section 4-3-100. The following bullets are a few of the standards outlined in the regulations. The front entry of all building shall be oriented to the street or a landscaped pedestrian-only courtyard. A primary entrance of each building shall be located on the facade facing a street, shall be prominent, visible from the street, connected by a walkway to the public sidewalk, and include human-scale elements. All building facades shall include modulation or articulation at intervals of no more than forty feet (40'). On any facade visible to the public, transparent windows and/or doors are required to comprise at least fifty percent (50%) of the portion of the ground floor facade that is between four feet (4') and eight feet (8') above ground (as measured on the true elevation). Buildings shall use at least one of the following elements to create varied and interesting roof profiles (see illustration, subsection RMC 4-3-100.I5f): (a) Extended parapets; (b) Feature elements projecting above parapets; (c) Projected cornices; (d) Pitched or sloped roofs. Materials, individually or in combination, shall have an attractive texture, pattern, and quality of detailing for all visible facades. Buildings shall employ material variations such as colors, brick or metal banding, patterns, or textural changes. A Design Checklist shall be completed and submitted as part of the application materials. The applicant would be required to describe how the proposal meets each standard. If the prescriptive standards cannot be met the applicant would be required to demonstrate compliance with the intent and guidelines of the applicable section. Environmental Review The proposed project would be subject to Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review due to the size of the proposed structure. Therefore, an environmental checklist is a submittal requirement. An environmental determination will be made by the Renton Environmental Review Committee. This determination is subject to appeal by either the project proponent, by a citizen of the community, or another entity having standing for an appeal. Permit Requirements The proposal would require Administrative Site Plan and Environmental (SEPA) Review. The purpose of the Site Plan process is the detailed arrangement of project elements so as to be compatible with the physical characteristics of a site and with the surrounding area. An additional purpose of Site Plan is to ensure quality development consistent with City goals and policies. General review criteria includes the following:  a. Compliance and Consistency. Conformance with plans, policies, regulations and approvals, including: b. Off-Site Impacts. Mitigation of impacts to surrounding properties and uses. c. On-Site Impacts. Mitigation of impacts to the site d. Access and Circulation. Safe and efficient access and circulation for all users. e. Open Space. Incorporation of public and private open spaces to serve as distinctive project focal points and to provide adequate areas for passive and active recreation by the occupants/users of the site; f. Views and Public Access. Provision of view corridors to shorelines and Mt. Rainier, incorporates public access to shorelines, and arranges project elements to protect existing natural systems where applicable. g. Services and Infrastructure. Availability of public services and facilities to accommodate the proposed use; h. Signage. Use of signs primarily for the purpose of identification and management of sign elements – such as the number, size, brightness, lighting intensity, and location – to complement the visual character of the surrounding area, avoid visual clutter and distraction, and appear in proportion to the building and site to which they pertain; and i. Phasing. Inclusion of a detailed sequencing plan with development phases and estimated time frames, if applicable. All applications can be reviewed concurrently in an estimated time frame of 12 weeks once a complete application is accepted. The Site Plan Review application fee is $2,000. The application fee for SEPA Review (Environmental Checklist) is $1,000. Detailed information regarding the land use application submittal is provided in the attached handouts. In addition to the required land use permits, separate construction, building and sign permits would be required. The review of these permits may occur concurrently with the review of the land use permits, but cannot be issued prior to the completion of any appeal periods. Impact Mitigation Fees: In addition to the applicable building and construction fees, the following mitigation fees would be required prior to the issuance of building permits. Impact fees, which would replace mitigation fees, may be adopted prior to construction. Those fees are to be determined. A Transportation Mitigation Fee based on $75.00 per new daily trip attributed to the development; A Fire Mitigation Fee based on $0.52 per square foot of new commercial building area. Expiration: Upon site plan approval, the site plan approval is valid for two years with a possible two-year extension.