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HomeMy WebLinkAboutProject Description - NarrativeKing County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION King County Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (here after referred to as “King County PSERN”) is a project that will replace/upgrade the existing, aging regional emergency radio communications system. The emergency communications network is used to reach and coordinate with emergency responders and in the event of a disaster. This proposal describes the scope of the proposed project by providing specific information regarding the project location, zoning, specifications, and required services. It is King County PSERN’s desire to work with the City of Renton to ensure that this project is consistent with local ordinances and zoning regulations while providing critical communication for emergency services. Project Goals The goal of the King County PSERN – RCECC (Dispatch) site is to update and expand the two-way emergency radio service infrastructure for public safety, first, second, third, and other responders to the surrounding area and throughout Puget Sound. King County PSERN intends to achieve these goals consistent with all policies and ordinances of the City of Renton. Application Request Plan The applicant is requesting the following:  Conditional Use Permit (CUP)  Site Plan Review  Variance (Height)  State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Review  Commercial Building Permit King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 2 GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project Overview King County is in the process of updating and expanding its regional emergency communications system called Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN). This system enables 9-1-1 dispatchers to send help during an emergency as well as help first responders such as police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical staff coordinate response efforts to an emergency. The applicant, King County PSERN, proposes to modify an existing 150’ self-support tower with a 25’ tower extension to accommodate emergency communications. The tower is located at 3511 NE 2nd Street Renton, WA 98058 (Parcel No. 1623059138). This site is on an existing emergency communications facility and is the location of the King County Office of Emergency Management. This site is zoned Industrial-Light (IL). The proposed modifications to the existing one hundred fifty (150’) foot tower consists of a twenty-five (25’) foot extension for an overall tower height of one hundred seventy-five (175’) feet, six (6) microwave dishes, and two (2) antennas. Please see Sheet A-2 through A- 6.1 for additional information. Facility Specifications  Antennas – King County PSERN is proposing to attach two (2) new antennas to the existing tower with the proposed extension. Please see Sheet A-2 through A-6.1 for additional information.  Color – The proposed tower extension and antennas will be painted to closely match existing conditions.  Equipment – King County PSERN will locate equipment within the existing telecommunications room inside the existing building.  HVAC Upgrades - The existing HVAC units will be updated. The updated HVAC units will meet all applicable noise standards.  Landscaping – A landscaping plan has been proposed for this site. All equipment will be located within the existing telecommunications room inside the existing building.  Microwave Dishes - PSERN is proposing to attach six (6) microwave dishes to the proposed tower. King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 3 GENERAL SITE ANALYSIS Conditional Use Permit Required Findings According to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) Section 4-9-030D: D. DECISION CRITERIA: Except for wireless communication facilities, the Administrator or the Hearing Examiner shall consider, as applicable, the following factors for applications: (Ord. 5675, 12-3-2012) 1. Consistency with Plans and Regulations: The proposed use shall be compatible with the general goals, objectives, policies and standards of the Comprehensive Plan, the zoning regulations and any other plans, programs, maps or ordinances of the City of Renton The proposed King County PSERN project is consistent with the general goals, objectives, policies and standards of the Comprehensive Plan, the zoning regulations and any other plans, programs, maps or ordinances of the City of Renton. The proposed facility adheres to the City of Renton Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element which specifically addresses “…facilities and services that are needed by the residents and businesses of the City for a functional, safe, and efficient environment.” The City of Renton has outlined the following for policies facilities which are as follows: Policy CF-10: Coordinate with federal, state, regional and local jurisdictions, private industry, businesses and citizens in the planning, design and development of facilities serving and affecting the community. The City of Renton is coordinating with King County PSERN to provide much needed regional emergency communications. 2. Appropriate Location: The proposed location shall not result in the detrimental overconcentration of a particular use within the City or within the immediate area of the proposed use. The proposed location shall be suited for the proposed use. The proposed emergency communication facility has been designed and located in order to be the least intrusive while still providing necessary services. The proposed modification is to an existing tower/facility and will not require a new tower to be erected. Therefore, this proposal is not contributing to the overconcentration of the current use within the City or within the immediate area. 3. Effect on Adjacent Properties: The proposed use at the proposed location shall not result in substantial or undue adverse effects on adjacent property. There will be no change in use and it will not result in substantial or undue adverse effects on adjacent property. Several Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) transmission towers lie in the immediate area and are of similar heights as the proposed tower extension. The proposed modification is to update the failing system and it is a direct public benefit King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 4 providing critical emergency communication service to the surrounding area and within the entire network. Please see enclosed Photo Simulations. 4. Compatibility: The proposed use shall be compatible with the scale and character of the neighborhood. The proposed emergency communication facility is compatible with the scale and character of the neighborhood. Several Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) transmission towers lie in the immediate area and are of similar heights as the proposed tower extension. The tower will only be extended twenty-five feet (25’). The tower extension has been designed and located in order to be the least intrusive while still providing necessary services. This area is predominantly used for government facilities. Adjacent properties are as follows:  North – City of Renton Public Works Maintenance Yard and King County District Court  West –King County Transportation Yard and Renton Transfer Station  South – Vacant Land  East – Sunnydale Mobile Home Park 5. Parking: Adequate parking is, or will be made, available. The existing facility has adequate parking. The proposed modification will not require any additional parking. 6. Traffic: The use shall ensure safe movement for vehicles and pedestrians and shall mitigate potential effects on the surrounding area. There are no traffic impacts associated with these types of facilities as they are unmanned and require infrequent maintenance. 7. Noise, Light and Glare: Potential noise, light and glare impacts from the proposed use shall be evaluated and mitigated. The proposed modification will not have any significant noise, light or glare impacts. The Federal Aviation Administration will not require the tower to be lighted. 8. Landscaping: Landscaping shall be provided in all areas not occupied by buildings, paving, or critical areas. Additional landscaping may be required to buffer adjacent properties from potentially adverse effects of the proposed use. This modification is for a tower extension and antenna collocation. Therefore, no changes are proposed to the existing landscaping. 9. Specific Requirements for Kennels: In addition to the criteria above, the following criteria shall also be considered for kennel applications: a. History: Past history of animal control complaints relating to the applicant’s dogs and cats at the address for which the kennel is located or to be located. Conditional Use Permits shall not be issued for kennels to applicants who have previously had such permits revoked or renewal refused, for a period of one year after the date of revocation or refusal to renew. King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 5 This requirement does not apply to this proposal. b. Standards for Keeping Animals: The applicant or kennel owner must also comply with the requirements of RMC 4-4-010, Animal Keeping and Beekeeping Standards. This requirement does not apply to this proposal. 10. Specific Requirements for Secure Community Transition Facilities (SCTF), Crisis Diversion Facilities (CDF) and Crisis Diversion Interim Service Facilities (CDIS): In addition to the criteria in subsections D1 through D8 of this Section, the following criteria shall be considered for secure community transition facilities, crisis diversion facilities, and interim service facilities: a. Whether alternative locations were reviewed and consideration was given to sites that are farthest removed from any risk potential activity; b. Whether adequate buffering is provided from abutting and adjacent uses; c. Whether adequate security is demonstrated by the applicant; d. Whether public input was provided during the site selection process; and e. For SCTF there is no resulting concentration of residential facility beds operated by the Department of Corrections or the Mental Health Division of the Department of Social and Health Services, the number of registered sex offenders classified as Level II or Level III, and the number of sex offenders registered as homeless in a particular neighborhood, community, jurisdiction or region. This requirement does not apply to this proposal. Variance Required Findings According to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) Section 4-9-250B5: 5. Decision Criteria: Except for variances from critical areas regulations, a determination shall be made in writing that the conditions specified below have been found to exist: (Amd. Ord. 4835, 3-27-2000) b. That the granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity and zone in which subject property is situated; The purpose and goal of the regional emergency communications network is to promote public safety and welfare. An update/expansion to the current system further promotes public safety and welfare. The proposed modifications to the RCECC tower are important to service the vicinity and play an integral role within the emergency communications network. The proposed modifications to the RCECC tower will not be injurious and/or have detrimental impacts to the existing uses, planned uses, property, or improvements adjacent King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 6 to; and in the vicinity of the proposed project area. The existing tower already exceeds the maximum height limit of the IL zone and is used for a public service. The BPA transmission towers are also of similar heights and serve a public purpose. Therefore, an additional tower height of twenty-five (25’) should have no significant impact to the area. Please see enclosed letter from PSERN providing information about the critical role this site plays within the network and the justification for an increase in height. Zoning General Plan Designation The site is zoned Industrial-Light (IL) and the use is as a government facility. According to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) Section 4-2-060 Zoning Use Table – Uses Allowed in Zoning Designations: Accordingly, King County PSERN’s proposed twenty-five (25’) foot tower extension exceeds 10 percent of the original tower height, which will require Conditional Use Permit – Hearing Examiner (CUP), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Review, Site Plan Review, Variance, and a Commercial Building Permit. Development Standards According to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) Section 4-2-130A – Development Standards for Industrial Zoning Designations: LOT DIMENSIONS Minimum Lot Size for lots created after September 1, 1985 35,000 sq. ft. Minimum Lot Width/Depth for lots created after September 1, 1985 None LOT COVERAGE Maximum Lot Coverage for Buildings 65% of total lot area or 75% if parking is provided within the building or within a parking garage HEIGHT King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 7 Maximum Building Height5, except for Public Facilities5,13 50 ft., except 100 ft. if lot is located in the Employment Area (EA)4,13 Maximum Height for Wireless Communication Facilities5 See RMC 4-4-140. SETBACKS8,11 Minimum Front Yard Principal Arterial streets:12 20 ft. Other streets: 15 ft.; provided, that 20 ft. is required if a lot is adjacent to or abutting a lot zoned residential. Minimum Side Yard Along a Street Principal Arterial streets:12 20 ft. Other streets: 15 ft. Except 50 ft. is required if a lot is adjacent to or abutting a lot zoned residential. Minimum Freeway Frontage Setback 10 ft. landscaped setback from the property line. Minimum Rear and Side Yards11 None, except 20 ft. if lot is adjacent to or abutting a lot zoned residential; which may be reduced to 15 ft. through the Site Plan development review process. Clear Vision Area In no case shall a structure over 42 in. in height intrude into the 20 ft. clear vision area defined in RMC 4-11-030. LANDSCAPING General See RMC 4-4-070 SCREENING Minimum Required for Outdoor Loading, Repair, Maintenance or Work Areas; Outdoor Storage, Refuse or Dumpster Areas See RMC 4-4-095 Special Screening Requirements for Tow Truck Operations and Impoundment Yards NA LOADING DOCKS Location Not permitted on the side of the lot that is adjacent to or abutting a lot zoned residential.2 DUMPSTER/RECYCLING COLLECTION STATION OR CENTER Location of Refuse or Recycling Areas See RMC 4-4-090 PARKING General See RMC 4-4-080 and 10-10-13 SIGNS General See RMC 4-4-100 CRITICAL AREAS General See RMC 4-3-050 and 4-3-090 Lot Size: This site meets the minimum lot size of 35,000 sq. ft. Lot Width/Depth: There are no minimum requirements for lot width or depth in the IL zone. King County PSERN RCECC (Dispatch) Page 8 Lot Coverage for Buildings: Buildings do not exceed 65 percent of total lot area. Building Height: The proposed tower height extension to a total tower height of one hundred seventy-five (175’) feet exceeds the allowable height limit in the IL zone. A variance for height approval is part of this application and meets the decisional criteria outlined in RMC 4-9-250B5. Setbacks: The proposed modifications to the existing tower already meet current setback requirements. The tower is setback as follows:  North – 241’-6”  East – 384’-8”  South – 245’-1”  West – 461’-2” Please see Sheet A-1 for more detailed information. Landscaping: This modification is for a tower extension and antenna collocation. Therefore, no changes are proposed to the existing landscaping. Screening: This modification is for a tower extension and antenna collocation. Therefore, no changes are proposed to the existing landscaping. Loading Docks: This requirement is not applicable to this proposal. Dumpster/Recycling Collection Station or Center: This requirement is not applicable to the proposal. Parking: The existing facility has adequate parking. The proposed modification will not require any additional parking. Signs: This requirement is not applicable to this proposal. Critical Areas: The only critical area noted is regulated slopes on the subject property ranging from 15 to 40 percent. A copy of the geotechnical report has been included which indicated that these slopes were not present in the immediate vicinity of the tower. Construction Mitigation Description King County PSERN has yet to lay out specific construction start and end dates. However, construction should start within one (1) or two (2) months after permits are approved and obtained. Construction will operate during normal work days and work hours. There are no traffic impacts associated with this proposal. King County PSERN will utilize all necessary construction methods to minimize dust and noise. There will not be any erosion or mud associated with this proposal.