HomeMy WebLinkAboutEx_06_Transportation_ConcurrencyDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: November 23, 2021
TO: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner
FROM: Brianne Bannwarth, Development Engineering Manager
SUBJECT: Traffic Concurrency Test – SWA2 Amazon
(1905 Raymond Ave SW); LUA21-000233
The applicant, Amazon, is requesting Site Plan Review, Environmental (SEPA) Review, and a
Shoreline Exemption for minor site work and tenant improvements in a 126,600 sq. ft. existing
industrial building at 1905 Raymond Ave SW (APN 2423049115). The building was previously
occupied by DHL Global Forwarding, a shipping service. The applicant intends to use the building
for its “Amazon Flex” delivery service, in which contract employees pick up packages from the
site in their personal vehicles and distribute (i.e. deliver) the packages to customers in the Renton
area. The applicant has proposed to retain the existing office space for use by support staff, while
updating the warehouse/distribution space to better meet the needs of the Flex service. The
building is located on the north half of a 6.8 acre site near the corner of SW 19th St and Raymond
Ave SW. The subject site is located in the Industrial, Light (IL) zone and Employment Area
Comprehensive Plan Land Use designation. According to the applicant, all work would be interior
except for parking lot restriping and minor concrete work that would add a total of 26 new
parking stalls as well as new ADA ramps and crosswalks. No trees or vegetation are proposed for
removal as part of the project. According to COR Maps, multiple critical areas are present on the
site including a high seismic hazard, a special flood hazard area (FEMA zone AE), and an
unclassified wetlands. In addition, the eastern portion of the site is located within Reach C of the
Black River/Springbrook Creek Regulated Shoreline Area and is designated Shoreline High
Intensity. According to the applicant, the project would result in a net impervious surface
increase of approximately 127 sq. ft.
The proposed development would generate approximately 3,130 net new average weekday daily
trips. During the weekday AM peak hour, the project would generate approximately 341 net new
trips (171 inbound and 170 outbound). During the weekday PM peak hour, the project would
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Transportation Concurrency Test – SWA2 Amazon
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November 23, 2021
generate approximately 180 net new trips (102 inbound and 78 outbound). The proposed project
passes the City of Renton Traffic Concurrency Test per RMC 4-6-070.D as follows:
Traffic Concurrency Test Criteria Pass
Implementation of citywide Transportation Plan Yes
Within allowed growth levels Yes
Project subject to transportation mitigation or impact fees Yes
Site specific street improvements to be completed by project Yes
Traffic Concurrency Test Passes
Evaluation of Test Criteria
Implementation of citywide Transportation Plan: The City’s investment in completion of the
forecast traffic improvements are greater than 100% of the scheduled expenditure through 2021.
Within allowed growth levels: The citywide traffic concurrency trip capacity for concurrency with
the city adopted model for 2021 is 1,089 trips, which provides sufficient capacity to
accommodate a reduction of approximately 180 trips from this project. A resulting 909 trips are
remaining.
Project subject to transportation mitigation or impact fees: The project will be subject to
transportation impact fees at time of building permit for the project.
Site specific street improvements to be completed by project: The project currently is proposal
all interior improvements, therefore frontage improvements are not required in accordance with
Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-6-060. Additional public improvements have been
recommended as part of the Transportation Impact Analysis for the project as mitigation
measures to the existing transportation system and is likely to be required through SEPA review
and approval.
Background Information on Traffic Concurrency Test for Renton
The City of Renton Traffic Concurrency requirements for proposed development projects are
covered under Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-6-070. The specific concurrency test requirement
is covered in RMC 4-6-070.D, which is listed for reference:
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D. CONCURRENCY REVIEW PROCESS:
1. Test Required: A concurrency test shall be conducted by the Department for each
nonexempt development activity. The concurrency test shall determine consistency with
the adopted Citywide Level of Service Index and Concurrency Management System
established in the Transportation Element of the Renton Comprehensive Plan, according
to rules and procedures established by the Department. The Department shall issue an
initial concurrency test result describing the outcome of the concurrency test.
2. Written Finding Required: Prior to approval of any nonexempt development activity
permit application, a written finding of concurrency shall be made by the City as part of
the development permit approval. The finding of concurrency shall be made by the
decision maker with the authority to approve the accompanying development permits
required for a development activity. A written finding of concurrency shall apply only to
the specific land uses, densities, intensities, and development project described in the
application and development permit.
3. Failure of Test: If no reconsideration is requested, or if upon reconsideration a project
fails the concurrency test, the project application shall be denied by the decision maker
with the authority to approve the accompanying development activity permit application.
The Concurrency Management System established in the Transportation Element on page XI-65
of the Comprehensive Plan states the following:
Based upon the test of the citywide Transportation Plan, consideration of growth levels
included in the LOS-tested Transportation Plan, payment of a Transportation Mitigation
Fee, and an application of site specific mitigation, development will have met City of
Renton concurrency requirements.
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