HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 01_ERC Memo.pdfDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
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SR_ERC Concurrence Memo_Bezos Academy_211119_v1
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMO
APPLICATION NUMBER: LUA21-000400, ECF, TUP
APPLICANT: Susan Conway, Bassetti Architects / 71 Columbia St, Suite 501,
Seattle, WA 98104/sconway@bassettiarch.com
PROJECT NAME: PR21-000438 Bezos Academy
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL:
The applicant is requesting approval of a Tier 2 Temporary Use Permit in order to operate a preschool
(classified as a day care center) within an existing building on the North Highlands Neighborhood Center
site. The site is located at 3000 NE 16th St (APN 7227800145) near the intersection of NE 16th St and
Kirkland Ave NE is approximately 2.6 acres in size. The parcel is located in the Residential-14 (R-14)
Zoning District and is designated Residential High Density (HD) on the Comprehensive Plan Land Use
Map. The parcel is owned by the City of Renton and consists of an existing 8,945 sq. ft. one-story wood-
frame building constructed in 1942, associated surface parking, and a sports court. The proposed use
would occupy approximately 4,603 sq. ft. of space within the existing building and include three (3) total
classrooms. The preschool would serve approximately 60 students ranging in age from three to five
years old and would operate from 9:30am to 3:30pm daily. Approximately ten (10) employees would
work at the school. Interior work proposed includes a restroom remodel, kitchen remodel, construction
of an interior partition wall, various new finishes, and minor new plumbing and electrical. No exterior
work is proposed as part of the project. No critical areas are mapped on the site according to COR Maps.
No vegetation or trees are proposed for removal. The applicant submitted a Transportation Analysis and
Environmental Checklist with the application. The project site is within the Sunset Planned Action Area
and the City’s Environmental Review Committee will determine whether the proposal qualifies as a
Planned Action. The applicant would be required to submit a land use application that includes at a
minimum a Conditional Use Permit for the long term preschool use at the subject property.
Approximate timing for this land use application will be determined with the TUP decision.
The applicant submitted a Transportation Analysis prepared by Heffron Transportation Inc and dated
October 26, 2021. An existing community center currently occupies the entire area of the existing building.
After completion of the project, the proposed preschool would occupy approximately half of the building
area. Therefore, the applicant’s traffic consultant calculated the net change in trips expected as a result
of the change in use from community center to preschool for a portion (4,604 sq. ft.) of the building. The
report concludes the proposal would generate no additional weekday trips with two (2) additional trips
occurring during the weekday AM peak hour and two (2) less trips occurring during the weekday PM peak
hour (2 trips – 2 trips = 0 new trips). Therefore, no changes to future level of service (LOS) for any
intersections near the project site area anticipated as a result of the preschool proposal.
LOCATION OF PROPOSAL: 3000 NE 16th St
LEAD AGENCY/RESPONSIBLE ENTITY: City of Renton, Environmental Review Committee
Upon determination by the City’s Environmental Review Committee that the proposal meets the criteria
outlined in the Planned Action Ordinance (Ordinance #5813) and qualifies as a planned action, the
proposal shall not require a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determination, preparation
of an EIS, or be subject to further environmental review pursuant to SEPA.
SR_ERC Concurrence Memo_Bezos Academy_211119_v1
The City’s Environmental Review Committee designates the proposal as a “planned action”, pursuant to
RCW 43.21C.030, as it meets all of the following conditions:
✓ The proposal is located within the Sunset Planned Action Area.
✓ The proposed uses and activities are consistent with those described in the Planned
Action EIS and Planned Action Qualifications.
✓ The proposal is within the Planned Action thresholds and other criteria of the Planned
Action Qualifications.
✓ The proposal is consistent with the City of Renton Comprehensive Plan and applicable
zoning regulations.
✓ The proposal’s significant adverse environmental impacts have been identified in the
Planned Action EIS.
✓
The proposal’s impacts would be mitigated by measures identified in Attachment B of
Ordinance #5813 to be applied as conditions of permit approval, and other applicable
City regulations, together with any modifications or variances or special permits that
may be required.
✓
The proposal complies with all applicable local, state and/or federal laws and
regulations, and the Environmental Review Committee determines that these
constitute adequate mitigation.
✓ The proposal is not an essential public facility as defined by RCW.36.70A.200(1).
SIGNATURES:
Martin Pastucha, Administrator Date Anjela Barton, Administrator Date
Public Works Department Renton Regional Fire Authority
Kelly Beymer, Administrator Date for C.E. Vincent, Administrator Date
Community Services Department Department Of Community & Economic Development
CITY OF RENTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
EXHIBITS
Project Name:
PR21-000438 Bezos Academy
Project Land Use Number:
LUA21-000400, ECF, TUP
Date of Meeting
November 29, 2021
Staff Contact
Alex Morganroth
Senior Planner
Project Contact
Susan Conway, Bassetti Architects / 71
Columbia St, Suite 501, Seattle, WA
98104/sconway@bassettiarch.com
Project Location
3000 NE 16th St
The following exhibits are included with the ERC Report:
Exhibit 1: Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Memo
Exhibit 2: SEPA Checklist
Exhibit 3: Site Plan, Floor Plans, and Elevations
Exhibit 4: Traffic Analysis prepared by Heffron Transportation Inc, dated October 26, 2021
Exhibit 5: Advisory Notes