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Home My WebLink AboutORD 5591CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON ORDINANCE NO. 5591 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, AMENDING CHAPTER 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, SUBSECTION 4-2-115F.2, OPEN SPACE, OF CHAPTER 2, ZONING DISTRICTS - USES AND STANDARDS, AND SUBSECTION 4-3-100E.4, RECREATION AREAS AND COMMON OPEN SPACE, OF CHAPTER 3, ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND OVERLAY DISTRICTS, OF TITLE IV (DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS) OF ORDINANCE NO. 4260 ENTITLED "CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON", BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 4-1-240, COMMON OPEN SPACE SUBSTITUTIONS, AND AMENDING CURRENT REGULATIONS BY ADDING PROVISIONS PERMITTING TRAIL AND/OR PARK DEDICATIONS OR A FEE-IN-LIEU FOR COMMON OPEN SPACE STANDARDS REQUIRED IN THE R-10 AND R-14 ZONE, DESIGN DISTRICTS A, C, AND D, AND KING COUNTY VESTED SUBDIVISIONS. WHEREAS, the development standards for the R-10 and the R-14 zoning designations require common open space or a park if new development exceeds four dwelling units; and WHEREAS, Design Districts A, C, and D require common open space for any new multi- family residential development that exceeds 10 dwelling units and/or any new non-residential development that exceeds 30,000 square feet; and WHEREAS, King County code requires tot lots to be developed as a part of the subdivision process; and WHEREAS, the purpose of common open space is to provide green space or recreation areas in new developments; and WHEREAS, the substitution of privately maintained open space for publicly maintained open space would provide green space and/or recreation opportunities for development residents to the same degree as common open space; and ORDINANCE NO. 5591 WHEREAS, the City seeks to amend Title IV to allow such substitutions to occur when public open space would provide equal or better value to a new development as common open space would provide; and WHEREAS, this matter was referred to the Planning Commission for investigation, study, and the matter having been considered by the Planning Commission, and the zoning text amendment request being in conformity with the City's Comprehensive Plan, as amended; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 6, 2010, having considered all matters relevant thereto, and all parties having been heard appearing in support or opposition; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington", is hereby amended to add a new section, 4-1-240, entitled "Common Open Space Substitutions", to read as follows: 4-1-240 COMMON OPEN SPACE SUBSTITUTIONS: A. APPLICABILITY: This section is applicable to any development where common open space or a park is required by RMC 4-2-115. Residential Design and Open Space Standards, or RMC 4-3-100. Urban Design Regulations, or King County vested projects where tot lots or similar spaces are required. ORDINANCE NO. 5591 B. PUBLIC TRAIL OR PARK IMPROVEMENTS OR FEE-IN-LIEU FOR COMMON OPEN SPACE: Improvements to public trails, public parks, or payment of a fee mav occur to reduce common open space requirements, if approval for such substitution is accepted by the Community Services Department and granted by the Administrator or designee. 1. Public Trail Improvement In Lieu of Common Open Space: The requirements for open space mav be reduced where public trail improvements are being provided. On-site public trail improvements mav occur as a substitute to common open space requirements on a square footage basis provided the trail has been identified in the Renton Trails and Bicycle Master Plan or The Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Natural Resources Plan or an adopted community plan. Trails shall be constructed by the developer to standards specified by the Community Services Department and dedicated to and accepted by the City of Renton as a public trail prior to final plat recording or short plat recording, or building permit final occupancy for non-subdivision projects. 2. Public Park Improvement In Lieu of Common Open Space: The requirements for open space mav be reduced where public park improvements are being provided. On-site public park improvements may occur as a substitution to common open space requirements on a square footage basis provided the park has been identified in The Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Natural Resources Plan or an adopted community plan. The park shall be ORDINANCE NO. 5591 constructed by the developer to standards specified by the Community Services Department and dedicated to and accepted by the City of Renton as a public park prior to final plat recording or short plat recording, or building permit final occupancy for non-subdivision projects. 3. Fee-ln-Lieu of Common Open Space: A fee-in-lieu of mav occur as a substitute to common open space requirements provided that an off-site public park is within one quarter (1/4) mile of the site proposed for development, safe and easy pedestrian access is provided to such public park, and the public park shall be an integral part of the design approach of the development. a. Fee Calculation: The fee shall be the equivalent of the monetary value of the required improvements for common open space plus the monetary value of the land area required to be placed in common open space. The project applicant shall provide the City with an estimate of the improvement value and an appraisal for the value of the land for the identified intended use with utilities and other non-structural improvements. The total monetary value of the fee-in- lieu shall be approved by the Community Services Department. b. The fee shall be paid prior to final plat recording or final short plat recording or building permit issuance for non-subdivision projects. SECTION II. Subsection 4-2-115F.2, Open Space, of Chapter 2, Zoning Districts - Uses and Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington", is hereby amended so the section entitled "Public Trail Improvements Option in Lieu of Common Open Space" is to be entitled ORDINANCE NO. 5591 "Common Open Space or Park Substitutions", and as shown below. All other portions of the subsection shall remain as currently codified. Opon space substitutions: Public Trail Improvements Option in Liou of Common Open Common Open Space or Park Substitutions: Space: Tho requirements for open space may bo roducod whoro public park or trail improvomonts aro boing provided pursuant to this subsection. R-10 and R-14 See RMC 4-1-240. On site: On sito public trail improvomonts may occur as a substitute to common open spaco roquiromonts on a square footago basis provided tho trail can bo connoctod to a trail that is within tho Ronton Trails and Bicycle Master Plan or an adopted community plan. Trails shall bo constructed to standards specified by the Ronton Parks and Recreation Department and dedicated to and accoptod by tho City of Ronton as a public trail. SECTION III. Subsection 4-3-100E.4, Recreation Areas and Common Open Space, of Chapter 3, Environmental Regulations and Overlay Districts, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington", is hereby amended so the standards in the section for District A, C and D are as shown below. All other portions of the subsection shall remain as currently codified. Districts A,C, and D Beth All of the following are required: 1. All mixed use residential and attached housing developments often (10) or more dwelling units shall provide common opens space and/or recreation areas. a. At minimum fifty (50) square feet per unit shall be provided. b. The location, layout, and proposed type of common space or recreation area shall be subject to approval by the Administrator of the Department of Community and Economic Development or designee. c. Open space or recreation areas shall be located to provide sun and light exposure to the area and located so that they are aggregated to provide usable area(s) for residents. d. At least one of the following shall be provided in each open space and/or recreation area (the Administrator of the Department of Community and Economic Development or designee may require more than one of the following elements for developments having more than one hundred (100) units). i. Courtyards, plazas, pea patches,_or multi-purpose open spaces; ORDINANCE NO. 5591 ii. Upper level common decks, patios, terraces, or roof gardens. Such spaces above the street level must feature views or amenities that are unique to the site and are provided as an asset to the development; iii. Pedestrian corridors dedicated to passive recreation and separate from the public street system; iv. Recreation facilities including, but not limited to, tennis/sports courts, swimming pools, exercise areas, game rooms, or other similar facilities; or v. Children's play spaces that are centrally located near a majority of dwelling units and visible from surrounding units. They shall also be located away from hazardous areas such as garbage dumpsters, drainage facilities, and parking areas. e. The following shall not be counted toward the common open space or recreation area requirement: i. Required landscaping, driveways, parking, or other vehicular use areas?. ii. Required yard setback areas. Except for areas that are developed as private or semi- private (from abutting or adjacent properties) courtyards, plazas or passive use areas containing landscaping and fencing sufficient to create a fully usable area accessible to all residents of the development (illustration below)^ 1 ri"U n ^Aif^r~--=~- _~_~&t?tS'M ' £*&K^- iii. Private decks, balconies, and private ground floor open space^-aral. iv. Other required landscaping and sensitive area buffers without common access links, such as pedestrian trails. 2. All buildings and developments with over thirty thousand (30,000) square feet of nonresidential uses (excludes parking garage floorplate areas) shall provide pedestrian- oriented space. ORDINANCE NO. 5591 a. The pedestrian-oriented space shall be provided according to the following formula: 1% of the site area + 1% of the gross building area, at minimum. b. The pedestrian-oriented space shall include all of the following: i. Visual and pedestrian access (including barrier-free access) to the abutting structures from the public right-of-way or a nonvehicular courtyard; and ii. Paved walking surfaces of either concrete or approved unit paving; and iii. On-site or building-mounted lighting providing at least four (4) foot-candles (average) on the ground;and iv. At least three (3) lineal feet of seating area (bench, ledge, etc.) or one individual seat per sixty (60) square feet of plaza area or open space. c. The following areas shall not count as pedestrian-oriented space: i. The minimum required walkway. However, where walkways are widened or enhanced beyond minimum requirements, the area may count as pedestrian-oriented space if the Administrator of the Department of Community and Economic Development or designee determines such space meets the definition of pedestrian-oriented space. ii. Areas that abut landscaped parking lots, chain link fences, blank walls, and/or dumpsters or service areas. d. Outdoor storage (shopping carts, potting soil bags, firewood, etc.) is prohibited within pedestrian-oriented space. 3. Open Space Substitutions: see RMC 4-1-240. SECTION IV. This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage, approval, and five (5) days after publication. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 28th day of February ., 2011. Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 28th day of February ., 2011. Denis Law, Mayor ORDINANCE NO. 5591 Approved as to form: Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney Date of Publication: 3/4/2011 (summary) ORD:1689:ll/29/10:scr