HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/05/2011 - Minutes
RENTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
October 5, 2011 Renton City Hall
6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Commissioners Present: Michael Chen, Michael Drollinger, Ray Giometti, Gwendolyn High, Michael
O’Halloran, Nancy Osborn, Kevin Poole, Ed Prince, Martin Regge
City Staff Present: Chip Vincent, Planning Director; Jennifer Henning, Current Planning Manager; Vanessa
Dolbee, Senior Planner; Judith Subia, Administrative Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Prince called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Commission Secretary O’Halloran called roll. All Commissioners present.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of September 21, 2011 were approved as written.
4. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: None
5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Commissioner Giometti said that trees are still being cut down in the
Downtown area (specifically between 4th and Williams Ave). He is disappointed that he sees sky rather than
the tree covering that was there. He also discussed Council’s approval of the SMP.
7 DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Council took action last Monday to move out the SMP from Committee of the Whole. First reading is
scheduled for next Monday, October 10.
Council had second and final reading of the ordinance and adopted the Community Planning Advisory
Boards.
Hawks Landing came in for a pre‐app. The City will be requiring an Environmental Impact Statement.
University Book Store is opening at The Landing.
The Growth Management Planning Council voted and adopted the Countywide Planning Policies on
September 23. They held in abeyance policies related to sewer extensions in rural areas for schools and
are developing a task force to review and come back with recommendations by December 1. Also,
deferred action on affordable housing targets for Cities and the County.
8. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL AREAS PLAN RECOMMENDATION:
Leslie Betlach, Parks Planning & Natural Resources Director, and Vanessa presented this Plan. They
discussed general themes of the comments that were received. They included: support for boating facilities,
community gardens and orchard, dog parks, and environmental education; support for the Burnett Linear
Park extension, including a community garden; concerns expressed about relocating the dag park from
Narco; and need to place a stronger emphasis on renewable energy and solar technology. Vanessa also
discussed comments received from various bodies (WDFW, Muckleshoot Tribe, Interdpartmental Team,
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October 5, 2011
Steering Committee, Parks Commission, and Planning Commission) and how they were addressed in the
Plan.
The Steering Committee accepted the Plan with a recommendation to forward acceptance to the Parks and
Planning Commissions. Staff recommends adoption of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Areas Plan.
Planning Commission Recommendation
MOVED BY HIGH, SECONDED BY REGGE to accept the Staff recommendation. ALL AYES. COMMISSIONERS
CONCUR, MOTION CARRIED.
9. DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (TITLE IV) AMENDMENTS DOCKET #7 BRIEFING:
UD‐66: R‐4 Setbacks
Jennifer presented this docket item. The Planning Division made this request. This docket is to consider
amending the R‐4 setbacks and lot coverage to be more compatible with existing development. Existing
homes that are annexed into the City have smaller setbacks than allowed by the R‐4 zone and additions or
expansion of homes require variances or are not allowed.
This amendment changes the setback from the front yard to 20 feet (from 30 feet), side yard to 5 feet (stays
the same), side along the street to 15 feet (from 20 feet) and rear yard to 20 feet (from 25 feet). Currently,
all lots have a maximum of 55 percent for impervious surface coverage. This amendment would keep it the
same for lots greater than 5,000 square feet and require 75 percent for lots less than 5,000 square feet.
UD‐70: Right‐of‐Way Dedication Procedure Streamlining
Jennifer presented this docket item. The Development Services Division made this request to streamline the
procedure for public right‐of‐way dedication for plats, short plats, binding site plans, and stand alone
dedications. This amendment would allow Administrator and Hearing Examiner authority to approve right‐
of‐way dedications.
UD‐74: Plat Revisions
This item requires more internal review and was tabled to the next meeting.
UD‐79: Conditional Use Permit Regulations
Jennifer presented this docket item. The Planning Division made this request to simplify regulations,
remove superfluous language, and clarify the review process. Currently, different (but similar) criteria exist
for review of different types of applications. This amendment attempts to combine and simplify most
applications. Additional criteria are being considered for SCTF, CDF, CDIS Facilities, and for Wireless. The
criteria proposed includes consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations,
appropriate location, effect on adjacent property, compatibility, parking, traffic, noise, light, and glare, and
landscaping.
10. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: The next Commission meeting will be on October 19, 2011.
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Ed Prince, Chair
Michael O’Halloran, Secretary