HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrennan2 Attachment 1
816 Second Ave, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98104
p. (206) 343-0681
futurewise.org
December 2, 2020
The Honorable Denis Law, Mayor
Renton City Council
1055 S. Grady Way Floor 7
Renton, Washington 98057
Dear Mayor Law and City Council Members:
Subject: Comments on AB – 2766 Adopting the Following Interim Zoning
Controls: Clarifying Hotel, Social Service Organizations, and Diversion
Facility Land Use Definitions; Defining and Establishing Regulations for
Homeless Service Land Uses; and Amending the Commercial Arterial
(CA) Zoning District to Allow One COVID-19 Deintensification Shelter to
Temporarily Operate.
Send via email to: council@rentonwa.gov; cityclerk@rentonwa.gov
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on AB – 2766, the Interim Zoning Regulations for one
COVID-19 deintensification shelter. Futurewise strongly opposes these interim controls because
they are contrary to the goals and requirements of the Growth Management Act and they run
counter to the City of Renton’s strong record of leadership in helping to meet city and regional
housing needs. While in many cases zoning can be a positive tool for promoting the public good,
there is also a sad history of zoning that excludes people and pits communities against each other.
Unfortunately, AB – 2766, whether intentionally or not, would have impacts that reflect the latter
pattern and should be rejected as such.
Futurewise works throughout Washington State to support land-use policies that encourage healthy,
equitable and opportunity-rich communities, and that protect our most valuable farmlands, forests,
and water resources. Futurewise has members and supporters throughout Washington State
including in the City of Renton.
The Growth Management Act’s housing goal, in RCW 36.70A.020(4) calls on Renton to
“[e]ncourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population of
this state, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of
existing housing stock.” RCW 36.70A.070(2) requires the City of Renton’s comprehensive plan to
include a housing element that “includes a statement of goals, policies, objectives, and mandatory
provisions for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing …” and “makes
adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.”
RCW 36.70A.040(3) requires the City of Renton to adopt “development regulations that are
consistent with and implement the comprehensive plan ….” RCW 36.70A.120 also requires that the
City of Renton “shall perform its activities and make capital budget decisions in conformity with its
comprehensive plan.”
Renton City Councill RE: Interim Zoning Regulations for one COVID-19 deintensification shelter
December 3, 2020
Page 2
AB – 2766, the Interim Zoning Regulations for one COVID-19 deintensification shelter, is
inconsistent with this goal and these requirements. RCW 36.70A.020(4) calls on Renton to
“[e]ncourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population of
this state ….” This does not mean that Renton alone must meet these housing needs, but that
Renton needs to work together with other cities and counties to encourage the availability of
affordable housing including housing for homeless families and individuals. RCW 36.70A.070(2)
requires the City of Renton’s comprehensive plan to include a housing element that “makes
adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.”
It is instructive that the legislature did not limit this requirement to the individual jurisdiction, but
instead used the term “community.”
AB – 2766, by allowing only one COVID-19 deintensification shelter that is half of the capacity of
the existing shelter, does not meet this goal. Instead of adopting and continuing AB – 2766 in force,
the City of Renton should continue its strong tradition of regional leadership on affordable housing
and continue to host the existing COVID-19 shelter that has been shown to provide great benefit to
its residents. Renton should work with housing providers, the county and other cities to meet the
housing and shelter deintensification needs that have been magnified by the global pandemic and the
resulting recession. We should not make siting needed housing harder and, by those regulations,
exclude families and community members in need.
Thank you for considering our comments. If you require additional information, please contact me
at telephone 206-343-0681 Ext. 101 and email:alex@futurewise.org.
Sincerely,
Alex Brennan
Executive Director