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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCI-166 C:\Users\DMarshall\Desktop\New folder\CI-166.docx Department of Community and Economic Development Planning Division ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION #: CI-166 MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS: 4-3-100B REFERENCE: N/A SUBJECT: Design Districts Applicability BACKGROUND: Urban Design Districts are applied to development projects based upon the applicability standards of RMC 4-3-100B. Standard v. requires projects to comply with the Design District Standards for alterations, enlargements, and/or restorations of nonconforming structures pursuant to RMC 4-10-050 Nonconforming Structures. Standard v. as written is not clear as to what portion of RMC 4-10-050 would be the “trigger” to apply Design Standards. This ambiguity is a result of various code amendments to RMC 4-10-050 Nonconforming Structures which happened subsequent to the adoptions of applicability standard v. In both 2011 and 2017 via ORD 5647 and 5869 respectively, significant amendments were made to RMC Section 4-10-050 adopting changes to the alterations, enlargements and restoration standards of the Nonconforming Structures. These ordinances did not amend the Applicability standards of the Design District regulations to clarify what portions of this code should apply. Furthermore in 2015, Design District Applicability standard iv. was added via ORD 5743 which requires exterior modifications such as façade changes, windows, awnings, signage, etc. to comply with the Design Standards. This expansion of the Design District applicability renders all alterations, enlargements and restoration of buildings to be required to comply with the Design District Standards not just non-conforming standards. The remaining portion of the Non-Conforming Structure standards that is not addressed in the new criterion iv. is the duration at which a structure retains its valid non-conforming status. Based on current regulations, a nonconforming structure that has not been vacant for more than one year or had not been abandoned retains its nonconforming status. CI-166 Page 2 of 3 JUSTIFICATION: The ambiguity about what portion of RMC 4-10-050 Nonconforming Structures is applicable in the Urban Design District should be resolved. DECISION: Amend RMC 4-3-100B.1.a.v. to specify that the re-use of a nonconforming structure that has been vacant for more than one year is required to comply with the Urban Design District standards. ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL: _______________________________________ C. E. “Chip” Vincent EFFECTIVE DATE: _______________________________________ APPEAL PROCESS: To appeal this determination, a written appeal--accompanied by the required filing fee--must be filed with the City's Hearing Examiner (1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, 425-430-6515) no more than 14 days from the date of this decision. Your submittal should explain the basis for the appeal. Section 4-8-110 of the Renton Municipal Code provides further information on the appeal process. CODE AMENDMENTS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT DETERMINATIONS: 4-3-100 URBAN DESIGN REGULATIONS: B. APPLICABILITY AND CONFLICTS: 1. Applicability: a. The following development activities shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section: i. All subdivisions including short plats; ii. All new structures; iii. Conversion of vacant land (e.g., to parking or storage lots); iv. Conversion of a residential use to a nonresidential use; CI-166 Page 3 of 3 v. Alterations, enlargements, and/or restorations of Re-use of a nonconforming structures that has been vacant for more than one year; pursuant to RMC 4-10-050, Nonconforming Structures vi. Exterior modifications such as facade changes, windows, awnings, signage, etc., shall comply with the design requirements for the new portion of the structure, sign, or site improvement. STAFF CONTACT: Vanessa Dolbee – vdolbee@rentonwa.gov