North Renton News

Renton High School Expansion Presentation

 

On August 21st, 2024, representatives from the Renton High School Expansion project gave a presentation at our North Renton Neighborhood Meeting. Listen to the audio recording here. 

Here is a copy of the Powerpoint deck that was shared during this meeting:  
Presentation Pt. 1
Presentation Pt. 2

HB1110


Check out the June 11, 2024 Online Open House presentation regarding HB 1110.

Click to View a Copy of Deck Shared in Video

What is HB1110? 

 

The City of Renton is updating its zoning and development regulations in accordance with Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1110 (HB 1110). HB 1110 will result in significant changes to the city’s development regulations and overtime, the built environment.

In March 2023, the Washington State Department of Commerce released a statewide housing needs report stating that, by 2044, Washington will need more than 1 million additional units to accommodate projected population growth. To address the anticipated lack of housing choices and affordability, the Washington State Legislature passed HB 1110, in April 2023, to promote the development of “middle housing."

“Middle housing” refers to those housing types between single-family residences and mid-rise, multi-family development. Middle housing types referenced in the new state law include duplexes up to sixplexes, townhouses, stacked flats, courtyard apartments, and cottage housing. The new legislation will require cities to allow middle housing on all lots zoned predominantly for residential use, integrating multi-family housing in residential zones where currently not allowed.

What does this mean for North Renton?

 

In short we are in a housing crisis and the state is mandating cities allow multifamily homes on properties that traditionally only allowed a single family home. We agree there is a shortage of housing but the state has removed any constraints cities place on development that unnecessarily burden the city and negatively impact the residents who are affected by mandated infill. Our concerns are thus:

  • This legislation removes any requirements for builders to supply onsite parking. Our neighborhood already struggles for on street parking and this will make parking impossible in some areas. If a single family house is removed and replaced by a sixplex with no facility for parking and those cars are forced to park on the street the problem is evident.
  • North Renton is an older area of the city with aging utilities and infrastructure. Increasing demand on a old system will overburden the existing system and result in failures. It is said builders will need to improve the infrastructure but that is only the infrastructure immediately adjacent to the development. What happens downstream when the sewer or stormwater systems are not sufficient
  • Increased traffic from increased development. We are already seeing increased traffic from present development. Logan Ave is a parking lot during the afternoon and early morning with people trying to get to Boeing, Top Golf, The Landing and the freeway.