4-9-025 TITLE IV DEVELOPMENT REGULATION REVISION AND INTERPRETATION PROCESS:
A. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Section is to describe the procedures and review criteria for amendments to, and interpretations of, the Development Regulations, Title IV of the Renton Municipal Code. Code interpretations provide temporary clarification of Title IV. Once an interpretation is issued, the subject will be submitted to the docket for Title IV amendments.
B. AUTHORITY:
In accordance with RCW 36.70A.470, a summary containing written comments on suggested development regulation amendments shall be coordinated by the Department of Community and Economic Development. The text revision process is the means to either suggest a change, or to identify needed corrections, or both, in the development regulations. The Community and Economic Development Administrator has the authority to issue Title IV code interpretations. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)
C. APPLICABILITY:
1. Proposed Title IV Development Regulation amendments may be suggested by:
a. The Mayor, City Council, or Planning Commission by submitting the request in writing to the Community and Economic Development Administrator.
b. The Community and Economic Development Administrator.
c. Private parties by submitting an application to the Department of Community and Economic Development.
d. Code interpretations issued by the Community and Economic Development Administrator.
2. Any person may submit a written request for code interpretation to the Community and Economic Development Administrator, regarding any applicable title or any subsequent amendment thereto. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)
D. REVIEW PROCESS FOR TITLE IV AMENDMENTS:
1. Applications for Title IV amendments may be accepted at any time and placed on the Title IV docket. Imperative Title IV amendments designated by the Mayor, City Council, or Planning Commission may be given higher priority and processed outside the annual Title IV process outlined in this section.
2. The Department of Community and Economic Development shall keep a docket of suggested Title IV amendments that includes the following:
a. Name and address of the person or agency requesting the amendment;
b. Description of the amendment;
c. Date of the request; and
d. Map of the affected area, if appropriate.
3. The Council may review the Title IV docket to determine which applications to include in the Planning Commission’s annual work program.
4. The Department of Community and Economic Development shall conduct its review of Title IV concurrently with Planning Commission review. However, all departmental reporting and evaluation, including necessary environmental review, shall be completed prior to the Planning Commission making recommendations on the amendments.
5. The Planning Commission shall forward a recommendation to the City Council after a public hearing.
6. Title IV amendments shall be adopted by ordinance of the City Council after review by the City Council. (Ord. 5984, 10-26-2020)
E. REVIEW CRITERIA FOR TITLE IV AMENDMENTS:
All Title IV amendments will be evaluated on their merits based upon the following:
1. Consistency and compliance with the Comprehensive Plan; and
2. All revisions must meet with at least one of the following criteria:
a. The revision eliminates conflicts within the code or between the code and the Comprehensive Plan; or
b. The revision changes code language to provide clarity, consistency, or ease of administration; or
c. The revision directly implements policies of the Comprehensive Plan or City Business Plan; or
d. The revision accommodates new policy directives of the City Council or Administration.
F. PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR TITLE IV AMENDMENTS:
1. Notice of Public Hearing Before the Planning Commission: The public shall be notified at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the Planning Commission public hearing with a publication in the official newspaper if one has been designated, or a newspaper of general circulation if one has not been designated. The applicant and any parties of record shall also be sent a notice by mail at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing.
2. Comment Period for Planning Commission Public Hearing: Written comments will be accepted for ten (10) days prior to the date of the public hearing until seven (7) days after the date of the public hearing, unless the comment period is extended by a vote of the Commission. Verbal comments will only be accepted at the time of the hearing. All comments, including those sent by electronic means, must be accompanied by the full name and mailing address of the person making the comment.
G. REVIEW PROCESS FOR TITLE IV INTERPRETATIONS:
1. Requests for code interpretations shall include:
a. The section of the code that is allegedly ambiguous or needing clarification;
b. The subject matter or nature of the request; and
c. Any facts relevant to the request.
2. The Community and Economic Development Administrator may deny or reject the request if there is no ambiguity or need for clarification demonstrated by the requestor.
3. Once an interpretation is issued, the Administrator may consider the issue resolved and reject future requests to render an interpretation on the matter.
4. The Community and Economic Development Administrator shall post proposed interpretations on the City website for public review comment and possible appeal.
5. Approved interpretations shall follow the process of Development Regulations amendments and be amended into Title IV annually.
H. REVIEW PROCESS FOR PROCEDURAL AND NON-SUBSTANTIVE TITLE IV AMENDMENTS:
1. Any person, including the Administrator, may make a written request to the Administrator for a procedural or non-substantive Title IV amendment.
2. The Administrator shall approve or deny the request based on Department need.
3. Approved amendments shall be posted on the City website for public review comment and possible appeal. Approved amendments shall then follow the process of substantive development regulations amendments and be amended into Title IV annually. (Ord. 4975, 7-1-2002; Ord. 5450, 3-2-2009; Ord. 5516, 12-14-2009; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5887, 9-17-2018)