4-9-180 REZONE PROCESS:

A. PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Section is to describe the procedure for processing applications for rezones in the City of Renton. This Section addresses both rezones requiring a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and rezones that do not require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.

B. WHO MAY APPLY:

An application for a rezone of property may be made by the property owner, or somebody authorized on the owner’s behalf, on forms provided by and filed with the Department of Community and Economic Development.

C. AUTHORITY FOR REZONES REQUIRING A PLAN AMENDMENT:

In accordance with RCW 35.63.110 the Planning Commission has the authority to recommend zoning to the legislative body requiring a Comprehensive Plan Amendment after conducting a public hearing thereon.

D. AUTHORITY FOR REZONES NOT REQUIRING PLAN AMENDMENT:

Rezone requests not requiring an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan shall be reviewed in an open public hearing held before the Hearing Examiner under the procedures and rules of the Hearing Examiner, as authorized by RCW 35.63.130. The applicant will have the burden and duty of applying for and pursuing the rezone.

E. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND FEES:

Submittal requirements and fees shall be as specified in RMC 4-8-120C, Land Use Applications, and the City of Renton Fee Schedule. (Ord. 5984, 10-26-2020)

F. DECISION CRITERIA FOR CHANGE OF ZONE CLASSIFICATION:

1. Criteria for Rezones Requiring a Comprehensive Plan Amendment: An application for a rezone of one or more properties shall require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment if the proposed zone is not implemented by the underlying Comprehensive Plan land use designation, and shall therefore be subject to the processes and review criteria for Comprehensive Plan Amendments, in addition to this Section.

2. Criteria for Rezones Not Requiring Comprehensive Plan Amendment: The City may deny a rezone if the following criteria are not met. The City may approve or approve with conditions an application for a rezone if:

a. The rezone has merit and value for the community, and will not adversely affect public health, safety, and welfare;

b. The rezone will not be materially detrimental to the uses or properties located in the immediate vicinity thereof;

c. Since the original zoning or most recent rezone of the subject property, conditions affecting the subject property have substantially changed as a result of, but not limited to, public improvements or permitted private development;

d. The property subject to rezone was not specifically considered for a rezone at the time of the last area land use analysis and area zoning;

e. The characteristics of development upon the land subject to the rezone application are compatible with the purpose and intent of the proposed zone as well as the zone-specific policy of the proposed zone, as provided by the Comprehensive Plan; and

f. The rezone does not conflict with the governing Community Plan, if one was adopted for the Community Planning Area in which the property subject to the rezone is located. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5853, 8-7-17)

G. TIME LIMITATIONS FOR REZONE APPLICATION RESUBMISSION:

A petition for a change of zoning classification, seeking the same or substantially same relief as a prior petition, cannot be re-filed or resubmitted within a period of twelve (12) months from the date of final disapproval or rejection of such prior petition. (Ord. 3454, 7-28-1980; Ord. 3463, 8-11-1980; Ord. 3592, 12-14-1981; Ord. 3976, 3-3-1986; Ord. 4437, 2-21-1994; Ord. 4794, 9-20-1999; Ord. 5355, 2-25-2008; Ord. 5516, 12-14-2009)