April 21 Recap

Parking Reform:

• New Washington State law requires cities with more than 50,000 residents to reduce certain minimum off-street parking requirements. This law only impacts new developments. There are aspects of the parking reform legislation that need further clarity.
• Read about Parking Reform and ask questions: State Law ESSB 5184 - Parking Reform | Your Voice Renton
• Question: How will the new parking reform impact the parking by Legacy Square and the rest of downtown?
  • The city does not enforcement parking requirements downtown due to its zoning. The impacts of the parking reform will be felt greater in non-downtown areas.

Middle Housing/ADU:

• Renton has adopted the amendments to Renton Municipal Code to comply with Washington State mandates for middle housing requirements. The new middle housing laws now allows middle housing within residential zones and aligns with affordable housing efforts. ADUs add housing without altering the look of neighborhoods. Renton was one of the first cities in Washington that offered free, pre-approved ADU model base plans.
• Read about Middle Housing: House Bill 1110 - Middle Housing | Your Voice Renton
• Read about ADUs: Permit Ready ADU Program | City of Renton
• Question: If you have an ADU on your lot, can the property owner sell or rent the ADU?
  • Property owners can rent the ADU, since Renton does not require the property owner to live on the same property as the ADU. If there are two ADUs on one property, the landlord is allowed to rent both units, however that is not common in Renton.
• Question: If there are four homes that share a driveway and one of the property owners sell their house, could a townhouse be built on the property?
  • That would be considered a shared driveway, which limits development on that driveway. Shared driveways are not eligible for middle housing developments. Shared driveways are not intended for high levels of use; a middle housing development would increase the level of traffic on the driveway.
• Question: If a developer builds a six plus what's the parking requirements?
  • The specifics around the new parking reform are still in the works. ADUs are not required to have parking, however developers are aware that parking is viewed as a necessity for tenants.

Expansion of Child Care:

• Renton is expanding its zoning district to accommodate more childcare options in the city, as a result of new state laws. Renton families will not have to travel as far for childcare.

Affordable Housing Incentives:

• City received grant money for infrastructure for new affordable housing.

FLOCK Update

• The Renton Police Department temporarily suspended all use of its automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras to comply with strict new statewide privacy regulations under Senate Bill 6002.
• The system was temporary suspended due to an audit issue and access. There are two audit systems for FLOCK cameras. An internal audit, which police must follow a specific format and an external audit system that the public can access.
• FLOCK cameras were back up as of noon, Wednesday, April 21.
• FLOCK cameras are only located on state highways and may only be accessed for felonies and gross misdemeanor.

King County Ballots:

• A box containing hundreds of ballots is under review after being found near a dumpster in Renton. Just under 400 ballots found. These were not completed ballots.

Don Persson Senior Activity Center:

• Closed from April 2026 through September 2026. All programs offered at the Senior Center are still ongoing at the Renton Community Center.
• Stay up to date on the Senior Activity Center: Don Persson Senior Activity Center Renovations | Your Voice Renton

Rainier Phase 4

• Substantially completed. The city is now putting the finishing touches on final land scaping needs and repairs.
• Read about Rainier Phase 4: Rainier Avenue South Phase 4 | Your Voice Renton

Budget Survey:

• The city's biannual budget survey is now live for residents to take. It is important for residents to provide their input.
• Budget Survey: City Budget 2027-2028 | Your Voice Renton

Legacy Square:

• The screen for watch parties and movie nights is currently in transit from Los Angeles. VanValey shared that development of Legacy Square was made financed by private and public donations.
• The city is prioritizing the kiosks to be filled by minority or women owned businesses.
• Opening Day at Legacy Square is on Saturday, June 6.

April Shooting at Gene Coulon Park

• VanValey shared that police know that the shooting was not random, but cooperation with the parties involved has been difficult.
• The boat launch has been open to the public 24/7 there is potential conversation about restricting hours of the boat launch in response to safety concerns.

Question: When is Winco Coming to the Old Fry's building?

• Renton's location is not experiencing the push back that is occurring in another city. Not a lot of opposition for the Winco in Renton.

Question: Were renovations happening at the Renton History Museum?

• The museum was closed for renovations. When the 200 Mill Ave building flooded, the school was temporarily relocated to the museum. With the timing of the Museum renovations along with flooding of 200 Mill, flooding of Carco theater and purchase of the Compton Lumber Site, the city needs to reevaluate where the Museum is on the list of improvements.

Question: What will the museum be used for now that the historical society separated?

• The Renton Historical Society does not plan on displaying items in their new purchased site, city and RHS are in talks regarding hosted exhibitions.

Question: Has progress been made on signage around the new Legacy Square building?

• The city has plans for signage for all the activities which will direct people to parking and participating businesses. Police will also be located in the West Side of the building.

Question: What is the construction on Grady?

• King County and Sound Transit are constructing a new Sounds Transit station for Rapid Bus Lines (BRT). Renton’s downtown bus station will be relocated to the Grady location. The goal is to eventually have a large, interconnected bus station. The new transit center will be complete in 2028.
• Read about the Transit-oriented Development Subarea Plan: Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea Plan | City of Renton

Question: What is the progress on the Park and 6th building?

• The property owner group is working on tearing the property down, so far one building is demolished. The city is issuing fines to manage compliance. The property owners want to sell the property; however, the current state and zoning make the sale of property difficult.