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A Renton High School neighbor who’s home is threatened by eminent domain asked me if I could give background on why she received this postcard.
The postcard announces a public meeting that is part of the permit approval process for new large projects in the City of Renton. The code that applies can be found here.
Here is an excerpt:
“4-8-090 PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS:
A. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS:
1. Purpose: A neighborhood meeting is an applicant-hosted forum intended to assist in producing applications that are responsive to neighborhood concerns, and to reduce the likelihood of delays and appeals. The City expects an applicant to take into consideration the reasonable concerns and recommendations of the neighbors and other interested persons when preparing an application. Neighborhood meetings are not City-sponsored and neither delegates any authority to the public nor reflects the City’s perspective on the merits of the project.”
The meeting will be held on August 6, at 6:00 PM, at Renton High School. The point of this meeting is to hear concerns and inputs from neighbors before formal permit process get underway. Neighbors can read the code to learn more about the expectations for the meeting. The relevant section is (A) 1-9.
This could be a lively and important meeting since many of the neighbors are having their homes forcibly taken. School Officials will have to ask something to this effect: “Tell us how you REALLY feel about us taking your homes by eminent domain for a baseball stadium? … Please avoid profanity if possible.”
Section 8 is a key paragraph:
“8. Consideration: The City shall consider as part of the development review process the concerns and issues raised by the neighbors and applicant at the neighborhood meeting, including any agreed-upon solutions or resolutions to outstanding issues or areas of contention. The City, however, shall not be bound in its decision-making by any agreements or understandings made between the neighbors and applicants. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to delegate design or project review decision-making authority to the participants in the public meeting.”
What’s with the open air drug market on the south side of Safeway on 3rd Ave?
Seven to eight individuals were openly dealing drugs on the south side of the building around 10am on 7/20/25. More individuals were gathered in the alleyway to the east. This type of activity, on a main route through Renton, discourages visitors and gives our city an unsafe appearence.
Where is our mayor and city council on this issue?
Some council members: abolish and defund the police!
Not sure what those last 2 comments are doing on this topic.
The topic of the informational meeting postcard.
The postcard makes it sound like only those that got the card are invited. I was told by the RHS expansion architect at a neighborhood meeting that this meeting is open to the public. Which is it?
Is the meeting only being done because its required? Its too late to stop demolishing homes. Is it a last attempt to convince the holdouts that they don’t have a prayer?
Thanks for the important question Anonymous. I had to check the code for the answer. Per 5(b) “ Such sign shall state purpose of the meeting, the meeting is open to the public and that interested persons are invited to attend. ”
Elsewhere the code says there will be a signup sheet for attendees to speak. So anyone interested may attend and speak.
While many residents have already spoken to City Council on this topic, this is the first formal city process that asks for these opinions.
Randy, Thank you for the info. Its good thing your here so we can get the facts. We are so tired of lip service from the other sources (who shall be nameless)
Yo randy… important election. How come you haven’t put you voice out on social media and here?
I suspect randy had a face to face with carmen and she worked her charms
Ha! I’ve endorsed Mary Clymer for the position currently held by Carmen Rivera, following years of my encouraging Mary to run for Renton Council. I just came back from camping with my family, and now I’m overdue to share why I support Mary so much. I’ll try to get to this within a couple days. Thanks for reminding me!
Just got back from this meeting. It was a repeat of the presentation given at the North Renton Neighborhood Assosication. I understand it was required by the city. The questions to the presenters were the same, with the same I don’t know, but if you email me I can find out. There is not a Plan B in writing but they are talking about it…..? I doubt it. The questions about the ownership of Tobin were side stepped saying its up to a City Council vote. (this translates to its a done deal)
Thanks for the report Anonymous. It seems reckless and presumptuous for the District to begin tearing down homes without a formal decision regarding this street closure.
South Tobin Street is one of only two east-west streets between Lake Washington and downtown Renton. It’s hard to believe the district would buy 32 houses and 8 businesses and start tearing them down before ever formally asking whether they could close this busy century-old city street in order to complete their plan. But there is no record of City Council ever holding a public meeting on this topic, or entertaining public input on the subject. No one, including the Mayor, has authority to commit to permanently closing a city street without an open public meeting by the City Council, with the topic announced in advanced.