The city of Renton is seeking feedback from the community on how to best introduce small stores into neighborhoods.

Renton Senior Planner Katie Buchl-Morales said the city is in the information gathering phase of creating an ordinance to allow small-scale commercial uses in residential areas where they historically have not been allowed.

“This might look like a coffee shop, or a small restaurant, an eatery/cafe with some limited food options,” Buchl-Morales said. “It could also be a corner store.”

Buchl-Morales said they have seen previously proposed state legislative bills to make cities allow retail in residential areas not be passed, such as HB 2252 and HB 1175. However, she anticipates a bill will pass in the future.

“If we have something in place in advance of that, then we may be able to maintain our existing code,” Buchl-Morales said. “We have definitely seen with some of the state measures that they try to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to what cities have to do and we definitely think that what works in Seattle won’t necessarily work in Renton.”

Other cities, such as Bothell, have also pursued allowing small retail in residential areas. Buchl-Morales said they are keeping an eye on what other jurisdictions in the region are doing. City staff has heard input so far that people want a version of small-scale retail in neighborhoods to create a more walkable environment.

“It’s not just about having sidewalk infrastructure, but it is also about having places to go. Once you’re out there, where are you going,” Buchl-Morales said. “People want that added convenience to their everyday lives.”

Buchl-Morales said Renton also has a need for more “third spaces,” which are places that provide an opportunity for social interactions such as a park or a coffee shop. She said this ordinance would also incentivize entrepreneurs to open these kinds of businesses on smaller properties in neighborhoods.

“The idea is it would serve local folks in the area. It wouldn’t attract a lot of car traffic,” Buchl-Morales said. “We can’t, of course, limit where people are coming from, but the idea is that it would be serving people who live close by.”

The closest Renton currently has to this kind of retail is a home occupation. Buchl-Morales said Renton also has mixed-use zones, but those are typically higher density developments where commercial is allowed.

City staff believe this topic would benefit from more public input than others. Topics they are seeing input on include permissible location for neighborhood retail; allowed uses, hours of operation, signage and advertising; parking standards, conversion of existing buildings, storage and screening; lighting, and collection points for waste; recyclables, and compostables.

“We are going above and beyond what we would typically do for public engagement for docket work,” Buchl-Morales said. “It can really take many different shapes and forms depending on our exact approach.”

There is a short survey currently available online until the end of September for members of the community to leave feedback. Suggestions can also be sent via email at kbuchl-morales@rentonwa.gov. She said they will use the information and input they receive to develop a staff recommendation to take to the planning commission.