Written by Renton staff are coordinating with Benson Hill Businesses in preparation for annexation. Below is a meeting notice that was sent out to the business community:
Note this meeting is intended to address business issues primarily, and the space is probably not large enough to accommodate many others, but those of you conducting home-business would be included in this group. And don’t fret…Renton allows reasonable home business, as long as certain conditions are met. I helped draft this ordinance many years ago. I’m sure this will be a topic discusssed.
City of Renton Economic Development, Strategic Planning
& Neighborhoods Department
Benson Hill /Cascade Business Outreach – January 2008
Benson Hill/Cascade Communities Annexed to Renton – Welcome!
The City of Renton is pleased to welcome the approximately 17,000 residents and 200 businesses of the Benson Hill/Cascade area to our city. On November 6, 2007, residents of the Benson Hill/Cascade area voted to become a part of the City of Renton. As a result, this 4.2 square mile area will become part of the City on March 1, 2008. The City is gearing up for the largest annexation in its 106-year history and a number of activities are in process to ensure a smooth transition. State law requires cities to conduct a special census of recently annexed areas, which is underway. Renton is currently hiring additional staff and implementing a transition plan to serve a larger city of 80,000 total residents.
Until March 1, King County will continue to provide local services to the area, including police, court services, land use and permitting, and local parks. Beginning in March, properties and responsibilities formerly belonging to the County will transfer to the City of Renton. Under State annexation statutes, the City has the authority to determine future zoning consistent with the Renton Comprehensive Plan. The City has adopted a pre-zoning ordinance that will become effective upon annexation. Generally, the property that was zoned for commercial use by King County will remain commercially zoned.
Open House for Benson Hill/Cascade Businesses
The City of Renton and the Renton Chamber of Commerce are excited to welcome your business to Renton. Business representatives are cordially invited to attend an open house on February 13:
Open House for Benson Hill/Cascade Businesses
Wednesday, February 13
3:00 – 6:00 pm
Fire District 40 – Station 42, 18002 108th Avenue SE
Please drop by anytime — brief speaking programs will take place at 4:00 pm and 5:15 pm
Representatives from City of Renton departments, the Renton Chamber of Commerce, and the Renton Small Business Development Center will be available to answer questions
Renton’s Business Development Efforts
Renton is the center of opportunity in the Puget Sound region where families and businesses thrive. The City has created an environment that supports business development while enhancing its quality of life. Community leaders nurture entrepreneurial sprit and foster successful partnerships. Renton has a strong economic base, a diverse marketplace, and a business climate that has attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that have sought to provide their employees and their families with an outstanding quality of life.
Renton works hard to create an environment that supports business development while enhancing communities. City departments, in concert with the business community, actively encourage economic activity in the City with the goal of strengthening Renton’s tax base and maintaining a quality of life that is attractive to current and potential employees and their families. The City’s Economic Development, Neighborhoods, and Strategic Planning Department also acts as a business liaison using a common sense, customer service approach to resolving potential conflicts with City processes.
The City of Renton’s 2008-2013 Business Plan includes the following goals, among others: capitalize on growth opportunities through bold and creative economic development strategies, and recruit and retain businesses to ensure a dynamic, diversified employment base. These stated goals help ensure that the City is poised for continued and sustained success.
Information from the City’s Finance Department
· After annexation, residents and commercial property owners will start receiving a quarterly billing for surface water fees in late March 2008. This is not a new charge to you. It was previously assessed on your property tax records, which you paid annually with your tax payment. King County will bill for two months in 2008 and the first quarter billing from the City will include only one month. Generally, the City of Renton’s fees are lower than King County’s.
Special Instructions for Businesses (including home based businesses):
· Anyone conducting business in the City of Renton is required to apply for a business license. We encourage all businesses to start the process now rather than wait until March 1. This is a new charge to businesses. The fee is based on the number of employees a company has within the Renton city limits. The annual $55 per employee charge is primarily used to fund transportation needs. Applications are available on the City web site, www.rentonwa.gov.
· Depending on the type of business establishment, you might have other reporting requirements and fees to remit to the City of Renton. Amusement businesses, gambling establishments and providers of utility services, for example, all have additional requirements. Once your business application is approved, the City will contact you with additional information specific to these types of businesses.
· If your business files a Combined Excise Tax return form to report sales taxes, the local city sales tax should now be coded to: “Location Code 1725” on your return.
Contact Us
Economic development or City business assistance: Suzanne Dale Estey, Economic Development Director, 425-430-6591 or sdaleestey@ci.renton.wa.us
Assistance from the Renton Small Business Development Center: Jim Kallenberg, Business Advisor,
425-235-7819 or sbdc-renton@rtc.edu.
Business license information: Linda Weldon, 425-430-6851 or lweldon@ci.renton.wa.us
Building permits: Jan Conklin, Development Services, 425-430-7276 or jconklin@ci.renton.wa.us
Zoning: Laureen Nicolay, Senior Planner, 425-430-7294 or lnicolay@ci.renton.wa.us
Crime prevention: Terri Vickers, Community Programs Coordinator, Renton Police Department,
425-430-7520 or tvickers@ci.renton.wa.us
Community planning: Rebecca Lind, Long Range Planning Manager, 425-430-6588 or rlind@ci.renton.wa.us.
Fire code permits/inspections: David Pargas, Assistant Fire Marshal, 425-430-7023 or dpargas@ci.renton.wa.us
Emergency preparedness: Deborah Needham, Emergency Management Director, 425-430-7027 or
Renton City Hall general number: 425-430-6400
Renton Chamber of Commerce: 425-226-4560 or www.gorenton.com
Additional information about the City is available on our web site: www.rentonwa.gov.
Check out the “Information for Businesses” and “Business License Information”
pages of the website for helpful information and resources for businesses.
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