Chapter 19.04
SEPA ANALYSIS
Sections:
19.04.020 Categorically exempt.
19.04.010 SEPA analysis.
A. The city shall review the project permit application under the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”), Chapter 43.21C RCW, the SEPA Rules, Chapter 197-11 WAC, and the city environmental policy ordinance, Chapter 14.02 of this code, and shall:
1. Determine whether the applicable regulations require studies that adequately analyze all of the project permit application’s specific probable adverse environmental impacts (see subsection D of this section for how determination is made);
2. Determine if the applicable regulations require measures that adequately address such environmental impacts;
3. Determine whether additional studies are required and/or whether the project permit application should be conditioned with additional mitigation measures;
4. Provide for prompt and coordinated review by government agencies and the public on compliance with applicable environmental laws and plans, including mitigation for specific project impacts that have not been considered and addressed at the plan or development regulation level.
B. In its review of a project permit application, the city may determine that the requirements for environmental analysis, protection and mitigation measures in the applicable development regulations, comprehensive plan and/or in other applicable local, state or federal laws provide adequate analysis of and mitigation for the specific adverse environmental impacts of the application.
C. If the city’s comprehensive plans, subarea plans and development regulations adequately address a project’s specific adverse environmental impacts, as determined under subsections A and B of this section, it shall not impose additional mitigation under SEPA during project review.
D. A comprehensive plan, subarea plan, development regulation or other applicable local, state or federal law permits adequate analysis of and mitigation for the specific adverse environmental impacts of an application when:
1. The impacts have been avoided or otherwise mitigated.
E. In its decision whether a specific adverse environmental impact has been addressed by an existing rule or law of another agency with jurisdiction and with environmental expertise with regard to a specific environmental impact, the city shall consult orally or in writing with that agency and may expressly defer to that agency. Any oral consultation shall be documented in the project permit file. In making this deferral, the city shall base or condition its project approval on compliance with these other existing rules or laws.
F. Nothing in this section limits the authority of the city in its review or mitigation of a project to adopt or otherwise rely on environmental analyses and requirements under other laws, as provided by Chapter 43.21C RCW. (Ord. 873 § 3 (Att. C) (part), 2015: Ord. 639 § 1 (part), 1996)
19.04.020 Categorically exempt.
Actions categorically exempt under RCW 43.21C.110(1)(a) do not require environmental review or the preparation of an environmental impact statement. An action that is categorically exempt under the rules adopted by the Department of Ecology (Chapter 197-11 WAC) may not be conditioned or denied under SEPA. (Ord. 873 § 3 (Att. C) (part), 2015: Ord. 639 § 1 (part), 1996)