Chapter 24.02
SEPA PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
Sections:
Article I. Purpose—Authority
24.02.005 User guide.
Article II. General Requirements
24.02.010 SEPA process.
24.02.020 Designation of responsible official.
24.02.025 Environmental coordinator.
24.02.030 Use of environmental documents.
24.02.035 SEPA timing.
24.02.038 SEPA policies.
Article III. Definitions and Abbreviations
24.02.040 General—Definitions.
24.02.045 Definitions and abbreviations.
Article IV. Lead Agency
24.02.050 General—Lead agency.
Article V. Categorical Exemptions
24.02.060 General—Categorical exemptions.
24.02.065 Threshold levels for categorical exemptions.
24.02.070 Categorical exemptions in critical areas.
24.02.080 Critical areas maps adopted by reference.
24.02.090 Use of exemptions.
Article VI. Threshold Determinations
24.02.100 General—Threshold determinations.
24.02.110 Environmental checklist.
24.02.120 Mitigated DNS.
Article VII. Environmental Impact Statement
24.02.130 General—Environmental impact statement.
24.02.140 Preparation of EIS—Additional considerations.
Article VIII. Public Notice and Commenting
24.02.150 General—Public notice and commenting.
24.02.160 Public notice.
24.02.170 Optional DNS process.
Article IX. Planned Actions
24.02.180 General—Planned actions.
Article X. SEPA/Growth Management Act Integration
24.02.190 General—SEPA/GMA integration.
Article XI. SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act Integration
24.02.200 General—SEPA/MTCA integration.
Article XII. Using Existing Environmental Documents
24.02.210 General—Using existing environmental documents.
Article XIII. Appeals
24.02.220 General—Appeals.
24.02.230 Administrative appeals.
24.02.240 Judicial review.
Article XIV. Fees
24.02.250 General—Fees.
24.02.260 Fees.
Article XV. Forms
24.02.270 General—Forms.
Article I. Purpose—Authority
24.02.005 User guide.
This chapter contains the city’s laws that implement the State Environmental Policy Act (Chapter 43.21C RCW). This chapter contains several references to Chapter 197-11 WAC, which also implements the State Environmental Policy Act. At the beginning of each article of this chapter is a list of sections of Chapter 197-11 WAC that are adopted by reference. These WAC sections, as well as Chapter 43.21C RCW, should be consulted for complete information regarding SEPA. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article II. General Requirements
24.02.010 SEPA process.
This article, Sections 24.02.010 through 24.02.038, contains information on the basic requirements that apply to the SEPA process. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Timing of the SEPA process; |
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Content of environmental review; |
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Limitations on action during SEPA process; |
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Incomplete or unavailable information; |
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Supporting documents; |
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Information required of applicants; |
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SEPA/GMA project review—Reliance on existing plans, laws and regulations; |
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Monitoring; |
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Purpose of this part; |
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Purpose of this part; |
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Implementation; |
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Purpose of this part; |
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Agency SEPA policies; |
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Agency SEPA procedures; |
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Content and consistency of agency procedures; |
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Designation of responsible official; |
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Procedures of consulted agencies; |
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Application to ongoing actions; |
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Agencies with environmental expertise. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.020 Designation of responsible official.
For all proposals for which the city is the lead agency, the responsible official shall be the director of the planning and building department, or his/her designee. For these proposals, the responsible official shall make the threshold determination, supervise scoping and preparation of any required EIS, and perform any other functions assigned to the “lead agency” or “responsible official” by this chapter. (Ord. 4491 § 3 (part), 2015; Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.025 Environmental coordinator.
(a) The planning and building department shall designate an employee of the city to act as environmental coordinator. It shall be the responsibility of the environmental coordinator to:
(1) Assure that all SEPA-related city ordinances and policies are in compliance with corresponding regulations and policies at the state level;
(2) Assist all city departments in the interpretation and implementation of this chapter;
(3) Coordinate the review of and response to impact statements submitted to the city as a consulted agency by other governmental agencies;
(4) Be responsible for the city’s compliance with WAC 197-11-550 whenever the city is a consulted agency. The environmental coordinator is authorized to develop operating procedures that will ensure that responses to consultation requests are prepared in a timely fashion and include data from all appropriate departments of the city;
(b) In addition, the planning and building department may designate one or more employees of the city to:
(1) Maintain all public information on SEPA;
(2) Assist the public with inquiries concerning environmental policy and other SEPA-related information;
(3) Determine whether or not a proposal is an exempt action, make certain the proposal is properly defined and identify the governmental licenses required (WAC 197-11-060);
(4) Review each environmental checklist submitted to the city and make a recommendation to the responsible official on each action or proposal;
(5) Coordinate the processing of appeals pursuant to Section 24.02.230;
(6) Coordinate the preparation and distribution of EIS’s and SEIS’s undertaken by the city or its consultant;
(7) Be responsible for preparation of written comments for the city in response to consultation requests prior to a threshold determination, scoping, and review of a draft EIS;
(8) Perform all other activities required to implement SEPA in the city except those performed by the responsible official or environmental coordinator. (Ord. 4491 § 3 (part), 2015; Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.030 Use of environmental documents.
For nonexempt proposals, the DNS or final EIS and SEIS for the proposal shall accompany the city’s staff recommendation to the appropriate decisionmaker. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.035 SEPA timing.
(a) If the city’s only action on a proposal is a decision on a building permit or other license that requires detailed project plans and specifications, the applicant may request in writing that the city conduct environmental review prior to submission of detailed plans and specifications. A decision as to whether or not to do early environmental review, prior to receiving a complete application, shall be at the discretion of the responsible official.
(b) The responsible official may elect to do early environmental review if adequate information is available to determine the size and scope of the proposed action, including dimensions and use of all proposed improvements, project timing, and the extent of clearing and grading.
(c) The city may initiate preliminary environmental review and have informal conferences with applicants prior to receipt of a complete application. However, this review shall not be binding on the city or the applicant.
(d) Any request for early notice of whether or not a DS is likely under WAC 197-11-350 shall be in writing. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.038 SEPA policies.
The city designates and adopts by reference the following policies as the basis for the city’s exercise of authority pursuant to this chapter:
(a) The policies of the State Environmental Policy Act—Chapter 43.21C RCW;
(b) The most recent version of the Comprehensive Plan;
(c) The most recent version of the Zoning Code;
(d) The most recent version of the Zoning Map;
(e) The Kirkland Municipal Code (KMC), including but not limited to Title 15 (Water and Sewage), Title 19 (Streets and Sidewalks), Title 21 (Buildings and Construction), Title 22 (Subdivisions), Title 24 (Environmental Procedures), Title 25 (Concurrency Management), and Title 28 (Landmarks);
(f) The design guidelines documents adopted under Section 3.30.040;
(g) The perpetual six-year transportation improvement program established by Section 19.08.051, including annual amendments;
(h) The City of Kirkland Natural Resources Management Plan 2003, as amended;
(i) The City of Kirkland Surface Water Master Plan 2005, as amended;
(j) The Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA8) Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan;
(k) The most recent version of the City of Kirkland Sewer Comprehensive Plan;
(l) The most recent version of the Water Comprehensive Plan;
(m) The most recent version of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan;
(n) The most recent version of the Park and Open Space Plan. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4409 § 3, 2013; Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article III. Definitions and Abbreviations
24.02.040 General—Definitions.
This article, Sections 24.02.040 and 24.02.045, contains information on the usage and definition of terms under SEPA. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Definitions; |
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SEPA/GMA definitions; |
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Definitions; |
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Act; |
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Action; |
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Addendum; |
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Adoption; |
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Affected tribe; |
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Affecting; |
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Agency; |
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Applicant; |
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Built environment; |
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Categorical exemption; |
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Closed record appeal; |
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Consolidated appeal; |
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Consulted agency; |
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Cost-benefit analysis; |
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County/city; |
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Decision maker; |
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Department; |
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Determination of nonsignificance (DNS); |
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Determination of significance (DS); |
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EIS; |
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Environment; |
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Environmental checklist; |
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Environmental document; |
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Environmental review; |
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Expanded scoping; |
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Impacts; |
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Incorporation by reference; |
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Lands covered by water; |
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Lead agency; |
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License; |
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Local agency; |
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Major action; |
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Mitigated DNS; |
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Mitigation; |
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Natural environment; |
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NEPA; |
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Nonproject; |
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Open record hearing; |
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Phased review; |
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Preparation; |
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Private project; |
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Probable; |
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Proposal; |
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Reasonable alternative; |
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Responsible official; |
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SEPA; |
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Scope; |
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Scoping; |
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Significant; |
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State agency; |
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Threshold determination; |
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Underlying governmental action. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.045 Definitions and abbreviations.
(a) In addition to those definitions contained within WAC 197-11-220 and 197-11-700 through 197-11-799, when used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:
(1) “City department” means any department of the city established by Chapter 3.16.
(2) “SEPA rules” means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology.
(3) “Complete application,” for the purposes of this chapter, means an application and supporting documentation which have been reviewed by the SEPA responsible official and other appropriate department(s) of the city and found to contain all information reasonably sufficient to evaluate the environmental impact of a proposal, based on standards developed by the city consistent with SEPA rules.
(4) “City” means the city of Kirkland.
(5) “Distribute” means to provide notice and information or the location of notice and information to persons via postal mail or electronically.
(6) “Improvement” means any structure or manmade feature.
(7) “Recognized historical significance” means listed in the state or national register of historic places, designation as an historic landmark overlay.
(b) The following abbreviations are used in this chapter:
(1) “DEIS” means draft environmental impact statement.
(2) “DNS” means determination of nonsignificance.
(3) “DOE” means Washington Department of Ecology.
(4) “DS” means determination of significance.
(5) “EIS” means environmental impact statement.
(6) “FEIS” means final environmental impact statement.
(7) “GMA” means Growth Management Act.
(8) “KMC” means Kirkland Municipal Code.
(9) “LSM” means land surface modification.
(10) “MTCA” means Model Toxics Control Act.
(11) “NEPA” means National Environmental Policy Act.
(12) “RCW” means Revised Code of Washington.
(13) “SEIS” means supplemental environmental impact statement.
(14) “SEPA” means State Environmental Policy Act.
(15) “WAC” means Washington Administrative Code. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4193 § 2 (Att. B) (part), 2009; Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article IV. Lead Agency
24.02.050 General—Lead agency.
This article, Section 24.02.050, contains information about determining lead agency for SEPA review. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Lead agency; |
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Purpose of this part; |
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Lead agency rules; |
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Determining lead agency; |
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Lead agency for governmental proposals; |
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Lead agency for public and private proposals; |
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Lead agency for private projects with one agency with jurisdiction; |
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Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one agency, when one of the agencies is a county/city; |
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Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from a local agency, not a county/city; and one or more state agencies; |
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Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one state agency; |
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Lead agencies for specific proposals; |
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Transfer lead agency status to a state agency; |
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Agreements on lead agency status; |
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Agreements on division of lead agency duties; |
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DOE resolution of lead agency disputes; |
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Assumption of lead agency status. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article V. Categorical Exemptions
24.02.060 General—Categorical exemptions.
This article, Sections 24.02.060 through 24.02.090, contains information on the rules for categorical exemptions. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Categorical exemptions; |
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Categorical exemptions; |
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Emergencies; |
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Petitioning DOE to change exemptions; |
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Critical areas. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.065 Threshold levels for categorical exemptions.
WAC 197-11-800 establishes certain actions as exempt from SEPA. Under WAC 197-11-800(1)(c), the city establishes raised levels of exemptions for the following types of actions as exempt from SEPA except as provided in WAC 197-11-305 and 197-11-800(1)(a):
(a) The construction or location of any residential structures of twenty or fewer dwelling units, except in Goat Hill as shown in Map 24.02.065, where the exemption threshold is the construction or location of any residential structures of four or fewer dwelling units (WAC 197-11-800(1));
(b) The construction of a barn, loafing shed, farm equipment storage building, produce storage or packing structure, or similar agricultural structure, covering thirty thousand or fewer square feet, and to be used only by the property owner or his or her agent in the conduct of farming the property. This exemption shall not apply to feed lots (WAC 197-11-800(1));
(c) The construction of an office, school, commercial, recreational, service or storage building with twelve thousand or fewer square feet of gross floor area, and with associated parking facilities designed for forty or fewer automobiles (WAC 197-11-800(1));
(d) The construction of a parking lot designed for forty or fewer automobiles not associated with a structure (WAC 197-11-800(1));
(e) Any fill or excavation of five hundred or fewer cubic yards throughout the total lifetime of the fill or excavation and any excavation, fill or grading necessary for an exempt project in subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section (WAC 197-11-800(1)).
Map 24.02.065—Goat Hill Boundary and Zoning
(Ord. 4791 § 1, 2022; Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4361 § 1, 2012: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.070 Categorical exemptions in critical areas.
WAC 197-11-908 establishes that the city may select certain categorical exemptions that do not apply in one or more critical areas. WAC 197-11-800 establishes that certain actions are not exempt if undertaken wholly or in part on lands covered by water. The following is a supplementary list of actions that, while potentially categorically exempt, are not exempt if proposed in streams, lakes or wetlands:
(a) All licenses to operate or engage in amusement devices and rides and entertainment activities, including but not limited to cabarets, carnivals, circuses and other traveling shows, dances, music machines, golf courses, and theaters, including approval of the use of public facilities for temporary civic celebrations (WAC 197-11-800(13)(c)).
(b) The following natural resources management activities:
(1) Development of recreational sites, including campsites (WAC 197-11-800(24)(g)).
(2) Periodic use of chemical or mechanical means to maintain a public park and recreational land (WAC 197-11-800(24)(h)). (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.080 Critical areas maps adopted by reference.
The maps identifying the city’s critical areas, as maintained and updated by the city’s planning and building department, are adopted by reference as though fully set forth herein. The exemptions from SEPA that do not apply in streams, lakes or wetlands are stated in Section 24.02.070. (Ord. 4491 § 3 (part), 2015; Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.090 Use of exemptions.
Each city department receiving an application for a license or, in the case of governmental proposals, the department initiating the proposal, shall determine whether the license and/or the proposal is exempt. The department’s determination that a proposal is exempt shall be subject to review by the environmental coordinator or an individual designated under Section 24.02.025(b). If a proposal is exempt, none of the procedural requirements of this chapter apply to the proposal. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article VI. Threshold Determinations
24.02.100 General—Threshold determinations.
This article, Sections 24.02.100 through 24.02.120, contains information for deciding whether or not a proposal has a “probable significant, adverse environmental impact,” and for evaluating the impact of proposals not requiring an EIS. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Threshold determination required; |
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Environmental checklist; |
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Threshold determination process; |
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Additional information; |
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Determination of nonsignificance (DNS); |
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Mitigated DNS; |
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Determination of significance (DS)/initiation of scoping; |
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Effect of threshold determination; |
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Substantive authority and mitigation. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.110 Environmental checklist.
For private proposals, the city will require the applicant to complete the environmental checklist, providing assistance as necessary. For city-initiated proposals, the department initiating the proposal shall complete the environmental checklist for that proposal. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.120 Mitigated DNS.
(a) For a mitigated DNS, the applicant’s proposed mitigation measures (clarifications, changes or conditions) must be in writing and must be specific. For example, proposals to “control noise” or “prevent storm water runoff” are inadequate, whereas proposals to “muffle machinery to X decibels” or “construct a two-hundred-foot storm water retention pond at Y location” are adequate.
(b) Mitigation measures incorporated in the mitigated DNS are deemed conditions of approval of the permit decision and shall be enforced in the same manner as any term or condition of the permit, or enforced in any manner available to the city.
(c) If the city’s final decision on a proposed action does not include the mitigation measures that were incorporated in a mitigated DNS for the proposal, the city shall reevaluate the threshold determination to ensure that the DNS is still valid or determine if it should be withdrawn under WAC 197-11-340(3)(a). (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article VII. Environmental Impact Statement
24.02.130 General—Environmental impact statement.
This article, Sections 24.02.130 and 24.02.140, contains information on the rules for preparing EIS’s. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Purpose of EIS; |
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General requirements; |
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EIS types; |
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EIS timing; |
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Scoping; |
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Expanded scoping; |
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EIS preparation; |
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Style and size; |
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Format; |
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Cover letter or memo; |
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EIS contents; |
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Contents of EIS on nonproject proposals; |
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EIS contents when prior nonproject EIS; |
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Elements of the environment; |
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Relationship of EIS to other considerations; |
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Cost-benefit analysis; |
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Issuance of DEIS; |
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Issuance of FEIS. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.140 Preparation of EIS—Additional considerations.
(a) The responsible official shall determine whether the draft, or final, EIS or SEIS will be prepared by the city or by a private consultant. If the action for which the EIS or SEIS is being prepared is one proposed by a private applicant, and if the responsible official determines that the draft and final EIS or SEIS will be prepared by a private consultant, that consultant shall be selected in the manner prescribed by subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Regardless of who prepares the EIS, the responsible official shall ensure that the EIS or SEIS is prepared in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. The responsible official shall determine the elements of the environment to be included in the document through the scoping process described in this section.
(1) Whenever the city issues a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3), the city shall provide notice as prescribed in Section 24.02.160(b) and shall circulate copies of the DS to the applicant; agencies with jurisdiction and expertise, if any; affected tribes and the public.
(2) All comments on a DS and scoping notices must be in writing and received within twenty-one days from the date of issuance of the DS, except where a public meeting on EIS scoping occurs, pursuant to WAC 197-11-410(1)(b).
(c) If the responsible official determines that the EIS or SEIS is to be prepared by a consultant, the city shall enter into any necessary agreements with the applicant and the consultant in conformance with this chapter. The responsible official shall review the consultants recommended by the applicant and, if the responsible official finds one of the consultants suitable to prepare the EIS or SEIS, shall select that consultant for the preparation of the EIS or SEIS. In the event the responsible official does not find one of the consultants suitable to prepare the EIS or SEIS, he/she shall request the applicant to provide the names of additional consultants and/or interview additional consultants of the city’s choosing.
(d) A consultant who prepares an EIS or SEIS for a proposal by a private applicant shall have no involvement in the proposed project other than the preparation of the EIS or SEIS.
(e) Cost of Preparation of EIS.
(1) The applicant shall deposit with the city the entire estimated cost of preparation of a draft and final EIS determined by the selected consultant within ten days of signing the agreement for preparation of those documents with the city and the consultant.
(2) If the city requires additional work beyond the terms of the agreement in order to complete the draft or final EIS or SEIS, the applicant shall deposit, with the city, the entire estimated cost of the additional work within ten days of signing an addendum to the agreement.
(3) The city will not authorize work on the draft or final EIS or SEIS until the applicant has made the required deposits.
(f) City Review and Processing.
(1) The applicant shall deposit with the city an amount for review and processing of the environmental impact statement or SEIS as required by Section 5.74.070.
(2) The city will not begin to review and process any EIS or SEIS until this deposit is received by the city.
(3) The city will send the applicant a monthly itemized billing for costs incurred in review and processing of an EIS or SEIS.
(4) If the amount deposited exceeds the cost of review and processing, the city will refund the excess to the applicant following issuance of the final EIS or SEIS.
(5) If the cost of review and processing exceeds the amount deposited, the applicant shall pay the full amount due within thirty days of receipt of an itemized billing by the city.
(6) The city will cease all work on the proposal, including review and processing of the EIS or SEIS, if the amounts due to the city have not been paid in full in the manner specified in this section.
(g) Before the city issues an EIS or SEIS, the responsible official shall be satisfied that it complies with this chapter and Chapter 197-11 WAC. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article VIII. Public Notice and Commenting
24.02.150 General—Public notice and commenting.
This article, Sections 24.02.150 through 24.02.170, contains rules for consulting, commenting and responding to environmental documents including rules for public notices and hearings. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Optional DNS process; |
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Purpose of this part; |
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Inviting comment; |
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Availability and cost of environmental documents; |
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SEPA register; |
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Public notice; |
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Public hearings and meetings; |
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Effect of no comment; |
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Specificity of comments; |
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FEIS response to comments; |
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Consultant agency costs to assist lead agency. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.160 Public notice.
(a) Whenever the city issues a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2), or DS under WAC 197-11-360(3), the city shall give public notice by publishing notice, or a summary thereof, in a newspaper of general circulation in the city where the proposal is located.
(b) Whenever the city issues a mitigated DNS for a site-specific proposal requiring installation of a public notice sign for the underlying permit, the city shall give public notice by publishing notice, or a summary thereof, in a newspaper of general circulation in the city where the proposal is located, by posting notice on the city’s website, and by distributing notice to those receiving notice of the underlying permit.
(c) The responsible official may require notice by alternative methods, as specified in WAC 197-11-510, if deemed necessary to provide public notice of impending action.
(d) Whenever the city issues a draft EIS or SEIS under WAC 197-11-455(5) or 197-11-620, notice of availability of those documents shall be given by:
(1) Posting the property for site-specific proposals, pursuant to the guidelines in subsection (b) of this section; and
(2) Publishing notice, or a summary thereof, in a newspaper of general circulation in the city; and
(3) Distributing notice for site-specific proposals, pursuant to the guidelines in subsection (b) of this section. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4193 § 2 (Att. B) (part), 2009: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.170 Optional DNS process.
The city may, pursuant to WAC 197-11-355, use a single, integrated comment period to obtain comments on a notice of application and the likely threshold determination for the proposal if the responsible official has a reasonable basis for determining that significant environmental impacts are unlikely. In the event that SEPA mitigation measures are proposed after the close of the integrated comment period, notice shall be given as required in Section 24.02.160. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article IX. Planned Actions
24.02.180 General—Planned actions.
This article, Section 24.02.180, contains information on planned actions. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Planned actions—Definition and criteria; |
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Ordinances or resolutions designating planned actions—Procedures for adoption; |
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Planned actions—Project review. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article X. SEPA/Growth Management Act Integration
24.02.190 General—SEPA/GMA integration.
This article, Section 24.02.190, contains information on integrating SEPA and GMA actions. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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SEPA/GMA integration; |
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Overall SEPA/GMA integration procedures; |
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Timing of an integrated SEPA/GMA process; |
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SEPA/GMA integration procedures for preliminary planning, environmental analysis, and expanded scoping; |
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SEPA/GMA integration documents. |
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SEPA/GMA integration monitoring. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article XI. SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act Integration
24.02.200 General—SEPA/MTCA integration.
This article, Section 24.02.200, contains information on integrating SEPA and actions under the Model Toxics Control Act. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act integration; |
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SEPA lead agency for MTCA actions; |
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Preliminary evaluation; |
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Determination of nonsignificance for MTCA remedial action; |
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Determination of significance and EIS for MTCA remedial actions; |
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Early scoping for MTCA remedial actions; |
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MTCA interim actions. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article XII. Using Existing Environmental Documents
24.02.210 General—Using existing environmental documents.
This article, Section 24.02.210, contains information on using and supplementing the existing environmental documents prepared under SEPA or NEPA for the city’s own environmental compliance. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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When to use existing environmental documents; |
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Use of NEPA documents; |
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Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement—Procedures; |
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Addenda procedures; |
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Adoption procedures; |
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Incorporation by reference procedures; |
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Combining documents. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article XIII. Appeals
24.02.220 General—Appeals.
This article, Sections 24.02.220 through 24.02.240, contains procedures for appealing SEPA determinations to agencies or the courts. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Appeals. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.230 Administrative appeals.
(a) Appealable Decisions. Administrative appeals of SEPA determinations are available only in instances where there is an open record hearing on the underlying governmental action. In addition, only the following decisions of the city are appealable under this section:
(1) The issuance of a determination of nonsignificance, including mitigation measures and conditions that are required as part of that determination of nonsignificance;
(2) The issuance of a determination of significance.
(b) Who May Appeal. Only the following may appeal:
(1) The applicant or proponent;
(2) Any agency with jurisdiction;
(3) Any individual or other entity who is specifically and directly affected by the proposed action.
(c) Time to Appeal.
(1) An appeal of a DNS must be filed with the environmental coordinator within fourteen days of the date the determination is issued by the responsible official.
(2) An appeal of a DS must be filed within seven days of the date it is published under Section 24.02.160.
(d) How to Appeal. The appeal must be in the form of a written notice of appeal, and must contain a brief and concise statement of the matter being appealed, the specific components or aspects that are being appealed, the appellant’s basic rationale or contentions on appeal, and a statement demonstrating standing to appeal. The appeal may also contain whatever supplemental information the appellant wishes to include.
(e) Fees. The person filing the appeal shall include with the letter of appeal the fee as established by ordinance.
(f) Who Will Hear and Decide Upon the Appeal. Appeals of DNSs will be consolidated and considered simultaneously with an open record hearing on the underlying project permit and decided upon by the hearing body hearing the underlying project permit using the provisions of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this section. In the event that a land use permit does not include an open record public hearing but provides for an open record appeal, the SEPA appeal will be consolidated with the open record appeal heard and decided upon by the hearing examiner using the provisions of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this section unless the underlying project permit is a short subdivision that has been appealed to the city council pursuant to Section 22.20.245, in which case, the city council shall hear both the SEPA appeal and the appeal of the underlying project permit.
WAC 197-11-680(3)(vi) provides for instances where the appeals of SEPA procedural or substantive determinations need not be consolidated with a hearing or appeal on the underlying governmental action, including an appeal of a DS. In such cases, the city will follow the provisions of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this section with the hearing examiner conducting the hearing for the appeal of the determination.
(g) Procedures for the Appeal.
(1) Notice of the Appeal Hearing.
(A) Content. The planning and building department shall prepare a notice of the appeal containing the following:
(i) The file number and a brief written description of the matter being appealed.
(ii) A statement of the scope of the appeal including a summary of the specific factual findings and conclusions disputed in the letter of appeal.
(iii) The time and place of the public hearing on the appeal.
(iv) A statement of who may participate in the appeal.
(v) A statement of how to participate in the appeal.
(B) Distribution. At least fourteen calendar days before the hearing on the appeal, the planning and building department shall distribute a copy of this notice to each person who received a copy of the threshold determination and any person who appealed the threshold determination.
(C) The notice of appeal may be combined with the hearing notice for the underlying project permit, if applicable.
(2) Participation in the Appeal. Only the applicant or proponent, city staff and persons who have appealed the threshold determination under subsection (b) of this section may participate in the appeal. These persons may participate in the appeal in either or both of the following ways:
(A) By submitting written testimony to the planning and building department within the timeline established by subsection (c) of this section.
(B) By appearing at the hearing and submitting oral or written testimony directly to the hearing body. The hearing body may reasonably limit the extent of the oral testimony to facilitate the orderly and timely conduct of the hearing.
(3) Staff Report on the Appeal.
(A) Content. The planning and building department shall prepare a staff report containing the following:
(i) The SEPA threshold determination.
(ii) All written comments submitted to the responsible official.
(iii) The letter of appeal.
(iv) All written comments on the appeal received by the planning and building department from persons entitled to participate in the appeal and within the scope of the appeal.
(v) An analysis of the specific factual findings and conclusions disputed in the letter of appeal.
(B) This report may be combined with the staff report on the underlying project permit, if applicable.
(C) Distribution. At least seven calendar days before the hearing, the planning and building department shall distribute the staff report as follows:
(i) To the hearing body hearing the appeal as specified under subsection (f) of this section.
(ii) To the applicant.
(iii) To the persons who filed appeals.
(4) Hearing on the Appeal.
(A) Hearing in General. The hearing body shall hold a public hearing on the appeal.
(B) Hearing Declared Open. The hearing of the hearing body is open to the public.
(5) Electronic Sound Recordings. The hearing body shall make a complete electronic sound recording of each hearing.
(6) Continuation of the Hearing. The hearing body may continue the hearing if, for any reason, it is unable to hear all of the public comments on the appeal or if it determines that it needs more information within the scope of the appeal. If, during the hearing, the hearing body announces the time and place of the next hearing on the matter, no further notice of that hearing need be given.
(h) Decision on the Appeal.
(1) General. The hearing body shall consider all information and material within the scope of the appeal submitted by persons entitled to participate in the appeal. The hearing body shall either affirm or change the findings and conclusions of the responsible official that were appealed. Based on the hearing body’s findings and conclusions, it shall either:
(A) Affirm the decision being appealed; or
(B) Reverse the decision being appealed; or
(C) Modify the decision being appealed.
(2) Issuance of Written Decision. Within eight calendar days after the public hearing, the hearing body shall issue a written decision on the appeal. Within four business days after it is issued, the hearing body shall distribute the decision as follows:
(A) To the applicant.
(B) To the person who filed the appeal.
(C) To all other persons or agencies who participated in the appeal.
(i) Additional Appeal Procedures.
(1) The matters to be considered and decided upon in the appeal are limited to the matters raised in the notice of appeal.
(2) The decision of the responsible official shall be accorded substantial weight.
(3) All testimony will be taken under oath.
(4) The decision of the hearing body hearing the appeal shall be the final decision on any appeal of a threshold determination including a mitigated determination of nonsignificance. (Ord. 4491 § 3 (part), 2015; Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4193 § 2 (Att. B) (part), 2009; Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.240 Judicial review.
Judicial review of SEPA determinations are by RCW 43.21C.075 required to be heard only at the time of judicial review of the underlying action, i.e., approval or disapproval of the proposal for which SEPA review was required. For rules on perfecting and timing of the SEPA determination and judicial appeal, see RCW 43.21C.075 and WAC 197-11-680(4). The notice required by WAC 197-11-680(5) shall be appended to the permit or “notice of appeal” at the time of final city action. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article XIV. Fees
24.02.250 General—Fees.
This article, Sections 24.02.250 and 24.02.260, contains information on rules for charging fees under the SEPA process. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Fees. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
24.02.260 Fees.
The city shall require fees as set forth in Section 5.74.070 for its activities in accordance with provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)
Article XV. Forms
24.02.270 General—Forms.
This article, Section 24.02.270, contains information on forms. The city adopts by reference the following sections of the WAC which contain related information:
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Environmental checklist; |
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Adoption notice; |
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Determination of nonsignificance (DNS); |
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Determination of significance and scoping notice (DS); |
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Notice of assumption of lead agency status; |
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Notice of action. |
(Ord. 4452 § 1 (Att. A) (part), 2014: Ord. 4150 § 2 (part), 2008)