SEP21-0004
CITY OF FIFE, WASHINGTON
DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE
Project Name: 2021 Annual Comprehensive Plan Docket
Project Applicant: Fife Community Development Department
ATTN: Steven Friddle, Community Development Director
5411 23rd St E
Fife, WA 98424
Description of Proposal: Adoption of 2021 Annual Comprehensive Plan Docket,
which includes the following amendments:
CPA20-0001 – Pape Rezone/Comp Plan Map Amendment.
CPA20-0002 - Fife School District Capital Facilities Plan.
CPA20-0003 - Puyallup School District Capital Facilities Plan – No update.
CPA20-0004 - City of Fife 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
CPA20-0005 - City of Fife Capital Improvement Plan.
Lead Agency: City of Fife
Case No: SEP21-0004 covers the annual Docket as a whole. A Notice of Application
and a SEPA checklist for the specific proposal was posted under Case No CPA21-0001
and REZ21-0001. Since this item is part of the annual Comprehensive Plan Docket, it is
being consolidated under SEP21-0004 into a single Determination of Non-Significance
(DNS).
The lead agency for this proposal has determined that th e proposed action does not have
a probable significant adverse impact on the environment, and an environmental impact
statement (EIS) is not required. This decision was made after review of a completed
environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. https://ci-fife-
wa.smartgovcommunity.com/PublicNotice/PublicNoticeHome
Public Comment Deadline: This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340. The lead
agency will not take final action on this proposal prior to the appeal deadline. The public
is invited to comment on this DNS by submitting written comments to the City of Fife,
2
Attn: Chris Larson, Senior Planner, 5411 23rd Street East, Fife, WA 98424 or by email at
clarson@cityoffife.org. Comments must be received by 5:00 pm on September
14th, 2021.
Appeal: Parties with standing may appeal this decision to the hearing examiner by
submitting a written notice of appeal in accordance with FMC Chapter 14.10, along with a
check for the applicable appeal fee, to the Fife Community Development Department, 5411
23rd Street East, Fife, WA 98424, within 14 days of the close of the public comment period.
The deadline for appeals shall therefore be September 28th, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
Please call the Community Development Department at 253-922-9625 for any questions
regarding the above application
Responsible Official:
August 31st, 2021
Chris Larson, AICP Date:
Senior Planner / SEPA Responsible Official
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 6
SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKL IST
Purpose of checklist:
Governmental agencies use this checklist to help determine whether the environmental impacts of your
proposal are significant. This information is also helpful to determine if available avoidance, minimization
or compensatory mitigation measures will address the probable significant impacts or if an environmental
impact statement will be prepared to further analyze the proposal.
Instructions for applicants:
This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. Please
answer each question accurately and carefully, to the best of your knowledge. You may need to consult
with an agency specialist or private consultant for some questions. You may use “not applicable” or
"does not apply" only when you can explain why it does not apply and not when the answer is unknown.
You may also attach or incorporate by reference additional studies reports . Complete and accurate
answers to these questions often avoid delays with the SEPA process as well as later in the decision-
making process.
The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal, even if you plan to do them over a period of
time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help describe your proposal
or its environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist may ask you to explain your
answers or provide additional information reasonably related to determining if there may be significant
adverse impact.
Instructions for Lead Agencies:
Please adjust the format of this template as needed. Additional information may be necessary to
evaluate the existing environment, all interrelated aspects of the proposal and an analysis of adverse
impacts. The checklist is considered the first but not necessarily the only source of information needed to
make an adequate threshold determination. Once a threshold determination is made, the lead agency is
responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the checklist and other supporting documents.
Use of checklist for nonproject proposals:
For nonproject proposals (such as ordinances, regulations, plans and programs), complete the applicable
parts of sections A and B plus the SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET FOR NONPROJECT ACTIONS (part D). Please
completely answer all questions that apply and note that the words "project," "applicant," and "property or
site" should be read as "proposal," "proponent," and "affected geographic area," respectively. The lead
agency may exclude (for non-projects) questions in Part B - Environmental Elements –that do not
contribute meaningfully to the analysis of the proposal.
A. Background [HELP]
1. Name of proposed project, if applicable:
2021 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket.
2. Name of applicant: City of Fife
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 2 of 6
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
Steve Friddle
Community Development Director
City of Fife
253-896-8633
4. Date checklist prepared:
August 30th, 2021
5. Agency requesting checklist:
City of Fife
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable ):
November 2021
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain.
Future annual amendment cycles and GMA mandated periodic review in 2023
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal.
For CPA21-0001/REZ21-0001, see the checklist circulated under SEP21-0002 which was
provided by the applicant and provides for site specific analysis of environmental elements
related to CPA21-0001/REZ21-0001.
https://ci-fife-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/PublicNotice/PublicNoticeHome
9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other
proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain.
Yes, the applicant for CPA21-0001/REZ21-0001 has also applied for a municipal code
amendment (MCA21-0002/SEP21-0003) that would act as an alternative to the proposed comp
plan map amendment and rezone. The Planning Commission recommended approved of the
municipal code amendment at their July meeting. Staff is thus recommending CPA2 -0001 and
REZ21-0001 not be included for adoption in the 2021 docket.
An environmental checklist for CPA21-0001/REZ21-0002 was circulated in April 2021 under
permit SEP21-0002. This determination of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan Docket, includes the
determination for the SEP21-0002, and incorporates the checklist previously circulated.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
All amendments are non- project actions. Permits and approval for physical development
(including environmental analysis) will still be required.
11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size
of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to
describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 3 of 6
page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project
description.)
CPA20-0001 – Pape Rezone/Comp Plan Map Amendment – Rezone approximately 18
acres from Community Commercial to Industrial (I), with associated Comprehensive
Plan future land use designation change from Mixed Medium Den sity
Residential/Commercial to Industri al. NOTE. See Checklist circulated under SEP21-
0002, provided by applicant.
Staff recommendation not to adopt.
CPA20-0002 - Fife School District Capital Facilities Plan – Routine adoption of the
most recent version of the Fife School District’s Capital Facilities Plan, into the City’s
Capital Facilities element of the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff recommendation to adopt.
CPA20-0003 - Puyallup School District Capital Facilities Plan – This item was
included on the preliminary docket as a place holder for the Puyallup School District.
The Puyallup School District is planning to defer an update to the CFP until later in the
2021-2022 school year. The purpose to defer the CFP u pdate is due to enrollment
uncertainty due to pandemic and the District will be embarking on a 12 -year forecast of
its facilities needs this fall. No environmental analysis necessary.
No action
CPA20-0004 - City of Fife 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) – Adoption
of annually updated 6-year TIP, into the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive
Plan. Additions and other changes include:
• 45th St E Extension and Reconstruction project has been removed as
some of the property needed for the project is now owned in trust by the
Puyallup Tribe
• New Connector Arterial – 40th St E to 78th Ave E has been removed as
some of the property needed for the project is now owned in trust by the
Puyallup Tribe
• Adding 54th Ave E/Taylor Way Corridor Improvements (Priority #9)
• Changing the limits on 20th St E Reconstruction – 56th Ave to 68th Ave
(previously stopped at 64th Ave) (Priority #10)
• Adding Non-motorized Light Rail Station Access Improvements (Priority
#19)
• Adding Citywide ADA Upgrades (Priority #24)
• Changing the limits on 48th St E Reconstruction – 74th Ave to Freeman Rd
(previously started at 70th Ave) (Priority #35)
• Changing the limits on 12th St E Reconstruction – Alexander Ave to 59th
Ave (previously stopped at 62nd Ave) (Priority #50)
Staff recommendation to adopt.
CPA20-0005 -City of Fife Capital Improvement Plan – Annual update to the Capital
Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan representing new and/or updated
projects, priorities and funding opportunities including:
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 4 of 6
• Cross walk and various safety enhancements
• 6224 Pacific Hwy sidewalk construction
• Neighborhood sidewalk leveling
• City water system “betterment” to WSDOT 167 construction
• 54th/Taylor Way Access Study
• Splash pad
• Sheffield Trail Repair (Phase 1)
• Firwood Gym acquisition and demolition
• Freeman Rd wetland mitigation
• Parks Walk, Run and Roll program
• Fountain Memorial enhancements
• City Hall Remodel/Civic Center Assessment
• Jobs Program Housing
Staff recommendation to adopt.
12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise
location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and
range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or
boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic
map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you
are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications
related to this checklist.
CPA21-0001/REZ21-0002 apply to parcels 7109 to 7159 48th St E – consisting of 11 parcels along the
northern frontage of 48th St E. This in cludes parcels 042017-3-031, 402017-3-029, 042017-3-038,
042017-3-037, 042017-3-037, 042017-3-040, 042017-3-018, 042017-3-25, 042017-3-047, 042017-3-
48, 042017-3-008.
CPA21-0002 -0005 apply City-wide.
B. Environmental Elements [HELP]
See checklist circulated under SEP21-0002 for analysis of environmental elements, related to
the site specific proposal CPA21-0001/REZ21-0001
Section B does not provide meaningful environmental analysis of CPA21-0001, 0002, 0003,
0004, or 0005, and has therefor been excluded.
C. Signature [HELP]
The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the
lead agency is relying on them to make its decision.
Signature: ________________________________________
Name of signee: Steve Friddle____________________________
Position and Agency/Organization: Community Development Director___________________
Date Submitted: 08/30/21
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 5 of 6
D. Supplemental sheet for nonproject actions [HELP]
(IT IS NOT NECESSARY to use this sheet for project actions)
Because these questions are very general, it may be helpful to read them in conjunction
with the list of the elements of the environment.
When answering these questions, be aware of the extent the proposal, or the types of
activities likely to result from the proposal, would affect the item at a greater intensity or
at a faster rate than if the proposal were not implemented. Respond briefly and in
general terms.
1. How would the proposal be likely to increase discharge to water; emissions to air; pro-
duction, storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or production of noise?
The adoption of the 2021 docket will not increase any of the items listed above.
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce such increases are:
Future project level environmental analysis, implementation of FMC and applicable
development regulations.
2. How would the proposal be likely to affect plants, animals, fish, or marine life?
The proposal is not likely to affect plants, animals, fish or marine life.
Proposed measures to protect or conserve plants, animals, fish, or marine life are:
Future project level environmental analysis, implementation of FMC and applicable
development regulations.
3. How would the proposal be likely to deplete energy or natural resources?
The proposal is not likely to deplete energy or natural resources.
Proposed measures to protect or conserve energy and natural resources are:
Future project level environmental analysis, implementation of FMC and applicable
development regulations.
4. How would the proposal be likely to use or affect environmentally sensitive areas or
areas designated (or eligible or under study) for governmental protection; such as parks,
wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, threatened or endangered species habitat, historic or
cultural sites, wetlands, floodplains, or prime farmlands?
The proposal is not likely to affect environmentally sensitive areas or areas designated for
protection.
Proposed measures to protect such resources or to avoid or reduce impacts are:
Future project level environmental analysis, implementation of FMC and applicable
development regulations.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 6 of 6
5. How would the proposal be likely to affect land and shoreline use, including whether it
would allow or encourage land or shoreline uses incompatible with existing plans?
The proposal is not likely to affect shoreline use or access to the shoreline.
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce shoreline and land use impacts are:
Future project level environmental analysis, implementation of FMC, Shoreline Master Program
(SMP) and other applicable development regulations.
6. How would the proposal be likely to increase demands on transportation or public
services and utilities?
The proposal is not likely to increase demands on transportation or public services. Many of the
projects in the TIP and the Capital Facilities Plan aim to address transportation impacts from
future development.
Proposed measures to reduce or respond to such demand(s) are:
Future project level environmental analysis, implementation of FMC and applicable
development regulations.
7. Identify, if possible, whether the proposal may conflict with local, state, or federal laws or
requirements for the protection of the environment.
The proposal does not conflict with other state or federal laws or protection of the environment.