SEPA DNS - Residential Open Space Comp plan amendment - 6-16-23
NOTICE
SEPA DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE (DNS)
Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Capital Facilities Chapter/Parks, Recreation and
Open Space Plan to Facilitate Updates to Residential Open Space Requirements
File No: 23-103073-UP & 23-103074-SE
Description: The City of Federal Way proposes amendments to the Capital Facilities Chapter (element) of its
Comprehensive Plan including, but not necessarily limited to, the Parks, Recreation and Open
Space (PROS) Plan which is part of the Capital Facilities Chapter. The Comprehensive Plan
amendment would allow related updates proposed to Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) Titles 18
and 19 that amend residential open space requirements to improve their consistency and clarity and
to implement Federal Way’s Housing Action Plan; that related code amendment received a SEPA
DNS on 5/12/23. The Comprehensive Plan amendment would include, but may not be limited to,
updates to language about the existing method of calculating open space requirements to allow a
related code amendment that changes the subdivision open space calculation method from a
percent of gross land area basis to sq. ft/unit basis. The proposed comprehensive plan amendment
may make possible other proposed residential open space code amendments associated with the
DNS already issued 5/12/23.
This proposal is consistent with FWRC 19.80.050(3) which allows amendments of the
Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Chapter (Element) outside of the annual docketing process
when it occurs concurrently with adoption or amendments of the City Budget; that’s the intended
adoption path for this proposed comprehensive plan amendment.
Applicant: Federal Way Community Development Department – Planning Division
Lead Agency: City of Federal Way
Staff Contact: Evan Lewis, Senior Planner; 253-835-2646; evan.lewis@cityoffederalway.com
The city’s Responsible Official has determined that the proposal does not have a probable significant adverse
impact on the environment, and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW
43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other
information on file with the city.
A completed environmental checklist and supporting documents are available for review at the City of Federal Way
Community Development Department (Federal Way City Hall, 33325 8th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003,
253-835-7000), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and available via the contact above.
This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2). The lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the
date of issuance. Comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2023. Unless modified by the city, this
determination will become final following the comment deadline. Any person aggrieved by the city’s determination
may file an appeal with the city within 21 days of the above comment deadline. You may appeal this determination
to the Federal Way City Clerk (address above), no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2023, by a written letter stating
the reason for the appeal of the determination. You should be prepared to make specific factual objections.
SEPA Responsible Official: Keith Niven
Title: Community Development Director/SEPA Responsible Official
Address: 33325 8th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003
Contact info: 253-835-2612; Keith.Niven@cityoffederalway.com
Date Issued: June 16, 2023 Signature: _________________________