Res 90-019
"-,
0072.15003
JDW/naa
02/23/90
RESOLUTION NO.
90-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, CLARIFYING AND
SETTING FORTH FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS WITH
RESPECT TO THE ADOPTION OF A DECLARATION OF
NONSIGNIFICANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITH RESPECT
TO PROPOSED SEPA REGULATIONS, SHORELINE
MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS,
IMPACT MITIGATION REGULATIONS, COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN, ZONING MAP, ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS AND
ZONING CODE FOR THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON, FOR PURPOSES OF CLARIFYING THE BASIS UPON WHICH THEY
ARRIVED AT A DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE WITH RESPECT TO THE
ADOPTION OF INITIAL ZONING, ZONING CODE, SUBDIVISION, IMPACT
MITIGATION, SEPA AND SHORELINE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
section 1.
Attached hereto and identified as Exhibit A
is a statement of the findings, reasoning and conclusions of the
city
Council
leading
to
its
adoption
of
a
declaration
of
nonsignificance with respect to the adoption by the City of
proposed
ordinances
and
resolutions
relating
to
subdivision,
shoreline
management,
SEPA,
impact
mitigation,
Comprehensive
Plan, Official Zoning Map and zoning code and ordinances.
RESOLVED this 27th day of February, 1990.
APPROVED:
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
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CITY CLERK, DE LORE A. MEAD
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MAYOR, DEBRA ERTEL
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FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: February 23, 1990
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: February 27, 1990
RESOLUTION NO. 90-19
JDWO0753R
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COpy
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EXHIBIT A
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
FINDINGS, REASONS' CONCLUSIONS IN SUPPORT OF DNS
ISSUED JANUARY 23,1990
These Findings, Reasons & Conclusions are intended to explain and
document background information and rationale used in preparation
of the Determination of Nonsignificance issued on Jan. 23,
1990. The methodology of the analysis is a comparison of
existing conditions under policies and regulations presently in
the King County plans and ordinances, and the policies and
regulations proposed to be adopted by Federal Way. The proposed
changes were examined to determine if there were significant
negative significant impacts created by the change in the overall
effect of each policy or regulation. The analysis does not
address economic, fiscal or social impacts as these are not
defined as potential environmental impacts in WAC-197 and are not
required to be addressed.
EARTH
Existing Conditions
Analysis of existing conditions based on the King County
Sensitive Areas Inventory indicates that there are areas of
unstable soils, steep slopes, erosion and seismic hazards within
the City boundaries. These areas are indicated on the Sensitive
Areas Map in the Comprehensive Plan.
Existing development regulations in King County have in some
cases failed to mitigate impacts of earth modifications as
development occurred with subsequent impacts to soil stabil i ty
and reduction in permeability. continued development under the
existing codes will increase or magnify these problems.
Environmental Impacts
The proposed regulations are based on existing information from
King County and do not represent any expansion of areas presently
regulated by King county.
The proposed regulations do not have a significant adverse effect
on the environment. In some ¡,.cases, these regulations will
require more detailed and restrictive grading plans, increased
maintenance of natural areas, and~ther more stringent measures
to reduce alteration of soils and topography than presently
required by King County. The proposed regulations will reduce
negative environmental impacts created under the existing
conditions, and will mitigate the cumulative impact of future
development.
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AIR
Existing Conditions
The existing King County Comprehensive Plan allows for continued
growth and development in the community which will increase air
pollution from traffic and wood smoke or other emissions. Poor air
quality conditions in the puget Sound Basin now occur frequently.
Environmental Impacts
The proposed regulations will not increase air pollution resulting.
from future development at a greater rate than the existing King
County plan. Reductions in population density, allowable building
area, increases in open space and traffic mitigation measures
proposed in the new plan may reduce cumulative air pollution levels
in the long term.
WATER
Existing Conditions
The City contains many small lakes and streams, some draining
directly into wetlands and puget Sound. Some of these systems have
been badly impacted by past urban development, and severe flooding
conditions are created during storms.
The Hy1ebos system drains into Hy1ebos Creek and Commencement Bay
which is presently suffering from extremely poor water quality as
documented by the puget Sound Water Quality Authority. Information
generated in the Hy1ebos Basin Study and by King County Stormwater
Management Division indicates that the basin system is extremely
fragile and will be heavily impacted by continued expansion of
impervious surfaces in the basin. SWM has indicated in
correspondence to the City that lower densities and greater area
of pervious surface is needed to reducè impacts to the basin.
Environmental Impacts
The Federal Way Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations
contain measures to prevent fi11~ng and other alteration of
wetlands, to control stormwater run.off and erosion in existing
streams and lakes, to maintain n~~ural drainage systems by
requiring setbacks, and increasing aquifer recharge.
The regulations will require greater pervious area and retention
of natural vegetation than presently required in King County, with
the intent of reducing surface water runoff and maintaining aquifer
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recharge. The Plan calls for maintenance of low density
residential uses in the vicinity of the Hylebos wetlands to reduce
direct impacts to the wetland. Filling of existing wetlands will
be prohibited by the regulations. The proposed regulations will
not have an adverse impact on the environment because they will
reduce damage to the existing drainage system and potential
overload of the storm drainage system. Subsequent impacts on
natural drainage systems and cumulative impacts on water quality
in the long term should be less.
PLANTS/ANIMALS
Existing Conditions
Natural vegetation consists of a variety of typical northwest
species in addition to ornamentals introduced in urban areas for
landscaping purposes. Many undeveloped areas have been logged or
cleared for agricultural purposes although some substantial
forested areas remain. Some of these areas and wetlands still
provide habitats for native birds, small mammals and other animals.
Clearing for urban development has included substantial or total
clearing of natural vegetation on many sites with a subsequent
reduction in habitat areas, and loss of environmental quality.
Environmental Impacts
The plan and regulations will provide guidelines to maintain
significant natural vegetation as much as possible and prevent
removal of vegetation unless replaced. The regulations will not
have a negative impact on plants, or animal habitat, and should
reduce the loss of natural vegetation and increase the cumulative
area of vegetation within the city in the long term.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Existing Conditions
Urban development allowed under the existing development plan for
Federal Way will use electric, natural gas, oil, wood, and solar
energy for domestic and industrial ~urposes.
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Environmental Impacts
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Use of energy resources will not be increased over that
in the King County Plan and may be reduced slightly in
term by reductions in development density.
provided
the long
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Existing Conditions
There are a number of hazards to environmental health existing in
the present environment including use of hazardous and toxic
materials, risk of fire and explosion, etc.
Environmental Impacts
The plan and regulations are a non-project action that would not
constitute a direct action creating environmental hazards. The
regulations would provide controls and processes for prevention or
management of environmental hazards for future projects.
LAND AND SHORELINE USE
Existing Conditions
Land and shoreline use are presently governed by the King County
Comprehensive Plan, Federal Way Community Plan, the King County
Zoning Code and Shoreline Master Program. A variety of urban and
rura11and uses exist in the community and a substantial potential
for additional development of these uses exists on vacant or
underdeveloped sites. Some areas of the community remain in 1arge-
lot agricultural uses although not generally for commercial
purposes. The King County Sensitive Areas Maps indicate that a
portion of the community falls within sensitive area designations;
and a majority of the community is within an acquifer recharge
area. The puget Sound shoreline and Steel Lake fall within the
jurisdiction of the Shorelines Management Act.
Environmental Impacts
The Federal Way Comprehensive Plan and Development Ordinances will
replace the plan and ordinances presently adopted by King County
governing future development and growth in the community, and in
many cases there will be substantial changes in the regulatory
structure affecting individual parcels of land. The Plan continues
to allow for substantial urban development for a variety of uses
including housing, commercial, industrial, institutional and
agricultural/open space uses. ~
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The Comprehensive Plan provides a pol~Y framework for development
of the new regulations and their implementation. The Plan
establishes a series of land uses classifications from which the
zoning districts are derived, and contains policies related to
regulation and management of uses within these classifications.
The Plan will affect future development and environmental quality
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by establishing guidelines on population density, lot coverage,
retention of natural vegetation, landscaping, management of
stormwater and maintenance of natural drainage systems or streams,
protection of sensitive areas, areas where development may not occur
and open space.
Some reduction in the overall population density, designated
development areas, land coverage allowed and areas where vegetation
may be removed will occur as a result of adoption of the plan and
implementing standards. The guidelines will not create significant
negative environmental impacts, and will reduce cumulative
environmental impacts from urban development in the long term.
The Zoning Ordinance will establish new zoning districts with a new
regulatory structure. The King County zones will be converted to
the nearest equivalent in the Federal Way zoning structure which
will mean that lot size requirements will generally remain the
same. Comparison of the codes indicates variation, generally more
restrictive, from the King County zone in setbacks, lot coverage
height requirements, landscape buffers and area set aside for open
space. These variations will not create a significant adverse
environmental impact as they are intended to increase areas of open
space, natural vegetation and pervious surface.
There will also be some variations in the types of uses and
intensity of uses allowed in the zoning districts. These changes
are intended to increase compatibility between uses, reduce traffic
generation and accompanying impacts and implement community
objectives related to the range of land uses allowed in the
community. The changes in uses will not cause negative
environmental impacts but should reduce cumulative impacts of
conflicting or nuisance uses over the long term.
The Zoning Ordinance proposes greater restrictions on signs and
outdoor advertising. The regulatory changes will reduce sign
height and size, and limit the types of signs to be used. The
changes in the sign ordinance will not create negative adverse
environmental impacts but will reduce immediate and cumulative
adverse aesthetic impacts.
The Zoning Ordinance will increase the requirements for
preservation of vegetation and landscaping. The intent of these
changes is to reduce loss of natural vegetation and improve the
natural and aesthetic environment by increasing the overall
percentage of open space and vegetation in the community.
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The Shoreline regulations will no~, change from the existing
subtantive requirements as the proposed ordinance will adopt the
King County Shoreline Master Program. The only modification will
be in procedures for application for a substantial development
permit. Because there are no changes in the ordinance other than
the permit processes, there will not be any environmental impacts
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from the new ordinance.
In addition to the requirements established under state law, the
Subdivision Ordinance will regulate clearing and grading on a site
prior to development, require protection of natural vegetation and
wetlands, establish strict stormwater management controls similar
to those adopted by King County, and establish open space
standards. These requirements will mitigate potential significant
adverse environmental impacts from removal of vegetation, erosion
or landsliding resulting during subdivision development, and
require provision of adequate public services and facilties
resulting from population growth.
Because these standards are in common practice for high quality
subdivision development in the region, they should have only a
minor effect on the rate of subdivision development or price of
housing, and will not create any negative adverse environmental
impacts.
HOUSING
Existing Conditions
The City of Federal Way has an inventory of approximately 26,000
housing units including multi-family, single-family, and mobile
homes. Multi-family units comprise nearly 50% of all units.
Housing in the community is relatively affordable in comparison to
other areas in the puget Sound region, and, although no inventory
has been conducted, there appears to be considerable remaining
capacity for construction of new housing in the community
under the existing plan and zoning regulations.
Environmental Impacts
The proposed plan and zoning regulation will continue to provide
for single-family and multi-family housing, although at a different
ratio and density than presently existing. The Plan adopts an
objective of 35% multi-family units which will require limits on
future multi-family development and expansion of single-family
zoning. There may be some negative environmental impacts from this
policy on housing supply if there is inadequate multi-family
housing in the future, however, thi~'!is not presently the case, and
the city will also increase the land supply for single-family
housing during that time. ~
The effect of more restrictive regulations may have some negative
impact on the cost of housing which generally represents about 20-
25% of the cost of housing, but the percentage increase is likely
to be minor, and these impacts would have to be considered in
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relation to the more serious cost increases resulting from
population growth and demand and the limited housing supply in the
region.
AESTHETICS
Existing Conditions
The City of Federal Way has urbanized over a period of
approximately 25 years under King County's land development
regulation system which is largely oriented to rural uses. The
present appearance of the community is suburban, with low density,
One story buildings and on-site parking lots. Development under
older standards did not require landscaping or sign controls, and
many of the commercial areas are unsightly and poorly designed.
There is an absence of landscaped open space in the city center and
other commercial areas, and many older uses are not adequately
screened from adjacent or incompatible uses.
Environmental Impacts
The proposed plan and regulations will increase the level of review
and requirements related to design and aesthetics. Significant
buffer areas between uses, increased landscaping requirements, open
space requirements and design standards will improve the overall
appearance of public and private spaces as development occurs.. The
proposed sign ordinance will significantly change the allowed size,
height and types of signs, particularly in commercial areas.
There will not be significant adverse environmental impacts
produced by increasing landscaping or design controls. The
implementation of the controls will mitigate cumulative impacts of
poor design and inadequate landscaping as development occurs in the
future and substantially improve the aesthetic environment of the
community.
RECREATION
Existing Conditions
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There are a number of state and county parks within the proposed
City limits of Federal Way. There ~re also a variety of private
recreational activities available. ,
Environmental Impacts
The Federal Comprehensive Plan does not contain a Parks and
Recreation Element at this time, although a Parks and Recreation
7
Plan will be prepared in the near future. The zoning and
subdivision ordinances require that open space and park needs be
addressed in the development process. These policies will not have
a significant negative impact on the environment.
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION
Existing Conditions
The City of Federal Way does not contain a distinct historical
district, although there are two structures in the City that will
be nominated as Historic Landmarks. The community is located on
the route of a historic military road from which the name is
derived. The area is also known to have had significant native
Indian populations, although no survey has been conducted to
determine if there were native settlements within the city
boundaries.
Environmental Impacts
The proposed plan and regulations do not address historical or
cultural preservation at this time, and do not have any negative
impacts on historical or cultural objects or locations.
TRANSPORTATION
Existing Conditions
The City of Federal Way is served by several major state arterials
and Interstate 5, and has a system of internal arterials and
collectors. It also has limited public transportation service from
METRO.
The transportation system is presently operating at poor levels of
service particularly at peak hours because portions of the arterial
system are not constructed at urban standards, or improved
signalization is needed. The street grid system is not complete
in many areas which limits accessibility and use of available land.
The circulation system within the city center is also not complete
or well integrated and is frequently congested.
Environmental Impacts
The Plan adopts a street classification system closely related to
the system used by King County. Str~et standards and construction
specifications will also be similar'~l though there will be some
addi tional standards related to de91~gn and landscaping. The
proposed standards and regulations are based on good engineering
practices and street design, and reflect community desires to
improve the appearance and function of roadways within the City.
The
Plan
will
require
that
street
improvements
are
provided
8
concurrently with new development to reduce the impact of future
growth on inadequate street facilities.
The Plan and regulations will not have a significant negative
impact on the environment, and will mitigate future and cumulative
negative impacts from traffic and unsafe conditions resulting from
future development.
PUBLIC SERVICES
Existing Conditions
Upon incorporation, the City of Federal Way will be responsible for
providing police, fire, street and park maintenance and general
city services. The Federal Way School District (No. 210) provides
school services. Health care services are provided privately.
Deman for new services or added services does not necessarily
increase directly in relations to population growth but often
depends on specific problem areas or policy objectives.
Environmental Impacts
Population growth projected in the King County and Federal Way
Comprehensive Plans will increase demand for public services,
however, the Federal Way Community Plan does not increase the
demand for services beyond that which would be generated by the
King County Plan, and incorporation would reduce demand for some
services from King County.
The Plan and development ordinances do not add new services or
increase levels of service to the degree that there would be
significant adverse impacts beyond normal response to population
growth or societal changes.
UTILITIES
Existing Conditions
Water and sewer utilities are provided by the Federal Way Water and
Sewer District. Natural gas, electricity and telephones are
provided privately. Solid waste disposal is provided by private
contractors who deliver to the King~County landfills.
I;!
The City's water supply is obtained'!rom wells which tap a deep
aquifer. Water quality is good and~upp1y is adequate to meet
projected needs in the short term.
Environmental Impacts
Provision of adequate utility services in response to growth will
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be a major public policy issue for both King County and Federal Way
as growth and development occur. Policies adopted by Federal Way
do not increase long term impacts over those that would occur under
the King County Plan. Policies in the proposed plan to reduce
impervious surfaces and increase open space may decrease impacts
to the water supply system maintaining recharge to the acquifer.
Connection to the sewer system with new development and expansion
of the sewer system to existing unsewered areas may also reduce
water quality impacts over time.
Prepared by:
Kay L. Shoudy, Acting Planning Director
City of Federal Way
Feb. 21, 1990
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