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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: ~d,~ CITY CLERK, DE LORE A. MEAD @~,~ MAYOR, DEBRA ERTEL \, " , \ FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: February 23, 1990 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: February 27, 1990 RESOLUTION NO. 90-19 JDWO0753R -1- COpy '----- 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. 1 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 2 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. \;f Environmental Impacts \~) 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 3 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. ~ -,\. 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 4 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. -;, 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 5 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 6 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 - " 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 9 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 ~ \ 10