Environmental Checklist.pdf#P"71
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ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST
Code Amendment of
The Edmonds Community Development Code
Titles 20 and 21
To create a Unit Subdivision Process
PREPARED BY:
John Bissell, AICP
February 3, 2017
HAI Project Number
16-241
WAC 197-11-960 Environmental checklist guidance updated 2014
A. background
1. Name of proposed project, if applicable:
Unit Subdivision Code Amendment
2. Name of applicant:
Westgate Woods, LLC
2817 NW 94t" St.
Seattle, WA 98117
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
John Bissell, AICP
HARMSEN ASSOCIATES, INC.
125 East Main Street Ste. 104
Monroe, WA 98272
360-794-7811
4. Date checklist prepared:
February 3, 2017
5. Agency requesting checklist:
City of Edmonds
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable):
The code amendment process is expected to take less than a year with final approval before December
2017.
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain.
N/A.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal.
None known
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.
Not property specific
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10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known,:
• SEPA Threshold Determination
• Planning Board Recommends to City Council
• City Council Ordinance Approval
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
page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project
description.)
The applicant proposes to amend the subdivision code and the definitions section of the Edmonds
Community Development Code to allow a Unit Subdivision process. The Unit Subdivision would allow
the division of land along party walls of townhouse dwellings (attached single family dwellings) or
between buildings on multiple family zoned properties and/or properties zoned to allow more than one
dwelling unit on a single parcel of land.
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.
City wide
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
1. Earth
a. General description of the site
(circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous,
other
City Wide — N/A
b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)?
City Wide — N/A
c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat,
muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any
agricultural land of long-term commercial significance and whether the proposal results in
removing any of these soils.
City Wide — N/A
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d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so,
describe.
City Wide — N/A
e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of
any filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate source of fill.
City Wide — N/A
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project
construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
City Wide — N/A
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any:
The proposed code amendment would not change how the code regulates errocaion.
2. Air
a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction,
operation, and maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and
give approximate quantities if known.
The proposed code amendment would not change how the code regulates air quality.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so,
generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any:
City Wide — N/A
3. Water
a. Surface Water:
1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including
year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe
type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into.
City Wide — N/A
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2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described
waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans.
City Wide — N/A
3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed
from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected.
Indicate the source of fill material.
City Wide — N/A
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
City Wide — N/A
5) Does the proposal lie within a 100 -year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan.
City Wide — N/A
6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so,
describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge.
City Wide — N/A
b. Ground Water:
1) Will groundwater be withdrawn from a well for drinking water or other purposes? If so,
give a general description of the well, proposed uses and approximate quantities
withdrawn from the well. Will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
City Wide — N/A
2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or
other sources, if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the
following chemicals... ; agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the
number of such systems, the number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the
number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve.
City Wide — N/A
c. Water runoff (including stormwater):
1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection
and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow?
Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe.
City Wide — N/A
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2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If
so, describe.
City Wide — N/A
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage
pattern impacts, if any:
The proposed code amendment will not alter any current regulations affecting ground water. City Wide —
N/A
4. Plants
a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site:
deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other
evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other
shrubs
_ _grass
pasture
crop or grain
Orchards, vineyards or other permanent crops.
wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other
water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other
other types of vegetation
City Wide — N/A
b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
City Wide — N/A
c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
City Wide — N/A
d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance
vegetation on the site, if any:
City Wide — N/A
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e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
City Wide — N/A
5. Animals
a. List any birds and other animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known
to be on or near the site. Examples include:
birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other:
mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: raccoons, squirrels, rats.
fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other
City Wide — N/A
b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site,
City Wide — N/A
b. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain.
City Wide — N/A
d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any:
City Wide — N/A
e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site.
City Wide — N/A
6. Energy and natural resources
a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet
the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating,
manufacturing, etc.
City Wide — N/A
b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties?
If so, generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal?
List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any:
City Wide — N/A
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7. Environmental health
a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk
of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal?
If so, describe.
City Wide — N/A
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
City Wide — N/A
2) Describe existing hazardous chemicals/conditions that might affect project development
and design. This includes underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines
located within the project area and in the vicinity.
City Wide — N/A
3) Describe any toxic or hazardous chemicals that might be stored, used, or produced
during the project's development or construction, or at any time during the operating
life of the project.
City Wide — N/A
4) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
City Wide — N/A
5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any:
City Wide — N/A
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment, operation, other)?
City Wide — N/A
2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a
short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)?
Indicate what hours noise would come from the site.
City Wide — N/A
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
City Wide — N/A
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8. Land and shoreline use
a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Will the proposal affect current
land uses on nearby or adjacent properties? If so, describe.
City Wide — N/A
b. Has the project site been used as working farmlands or working forest lands? If so, describe.
How much agricultural or forest land of long-term commercial significance will be converted to
other uses as a result of the proposal, if any? If resource lands have not been designated,
how many acres in farmland or forest land tax status will be converted to nonfarm or
nonforest use?
City Wide — N/A
1) Will the proposal affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land normal
business operations, such as oversize equipment access, the application of pesticides,
tilling, and harvesting? If so, how:
City Wide — N/A
c. Describe any structures on the site.
City Wide — N/A
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
City Wide — N/A
e. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
City Wide — N/A
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
City Wide — N/A
g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site?
City Wide — N/A
h. Has any part of the site been classified as a critical area by the city or county? If so, specify,
City Wide — N/A
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
City Wide — N/A
j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
City Wide — N/A
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k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any: _
There is currently a crisis in multiple family housing, rentals, condominiums and apartments. The
proposed ordinances changes none of the regulations to intended to protect the community and the
environment. However, it gives developers an additional tool to encourage the construction of
multiple family buildings. In theory this should increase housing stock, which should intern reduce
the housing crises leading to less displacement and more affordability.
L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land
uses and plans, if any:
The proposed ordinances changes none of the regulations to intended to protect the community and
the environment.
m. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts to agricultural and forest lands of long-term
commercial significance, if any:
N/A. The City of Edmonds is urbanized and has no agricultural or forest lands.
9. Housing
a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, middle, or
low-income housing.
City Wide — N/A
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high,
middle, or low-income housing.
City Wide — N/A
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any:
There is currently a crisis in multiple family housing, rentals, condominiums and apartments. The
proposed ordinances changes none of the regulations to intended to protect the community and the
environment. However, it gives developers an additional tool to encourage the construction of
multiple family buildings. In theory this should increase housing stock, which should intern reduce
the housing crises leading to less displacement and more affordability.
10. Aesthetics
a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is
the principal exterior building material(s) proposed?
City Wide — N/A
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
City Wide — N/A
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c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
The City of Edmonds Community Development Code has Design Review Regulations to mitigate
aesthetic impacts of multiple family and commercial development. The proposed ordinance will
not alter those regulations.
11. Light and glare
a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly
occur?
City Wide — N/A
b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views?
City Wide — N/A
c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
City Wide — N/A
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any:
The City of Edmonds Community Development Code has Design Review Regulations to mitigate
aesthetic impacts of multiple family and commercial development. The proposed ordinance will
not alter those regulations.
12. Recreation
a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?
City Wide — N/A
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe.
City Wide — N/A
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation
opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any:
City Wide — N/A
13. Historic and cultural preservation
a. Are there any buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the site that are over 45 years
old listed in or eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers? If so,
specifically describe.
City Wide — N/A
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b. Are there any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation?
This may include human burials or old cemeteries. Are there any material evidence, artifacts,
or areas of cultural importance on or near the site? Please list any professional studies
conducted at the site to identify such resources.
City Wide — N/A
c. Describe the methods used to assess the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources
on or near the project site. Examples include consultation with tribes and the department of
archeology and historic preservation, archaeological surveys, historic maps, GIS data, etc.
City Wide — N/A
d. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, and disturbance
to resources. Please include plans for the above and any permits that may be required.
City Wide — N/A
14. Transportation
a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site or affected geographic area and
describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any.
City Wide — N/A
b. Is the site or affected geographic area currently served by public transit? If so, generally
describe. If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop?
City Wide — N/A
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non -project proposal
have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate?
City Wide — N/A
d. Will the proposal require any new or improvements to existing roads, streets, pedestrian,
bicycle or state transportation facilities, not including driveways? If so, generally describe
(indicate whether public or private).
City Wide — N/A
e. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air
transportation? If so, generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
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f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project or proposal?
If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur and what percentage of the volume would
be trucks (such as commercial and nonpassenger vehicles). What data or transportation
models were used to make these estimates?
City Wide — N/A
g. Will the proposal interfere with, affect or be affected by the movement of agricultural and
forest products on roads or streets in the area? If so, generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any:
Payment of required mitigation fees..
15. Public services
a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection,
police protection, public transit, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe.
City Wide — N/A
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any,
City Wide — N/A
16. Utilities
a. Circle utilities currently available at the site:
electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system,
other
City Wide — N/A
b. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service,
and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might
be needed.
City Wide — N/A
C. Signature
The above answers are true and com I to the best of my, kntrrie I understand that the
lead agency is reRyin m to e i decisio;�`=
Signature: I
Name of signeei ohn Bissell, AICP
Position and Ag ncy/Organization Planning Director, Harmsen Associates, Inc
Date Submitted: February 3, 2017,
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 13 of 15
D. supplemental sheet for nonproject actions
(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; production,
storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or production of noise?
This proposed code amendment will not alter any of the current environmental protections in place at the
City of Edmonds, and therefore, there will be no new impacts to water; emissions to air; production,
storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or production of noise
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce such increases are:
None specifically with this ordinance, because this ordinance will create no new impacts to
water; emissions to air; production, storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or
production of noise.
2. How would the proposal be likely to affect plants, animals, fish, or marine life?
This proposed code amendment will not alter any of the current environmental protections in place at the
City of Edmonds, and therefore, there will be no new impacts to plants, animals, fish, or marine life.
Proposed measures to protect or conserve plants, animals, fish, or marine life are;
None specifically with this ordinance, because this ordinance will create no new impacts
to plants, animals, fish, or marine life.
3. How would the proposal be likely to deplete energy or natural resources?
This proposed code amendment will not alter any of the current environmental protections in place at the
City of Edmonds, and therefore, there will be no new impacts to energy or natural resources.
Proposed measures to protect or conserve energy and natural resources are:
None specifically with this ordinance, because this ordinance will create no new impacts
to energy and natural resources.
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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?
This proposed code amendment will not alter any of the current environmental protections in place at the
City of Edmonds, and therefore, there will be no new impacts to 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.
Proposed measures to protect such resources or to avoid or reduce impacts are:
None specifically with this ordinance, because this ordinance will create no new impacts
to energy and natural resources.
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?
This proposed code amendment will not alter any of the current environmental protections in place at the
City of Edmonds, and therefore, there will be no new impacts to shorelines. The shoreline regulations
will continue to govern shoreline impacts, and will continue to be consistent with existing shoreline plans.
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce shoreline and land use impacts are:
None specifically with this ordinance, because this ordinance will create no new
shoreline impacts.
6. How would the proposal be likely to increase demands on transportation or public
services and utilities?
This proposed code amendment will not alter any of the current traffic impact regulations in the City of
Edmonds and will not alter development density or massing. Therefore, the proposed code amendment
will create no new traffic impacts.
Proposed measures to reduce or respond to such demand(s) are:
None specifically with this ordinance, because this ordinance will create no new traffic
impacts.
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 will not conflict with any local, state or federal law or other requirement for the
protection of the environment.
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