TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jeff Churchill |
Long Range Planning Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Beckye Frey |
Principal Planner |
TITLE:
title
Redmond 2050 Draft Environmental Impact Statement Publication
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Staff will brief the Planning and Public Works Committee of the Whole on the Redmond 2050 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to begin to familiarize Councilmembers with the contents and findings of the DEIS. A staff report and subsequent study sessions are scheduled beginning July 19, 2022.
The City is publishing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Redmond 2050, the periodic update of the Redmond Comprehensive Plan, in compliance with the chapter 43.21C RCW, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
SEPA, Washington State's most fundamental environmental law, was enacted in 1971. It requires governmental agencies to give proper consideration of environmental matters in decision making. Where probable and significant adverse environmental impacts might occur, preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required. The Redmond 2050 DEIS allows the city to comply with state law and mitigate environmental impacts of future growth identified in the policies and regulations under development.
The Redmond 2050 EIS will test the current plan (baseline) and two growth alternatives. Alternatives test different ways of achieving objectives. The City’s objectives include to create a Comprehensive Plan that meets state and regional requirements, such as accommodating assigned growth, and focusing most growth around urban centers and transit-oriented development areas.
The EIS will identify environmental conditions, potential impacts of the different growth alternatives, infrastructure investment needs, and measures to reduce or mitigate any significant, unavoidable adverse environmental impacts. Redmond desires to create a comprehensive plan reflecting sustainability, resiliency, and equity and inclusion; the EIS will incorporate these themes where applicable.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Comprehensive Plan Policy PI-16 calls for the City to consider the impacts to the natural environment during Comprehensive Plan updates.
• Required:
The State Environmental Policy Act, chapter 43.21C RCW, requires that Comprehensive Plan updates be subject to environmental review.
• Council Request:
n/a
• Other Key Facts:
n/a
OUTCOMES:
The Redmond 2050 Draft Environmental Impact Statement will provide information to the public and decision-makers about the environmental effects of plans or projects on the natural and built environment. It is a disclosure document to aid decision-making. Community feedback on the DEIS will help us to develop a Preferred Alternative for how we will distribute growth. This will direct policy, zoning, and programmatic changes that would allow us to implement that vision.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Q4 2020: community input on EIS scoping
Q2 and Q3 2022: extended community input on DEIS
Q3 and Q4 2022: responding to DEIS comments
Q4 2022 or Q1 2023: Final EIS publication
• Outreach Methods and Results:
DEIS outreach methods will include community events, in-person or hybrid community meetings, in-person or hybrid small group opportunities, online questionnaires, stakeholder meetings, newsletters, and social media.
• Feedback Summary:
During fall 2020, we asked community members what would be important to include in the EIS. We heard that the top three most important topics for which to understand environmental implications were the natural environment, air quality, and transportation. A SEPA scoping summary is available online at <https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17166/2020-02-17---Memo-Attachment-B---SEPA-Scoping-Summary-PDF>.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$4,535,222 is the total appropriation to the Community and Economic Development offer and is where most staff expenses related to Redmond 2050 are budgeted. A portion of this budget offer is for a consultant contract that the Council authorized with BERK for SEPA analysis and the Climate Vulnerability Assessment, totaling $445,000.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
000250
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund; Washington State Department of Commerce grant
Budget/Funding Constraints:
Grant deliverables must be complete by June 30, 2023.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
2/15/2022 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
7/19/2022 |
Business Meeting |
Provide Direction |
|
7/26/2022 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
8/9/2022 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Time Constraints:
Council action on Redmond 2050 Phase 1 is expected in mid-2023. To meet that timeline, the Final EIS must be published by the end of Q1 2023.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
No action requested at this time.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Redmond 2050 DEIS Preview