Chapter 18.68
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)

Sections:

18.68.010    Purpose of this chapter and adoption by reference.

18.68.020    Preparation of EIS—Additional considerations.

18.68.030    Additional elements that may be covered in an EIS.

18.68.010 Purpose of this chapter and adoption by reference.

This chapter contains the rules for preparing environmental impact statements. The city adopts the following sections of SEPA rules by reference, as supplemented by this chapter:

WAC

197-11-400    Purpose of EIS.

197-11-402    General requirements of an EIS.

197-11-405    EIS types.

197-11-406    EIS timing.

197-11-408    Scoping.

197-11-410    Expanded scoping. (Optional)

197-11-420    EIS preparation.

197-11-425    Style and size.

197-11-430    Format.

197-11-435    Cover letter or memo.

197-11-440    EIS contents.

197-11-442    Contents of EIS on nonproject proposals.

197-11-443    EIS contents when prior nonproject EIS.

197-11-444    Elements of the environment.

197-11-448    Relationship of EIS to other considerations.

197-11-450    Cost-benefit analysis.

197-11-455    Issuance of DEIS.

197-11-460    Issuance of FEIS.

(Ord. 548 § 2 (Exh. D) (part), 2007)

18.68.020 Preparation of EIS—Additional considerations.

A.    Preparation of draft and final EISs (DEIS and FEIS) and draft and final supplemental EISs (SEIS) is the responsibility of the applicant or department under the supervision of the responsible official. Before the city issues an EIS, the responsible official shall be satisfied that it complies with this chapter and Chapter 197-11 WAC.

B.    The DEIS and FEIS or draft and final SEIS shall be prepared by city staff, the applicant, or by a consultant selected by the city or the applicant. If the responsible official requires an EIS for a proposal and determines that someone other than the city will prepare the EIS, the responsible official shall notify the applicant immediately after completion of the threshold determination. The responsible official shall also notify the applicant of the city’s procedure for EIS preparation, including approval of the draft and final EIS prior to distribution.

C.    The city may require an applicant to provide information the city does not possess and may require the applicant to make specific investigations. However, the applicant is not required to supply information that is not required under this title or that is being requested from another agency. This does not apply to information the city may request under another ordinance or statute. (Ord. 548 § 2 (Exh. D) (part), 2007)

18.68.030 Additional elements that may be covered in an EIS.

A.    The following additional elements are part of the environment for the purpose of EIS content, but do not add to the criteria for threshold determinations or perform any other function or purpose under this chapter:

1.    Economy;

2.    Social policy analysis;

3.    Cost-benefit analysis;

4.    Consistency with the city’s adopted comprehensive plan, capital facilities plan, and other adopted plans, regulations and standards;

5.    The criteria for determining whether the proposal is consistent with adopted plans, policies, regulations, and standards are:

a.    The type of land use allowed;

b.    The level of development allowed;

c.    The adequacy of public infrastructure; and

d.    The characteristics of the proposed development.

B.    The lead agency may include, in an EIS or appendix, the analysis of any impact relevant to the agency’s decision, whether or not environmental. The inclusion of such analysis may be based upon comments received during the scoping process. The provision for combining documents may be used (WAC 197-11-640). The EIS shall comply with the format requirements of this chapter. The decision whether to include such information and the adequacy of any such additional analysis shall not be used in determining whether an EIS meets the requirements of SEPA. (Ord. 548 § 2 (Exh. D) (part), 2007)