Form revised December 9, 2004

 

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

Department:

Contact Person/Phone:

DOF Analyst/Phone:

Department of Planning and Development

Miles Mayhew/ 615-1256

Amanda Allen/ 684-8894 

 

 

Legislation Title: An ordinance amending Seattle Municipal Code chapter 25.09, relating to environmentally critical areas, and amending related provisions of Seattle Municipal Code Title 23, Sections 23.28.030, 23.22.058, 23.44.008, 23.44.010, 23.44.014, 23.44.024, 23.45.014, 23.45.056, 23.45.072, 23.53.010, 23.53.015, 23.53.020, 23.53.025, 23.53.030, 23.84.010, 23.90.002.

 

 

·        Summary of the Legislation: The legislation updates the ECA code in keeping with state Growth Management Act requirements.  See the attached “Environmentally Critical Areas: Summary of Proposed Changes” document for more information. 

  

·        Background:

The proposed legislation is a response to RCW 36.70A.130 requiring that cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act, including the City of Seattle, to update their environmentally critical areas regulations to comply with the requirements of the Act, including the requirement in RCW 36.70A.172 to include the “best available science” (BAS) when developing policies and regulations that protect the functions and values of critical areas.  In addition, the statute requires these jurisdictions to give “special consideration” to conservation or protection measures necessary to preserve or enhance anadromous fisheries. 

 

Any increase in staff time necessary due to some changes, such as increased buffer sizes in wetlands, and new administrative control for steep slope development will be balanced with changes that reduce the DPD administrative burden, including decreasing DPD’s role in review of City projects and clarifications to the exemptions section.  As such, the result of the legislation is likely to be neutral.      

 

·        Please check one of the following:

 

_X___ This legislation does not have any financial implications.

 

Attachment A:  Director’s Report

Attachment B:  Best Available Science Review