Form revised December 9, 2004
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FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS
· Summary of the Legislation:
The legislation would amend the Environmentally Critical Area and Stormwater, Grading and Drainage Control Codes to create a peat settlement-prone area designation. These amendments include mapping of peat settlement-prone areas as well as development standards for subsurface development and stormwater management that would mitigate settlement impacts of new development in areas of or near peat-rich soils.
This legislation would result in a small increase in the number of permit applications and in the length of time necessary to review permit applications for development in Peat Settlement-prone Areas. Staff analysis estimated the total staff time necessary to implement this legislation is approximately 150 hours per year, although this time would be spread across multiple review locations. In the near-term, it is believed that existing staff and fees are sufficient to cover the additional review time anticipated to result from this legislation. In the long-term, DPD will monitor the impact that ongoing legislative actions have on permit volumes and review, taking care to assess the implications of multiple minor increases in review time and the cumulative impact they have on permit review turnaround goals. To the extent that this analysis results in the need for additional staff or other resources, it will be addressed through the annual budget process.
This legislation is a substitute for Council Bill (C.B.) 116167, which was introduced on March 24, 2008. After hearing public testimony at a public hearing, considering public comment, and committee discussion, the Environment Emergency Management and Utilities Committee recommended amending C.B. 116167. Proposed amendments include:
§ Adding a provision in 23.47A.013 to allow a limited FAR exemption for above-ground parking in commercial zones where a high water table prevents underground parking, § Adding a provision in 23.47A.012 to allow additional height to accommodate areas of partially submerged parking that extends no more than 5 feet above finished or existing grade where a high water table prevents a full story of submerged parking, § Changing two code section references in 25.09.015, and § Adding an exemption in 25.09.110 to specifically allow elevator pits below the groundwater table where required to meet accessibility requirements.
These amendments require changes to sections of the Land Use not proposed to be modified by C.B. 116167. Consequently, this necessitates introduction of a new bill with a new title.
· Background:
Peat-rich soils are highly compressible and are prone to settlement when compacted by new structures and fill or when the groundwater table is lowered. Although the existing building code is sufficient to ensure that new development meets the structural requirements for development in peat soils, development in or near peat-rich soils can also affect nearby parcels through modification of the groundwater regime. These amendments would identify areas where development could enhance settlement hazards and would provide development standards for subsurface development and stormwater management to limit modification of the groundwater regime that might cause settlement on nearby parcels.
· Please check one of the following:
__X_ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.) |
Attachment A: Director’s Report and Recommendation