The Department of Planning and Development approved two subdivisions in Ballard. They also released the proposal for the “2015 Revision to Stormwater Code” and the “2016 Stormwater Code and Manual Update.”

6105 14th Ave NW: Granted
Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into four unit lots. The construction of residential units are under Project #6384776. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

5900 28TH AVE NW: Granted

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into three unit lots. The construction of residential units is under Project #6421843. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Appeals of this decision must be received by the Hearing Examiner no later than 3/23/2015.

Description of Proposal
The proposed action is City Council adoption and implementation of ordinances updating the City’s Stormwater Code and authorizing SPU and DPD to update the Directors’ Rule that implements the Stormwater Code. The update is expected to be conducted using a two-step process, consisting of the “2015 Revision to Stormwater Code” and the “2016 Stormwater Code and Manual Update.”

City of Seattle Stormwater Code and Rule Update SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS)
The “2015 Revision to Stormwater Code” process would result in the following three modifications to the 2009 Stormwater Code:
▪ Making water quality treatment thresholds for roadway projects less stringent and equivalent to Ecology requirements.
▪ Exempting SPU drinking water line of business utility projects from flow control, water quality treatment and green stormwater requirements, a standard which is equivalent to Ecology’s requirements.
▪ Adding flexibility to exempt flow control requirements in controlled combined sewer basins (or to be controlled under the Consent Decree) – identification of basins to be administered under Director’s Rule.
The 2015 revisions would be adopted by Seattle City Council ordinance. This ordinance process is scheduled to begin in the 1st Quarter of 2015 and will include a public hearing. SPU and DPD anticipate that the 2015 Revisions would be effective May 2015.

The “2016 Stormwater Code and Manual Update” process would include modifications to comply with Seattle’s 2013-2018 NPDES Phase 1 Municipal Stormwater Permit, provide equivalency with the Washington State Department of Ecology’s 2014 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, incorporate SPU and DPD policy changes, and improve usability. The 2016 process would adopt the remaining proposed Stormwater Code revisions and authorize the proposed new Stormwater Manual. This ordinance process is scheduled to begin during the 2nd Quarter of 2015 and will include a public hearing. Once authorized by ordinances, the 2016 Stormwater Code would be implemented through a Directors’ Rule (also known as the Seattle Stormwater Manual) approved by the Director of SPU and the Director of DPD. SPU and DPD anticipate these revisions would be effective January 2016.

Proponent

Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Municipal Tower Suite 4900
P.O. Box 34018
Seattle, WA 98124-4018

Location of Proposal
The geographic area affected by this proposed non-project action is the City of Seattle, Washington. Projects affected by the proposal may occur anywhere within Seattle’s city limits.
Lead Agency
Seattle Public Utilities, the lead agency for this proposal, has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request.

This Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency will not act on this proposal for fourteen (14) days from the date below.

A copy of the environmental checklist is available at:
▪ Seattle Public Utilities, Director’s Office Main Reception Area, Seattle Municipal Tower, Suite 4900, 700 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington
▪ Seattle Central Library, Public Review Documents, Level 5 Reference
▪ http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/changestocode/stormwatercode/proj…
Public and Agency Comments
Comments must be submitted by March 23, 2015 and must be sent to:
Betty Meyer, SEPA Responsible Official
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Municipal Tower, Suite 4900
P.O. Box 34018
Seattle, WA 98124-4018
betty.meyer@seattle.gov

Appeals
Appeals of this DNS must be accompanied by an $85.00 filing fee and must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on March 30, 2015. Delivery of appeals filed by any form of USPS mail service may be delayed by several days. Allow extra time if mailing an appeal.

▪ Written appeals must be sent to:

City of Seattle Hearing Examiner
700 5th Avenue Suite 4000
P.O. Box 94729
Seattle, WA 98124-4729
▪ Appeals can be filed electronically. Details on electronic filing procedures are available under “e-File” at the Office of the Hearing Examiner’s web site: http://www.seattle.gov/examiner/
▪ Filing fees must be paid by the appeal deadline and can be paid via check (made payable to the City of Seattle) or credit/debit card (Visa and MasterCard only). Credit/debit card payments can be made in-person or over-the-phone.

You should be prepared to make specific factual objections. Please refer to the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure for rules that govern appeals. These rules are available on the Hearing Examiner’s website at www.seattle.gov/examiner/rules-toc.htm or by calling 206-684-0521.