Laserfiche WebLink
• Findings &Conclusions <br /> 2/25/04 <br /> Page 3 of 5 <br /> Ecology sent written comments received to the City on December 2°d. On or about December <br /> 24th, the City submitted to Ecology its responses to issues raised during the state comment <br /> period. Ecology's own responses to issues raised during the comment period are available as <br /> part of the SMP amendment process record. <br /> Consistency with Chapter 90.58 RCW and "applicable guidelines": On August 27, 2001, the <br /> Shorelines Hearings Board(SHB) entered a decision invalidating sections of WAC 173-26, <br /> Ecology's guidelines for developing local shoreline master programs under the Shoreline <br /> Management Act (SMA). Because of the SHB's decision and the fact that the submittal occurred <br /> before the effective date of the newly adopted guidelines (Jan. 17, 2004),.review of this <br /> amendment is based on the policies and provisions found in R W 90.58, including, but not <br /> limited to: <br /> • RCW 90.58.020—SMA policies <br /> • RCW 90.58.030—definitions and concepts::. <br /> • RCW 90.58.090—"optimum implementation"related to shorelines of statewide <br /> significance <br /> • RCW 90.58.100—use of all ava labl_e information, nd elements of a SMP <br /> • RCW 90.58.900 - liberal construction in terms of implementing the SMA <br /> RCW 90.58.020 prioritizes uses within shorelines of statewide significance, first of which is to <br /> recognize and protect statewide interest over local tnteTh <br /> ii is`section also recognizes <br /> lines <br /> development in the shorethat will provide,4ij opportunity for substantial numbers of people <br /> to enjoy the shorelines of the state The City believes that the amendment, along with the other <br /> regulatory changes, will result in both economic growth and public access beneficial to the state <br /> as part of a major, port facility complex <br /> Consistency with SEPA Requirements: The City prepared a SEPA checklist and issued a <br /> notice of itigated Det rmination of,Non-Significance for the proposed SMP amendments, <br /> rezone and Comprehensive'Tian. /*§EPA determination was published in the The Herald of <br /> Everett op March 18, 2001it Revised Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance was <br /> issued on July 10, 2003. Ecology did not comment on the SEPA notices. <br /> Summary of Issues Raised During The Public Review Process: The combined SMP <br /> amendment, comprehensive plan amendment and zoning changes process was contentious. <br /> However, most if not Ali of the comments were in regards to the redevelopment plan and not the <br /> shoreline amendment itself. In addition, the redevelopment plan includes large areas outside <br /> shoreline jurisdiction. Many of the comments, submitted as part of the amendment, support the <br /> redevelopment plan due to the possible addition of jobs and public access. However, several <br /> letters expressed concerns that included water quality, increased vessel traffic, noise, views <br /> impacts, and loss of land for water-dependent and water-related use and development. <br />