Draft Environmental Impact Statement – Ready for Review and Comment
The City of Puyallup invites you to comment on the Planned Action Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the Cultivating Puyallup Downtown Program.
Study Alternatives:
The Draft EIS studies three alternatives: No Action Alternative, Study Alternative 1, and Study Alternative 2.
- The No Action Alternative is a continuation of the City’s current Comprehensive Plan and development standards and assumes future growth consistent with current buildout trends and continuation of the standard project by project environmental review process.
- Study Alternatives 1 and 2 would provide for future growth consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, but at higher levels than currently projected. These alternatives also include potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Standards, including the implementation of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program.
- Under either study alternative, Cultivating Puyallup would also include the adoption of a Planned Action Ordinance. If adopted, this ordinance would establish that further environmental review on future development within the designated Planned Action area would not be necessary if the proposed development is consistent with the development levels of the adopted Planned Action Ordinance.
All of the alternatives intend to fulfill the goals of the City’s current Downtown Revitalization Plan including: increased employment, more compact urban development, preservation of historic structures and landmarks, improved transportation connections including automobiles, pedestrians and bicycles pathways, and improved tourism.
Study Alternatives 1 and 2 maintain the current land use and zoning designations as well as maximum heights, but propose changes to other development regulations such as floor area ratio, parking, and other standards to make downtown revitalization more achievable within that same land use and height framework. By making these changes, Study Alternatives 1 and 2 are intended to accommodate more efficient and robust growth in downtown in terms of population and employment.
Scope of Review:
Per State law, the Draft EIS identifies specific environmental impacts and ways to mitigate impacts in advance of development. Environmental issues evaluated in this draft EIS include: land use, aesthetics, historic resources, stormwater, transportation, utilities, and public services.
Opportunity for Comment:
Public and agency comment is invited regarding the Draft EIS. The City of Puyallup will accept written comments from issuance on April 2, 2012 through 5:00 p.m., May 4, 2012. Please provide written comments to the contact person for this project as follows:
Katie Baker, Associate Planner
City of Puyallup
333 S. Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98371In addition, the City invites public comments on the Draft EIS at a public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the Puyallup City Council Chambers, 333 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371.
Your interest in the City is greatly appreciated. If you would like more information about the
Cultivating Puyallup program, please contact Katie Baker at (253) 435-3604 or kbaker@ci.puyallup.wa.us. If you would like an electronic copy of the Draft EIS on a compact disc, you may purchase one for $5.00.EIS Scoping Comments
On our September 21st “Scoping Meeting” many people turned out to offer their thoughts on the what EIS should study. In addition, many people also sent in their comments to the City.
We have compiled these comments into a singular document that summarizes the comments (both specific and aggregate) and responds to how those comments will be addressed as part of the EIS.
You can find the document here (Puyallup EIS Scoping Document).
Thanks to everyone who contributed their comments – it really does help us craft a better EIS.
Thanks for the input
Thanks to everyone who attended last night’s open house. We received a lot of great comments and thoughts. We’ll be summarizing all the comments we’ve received about the upcoming EIS in the coming days. Remember, you can still submit comments via the comments section below or directly to the City (see the meeting packet the previous post for where to send your comments.
I’ve also posted the Information Boards we had up in last nights meeting.
Thanks.
Tonight’s Scoping Meeting – Meeting Packet
Hello Everyone – looking forward to tonight’s open house. In case you can’t make it (or just want to get a head start), we’ve attached the Scoping Meeting Packet for you. You’ll find information about the meeting, the project, EISs, planned actions, the study alternatives, and comment form.
Scoping Notice: Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement
The Cultivating Puyallup project promotes economic development and downtown revitalization by bringing together a “Planned Action” Environmental Impact Statement (PAEIS), with a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. The PAEIS will analyze the environmental impacts associated with development in the downtown, increases in employment and population, and expedite the processing of projects that are consistent with the City’s adopted plans in the downtown.
The City has taken the first step toward the PAEIS and has issued a scoping notice for the Cultivating Puyallup – Downtown Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement (PAEIS) and is inviting comments from the public and agencies until September 23, 2011. Scoping is a process intended to establish a reasonable range of alternatives and to narrow the scope of the PAEIS to the most important environmental topics.
You are invited to comment on PAEIS alternatives, environmental topics and issues, impacts and mitigation measures, and approvals that may be required. See the scoping notice for contact information and methods to provide your comments to the City.
You can find more information on the proposed alternatives and environmental issues in the SEPA Checklist, which provides a set of questions and answers on how the Cultivating Puyallup Downtown Program could affect a range of natural and built environment conditions; the checklist also describes which potential impacts are adequately mitigated by existing plans and codes and which topics are proposed to be explored in the PAEIS.
You are also invited to attend the scoping meeting to provide oral or written comments.
Date: September 21, 2011
Time: 4:00 PM, ending no later than 7:00 PM
Place: Council Chambers, 5th Floor, Puyallup City Hall (333 South Meridian, Puyallup, WA)
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Katie Baker, Associate Planner, 253-435-3604, kbaker@ci.puyallup.wa.us or Sharon Treado, Administrative Assistant, 253-841-5479.
Breaking down the July 13th Planning Commission Meeting
We had Cultivating Puyallup meeting on July 13 at Puyallup City Hall. It took place during the Planning Commission’s monthly meeting, with all Commission members and 25 members of the public in attendance. The meeting provided a great opportunity for citizens of Puyallup and public officials to exchange ideas and information. The project team began by providing participants with a short overview. They discussed the current downtown vision and plan, and explained how the Planned Action could have a major role in impacting (and potentially changing the course) of development in the area.
A Vision for Downtown
Then came the fun part! Everyone in attendance were given a venue to share their thoughts and ideas about the vision for downtown through a “Cover Story” group activity. During this exercise, attendees broke up into groups of 3-6 individuals, and were asked to imagine that downtown Puyallup was on the cover of a national magazine as one of the best places to live, work, and play in the country. Each group was asked to sketch a picture of what that cover would look like, drawing on their ideal vision for the future. Participants were asked to answer the following questions about downtown Puyallup: Who would be living/working/visiting there? What will they need? What are the challenges that will need to be overcome?
Here’s how they responded:
Who will be living (and visiting and working) in downtown Puyallup?
- Residents: Seniors and Empty Nesters. Participants identified seniors/empty nesters as a group of people who would benefit from downtown’s easy access to services (e.g. medical), amenities, and transit.
- Residents: Young Professionals. Young professionals (and couples) were also identified as being a group that would be attracted to living downtown. More entertainment options, services, access to the Sounder commuter train, and potentially short commutes would all be significant benefits.
- Workers. Government employees, those providing professional services, and retail employees were all identified as the type of people who would be working in downtown Puyallup.
- Visitors. People attracted to Puyallup’s great entertainment options and destinations would be the primary visitors. In addition, families and friends of downtown residents would also visit often.
- Good Public Transit. Many participants talked about the importance of good public transit, in order to provide easy access to and from the downtown, as well as convenient way for residents, workers, and visitors to get around within the city. Both regional and local transit were mentioned as key components of a successful downtown
- Good Bicycle/Pedestrian Infrastructure. Participants recognized that one of the great advantages of living downtown is that residents don’t have to drive as much. Good, safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure were identified as being important to creating a pleasant environment and atmosphere downtown that would be attractive to people.
- Entertainment Options and Destinations. Many participants highlighted the need for good entertainment options, social opportunities, and regional destinations in the downtown area. Things like bars, restaurants, performance arts, live music, brewpubs, and a farmer’s market were highlighted as ways to make downtown more vibrant and enticing.
- Convenient Services and Amenities. It was noted that to make downtown a truly complete area, every day services should be easily accessible. These include things like grocery stores, drug stores, laundromats, medical services, licensing services, etc.
- Range of Job Opportunities. Some participants highlighted the importance of increasing the number of jobs in downtown Puyallup, which ranged from the service industry to professional services. Participants also envisioned more small and local businesses as well as innovative companies with offices downtown.
- Parks/Open Space. It was noted that increasing the amount of park/open space easily accessible from downtown would improve the attractiveness of the area.
- Traffic/Parking. Participants identified parking and traffic issues (particularly relating to SR-161) as something that posed a challenge to increasing development.
- Current Transit Service and Bicycle, and Pedestrian Infrastructure. Participants mentioned a need to improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, as well as better transit connections, such as additional Sounder service.
- Attracting/Promoting Jobs. In several groups “ideal vision”, Puyallup needs to attract a variety of living wage jobs to the downtown area.
- Preserving Character/Identify. Several groups noted the importance of preserving the character and identity of the area, while still accommodating growth. Despite new development, the agricultural identity of the area should not be lost. In addition, the early 1900’s style of buildings should be preserved. Overall, it was emphasized that growth should be mindful of the existing population and respect existing values.
What will they need?
What are the challenges that will need to be overcome??
Overall, it was a great meeting, with both the public and the project team learning a lot and helping move the project forward. The project team greatly values the feedback received from all attendees.
Thanks again to all who participated!
Come hang out for an evening with Cultivating Puyallup
We’ll be talking about the Downtown Plan and how it might be changed to better meet the City’s vision for a vibrant urban area. We’d like hear from you on things that are important to you and where your concerns are with future grow in the area.
The meeting will be start at 7pm and will be held at City Hall (333 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA) in Council Chambers on the fifth floor. See you thenPierce County’s TDR Program
Members from Pierce County’s TDR program stopped by planning commission a couple of weeks ago to talk about the County’s program. A program that the City may partner with. They dropped off a copy of the presentation – you can find it here: Pierce County Presentation to Puyallup Plan Commission – 5-25-11.
Downtown Planning
We wanted to post a presentation (Downtown Puyallup 2011_0511) that the Cultivating Puyallup Team gave to the Planning Commission last week. The presentation was meant to orient the folks to the what is allowed under the current zoning in downtown and how TDR might work as a development incentive. Check it and shoot us any questions that you have in the comments.
Thanks.
Learn about Downtown Planning – Planning Commission Tonight
Puyallup Planning Staff are providing an informational presentation to the City Planning Commission tomorrow night on Downtown Planning as it relates to the Cultivating Puyallup project. If you are available, please come and learn more about current development regulations, plans, and market conditions in our Downtown.
The intent is to provided Planning Commission and those in attendance with an understanding of the type/size/scale of development allowed under current zoning and regulations, the review process – including a focus on design review, potential for historic preservation, current real estate market conditions in downtown, and an overview of past and present community plans for Downtown (2005 Design Charrette, Local Infrastructure Financing Tool – LIFT, Historic Resources Survey, etc).
With this knowledge of current conditions in Downtown the Planning Commission and stakeholders will have a better understanding of barriers and constraints to development and how to incentivize development that supports the community vision in conjunction with a transfer of development rights program.
If you didn’t understand all that planning jargon, then please consider coming out tonight to learn more about the current conditions of Downtown and how the Cultivating Puyallup project could help achieve the community vision for development in the area.
Puyallup Planning Commission
5th Floor, Puyallup City Hall
7pm, May 11, 2011You can access the Planning Commission agenda packet here, but the majority of the information will be covered in a powerpoint presentation which is not attached.
If you are unable to attend, we’ll have post up later this week covering some of the material.
Thanks!
Cultivating Puyallup
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement – Ready for Review and Comment
- EIS Scoping Comments
- Thanks for the input
- Tonight’s Scoping Meeting – Meeting Packet
- Scoping Notice: Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement
- Breaking down the July 13th Planning Commission Meeting
- Come hang out for an evening with Cultivating Puyallup
- Pierce County’s TDR Program
- Downtown Planning
- Learn about Downtown Planning – Planning Commission Tonight